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obstructions to the right of way but also long-term effects from telecommunication deployment <br />that could disturb the use and quiet enjoyment of the public road; and <br />WHEREAS, the Town initially adopted a Wireless Communications Facilities Policy in 1996, <br />amended in 2006, regarding certain policies for wireless facilities location and screening, which <br />are not contained in the Municipal Code; and <br />WHEREAS, in response to the FCC Order, the Town adopted an Urgency Ordinance under <br />Chapter 7-5 of the Municipal Code in March 2019 to generally address design, installation, <br />operation and maintenance issues that arise in connection with wireless telecommunications <br />facilities deployed in the public right-of-way; and <br />WHEREAS, the Town does not otherwise have a comprehensive set of regulations for the <br />placement, installation, maintenance and operation of wireless telecommunications facilities; and <br />WHEREAS, the Town desires to amend the Municipal Code to adopt regulations regarding <br />wireless facilities in order to reflect current telecommunications trends or necessary legal <br />requirements, and to establish comprehensive requirements and standards for the development, <br />siting, installation and operation of wireless facilities in a way that protects and promotes public <br />safety, community welfare, and the Town's character and aesthetic quality; and <br />WHEREAS, the Town desires to adopt design requirements that further govern the aesthetics of <br />wireless facilities; and <br />WHEREAS, this Ordinance is adopted based on the following facts: <br />(1) The purpose of this Ordinance is to amend the Town's Municipal Code to provide <br />uniform standards, regulations and permit requirements for the installation of wireless <br />telecommunications facilities within the Town limits. <br />(2) Providers within the wireless telecommunications industry have expressed interest <br />in submitting applications, or have already submitted applications, for the installation of <br />distributed antenna systems, also known as "small cell" wireless telecommunications facilities and <br />other wireless telecommunications facilities in the Town's public rights-of-way and other areas. <br />Other California cities have also received applications for small cells and wireless <br />telecommunications facilities to be located within the public right-of-way. <br />(3) Installation of small cell and other wireless telecommunications facilities within the <br />public right-of-way can pose a threat to the public health, safety and welfare, including disturbance <br />to the right-of-way through the installation and maintenance of wireless facilities; traffic and <br />pedestrian safety hazards due to the unsafe location of wireless facilities; impacts to trees where <br />proximity conflicts may require unnecessary trimming of branches or require removal of roots due <br />to related undergrounding of equipment or connection lines; creation of visual and aesthetic blights <br />and potential safety concerns arising from excessive size, heights, noise or lack of camouflaging <br />of wireless facilities including the associated pedestals, meters, equipment and power generators; <br />Ordinance 587 Page 2 <br />