Title
Heritage Impacts of Proposed Code Amendments on Wireless Communications
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to provide agreed-on public comment from the Olympia Heritage Commission to the Olympia Planning Commission.
Report
Issue:
To discuss heritage issues related to AT&T's proposed changes to Olympia Municipal Code on wireless communications, and agree on a Heritage Commission recommendation to be provided as public comment to the Olympia Planning Commission.
Presenter(s):
Holly Davies, Chair, Olympia Heritage Commission
Background and Analysis:
At the May 28, 2014 meeting of the Olympia Heritage Commission (OHC), members discussed AT&T's proposed amendments to Olympia's Antennas and Wireless Communications Facilities ordinance. The discussion was led by Chair Holly Davies. City of Olympia Principal Planner Steve Friddle, AT&T Attorney Kristen Larson, and AT&T representative Carol Tagayun answered questions posed by Commissioners. To provide further time for consideration, the OHC decided to continue the discussion at the June 25, 2014 meeting.
Attachment 1 is the text of the ordinance with the proposed changes identified in red. The public hearing when the Olympia Planning Commission (OPC) will review the proposal is scheduled for July 21, 2014.
The OHC will continue its discussion of the proposal's potential impact on the City's historic environment. The discussion will result in agreement on how the OHC wishes to respond to the proposal with public comment to the OPC.
Background:
The regulation of Wireless Communication Facilities (WCF) has increasingly shifted from local control and permitting towards more exemptions from the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), with greater control at the Federal level. Examples of recent changes to Federal and Washington State law have been to shorten the time allowed for local government to review permits, and to revise definitions that expand the ability to si...
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