HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 0968Ordinance No. 968
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MEDINA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING
INTERIM LAND USE REGULATIONS AND OFFICIAL CONTROLS PURSUANT
TO RCW 35.63.200 AND RCW 36.70A.390; AMENDING TITLE 20 OF THE
MEDINA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A NEW CHAPTER 20.38 AUTHORIZING
AND ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF SMALL
WIRELESS FACILITIES; ADOPTING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT OF THE
FOREGOING; REQUIRING A POST -ADOPTION PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
FOREGOING; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; DECLARING A PUBLIC
EMERGENCY; AND ESTABLISHING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently adopted a
Declaratory Ruling, Order and Regulation (Ruling), and which Ruling imposes limitations on the
processing and review of all permits associated with the deployment of small wireless facilities,
including setting presumptive safe harbor review periods for the consideration of such facilities;
and
WHEREAS, such regulations effectively require the City of Medina (City) to have small
wireless standards and procedures in place on or before January 14, 2019; and
WHEREAS, such interim standards will protect the City and meet FCC requirements
while regaining the ability to adopt additional aesthetic standards on or before January 14, 2019
with the ability to adopt additional aesthetic standards on or before April 14, 2019; and
WHEREAS, contemporaneous with the consideration of this ordinance, the City Council
enacted amendments to its existing franchise code provisions MMC Chapter 19.02 and adopted
a new MMC Chapter 19.14 in order to provide for the deployment of small wireless facilities; and
WHEREAS, the aesthetic design and concealment standards that govern deployment of
small wireless facilities on private property, as well as within the public right-of-way, will be
included in MMC Chapter 20.38;
WHEREAS, separately, federal law and regulation sets time limits on the processing of
applications for eligible facility requests to expand existing structures which do not substantially
change the height or profile of the structures used to collocate wireless communications
facilities, and which regulations will also become part of Chapter 20.38; and
WHEREAS, the FCC Ruling allows the City to adopt aesthetic standards for such
deployments that will require utilization of a consolidated process emphasizing administrative
review in order to comply with federal safe harbors or presumptively reasonable time limits for
review; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the existence of the FCC regulations requires the
enactment of administrative procedures and processes to comply with the new presumptive
federal safe harbors on or before January 14, 2019; and
Ordinance No. 968 Page 1 of 17
WHEREAS, the potential conflict between existing City review timelines and the
presumptive safe harbor review times under the new FCC regulations creates a time sensitive
emergency; and
WHEREAS, the City is authorized by state law, including RCW 36.70A.390 and RCW
35.63.200, to expeditiously adopt interim zoning ordinances due to a public emergency for the
protection of the public peace, safety, or health while permanent regulations are developed,
vetted and processed through the City's standard legislative procedure's; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the use of the interim zoning ordinance will allow
the City to meet the January 14, 2019 deadline while providing a meaningful opportunity for its
citizens to provide input regarding design, concealment and other aesthetic standards within the
longer timeframe permitted by use of an interim zoning ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adopting interim zoning regulations as set forth
herein for up to six (6) months is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace,
health or safety;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MEDINA, WASHINGTON,
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to adopt and establish interim
aesthetic requirements and revisions to the City's wireless communications facilities code
provisions in response to the FCC Ruling for a period of six (6) months, or until such earlier time
as permanent regulations may be adopted.
Section 2. Findings. The City Council adopts its findings above and further finds that
this ordinance is necessary, in conjunction with Ordinance No. 967, to address potential
applications for small wireless facilities within the presumptive safe harbor review periods
prescribed by the FCC Ruling. As such, a public emergency exists requiring that this ordinance
take effect immediately upon passage.
Section 3. Amendment to MMC 20.37.030LAA. The Medina Municipal Code Section
-
20.37.030(A) regarding applicability of Chapter 20.37, Wireless Communication Facilities is
hereby amended as follows:
A. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all new and expansion and/or
alteration of wireless communication facilities located within the boundaries of the
city, except for the following:
1. Those facilities used for the primary purpose of public safety by a public
agency, such as police, and 911 communications systems;
2. Incidental use of a support structure exempts under subsection (A)(1) of this
section by nonpublic entities for the attachment of antennas and ancillary
facilities;
3. Wireless radio utilized for emergency communications in the event of a
disaster;
4. An antenna that is designed to receive television broadcast signals;
5. An antenna for receiving and sending of amateur radio devices or HAM radios
Ordinance No. 968 Page 2 of 17
provided the criteria in MMC 20.37.040 are satisfied;
6. An antenna that is one meter or less in diameter or diagonal measurement,
which is designed to receive direct broadcast satellite services, including direct -
to -home satellite services and those subject to MMC 20.32.060;
7. An antenna that is one meter or less in diameter or diagonal measurement,
which is designed to receive video programming services via multipoint
distribution services, including multichannel multipoint distribution services,
instructional television fixed services, and local multipoint distribution services-.,*.
8. A small wireless communications facility that is permitted under MMC
19.14.020 and is subject to MMC 20.380
SECTION 4. Amendment of Title 20 MMC — Adoption of New Chapter 20.38. Title 20 of
the Medina Municipal Code is hereby amended by the addition of a new chapter 20.38 Small
Wireless Facilities and is hereby enacted as follows:
Chapter 20.38
SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES
Sections:
20.38.010
Purpose.
20.38.020
Definitions.
20.38.030
General provisions.
20.38.040
Application requirements for small wireless facilities.
20.38.050
Design Zones for small wireless facilities.
20.38.060
Design and concealment standards for small wireless
deployments.
20.38.070
New poles in the rights -of -way for small wireless facilities and
installations in a Design Zone.
20.38.080
Eligible facilities request.
20.38.090
Testing of small wireless facilities required.
20.38.100
Appeals.
20.38.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to set forth the regulations for the placement, development,
permitting, and removal of small wireless facilities. Among the purposes included are to:
A. Minimize potential adverse visual, aesthetic, and safety impacts of small wireless
facilities.
B. Establish objective standards for the placement of small wireless facilities.
C. Ensure that such standards allow competition and do not unreasonably discriminate
among providers of functionally equivalent services.
D. Encourage the design of such small wireless facilities to be aesthetically and
architecturally compatible with the surrounding built and natural environments where possible.
E. Encourage the collocation or attachment of small wireless facilities on existing support
structures to help minimize the total number and impact of such structures throughout the
Ordinance No. 968 Page 3 of 17
community.
F. Protect the public health, safety and welfare.
20.38.020 Definitions.
See Chapter 19.02.020 IVIMC for additional definitions for terms utilized in this Chapter.
A. "Antenna" means any exterior apparatus designed for telephonic, radio, data, Internet or
other communications through the sending and/or receiving of radio frequency signals including,
but not limited to, equipment attached to a tower, utility pole, building or other structure for the
purpose of providing wireless services.
B. "Co -location" means (1) mounting or installing an antenna facility on a pre-existing
structure, and/or (2) modifying a structure for the purpose of mounting or installing an antenna
facility on that structure. Provided that, for purposes of Eligible Facilities Requests, "collocation"
means the mounting or installation of transmission equipment on an eligible support structure
for the purpose of transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals for communications
purposes.
C. "Small wireless facility" has the same meaning as defined in 47 CFR 1.6002.
D. "Structure" means a pole, tower, base station, or other building, whether or not it has an
existing antenna facility, that is used or to be used for the provision of personal wireless service
(whether on its own or comingled with other types of services).
E. "Transmission equipment" means equipment that facilitates transmission for any FCC -
licensed or authorized wireless communication service, including, but not limited to, radio
transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and backup power supply. The
term includes equipment associated with wireless communications services included, but not
limited to, private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services
and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
F. "Unified enclosure" means a small wireless facility providing concealment of antennas
and equipment within a single enclosure.
G. "Utility pole" means a structure designed and used primarily for the support of electrical
wires, telephone wires, television cable, traffic signals, or lighting for streets, parking areas, or
pedestrian paths.
20.38.030 General provisions.
A. Small wireless facilities shall not be considered nor regulated as essential public
facilities.
B. Small wireless facilities located outside of the public rights -of -way may be either a
primary or a secondary use. A different use of an existing structure on the same lot shall not
preclude the installation of a small wireless facility.
Ordinance No. 968 Page 4 of 17
C. Small wireless facilities located within the public right-of-way pursuant to a valid
franchise are permitted uses in every zone of the City but still require a small wireless facility
permit pursuant to MMC 19.02.140.
20.38.040 Application requirements for small wireless facilities.
Any application for a small wireless facility both inside and outside of the right-of-way shall
comply with the application requirements for a small wireless facility permit described in Chapter
19.14.020.
20.38.050 Design Zones for small wireless facilities
A. The following zones are designated as Design Zones for the purpose of siting small
wireless facilities: Medina Park located at 7789 NW 121' Street, Medina Beach Park located at
501 Evergreen Point Road, and Fairweather Nature Preserve (also referred to as Fairweather
Nature Preserve and Park) located at 2857 Evergreen Point Road, Viewpoint Park located at
Overlake Drive West and 84th Avenue NE, and Lake Lane Park located in the 3300 block of 781
Place NE.
B. Any applicant who desires to place a small wireless facility in a Design Zone must first
establish that the applicant cannot locate the small wireless facility outside of the Design Zone.
Applications for small wireless facilities in a Design Zone may be approved if the applicant
demonstrates that due to technical infeasibility the applicant cannot locate the proposed small
wireless facility on an existing or replacement pole within 500 feet of the proposed site and
outside of the Design Zone.
C. Applications for small wireless facilities within Design Zones are subject to approval by
the Hearing Examiner and must comply with a concealment element design described in
Chapter 20.38.070 below.
20.38.060 Design and *concealment standards for small wireless deployments.
Small wireless facility deployments whether permitted in the right -of way under Chapter 19.14
MMC or permitted in accordance with this chapter shall conform to the following design
standards:
A. Small wireless facilities attached to existing or replacement non -wooden light poles and
other non -wooden poles in the right-of-way or non -wooden poles outside of the right-of-way
shall conform to the following design criteria:
1. Enclosure Location and Dimensions. The applicant shall minimize to the extent
possible the antenna and equipment space use the smallest amount of enclosure
possible to fit the necessary equipment. The antennas and equipment shall be located
using the following methods in priority order:
a. Concealed completely within the pole or pole base. Antennas and the
associated equipment enclosures (including disconnect switches and other
appurtenant devices) shall be fully concealed within the pole, unless such
concealment is otherwise technically infeasible, or is incompatible with the pole
Ordinance No. 968 Page 5 of 17
design. If within the pole base, the base shall meet the ADA requirements and
not impact the pedestrian access route.
b. Located on a pole. If located on a pole, antennas and associated
equipment enclosures must be camouflaged to appear as an integral part of the
pole or flush mounted to the pole, meaning no more than six (6) inches off of the
pole, and the equipment enclosure and all other wireless equipment associated
with the shall be the minimum size necessary for the intended purpose. The
equipment enclosure and all other wireless equipment associated with the pole
(including interior conduit), including wireless equipment associated with the
antenna and any pre-existing associated equipment on the pole, may not exceed
twenty-eight (28) cubic feet. If the equipment enclosure is permitted on the
exterior of the pole, the applicant is required to place the equipment enclosure
behind any banners or road signs that may be on the pole, provided that such
location does not interfere with the operation of the banners or signs. The
furthest point of any antenna or equipment enclosure may not extend more than
twenty (20) inches from the face of the pole.
C. Underground in a utility vault. If located underground, the access lid to the
equipment enclosure shall be located outside the footprint of any pedestrian curb
ramp and shall have a nonskid surface meeting ADA requirement if located
within an existing pedestrian access route.
d. On private property. If located on private property, the applicant shall
submit a copy of an executed easement or lease agreement with the private
property owner prior to the small Wireless facility permit issuance.
2. An antenna on top of an existing pole may not extend more than six (6) feet
above the height of the existing pole and the diameter may not exceed sixteen (16)
inches, measured at the top of the pole, unless the applicant can demonstrate that more
space is needed. The antennas shall be integrated into the pole design so that it
appears as a continuation of the original pole, including colored or painted to match the
pole, and shall be shrouded or screened to blend with the pole except for canister
antennas which shall not require screening. All cabling and mounting hardware/brackets
from the bottom of the antenna to the top of the pole shall be fully concealed and
integrated with the pole.
3. Any replacement pole shall substantially conform to the design of the pole it is
replacing or the neighboring pole design standards utilized within the contiguous right-of-
way.
4. The height of any replacement pole may not extend more than ten (10) feet
above the height of the existing pole or the minimum additional height necessary;
provided that the height of the replacement pole cannot be extended further by
additional antenna height.
5. The diameter of a replacement pole shall comply with the City's setback and
sidewalk clearance requirements and shall, to the extent technically feasible, not be
more than a 25% increase of the existing non -wooden pole measured at the base of the
pole, unless additional diameter is needed in order to conceal equipment within the base
Ordinance No. 968 Page 6 of 17
of the pole, and shall comply with the requirements in subsection E(4) below.
6. The use of the pole for the siting of a small wireless facility shall be considered
secondary to the primary function of the pole. If the primary function of a pole serving as
the host site for a small wireless facility becomes unnecessary, the pole shall not be
retained for the sole purpose of accommodating the small wireless facility and the small
wireless facility and all associated equipment shall be removed.
7. All equipment that can be located underground shall be located underground if
technically feasible.
B. Wooden pole design standards. Small wireless facilities located on wooden poles shall
conform to the following design criteria:
1. The wooden pole at the proposed location may be replaced with a taller pole for
the purpose of accommodating a small wireless facility; provided, that the replacement
pole shall not exceed a height that is a maximum of ten (10) feet taller than the existing
pole, unless a further height increase is required and confirmed in writing by the pole
owner and that such height extension is the minimum extension possible to provide
sufficient separation and/or clearance from electrical and wireline facilities.
2. A pole extender may be used instead of replacing an existing pole but may not
increase the height of the existing pole by more than ten (10) feet, unless a further
height increase is required and confirmed in writing by the pole owner and that such
height increase is the minimum extension possible to provide sufficient separation and/or
clearance from electrical and wireline facilities. A "pole extender' as used herein is an
object affixed between the pole and the antenna for the purpose of increasing the height
of the antenna above the pole. The pole extender shall be painted to approximately
match the color of the pole and shall substantially match the diameter of the pole
measured at the top of the pole.
3. Replacement wooden poles must either match the approximate color and
materials of the replaced pole or shall be the standard new wooden pole used by the
pole owner in the City.
4. Antennas, equipment enclosures, and all ancillary equipment, boxes and conduit
shall be colored or painted to match the approximate color of the surface of the wooden
pole on which they are attached.
5. Antennas shall not be mounted more than twelve (12) inches from the surface of
the wooden pole.
6. Antennas should be placed in an effort to minimize visual clutter and
obtrusiveness. Multiple antennas are permitted on a wooden pole provided that each
antenna enclosure shall not be more than three (3) cubic feet in volume.
7. A canister antenna may be mounted on top of an existing wooden pole, which
may not exceed the height requirements described in subsection B(1) above. A canister
antenna mounted on the top of a wooden pole shall not exceed sixteen (16) inches,
measured at the top of the pole, and shall be colored or painted to match the pole. The
Ordinance No. 968 Page 7 of 17
canister antenna must be placed to look as if it is an extension of the pole. In the
alternative, the applicant may propose a side mounted canister antenna, so long as the
inside edge of the antenna is no more than twelve (12) inches from the surface of the
wooden pole. All cables shall be concealed either within the canister antenna or within a
sleeve between the antenna and the wooden pole.
8. The furthest point of any antenna or equipment enclosure may not extend more
than twenty (20) inches from the face of the pole.
9. An omni-directional antenna may be mounted on the top of an existing wooden
pole, provided such antenna is no more than four (4) feet in height and is mounted
directly on the top of a pole or attached to a sleeve made to look like the exterior of the
pole as close to the top of the pole as technically feasible. All cables shall be concealed
within the sleeve between the bottom of the antenna and the mounting bracket.
10. All related equipment, including but not limited to ancillary equipment, radios,
cables, associated shrouding, microwaves, and conduit which are mounted on wooden
poles shall not be mounted more than six (6) inches from the surface of the pole, unless
a further distance is technically required, and is confirmed in writing by the pole owner.
11. Equipment for small wireless facilities must be attached to the wooden pole,
unless otherwise permitted to be ground mounted pursuant to subsection (E)(1). The
equipment must be placed in the smallest enclosure possible for the intended purpose.
The equipment enclosure and all other wireless equipment associated with the utility
pole, including wireless equipment associated with the antenna and any pre-existing
associated equipment on the pole, may not exceed twenty-eight (28) cubic feet. Multiple
equipment enclosures may be acceptable if designed to more closely integrate with the
pole design and does not cumulatively exceed twenty-eight (28) cubic feet. The
applicant is encouraged to place the equipment enclosure behind any banners or road
signs that may be on the pole, provided that such location does not interfere with the
operation of the banners or signs.
12. An applicant who desires to enclose both its antennas and equipment within one
unified enclosure may do so, provided that such enclosure is the minimum size
necessary for its intended purpose and the enclosure and all other wireless equipment
associated with the pole, including wireless equipment associated with the antenna and
any pre -exiting associated equipment on the pole does not exceed twenty-eight (28)
cubic feet. The unified enclosure may not be placed more than six (6) inches from the
surface of the pole, unless a further distance is required and confirmed in writing by the
pole owner. To the extent possible, the unified enclosure shall be placed so as to appear
as an integrated part of the pole or behind banners or signs, provided that such location
does not interfere with the operation of the banners or signs.
13. The visual effect of the small wireless facility on all other aspects of the
appearance of the wooden pole shall be minimized to the greatest extent possible.
14. The use of the wooden pole for the siting of a small wireless facility shall be
considered secondary to the primary function of the pole. If the primary function of a pole
serving as the host site for a small wireless facility becomes unnecessary, the pole shall
not be retained for the sole purpose of accommodating the small wireless facility and the
Ordinance No. 968 Page 8 of 17
small wireless facility and all associated equipment shall be removed.
15. The diameter of a replacement pole shall comply with the City's setback and
sidewalk clearance requirements and shall not be more than a 25% increase of the
existing utility pole measured at the base of the pole.
16. All cables and wires shall be routed through conduit along the outside of the pole.
The outside conduit shall be colored or painted to match the pole. The number of
conduit shall be minimized to the number technically necessary to accommodate the
small wireless.
C. Small wireless facilities attached to existing buildings, shall conform to the following
design criteria:
1. Small wireless facilities may be mounted to the sides of a building if the antennas
do not interrupt the building's architectural theme.
2. The interruption of architectural lines or horizontal or vertical reveals is
discouraged.
3. New architectural features such as columns, pilasters, corbels, or other
ornamentation that conceal antennas may be used if it complements the architecture of
the existing building.
4. Small wireless facilities shall utilize the smallest mounting brackets necessary in
order to provide the smallest offset from the building.
5. Skirts or shrouds shall be utilized on the sides and bottoms of antennas in order
to conceal mounting hardware, create a cleaner appearance, and minimize the visual
impact of the antennas. Exposed cabling/wiring is prohibited.
6. Small wireless facilities shall be painted and textured to match the adjacent
building surfaces.
D. Small wireless facilities mounted on cables strung between existing utility poles shall
conform to the following standards.
Each strand mounted facility shall not exceed three (3) cubic feet in volume;
2. Only one strand mounted facility is permitted per cable between any two existing
poles;
3. The strand mounted devices shall be placed as close as possible to the nearest
utility pole, in no event more than five (5) feet from the pole unless a greater instance
technically necessary or is required by the pole owner for safety clearance;
4. No strand mounted device shall be located in or above the portion of the roadway
open to vehicular traffic;
5. Ground mounted equipment to accommodate a shared mounted facility is not
Ordinance No. 968 Page 9 of 17
permitted except when placed in pre-existing equipment cabinets; and
6. Pole mounted equipment shall comply with the requirements of subsections A
and B above.
7. Such strand mounted devices must be installed to cause the least visual impact,
be outside the view of a single family residence, and without excess exterior cabling or
wires (other than the original strand).
8. Strand mounted facilities are prohibited on non -wooden poles.
E. General requirements.
1. Ground mounted equipment in the rights of way is prohibited, unless such
facilities are placed under ground or the applicant can demonstrate that pole mounted or
undergrounded equipment is technically infeasible. If ground mounted equipment is
necessary, then the applicant shall submit a concealment element plan. Generators
located in the rights of way are prohibited.
2. No equipment shall be operated so as to produce noise in violation of Chapter
8.06 MIVIC.
3. Small wireless facilities are not permitted on traffic signal poles unless denial of
the siting could be a prohibition or effective prohibition of the applicant's ability to provide
telecommunications service in violation of 47 USC §§ 253 and 332.
4. Replacement poles and new poles shall comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), City construction and sidewalk clearance standards, city
ordinance, and state and federal laws and regulations in order to provide a clear and
safe passage within the rights -of -way. Further, the location of any replacement or new
pole must: be physically possible, comply with applicable traffic warrants, not interfere
with utility or safety fixtures (e.g., fire hydrants, traffic control devices), and not adversely
affect the public welfare, health or safety.
5. Replacement poles shall be located as near as possible to the existing pole with
the requirement to remove the abandoned pole.
6. No signage, message or identification other than the manufacturer's identification
or identification required by governing law is allowed to be portrayed on any antenna or
equipment enclosure. Any permitted signage shall be located on the equipment
enclosures and be of the minimum amount possible to achieve the intended purpose (no
larger than 46 inches); provided that, signs are permitted as concealment element
techniques where appropriate.
7. Antennas and related equipment shall not be illuminated except for security
reasons, required by a federal or state authority, or unless approved as part of a
concealment element plan. As feasible, lighting must be shielded to prevent direct glare
and should not be directed towards nearby properties.
8. Side arm mounts for antennas or equipment must be the minimum extension
Ordinance No. 868 Page 10 of 17
necessary and for wooden poles may be no more than twelve (12) inches off the pole
and for non -wooden poles no more than six (6) inches off the pole.
9. The preferred location of a small wireless facility on a pole is the location with the
least visible impact.
10. Antennas, equipment enclosures, and ancillary equipment, conduit and cable,
shall not dominate the structure or pole upon which they are attached. Antennas,
equipment enclosures, and ancillary equipment, conduit and cable is encouraged to be
integrated within the pole when technically feasible.
11. Except for locations in the right-of-way, small wireless facilities are not permitted
on any property containing a residential use in the residential zones.
12. The City may consider the cumulative visual effects of small wireless facilities
mounted on poles within the rights -of -way in when assessing proposed siting locations
so as to not adversely affect the visual character of the City. This provision shall not be
applied to limit the number of permits issued when no alternative sites are reasonably
available nor to impose a technological requirement on the applicant.
13. These design standards are intended to be used solely for the purpose of
concealment and siting. Nothing herein shall be interpreted or applied in a manner
which dictates the use of a particular technology. When strict application of these
requirements would unreasonably impair the function of the technology chosen by the
applicant, alternative forms of concealment or deployment may be permitted which
provide similar or greater protections from negative visual impacts to the streetscape.
20.38.070 New poles in the rights -of -way for small wireless facilities or installations in
Design Zone.
A. New poles within the rights -of -way are only permitted if the applicant can establish that:
1. The proposed small wireless facility cannot be located on an existing utility pole
or light pole, electrical transmission tower or on a site outside of the public rights of way
such as a public park, public property, building, transmission tower or in or on a non-
residential use in a residential zone whether by roof or panel -mount or separate
structure;
2. The proposed small wireless facility receives approval for a concealment element
design, as described in MMC 20.38.070(C) below;
3. The proposed small wireless facility also complies with Shoreline Management
Act, and SEPA, if applicable; and
4. Any new pole shall be installed at the point closest to the side property line so as
to not impact the property's view; and
Ordinance No. 968 Page 11 of 17
5. No new poles shall be located in a critical area or associated buffer required by
the City's Critical Areas Management ordinance (Title 20.50MC), except when
determined to be exempt pursuant to said ordinance.
6. All equipment that can be located underground shall be located underground if
technically feasible.
B. An application for a new pole is subject to a review and decision by the Hearing
Examiner.
C. The concealment element design shall include the design of the screening, fencing or
other concealment technology for a tower, pole, or equipment structure, and all related
transmission equipment or facilities associated with the proposed small wireless facility,
including but not limited to fiber and power connections.
1. The concealment element design should seek to minimize the visual
obtrusiveness of the small wireless facility. The proposed pole or structure should have
similar designs to existing neighboring poles in the rights of way, including similar height
to the extent technically feasible. If the proposed small wireless facility is placed on a
replacement pole in a Design Zone, then the replacement pole shall be of the same
general design as the pole it is replacing, unless the development services department
otherwise approves a variation due to aesthetic or safety concerns. Any concealment
element design for a small wireless facility on a decorative pole should attempt to mimic
the design of such pole and integrate the small wireless facility into the design of the
decorative pole. Other concealment methods include, but are not limited to, integrating
the installation with architectural features or building design components, utilization of
coverings or concealment devices of similar material, color, and texture - or the
appearance thereof - as the surface against which the installation will be seen or on
which it will be installed, landscape design, or other camouflage strategies appropriate
for the type of installation. Applicants are required to utilize designs in which all conduit
and wirelines are installed internally in the structure. Further, applicant designs should,
to the extent technically possible, comply with the generally applicable design standards
adopted pursuant to MMC 20.38.060.
2. If the Director has already approved a concealment element design either for the
applicant or another small wireless facility along the same public right-of-way or for the
same pole type, then the applicant shall utilize a substantially similar concealment
element design, unless it can show that such concealment element design is not
physically or technologically feasible, or that such deployment would undermine the
generally applicable design standards.
D. Even if an alternative location is established pursuant to 20.38.070(A)(1) the Director
may determine that a new pole in the right-of-way is in fact a superior alternative based on the
impact to the City, the concealment element design, the City's Comprehensive Plan and the
added benefits to the community.
E. Prior to the issuance of a permit to construct a new pole or ground mounted equipment
in the right-of-way, the applicant must obtain a site -specific agreement from the City to locate
such new pole or ground mounted equipment. This requirement also applies to replacement
poles that are higher than the replaced pole, and the overall height of the replacement pole and
Ordinance No. 968 Page 12 of 17
the proposed small wireless facility is more than sixty (60) feet.
F. These design standards are intended to be used solely for the purpose of concealment
and siting. Nothing herein shall be interpreted or applied in a manner which dictates the use of
a particular technology. When strict application of these requirements would unreasonably
impair the function of the technology chosen by the applicant, alternative forms of concealment
or deployment may be permitted which provide similar or greater protections of the street scape.
20.38.080 Eligible Facilities Request
A. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to Eligible Facilities Requests only as
described in this Section 20.38.080.
1. "Base Station": A structure or equipment at a fixed location that enables FCC -
licensed or authorized wireless communications between user equipment and a
communications network. The term does not encompass a tower as defined herein nor
any equipment associated with a tower. Base Station includes, without limitation:
a. Equipment associated with wireless communications services as well as
unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave
backhaul.
b. Radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, regular and
backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological
configuration (including Distributed Antenna Systems ("DAS") and small wireless
networks).
C. Any structure other than a tower that, at the time the relevant application
is filed (with jurisdiction) under this section, supports or houses equipment
described in subparagraph (i) and (ii) above that has been reviewed and
approved under the applicable zoning or siting process, or under another State or
local regulatory review process, even if the structure was not built for the sole or
primary purpose of providing that support.
d. The term does not include any structure that, at the time the Eligible
Facilities Request application is filed with the City, does not support or house
equipment described in subparagraph (1)(a) and (1)(b) above.
2. "Collocation": The mounting or installation of transmission equipment on an
eligible support structure for the purpose of transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency
signals for communication purposes.
3. "Eligible Facilities Request': Any request for modification of an existing tower or
base station that does not substantially change the physical dimensions of such tower or
base station, involving:
a. Collocation of new transmission equipment;
b. Removal of transmission equipment; or
Ordinance No. 968 Page 13 of 17
C. Replacement of transmission equipment.
4. "Eligible support structure": Any tower or base station as defined in this section,
provided that it is existing at the time the relevant application is filed with the City.
5. "Existing": A constructed tower or base station is existing if it has been reviewed
and approved under the applicable zoning or siting process, or under another State or
local regulatory review process, provided that a tower that has not been reviewed and
approved because it was not in a zoned area when it was built, but was lawfully
constructed, is existing for purposes of this definition.
6. "Substantial Change": A modification substantially changes the physical
dimensions of an eligible support structure if it meets any of the following criteria:
a. For towers other than towers in the public rights -of -way, it increases the
height of the tower by more than 10% or by the height of one additional antenna
array with separation from the nearest existing antenna not to exceed twenty (20)
feet, whichever is greater; for other eligible support structures, it increases the
height of the structure by more than 10% or more than ten (10) feet, whichever is
greater;
b. For towers other than towers in the public rights -of -way, it involves adding
an appurtenance to the body of the tower that would protrude from the edge of
the tower more than twenty (20) feet, or more than the width of the tower
structure at the level of the appurtenance, whichever is greater; for other eligible
support structures, it involves adding an appurtenance to the body of the
structure that would protrude from the edge of the structure by more than six (6)
feet;
C. For any eligible support structure, it involves installation of more than the
standard number of new equipment cabinets for the technology involved, but not
to exceed four cabinets; or, for towers in the public rights -of -way and Base
Stations, it involves installation of any new equipment cabinets on the ground if
there are no pre-existing ground cabinets associated with the structure, or else
involves installation of ground cabinets that are more than 10% larger in height or
overall volume than any other ground cabinets associated with the structure;
d. It entails any excavation or deployment outside the current site;
e. It would defeat the concealment elements of the eligible support structure;
or
f. It does not comply with conditions associated with the siting approval of
the construction or modification of the eligible support structure or base station
equipment, provided, however, that this limitation does not apply to any
modification that is non -compliant only in a manner that would not exceed the
thresholds identified above.
7. "Tower": Any structure built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting any
FCC -licensed or authorized antennas and their associated facilities, including structures
Ordinance No. 968 Page 14 of 17
that are constructed for wireless communications services including, but not limited to,
private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services
and fixes wireless services such as microwave backhaul and the associated site.
8. "Transmission equipment". Equipment that facilitates transmission for any FCC -
licensed or authorized wireless communication service, including, but not limited to,
radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and backup power
supply. The term includes equipment associated with wireless communications services
including, but not limited to, private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as
unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
B. Application. The Director shall prepare and make publicly available an application form
used to consider whether an application is an Eligible Facilities Request. The application may
not require the applicant to demonstrate a need or business case for the proposed modification.
C. Qualification as an Eligible Facilities Request. Upon receipt of an application for an
Eligible Facilities Request, the Director shall review such application to determine whether the
application qualifies as an Eligible Facilities Request.
D. Timeframe for Review. Within sixty (60) days of the date on which an applicant submits
an Eligible Facilities Request application, the Director shall approve the application unless it
determines that the application is not covered by this Section 20.38.080.
E. Tolling of the Time Frame for Review. The sixty (60) day review period begins to run
when the application is filed and may be tolled only by mutual agreement by the Director and
the applicant or in cases where the Director determines that the application is incomplete. The
timeframe for review of an Eligible Facilities Request is not tolled by a moratorium on the review
of applications.
1. To toll the timeframe for incompleteness, the Director shall provide written notice
to the applicant within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application, clearly and specifically
delineating all missing documents or information required in the application.
2. The timeframe for review begins running again when the applicant makes a
supplemental submission in response to the Director's notice of incompleteness.
3. Following a supplemental submission, the Director will notify the applicant within
ten (10) days that the supplemental submission did not provide the information identified
in the original notice delineating missing information. The timeframe is tolled in the case
of second or subsequent notices pursuant to the procedures identified in this sub-
section. Second or subsequent notice of incompleteness may not specify missing
documents or information that was not delineated in the original notice of
incompleteness.
F. Determination That Application Is Not an Eligible Facilities Request. If the Director
determines that the applicant's request does not qualify as an Eligible Facilities Request, the
Director shall deny the application.
G. Failure to Act. In the event the Director fails to approve or deny a request for an Eligible
Facilities Request within the timeframe for review (accounting for any tolling), the request shall
Ordinance No. 968 Page 15 of 17
be deemed granted. The deemed grant does not become effective until the applicant notifies
the Director in writing after the review period has expired (accounting for any tolling) that the
application has been deemed granted.
20.38.090 Testing of small wireless facilities required.
A. Each permitted small wireless facility permit holder shall conduct annual tests, at the
permit holder's expense, necessary to establish the level of radio frequency radiation created by
the small wireless facility. The purpose of this testing is to ensure that the radio frequency
radiation is in compliance with the FCC's regulations and standards.
B. The annual testing is in addition to the test required pursuant to MMC 19.14.020(F).
Thereafter, the permit holder shall test the small wireless facility every April to measure the
radio frequency radiation created by the small wireless communication facilities to ensure
compliance with the FCC's regulations and standards.
C. All such tests required by this section shall be performed by a licensed electrical
engineer, or by a person with equivalent capabilities approved by the City Engineer.
D. Copies of each and every radio frequency radiation test shall be submitted to the City
Engineer on the first day of the month following the month in which the test is performed. Such
test results shall be certified by a licensed electrical engineer. No renewal of a permit or lease
shall be granted unless the permit holder submits the test results to the City prior to the City's
consideration of the renewal application.
E. If at any time the radio frequency radiation test shows that the radio frequency radiation
emanating from the small wireless facility exceeds the standards established by the FCC, the
permit holder shall immediately disconnect the small wireless facility and notify the City
Engineer. The small wireless facility shall not be reconnected until the permit holder
demonstrates that corrections have been completed to reduce the radio frequency radiation to
levels permitted by the FCC.
20.38.100 Appeals
Small wireless facilities permit decisions or Eligible Facilities Requests decisions made by the
Director are final decisions appealable to the Hearing Examiner within thirty (30) days of such
decision. However, decisions on request for new poles for the siting of small wireless facilities
as outlined in MMC 20.38.070 or for installations in Design Zones as outlined in MMC
20.38.050, are determined by the Hearing Examiner. Such decisions by the Hearing Examiner
are final and appealable to King County Superior Court within thirty (30) days of such decision.
The timely filing of an appeal of a wireless communication facility permit decision shall stay the
effective date of the decision until such time as the appeal is concluded or withdrawn.
Section S. Public Hearing. The City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to schedule a
public hearing on the interim regulations set forth in this ordinance and to provide notice of said
hearing in accordance with applicable standards and procedures. Said hearing shall be held no
later than 60 days after the date of adoption hereof. Pursuant to RCW 35.63.220 and RCW
36.70A.390, the City Council may adopt additional legislative findings in support of this
ordinance at the conclusion of said hearing.
Ordinance No. 968 Page 16 of 17
Will
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PASSED unanimously by the City Council of the City of Medina this 101 day of January 2019
and signed in authentication of its passage this 141h day of January 2019.
Scott Missall, City Attorney
Cynth)6 Adkins, Mayor
Aimee Kellerman, City Clerk
Page 17 of 17