HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10321
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10321
September 17, 2019
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 1 of 1
Subject: SMALL CELL ANTENNAS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS
to notify residential
property owners of applications to install wireless infrastructure such as network nodes (small cell antennas)
and associated equipment. In 2017, the Texas Legislature passed S.B. 1004 (Texas Local Government
Code, Chapter 284), with the purpose of furthering the important public policy of having reliable wireless
networks and services through standardized permitting processes and compensation schedules.
Chapter 284 sets out certain limitations on the City that are intended to expedite the process on reasonable
and nondiscriminatory terms. Chapter 284 additional restrictions on
placement and characteristics of network nodes and node support poles when they are proposed to be
located in municipal parks, residential areas, historic districts, design districts, and underground districts.
Chapter 284 also permits the City to adopt a Design Manual governing the installation and construction of
network nodes and new node support poles in the public rights-of-way.
The City has approximately 550 network node and node support pole permits issued or under review (see
attached map). As network nodes and poles installed in rights-of-way have increased, the City has received
complaints from homeownersDesign Manual currently allow the City to deny
permits in residential areas located adjacent to streets that are less than 50 feet in width. Based on
complaints received in August 2019, staff began asking service providers to submit documentation of
community outreach when submitting applications. Staff notified all service providers of the new notice
requirements, and effective September 1, 2019, staff began implementing the following notification policy:
New pole or ground equipment in residential areas:
o All property owners within 150 feet of a new network support pole or ground equipment will
receive a notice by mail with a photo simulation and other information from the service provider.
o Neighborhood groups within 300 feet will receive an email notice.
o A public meeting is encouraged but not required.
o Property owners must submit protest in writing to City staff within 15 days of postmark date on
notification sent by service provider.
If a protest is received, the service providers will work with the City and property owners
to find an alternative location.
If an alternative location is not identified, the permit is denied.
Pole replacement in residential areas:
o No notification required.
Attachment to existing pole in residential areas:
o No notification required.
Staff has updated the Design Manual to reflect the new notification policy. The updated Design Manual and
checklist were made available on the City website September 13, 2019. If you have any questions about
this information, please contact Planning and Development Director Randle Harwood at 817-392-6101.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Network Nodes Location as of 9-10-2019
LE HASLET
AVONDA
7
4
WESTERN
CENTER
E HWY 183
STAT
7
BAKE
R
2
MIDW
AY
5
7TH
MEADOWBROOK
DALE
ROSE
9
3
8
SHELBY
Row LabelsTotal
Network Node Permit586
6
Awaiting Client Reply180
Issued280
Pending4
Plan Review122
Grand Total586
Plan Review
Pending
Awaiting Client Reply
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO,
NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI,
Issued
Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User
Community
01.536912
Miles
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