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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3.43,4 TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS January 27, 2005 Staff Report to the Plannin Commission RE: SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY CONSISTING OF THREE (3) ANTENNAS MOUNTED INSIDE A 50' TALL FLAGPOLE AND ASSOCIATED GROUND EQUIPMENT AT TOWN HALL; LANDS OF LOS ALTOS HILLS (CINGULAR WIRELESS); 26379 FREMONT ROAD; FILE# 173 -04 -CUP -IS -ND. FROM: Debbie Pedro, AICP, Senior Planner --t>Q. APPROVED BY: Carl Cahill, Planning Director C, C, RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission: Review and forward a recommendation that the City Council adopt the attached Initial Study and Negative Declaration and approve the requested Site Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit to operate a wireless communications facility on the property. On August 24, 2004, Cingular Wireless submitted an application to install a wireless communications facility at Town Hall located at 26379 Fremont Road. The purpose of the flagpole antenna is to improve service coverage in an area where coverage is currently weak. The subject property is located on the west side of Fremont Road. Existing buildings on the property includes the new Town Hall which is currently under construction, the Purissima Hills Water District office, and the Heritage House which will serve as the Town's Emergency Operations Center. Surrounding uses include single-family residences on adjacent properties to the west and north, and single-family homes across Esperanza Drive to the south and across Fremont Road to the east. The proposed wireless communications facility consists of three (3) panel antennas mounted inside a 12" diameter x 50' tall flagpole and ancillary ground equipment housed in a 4'W x 12'L cabinet. The antennas will be inside the flagpole and completely screened from public view. The 50' flagpole will be installed in front of the southwest -comer of the Town Hall building facing Fremont Road. The equipment cabinet will be located at the northwest (rear) comer of the building adjacent to the Town Hall offices. The cabinets will be painted to match the building exterior and is generally not visible from off-site. CODE REQUIREMENTS As required by Sections 10-1.1104 and 10-1107(1) of the Zoning Ordinance, conditional use permit applications are to be reviewed by the Planning Commission with a Staff Report to the Planning Commission Cingular Wireless 26379 Fremont Road January 27, 2005 Page 2 of 6 recommendation forwarded to the City Council. The findings for approval of the conditional use permit have been attached for the Commissions' review (Attachment 4). WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACIIITIES POLICY The proposal is consistent with the Town's Wireless Communications Facilities Policy because the facility is located on Town-owned, non-residential property. Visual impacts of the wireless communications facility is minimal because the antennas are hidden inside a flagpole and the equipment cabinets are proposed in a location generally not visible from public view and painted to match the exterior of the existing building. DISCUSSION Based on the analysis contained in the Initial Study, potentially significant impacts of the proposed project can be mitigated and reduced to a level where clearly no significant impact will occur. (Attachment 5) The discussion below summarizes the impacts identified in the Initial Study and Mitigation Measures that will reduce those impacts to a less than significant level. Noise- According to the applicant, the proposed equipment operating at full capacity will generate a minimal, steady noise level comparable to a refrigerator or HVAC equipment. As required by recommended mitigation measure XI-a, when installation of the equipment cabinet is complete, the applicant will conduct an acoustical analysis of the equipment to demonstrate compliance with the Town's noise ordinance. Furthermore, temporary construction noise levels during the installation of the antenna facility can be held to less than significant by adherence to the Town of Los Altos Hills policies of 8:OOAM to 5:30PM hours of operation on Monday through Saturday with no heavy equipment on Saturdays. (Mitigation Measure )a-d) Public Service -The Cingular antennas will be located approximately 250 ft. from the amateur (ham) radio antennas in the Town's EOC at the Heritage House. According to the applicant, the antennas should not cause any interference to the operation of either facilities. As required by recommended mitigation measure XIH-a, the applicant shall conduct testing of the Cingular and amateur radio antenna facilities upon project completion and implement corrective measures if necessary to ensure satisfactory Operations of both facilities. Mandatory Findings of Significance- The applicants have submitted a report prepared by Hammet & Edison, Inc. dated July 2, 2004 indicating the project is in compliance with federal radiofrequency emissions standards. (Attachment 7) In addition, since the antennas are mounted on a 50' tall flagpole and are not accessible to the general public, no mitigation is necessary to comply with the FCC public exposure guidelines. However, to prevent occupational exposures in excess of the FCC guidelines during Staff Report to the Planning Commission Cingular Wireless 26379 Fremont Road January 27, 2005 Page 3 of 6 maintenance work by Cingular personnel on the facility, no access within 5 feet directly in front of the Cingular antennas should be allowed while the base station is in operation. Mitigation Measure XVII-c will require warning signs (in compliance with ANSI C95.2) to be posted at the antennas and/or on the pole below the antennas to comply with FCC guidelines. Landscaping: The proposed project does not incorporate any additional site landscape or landscape screening into the plan because the antennas are not visible from public view and the ancillary equipment will be painted to match the building exterior. As a result, the project will have a less than significant impact on the aesthetic quality and visual character of the site and its surrounding. Therefore, staff does not believe additional landscaping is required for this project. CEOA STATUS In conformance with CEQA requirements, staff has prepared an Initial Study/Negative Declaration. A Notice of Intent to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration was published in the Town Crier on January 5, 2005. The notice was also submitted to the Santa Clara County Clerks Office for a 20 day public review period which began on January 7 and ended on January 27, 2005. NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING Cingular Wireless held a neighborhood outreach meeting at Town Hall on January 11, 2005 to answer any questions that neighbors may have about the proposal. A notice was mailed to all residents within 500' of the project site. Although the applicant had received several telephone inquiries regarding the project prior to the meeting, no member of the public was present at the neighborhood outreach meeting. As of this date, the Town has not received any comments from the public regarding the subject proposal. CONCLUSION The proposed project will expand and improve cellular telephone coverage within the Community and complies with the Town's Wireless Communication Facilities Policy. The applicant has submitted a study indicating that the project is in compliance with federal RF emissions standards. (Attachment 6) Based on the Initial Study, staff concluded that the proposed project, as mitigated, will not have a significant effect on the environment. Staff Report to the Planning Commission Cingular Wireless 26379 Fremont Road January 27, 2005 Page 4 of 6 ATTACHMENTS: 1. Recommended Conditions of Approval 2. Photo Simulation of the proposed flagpole antenna 3. Cingular Wireless Antenna Master Plan within the project vicinity 4. Findings for Approval of the Conditional Use Permit prepared by the applicant dated August 24, 2004 5. Initial Study/Negative Declaration and Mitigation Measures 6. Report by Hammet & Edison dated July 2, 2004 7. Report by Hammet & Edison dated October 5, 2004 8. Development plans: site, topographic, elevations cc: Tony Kim The Alaris Group 185 Berry Street, Suite 5300 San Francisco, CA 94107 Staff Report to the Planning Commission Cingular Wireless 26379 Fremont Road January 27, 2005 Page 5 of 6 ATTACHMENT 1 CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY 26379 Fremont Road; Lands of Los Altos Hills (Cingular Wirless) File #173 -04 -CUP -IS -ND 1. Any changes or revisions to the telecommunications facility or its use shall require an amendment to the applicable conditional use permit(s). Additionally, the Planning Director may, at any time, schedule a review or revocation hearing before the Planning Commission regarding the use permit, if any condition of approval is not being met or the facility is being used inconsistently with the approved use or in violation of Town development codes. 2. The use permit shall expire five (5) years from the date of approval. Renewal of the permit must be requested in writing, with appropriate fees, prior to the expiration date. 3. The equipment cabinet shall be painted to match the exterior of the Town Hall building prior to final inspection. 4. The dimensions of the flagpole shall not exceed 12" in diameter and 50' in height. 5. The applicant shall submit a construction operation schedule subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer prior to acceptance of plans for building plan check. 6. The applicant shall submit a legal description of the area to be leased prior to acceptance ofplans for building plan check. 7. The site leasing agreement with the Town shall be executed prior to acceptance of plans for building plan check. 8. The applicant shall submit a signed agreement to the Town, agreeing that, should the use be discontinued by the carrier, all facilities will be removed not later than ninety (90) days after discontinuance of the use or abandonment. The agreement shall be drafted by the City Attorney, and must be signed by the applicant and submitted to the Town prior to acceptance ofplans for building plan check. 9. Not later than thirty (30) days after installation and initial operation of the antenna facility, and on or prior to January I" of each year thereafter, testing of radio frequency emissions shall be conducted by qualified professionals and the reports of such testing shall be provided in writing to the Planning Department, with a Staff Report to the Planning Cotnnussion Cingular Wireless 26379 Fremont Road January 27, 2005 Page 6 of 6 comparison of applicable Federal emission standards. If at any time the emission levels are shown not to comply with Federal standards, the use permit shall be scheduled for a revocation hearing before the Planning Commission. 10. Any, and all, changes to the proposed grading and drainage shall first be approved by the Town Engineering Department. No grading shall take place during the grading moratorium (November 1 to April 1) except with prior approval from the City Engineer. No grading shall take place within ten feet of any property line. 11. Final grading and drainage shall be inspected by the Engineering Department and any deficiencies corrected to the satisfaction of the Engineering Department prior to final approval. 12. Any, and all, areas on the project site that have the native material disturbed shall be protected for erosion control during the rainy season and shall be replanted prior to final inspection. CONDITION NUMBERS 5, 6, 7 AND 8 SHALL BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED OFF BY THE PLANNING DIRECTOR AND THE CITY ENGINEER PRIOR TO ACCEPTANCE OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR PLAN CHECK BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT. Upon completion of the construction, a final inspection shall be required to be set with the Planning and Engineering Departments two weeks prior to final building inspection approval. ATTACHMENT,)- ATTACHMENT 3 RECE47TIjCHMENT 4 AUG 2 4 2004 FINDINGS Findings. Conditional use permits shall be granted by the City Council only when it is found that: The proposed use or facility is properly located in relation to the community as a whole, land uses, and transportation and service facilities in the vicinity; 2. The site for the proposed use is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the proposed use and all yards, open spaces, walls and fences, parking, loading, landscaping, and such other features as may be required by this chapter or, will be needed to assure that the proposed use will be reasonably compatible with the land uses normally permitted in the surrounding area; 3. The site for the proposed use will be served by streets and highways of adequate width and pavement to carry the quantity and kind of traffic generated by the proposed use; and The proposed use will not adversely affect the abutting property or the permitted use thereof. Conditions. Every conditional use permit granted may be subject to such conditions as are deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety and general welfare and secure the objectives of the General Plan and this chapter. -7- CONDMONALUSEYEKWA UCATION R .1/99 1) The proposed use is an unmanned wireless facility for Cingular Wireless. The wireless facility would not be a detriment to the existing land use and it would not create additional vehicular traffic than already exists. The proposed facility would provide necessary coverage to the general vicinity including the residents as well the occupants of Town Hall. Cingular's installation is designed to be unobtrusive and visually blend with the existing character and scale of the neighborhood. 2) The proposed use would be insignificant in size and shape and does not trigger new open space, walls, fences or parking. The facility will help provide essential communications to improve public safety and promote commerce and industry of the business community. In addition, Cingular's network and service will increase the capability of emergency communications during natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires when existing landline telephone systems become non-functional. Furthermore, it has been recognized that police, fire fighters, and other emergency personnel heavily rely on wireless communications for fast and dependable communications at all times, especially during times of natural disasters. 3) Unlike typical commercial uses such as office buildings or retail establishments, the proposed facility will be unmanned. A one- to two- person maintenance personnel will visit the project site once a month for two to four hours to service and maintain the facility. The maintenance visit will nor increase traffic congestion, adversely impact public transportation, or place a burden on the existing supply of on -or off-street parking. 4) The proposal will not be detrimental to the health, safety, convenience, or general welfare of persons residing, working in the vicinity. The site has been designed to minimize any visual impact and be unobtrusive to the general area. TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS ATTACHMENTS NEGATIVE DECLARATION PROJECT TITLE: Cingular Wireless Communications Facility at Town Hall PREPARED BY: Debbie Pedro, AICP, Senior Planner NAME AND ADDRESS OF PROJECT SPONSOR: Cingular Wireless 4420 Rosewood Drive Building 2, P Floor Pleasanton, CA 94588 LOCATION OF PROJECT: 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Site Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit to allow an unmanned wireless communications facility consisting of three (3) antennas mounted inside a 50' tall flagpole and associated ground equipment at Town Hall. FINDING: The Town of Los Altos Hills has completed a review of the proposed project, and on the basis of the attached Initial Study, has determined that the project, as mitigated, will reduce impacts to a less than significant level. MITIGATION MEASURES INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT TO AVOID POTENTIALLY SIGNICIANT EFFECTS: XI -a. The applicant shall conduct an acoustical analysis of the equipment upon project completion to demonstrate compliance with the Town's noise ordinance. XI -d. Interim construction noise impacts can be reduced to less than significant by adherence to the Town of Los Altos Hills policies of 8:OOAM to 5:30PM hours of operation on Monday through Friday, 9:OOAM to 5:30PM on Saturday, and no construction on Sundays or Holidays. XIII -a. Upon project completion, the applicant shall conduct testing of the Cingular and amateur radio antenna facilities to ensure satisfactory operation of both facilities, identify any interference requiring mitigation, and implement corrective measures if needed. XVII -c. Warning signs (in compliance with ANSI C952) shall be posted at the antennas and/or on the pole below the antennas to comply with FCC guidelines. Carl Cahill, Planning Director Date TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS Circulated on: January 5, 2005 Adopted on: Town of Los Altos IBM 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 INITIAL STUDY In accordance with the policies regarding implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, this document, combined with the attached supporting data, constitutes the initial study on the subject project. This initial study provides the basis for the determination of whether the project may have a significant effect on the environment. If it is determined that the project may have a significant effect on the environment, an environmental impact report will be prepared which focuses on the areas of concern identified by this initial study. If it is determined that the project would not have a significant effect on the environment, it is eligible for a Negative Declaration. If it is determined that the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, however, the significant effects of the project have been reduced to a less -than -significant level because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project applicant, then the project would be eligible for a Mitigated Negative Declaration. 1. Project Title: Cingular Wireless Communications Facility at Town Hall 2. Lead Agency Name and Address: Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California 94022 3. Contact Person and Phone Number: Carl Cahill, Planning Director (650) 941-7222 Initial Study prepared by: Debbie Pedro, AICP, Senior Planner 4. Project Location: 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 5. Project Sponsors Name and Address: Cingular Wireless 4420 Rosewood Drive Building 2, 3rd Floor Pleasanton, CA 94588 6. General Plan Designation: Institutions 7. Zoning: R -A (residential - agricultural) 8. Description of Project: Site Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit to allow an unmanned wireless communications facility consisting of three()) antennas mounted inside a 50' tall flagpole and associated ground equipment at Town Hall. 9. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting: The subject property is located on the west side of Fremont Road. Existing buildings on the property include the new Town Hall which is currently under construction, the Purissima Hills Water District office, and the Town's Emergency Operation Center (Heritage House). Surrounding uses include single-family residences on adjacent properties to the west and north, and single family homes across Esperanza Drive to the south and across Fremont Road to the east, lo. other public agencies whose approval is required: None ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact" as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. 0 Aesthetics ❑ Biological Resources ❑ Hazards & Hazardous ❑ Materials ❑ Mineral Resources ZPublic Services ❑ Utilities / Service Systems ❑ Agriculture Resources ❑ Cultural Resources ❑ Hydrology / Water Quality 0 Noise ❑ Air Quality ❑ Geology/Soils ❑ Land Use/Planning ❑ Population / Housing ❑ Recreation Z Transportation/Traffic QMandatory Findings of Significance This Initial study has been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Information and conclusions in the Initial Study are based upon staff research and the Town's General Plan and Municipal Code. On the basis of this initial evaluation I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE ❑ DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because the mitigation measures described on an attached sheet have been added to the project. A NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. ❑ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect(s) on the environment, but at least one effect I) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been ❑ addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets, if the effect is a "potentially significant impact" or " potentially significant unless mitigated." An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there WILL NOT be a significant effect in this case because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately ❑ in an earlier EIR pursuant to applicable standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier FIR, including revisions or mitigadon measures that are imposed upon the proposed project. Signature: I -' VV 1 Date: January 5 2005 Carl ahill,Planning irect� or 3 Potendally Less Than Less Than No Impact Significant Significant Significant Impact with Impact control Mitigation may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project: Inn.,pom"at 1. AESTHETICS — Would the project a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a stale scenic highway? control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project: c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ its surroundings? ❑ 0 b) Violate any ab quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or ❑ d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 affect day or nighttime views in the area? c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant ❑ IMPACT 4c: The proposed wireless facility includes three (3) panel antennas mounted inside a 12" diameter x 50' tall flagpole. in front of the new Town Hall. The 50' tall flagpole will replace an existing 40' tall flagpole located in the turnabout east of the parking lot. The antennas within the flagpole will be completely screened from public view. The associated ground equipment will be housed in a 4'W x 12' L equipment cabinet located behind the Town Hall building. The equipment cabinet is generally not visible from off-site and will be painted to match the building exterior. The project will have a less than significant impact on the aesthetic character and quality of the site and its surrounding. MITIGATION: No mitigation is II. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and famdand. Would the project a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 contract? c) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use? III. AIR QUALITY Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 b) Violate any ab quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 projected air quality violation? c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 for which the oroiect region is non -attainment under an aoolicable federal or IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES -- Would the project a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat Potentially Less Than Less Than No Impact resource as defined in Significant Significant Significant ❑ ❑ ❑ natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations Impact with Impact Service? resource pursuant to c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as Mitigation defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological ❑ In rnpocati ❑ d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or for which the project region is non -attainment under an applicable federal or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which 0 e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological ❑ ❑ ❑ resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? I) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or ❑ ❑ ❑ d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? ❑ ❑ ❑ e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES -- Would the project a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat ❑ ❑ ❑ I�f IJ modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special ❑ status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the resource as defined in California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive ❑ ❑ ❑ natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations ❑ or by the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife ❑ Service? resource pursuant to c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as ❑ ❑ ❑ defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological ❑ interruption, or other means? ❑ d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or ❑ ❑ ❑ migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? 0 e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological ❑ ❑ ❑ resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? I) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or ❑ ❑ ❑ state habitat conservation plan? V. CULTURAL RESOURCES -- Would the project a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical '15064.5? ❑ ❑ ❑ O' resource as defined in b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological '15064.59 ❑ ❑ ❑ resource pursuant to c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or ❑ ❑ ❑ unique geologic feature? d) Distant, any human remains, including thou interred outside of formal cenretaies? 0 ❑ ❑ 61 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Impact Significant Significant Significant Impact with Impact ❑ Mitigation ❑ Incorporation VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS -- Would the project: a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving: i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer Ll Ll L)to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. 10 ii) Strong seismic ground shaking? ❑ ❑ ❑ iii) Seismic -related ground failure, including liquefaction? ❑ ❑ ❑ iv) Landslides? ❑ ❑ ❑� b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? ❑ ❑ ❑ c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would ❑ ❑ ❑ become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on or off- site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform ❑ ❑ ❑ Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property? e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or for Ll Ll Ll z wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available the disposal of wastewater? VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS --Would the project: a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the ❑ ❑ ❑ routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through ❑ ❑ ❑ reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazazdous or acutely hazardous ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials ❑ ❑ ❑ z sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY -- Would the project a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements? Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant with Mitigation Incorporation Less Than Significant Impact No Impact 0 For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project El ❑ J result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted J ❑ ❑ emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death ❑ C3 ❑ involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent m ❑ LJ ❑ urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands? VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY -- Would the project a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements? ❑ ❑ ❑ b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with ❑ ❑ U groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)? c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, ❑ LJ ❑ including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site? d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, Ll ❑ ❑ including through the alteration of the course of a steam or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site? e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of ❑ 11 ❑ existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff? f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? ❑ LJ ❑ Z g) Place housing within a 100 -year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal 0 L] LJ Z Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map? h) Place within a 100 -year flood hazard area structures which would impede Ll Ll ❑ or redirect flood flows? i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death U ❑ U involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam? j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? ❑ L] ❑ 7 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Impact Significant Significant Significant Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING - Would the project a) Physically divide an established community? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an ❑ ❑ ❑ agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural ❑ ❑ ❑ community conservation plan? X. MINERAL RESOURCES -- Would the project a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would ❑ ❑ ❑ be of value to the region and the residents of the state? b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally -important mineral resource ❑ ❑ ❑ recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? XI. NOISE — Would the project result in a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of ❑ ❑ ❑ standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? to Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration ❑ ❑ ❑ or groundborne noise levels? c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project ❑ ❑ ❑ vicinity above levels existing without the project? d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in ❑ ❑ ❑ the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan ❑ ❑ ❑ has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? t) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose ❑ ❑ ❑ people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? 8 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Impact Significant Significant Significant Impact with Impact Mitigation Incomornitioll IMPACT XI -a: According to the applicant, the proposed equipment operating at full capacity will generate a minimal, steady noise level comparable to a refrigerator or HVAC equipment. When installation of the equipment cabinet is complete, the applicant will conduct an acoustical analysis of the equipment to demonstrate compliance with the Towns noise ordinance. MITIGATION: The applicant shall conduct an acoustical analysis of the equipment upon project completion to demonstrate compliance with the Town's noise ordinance. IMPACT XI -d: Temporary construction noise levels during the installation of the antenna facility will periodically exceed 5OdB(A) but the impact can be held to less than significant by adherence to the Town of Los Altos Hills policy on hours of construction. MITIGATION: Interim construction noise impacts can be reduced to less than significant by adherence to the Town of Los Altos Hills policies of B:OOAM to 5:30PM hours of operation on Monday through Friday, 9:OOAM to 5:30PM on Saturday, and no construction on Sundays or Holidays. XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING -- Would the project: ❑ a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for U LJ 0 example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for Police protection? example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)? ❑ b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the Ll ❑ Ll construction of replacement housing elsewhere? ❑ c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of Ll ❑ L replacement housing elsewhere? Parks? XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES a) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Fire protection? ❑ ❑ ❑ Police protection? ❑ ❑ ❑ Schools? ❑ ❑ L Parks? L] ❑ ❑ Other public facilities? Ll 0 Ll ❑ I potentially Less Than Less Than No Impact Significant Significant Significant Impact with Impact Mitigation Incoryorenon PUBLIC SERVICES IMPACT XIII -a: The Cingular antennas will be located approximately 250 ft. from the amateur (ham) radio antennas in the Town's Emergency Operations Center at the Heritage house. According to the applicant's engineer, the Cingular antennas and the ham radio antennas operate at different frequency bands and should cause no unndtigable interference m the operation of either facilities. However, in the unlikely event that interference shall occur, mitigation measures including proper positioning of the antennas and the installation of simple transmitter and/or receiver filters will enable satisfactory operations of both facilities. It is recommended that testing be conducted once Cingular is ready to commence operations to identify any interference requiring mitigation. MITIGATION: The applicant shall conduct testing of the Cingular and amateur radio antenna facilities to ensure satisfactory operations of both facilities, identify any interference requiring mitigation, and implement mitigation measures if needed. XIV. RECREATION a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional ❑ ❑ ❑ parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? to Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction ❑ ❑ ❑ or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC -- Would the project a) Cause an increase in traffic which is substantial in relation to the existing ❑ ❑ ❑ traffic load and capacity of the street system (i.e., result in a substantial increase in either the number of vehicle trips, the volume to capacity ratio on roads, or congestion at intersections)? b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of service standard ❑ ❑ ❑ established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways? c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in ❑ ❑ ❑ traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks? d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or ❑ ❑ ❑ dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? e) Result in inadequate emergency access? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 U Result in inadequate parking capacity? ❑ ❑ z ❑ g) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative ❑ ❑ ❑ xQ transportation (e.g., bus turnouts, bicycle racks)? 10 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Impact Significant Significant Significant Impact with Impact Mitigation Incorporation TRANSPORTATION/ TRAFFIC IMPACT XV -f: The proposed use is an unmanned wireless communications facility which can be accessed and serviced through the existing parking lot. Maintenance personnel will visit the site once a month for a period of two to four hours to service and maintain the facility. The maintenance visits wilt not increase traffic congestion or create any significant adverse impact to parking on site. MITIGATION: No mitigation is necessary. XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS - Would the project: a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional ❑ Ll Water Quality Control Board? b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment ❑ ❑ El 1-7f facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could Ll cause significant environmental effects? c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities ❑ El or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing Ll 0 entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which ❑ L) L serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? t) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate ❑ ❑ ❑ the project's solid waste disposal needs? g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to 13 LJ LJ solid waste? XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the Ll Q environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but ❑ ❑ Ll 0 cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects)? 11 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Impact significant Significant Significant Impact with Impact Mingalion Incorporation c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial ❑ ❑ ❑ adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? IMPACT XVIII: The applicants have submitted a report prepared by Hammel & Edison, Inc. dated July 2, 2004 indicating the project is in compliance with federal radiofrequency emissions standards. In addition, since the antennas are mounted on a 50' tall flagpole and are not accessible to the general public, no mitigation is necessary to comply with the FCC public exposure guidelines. However, to prevent occupational exposures in excess of the FCC guidelines during maintenance work by Cingular personnel on the facility, no access within 5 feet directly in front of the Cingular antennas should be allowed while the base station is in operation. MITIGATION: Warning signs (in compliance with ANSI C95.2) shall be posted at the antennas and/or on the pole below the antennas to comply with FCC guidelines. Sources: Los Altos Hills General Plan Los Altos Hills Municipal Code 12 HAMMETT & EDISON, INC. s' CONSULTING ENGINEERS RADIO AND TELEVISION BY E-MAIL TKIM@THEALARISGROUP.COM July 2, 2004 Mr. Tony Kin Planner The Alaris Group, LLC San Francisco, California 94107 Dear Tony: ATTACHMENT (p AWWLLiAh1 F.U&ET1. P.E. DANEE. E_RIO'�KyyS'E��NP,,...E. Iut GF'�`aivlsrl $b�z1•gyy. ROBERT D. WELLER. P.E. MARK D. NEUMANN, P.E. ROBERT P. SMITH, JR. RAiAT MATHUR ROBERT L. HAM64.TT, P.E. 1920 aw EDWARD EDISON, P.E. As you requested, we have analyzed the RF exposure conditions near the Cingular Wireless base station (Site No. SF -972-01) proposed to be located at 26379 West Fremont Road in Los Altos Hills, California. An electronic copy of our report is enclosed. As expected, fields in publicly accessible areas at the site are calculated to be well below the applicable limits. We appreciate the opportunity to be of service and would welcome any questions on this material. Please let me know if we may be of additional assistance. \�Sincerely yours, William F. Hammett cb Enclosures e-mail bhammetteh-e.com US Mai I: Cingular Wireless • Proposed Base Station (Site No. SF -972-01) 26379 West Fremont Road • Los Altos Hills, California Statement of Hammett & Edison, Inc., Consulting Engineers The firm of Hammett & Edison, Inc., Consulting Engineers, has been retained on behalf of Cingulu Wireless, a wireless telecommunications carrier, to evaluate the base station (Site No. SF -972-01) proposed to be located at 26379 West Fremont Road in Los Altos Hills, California, for compliance with appropriate guidelines limiting human exposure to radio frequency ("RF") electromagnetic fields. Prevailing Exposure Standards The U.S. Congress requires that the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") evaluate its actions for possible significant impact on the environment. In Docket 93-62, effective October 15, 1997, the FCC adopted the human exposure limits for field strength and power density recommended in Report No. 86, "Biological Effects and Exposure Criteria for Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields," published in 1986 by the Congressionally chartered National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements ("NCRP"). Separate limits apply for occupational and public exposure conditions, with the latter limits generally five times more restrictive. The more recent Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ("IEEE") Standard C95.1-1999, "Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz," includes nearly identical exposure limits. A summary of the FCC's exposure limits is shown in Figure 1. These limits apply for continuous exposures and are intended to provide a prudent margin of safety for all persons, regardless of age, gender, size, or health. The most restrictive thresholds for exposures of unlimited duration to radio frequency energy for several personal wireless services are as follows: Personal Communication ("PCS")1,950 MHz mmituitsil Limit 5.00 mW/cm2 Public Limit 1.00 mW/cm2 Cellular Telephone 870 2.90 0.58 Specialized Mobile Radio 855 2.85 0.57 [most restrictive frequency range] 30-300 1.00 0.20 General Facility Requirements Base stations typically consist of two distinct parts: the electronic transceivers (also called "radios" or "cabinets") that are connected to the traditional wired telephone lines, and the passive antennas that send the wireless signals created by the radios out to be received by individual subscriber units. The transceivers are often located at ground level and are connected to the antennas by coaxial cables about I inch thick. Because of the short wavelength of the frequencies assigned by the FCC for wireless services, the antennas require line -of -sight paths for their signals to propagate well and so are installed at some height above ground. The antennas are designed to concentrate their energy toward the FIAMMETI' & EDISON, INC. - cronrscc.rmcewcm�sses . m'.:` srry ra,wasco CG0972596 Page 1 of Cingular Wireless • Proposed Base Station (Site No. SF -972-01) 26379 West Fremont Road • Los Altos Hills, California horizon, with very little energy wasted toward the sky or the ground. Along with the low power of such facilities, this means that it is generally not possible for exposure conditions to approach the maximum permissible exposure limits without being physically very near the antennas. Computer Modeling Method The FCC provides direction for determining compliance in its Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin No. 65, "Evaluating Compliance with FCC -Specified Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation," dated August 1997. Figure 2 attached describes the calculation methodologies, reflecting the facts that a directional antenna's radiation pattern is not fully formed at locations very close by (the "near -field" effect) and that the power level from an energy source decreases with the square of the distance from it (the "inverse square law"). The conservative nature of this method for evaluating exposure conditions has been verified by numerous field tests. Site and Facility Description Based upon information provided by Cingular, including zoning drawings by Diamond Services, dated March 2, 2004, it is proposed to mount three Andrew Model 932QDG90VTE-M directional panel antennas on a new 50 -foot flagpole to be located at 26379 West Fremont Road in Los Altos Hills. The antennas would be mounted at an effective height of about 47 feet above ground and would be oriented toward 90°T, toward 2100T, and with 10 downtilt toward 3300T. The maximum effective radiated power in any direction would be 1,240 watts. There are reported no other wireless telecommunications facilities nearby. Study Results The maximum ambient RF level anywhere at ground due to the proposed Cingular operation is calculated to be 0.0036 mW/cm2, which is 0.36% of the applicable public limit; levels inside nearby buildings would be even lower. The maximum calculated level on the roof of the nearest building' is 0.83% of the public exposure limit. It should be noted that these results include several "worst-case" assumptions and therefore are expected to overstate actual power density levels. Recommended Mitigation Measures Since they are to be mounted on a tall. flagpole, the Cingular antennas are not accessible to the general public, and so no mitigation measures are necessary to comply with the FCC public exposure guidelines. To prevent occupational exposures in excess of the FCC guidelines, no access within 5 feet directly in front of the Cingular antennas themselves, such as might occur during maintenance work on Located about 40 feet away, based on the drawings. HAMMETT & EDISON, INC. - " CONEIILTICIC ENGWEERS CG0972596 Page 2 of 3 Cingular Wireless • Proposed Base Station (Site No. SF -972.01) 26379 West Fremont Road • Los Altos Hills, California the pole, should be allowed while the base station is in operation, unless other measures can be demonstrated to ensure that occupational protection requirements are met. Posting explanatory warning signs' at the antennas and/or on the pole below the antennas, such that the signs would be readily visible from any angle of approach to persons who might need to work within that distance, would be sufficient to meet FCC -adopted guidelines. Conclusion Based on the information and analysis above, it is the undersigned's professional opinion that the base station proposed by Cingular Wireless at 26379 West Fremont Road in Los Altos Hills, California, can comply with the prevailing standards for limiting human exposure to radio frequency energy and, therefore, need not for this reason cause a significant impact on the environment. The highest calculated level in publicly accessible areas is much less than the prevailing standards allow for exposures of unlimited duration. This finding is consistent with measurements of actual exposure conditions taken at other operating base stations. Authorship The undersigned author of this statement is a qualified Professional Engineer, holding California Registration Nos. E-13026 and M-20676, which expire on June 30, 2005. This work has been carried out by him or under his direction, and all statements are true and correct of his own knowledge except, where noted, when data has been supplied by others, which data he believes to be correct. "r"� Rk YE-13D26 '-NM-20676William F. ett, P.E.July 2, 2004 E.v. 0-3"5 a Warning signs should comply with ANSI C95.2 color, symbol, and content conventions. In addition, contact information should be provided (e.g., a telephone number) to arrange for access to restricted areas. The selection of language(s) is not an engineering matter, and guidance from the landlord, local zoning or health authority, or appropriate professionals may be required. - HAMMETT& EDISON, INC. NNRANC cnvEEas N SA CG0972596 Page 3 of 3 FCC Radio Frequency Protection Guide The U.S. Congress required (1996 Telecom Act) the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC') to adopt a nationwide human exposure standard to ensure that its licensees do not, cumulatively, have a significant impact on the environment. The FCC adopted the limits from Report No. 86, "Biological Effects and Exposure Criteria for Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields," published in 1986 by the Congressionally chartered National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, which are nearly identical to the more recent Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard C95.1-1999, "Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz." These limits apply for continuous exposures from all sources and are intended to provide a prudent margin of safety for all persons, regardless of age, gender, size, or health. As shown in the table and chart below, separate limits apply for occupational and public exposure conditions, with the latter limits (in italics and/or dashed) up to five times more restrictive: Frequency Applicable Range (MHz) 0.3— 1.34 1.34— 3.0 3.0— 30 30— 300 300— 1,500 1,500— 100,000 111IIII1" 100 10 0 0.1 Electromaenetic Fields /f is frequency of emission in MHz Electric Magnetic Equivalent Far -Field Field Strength Field Strength Power Density (V/m) (A/-) (mw/cm2) 614 614 1.63 1.63 l00 100 614 813.81f 1.63 1.19/f 100 180/1 1842/£ 813.81f 4.89/f 2.191f 900Y l' 180/f 61.4 27.5 0.163 0.0729 1.0 0.1 3.544f 1.59ff `Tf/106 df/238 l/300 f/1500 137 61.4 0.364 0.163 5.0 1.0 Occupational Exposure PCS ♦ FM Cell ♦ Public Exposure 0.1 1 10 100 101 104 10' Frequency (MHz) Higher levels are allowed for short periods of time, such that total exposure levels averaged over six or thirty minutes, for occupational or public settings, respectively, do not exceed the limits, and higher levels also are allowed for exposures to small areas, such that the spatially averaged levels do not exceed the limits. However, neither of these allowances is incorporated in the conservative calculation formulas in the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin No. 65 (August 1997) for projecting field levels. Hammett & Edison has built those formulas into a proprietary program that calculates, at each location on an arbitrary rectangular grid, the total expected power density from any number of individual radio sources. The program allows for the description of buildings and uneven terrain, if required to obtain more accurate projections. HAMMETr & EDISON, INC. FCC Guidelines . a mrvsur.nrvc sncm�reas w -ii SAN FRANCISCO Figure I RFR.CALC' Calculation Methodology Assessment by Calculation of Compliance with FCC Exposure Guidelines The U.S. Congress required (1996 Telecom Act) the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") to adopt a nationwide human exposure standard to ensure that its licensees do not, cumulatively, have a significant impact on the environment. The maximum permissible exposure limits adopted by the FCC (see Figure 1) apply for continuous exposures from all sources and are intended to provide a prudent margin of safety for all persons, regardless of age, gender, size, or health. Higher levels are allowed for short periods of time, such that total exposure levels averaged over six or thirty minutes, for occupational or public settings, respectively, do not exceed the limits. Near Field. Prediction methods have been developed for the near field zone of panel (directional) and whip (omnidirectional) antennas, typical at wireless telecommunications cell sites. The near field zone is defined by the distance, D, from an antenna beyond which the manufacturer's published, far field antenna patterns will be fully formed; the near field may exist for increasing D until some or all of three conditions have been met: 2 1) D>2 2) D>5h 3) D> 1.6X where h = aperture height of the antenna, in meters, and X = wavelength of the transmitted signal, in meters. The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin No. 65 (August 1997) gives this formula for calculating power density in the near field zone about an individual RF source: power density S= I x rz x TD. uet ' in rnW,,m2' where 0sw = half -power beamwidth of antenna, in degrees, and Pnet = net power input to the antenna, in watts. The factor of 0.1 in the numerator converts to the desired units of power density. This formula has been built into a proprietary program that calculates distances to FCC public and occupational limits. Far Field. OET-65 gives this formula for calculating power density in the far field of an individual RF source: power density S = 256 x 1.64 x 100 x RFF2 x ERP 4 x n x D2 , in mW/=2 where ERP = total ERP (all polarizations), in kilowatts, RFF = relative field factor at the direction to the actual point of calculation, and D = distance from the center of radiation to the point of calculation, in meters. The factor of 2.56 accounts for the increase in power density due to ground reflection, assuming a reflection coefficient of 1.6 (1.6 x 1.6 = 2.56). The factor of 1.64 is the gain of a half -wave dipole relative to an isotropic radiator. The factor of 100 in the numerator converts to the desired units of power density. This formula has been built into a proprietary program that calculates, at each location on an arbitrary rectangular grid, the total expected power density from any number of individual radiation sources. The program also allows for the description of uneven terrain in the vicinity, to obtain more accurate projections. =' HAMMETT& EDISON, INC. corrsucrwc errctNreas Methodology Figure 2 a r. HAMMETT & EDISON, INC. CONSULTING ENGINEERS " RADIO AND TELEVISION BY E-MAIL TKUSQTHEALARISGROUP.COM October 5, 2004 Mr. Tony Kim Planner The Alaris Group, LLC San Francisco, California 94107 Dear Tony: ATTACHMENT '1 WIu,v F. HAMMErr, P.E. DANE E. ERICKSEN, P.E. STANLEY SALEK, P.E. ROBERT D. WEUER. P.E. MARK D. NEU MM P.E. ROBERT P. SMITH, JR. RA AT MATHUR ROBERT L. HAMMETT, P.E. 1920-2002 EDWARD EDISON, P.E. As you requested, we have analyzed the permanent Cingular Wireless base station (Site No. SF -972-01) proposed to be located at 26379 West Fremont Road in Los Altos Hills, California to determine whether the Cingular operation would be likely to interfere with the existing amateur radio operations. We note that none of the amateur radio receive frequencies is in the transmit frequency band used by Cingular (1,950-1,965 MHz). The amateur radio bands nearest in frequency are 1,240-1,300 and 2,300-2,310 MHz. There are two distinct modes of interference that can be involved in such circumstances, though neither is likely in this case. The first arises from out -of -band spurious signals interfering with reception of the amateur signals. Since the services operate in different frequency bands, such interference would not be direct but would require the creation of intermodulation distortion ("IMD") products of sufficient magnitude to affect amateur receivers. Such products are caused by the mixing of multiple radio signals in a non-linear device and can occur in three general locations: a subject transmitter, an affected receiver, or a location external to both the transmitters and receiver involved (the so-called `rusty bolt' phenomenon). In practice, intenrlodulation products above the third order are very rare, and the inherently selective characteristics of typical receiving systems serve to ensure that signals distant in frequency are unlikely to enter the receiving system. By inspection, there can be no IMD products of low order (3rd, 5th, or 7th) that would fall into any amateur band. The second mode of interference can arise if the Cingular signal is so strong that it simply overwhelms internal circuits in the amateur receiver, causing it to malfunction. This is called "brute force overload" and would be possible only if the Cingular transmitting antennas are located very close to the amateur antennas. mail: Mr. Tony Kim, page 2 October 5, 2004 in both interference situations, i.e., intermodulation and brute force, good engineering practices can generally alleviate any problems that might arise. Proper antenna positioning and, if appropriate, the installation of simple transmitter and/or receiver filters can be expected to enable satisfactory operations. On/off testing may be conducted once Cingular is ready to commence operations to identify any interference requiring mitigation. Based on the foregoing analysis and assumptions, it is my professional opinion that the proposed collocation of the Cingular Wireless base station should cause no immitigable interference to the amateur radio facilities. Please let me know if any questions arise on this analysis. Sincerely yours, � William F. Hammett tin