01/28/2020 Ordinances 9762I
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ORDINANCE N0.9762
An ordinance to amend Chapter 34 of Grand Island City Code; to amend Article
II adding Sections 34-75 thru 34-87; to clarify and/or make general corrections to various code
sections, to repeal any ordinance or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith; and to provide for
publication and the effective date of this ordinance.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND
ISLAND, NEBRASKA:
Article II. Wireless Communication Facilities
§34-75. Purpose
The provisions of this Article sha11 be known as the Wireless Communication Facilities
regulations. It is the purpose of these provisions to delineate restrictions, development standards
and siting criteria, and establish removal procedures in order to protect the City from the
uncontrolled siting of wireless communication facilities in locations that have significant adverse
effects and cause irreparable harm. It is further the purpose of these provisions:
(A) To protect the community's visual quality and safety while facilitating the reasonable
and balanced provision of wireless communication services. More specifically, it is the
City's goal to minimize the visual impact of wireless communication facilities on the
community, particularly in and near residential zoning districts and historic districts and
landmarks;
(B) To promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare, preserve the aesthetic
character of the Grand Island community, and to reasonably regulate the development and
operation of wireless communication facilities within the City to the extent permitted under
state and federal law;
(C) To minimize the impact of wireless communication facilities by establishing
standards for siting design;
(D) To preserve the opportunity for continued and growing service from the wireless
industry;
(E) To accommodate the growing consumer need and demand for wireless
communication services;
(F) To establish clear guidelines and standards and an orderly process for review intended
to facilitate the deployment of wireless transmission equipment, to provide advanced
communication services to the City, its residents, businesses and the community at large;
(G) To ensure City zoning regulations are applied consistently with federal and state
telecommunications laws, rules, regulations and controlling court decisions;
(I-� To provide regulations which are specifically not intended to, and shall not be
interpreted or applied to, (1) prohibit or effectively prohibit the provision of wireless
services, (2) unreasonably discriminate among functionally equivalent service providers, ar
Approved as to Form tt
January 27, 2020 tt City Attorney
ORDINANCE N0.9762 (Cont.)
(3) regulate wireless communication facilities and wireless transmission equipment on
the basis of the environmenta.l effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that such
emissions comply with the standards established by the Federal Communications
Commission; and
(I) To incorporate the legislative findings and declara.tions in Nebraska Revised Statute
86-1202.
§34-76. Definitions
All terms in this Article which are not specifically defined herein shall be construed in
accordance with the Communications Act of 1934, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the
Orders, Rules and Regulations of the Federal Communications Commission. As used in this
Article, the following terms sha11 have the meanings set forth below:
Antenna means communications equipment that transmits or receives electromagnetic
radio frequency signals used in providing wireless services.
Antenna arrav means a single or group of antenna elements, not including sma11 wireless
facility antennas, and associated mounting hardware, transmission lines, remote radio units,
or other appurtenances which share a common attachment device such as a mounting frame
or mounting support structure for the sole purpose of transmitting or receiving wireless
communication signals.
Antenna su�port structure means any building or structure other than a tower which can
be used for the location of wireless communication facilities.
�ndicable codes means uniform building, fire, safety, electrical, plumbing, or
mechanical codes adopted by a recognized national code organization or local amendments
to such codes so long as such amendments are not in conflict with the Small Wireless
Facilities Deployment Act and to the extent such codes have been adopted by the authority
and are generally applicable in the jurisdiction.
Applicant means any person who submits an application and is a wireless provider.
�plication means a written request submitted by an applicant to an authority (1) for a
permit to collocate small wireless facilities on an existing utility pole or wireless support
structure or (2) for a permit for approval for the installation, modification, or replacement of
a utility pole to support the installation of a sma11 wireless facility.
Authori means the State of Nebraska or any agency, county, city, village, or other
political subdivision thereof, except as otherwise excluded herein. Authority does not include
public power suppliers, state courts having jurisdiction over an authority, or an entity that
does not have zoning or permit-granting authority.
Authorit�pole means a utility pole owned, managed, or operated by or on behalf of an
authority.
Collocate or collocation means to insta.11, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or replace
small wireless facilities on or adjacent to a wireless support structure or utility pole.
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ORDINANCE N0.9762 (Cont.)
Collocate or collocation does not include the installation of a new utility pole or new wireless
support structure in the right-of-way.
Communications facility means the set of equipment and network components including
wires, cables, and associated facilities used by a cable operator as defined in 47 U.S.C.
522(5), as such section existed on January 1, 2019, a telecommunications carrier as deiined
in 47 U.S.C. 153(51), as such section existed on January 1, 2019, a provider of information
service as defined in 47 U.S.C. 153(24), as such section existed on January 1, 2019, or a
wireless services provider, to provide communications services, including cable service as
defined in 47 U.S.C. 153(8), as such section existed on January 1, 2019, an information
service as defined in 47 U.S.C. 153(24), as such section existed on January 1, 2019, wireless
services, or other one-way or two-way communications service.
Communications network means a netwark used to provide communications service.
Communications service means a cable service as defined in 47 U.S.C. 522, as such
section existed on January 1, 2019, an information service as defined in 47 U.S.C. 153, as
such section existed on January l, 2019, a telecommunications service as defined in 47
U.S.C. 153, as such section existed on January 1, 2019, or a wireless service.
Communications service provider means a cable operator as deiined in 47 U.S.C. 522, a
provider of information service as defined in 47 U.S.C. 153, or a telecommunications carrier
as defined in 47 U.S.C. 153, as such sections existed on January 1, 2019. Communications
service provider includes a wireless provider.
Decorative pole means an authority pole that is specially designed and placed for
aesthetic purposes.
Distributed Antenna System or DAS means a network consisting of transceiver equipment
at a central hub site to support multiple antenna locations throughout the desired coverage
area.
Electric distribution pole means a pole and wires tha.t carry approximately 14,000 volts.
Electric transmission � means a pole and wires that carry 69,000 volts or more.
FAA means the Federal Aviation Administration.
FCC means the Federal Communications Commission.
Fee means a one-time, nonrecurring charge.
Historic district means any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or
object included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places, in
accordance with Stipulation VI.D.l.a (i)-(v) of the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for
Review of Effects on Historic Properties for Certain Undertakings Approved by the Federal
Communications Commission codified at 47 C.F.R, part 1, Appendix C, as such regulation
existed on January l, 2019, or designated pursuant to sta.te historic preservation law if such
designation exists at the time of application.
Law means federal, state, or local law, statute, common law, code, rule, regulation, order,
resolution or ordinance.
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ORDINANCE N0.9762 (Cont.)
Macro cell means an antenna or antennas mounted on or in a tower, ground-based mast,
rooftops or structures, at a height that provides coverage to the surrounding area, excluding
small wireless facilities and distributed antenna systems.
Microwireless facility means a sma11 wireless facility that is not larger in dimension than
twenty-four inches in length, fifteen inches in width, and twelve inches in height and with
any exterior antenna no longer than eleven inches.
Permit means a written authorization required by an authority to perform an action,
initiate, continue, or complete installation of a sma11 wireless facility on an existing utility
pole or attached to an existing wireless support structure, or to install, modify, or replace a
utility pole to support installation of a small wireless facility.
Person means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an
association, a trust, or any other entity or organization, including an authority.
Public power supplier means a public power district or any other governmental entity
providing electric service. Public power supplier includes a municipal electrie utility or a
rural public power supplier.
Rate means a recurring charge.
Right_of-way means the area on, below, or above a public roadway, highway, street,
sidewalk, alley, dedicated utility easement, or similar property, but not including a freeway
as defined in section 39-1302, the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, or a
private easement.
Rural public power su�plier means a public power district, a public power and irrigation
district, an electric cooperative, or an electric mernbership association, that does not provide
electric service to any city of the metropolitan class, city of the primary class, or city of the
first class.
Small wireless facilitx means a wireless facility that meets each of the following
conditions: (1) The facilities (a) are mounted on structures fifty feet or less in height
including the antennas or (b) are mounted on structures no more than ten percent taller than
other adjacent structures; (2) each antenna associated with the deployment is no more than
three cubic feet in volume; (3) a11 other equipment associated with the structure, whether
ground-mounted or pole-mounted, is no more than twenty-eight cubic feet in volume; (4) the
facilities do not require antenna structure registration under 47 C.F.R. part 17, as such
regulation existed on January 1, 2019; (5) the facilities are not located on tribal lands, as
defined in 36 C.F.R. 800.16(x), as such regulation existed on January 1, 2019; and (6) the
facilities do not result in human exposure to radio frequency radiation in excess of the
applicable safety standards specified in 47 C.F.R. 1.1307(b), as such regulation existed on
January l, 2019.
Street light means, for purposes of this Article, poles used or to be used for the City's
lighting in the right-of-way and City parks, and street lights in other areas as may be
approved by the City. The term street lights includes non-standard street lights; however, the
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ORDINANCE N0.9762 (Cont.)
term does not include traffic signal poles, electric transmission and distribution poles, or light
poles for sports fields or arenas, stadium lighting or other lighting of any kind, and does not
pertain to poles or other structures owned by others regazdless of whether maintained by the
City for lighting or any other purpose.
Technically.feasible means that by virtue of engineering or spectrum usage, the proposed
placement for a small wireless facility, or its design or site location, can be implemented
without a reduction in the functionality of the small wireless facility.
Tra ac signal means a set of automatically operated colored lights, typically red, amber,
and green, for controlling traffic at road intersections and crosswalks.
Traffic control signals are devices placed along, beside, or above a roadway to guide, warn,
and regulate the flow of traffic, which includes motar vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles,
pedestrians and other road users.
Transmission equipment means equipment that facilitates transmission for any FCC-
licensed or authorized wireless communication service, including, but not limited to, radio
transceivers, antennas, microwave dishes, co�ial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and
backup power supplies. The term includes equipment associated with wireless
communications services including, but not limited to, private, broadcast, and public safery
services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as
microwave backhaul.
Utilitv pole means a pole located in the right-of-way that is used far wireline
communications, lighting, the vertical portion of support structures for traffic control signals
or devices or a similar function, or for the collocation of sma11 wireless facilities and located
in the right-of-way. Utility pole does not include (1) wireless support structures, (2) any
transmission infrastructure owned or operated by a public power supplier or rural public
power supplier, and (3) any distribution or communications infrastructure owned or operated
by a rural public power supplier. Notwithstanding the mandatory inclusion of this definition
by the Sma11 Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, for purposes of this Article, the City
strongly discourages the placement of sma11 wireless facilities on the vertical portion of
support structures for traffic control signals far public welfare and safety reasons.
Utilitv support structure means utility poles or utility towers supporting electrical,
telephone, cable or other similar facilities.
Wireless Communication Facilities or WCF means equipment for the transmission or
reception of radio frequency (RF) signals or other wireless communications or other signals
for commercial communications purposes, typically consisting of a group of antennas, a
tower or base station, transmission cables and other transmission equipment, backup power
supplies, power transfer switches, cut-off switches, electric meters, coaxial cables, fiber optic
cables, wires, telecommunications demarcation boxes and related materials and equipment
and an equipment enclosure or cabinets including sma11 wireless facilities.
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ORDINANCE N0.9762 (Cont.)
Wireless . acility means equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless
communications between user equipment and a communicatians network, including (a)
equipment associated with wireless communications and (b) radio transceivers, antennas,
coaxial or fiber-optic cable, regular power supply, and sma11 back-up battery, regardless of
technological configuration. Wireless facility includes small wireless facilities. Wireless
facility does not include (a) the structure or improvements on, under, or within the equipment
which is collocated, (b) coaxial or fiber-optic cable that is between wireless structures or
utility poles or that is otherwise not immediately adjacent to, or directly associated with, a
particular antenna, or (c) a wireline backhaul facility.
Wireless infrastructure provider means any person, including a person authorized to
provide telecommunications service in the State of Nebraska, when acting to build or install
wireless communication txansmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support
structures, but that is not a wireless services provider.
Wireless provider means a wireless services provider or a wireless infrastructure provider
when acting as a coapplicant for a wireless services provider.
Wireless services means any services using licensed or unlicensed spectrum, including the
use of Wi-Fi, whether mobile or at a fixed location, provided to the public using wireless
facilities.
Wireless services provider means a person who provides wireless services.
Wireless support structure means a structure such as a guyed or self-supporting tower,
billboard, building, or other existing or proposed structure designed to support or capable of
supporting wireless facilities other than a structure designed solely for the collocation of
small wireless facilities. Wireless support structure does not include a utility pole.
Wirelane backhaul , acilitX means an above-ground or underground facility used to
transport communications services from a wireless facility to a communications network.
§34-77. Applicability
(A) Public Power Supplier Poles: A public power supplier sha11 not be required to a11ow
the collocation of small wireless facilities on utility poles owned, operated, or managed by a
public power supplier except pursuant to a negotiated pole attachment agreement containing
reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms and conditions, including, but not limited to,
applicable rates, and the permit, operational, and safety requirements of the public power
supplier. The City is a public power supplier.
(B) Annual Ra.te for Collocation on Public Power Supplier Poles: The annual pole
atta.chment rate for the collocation of a small wireless facility supported by or installed on a
utility pole owned, operated, or managed by a public power supplier shall be fair, reasonable,
nondiscriminatory, cost-based, and set by the board of such public power supplier in
accordance with section 70-655.
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ORDINANCE N0.9�62 (Cont.)
(C) All new antennas, DAS and small wireless facilities in all zoning districts sha11 be
subject to these regulations.
(D) A Tower Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit are required if a pole is to
be located outside of the right-of-way.
(E) New antenna arrays meeting the requirements of §34-81 are permitted outright.
(F) DAS and small wireless facilities are permitted uses pursuant to §34-77(L).
(G) Antennas atta.ched to distribution poles and street light poles in the public right-of-
way sha11 not extend more than ten (10) feet above the highest point of the pole structure and
may be installed: 1) when permitted by the pole owner's franchise; or 2) by amendment ta
the pole owner's franchise or right-of way use easement and consent of the City upon
payment of reasonable compensation for use of the right-of-way.
(H) Preexisting antennas sha11 not be required to meet the requirements of this Article
unless modified as described by this Article.
(I) The following are exempt from this Article:
(1) FCC licensed amateur (ham) radio facilities;
(2) Satellite earth stations, dishes andlor antennas used for private television
reception not exceeding one (1) meter in diameter;
(3) A WCF installed upon the declaration of a state of emergency by the federal,
state or local government, or a written determination of public necessity by the City;
except that such facility must comply with all federal and state requirements. The
WCF shall be exempt from the provisions of this Article for up to one month after the
duration of the state of emergency;
(4) A temporary, commercial WCF installed for providing coverage of a special
event such as news coverage or sporting event, subject to administrative approval by
the City. The WCF shall be exempt from the provisions of this Article for up to two
weeks before and one week after the duration of the special event;
(5) Other temporary, commercial WCFs installed for a period of up to ninety (90)
days, subject to the City's discretion; provided tha.t such temporary WCF will comply
with applicable setbacks and height requirements;
(6) Antennas atta.ched to existing structures (such as commercial buildings, houses
or apartments) for Internet purposes and uses, solely for occupants of the building, for
which the antennas are attached as long as the height limita.tions of the zoning district
are not exceeded and the antenna design is satisfactory to the City; and
(7) Routine maintenance and repair of antennas and replacement of antennas so long
as the replacement antennas are of similar design, size, type, height, weight and color.
Applicable building permits may be required for antenna replacement.
(J) Pole-Mounted Equi�ment: All pole-mounted transmission equipment sha11 be
mounted as close as technically possible to the pole so as to reduce the overall visual profile
to the maximum extent feasible subject to applicable safety codes.
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ORDINANCE N0.9762 (Cant.)
(K) License or A�xeement: For all WCFs to be located within the right-of-way, prior to
submitting for a permit, the applicant must have a valid municipal agreement, license,
franchise or exemption otherwise granted by applicable law. Prior to the installation or
construction of a WCF within the right-of-way or a utility easement, the registrant or
provider must notify a11 utilities located within such right-of-way regarding the use of the
right-of-way or easement.
(L) Subject to the other requirements of this Article, Distributed Antenna Systems and
sma11 cells in the right-of-way are subject to approval via permits and administrative review
by the City Administrator for use outside of the right-of-way and the Public Works
Department for use inside of the right-of-way unless their installation requires the
construction of a new pole exceeding the maximum height limita.tion of the underlying
zoning district. A permit is required for replacement utility support siructures.
(M) Use of Street Li ts: For public safety and welfare considerations, the City strong�y
discourages wireless providers from placing sma11 wireless facilities on any poles (street
light, traffic signal or otherwise) located at an intersection having traffic control signals.
Instead, the City encourages wireless providers to place small wireless facilities on street
lights elsewhere in the right-of-way. The City also encourages wireless providers to place
sma11 wireless facilities on structures or buildings outside of the right-of-way rather than
placing new poles in the right-of-way.
(N) For public safety and welfare reasons, the City will not allow the placement of sma11
wireless facilities on electric transmission poles. However, small wireless facilities may be
placed on distribution poles subject to the other requirements of this Article.
§34-78. Access to Right-of-Way
(A) General Terms:
(1) The term of an Agreement shall be for up to ten (10) years unless extended by
mutual written agreement of the parties.
(2) The Agreement authorizes the provider's non-exclusive use of the right-of-way
for the sole purpose of installing, maintaining and operating wireless communication
facilities, including any pole built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting the
wireless communication facilities to provide the services expressly authorized in the
Agreement, subject to applicable laws, this Article and the terms and conditions of
the Agreement. The Agreement authorizes use only of the right-of-way in which the
City has an actual interest. It is not a warranty of title or interest in any right-of-way,
and it does not confer on the provider any interest in any particular location or to a
superior or preferred location within the right-of-way. All use of City poles or other
structures in the right-of-way shall require payment of fees for such use.
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ORDINANCE N09762 (Cont.)
(3) The provider shall, at its sole cost and expense, keep and maintain its wireless
communication facilities and poles in the right-of-way in a safe condition, and in
good order and repair.
(4) In the event of an emergency regarding the provider's sma11 wireless facilities, or
related poles, the provider shall immediately notify the City of the nature of the
emergency and planned response to the emergency.
(B) Permit Re uired: No person may construct, install or maintain in the right-of-way
any wireless communication facilities or pole without first receiving a permit from the Public
Works Department.
(C) Application Requirements: The application sha11 be submitted by the provider or its
duly authorized representative to the City Engineer. Applications shall contain the following:
(1) The applicant's name, address, telephone number, and email address, including
emergency conta.ct information for the applicant.
(2) The names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of a11
consultants, if any, acting on behalf of the applicant or provider with respect to the
filing of the application.
(3) A description of the proposed work and wireless communication facility
sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this Article.
(4) If applicable, a copy of the authorization from the owner of the pole, tower or
support structure on or in which the wireless communication facility will be placed
or attached.
(5) Detailed construction drawings and photo simulations regarding the proposed
wireless communication facility.
(6) To the extent the proposed wireless communication facility involves collocation on a
pole, tower or support structure, a structural report prepared by a Nebraska licensed
professional engineer evidencing that the pole, tower or support structure will support
the collocation (or that the pole, tower or support structure will be modified to meet
structural requirements) in accordance with applicable codes.
(7) For any new above-ground wireless communication facilities, accurate visual
depictions or representations, if not included in the construction drawings or photo
simulations.
(8) Any other submission requirements per published City policies or regulations.
(D) Pole Attachment or Other Agreement: Prior to installing in the right-of-way any
wireless communication facility, or any pole built for the sole or
primary purpose of supporting a wireless communication facility, a person shall enter into a
Pole Attachment or other agreement ("Agreement") with the City expressly authorizing
use of the right-of-way for the wireless communication facility or pole proposed to be
installed. The Agreement shall provide for the attachment to City-owned poles or structures
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ORDINANCE N0.9'762 (Cont.)
in the right-of-way in addition to poles or structures owned by unrelated third parties,
provided that the applicant secures the written consent of the third party for such attachment.
§34-79. Preferred Pole Locations
(A) All poles for supporting small wireless facilities in the right-of-way are permitted
only after applying the following siting priorities, ordered from most-preferred (1) to least-
preferred (6):
(1) existing street lights;
(2) relocated street lights;
(3) replacement of street lights (with a pole of dual functionality) at the same
location that can structurally support the Small Wireless Facilities;
(4) new poles in the right-of-way specifically for Small Wireless Facilities;
(5) electric distribution poles if they can meet the pole attachment agreement
requirements;
(6) traffic control signals but they must show why none of the other choices will
work and ensure that the provider's equipment will not interfere with the functionality
of the traffic signals.
(B) The applicant for a pole sha11 address preferences 4-6 in an alternative sites analysis
prepared pursuant to §34-80 below.
§34-80. Alternative Sites Analysis
(A) For a pole other than 1-3 in §34-79, the applicant must address the City's preferred
locations with a detailed explanation justifying why a site of higher priority was not selected.
The City's location preferences must be addressed in a clear and complete written alternative
sites analysis that shows at least three (3) higher ranked, alternative sites considered that are
in the geographic range of the service coverage or capacity objectives of the applicant,
together with a factually detailed and meaningful comparative analysis between each
alternative candidate and the proposed site that explains the substantive reasons why the
applicant rejected the alternative candida.te.
(B) A complete alternative sites analysis provided under this subsection may include less
than three (3) alternative sites so long as the applicant provides a factually detailed written
rationale for why it could not identify at least three (3) potentially available, higher ranked,
alternative sites.
(C) For purposes of disqualifying potential collocations or alternative sites for the failure
to meet the applicant's service coverage or capacity objectives the applicant will provide (a)
a description of its objective, whether it be to address a deficiency in coverage or capacity;
(b) detailed maps or other e�iibits with clear and concise Ra.dio Frequency ("RF") data to
illustrate that the objective is not met using the alternative (whether it be collocation or a
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ORDINANCE N0.9762 (Cont.)
more preferred location); and (c) a description of why the alternative (collocation or a more
preferred location) does not meet the objective.
§34-$1. Antenna Arrays
Antenna arrays are permitted in any zoning district as long as they are located upon an
existing structure, excluding single family and duplex properties, that provides sufficient
elevation for the array's operation without the necessity of constructing a tower or other
apparatus to extend the antenna array more than ten feet (10'} above the structure. Installation
on City property requires the execution of necessary agreements.
§34-82. Accessory Uses, Equipment, Design, and Standards
(A) Accessory Uses.
(1) Accessory uses shall be lirnited to such structures and equipment that are
necessary for transmission or reception functions, and shall not include broadcast
studios, offices, vehicles or equipment storage, or other uses not essential to the
transmission or reception functions.
(2) All accessory buildings sha11 be constructed of building materials equal to
or better than those of the primary building on the site and shall be subject to
applicable permits.
(B) Accessorv Equipment. All accessory equipment located at the base of a WCF sha11
be located or placed (at the appiicant's choice) in an existing building, underground, or in an
equipment shelter or cabinet that is (1) designed to blend in with existing surroundings, using
architeciurally compatible construction and colors; and (2) be located so as to be unobtrusive
as possible consistent with the proper functioning of the WCF.
(C) Site Design Flexibility_. Individual WCF sites vary in the location of adjacent
buildings, existing trees, topography and other local variables. By mandating certain design
standards, there may result a project that could have been less intrusive if the location of the
various elements of the project could have been placed in more appropriate locations within a
given site. Therefore, the WCF and supporting equipment may be installed so as to best
camouflage, disguise them, or conceal t�em, to make the WCF more closely compatible with
and blend into the setting or host structure, upon approval by the City.
(D) General Standards
(1) Landsca�� and Screening: Equipment shelters and cabinets and other on the
ground ancillary equipment shall be screened with landscaping (except for those in
the right-of-way) as required for the district in which they are located or with another
design acceptable to the City. Alternatively, where technically feasible, the applicant
sha11 incorporate the cabinet and other equipment into the base of a new pole (for
example, for a small wireless facility) provided there is adequate space in the right-of-
way and that ADA sidewalk accessibility requirements can be met. All provisions of
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ORDINANCE N0.9762 (Cont.)
the ADA (including, but not limited to, clear space requirements) shall be met by the
applicant.
(2) New Poles: To the extent technically feasible, new poles must be designed to
match the existing light fixtures and other poles, and they shall serve a dual purpose
(for example, a new light fixture, flag pole or banner clips).
(E) Radio Frequency�RF� Emissions Compliance Report. A written report will be
prepared, signed and sealed by a Nebraska-licensed professional engineer which assesses
whether the proposed WCF demonstrates compliance with the RF emissions limits
esta.blished by the FCC. In no event shall any small wireless facilities, either individually or
collectively with those of others, exceed the ma�cimum permissible RF emission standards of
the FCC. In the event the FCC's maximum permissible RF standards are exceeded, the
wireless provider shall immediately cease and desist the use of its equipment and facilities.
§34-83. Independent Technical and Legal Review
Although the City intends for City staff to review applications to the extent feasible, the
City may retain the services of an independent technical expert and attorney of its choice to
provide evaluations of permit applications for WCFs. The consultant shall have verifiable
experience in the field of wireless communication facilities. The consultant's review may
include, but is not limited to (a) the accuracy and completeness of the items submitted with the
application; (b) the applicability of analysis and techniques and methodologies proposed by the
applicant; (c) the validity of conclusions reached by the applicant; and (d) whether the proposed
WCF complies with the applicable approval criteria set forth in this Article. The applicant sha11
pay the reasonable cost for any independent consultant fees through a deposit, estimated by the
City, within ten (10) days of the City's request. When the City requests such payment, the
application shall be deemed incomplete for purposes of application processing timelines until the
deposit is received. In the event that such costs and fees do not exceed the deposit amount, the
City shall refund any unused portion within thirty (30) days after the final permit is released or, if
no final permit is released, within thirty (30) days after the City receives a written request from
the applicant. If the costs and fees exceed the deposit amount, then the applicant shall pay the
difference to the City before the permit is issued. The consultant shall provide an itemized
description of the services and related fees and charges.
§34-84. Indemnification
Each permit issued for a WCF located on City property shall be deemed to have as a
condition of the permit a requirement that the applicant, registrant and wireless provider defend,
indemnify and hold harmless the City and its officers, agents, employees, volunteers, and
contractors from any and a11 liability, damages, or charges (including attorneys' fees and
expenses) arising out of claims, suits, demands, actions or causes of action as a result of the
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ORDINANCE N0.9762 (Cont.)
permit process, a granted permit, construction, erection, location, performance, operation,
maintenance, repair, installation, replacement, removal, or restoration of the WCF.
§34-85. FCC Shot Clock Requirements
(A) Eli�ible Facilities Request. This Section implements Section 6409(a) of the
Spectrum Act, 47 U.S.C. Section 1455(a), as interpreted by the FCC in its Report and Order
No. 14-153 and Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order released September 27, 2018
which requires a state or local government to approve any Eligible Facilities Request for a
modification of an existing tower or base station that does not result in a substantial change
to the physical dimensions of such tower or base sta.tion. Eligible Facilities Requests shall be
governed by the provisions of Federal law including, but not limited to, application review,
the sixty (60) day shot clock, tolling and deemed granted rernedy.
(B) Collocation for other than Sma11 Wireless Facilities. This Section implements, in
part, 47 U.S.C. Section 332(c)(7) of the Federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
as interpreted by the FCC in its Report and Order No. 14-153 and Declaratory Ruling and
Third Report and Order released September 27, 2018 regarding collocation applications for
other than small wireless facilities including, but not limited to, application review, the ninety
(90) day shot clock and tolling.
(C) New Macro Cell Tower. This Section implements, in part, 47 U.S.C. Section
332(c)(7) of the Federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended, as interpreted by the
FCC in its Report and Order No. 14-153 and Declaratory Ruling and T'hird Report and 4rder
released September 27, 2018 regarding new macro cell tower applications including, but not
limited to, application review, the one hundred fifty (150) day shot clock and tolling.
(D) Sma11 Wireless Facilities - Collocation on Existin� Structures. This Section
implements the shot clock procedures that are contained in the Declaratory Ruling and Third
Report and Order released September 27, 2018, regarding the collocation of small wireless
facilities on existing structures, including but not limited to appiication review, the sixty (60)
day shot clock, resetting the sixty (60) day shot clock once the City timely sends a notice of
an incomplete application and tolling.
(E) Small Wireless Facilities - New Structure. This Section implements the shot clock
procedures that are conta.ined in the Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order released
September 27, 2018, regarding the construction of small wireless facilities on a new
structure, including but not limited to application review, the ninety (90) day shot clock,
resetting the ninety (90) day shot clock once the City timely sends a notice of an incomplete
application and tolling.
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ORDINANCE N0.9762 (Cont.)
§34-86. Multiple Sites in One Application
An applicant may propose no more than ten (10) sites in a consolidated application. The
denial of a site in a consolidated application shall not affect the approval of any remaining sites.
§34-87. Severability and Conflicts
(A) If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or other portion of this Article, or
its application to any person is, for any reason, declared invalid, in whole or in part by any
court or agency of competent jurisdiction, said decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions hereof.
(B) These Wireless Communication Facilities regulations are in addition to other
regulations in the City Code. In case of a conflict between regulations, the more restrictive sha11
control.
SECTION 2. Any ordinance or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be, and
hereby are, repealed.
SECTION 3. T'his ordinance shall be in force and take effect from and after its
passage and publication, within fifteen days in one issue of the Grand Island Independent as
provided by law.
Enacted: January 28, 2020
Attest:
RaNae Edwards, City Clerk
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oger G. Steele, Mayor
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