(a) Identification of Preferred Locations. The Pre-Application Approval Process shall begin with an Applicant's initial site selection. An Applicant shall conduct a thorough survey of the area where it seeks to install a Surface-Mounted Facility to identity its Preferred Locations for the Surface-Mounted Facility.
(b) Criteria for Preferred Locations. In selecting its Preferred Locations, the Applicant should seek to minimize the effect the placement of the Surface-Mounted Facility will have on use of the Public Right-of-Ways by, among other things:
(1) Placing the Surface-Mounted Facility in the Public Right-of-Ways so as to maintain an appropriate path of travel along the sidewalk, paying particular attention to the needs of persons with disabilities. To the extent feasible, an Applicant shall locate the Surface-Mounted Facilities on streets where pedestrian travel is minimal.
(2) Placing the Surface-Mounted Facility in the Public Right-of-Ways so that the Aesthetic Character of the streetscape will not be unreasonably affected by the installation of the Surface-Mounted Facility. Unless no other location is feasible, the Applicant should avoid using sidewalks that: (A) are narrower than the City's standard sidewalk in the applicable zoning district as set forth in the Better Streets Plan; or (B) have special paving or other special design features.
(3) Ensuring that the Surface-Mounted Facility will not obstruct access to other facilities that are installed or the Department knows are to be installed in the Public Right-of-Ways by other entities including City departments and entities providing Utility services.
(4) Placing the Surface-Mounted Facility in a location that is consistent with the City's General Plan, Better Streets Plan, and any applicable Neighborhood or Streetscape Plans.
(5) Placing the Surface-Mounted Facility in a location that is consistent with the Placement Criteria.
(6) Placing the Surface-Mounted Facility in a location that will not unreasonably affect the Aesthetic Character of a City park or open space.
(c) Disfavored Locations. The following locations are disfavored, and the Department shall not issue a Surface-Mounted Facility Site Permit in these disfavored locations unless the Applicant can show that no other option is available:
(1) On Public Right-of-Ways where all Utility facilities are undergrounded.
(2) On Public Right-of-Ways where the City has completed or has plans for major capital improvements, including streetscape and pedestrian safety improvements.
(3) On Public Right-of-Ways that are known for having a high level of pedestrian traffic (e.g. Neighborhood Commercial zoning districts).
(4) On Public Right-of-Ways that are adjacent to or that will affect the view of a Historic Resource or that are within a Historic Resource in which any existing street furniture contributes to the historic nature of the Historic Resource.
(5) On Public Right-of-Ways that the San Francisco General Plan has designated as being most significant to City pattern, defining City form, having an important street view for orientation, or having views that are rated "excellent" or "good."
(6) On Public Right-of-Ways that are adjacent to a City park or open space, unless the Department finds that such locations could be used to minimize the effect on the Aesthetic Character of the City park or open space.
(7) On Public Right-of-Ways that are adjacent to a public or private elementary or middle school.