Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Code, Title 18, Chapter 18.02 and Chapter 18.44 Antenna and Wireless Communication Facilities for Right of Way Attached Facilities to Add Small Cell Facilities
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Planning Commission recommends approval of the proposed amendments in the attached ordinance.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Ordinance Amending Chapter 18.44 Antenna and Wireless Communication Facilities for Right of Way Attached Facilities to Add Small Cell Facilities on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an ordinance amending text in the Unified Development Code, Title 18, Chapter 18.02 and Chapter 18.44 Antennas and Wireless Communication Facilities to allow for small cell wireless facilities as attached facilities in the right of way.
Staff Contact:
Paula Smith, Associate Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8596
Tim Smith, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3915
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis has not changed from first to second reading.
Verizon Wireless applied for a zoning code text amendment to update Olympia Municipal Code (OMC) Chapter 18.44, Antennas and Wireless Communications Facilities, to address the siting of a new wireless technology called "Small Cell." Existing city regulations that adopted to address older cell towers and antenna technology create challenges for locating small cell facilities that do not have the same impacts as the older antennas. Following significant discussions and research, staff recommended a revised zoning code text amendment to the Planning Commission that is agreeable to Verizon to address the identified issues with the existing zoning code.
A small cell facility is defined in RCW 80.36.375(2) as a personal wireless services facility that meets both of the following qualifications:
(i) Each antenna is l...
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