PC Res 3155RESOLUTION NO. 3155
BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF CAMPBELL ADOPTING INTERIM TELECOM-
MUNICATIONS FACILITIES GUIDELINES FOR USE IN
REVIEWING WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY
APPLICATIONS.
After notification and public hearing, as specified by law, and after presentation by the
Community Development Director, proponents and opponents, the hearing was closed.
After due consideration of all evidence presented, the Planning Commission did find as follows:
The availability of telecommunications facilities is in the best interest of the citizens of the
city of Campbell.
In order to protect the public health, safety and welfare, it is necessary to insure that the
siting of a telecommunications facility is compatible in scale and design with its locale and
is sited so as to minimize adverse visual impacts on natural resources, neighborhoods,
vistas, view corridors, architecture and structures.
This proposed guidelines are consistent with the General Plan Land Use Policy 9 which
states that architectural review shall emphasize visually attractive on-site environments
through careful attention to building scale, architectural design, landscaping and placement
of screening of loading and mechanical equipment. The provisions of the proposed
guidelines will assure that, to the greatest extent possible, wireless telecommunications
facilities are attractive in design and have the least amount of visual impact given the
circumstances.
The proposed guidelines will not have a significant effect on plant and animal life or
natural resources.
Based upon the foregoing findings of fact, the Planning Commission concludes that:
The proposed guidelines will establish design criteria on the development of wireless
telecommunications facilities that will preserve the character and attractive nature of
Campbell.
The criteria provided in the guidelines will aid in the harmonious development of the
community.
The requirements of the guidelines will not be detrimental to the health, safety or welfare
of the city.
Planning Commission Resolution No. 3155
Telecommunications Facilities Guidelines
Page 2
The proposed interim guidelines permit a reasonable perimeter for development of wireless
telecommunications facilities.
Based upon the above findings, the Planning Commission adopts the interim guidelines
(Attachment A) to be in effect until such time that the City adopts a Text Amendment to amend
the Campbell Municipal Code to add a Telecommunications Facilities Chapter and related
amendments.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 24t~ day of March, 1998, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Francois, Gibbons, Jones, Keams, Lindstrom,
Meyer-Kennedy
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Lowe ~// ~ d ~)~
\//f~ ~ APPROVED:Brad/Jones,~cting Chair
ATTEST :a~ff~~X~, ~/~.,~.,~ '
Steve Piasecki,Xdecretary
Attachment A
City of Campbell
Guidelines for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
Purpose
The Planning Commission is in the process of evaluating a Wireless Telecommunications
Facilities Ordinance. In the interim, these Guidelines shall be used to evaluate applications .for
Wireless Telecommunications Facilities.
The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a uniform and comprehensive set of evaluation
criteria for the orderly development of personal wireless telecommunications facilities consistent
with applicable federal standards. The criteria contained in these guidelines are designed to
minimize the adverse visual impacts and operational effects of these facilities using appropriate
design, siting and screening techniques while providing for the personal communications needs
of residents, local business and government of the city and the region. No decision made
pursuant to these Guidelines will have the effect of prohibiting the provision of personal wireless
services in the City.
PERMIT REQUIRED
1. Permit Required: Installation of a wireless telecommunications facility requires approval of a
Usc Permit and Site and Architectural Review Permit.
Conditions: Under the authority of the Use Permit and Site and Architectural Review Permit,
Conditions of Approval may be imposed as appropriate or necessary to meet the criteria of
the guidelines. The provisions of the Draft Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
Ordinance considered in evaluating applications.
Action of the Planning Commission: Where there is significant deviation from the intent of
the guidelines, the Planning Commission may require the redesign or relocation of the
facility. Alternatively, the Planning Commission may deny the application and direct the
applicant to redesign or relocate the facility and resubmit a revised proposal for further
consideration.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND DEFINITIONS Application requirements and
definitions are those specified in the Draft Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
In addition to the criteria listed below, applications may be evaluated based on the criteria listed
in the Draft Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance.
City of Campbell Guidelines for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
Adopted by the Planning Commission on March 24, 1998
Page 2
Location of Wireless Communications Facilities.
Location preference for wireless communications facilities should be given to:
A. Industrial or commercial sites;
B. Facilities attached or sited adjacent to existing structures. Appropriate types of existing
structures may include, but not be limited to; buildings, telephone and utility poles,
signage and sign standards, traffic signals, light standards, and roadway overpasses.
Preferred Antenna Siting and Mounting Techniques
The following antenna and equipment siting and mounting techniques are preferred:
A. Facade mounted antenna that meet the visual requirements specified below.
B. Monopole antennas that utilize stealthing techniques.
C. Roof mounted antennas that are not visible to the public.
Visual Impacts
Minimize Visual Impact: All proposed Wireless Telecommunications facilities shall be
located so as to minimize their visual impact to the maximum extent feasible. If wireless
telecommunication facilities are to be located on architecturally-significant or historic
buildings or structures, all facilities shall be integrated architecturally with the style and
character of the structure or otherwise made unobtrusive.
Architecturally Integrated: Wireless telecommunications facilities shall be integrated
architecturally with the style and character of the structure or otherwise made as unobtrusive
as possible. If possible, antennas should be located entirely within an existing or newly-
created architectural feature so as to be completely screened from view. To the extent
feasible, facade-mounted antennas should not be located on the front or most prominent
facade of a structure and should be located out of the pedestrian line-of-sight, unless
stealthing techniques reasonably eliminate visual impacts, and designed to appear as an
integral part of the structure.
o
Roof Mounted: Roof-mounted antennas and associated equipment shall be located as far
back from the edge of the roof as technically possible to minimize visibility from street level
locations. Where appropriate, construction of a roof-top parapet wall or other appropriate
screening to hide the facility may be required.
Stealthing: The applicants are encouraged to consider providing architectural treatments and
to use "stealth techniques" to reduce potential visual impacts for all telecommunication
facilities, and especially for those proposed in areas easily visible from a major traffic
corridor or commercial center or in residential areas. Stealth techniques can be required as
conditions of approval when determined to be necessary to mitigate adverse visual impacts.
City of Campbell Guidelines for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
Adopted by the Planning Commission on March 24, 1998
Page 3
o
Color and Finish: All roof mounted facilities shall be painted a non-reflective matte finish
using an appropriate color that blends with the backdrop. The final choice of colors shall be
determined by the Community Development Department on a case-by-case basis, in
accordance with this subsection.
Landscaping/Vegetation
1. Compatibility With Existing Area: New vegetation shall be compatible with the predominant
setting of the project area.
Off-site Impacts to be Mitigated: Off-site landscaping may be required, subject to the
property owners permission, to mitigate off-site visual impacts. For example, landscaping
may be required on public rights-of-way to immediately obscure visibility of the facilities
from passing motorists and pedestrians.
o
Landscaping: Landscaping, wherever appropriate, shall be used as screening to reduce the
visual impacts of telecommunications facilities. Any proposed landscaping shall be visually
compatible with existing vegetation in the vicinity.
4. Open Space: Intrusions into usable open space within the lot shall be avoided or minimized.
Public Safety and Traffic
Public Access Restricted: Antennas are to be sited in such a way and barriers and signage
provided to prevent a person from passing within the safety limits established by the FCC-
adopted standards for controlled access.
Facade Mounted Wireless Telecommunication Facilities.
Compatible Scale: Antennas and the associated mountings shall be of a scale compatible
with the building and shall generally not project beyond a maximum of 18-inches from the
face of the building.
Roof Mounted Wireless telecommunications Facilities.
Discouraged on Residential Buildings: Roof mounted antennas are discouraged on residential
buildings and are not allowed unless, based on the additional submittal requirements, a
finding can be made that no other reasonable alternative is available that meets the service
requirements of the service provider.
Interruption of View: Roof mounted antennas shall not be allowed when they are placed in
direct line of sight where they significantly affect scenic views. However, such facilities may
be allowed with incorporation of appropriate stealth techniques.
City of Campbell Guidelines for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
Adopted by the Planning Commission on March 24, 1998
Page 4
Height: The height of roof mounted antennas including the support structure, shall not
exceed the maximum height allowed for buildings in the zoning district in which the antenna
is to be constructed. Applications for antennas that exceed the maximum height must submit
a supplementary report outlining the reasons why the height requirement cannot be met. The
Director shall require an independent review, paid for in advance by the applicant, to evaluate
the applicant's request. Factors to be considered are whether or not another site exists where
the standards can be met, is there another method of installation that would result in a project
that complies with the standards, would the addition of another wireless telecommunications
facility allow the reduction in height of the proposed facility, and any other technically
feasible method of siting the facility that would reduce the height. If it is determined that the
additional height is necessary, additional screening may be required to mitigate adverse
visual impacts.
Minimize Visual Impacts: All roof mounted antennas shall be located in an area of the roof
where the visual impact is minimized. Rooftop equipment installations shall be setback such
that they are not viewed from the street.
Equipment Cabinets and Appurtenant Equipment: The equipment cabinets, base transceiver
stations, cables and other appurtenant equipment, if located on the rooftop of buildings, shall
be so located as to be minimally visible from public rights-of-way.
6. Height: The maximum height of roof mounted antennas, and support structures shall not
exceed 6 feet in height above the parapet of the roof.
Ground Mounted Wireless Telecommunication Facilities.
Over-Concentration: Ground mounted wireless telecommunications facilities shall generally
not be allowed within 1,000 feet of an existing wireless telecommunication facility, unless
the Planning Commission can make a determination that the cumulative visual impacts are
not significant.
2. Height: Ground mounted antennas shall be no taller than 15 feet, including the height of the
antennas.
3. Vehicular Access: Whenever possible, proposed wireless telecommunications facilities shall
be located within easy reach of existing access roads.
Height of Equipment Structures: All associated base transceiver stations and/or equipment
cabinets and buildings for ground mounted facilities shall be limited to a maximum height of
5 feet above grade, unless other techniques are adopted to ensure minimal visual impact.
Base transceiver stations, equipment cabinets and associated buildings that are taller may be
partially buried underground or other technique to maintain the 5 foot height limit.
City of Campbell Guidelines for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
Adopted by the Planning Commission on March 24, 1998
Page 5
Free-Standing Monopoles.
Minimize Visual Impacts: Freestanding monopoles shall be located and designed to
minimize visual impacts. Freestanding monopoles in high visibility locations shall
incorporate "stealth techniques" to camouflage them as a piece of art/sculpture, a clock-
tower, flag pole, tree or other interesting, appropriate and compatible visual form. Such
stealth installations shall be used when the siting and surrounding environment helps them to
blend with the setting. For example, when a tree-pole is used, it should be located in a grove
of existing trees and not exceed the height of the trees.
°
Location: Monopoles may not be located within the required front yard setback of any
property, unless appropriate architectural elements for a "stealth facility" are incorporated in
the design of the monopole.
3. Over-concentration: Freestanding monopoles shall generally not be allowed within 1000 feet
of each other, except when the cumulative visual impacts are not significant.
°
Height: All monopoles shall be designed at the minimum functional height required. The
height ofmonopoles shall not exceed the maximum height for buildings in the zoning district
in which it is located. If no maximum height is applicable, the height of monopoles shall be
reviewed for the visual impact on the neighborhood and community. Applications for
antennas that exceed the maximum height must submit a supplementary report outlining the
reasons why the height requirement cannot be met. The Director shall require an independent
review, paid for in advance by the applicant, to evaluate the applicant's request. Factors to be
considered are whether or not another site exists where the standards can be met, is there
another method of installation that would result in a project that complies with the standards,
would the addition of another wireless telecommunications facility allow the reduction in
height of the proposed facility, and any other technically feasible method of siting the facility
that would reduce the height. If it is determined that the additional height is necessary,
additional screening may be required to mitigate adverse visual impacts.
Co-Location of Wireless Telecommunications Facilities.
Co-Location Potential: Each application will be evaluated to determine the potential for co-
location of wireless telecommunication facilities. If a co-location site exists in the geographic
service area, the applicant shall provide the City with a written narrative on why co-location
does not meet the siting and design objectives of these guidelines. Co-location will be
required if it is determined that it will result in less visual clutter in the long term and if co-
location results in reduced overall visual impacts. A requirement to allow co-location may
include co-location by other wireless telecommunication service providers.
City of Campbell Guidelines for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
Adopted by the Planning Commission on March 24, 1998
Page 6
Case by Case Evaluation: Although co-location of various companies' facilities may be
desirable, a maximum number of antennas and back-up facilities per property shall be
established, on a case-by-case basis, such that the cumulative effect of numerous facilities
and support structures create visual blight by concentrating too many facilities upon on site,
are or neighborhood.
Base Transceiver Stations, Equipment Cabinets and Associated Buildings.
Size and Number: The sizes and the proposed number of base transceiver stations,
equipment cabinets and associated buildings shall be the absolute minimum required to
function. Any future additions to the number of equipment cabinets and base transceiver
stations may be subject to review and approval by the Director if there is no physical or
visual impact. Additions that have physical or visual impacts to the site require use permit
and site and architectural review permit approval. Physical impacts are created when on-site
parking is impacted, landscaping reduced or when there is an increase in the size of the
equipment building or base transceiver station(s).
Minimize Visual Impacts: The base transceiver stations, equipment cabinets and buildings
shall be placed in areas so they have minimal visual impacts. Wherever possible, the base
transceiver station, equipment cabinets and buildings shall be located away from open spaces
and required yard setbacks and shall be placed within the building envelope area. Any
visible portion of the base transceiver station, equipment cabinets and buildings shall be
treated to be architecturally compatible with the surrounding structures and screened using
appropriate techniques. Screening techniques may include landscape treatment and/or
architectural treatment to make it compatible with existing buildings, or installing the
cabinets below grade to reduce their apparent height.
°
Stealthing: Cables and other appurtenant structures shall be located within existing buildings
or structures. Where this is not feasible, stealthing techniques shall be used to screen them
from view.