The purpose of the standards set forth in this section is to supplement the aesthetic and design standards set forth in § 151.409. All small wireless facilities in the right-of-way to which this subchapter applies, shall comply with each standard set forth in § 151.409 and those set forth in this section.
(A) Spacing of ground-mounted equipment and new utility poles. All proposed ground-mounted facilities and new utility poles shall be located pursuant to the spacing requirements of § 151.409 from any other small wireless facility; provided, however, that such spacing requirements shall not prevent a wireless provider from serving any location.
(B) Additional design rules for pole-mounted facilities. All small wireless facilities proposed to be mounted on utility poles shall conform to the following guidelines:
(1) To the maximum extent technically feasible, and provided the limits of a small wireless facility are not exceeded, all antennae and all of each antenna’s exposed elements and shroud transitions shall be mounted at the top of the proposed pole and shall be enclosed within a single cylindrical antenna shroud which:
(a) Reasonably color-matches the pole;
(b) Should have a diameter no greater than 14 inches;
(c) Should have a uniform diameter once transitioned from the pole shaft;
(d) Should include only visually concealed cables, wires and other components; and
(e) Should be no greater than six feet in height.
(2) All components of the facility, other than those described in division (B)(1) above, shall be placed below grade to the maximum extent technically feasible and, when undergrounding is not technically feasible, shall be fully enclosed with a base shroud that:
(a) Is structurally sound to fully support the pole while maximizing equipment volume;
(b) Is cylindrical and is as small as technically feasible with a maximum consistent diameter of 30 inches;
(c) Does not exceed a height of six feet from mounting surface;
(d) Reasonably matches pole color and finish; and
(e) Is as solid as feasible to visually conceal and lock all contents and wiring.
(3) Subject to the placement and other requirements in divisions (B)(1) and (B)(2) above, any components of a freestanding facility that are attached to support poles must be mounted so that all parts are at least seven feet or higher above adjacent surface grade.
(C) Height restrictions. Any new or modified utility pole installed in a right-of-way shall not exceed the greater of five feet in height above the tallest existing utility pole located within 500 feet of the new utility pole in the same right-of-way, or 50 feet above ground level. New small wireless facilities in a right-of-way shall not extend more than the greater of 50 feet in height, including antennae, or more than five feet above an existing utility pole in place as of September 1, 2019, and located within 500 feet in the same right-of-way. The city shall have the right, at its sole discretion, to consider and approve an application to install a utility pole or wireless support structure that exceeds the height limits in this division (C); provided, any facility which exceeds the height restrictions set forth in the definition of “small wireless facility” provided in § 151.366 shall also be subject to Chapter 151 and this Chapter 152.
(D) Decorative poles (streetlights).
(1) If decorative poles serving as streetlights have been installed in a neighborhood, small wireless facilities shall first be collocated on such poles at intersections as combination poles with streetlights, with poles mid-block as secondary sites so that removal of decorative streetlights mid-block is minimized and preservation of the intended decorative aesthetics is maximized.
(2) The city may, in its discretion authorize the replacement of a decorative pole, but any replacement pole shall strictly conform to the design aesthetics of the decorative pole being replaced.
(Ord. 23-09, passed 8-21-2023) Penalty, see § 151.999