(a) Whenever any existing electric utilities, cable facilities, telecommunications facilities or other facilities are located underground within a Public Way in the City, the Facilities Operator must also locate its Facilities underground.
(b) A Facilities Operator may replace an existing Wireless Support Structure or Collocate Small Cell Facilities on an existing Wireless Support Structure even if the Wireless Support Structure is located in an Underground Area.
(c) A Facilities Operator shall not install a new Wireless Support Structure in an Underground Area.
(d) An Operator may apply to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a waiver of the underground placement requirement if the requirements prevent the Operator from achieving its service objective, the requirement has the effect of prohibiting the provision of reasonable service in the City, and the Operator's objective of providing reasonable service in the City cannot be met by placing Facilities at:
(1) A location in the public Right-of-Way where the prohibition does not apply;
(2) A utility easement the Operator has the right to access; or
(3) Other suitable locations or structures made available by the City at reasonable rates, fees and terms.
(e) Submission of a waiver request pursuant to Subsection (d) is subject to the Facilities Operator's agreement to toll timeframes set forth in Section 1054.08(a) of the Code by thirty (30) days. (Ord. 62-19. Passed 9-23-19.)