HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.A 07/16/2018ALrr-
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DATE: July 16, 2018
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
FROM: Ingrid Alverde, Economic Development Manager
Lisa Tennenbaum, Assistant City Attorney
SUBJECT: Introduction (First Reading) of an Ordinance Making Amendments to the City of
Petaluma Municipal Code and Implementing Zoning Ordinance Regulating Small
Cell Facilities
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council Introduce an Ordinance Amending the Petaluma
Municipal Code and the Implementing Zoning Ordinance to Add a Definition for Small Cell
Facilities to Outline Regulations for the Installation and Location of Small Cell Facilities in
Petaluma, and Adding a Column for Small Cell Facilities to the Zoning Table.
BACKGROUND
Over the past several months, telecommunications companies have requested staff guidance on
the installation of cellular equipment on City infrastructure such as light poles. These "Small
Cell Facilities" are cellular infrastructures that are smaller than traditional standalone cell towers
and building mounted towers. Small Cell Facilities are pole mounted to existing utility
infrastructure (street lights, power poles, etc.). These sites are used to offset the wireless utility
workload of larger cell towers to provide coverage on a more localized (block -wide) basis and
provide consistent and continuous coverage and downloading of data. To date, the staff response
to inquiries from providers of Small Cell Facilities has consistently been that the City is not
interested in having Small Cell Facilities mounted on City owned infrastructure, which the City
has the right to refuse to do. The concerns regarding Small Cell Facilities on City owned
infrastructure included wear and tear on City owned property, health concerns to adjacent
residents, and the intrusion of related electrical equipment in the right-of-way.
A recent California Public Utilities Commission decision, however, requires utility companies to
allow the co -location of Small Cell Facilities on utility company owned infrastructure. This
means that a telecommunications company would have access to Pacific Gas and Electric
(PG&E), or any other utility company owned poles throughout the City. As such, it is
recommended that the Petaluma Municipal Code (PMC) governing telecommunications
infrastructure be amended to address Small Cell Facilities. Currently, the Small Cell Facilities, as
emerging technology, are not covered by any existing PMC definitions regarding
Telecommunication Facilities. It is also recommended that the City's Implementing Zoning
Ordinance (IZO) Section 7.090 be amended to clearly identify where these facilities can be
located and what permits are required.
In accordance with the California Public Utilities Code and various other state laws, the City
cannot ban Small Cell Facilities. The City may, however, limit how, where, and in what manner
the infrastructure may be permitted so long as any limits apply equally to all telecommunication
companies equally. The proposed updates to the IZO and PMC would treat all
telecommunications companies equally, and therefore are permissible under current law.
DISCUSSION
To address Small Cell Facilities, it is recommended that PMC Section 14.44 be amended to
define Small Cell Facilities and further describe how they can be installed within the City limits.
The City's IZO should be updated to include the new Small Cell Facility as its own type of
facility with a separate definition, and to identify where they can be located on the zoning table
that addresses Telecommunications Facilities (Section 7.090.)
Municipal Code Section 14.44, as proposed, would also include the following additional
requirements for Small Cell Facilities:
• All new wires needed to service small cell facilities shall be installed within the
circumference of the existing pole, and shall not add any height to the pole;
• All ground -mounted equipment that cannot be installed inside the pole must be
undergrounded, flush to the ground, within three (3) feet of the pole;
• Each small cell facility must be no less than 1,500 feet away from the nearest small cell
facility;
• Aside from the transmitter/antenna itself, no additional equipment shall be visible;
• An encroachment permit must be obtained before any right-of-way work can commence;
and
• Small cell facilities must be at least 200 feet away from any residence.
Chapter 7.090 of the IZO presents a matrix of where telecommunication facilities are allowed by
right or Conditional Use Permit in each zone. It is proposed that a new paragraph be added to
Section 7.090 (C) to provide a definition for Small Cell Facilities and that Table 7.090(B) be
amended to add a column for the newly defined "Small Cell" telecommunications facility. The
attached Ordinance includes these proposed changes, which will minimize neighborhood impacts
from Small Cell Facilities while providing for appropriate placement of such facilities.
Zoning text amendments are governed by Chapter 25 of the IZO and by California Government
Code Section 65853. Chapter 25 provides that the Planning Commission may recommend zoning
text amendments for approval to the City Council based on Planning Commission findings that
the proposed amendments are in conformance with the City's General Plan and consistent with
the public necessity, convenience, and general welfare.
Modifications were made to the proposed ordinance, per the Planning Commission resolution, to
not require independent electricity, as that was only a concern for City owned facilities, which
are not being considered.
Additionally, the Planning Commission asked the City Council to consider increasing the
distance buffer from any residence. As currently written, no Small Cell Facility can be installed
within 200' of any residence. Included as Attachments 2-1 through 2-6 are illustrations showing
examples of the recommended 200' buffer, a 500' buffer, and a 750' buffer. Attachments 2-1 to
2-3 show most of area within the City limits, and attachments 2-4 to 2-6 show a portion of the
City. The City Council should note that the attachments show the buffers around all Residential
Zones, however the attachments do not show buffers around individual residences where that
residence maybe in a zone other than residential. It is staff's recommendation not to extend the
buffer. The ordinance as proposed has three levels of security for residential neighborhoods; 1)
Small Cell Facilities are prohibited in any residential zone; 2) each Small Cell Facility must be at
least 1500' feet from the nearest Small Cell Facility; and, 3) the 200' buffer from any residence.
To create a larger buffer has the potential to eliminate Small Cell Facilities entirely, creating, in
essence, a potential ban and exposure to litigation.
Compared to both neighboring and distant jurisdictions throughout the state, the regulatory
approach recommended by staff is robust. Santa Rosa, for example, does not prohibit Small Cell
Facilities in residential neighborhoods and only requires that such facilities in the right-of-way
meet standard setbacks. There are no county, state or federal standard recommendations
regarding distance from residences. Requirements from various jurisdictions are inconsistent;
many have no regulation regarding distance from residences, others fluctuate from 75' to 500',
and others have only a preference for non-residential sites but reserve discretion to include small
cells in residential zones. Staff recommends introducing the ordinance as written, with the three-
pronged restrictions with regards to residences, which creates restrictive but not prohibitive
requirements for installation of small cell facilities.
The Planning Commission also requested that the City Council consider regulating the frequency
emissions related to Small Cell Facilities. Radio Frequency Emissions (RFE) standards for
telecommunications facilities are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Therefore, the City cannot mandate the emission standards. The City could require testing and
enforce the FCC standards for any telecommunications facility not in compliance. Section
14.44.290 of the PMC, however, already requires reports for any initial installation of a
telecommunications facility and continuing reports for any telecommunications facility near a
residence. Staff does not recommend that the PMC be modified with regards to RFE. The steps
taken to limit Small Cell Facility locations should adequately address concerns related to RFE,
without creating enforcement problems or interfering with federal requirements.
This change conforms with General Plan section 7-G-2 that states that the City should encourage
the development of infrastructure and services to allow equal access to all who live, work and
study in Petaluma to utilize new technologies to communicate with institutions from the local to
the global level. The proposed changes to the PMC and the IZO comply with the General Plan
policy as Petaluma provides service coverage throughout the community through larger facilities
that reach residential and commercial neighborhoods in a consistent manner, and with the best
interests of the public in mind.
The proposed amendments are consistent with the public necessity, convenience and welfare in
that they:
• Identify how and where Small Cell Facilities can be located
• Limit the visible and other impacts such facilities will have on Petaluma neighborhoods
• Assure proper distribution of the facilities throughout the community
The proposed zoning text amendments are exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
Sections 15061(b) (2), 15183, and 15301 as follows:
Section 15061(b) (2), the General Rule, of the CEQA Guidelines is applicable as the project is
exempt due to a categorical exemption and the application of that categorical exemption is not
barred by one of the exceptions set forth in Section 15300.2.
Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines provides an exemption for projects that are consistent
with the General Plan. The subject zoning text amendments will direct Small Cell Facilities to
appropriate business and industrial zones.
Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines is applicable in that the proposed zoning amendments
will allow Small Cell Facilities with a City of Petaluma Conditional Use Permit and
Encroachment Permit that: 1) add Small Cell Facilities to existing public utilities designed to
support such uses and 2) modify existing public utilities with a new ancillary structure, without
interfering with the principle use and adding utility to the community. There are no cumulative
impacts, unusual circumstances or other factors that would make the exemption inapplicable.
For the above reasons, the proposed amendments are exempt from environmental review.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
There are no fiscal impacts from the proposed action. All small cell facility applications will be
processed through the Planning Division on a cost recovery basis.
ATTACHMENTS
1. An Ordinance Amending the Petaluma Municipal Code and Implementing Zoning
Ordinance
2. Distance Comparisons - Small Cell Sites
3. June 12, 2018 Planning Commission Staff Report and Attachments
4
ATTACHMENT I
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AMENDING
CHAPTER 14.44 OF THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL CODE AND CHAPTER 7,
SECTION 7.090 OF THE IMPLEMENTING ZONING ORDINANCE TO ADD A
DEFINITION FOR SMALL CELL FACILITIES, TO OUTLINE REGULATIONS FOR
THE INSTALLATION AND LOCATION OF SMALL CELL FACILITIES IN
PETALUMA AND ADDING A COLUMN FOR SMALL CELL FACILITIES TO THE
ZONING TABLE
WHEREAS, California Public Utilities Code Section 7901.1 gives the City the right to
control, in a reasonable manner, the time, place, and manner where telecommunications facilities
can be located in City rights of way, so long as the controls are applied to all entities in an
equivalent manner; and
WHEREAS, the Petaluma Municipal Code (PMC), in Chapter 14.44 and the City's
Implementing Zoning Ordinance (IZO), Ordinance 2300 N.C.S, in Chapter 7.090 both regulate
telecommunications facilities within Petaluma; and
WHEREAS, existing telecommunications companies have requested the addition of
Small Cell Facilities within Petaluma to offload data from existing telecommunications
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the City, at this time, and within its absolute right as owner of City
property, declines to add or permit the adding of small cell telecommunications facilities to
existing City infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, by precedent set in GTE Mobilnet of Cal. Ltd. P'sbip v. City & Cty. of Saiz
Francisco, 440 F. Supp. 2d 1097 (N.D. Cal. 2006), Small Cell Facilities may be located on
existing privately -owned infrastructure in the public right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, under California Public Utilities Code Section 7901, the City may not ban
such Small Cell Facilities; and
WHEREAS, in order to protect the general welfare of citizens of Petaluma, the City
Council intends to update the PMC and IZO to limit the siting of small cell facilities within the
scope of existing laws; and
WHEREAS, Section 25.010 of the City's IZO provides in pertinent part that no
amendment that regulates matters listed in Government Code Section 65850, which matters
include the use of buildings and structures, shall be made to the IZO unless the Planning
Commission and City Council find the amendment to be in conformity with the City's General
Plan and consistent with the public necessity, convenience and general welfare in accordance
with Section 25.050(B) of the IZO; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2018, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing in accordance with Chapter 25 of the IZO to consider the proposed amendments to the
PMC and IZO concerning small cell sites; and
WHEREAS, after the conclusion of said public hearing, the Planning Commission
adopted Resolution No. 2018-19, recommending that the City Council adopt the amendments;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the proposed edits to Chapter 14.44 of the PMC
and to the IZO, Ordinance 2630 N.C.S. are exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(2), 15183 and 15301 because the project is exempt
due to a categorical exemption and the application of that categorical exemption is not barred by
one of the exceptions set forth in Section 15300.2, the proposed amendments will direct Small
Cell Facilities to appropriate business and industrial zones; and because the proposed zoning
amendments will allow Small Cell Facilities with a City of Petaluma Conditional Use Permit and
Encroachment Permit that: 1) add Small Cell Facilities to existing public utilities designed to
support such uses and 2) modify existing public utilities with a new ancillary structure, without
interfering with the principle use and adding utility to the community, and there are no
cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances or other factors that would make the exemption
inapplicable; and
WHEREAS, the amendments contained in this ordinance to modify Chapter 14, Section
14.44 of the PMC and Chapter 7, Section 7.090 - Telecommunications Facilities of the IZO
implement, consistent with applicable state laws, the precise requirements, including location,
for Small Cell Facilities in the City; and
WHEREAS, on July 5, 2018, a public notice of the July 16, 2018 public hearing before
the City Council to consider the proposed PMC and IZO amendments was published in the
Petaluma Argus -Courier; and,
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2018, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to
consider the amendments;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PETALUMA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. FINDINGS. The City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby finds:
1. In accordance with Sections 25.010 and 25.050(B) of the City's IZO, Ordinance No. 2300
N.C.S., the proposed amendments to the IZO in Chapter 7, Section 7.090 -
Telecommunications Facilities contained in this ordinance are in general conformity with the
Petaluma General Plan 2025 in that these changes do not change the general character and
impacts of current zoning regulations.
2. In accordance with Section 25.050(B) of IZO, the proposed amendments are consistent with
the public necessity, convenience and welfare in that they:
a. Ensure Petaluma's land use and zoning regulations provide safe and appropriate locations
where installation of Small Cell Facilities is appropriate;
b. Comply with California Public Utilities Code sections 7901 and 7901.1 which permit
local regulation of telecommunication facilities; and
c. Provide for buffers to assure that Small Cell Facilities are a safe distance from residential
land uses.
3. This ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3), 15183 and 15301 of
the CEQA Guidelines because the project is exempt due to a categorical exemption and the
application of that categorical exemption is not barred by one of the exceptions set forth in
Section 15300.2, the proposed amendments will direct Small Cell Facilities to appropriate
business and industrial zones; and because the proposed zoning amendments will allow
Small Cell Facilities with a City of Petaluma Conditional Use Permit and Encroachment
Permit that: 1) add Small Cell Facilities to existing public utilities designed to support such
uses and 2) modify existing public utilities with a new ancillary structure, without interfering
with the principle use and adding utility to the community, and there are no cumulative
impacts, unusual circumstances or other factors that would make the exemption inapplicable.
Section 2. Sections 14.44.020 and 14.44.090 of Chapter 14.44 - Telecommunications Facility
and Antenna Requirement of the PMC are hereby amended to read as follows:
14.44.020 Definitions.
S. "Telecommunication facility" means a facility that transmits and/or receives electromagnetic
signals. It includes antennas, microwave dishes, horns, and other types of equipment for the
transmission or receipt of such signals, telecommunication towers or similar structures
supporting said equipment, equipment buildings, parking area, and other accessory
development.
"Telecommunications facility - exempt" includes but is not limited to, the following
unless. located within a recognized Historic District:
a. A single ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television antenna
including any mast, for the sole use of the tenant occupying the residential parcel
on which the radio or television antenna is located; with an antenna height not
exceeding twenty-five feet;
b. A ground or building mounted citizens band radio antenna including any mast, if
the height (post and antenna) does not exceed thirty-five feet;
c. A ground, building, or tower mounted antenna operated by a federally licensed
amateur radio operator as part of the Amateur Radio Service, if the height (post
and antenna) does not exceed thirty-five feet;
d. A ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television satellite dish
antenna, which does not exceed thirty-six inches in diameter, for the sole use of
the resident occupying a residential parcel on which the satellite dish is located;
provided the height of said dish does not exceed the height of the ridgeline of the
primary structure on said parcel.
e. All citizens band radio antenna or antenna operated by a federally licensed
amateur radio operator as part of the Amateur Radio Service which existed at the
time of the adoption of this chapter (September, 1996).
f. Mobile services providing public information coverage of news events of a
temporary nature.
g. Hand-held devices such as cell phones, business -band mobile radios, walkie-
talkies, cordless telephones, garage door openers and similar devices as
determined by the planning director.
h. City government owned and operated receive and/or transmit telemetry station
antennas for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for
water, flood alert, traffic control devices and signals, storm water, pump stations
and/or irrigation systems, with heights not exceeding thirty-five feet.
2. "Telecommunications facilities - major" are all telecommunication facilities not clearly
set forth and included in the definition of exempt, minor or mini facilities.
3. "Telecommunication facility - mini" is an attached wireless communication facility .
consisting, but not limited to, the following unless located on a structure recognized as a
historic landmark:
a. A single ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television antenna
including any mast, for the sole use of the tenant occupying the parcel on which
the radio or television antenna is located; with an antenna height not exceeding
fifty feet;
b. A ground or building mounted citizens band radio antenna including any mast, if
the height (tower, support structure, post and antenna) does not exceed seventy
feet;
c. A ground, building, or tower mounted antenna operated by a federally licensed
amateur radio operator as part of the Amateur Radio Service, if the height (post
and antenna) does not exceed seventy feet.
d. A ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television satellite dish
antenna, with diameter exceeding thirty-six inches but less than eight feet in
diameter, for the sole use of the resident occupying a residential parcel on which
the satellite dish is located; provided the height of said dish does not exceed the
height of the ridgeline of the primary structure on said parcel.
e. Exempt telecommunication facility located within a recognized historic district.
f. City owned and operated antennae used for emergency response services, public
utilities, operations and maintenance if the height does not exceed seventy feet.
If a facility does not meet these criteria then it is considered either an "exempt", "minor"
or "major" telecommunication facility.
4. "Telecommunication facility - minor" means any of the following:
a. Antenna which meet the definition of "mini" with the exception of the height
limit.
b. Telecommunication facilities less than thirty-five feet in height and that adhere to
Section 14.44.090 of Chapter 14.44 of the Petaluma Municipal Code.
c. A single ground or building mounted whip (omni) antenna without a reflector,
less than four inches in diameter whose total height does not exceed thirty-five
feet; including any mast to which it is attached, located on commercial and/or
industrial zoned property.
d. A ground or building mounted panel antenna whose height is equal to or less than
four feet and whose area is not more than four hundred eighty square inches in the
aggregate (e.g., one foot diameter parabola or two feet by one and one-half foot
panel) as viewed from any one point, located on commercial or industrial zoned
property. The equipment cabinets shall be designed, placed and screened to be
unobtrusive and effectively unnoticeable.
e. More than three antennas, satellite dishes (greater than three feet in diameter),
panel antennas, or combination thereof, are proposed to be placed on the
connnlercial or industrial parcel, including existing facilities.
f. Building mounted antennas which, in the opinion of the planning director, are
unobtrusive or undetectable by way of design and/or placement on the building,
regardless of number, when located on commercial or industrial zoned property.
g. Telecommunication facilities less than fifty feet in height, in compliance with the
applicable sections of this chapter, located on a parcel owned by the city of
Petaluma and utilized for public and/or quasi -public uses where it is found by the
planning director to be compatible with the existing city uses of the property.
h. Telecommunication facilities, including multiple antennas, in compliance with
the applicable sections of this chapter, located on an industrial parcel and utilized
for the sole use and purpose of a research and development tenant of said parcel,
where it is found by the planning director to be aesthetically compatible with the
existing and surrounding structures.
i. Telecommunication facilities located on a structure recognized as a historic
landmark.
If a facility does not meet these criteria then it is considered a "major" telecommunication
facility.
"Telecommunication facility- co -located" means a telecommunication facility
comprised of a single telecommunication tower or building supporting one or more
antennas, dishes, or similar devices owned or used by more than one public or private
entity.
6. "Telecommunication facility - commercial" means a telecommunication facility that is
operated primarily for a business purpose or purposes.
7. "Telecommunication facility - multiple user" means a telecommunication facility
comprised of multiple telecommunication towers or buildings supporting one or more
antennas owned or used by more than one public or private entity, excluding research and
development industries with antennas to serve internal uses only.
8. "Telecommunications facility - noncommercial" means a telecommunication facility that
is operated solely for a non -business purpose.
9. "Telecommunications facility - small cell" means a telecommunications facility that is
pole mounted to existing public utility infrastructure.
14.44.095 Small Cell facilities - Basic Requirements.
Small Cell facilities as defined in Section 14.44.020 of this chapter may be installed, erected,
maintained and/or operated in any commercial or industrial zoning district where such antennas
are permitted under this title, upon the issuance of a minor conditional use permit, so long as all
the following conditions are met:
A. The Small Cell antenna must connect to an already existing utility pole that can support its
weight.
B. All new wires needed to service the Small Cell must be installed within the width of the
existing utility pole so as to not exceed the diameter and height of the existing utility pole.
9
C. All ground -mounted equipment not installed inside the pole must be undergrounded, flush to
the ground, within three (3) feet of the utility pole.
D. Each Small Cell must be at least 1,500 feet away from the nearest Small Cell facility.
E. Aside from the transmitter/antenna itself, no additional equipment may be visible.
F. Each Small Cell must be at least 200 feet away from any residence.
G. An encroachment permit must be obtained for any work in the public right-of-way.
Section 3. Section 7.090 of the IZO Ordinance 2300 N.C.S. is amended to read as follows:
7.090 - Telecommunications Facilities.
The following requirements apply to Telecommunications Facilities as defined in the City's
Telecommunications Ordinance, Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 14.44.
A. Definitions. The types of facilities regulated by this section are defined in the City's
Telecommunications Ordinance, Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 14.44.
B. Telecommunications facilities are allowed only as described in Table 7.090(B).
Table 7.090B
Zoning
Type
of Telecommunications Facility
District
Exempt
Mini
Minor
Major
Small
OSP
A
A
CUP
CUP
CUP
AG
A
A
-
-
-
RR
A
A
-
-
-
R1
A
A
-
-
-
R2
A
A
-
-
-
R3
A
A
-
-
-
R4
A
A
-
-
-
R5
A
A
-
-
-
C1
A
A
CUP
CUP
CUP
C2
A
A
CUP
CUP
CUP
MUTA
A
A
CUP
CUP
CUP
MU1B
A
A
CUP
CUP
CUP
MU1C
A
A
-
-
-
MU2
A
A
CUP
CUP
CUP
BP
A
A
CUP
CUP
CUP
I
A
A
CUP
CUP
CUP
CF
A
A
CUP
CUP
CUP
C. Where a telecommunications facility is permitted by Table 7.090B, the approval(s) required
prior to the commencement of the operation of a Telecommunications Facility are as
prescribed in subsections 1-4 below.
1. Exempt Facility. An Exempt facility is an Accessory Use and no special permit is
required, except when an Exempt facility is located in a Historic District. An Exempt
facility located in a Historic District or on the site of a designated landmark is considered
IN
a Mini Facility subject to administrative Historic and Cultural Preservation approval as
prescribed in Section 15.050.
2. Mini Facility. A Mini Facility is an Accessory Use subject to administrative site plan and
architectural review approval as prescribed by Section 24.010. When a Mini facility is
located in a Historic District or on the site of a designated landmark, the following special
permits are required:
a. A Minor conditional use permit as prescribed in Section 24.030; and
b. Administrative Historic and Cultural Review as prescribed in 15.030.
3. Minor Facility. A Minor facility requires approval of a minor conditional use permit as
prescribed in Section 24.030 and administrative site plan and architectural review
approval as prescribed in Section 24.010. When a Minor facility is located in a Historic
District or on the site of a designated landmark, approval of a major conditional use
permit as prescribed in Section 24.030 and Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee
approval as prescribed In Section 15.030 are required.
4. Major Facility. A major facility requires approval of a major conditional use permit as
prescribed in Section 24.030 and Planning Commission approval as prescribed in Section
24.101.
5. Small Facility. A Small Cell Facility requires approval of a minor conditional use permit
as prescribed in Section 24.030 and administrative site plan and architectural review
approval as prescribed in Section 24.010. An encroachment permit for public right-of-
way work is also required. The right-of-way shall be subject to the designation of the
zone adjacent to the right-of-way, for purposes of the Table 7.090(B) designation.
D. A Telecommunication facility shall comply with the development standards (Tables 4.6 —
4.13) for the zoning district in which the facility is located, the City's Telecommunications
Ordinance, and all other applicable City requirements.
Section 4. Except as amended herein, the PMC and the.IZO, Ordinance No. 2300 N.C.S.,
remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this
ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid by a court
of competent jurisdiction or preempted by state legislation, such decision or legislation shall not
affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council of the City of
Petaluma hereby declares that it would have passed and adopted this ordinance and each and all
provisions thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more of said provisions be declared
unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid.
Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after the
date of its adoption by the Petaluma City Council.
Section 7. PostinI4/Publishin2 of Notice. The City Clerk is hereby directed to publish or
post this ordinance or a synopsis for the period and in the manner provided by the City Charter
and other applicable law.
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ATTACHMENT 3
Y85$
DATE: June 12, 2018
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Lisa Tennenbaum, Assistant City Attorney
SUBJECT: Text Amendments to the City of Petaluma Municipal Code and Implementing
Zoning Ordinance Regulating Small Cell Facilities
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution recommending that the City
Council approve text amendments to the hnplementing Zoning' Ordinance (IZO) and the
Petaluma Municipal Code (PMC) to outline regulations for the installation of Small Cell
Facilities in Petaluma.
BACKGROUND
Over the past several months, telecommunications companies have requested staff guidance on
the installation of cellular equipment on City infrastructure such as light poles. These "Small
Cell Facilities" are cellular infrastructure that are smaller than traditional standalone cell towers
and building mounted towers. Small Cell Facilities are pole mounted to existing utility
infrastructure (street lights, power poles, etc.) These sites are used to offset the wireless utility
workload of larger cell towers to provide coverage on a more localized (block -wide) basis and
provide consistent and continuous coverage and downloading of data. At this time, the City
Manager has directed City staff that the City is not interested in having Small Cell Facilities
mounted on City owned infrastructure, which the City has the right to refuse to do. The concerns
regarding Small Cell Facilities on City owned infrastructure included wear and tear on City
owned property, health concerns to adjacent residents, and the intrusion of related electrical
equipment in the right-of-way.
However, staff has learned that a recent California Public Utilities Commission decision requires
utility companies to allow the colocation of Small Cell Facilities on utility company owned
infrastructure. This means that a telecommunications company would have access to Pacific Gas
and Electric (PG&E), or any other utility company owned, poles throughout the City. As such, it
is recommended that the City's Municipal Code governing telecommunications infrastructure be
amended to address Small Cell Facilities. Currently, the Small Cell Facilities, as emerging
technology, do not equate to any existing PMC definitions regarding Telecommunication
Facilities. It is also recommended that the City's hnplementing Zoning Ordinance Section 7.090
be amended to clearly identify where these facilities can be located and what permits are
required.
While the City cannot outright ban Small Cell Facilities, the City may limit how, where and in
what manner the infrastructure may be permitted so long as any limits applied apply to all
telecom companies equally. An update to the IZO and PMC will treat all telecommunications
companies equally.
DISCUSSION
To address these Small Cell Facilities, it is recommended that Petaluma Municipal Code Section
14.44 be amended to define the Small Cell Facilities and further describe how they can be
installed within the City limits. Further, the City's IZO should be updated to include the new
Small Cell Facility as its own type of facility with a separate definition, and to identify where
they can be located on the zoning table in the section that addresses Telecommunications
Facilities (Section 7.090.)
Municipal Code Section 14.44, as proposed, will also include the following additional
requirements for Small Cell Facilities:
• All new wires needed to service small cell facilities shall be installed within the width of
the existing pole, not exceed the diameter and height of the existing pole;
• All ground -mounted equipment not to be installed inside the pole must be
undergrounded, flush to the ground, within three (3) feet of the pole;
• Each pole must have its own, dedicated power source to be installed and metered
separately;
• Each small cell facility must be no less than 1,500 feet away from the nearest small cell
facility;
• Aside from the transmitter/antenna itself, no additional equipment shall be visible;
• An encroachment permit must be obtained before any right-of-way work- can commence;
and
• Small cell facilities must be at least 200 feet away from any residence.
Zoning text amendments are governed by Chapter 25 of the Implementing Zoning Ordinance
(IZO) and by California Government Code Section 65853. Chapter 25 provides that the Planning
Commission may recommend zoning text amendments for approval to the City Council based on
Planning Commission findings that the proposed amendments are in conformance with the City's
General Plan and consistent with the public necessity, convenience, and general welfare.
Chapter 7.090 of the IZO presents a matrix of where telecommunication facilities are allowed by
right or CUP in each zone. It is proposed that a new paragraph be added to Section 7.0901 (C) to
provide a definition for the Small Cell Facilities and Table 7.090(B) be amended to add a column
for the newly defined "Small Cell" telecommunications facility. See Attached Ordinance for the
proposed changes. These changes will minimize neighborhood impacts from Small Cell
Facilities while providing for appropriate placement of such facilities.
REQUIRED PLANNING COMMISSION FINDINGS AND DISCRETION
To recommend the proposed amendments to the City Council, the Planning Commission must
find that they conform to the Petaluma General Plan, and are consistent with the public necessity,
convenience and general welfare in accordance with Section 25.050(B) of the hnplementing
Page 2
Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Commission has discretion to recommend modifications to the
staff proposal. If it does so, the Commission should convey the reasons for the modifications to
the City Council. A simple majority vote of the Commission member's present, assuming a
quorum of Commissioners is present, suffices to approve a resolution recommending action on
the amendments to the City Council.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This change conforms with General Plan section 7-G-2 that states that the city should encourage
the development of infrastructure and services to allow equal access to all who live, work and
study in Petaluma to utilize new technologies to communicate with institutions from the local to
the global level. The proposed changes to the Municipal Code and the Implement Zoning
Ordinance complies with the general plan policy as Petaluma provides service coverage
throughout the community through larger facilities that reach residential and commercial
neighborhoods.
PUBLIC NECESSITY, CONVENIENCE AND WELFARE
The proposed amendments are consistent with the public necessity, convenience and welfare in
that they:
• Identify how and where Small Cell Facilities can be located
• Limit the visible impact such facilities will have on Petaluma neighborhoods
• Assure proper distribution of the facilities throughout the community
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed zoning text amendments are exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
Sections 15061(b) (3), 15183, and 15301 as follows:
Section 15061(b) (3), General Rule, of the CEQA Guidelines is applicable as there is no
possibility that the activity may have a significant impact on the environment in that specified
uses are limited to those expressly permitted under the proposed zoning text amendments and the
permitted uses are subject to compliance with all applicable state laws.
Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines provides an exemption for projects that are consistent
with the General Plan. The subject zoning text amendments will direct Small Cell Facilities to
appropriate business and industrial zones.
Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines is applicable in that the proposed zoning amendments
will allow Small Cell Facilities with a City of Petaluma Conditional Use Permit and
Encroachment Permit to: 1) add Small Cell Facilities to existing public utilities designed to
support such uses and 2) modify existing public utilities with a new ancillary structure, without
interfering with the principle use and adding utility to the community. There are no cumulative
impacts, unusual circumstances or other factors that would make the exemption inapplicable.
Page 3
For the above reasons, the proposed amendments are exempt from environmental review.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public notice was published in an eighth page ad in the Argus Courier on May 31, 2018. While
no specific public comment has been received in response to this public notice as of preparation
of this report, comments related to cellular facilities have been received at several City council
meetings. Generally, those comments have related to the perceived harmful health effects caused
by cellular transmission. The proposed ordinance is intended to strike a balance regarding
limiting any potential health risk, while not addressing them directly, as that is the purview of the
federal government.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution recommending City Council approval of an Ordinance to amend the Petaluma
Municipal Code to add the definition of Small Cell Facilities to Section 14.44 of the and
Zoning Text Amendment to the Ibnplementing Zoning Ordinance adding Small Cell
Facilities to Table 7.090(B) and the definition of Small Cell Facilities to Section 7.090
(C).
Exhibit 1 Draft Ordinance
B. REDLINE Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 7 Section 7.090
C. REDLINE Municipal Code Chapter 14.44.
Page 4
ATTACHMENT C -- EXHIBIT 1
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND THE TEXT OF CHAPTER 14.44
OF THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A DEFINITION FOR SMALL
CELL FACILITIES AND IMPLEMENTING ZONING ORDINANCE, ORDINANCE
2300 N.C.S., CHAPTER 7 SECTION 7.090 — TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
TO ADD A DEFINITION AND TABLE COLUMN FOR SMALL CELL FACILITIES
WHEREAS, California Public Utilities Code Section 7901.1 gives the City the right to
control, in a reasonable manner, the time, place, and manner, when applied equally, where
telecommunications facilities can be located; and
WHEREAS, Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 14.44 and the Implementing Zoning
Ordinance Chapter 7.090 both govern telecommunications facilities within Petaluma; and
WHEREAS, as telecommunications facilities are increasingly used, there is a request for
the addition of Small Cell facilities within Petaluma from existing telecommunications
companies to offload data from existing telecommunications infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the City, at this time, and within its absolute right as owner of its personal
property, declines to add small cell telecommunications facilities to existing City infrastructure;
and
WHEREAS, by precedent set in a Public Utilities Commission case (GTE Nlobibnet of
Cal. Ltd. P'ship v. Cite & Cry. of San Francisco, 440 F. Supp. 2d 1097 (N.D. Cal. 2006)), Small
Cell Facilities may be located on existing privately -owned infrastructure in the right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, under California Public Utilities Code Section 7901, the City may not ban
such small cell facilities; and
WHEREAS, in order to protect the general welfare of citizens of Petaluma, updates will
be made to the Petaluma Municipal Code and Implementing Zoning Ordinance to limit the siting
of small cell facilities within the scope of existing laws; and
WHEREAS, Section 25.010 of the City of Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance
(IZO) provides in pertinent part that no amendment that regulates matters listed in Government
Code Section 65850, which matters include the use of buildings and structures, shall be made to
the IZO unless the Planning Commission and City Council find the amendment to be in
conformity with the General Plan and consistent with the public necessity, convenience and
general welfare in accordance with Section 25.050(B) of the IZO; and
WHEREAS, the City Council found that due to the negligible environmental impacts
anticipated from enactment of the edits to Chapter 14.44 of the Petaluma Municipal Code
Ordinance 2634 N.C.S. was exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3), 15183 and
15301;
Page 5
WHEREAS, the text amendments contained in Exhibit A to this resolution to modify the
City's Municipal Code Chapter 14, Section 14.44 and Implementing Zoning Ordinance, Chapter
7, Section 7.090 — Telecommunications Facilities implements, consistent with applicable state
laws, the precise requirements, including location, of where Small Cell facilities can be located;
and
WHEREAS, on May 30, 2018, public notice of the June 12, 2018 Planning Commission
meeting to consider the amendments was published in the Agus -Courier and sent to all members
of the public on the interested parties list for this item; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2018, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing in accordance with Chapter 25 of the hnplementing Zoning Ordinance to consider the
amendments.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City, of
Petaluma as follows:
1. The above recitals are hereby declared to be true and corrected and are incorporated into
this resolution as findings of the Petaluma Planning Commission.
2. The text amendments contained in Exhibit 1 to this resolution, which exhibit is hereby
made a part of this resolution for all purposes, are exempt from CEQA pursuant to
Sections 15061(b)(3), 15183 and 15301of the CEQA Guidelines in that Small Cell
facilities will be limited in a consistent manner and permitted in locations consistent with
the Telecommunications chapter and state law without creating any additional impacts.
3. In accordance with Sections 25.010 and 25.050(B) of the City's Implementing Zoning
Ordinance, Ordinance no. 2300N.C.S., ("IZO"), the proposed amendments to the IZO in
Chapter 7, Section 7.090 —Telecommunications Facilities contained in Exhibit A are in
general conformity with the Petaluma General Plan 2025 in that these changes do not
change the general character and impacts of current zoning regulations. In accordance
with Section 25.050(B) of IZO, the proposed amendments are consistent with the public
necessity, convenience and welfare in that they:
a. Ensure Petaluma's land use and zoning regulations provide safe and appropriate
locations where installation of Small Cell Facilities are appropriate;
b. Comply with California Public Utilities Code sections 7901 and 7901.1 which
regulate telecommunication facilities; and
c. Provide for buffers to assure that Small Cell facilities are a safe distance from
residential land uses.
4. The proposed amendments, attached hereto as Exhibit A, are hereby recommended to the
Petaluma City Council for consideration and findings in accordance with Sections 25.010
and 25.050 of the City's Implementing Zoning Ordinance.
Page 6
ATTACHMENT C — EXHIBIT 2
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AMENDING
THE TEXT OF CHAPTER 14.44 OF THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A
DEFINITION FOR SMALL CELL FACILITIES AND IMPLEMENTING ZONING
ORDINANCE, ORDINANCE 2300 N.C.S., CHAPTER 7 SECTION 7.090 —
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES TO ADD A DEFINITION AND TABLE
COLUMN FOR SMALL CELL FACILITIES
WHEREAS, California Public Utilities Code Section 7901.1 gives the City the right to
control, in a reasonable manner, the time, place, and manner, when applied equally, where
telecommunications facilities can be located; and
WHEREAS, Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 14.44 and the Implementing Zoning
Ordinance Chapter 7.090 both govern telecommunications facilities within Petaluma; and
WHEREAS, as telecommunications facilities are increasingly used, there is a request for
the addition of Small Cell facilities within Petaluma from existing telecommunications
companies to offload data from existing telecommunications infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the City, at this time, and within its absolute right as owner of its personal
property, declines to add small cell telecommunications facilities to existing City infrastructure;
and
WHEREAS, by precedent set in a Public Utilities Commission case (GTE Mobilnet of
Cal. Ltd. P'ship v. City & Cry. of Scan Francisco, 440 F. Supp. 2d 1097 (N.D. Cal. 2006)), Small
Cell Facilities may be located on existing privately -owned infrastructure in the right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, under California Public Utilities Code Section 7901, the City may not ban
such small cell facilities; and
WHEREAS, in order to protect the general welfare of citizens of Petaluma, updates will
be made to the Petaluma Municipal Code and Implementing Zoning Ordinance to limit the siting
of small cell facilities within the scope of existing laws; and
WHEREAS, Section 25.010 of the City of Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance
(IZO) provides in pertinent part that no amendment that regulates matters listed in Government
Code Section 65850, ,xhich matters include the use of buildings and structures, shall be made to
the IZO unless the Planning Commission and City Council find the amendment to be in
conformity with the General Plan and consistent with the public necessity, convenience and
general welfare in accordance with Section 25.050(B) of the IZO; and
WHEREAS, the City Council found that due to the negligible environmental impacts
anticipated from enactment of the edits to Chapter 14.44 of the Petaluma Municipal Code
Ordinance 2634 N.C.S. was exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3), 15183 and
15301;
Page 7
WHEREAS, the text amendments contained in Exhibit A to this resolution to modify the
City's Municipal Code Chapter 14, Section 14.44 and Implementing Zoning Ordinance, Chapter
7, Section 7.090 — Telecommunications Facilities implements, consistent with applicable state
laws, the precise requirements, including location, for Small Cell facilities; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2018, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing in accordance with Chapter 25 of the Implementing Zoning Ordinance to consider the
amendments.
WHEREAS, after the conclusion of said public hearing, the Planning Commission
adopted Resolution No. 2018 -XX, recommending that the City Council adopt the amendments;
and
WHEREAS, on XXXX XX, 2018, a public notice of the XXXX XX, 2018 public
hearing before the City Council to consider the amendments was published in the Argus -Courier;
and,
WHEREAS, on XXXX XX, 2018, the City Council of the City of Petaluma held a duly
noticed public hearing to consider the amendments; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PETALUMA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. FINDINGS. The City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby finds:
1. In accordance with Sections 25.010 and 25.050(B) of the City's Implementing Zoning
Ordinance, Ordinance no. 2300N.C.S., ("IZO"), the proposed amendments to the IZO in
Chapter 7, Section 7.090 —Telecommunications Facilities contained in Exhibit A are in
general conformity with the Petaluma General Plan 2025 in that these changes do not
change the general character and impacts of current zoning regulations. In accordance
with Section 25.050(B) of IZO, the proposed amendments are consistent with the public
necessity, convenience and welfare in that they:
a. Ensure Petaluma's land use and zoning regulations provide safe and appropriate
locations where installation of Small Cell Facilities are appropriate;
b. Comply with California Public Utilities Code sections 7901 and 7901.1 which
regulate telecommunication. facilities; and
c. Provide for buffers to assure that Small Cell facilities are a safe distance from
residential land uses.
2. The text amendments contained in Exhibit 1 to this ordinance, which exhibit is hereby
made a part of this resolution for all purposes, are exempt from CEQA pursuant to
Sections 15061(b)(3), 15183 and 15301of the CEQA Guidelines in that Small Cell
facilities will be limited in a consistent manner and permitted in locations consistent with
the Tel ecorn unications chapter and state law without creating any additional impacts.
Section 2. Section 14.44 — Telecommunications Facility and Antenna Requirement of the
Petaluma Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Page 8
14.44.020 Definitions
S. "Telecommunication facility" means a facility that transmits and/or receives electromagnetic signals. It includes antennas,
microwave dishes, horns, and other types of equipment for the transmission or receipt of such signals, telecommunication towers
or similar structures supporting said equipment, equipment buildings, parking area, and other accessory development.
1. "Telecommunications facility - exempt" includes but is not limited to, the following unless located within a recognized
Historic District:
a. A single ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television antenna including any mast, for the sole use
of the tenant occupying the residential parcel on which the radio or television antenna is located; with an antenna
height not exceeding twenty-five feet;
b. A ground or building mounted citizens band radio antenna including any mast, if the height (post and antenna)
does not exceed thirty-five feet;
c. A ground, building, or tower mounted antenna operated by a federally licensed amateur radio operator as part of
the Amateur Radio Service, if the height (post and antenna) does not exceed thirty-five feet;
d. A ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television satellite dish antenna, which does not exceed thirty-
six inches in diameter, for the sole use of the resident occupying a residential parcel on which the satellite dish is
located; provided the height of said dish does not exceed the height of the ridgeline of the primary structure on
said parcel.
e. All citizens band radio antenna or antenna operated by a federally licensed amateur radio operator as part of the
Amateur Radio Service which existed at the time of the adoption of this chapter (September, 1996).
f. Mobile services providing public information coverage of news events of a temporary nature.
g. Hand-held devices such as cell phones, business -band mobile radios, walkie-talkies, cordless telephones, garage
door openers and similar devices as determined by the planning director.
h. City government owned and operated receive and/or transmit telemetry station antennas for supervisory control
and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for water, flood alert, traffic control devices and signals, storm water, pump
stations and/or irrigation systems, with heights not exceeding thirty-five feet.
2. "Telecommunications facilities -major" are all telecommunication facilities not clearly set forth and included in the
definition of exempt, minor or mini facilities.
3. "Telecommunication facility - mini" is an attached wireless communication facility consisting, but not limited to, the
following unless located on a structure recognized as a historic landmark:
a. A single ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television antenna including any mast, for the sole use
of the tenant occupying the parcel on which the radio or television antenna is located; with an antenna height not
exceeding fifty feet;
b. A ground or building mounted citizens band radio antenna including any mast, if the height (tower, support
structure, post and antenna) does not exceed seventy feet;
c. A ground, building, or tower mounted antenna operated by a federally licensed amateur radio operator as part of
the Amateur Radio Service, if the height (post and antenna) does not exceed seventy feet.
d. A ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television satellite dish antenna, with diameter exceeding thirty-
six inches but less than eight feet in diameter, for the sole use of the resident occupying a residential parcel on
which the satellite dish is located; provided the height of said dish does not exceed the height of the ridgeline of
the primary structure on said parcel.
Page 9
e. Exempt telecommunication facility located within a recognized historic district.
f. City owned and operated antennae used for emergency response services, public utilities, operations and
maintenance if the height does not exceed seventy feet.
If a facility does not meet these criteria then it is considered either an "exempt", "minor" or "major" telecommunication
facility.
4. "Telecommunication facility - minor" means any of the following:
a. Antenna which meet the definition of "mini" with the exception of the height limit.
b. Telecommunication facilities less than thirty-five feet in height and that adhere to Section 14.44.090 of Chapter
14.44 of the Petaluma Municipal Code.
c. A single ground or building mounted whip (omni) antenna without a reflector, less than four inches in diameter
whose total height does not exceed thirty-five feet; including any mast to which it is attached, located on
commercial and/or industrial zoned property.
d. A ground or building mounted panel antenna whose height is equal to or less than four feet and whose area is not
more than four hundred eighty square inches in the aggregate (e.g., one foot diameter parabola or two feet by one
and one-half foot panel) as viewed from any one point, located on commercial or industrial zoned property. The
equipment cabinets shall be designed, placed and screened to be unobtrusive and effectively unnoticeable.
e. More than three antennas, satellite dishes (greater than three feet in diameter), panel antennas, or combination
thereof, are proposed to be placed on the commercial or industrial parcel, including existing facilities.
f. Building mounted antennas which, in the opinion of the planning director, are unobtrusive or undetectable by way
of design and/or placement on the building, regardless of number, when located on commercial or industrial
zoned property.
g. Telecommunication facilities less than fifty feet in height, in compliance with the applicable sections of this chapter,
located on a parcel owned by the city of Petaluma and utilized for public and/or quasi -public uses where it is found
by the planning director to be compatible with the existing city uses of the property.
h. Telecommunication facilities, including multiple antennas, in compliance with the applicable sections of this
chapter, located on an industrial parcel and utilized for the sole use and purpose of a research and development
tenant of said parcel, where it is found by the planning director to be aesthetically compatible with the existing and
surrounding structures.
i. Telecommunication facilities located on a structure recognized as a historic landmark.
If a facility does not meet these criteria then it is considered a "major" telecommunication facility.
5. "Telecommunication facility - co -located" means a telecommunication facility comprised of a single telecommunication
tower or building supporting one or more antennas, dishes, or similar devices owned or used by more than one public
or private entity.
6. "Telecommunication facility - commercial' means a telecommunication facility that is operated primarily for a business
purpose or purposes.
7. "Telecommunication facility - multiple user" means a telecommunication facility comprised of multiple
telecommunication towers or buildings supporting one or more antennas owned or used by more than one public or
private entity, excluding research and development industries with antennas to serve internal uses only.
8. "Telecommunications facility - noncommercial' means a telecommunication facility that is operated solely for a non-
business purpose.
Page 10
9. "Telecommunications facility – small cell" means a telecommunications facility that is pole mounted to existing public
utility infrastructure.
AND
14.44.095 Small Cell facilities—Basic Requirements.
Small Cell facilities as defined in Section 14.44.020 of this chapter may be installed, erected, maintained and/or operated in any
commercial or industrial zoning district where such antennas are permitted under this title, upon the issuance of a minor
conditional use permit, so long as all the following conditions are met:
A. The Small Cell antenna must connect to an already existing utility pole that can support its weight.
B. All new wires needed to service the Small Cell must be installed within the width of the existing utility pole so as to not
exceed the diameter and height of the existing utility pole.
C. All ground -mounted equipment not to be installed inside the pole must be undergrounded, flush to the ground, within
three (3) feet of the utility pole.
D. Each pole is to have its own, dedicated power source to be installed and metered separately.
E. Each Small Cell is to be no less than 1,500 feet away from the nearest Small Cell facility.
F. Aside from the transmitter/antenna itself, no additional equipment shall be visible.
G. No Small Cell shall be within 200 feet of any residence.
H. An encroachment permit must be obtained for any work in the right-of-way.
Section 3. Section 7.090 of the Implementin Zoning oning Ordinance is amended to read as follows:
7.090 - Telecommunications Facilities
The following requirements apply to Telecommunications Facilities as defined by the City's Telecommunications Ordinance
(Municipal Code 14.44).
A. Definitions. The types of facilities regulated by this section are defined in the City's Telecommunications Ordinance
(Municipal Code 14.44).
B. Telecommunications facilities are allowed only as described in Table 7.090(6).
Page I1
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Table 7.0908
Zoning
Type of Telecommunications Facility
District
Exempt
Mini Minor
Major
Small
OSP
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
AG
A
A
RR
A
A
R1
A
A
R2
A
A
R3
A
A
-
R4
A
A
R5
A
A
C1
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
C2
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
MU1A
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
MU1B
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
MU1 C
A
A
-
-
MU2
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
BP
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
I
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
CF
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
Where a telecommunications facility is permitted by Table 7.090B. the approval(s) required prior to the commencement
of the operation of a Telecommunications Facility areas prescribed in subsections 1-4 below.
1. Exempt Facility. An Exempt facility is an Accessory Use and no special permit is required,except when an Exempt
facility is located in a Historic District an Exempt facility located in a Historic District or on the site of a designated
landmark is considered a Mini Facility subject to administrative Historic and Cultural Preservation approval as
prescribed in Section 15.050.
2. Mini Facility. A Mini Facility is an Accessory Use subject to administrative site plan and architectural review
approval as prescribed by Section 24.010. When a Mini facility is located in a Historic District or on the site of a
designated landmark, the following special permits are required:
a. A Minor conditional use permit as prescribed in Section 24.030; and
b. Administrative Historic and Cultural Review as prescribed in 15.030.
3. Minor Facility. A Minor facility requires approval of a minor conditional use permit as prescribed in Section 24.030
and administrative site plan and architectural review approval as prescribed in Section 24.010. When a Minor
facility is located in a Historic District or on the site of a designated landmark, approval of a major conditional use
permit as prescribed in Section 24.030 and Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee approval as prescribed
In Section 15.030 are required.
4. Major Facility. A major facility requires approval of a major conditional use permit as prescribed in Section 24.030
and Planning Commission approval as prescribed in Section 24.101.
5. Small Facility, A Small Cell facility requires approval of a minor conditional use permit as prescribed in Section
24.030 and administrative site plan and architectural review approval as prescribed in Section 24.010. An
encroachment permit for right-of-way work is also required. The right-of-way shall carry the designation of the
zone adjacent to the right-of-way, for purposes of Table 7.090(B) designation.
D. A Telecommunication facility shall comply with the development standards (Tables 4.6 — 4.13) for the zoning district in
which the facility is located, the City's Telecommunications Ordinance, and all other applicable City requirements.
Page 12
Section 4. Except as amended herein, the City of Petaluma Municipal Code and the
hnplementing Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance No. 2300 N.C.S. remain unchanged and in full
force and effect.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this
ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid by a court
of competent jurisdiction or preempted by state legislation, such decision or legislation shall not.
affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council of the City of
Petaluma hereby declares that it would have passed and adopted this ordinance and each and all
provisions thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more of said provisions be declared
unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid.
Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after the
date of its adoption by the Petaluma City Council.
Section 7. Posting/Publishing of Notice. The City Clerk is hereby directed to publish or post
this ordinance or a synopsis for the period and in the manner provided by the City Charter and
other applicable law.
Page 13
ATTACHMENT C — EXHIBIT 3
CHAPTER 14.44
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY AND ANTENNA CRITERIA
14.44.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed
to them in this section:
S. "Telecommunication facility" means a facility that transmits and/or receives electromagnetic signals. It
includes antennas, microwave dishes, horns, and other types of equipment for the transmission or receipt of
such signals, telecommunication towers or similar structures supporting said equipment, equipment buildings,
parking area, and other accessory development.
1. "Telecommunications facility - exempt' includes but is not limited to, the following unless located within
a recognized Historic District:
a. A single ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television antenna including any mast,
for the sole use of the tenant occupying the residential parcel on which the radio or television
antenna is located; with an antenna height not exceeding twenty-five feet;
b. A ground or building mounted citizens band radio antenna including any mast, if the height (post
and antenna) does not exceed thirty-five feet;
c. A ground, building, or tower mounted antenna operated by a federally licensed amateur radio
operator as part of the Amateur Radio Service, if the height (post and antenna) does not exceed
thirty-five feet;
d. A ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television satellite dish antenna, which does
not exceed thirty-six inches in diameter, for the sole use of the resident occupying a residential
parcel on which the satellite dish is located; provided the height of said dish does not exceed the
height of the ridgeline of the primary structure on said parcel.
e. All citizens band radio antenna or antenna operated by a federally licensed amateur radio operator
as part of the Amateur Radio Service which existed at the time of the adoption of this chapter
(September, 1996).
f. Mobile services providing public information coverage of news events of a temporary nature.
g. Hand-held devices such as cell phones, business -band mobile radios, walkie-talkies, cordless
telephones, garage door openers and similar devices as determined by the planning director.
h. City government owned and operated receive and/or transmit telemetry station antennas for
supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for water, flood alert, traffic control
devices and signals, storm water, pump stations and/or irrigation systems, with heights not
exceeding thirty-five feet.
2. "Telecommunications facilities -major" are all telecommunication facilities not clearly set forth and
included in the definition of exempt, minor or mini facilities.
3. 'Telecommunication facility - mini" is an attached wireless communication facility consisting, but not
limited to, the following unless located on a structure recognized as a historic landmark:
a. A single ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television antenna including any mast,
for the sole use of the tenant occupying the parcel on which the radio or television antenna is
located; with an antenna height not exceeding fifty feet;
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b. A ground or building mounted citizens band radio antenna including any mast, if the height (tower,
support structure, post and antenna) does not exceed seventy feet;
c. A ground, building, or tower mounted antenna operated by a federally licensed amateur radio
operator as part of the Amateur Radio Service, if the height (post and antenna) does not exceed
seventy feet.
d. A ground or building mounted receive -only radio or television satellite dish antenna, with diameter
exceeding thirty-six inches but less than eight feet in diameter, for the sole use of the resident
occupying a residential parcel on which the satellite dish is located; provided the height of said
dish does not exceed the height of the ridgeline of the primary structure on said parcel.
e. Exempt telecommunication facility located within a recognized historic district.
f. City owned and operated antennae used for emergency response services, public utilities,
operations and maintenance if the height does not exceed seventy feet.
If a facility does not meet these criteria then it is considered either an "exempt", "minor" or "major"
telecommunication facility.
4. "Telecommunication facility - minor" means any of the following:
a. Antenna which meet the definition of "mini" with the exception of the height limit.
b. Telecommunication facilities less than thirty-five feet in height and that adhere to Section
14.44.090 of Chapter 14.44 of the Petaluma Municipal Code.
c. A single ground or building mounted whip (omni) antenna without a reflector, less than four inches
in diameter whose total height does not exceed thirty-five feet; including any mast to which it is
attached, located on commercial and/or industrial zoned property.
d. A ground or building mounted panel antenna whose height is equal to or less than four feet and
whose area is not more than four hundred eighty square inches in the aggregate (e.g., one foot
diameter parabola or two feet by one and one-half foot panel) as viewed from any one point,
located on commercial or industrial zoned property. The equipment cabinets shall be designed,
placed and screened to be unobtrusive and effectively unnoticeable.
e. More than three antennas, satellite dishes (greater than three feet in diameter), panel antennas, or
combination thereof, are proposed to be placed on the commercial or industrial parcel, including
existing facilities.
f. Building mounted antennas which, in the opinion of the planning director, are unobtrusive or
undetectable by way of design and/or placement on the building, regardless of number, when
located on commercial or industrial zoned property.
g. Telecommunication facilities less than fifty feet in height, in compliance with the applicable
sections of this chapter, located on a parcel owned by the city of Petaluma and utilized for public
and/or quasi -public uses where it is found by the planning director to be compatible with the
existing city uses of the property.
h. Telecommunication facilities, including multiple antennas, in compliance with the applicable
sections of this chapter, located on an industrial parcel and utilized for the sole use and purpose of
a research and development tenant of said parcel, where it is found by the planning director to be
aesthetically compatible with the existing and surrounding structures.
i. Telecommunication facilities located on a structure recognized as a historic landmark.
If a facility does not meet these criteria then it is considered a "major" telecommunication facility.
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5. "Telecommunication facility - co -located" means a telecommunication facility comprised of a single
telecommunication tower or building supporting one or more antennas, dishes, or similar devices
owned or used by more than one public or private entity.
6. 'Telecommunication facility - commercial' means a telecommunication facility that is operated
primarily for a business purpose or purposes.
7. 'Telecommunication facility- multiple user" means a telecommunication facility comprised of multiple
telecommunication towers or buildings supporting one or more antennas owned or used by more than
one public or private entity, excluding research and development industries with antennas to serve
internal uses only.
8. 'Telecommunications facility - noncommercial' means a telecommunication facility that is operated
solely for a non -business purpose.
9. "Telecommunications facility — small cell' means a telecommunications facility that is pole mounted to
existing public utility infrastructure.
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ATTACHMENT C — Exhibit 4
14.44.095 Small Cell facilities—Basic Requirements
Small Cell facilities as defined in Section 14.44.020 of this chapter may be installed, erected, maintained and/or
operated in any commercial or industrial zoning district where such antennas are permitted under this title,
upon the issuance of a minor conditional use permit, so long as all the following conditions are met:
A. The Small Cell antenna must connect to an already existing utility pole that can support its weight.
B. All new wires needed to service the Small Cell must be installed within the width of the existing utility
pole so as to not exceed the diameter and height of the existing utilitV pole.
C. All ground -mounted equipment not to be installed inside the pole must be undergrounded, flush to the
ground, within three (3) feet of the utility pole.
D. Each pole is to have its own, dedicated power source to be installed and metered separately.
E. Each Small Cell is to be no less than 1,500 feet away from the nearest Small Cell facility,
F. Aside from the transmitter/antenna itself, no additional equipment shall be visible.
G. No Small Cell shall be within 200 feet of any residence.
H. An encroachment permit must be obtained for anV work in the right-of-way.
7.090 - Telecommunications Facilities
The following requirements apply to Telecommunications Facilities as defined by the City's
Telecommunications Ordinance
(Municipal Code 14.44).
C. Definitions. The types of facilities regulated by this section are defined in the City's
Telecommunications Ordinance (Municipal Code 14.44).
B. Telecommunications facilities are allowed only as described in Table 7.090(B).
Table 7.09013
Zoning
Type of Telecommunications Facility
District
Exempt
Mini Minor
Major
Small
OSP
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
AG
A
A -
-
-
RR
A
A -
-
-
R1
A
A -
-
-
R2
A
A -
-
-
R3
A
A -
-
-
R4
A
A -
-
-
R5
A
A -
-
-
C1
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
C2
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
MU1A
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
MU1B
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
MU1C
A
A -
-
-
MU2
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
BP
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
CF
A
A CUP
CUP
CUP
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E. Where a telecommunications facility is permitted by Table 7.090B. the approval(s) required prior to the
commencement of the operation of a Telecommunications Facility areas prescribed in subsections 1-4
below.
1. Exempt Facility. An Exempt facility is an Accessory Use and no special permit is required,
except when an Exempt facility is located in a Historic District an Exempt facility located
in a Historic District or on the site of a designated landmark is considered a Mini Facility
subject to administrative Historic and Cultural Preservation approval as prescribed in
Section 15.050.
2. Mini Facility. A Mini Facility is an Accessory Use subject to administrative site plan and architectural
review approval as prescribed by Section 24.010. When a Mini facility is located in a Historic District
or on the site of a designated landmark, the following special permits are required:
a. A Minor conditional use permit as prescribed in Section 24.030; and
b. Administrative Historic and Cultural Review as prescribed in 15.030.
3. Minor Facility. A Minor facility requires approval of a minor conditional use permit as prescribed in
Section 24.030 and administrative site plan and architectural review approval as prescribed in
Section 24.010. When a Minor facility is located in a Historic District or on the site of a designated
landmark, approval of a major conditional use permit as prescribed in Section 24.030 and Historic
and Cultural Preservation Committee approval as prescribed In Section 15.030 are required.
4. Major Facility. A major facility requires approval of a major conditional use permit as prescribed in
Section 24.030 and Planning Commission approval as prescribed in Section 24.101.
5. Small Facility. A Small Cell facility requires approval of a minor conditional use permit as prescribed
in Section 24.030 and administrative site plan and architectural review approval as prescribed in
Section 24.010. An encroachment permit for right-of-way work is also required. The right-of-way
shall carry the designation of the zone adjacent to the right-of-way, for purposes of Table 7.090(B)
designation.
F. A Telecommunication facility shall comply with the development standards (Tables 4.6 — 4.13) for the
zoning district in which the facility is located, the City's Telecommunications Ordinance, and all other
applicable City requirements.
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