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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZTA201500001 CorrespondenceMr. Richard Randolph
Planning Commission
Albemarle County
3291 Darby Road
Keswick, VA 22947
L�R
LECLAI R -RYA N
March 4, 2015
Ms. Jane Dittmar
Board of Supervisors
Albemarle County
401 McIntire Road, 4th Floor
Charlottesville, VA 22902
RE: Federal Law affecting Local Review of Wireless Communications Facilities
Dear Mr. Randolph and Ms. Dittmar:
In view of your upcoming hearings regarding FCC - Mandated Changes to the County's
Wireless Communications ordinance (ZTA 2015 - 00001), I would like to supply you with
background information that may be helpful to you.
In early 2012, Congress adopted into law the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation
Act. Section 6409(a) of the Act, a copy of which is enclosed as Exhibit A, is referred to as the
Spectrum Act and has been codified within the Communications Act. The stated purpose of
Section 6409 is to promote the deployment of network facilities needed to provide broadband
wireless services to U.S. citizens. It states as follows:
"Notwithstanding Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 [codified as 47
U.S.C. Sec. 332(c)(7)] or any other provision of law, a State or local government may
not deny and shall approve, any eligible facilities request for a modification of an
existing wireless tower or base station' that does not substantially change the
physical dimension of such tower or base station."
Since its adoption, the Spectrum Act has been the subject of local and national debate as
local planning and governing bodies and wireless carriers try to understand how it will affect the
' A list of definitions is attached as an addendum to this letter-
E-mail: Lori.Schweller @leclairryan.com 123 East Main Street, Suite 840
Direct Phone: (434) 245 -3448 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Direct Fax: (434) 296.0905 Phone 434.245.3444 1 Fax 434.296,0905
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ATTORNEYS AT LAW \ WV+VW.LECLAIRRYAN.COM
Mr. Richard Randolph
Ms. Jane Dittmar
March 4, 2015
Page 2
zoning and permitting of wireless facilities. Public Notice DA 12 -2407, January 25, 2013, of the
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau addressed, but did not settle, the most pressing questions
that the Act inspired. On September 26, 2013, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
to address them.
I. Clarifying the Spectrum Act
On January 8, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a
Ruling, enclosed as Exhibit B, to define relevant terms in the Act and to clarify and further
refine existing telecommunications law and regulations, including the Spectrum Act, in order to
"help spur wireless broadband deployment, in part, by facilitating the sharing of infrastructure
that supports wireless communications ... (by creating) strong incentives for wireless providers
to collocate on structures that already support wireless deployments..." (the "Ruling "). The
Ruling provides much - needed guidance to local governments and to the wireless industry as we
interpret the dictates of the Spectrum Act in relation to local zoning requirements.
A. Defining Substantial Change
One of the most anticipated points of clarification is the Commission's adoption of a set
of objective criteria to define the Spectrum Act's phrase "substantially change the physical
dimension" of a tower or base station:
A modification substantially changes the physical dimensions of the wireless tower or
base station if it meets any of the following criteria:
(1) For towers outside of public rights -of -way, it increases the height of the tower by
more than 106/x, or by the height of one additional antenna array with separation from
the nearest existing antenna not to exceed twenty feet, whichever is greater; for those
towers in the rights -of -way and for all base stations, it increases the height of the
tower or base station by more than 10% or 10 feet, whichever is greater;
2 47 CFR Parts 1 and 17 ( "Acceleration of Broadband Deployment by Improving Wireless Facilities, Siting Policies;
Final Rule "), published January 8, 2415, Federal Register Val. 80, No. 5, first published October 21, 2014 as FCC 14-
153. Parenthetical cites in this letter are to paragraphs in the Report and Order released October 21, 2014 as FCC
14 -153, which may be downloaded here: http : / /www.fcc.gov/ document / wireless - infrastructure - report- and - order.
3 The Commission expressly notes that "after careful review of the retard," which includes recommendations by
localities not to adopt objective standards, but, rather a subjective, context - specific approach, "we adopt an
objective standard for determining when a proposed modification will 'substantially change the physical
dimensions' of an existing tower or base station" (188).
The Spectrum Act & FCC 14 -153 Relevant to Local Zoning: 15428164_1
Mr. Richard Randolph
Ms. Jane Dittmar
March 4, 2015
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(2) For towers outside of public rights -of -way, it protrudes from the edge of the tower
more than twenty feet, or more than the width of the tower structure at the level of the
appurtenance, whichever is great; for those towers in the rights -of -way and for all
base stations, it protrudes from the edge of the structure more than six feet;
(3) it involves installation of more than the standard number of new equipment cabinets
for the technology involved, but not to exceed four cabinets;
(4) it entails any excavation or deployment outside the current site of the tower or base
station;
(5) it would defeat the existing concealment elements of the tower or base station; or
(G) it does not comply with conditions associated with the prior approval of construction
or modification of the tower or base station unless the non - compliance is due to an
increase in height, increase in width, addition of cabinets, or new excavation that does
not exceed the corresponding "substantial change" thresholds identified above.
This set of criteria is similar but not exactly the same as that set out in the Nationwide
Programmatic Agreement for Collocation of Wireless Antennas (47 C.F.R. Sec. 1, App. B),
which deals with exceptions from certain environmental review requirements.
1. Baseline for Measuring Substantial Change
The Ruling also explains how to determine the baseline for measuring change. In cases
where the wireless facility deployments are or will be separated horizontally, such as on building
rooftops, the change resulting from a modification of a wireless facility should be measured from
the original .support structure. In other circumstances, such as collocations on existing cell
towers, changes in height should be measured from the dimensions of the tower or base station
inclusive of originally approved appurtenances and any modifications that were approved prior
to the passage of the Spectrum Act (188).
2. Defeating Existing Concealment Elements
The phrase "concealment elements" in point number (5) of the definition is liable to
misinterpretation. The Commission refers to "stealth structures" as facilities designed to look
like something other than a wireless tower or base station by use of either disguise or complete
concealment (200). The Ruling cites comments received from several localities and industry
4 The Commission finds that the objective test for "substantial increase in size" under the Collocation Agreement
should inform its consideration of the factors to consider when assessing a "substantial change in physical
dimensions." (190). However, the Commission does not adopt the Collocation Agreement's exceptions allowing
modifications to exceed usual height and width limitations when necessary to avoid interference or shelter the
antennas from inclement weather (191). Further, the Commission adopts different standards for different types
and locations of support structures (192).
The Spectrum Act & FCC 14 -153 Relevant to Local Zoning: 15428154_1
Mr, Richard Randolph
Ms. Jane Dittmar
March 4, 2015
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groups that support the interpretation of "concealment elements" as synonymous with stealth
structures.
The comments of PCIA — The Wireless Infrastructure Association and the HetNet Forum
include the following statement at p. 39 of their comments: "...a modification that undermines
the concealment elements of a "stealth" facility, such as screening facade paint or tree branches,
should not be considered insubstantial for the purposes of Section 6409(a). For example, while a
modification to a tower designed to resemble a pine tree may increase its height by less than ten
percent, it would only be an EFR (eligible facilities request) if the pine tree elements were
maintained." Further, at p. 46 — "...approval of an EFR should not be conditioned on alteration
or intensification of the concealment elements, and the FCC should not consider limits on the
number of collocations or a flush- mounting requirement in local code to be concealment or
"stealth" provisions. Limitation on a number of collocations is a barrier to both upgrades in
technology and new market entrants."
See also the comments of the City of Alexandria, Virginia et al., pp. 7 -8, where stealth
palms and camouflaged installations on historic buildings are cited as examples of stealth, defeat
of which characteristics should not be considered insubstantial; p. 18 where stealth facilities are
discussed as facilities hidden in architectural elements and disguised as flag poles, hidden within
signs, etc.; and, on p. 42, a reference to changing stealth facilities into "undisguised" towers.
See also the Comments of the City of Coconut Creek, Sec. IV, 16, where the City argues
that changing a stealth facility such as a silo so that it no longer looks like a real silo should be
considered a substantial change: "In the context of these types of facilities, designed to NOT
look like a wireless tower or base station, we believe that a `substantial change' in the physical
dimensions of such a facility would be any change that tends to diminish the concealment or
stealth nature of such facility." The City's examples do not involve an increase in height making
an undisguised pole or tower more visible, but, rather, an increase in the height of a facility in the
guise of a silo that, if increased by 20' would no longer appear as a silo in an area where silos
are 80' (though, significantly, it notes, would not be a substantial change if the facility is
disguised as a structure that is normally that height).
Correct interpretation of "concealment elements" is critical to the purpose of the Act and
the Ruling. If existing ordinance restrictions on the size of antennas, the standoff of antennas,
the height of facilities, and similar dimensional limitations or design standards were considered
to be themselves "concealment elements," the entire purpose of Sec. 6409(x) would be
undermined. Rather, like conditions attached to the approval of conditional use permits
discussed in criterion No. 6, this condition cannot be used to eliminate all of the others so that a
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Ms. Jane Dittmar
March 4, 2015
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modification that involved an increase in height, width, or antenna size would be deemed to
"defeat the existing concealment elements."
Fortunately, Albemarle County's Personal Wireless Service Facilities Policy, dated
December, 2000, defines for us the relevant terms — "location," "siting," "concealment,"
"disguise," and "design" — and supports the explanation that when the FCC refers to "defeating
concealment elements," it does not mean any change to every aspect of the location, siting, and
design of each wireless facility. I will attempt to illustrate this point in my presentation to the
Commission on March 10th. Like conditions to special use permits, every design and siting
criterion cannot be considered as a concealment element or the County will thoroughly bypass
the Ruling's intended effects, which are to encourage collocation and "to promote the
deployment of broadband wireless."
B. See. 6409(x) Application Review Process/Timeline for Review:
To implement the goal of the Spectrum Act, the Ruling sets out a process for local
governments to review and process applications for collocations and other wireless facility
modifications:
A. A State or local government may only require applicants to provide
documentation that is reasonably related to determining whether the eligible
facilities request meets the requirements of Section 6409(a). (For example, a
reviewing authority is not permitted to require an applicant to submit information
justifying the need for the proposed modification or presenting the business case
for it.) (214). If a State or local government determines that Sec. 6409(a) does not
apply (because, for example, it proposes a substantial change), then the
presumptively reasonable timeframe under Section 332(c)(7) (i.e. the shot clock)
will start to run from the issuance of such decision (224).
B. Within 60 days from the date of the filing, accounting for tolling, a State or local
government shall approve an application covered by Section 6409(a) or it shall be
deemed granted (215 -216), effective on the date that the applicant notifies the
reviewing jurisdiction in writing, after the time period for review by the reviewing
authority as prescribed in the rules has expired, that the application has been
deemed granted (226); and
C. The running of the period may be tolled by mutual agreement or upon notice that
an application is incomplete provided in accordance with the same deadlines and
requirements applicable under Section 332(c)(7), but not by a moratorium (217).
The Spectrum Act & FCC 14 -153 Relevant to Local Zoning-15428154_1
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D. The shot clock begins running again when the applicant makes its supplemental
submission; however, the shot clock may be tolled if the State or local
government notifies the applicant within 10 days that the supplemental
submission did not provide the specific information identified in the original
notice delineating missing information (218).
11. FCC Declaratory Ruling 09 -99: the "Shot Clock"
In its November 18, 2009 Declaratory Ruling, the FCC held that the presumptively
reasonable timeframe for review of personal wireless facility siting applications is 90 days for
collocation applications and 150 days for all others. This Ruling is widely referred to as the
"Shot Clock," enclosed as Exhibit C. It further determined that an application is a request for
collocation for purposes of the Section 332(c)(7) shot clock if it seeks authorization to place an
antenna on an existing structure and does not involve a "substantial increase in ... size" as
defined in the Collocation Agreement (273).
Note that the test for a "substantial increase in size" under Sec. 332(c)(7) for Shot Clock
purposes affects only the length of review time (90 vs. 150 days), while the substantial increase
test adopted under Sec. 6409(a) identifies when a State or municipality must grant an application,
which the FCC deems a meaningful distinction that merits a more demanding standard under
Section 6409(a) (276).
Additional clarification of the Shot Clock Ruling provided by the recent 6409 Ruling is
as follows:
A. The clock starts when the application is submitted, not when it's deemed
complete by the reviewing government.
B. A determination of incompleteness tolls the shot clock only if the State or local
government provides notice to the applicant in writing within 30 days of the
application's submission, specifically delineating all missing information, and
specifying the code provision, ordinance, application instruction, or otherwise
publically- stated procedures that require the information to be submitted.
C. Following an applicant's submission in response to a determination of
incompleteness, the State or local government may reach a subsequent
determination of incompleteness based solely on the applicant's failure to supply
the specific information that was requested within the first 30 days.
The Spectrum Act & FCC 14 -153 Relevant to Local Zoning - 15428164_1
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Ms. Jane Dittmar
March 4, 2015
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D. The shot clock begins running again when the applicant makes its supplemental
submission; however, the shot clock may be tolled if the State or local
government notifies the applicant within 10 days that the supplemental
submission did not provide the specific information identified in the original
notice delineating missing information.
E. The shot clock timeframes do apply to small cell and DAS facilities.
III. Summary
The FCC's Ruling provides long- awaited clarity to local governments and the wireless
industry working to comply with the Spectrum Act. The Ruling provides us with guidelines to
measure whether a proposed modification to an existing eligible facility would effect a
substantial increase in the six of the facility. It provides a framework and timeline for
approving applications submitted to obtain, local permitting for such proposed modifications.
The Ruling also clarifies the process set out by the 2009 Shot Clock Ruling and expressly
extends its coverage to small cells,
These Federal laws and regulations will support the stated objective of many local zoning
ordinances to reduce the required number of new wireless communications facilities by
encouraging collocation on existing wireless facilities. As implemented by local governments,
these standards will enable the wireless industry to expand broadband service to the localities
with the least amount of new construction and the shortest amount of review time.
Thank you for your consideration of this information. Please call any time with questions
or comments or to arrange a meeting to discuss.
Enclosures:
Very truly yours,
Lori H. Schweller
Exhibit A - Middle Class Tax Relief and Jab Creation Act ( "Spectrum Act ")
Exhibit B - FCC 15 -153, published January 8, 2015
Exhibit C - FCC 09 -99 ( "Shot Clock" Ruling)
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Mr. Richard Randolph
Ms. Jane Dittmar
March 4, 2015
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Relevant Definitions from the FCC 14 -153 Report and Order
Base station = a station at a specified site that enables wireless communication between
user equipment and a communications network, including any associated equipment such as, but
not limited to , radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber -optic cable, and regular and backup
power supply (161) ).5
Collocation = the mounting or installation of transmission equipment on an eligible
support structure for the purpose of transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals for
communications purposes (178). In the case of a Tower, a collocation is not limited to mounting
equipment on structures that already have transmission equipment on them. In the case of a non -
tower base station, since a base station by definition supports or houses equipment, a collocation
would be on a structure already supporting equipment (179).
Eligible Support Structure = any structure that falls within the definitions of tower or
base station (178).
Eligible facilities request = request for modification of existing wireless tower or vase
station that involves (a) collocation of new transmission equipment; (b) removal of transmission
equipment; or (c) replacement of transmission equipment. Sec. 6409(a)(2).
Existing base station = a structure that, at the time of the application, supports or houses
an antenna, transceiver, or other associated equipment that constitutes part of a base station even
if the structure was not built for the sole or primary purpose of providing such support ( 168,
172). "Existing" requires that wireless towers or base stations have been reviewed and approved
under the applicable local zoning or siting process or that the deployment of existing
transmission equipment on the structure received another form of affirmative State or local
regulatory approval (e.g. authorization from a State public utility commission). A wireless tower
that does not have a permit because it was not in a zoned area when it was built, but was lawfully
constructed is an "existing" tower (174).
Modification of a wireless tower or base station = includes collocation, removal, or
replacement of an antenna or any other transmission equipment associated with the supporting
structure (178).
Replacement as used in Section 6449(a)(2)(C) relates only to the replacement of
transmission equipment and does not include the structure on which the equipment is located
(181).
5 Unless otherwise noted, citations are to paragraphs of the FCC 14 -153 Report and order. The majority of this
memorandum consists of direct quotes from the Report and order, so quotation marks are not used.
The Spectrum Act & FCC 14 -153 Relevant to Local Zoning:IS428164_1
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March 4, 2015
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Small cells = low- powered wireless base stations that function like cells in a mobile
network, typically covering targeted indoor or localized outdoor areas ranging in size from
homes and offices to stadiums, shopping malls, hospitals, and metropolitan outdoor spaces.
Wireless providers often use small cells to provide connectivity to their subscribers in areas that
present capacity and coverage challenges to traditional wide -area macroceli network, such as
coverage gaps created by buildings, tower siting difficulties, and challenging terrain (32 ),
Tower = any structure built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting any FCC -
licensed or authorized antennas and their associated facilities, including on -site fencing,
equipment, switches, wiring, cabling, power source, shelters, or cabinets associated with the
tower but not installed as part of an antenna. (47 C.F.R. par 1 App. B (Collocation Agreement),
referred to in Footnote 402 of FCC 14 -153.)
Transmission equipment = any equipment that facilitates transmission for any
Commission- licensed or authorized wireless communication service, including, but not limited
to, radio transceivers, antennas and other relevant equipment associated with and necessary to
their operation, including coaxial or fiber -optic cable, and regular and backup power supply
(160).
Wireless tower or base station = towers and base stations and transmission equipment
used in connection any Commission - licensed or authorized wireless communications service.
(149).
The Spectrum Act & FCC 14 -153 Relevant to Local Zoning: 15429164_1
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
4�F nLf7�,)r
MEMORANDUM
TO: Members, Albemarle County Planning Commission
FROM: Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney
DATE: March 10, 2015
RE: Wireless Facilities; a Summary of Ho2V the County ofAlbemarle has implemented Section 704 of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996, Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Jab Creation Act of
2012, and Various Rules, Rulings, and Orders of the Federal Communications Commission from 1996 to
the Present
Zoning is a police power that exists in the Commonwealth, but which has been delegated to counties,
cities, and towns. The exercise of that power is never absolute, and is always subject to Constitutional
limitations, including the limitations that may be imposed by federal preemption on. those matters within the
powers of the federal government.
Wireless communications are one such area where the federal government has partially preempted local
zoning authority. This memorandum summarizes how the County has implemented several federal laws and
administrative rulings pertaining to wireless services Section 704 the Telecommunications Act of 1996,
Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, and Various Rules, Rulings, and
Orders of the Federal Communications Commission ( "FCC ") from 1996 to the present.
1. The Telecommunications Act of 1996
l
Congress enacted the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "Act ") to promote competition and higher
quality in American telecommunications services and to "encourage the rapid deployment of new
telecommunications technologies." 110 Stat, 56, cited in City of Rancho Palos Verdes. v. Abrams, 544 U.S. 113, 115
(2005), see also H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 104 -458, at 113 (1996), explaining that the purpose of the Act is "to
provide for a pro - competitive, deregulatory national policy framework designed to accelerate rapidly private
sector deployment of advanced telecommunications and information technologies and services ... by
opening all telecommunications markets to competition."
"Congress saw a national problem, namely, an `inconsistent and, at times, conflicting patchwork' of state
and local siting requirements, which threatened `the deployment' of a national wireless communication
system. [citation omitted]. Congress initially considered a single national solution, namely, a Federal
Communications Commission wireless tower siting policy that would pre -empt state and local authority.
[citations omitted]. But Congress ultimately rejected the national approach and substituted a system based on
cooperative federalism. [citation omitted]. State and local authorities would remain free to make siting
decisions. They would do so, however, subject to minimum federal standards — both substantive and
procedural — as well as federal judicial review." City of Rancho Palos Verdes, 544 U.S. at 127 -128 (Breyer
concurring).
In Section 704 of the Act (codified at 47 U.S.C. § 332(1)(7)), Congress "struck a balance between the
national interest in facilitating the growth of telecommunications and the local interest in making zoning
decisions" over the siting of towers and other facilities that provide wireless services. 360 Communications v.
Board of Supervisors ofAlbemarle County, 211 F.3d 79, 86 (4th Cir. 2000).
A. The Act preserves local zoning authority
With the exceptions noted in Section 1(B), the Act expressly preserves local zoning authority "over
decisions regarding the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities." 47
U.S.C. f 332(1)(7). Thus, under Virginia law, the County retains the authority to do the following when it is
considering an application for a personal wireless service facility ( "wireless facility "):
• Allow wireless facilities either by right or by special use permit. Virginia Code SN 15.2- 2280(1) and 15.2 -
2286(A)(3).
• Determine the appropriate height, location and bull-. of wireless facilities. Virginia Code 5 15.2- 2280(2).
• Deny applications for special use permits if the requisite findings for the granting of a permit cannot be
made or if the proposed use is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan.
• Prohibit wireless facilities within certain zoning districts.
However, this local zoning authority is subject to the limitations imposed by the Act, as described Section
1(B).
B. Local zoning authority over wireless facilities is not absolute and the Act imposes limitations
The County's zoning authority over decisions regarding the placement, construction, and modification of
wireless facilities is not absolute and the Act imposes several limitations on the exercise of that authority.
The Act requires that localities act on applications for wireless facilities within a reasonable period of
time, and requires that decisions denying wireless facilities be in writing and be supported by substantial
evidence. The Act also forbids localities from adopting regulations that prohibit or have the effect of
prohibiting wireless services and from adopting regulations that unreasonably discriminate against
functionally equivalent providers.
Finally, the Act completely preempts localities from regulating the placement, construction, and
modification of wireless facilities on the basis of the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions if
those facilities comply with the FCC's regulations concerning emissions.
2. How the County has regulated the placement, construction, and modification of wireless
facilities under the Act
The County's regulation of wireless facilities since the Act was adopted in 1996 can be broken into four
periods, with each successive period reflecting changes in federal law and building on the practical
experiences of the prior periods.
2
A. 1996 -2001: Wireless facilities allowed only by special use permit; development of the Personal
Wireless Service Facilities Policy; the emergence of the treetop facility as the preferred
approach for new wireless facilities
From the time the Act was adopted in 1996 until the Board of Supervisors' adoption of the original
wireless regulations in County Code § 18- 5.1.40 on October 17, 2001, wireless facilities were regulated as
"microwave and radio -wave transmission and relay towers," which were allowed only by special use permit in
all zoning districts.
During this period, public hearings on special use permits could be contentious, "cell phones" were often
described as luxury items by the public, the wireless industry often sought approval of "tall towers," and the
County and the wireless industry were still seeking a balance between a facility's visual impacts and the
provider's desire to deploy service. The Board of Supervisors' denial of a special use permit for a tall tower on
the ridgeline of Dudley Mountain, which resulted in litigation culminating in the United States Court of
Appeals upholding the Board's decision in 360 Communications a Board of Supervisors ofAlbemarle County, 211
F.3d 79 (4th Cir. 2000), exemplifies many of the issues discussed above that were typical of this period.
Also during this period, the wireless industry, working with County staff, proposed what became known
as the "treetop" facility as an alternative to tall towers.
On December 6, 2000, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Personal Wireless Service Facilities Policy
as part of the County's Comprehensive Plan.
B. 2001 -2004: Equipment may be attached to existing structures by right; new wireless facilities
allowed by special use permit ,
The original wireless regulations in County Code §18-5.1.40 were adopted by the Board of Supervisors
on October 17, 2001. These regulations were the first of what was seen as that time would be a two -step
process to implement the Personal Wireless Service Facilities Policy. -
The original wireless regulations established two tiers of facilities: (1) antennas attached to existing
structures were allowed by right, subject to compliance with certain requirements; and (2) all other facilities
were allowed only by special use permit.
Perhaps the most significant development during this period was the emergence of the treetop facility as
the predominant design for new facilities. Although the wireless industry has noted over the years that the
treetop facility approach is more expensive to deploy than tall towers because a tall tower is able to provide
more coverage than a single treetop facility, the industry also worked closely with County staff during this
period as standards for these facilities were developed. The treetop facilities, with their minimal visual
impacts, resulted in facilities that generated little or no public opposition and most, if not all, treetop facilities
were approved by the Board of Supervisors.
As special use permits for treetop facilities were approved during this period, the conditions imposed in
conjunction with those permits became standardized, which was an important step that led to the next period
of regulation.
C. 2004 -2012: The three- tiered approach is adopted
County Code § 18- 5.1.40 was significantly amended on October 13, 2004. The amendments introduced
the current three -tier approach to wireless facilities. The facilities that consisted of antennas being located
entirely within or attached to existing structures were classified as Tier I facilities and the facilities that had
been previously allowed only by special use permit were split into two tiers. The facilities that were treetop
3
facilities were designated as Tier II facilities and they became a by -right use provided that they satisfied the
performance standards in the regulations. The performance standards were, in essence, the codification of
what had become standard special use permit conditions under the prior version of County Code 5 18- 5.1.40.
These standards, therefore, which are still in effect today, were based on experience, practicality, public input,
and a need to accommodate the technology requirements of the wireless industry at the time. Any proposed
facilities that did not satisfy the standards for Tier I or Tier II facilities were classified as Tier III facilities,
which required a special use permit approved by the Board of Supervisors.
During the latter half of this period, there were two significant developments at the federal level. In 2009,
the FCC issued what is commonly known as the "shot- clock" ruling. In re Petition forDeclaratory Ruling to Clarify
Provisions of Section 332(c)(7)(6), 24 FCC Rcd. 13994 (2009). The shot -clock ruling interpreted the Act's
requirement that localities act on applications for wireless facilities within a "reasonable period of time" to
mean that localities had 90 days to act on applications to place new antennas on existing towers and 150 days
to act on other siting applications. If localities failed to act within those periods, the FCC declared that there
was a rebuttable presumption that the time in which the locality acted was unreasonable, and wireless
providers could seek a remedy for the delay in federal court (e.g., an order that the application be approved).
A legal challenge to the FCC's authority to issue the shot -clock ruling was unsuccessful. City of Arlington, Texas
v. Federal Communications Commission, 133 S. Ct. 1863 (2013).
In 2012, Congress adopted the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. Despite the bill's
name, it also addressed matters of spectrum and made further inroads into local zoning authority.
D. 2012- Present: Implementing the federal push to rapidly deploy all types of wireless services,
including broadband wireless services, by requiring that localities approve the collocation or
replacement of transmission equipment on existing towers and base stations
Section 6409 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 is found in Title VI of that
law. Title VI is commonly known as the Spectrum Act. As recently explained by the FCC in its Report and
Order (FCC 14 -153), adopted on October 17, 2014 (the "FCC Report and Order "), the Spectrum Act, among
other things, required the FCC "to allocate specific additional bands of spectrum for commercial use" and
established a governmental authority to "oversee the construction and operation of a nationwide public safety
wireless broadband network." FCC Report and Order, ¶ 136.
Section 6409(a) (codified at 47 U.S.C. � 1455(a)) provides that localities must approve any application to
collocate, remove, or replace (collectively, "modify" or "modification's transmission equipment on an
existing wireless tower or base station if the modification does not substantially change the physical
dimensions of the tower or base station. The FCC explained that Section 6409 contributes to the "twin goals
of commercial and public safety wireless broadband deployment through several measures that promote the
deployment of the network facilities needed to provide broadband wireless services." FCC Report and Order, ¶
137.
County Code � 18- 5.1.40 was amended on May 8, 2013 to expressly incorporate the requirements of the
FCC's 2009 shot -clock ruling and to implement the requirements of Section 6409(a).
Implementing Section 6409 posed some difficulties because the statute failed to define "substantial
change" and "transmission equipment," which were the two fundamental terms of the law. The FCC and the
wireless industry encouraged localities to define "substantial change" as it was defined in an earlier federal
document identified as the "Collocation Programmatic Agreement" ("Programmatic Agreement "), an
agreement between the FCC, the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, and the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The Programmatic Agreement states that it was intended to
better manage the consultation process under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (which
requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties and to
0
afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a reasonable opportunity to comment) and to
streamline reviews for collocating antennas on historic properties. The two most controversial elements of
the Programmatic Agreement's definition was that modifications could result in towers and their equipment
increasing in height or width by up to 20 feet without being deemed to be a substantial change.
The 2013 amendment to County Code 5 18- 5.1.40 did not adopt the Programmatic Agreement's
definition of "substantial change" because such a definition likely would have defeated what had been
accomplished by the County's three- tiered approach. Thus, County Code 5 18- 5.1.40 defined "substantial
change" in such a way that any change that defeated the concealment elements in the County's existing
regulations, together with some additional requirements, was a substantial change.
The 2013 amendment made other changes to County Code § 18- 5.1.40. Although Tier II facilities have
always been by right, until 2012 their applications were reviewed and acted on by the Planning Commission.
After Sinclair v. New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC, 283 Va. 567 (2012) was decided in early 2012, Tier II facilities
were reviewed and acted on by Board of Supervisors until the May 8, 2013 amendment to section 18- 5.1.40,
which authorized the agent to review and act on Tier II applications.
The 2013 amendment also increased the permitted height of a Tier II monopole from seven feet to ten
feet above the reference tree.
Lastly, the 2013 amendment added regulations to address those wireless facilities originally approved by
special use permit before the three- tiered approach was added to County Code § 18- 5.1.40 in 2004. The 2013
amendment clarified the effect of those prior approvals, most importantly where the conditions imposed by
those old special use permits were more restrictive than the post -2004 standards, e.g., where the special use
permit conditions prohibited any changes to the facilities even though the current regulations allowed those
changes provided that the standards in County Code § 18- 5.1.40 were satisfied.
3. The FCC Rules Implementing Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation
Act of 2012
On October 17, 2014, the FCC Report and Order was adopted, establishing new rules ("Rules "). The
Rules were published in the Federal Register on January 8, 2015 (Federal Register, Vol. 80, No. 5, p. 1238, et
seq. ("Federal Register ")). The new Rules will become effective April 8, 2015 for those parts of the Rules that
apply to local zoning decisions. The Rules implement and address some of the shortcomings of Section
6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 discussed in Section 2(D).
The Rules provide that any modification of an existing tower or base station resulting from the
collocation, replacement, or removal of transmission equipment that does not result in a substantial change to the
physical dimensions of the structure must be approved by the locality within 60 days. If the locality fails to
approve the modification within the 60 -day period, the application is deemed approved.
The Rules define the transmission equipment that will be eligible for collocation and replacement to not only
include equipment used for personal wireless service communications, but also transmission equipment used
for all FCC - licensed or authorized wireless transmissions, including wireless broadband. The FCC concluded
that the expansion of the term fulfilled Congress' intent in Section 6409 to advance the deployment of commercial
and public safety broadband services. Federal Register, ¶¶ 64 -66.
The Rules also define substantial change. Whether a modification results in a substantial change to the
physical dimensions of the existing tower or base station goes to the heart of the Rules. If an applicant
demonstrates that a modification does not result in a substantial change, a locality must approve the
application. If the application would result in a substantial change, the locality may process the application
under its applicable procedures. Although the definition in the Rules incorporates many of the thresholds for
a substantial change in the Programmatic Agreement that County staff previously found to be objectionable
(discussed in Section 2(D)) , it also includes a two new key elements. Thus, a change is also substantial also if:
(1) "it would defeat the existing concealment elements of the tower or base station" (italics added); and (2) if it
"does not comply with conditions associated with the siting approval of the construction or modification" of
the tower or base station equipment, provided that this element does not apply to a condition that applies to
the height or width of the existing tower or base station.
"Concealment elements" is not defined in the Rules. However, because a number of the standards
already in County Code � 18- 5.1.40 are concealment elements within the meaning of the Rules, the proposed
ordinance defines the term to include those elements. The annotated version of the proposed ordinance has
extensive commentary regarding this definition. The proposed definition is supported by the plain meaning of
the Rules, the comments submitted by a wide range of commenters while the Rules were being developed,
and by the FCC, which stated when it adopted the Rules: "[T]he rules we adopt today will allow local
jurisdictions to retain their ability to protect aesthetic and safety interests. Accordingly, our actions are
intended to encourage deployments on existing towers and structures — rather than entirely new towers — in
recognition that collocations almost always result in less impact or no impact at all." FCC Report and Order, ¶
3. In a separate statement issued when the Rules were adopted, the Chairman of the FCC stated that the new
Rules "preserve[ ] local governments' authority to adopt and apply the zoning, safety, and concealment
requirements that are appropriate for their communities." (italics added) Statement of Chairman Tom Wheeler, FCC Report
and Order, p. 147.
4. Conclusion
Congress stated in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012 that it wanted to provide for the rapid deployment of wireless services but also to
preserve local zoning authority, subject to certain limitations. Those wireless services, and the publics' desire
and need for them, continue to develop and evolve. The proposed ordinance continues to reflect the balance
between federal and local interests that Congress has thus far preserved.
County Code § 18- 5.1.40 will undoubtedly require fixture amendment as federal laws, wireless services,
wireless equipment, and public needs, desires, and expectations change.
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
�Ul �1L�}F,�
"!R(;Sr3IP
MEMORANDUM
TO: Members, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
FROM: Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney
DATE: March 23, 2015
RE: Wlireless Facilities; a Summary of How the County of Albemarle has implemented Section 704 of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996, Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of
2012, and Various Rules, Rulings, and Orders of the Federal Communications Commission from 1996 to
the Present
Zoning is a police power that exists in the Commonwealth but which has been delegated to counties,
cities, and towns. The exercise of that power is never absolute and is always subject to Constitutional
limitations, including the limitations that may be imposed by federal preemption on those matters within the
powers of the federal government.
Wireless communications are one such area where the federal government has partially preempted local
zoning authority. This memorandum provides a summary of how the County has implemented several federal
laws and administrative rulings pertaining to wireless communications — Section 704 the Telecommunications
Act of 1996, Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, and various Rules,
Rulings, and Orders of the Federal Communications Commission from 1996 to the present.
1. The Telecommunications Act of 1996
Congress enacted the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "Act ") to promote competition and higher
quality in American telecommunications services and to "encourage the rapid deployment of new
telecommunications technologies." 110 Stat. 56, cited in City of Rancho Palos Verdes v. Abrams, 544 U.S. 113, 115
(2005), see also H.R. Conf. Reb. No. 104 -458, at 113 (1996), explaining that the purpose of the Act is "to
provide for a pro - competitive, deregulatory national policy framework designed to accelerate rapidly private
sector deployment of advanced telecommunications and information technologies and services ... by opening
all telecommunications markets to competition."
"Congress saw a national problem, namely, an `inconsistent and, at times, conflicting patchwork' of state
and local siting requirements, which threatened `the deployment' of a national wireless communication
system. [citation omitted]. Congress initially considered a single national solution, namely, a Federal
Communications Commission wireless tower siting policy that would pre -empt state and local authority.
[citations omitted]. But Congress ultimately rejected the national approach and substituted a system based on
cooperative federalism. [citation omitted] State and local authorities would remain free to make siting
decisions. They would do so, however, subject to minimum federal standards — both substantive and
procedural — as well as federal judicial review." City of Bancbo Palos Verdes, 544 U.S. at 127 -128 (Breyer
concurring).
In Section 704 of the Act (codified at 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)), Congress "struck a balance between the
national interest in facilitating the growth of telecommunications and the local interest in making zoning
decisions" over the siting of towers and other facilities that provide wireless services. 360 Communications v.
Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, 211 F.3d 79, 86 (4th Cit. 2000).
A. The Act preserves local zoning authority
With the exceptions noted in Section 1(B), the Act expressly preserves local zoning authority "over
decisions regarding the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities." 47
U.S.C. g 332(c)(7). Thus, under Virginia law, the County retains the authority to do the following when it is
considering an application for a personal wireless service facility ("wireless facility "):
Allow wireless facilities either by right or by special use permit. Virginia Code gg 15.2 - 2280(1) and 15.2 -
2286(A)(3).
Determine the appropriate height, location and bulk of wireless facilities. Virginia Code g 15.2- 2280(2).
Deny applications for special use permits if the board of supervisors, in exercising its legislative
discretion, decides that the applicable special use permit criteria do not support their approval.
Prohibit wireless facilities in certain zoning districts.
However, this local zoning authority is subject to the limitations imposed by the Act, as described in Section
1(B), below.
B. Local zoning authority over wireless facilities is not absolute and the Act imposes limitations
The County's zoning authority over decisions regarding the placement, construction, and modification of
wireless facilities is not absolute, and the Act imposes several limitations on the exercise of that authority.
The Act requires localities to act on applications for wireless facilities within a reasonable period of time,
and requires that decisions denying wireless facilities be in writing and be supported by substantial evidence.
The Act also forbids localities from adopting regulations that prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting
wireless services and from adopting regulations that unreasonably discriminate against functionally equivalent
providers. All of these limitations have generated significant litigation throughout the United States over the
past 19 years.
Finally, the Act completely preempts localities from regulating the placement, construction, and
modification of wireless facilities on the basis of the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions if
those facilities comply with the FCC's regulations concerning emissions.
2. How the County has regulated the placement, construction, and modification of wireless
facilities under the Act
The County's regulation of wireless facilities since the Act was adopted in 1996 can be broken into four
periods, with each successive period reflecting changes in federal law and building on the practical
2
experiences of the prior periods.
A. 1996 -2001: Wireless facilities allowed only by special use permit; development of the Personal
Wireless Service Facilities Policy; the emergence of the treetop facility as the preferred
approach for new wireless facilities
From the time the Act was adopted in 1996 until the Board of Supervisors' adoption of the original
wireless regulations in County Code 5 18- 5.1.40 on October 17, 2001, wireless facilities were regulated as
"microwave and radio -wave transmission and relay towers," which were allowed only by special use permit in
all zoning districts.
During this period, public hearings on special use permits could be contentious, "cell phones" were often
described as luxury items by the public, the wireless industry often sought approval of "tall towers," and the
County and the wireless providers were still seeking a balance between a facility's visual impacts and the
provider's desire to deploy service. The Board of Supervisors' denial of a special use permit for a tall tower on
the ridgeline of Dudley Mountain, which resulted in litigation culminating in the United States Court of
Appeals upholding the Board's decision in 360 Communications P. Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, 211
F.3d 79 (4f Cit. 2000), exemplifies many of the issues discussed above that were typical of this period.
Also during this period, the wireless industry, working with County staff, proposed the treetop facility as
an alternative to tall towers.
On December 6, 2000, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Personal Wireless Service Facilities Policy
as part of the County's Comprehensive Plan.
B. 2001 -2004: Equipment may be attached to existing structures by right; new wireless facilities
allowed by special use permit
The original wireless regulations in County Code § 18- 5.1.40 were adopted by the Board of Supervisors
on October 17, 2001. These regulations were the first of what was seen at that time would be a two -step
process to implement the Personal Wireless Service Facilities Policy.
The original wireless regulations established two tiers of facilities: (1) antennas attached to existing
structures were allowed by right, subject to compliance with certain requirements; and (2) all other facilities
were allowed only by special use permit.
Perhaps the most significant development during this period was the treetop facility becoming the
predominant design for new facilities. Although the wireless industry has noted over the years that the treetop
facility approach is more expensive to deploy than tall towers because a tall tower can provide more coverage
than a single treetop facility, the industry also worked closely with County staff during this period as
standards for these facilities were developed. The treetop facilities, with their minimal visual impacts, resulted
in facilities that generated little or no public opposition, and most, if not all, treetop facilities were approved
by the Board of Supervisors.
As special use permits for treetop facilities were approved during this period, the conditions imposed in
conjunction with those permits became standardized, which was an important step that led to the next period
of regulation.
C. 2004 -2012: The three - tiered approach
County Code § 18- 5.1.40 was significantly amended on October 13, 2004. The amendments introduced
the current three - tiered approach to regulating wireless facilities. The facilities that consisted of antennas
3
being located entirely within or attached to existing structures were classified as Tier I facilities and the
facilities that had been previously allowed only by special use permit were split into two tiers. The facilities
that were treetop facilities were designated as Tier II facilities, and they became a by -right use provided that
they satisfied the performance standards in the regulations. The performance standards were, in essence, the
codification of what had become standard special use permit conditions under the prior version of County
Code § 18- 5.1.40. These standards, therefore, which are still in effect today, were based on experience,
practicality, public input, and a need to accommodate the technology requirements of the wireless industry at
the time. Any proposed facilities that did not satisfy the standards for Tier I or Tier II facilities were classified
as Tier III facilities, which required a special use permit.
During the latter half of this period, there were two significant developments at the federal level. In 2009,
the Federal Communications Commission ( "FCC ") issued what is commonly known as the "shot- clock"
ruling. In re Petition for Declaratog Ruling to Clarify Provisions of Section 332(c)(7)(b), 24 FCC Rcd. 13994 (2009). The
shot -clock ruling interpreted the Act's requirement that localities act on applications for wireless facilities
within a "reasonable period of time" to mean that localities had 90 days to act on applications to place new
antennas on existing towers and 150 days to act on other siting applications. If localities failed to act within
those periods, the FCC declared that there was a rebuttable presumption that the time in which the locality
acted was unreasonable, and wireless providers could seek a remedy for the delay in federal court (e.g, an
order that the application be approved).
In 2012, Congress adopted the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. Despite the bill's
name, it also addressed matters of spectrum and made further inroads into local zoning authority.
D. 2012 - Present: Implementing the federal push to rapidly deploy all types of wireless services,
including broadband wireless services, by requiring that localities approve the collocation or
replacement of transmission equipment on existing towers and base stations
Section 6409 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 is found in Title VI of that
law. Title VI is commonly known as the Spectrum Act. As recently explained by the FCC in its Report and
Order (FCC 14 -153), adopted on October 17, 2014 (the "FCC Report and Order "), the Spectrum Act, among
other things, required the FCC "to allocate specific additional bands of spectrum for commercial use" and
established a governmental authority to "oversee the construction and operation of a nationwide public safety
wireless broadband network." FCC Report and Order, ¶ 136.
Section 6409(a) (codified at 47 U.S.C. § 1455(a)) provides that localities must approve any application to
collocate, remove, or replace (collectively, "modify" or "modification's transmission equipment on an
existing wireless tower or base station if the modification does not substantially change the physical
dimensions of the tower or base station. The FCC explained that Section 6409 contributes to the "twin goals
of commercial and public safety wireless broadband deployment through several measures that promote the
deployment of the network facilities needed to provide broadband wireless services." FCC Report and Order, ¶
137.
County Code § 18- 5.1.40 was amended on May 8, 2013 to expressly incorporate the requirements of the
FCC's 2009 shot -clock ruling and to implement the requirements of Section 6409(a).
Implementing Section 6409 posed some difficulties because the statute failed to define "substantial
change" and "transmission equipment," which were the two fundamental terms of the law. The FCC and the
wireless industry encouraged localities to define "substantial change" as it was defined in an earlier federal
document identified as the "Collocation Programmatic Agreement" ( "Programmatic Agreement "), an
agreement between the FCC, the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, and the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The Programmatic Agreement states that it was intended to
better manage the consultation process under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (which
4
requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties and to
afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a reasonable opportunity to comment) and to
streamline reviews for collocating antennas on historic properties. The two most controversial elements of
the Programmatic Agreement's definition were that modifications could result in towers and their equipment
increasing in height or width by up to 20 feet without being deemed to be a substantial change.
The 2013 amendment to County Code § 18- 5.1.40 did not adopt the Programmatic Agreement's
definition of "substantial change" because such a definition could have defeated what had been accomplished
by the County's three- tiered approach. Thus, County Code § 18- 5.1.40 defined "substantial change" in such a
way that any change that defeated the concealment elements in the County's existing regulations, together
with some additional requirements, was a substantial change.
The 2013 amendment also added regulations to address those wireless facilities originally approved by
special use permit before the three- tiered approach was added to County Code § 18- 5.1.40 in 2004. The 2013
amendment clarified the effect of those prior approvals, most importantly where the conditions imposed by
those old special use permits were more restrictive than the post -2004 standards, e.g., where the special use
permit conditions prohibited any changes to the facilities even though the current regulations allowed those
changes, provided that the standards in County Code § 18- 5.1.40 were satisfied.
3. The FCC Rules Implementing Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation
Act of 2012
On October 17, 2014, the FCC adopted new Rules contained in a Report and Order (FCC 14 -153). The
Report and Order was released on October 21, 2014, and the Rules were published in the Federal Register on
January 8, 2015 (Federal Register, Vol. 80, No. 5, p. 1238, et seq. ( "Federal Register ")). The new Rules will
become effective April 8, 2015 for those parts of the Rules that apply to local zoning decisions. The Rules
implement and address some of the shortcomings of Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012.
The Rules provide that any modification of an existing tower or base station resulting from the
collocation, replacement, or removal of transmission equ pment that does not result in the substantial change in the
physical dimensions of the structure must be approved by the locality within 60 days. If the locality fails to
approve the modification within the 60 -day period, the application is deemed approved.
The Rules define the transmission equipment that will be eligible for collocation and replacement. The
definition expands the term to not only include equipment used for personal wireless service
communications, but also transmission equipment used for all FCC - licensed or authorized wireless
transmissions. The FCC concluded that the expansion of the term fulfilled Congress' intent in Section 6409 to
advance the deployment of commercial and public safety broadband services. Federal Register, ¶¶ 64 -66.
The Rules also define substantial change. Whether a modification results in a substantial change to the
physical dimensions of the existing tower or base station goes to the heart of the Rules. If an applicant
demonstrates that a modification does not result in a substantial change, a locality must approve the
application. If the application would result in a substantial change, the locality may process the application
under its applicable procedures. Although the definition in the Rules incorporates many of the thresholds for
a substantial change in the Programmatic Agreement that County staff previously found to be objectionable,
it also includes two new key elements. Thus, a change is also substantial if. (1) "it would defeat the existing
concealment elements of the tower or base station" (italics added); and (2) if it "does not comply with conditions
associated with the siting approval of the construction or modification" of the tower or base station
equipment, provided that this element does not apply to a condition that applies to the height or width of the
existing tower or base station.
"Concealment elements" is not defined in the Rules. However, because a number of the standards
already in County Code § 18- 5.1.40 are concealment elements within the meaning of the Rules, the proposed
ordinance defines the term to include those elements. The annotated version of the proposed ordinance has
extensive commentary regarding this definition. The proposed definition is supported by the plain meaning of
the Rules, the comments submitted by a wide range of commenters while the Rules were being developed,
and by the FCC, which stated when it adopted the Rules: "R]he rules we adopt today will allow local
jurisdictions to retain their ability to protect aesthetic and safety interests. Accordingly, our actions are
intended to encourage deployments on existing towers and structures — rather than entirely new towers — in
recognition that collocations almost always result in less impact or no impact at all." FCC Report and Order, ¶
3. In a separate statement issued when the Rules were adopted, the Chairman of the FCC stated that the new
Rules "preserve[ ] local governments' authority to adopt and apply the zoning, safety, and concealment
requirements that are appropriate for their communities" (italics added). Statement of Chairman Tom Wheeler, FCC Report
and Order, p. 147.
4. Conclusion
Congress stated in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012 that it wanted to provide for the rapid deployment of wireless services but also to
preserve local zoning authority with some limitations. Those wireless services, and the publics' desire and
need for them, continue to develop and evolve. The proposed ordinance continues to reflect the balance
between federal and local interests that Congress has thus far preserved.
County Code § 18- 5.1.40 will undoubtedly require future amendment as federal laws, wireless services,
wireless equipment, and public needs, desires, and expectations change.
6