Draft Ordinance: Placement of Wireless Telecommunications Antennas

The City recently released a draft ordinance designed to regulate the placement of wireless telecommunications antennas and is seeking city-wide input and comments from all of the stakeholders including the community and the telecommunications industry. After receiving comments from the community and the industry, the draft ordinance will be presented to the Planning Commission for consideration. Upon approval by the Planning Commission, it is anticipated that the draft ordinance will be presented to the City Council for consideration. On January 13, 2009, the City Council adopted a moratorium on the issuance of permits for wireless antennas and related facilities in residential zones and public rights-of-way within 1000 feet of residential zones. This moratorium, adopted in anticipation of the draft ordinance, was enacted in order to provide time for City staff to address concerns of compatibility of such facilities in sensitive locations of the City. Among many other things, the draft ordinance establishes two new permits: Wireless Telecommunications Facility Encroachment Permit for installations in the public rights-of-way; and Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit for installations on private property. Both types of permits will have new application requirements, specified preferred zones and locations, more widespread community notifications, expert reviews when necessary, required findings of fact for approvals of permits, facilities standards and design requirements and safety and monitoring standards. The draft ordinance will also require compliance with FCC's radio frequency emissions regulations. Following the release of the first draft of the ordinance, the City has received comments from the stakeholders. The comments can be found here. For more information about the ordinance, contact Christina Sansone, City Attorney's Office at csansone@ci.glendale.ca.us. For media inquiries about the meetings, contact Vicki Gardner at (818) 548-4844. A copy of the draft ordinance can be found here.