HomeMy WebLinkAbout27 WIRELSS MSTR PLN/CELL-TWRS 09-05-06
AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 5,2006
TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: PATRICK SANCHEZ, DIRECTOR, PARKS & RECREATION SERVICES
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF SOLICITING REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO
DEVELOP A CITY WIDE WIRELESS MASTER PLAN FOR CELL PHONE
TOWERS AND COVERAGE
SUMMARY
The City recently received a proposal to conduct a wireless master plan for cell phone
towers and facilities on City owned land and rights of way. The primary purpose of
soliciting proposals for a City wide cellular tower master plan would be to develop a
uniform approach on the visual impact of cell phone towers and how these facilities can
best be integrated into our City.
RECOMMENDATION
Pleasure of the Council-
BACKGROUND
The City Council has expressed an interest in developing a City wide wireless master
plan consistent with our municipal code. In October 2001, the City Council adopted
Ordinance No. 1232, which identified design guidelines for the above ground utility
facilities on public property and in the public right of way. This ordinance established
regulations pertaining to the installation of above ground utility facilities, such as cellular
towers in City parks and in the public rights of way.
The City has received a proposal to conduct a wireless master plan. The primary
purpose in developing a City wide master plan would be to reduce the number of
wireless antenna sites necessary to provide service throughout the City, reduce the
blight of wireless antennas through an effective equipment screening process; create
good wireless phone service throughout the City for our residents and businesses; and
generate potential revenue to the City.
While Federal law controls the technical issues of wireless facilities, like radio frequency
and electromagnetic emissions, our ordinance gives the City the ability to regulate
where they are located and their appearance.
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A wireless master plan would involve a review of the existing ordinances and policies
regulating wireless telecommunications deployment; minimize the number of future
wireless facilities; encourage collocation between service providers where feasible;
identify alternative siting locations; encourage the use of concealment techniques; and
develop recommendations to maximize revenue generation through the use of City
owned land and rights of way.
The City Council may direct staff to develop request for proposal criteria and a scope of
services that would include, but would not be limited to the following: review of the City's
current wireless communication ordinance; geo-coding and mapping potential sites;
assessing existing wireless carriers in marketing the properties; and modifications to the
City's existing lease and license agreement for wireless carrier facilities.
The potential number of new lease agreements with carriers cannot be determined until
such time as the City's existing properties can be assessed through the process of this
master plan.
Patrick Sanchez
Director, Parks and Recreation Services