To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Brad Boland, Long Range Project Manager
Dena Paulin, Planner II
Matt Gohl, Special Projects Manager
Title
Update: Wireless Communications Facility (Cell Sites)
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
In 2018, the Town’s Wireless Code was revised to align with updated State and Federal regulations. Additionally, processes for handling applications for new wireless communication facilities (WCFs) were streamlined. As the Town grows, so do the demands for cellular coverage in the community. Providers, driven by market demand, are responsible for determining technology, location and timing for installation of new WCFs.
The following discussion provides a brief update of the Town’s approach to handling WCFs in the community, plus information regarding existing and proposed wireless communication facilities within Town boundaries.
Discussion
Background
Town Council, in 2018, approved updates to the Town’s Wireless Code. In addition to ensuring compliance with Federal and State regulations, updates to the wireless code provided accommodation for small cell technology in the right-of-way. Along with compliance to the updated Code, wireless providers utilizing Town right-of-way will be required to enter into a Master License Agreement with the Town that has additional standards and requirements for design, operations and fees.
Wireless Communication Facilities (WCFs) include macro and small cell technologies. Macro facilities are larger scale sites, typically stand-alone towers or rooftop locations, which provide larger scale cellular coverage. A small cell facility is defined as a wireless facility in which an antenna would fit into an enclosure that does not exceed three cubic feet in volume. These facilities are most commonly placed on light poles or traffic signals. Small cells are typically utilized to increase the capacity of an existing coverage area rather than expanding the size of the coverage area. More information about small cell WCFs can be found in Attachment A.
Town Wireless Communication Facilities
When a provider requests installation of a new WCF within Castle Rock, approval can be either administrative or by Council action dependent on the required land use approval process for the specific wireless communication facility. For WCFs located on Town property (outside of right-of-way), the Town will act as a property owner first and land use regulator second. The Town acting as the property owner, rather than the land use regulator, has much more discretion in making a decision about locating wireless communication facilities on a specific Town property. Site locations within Town-owned right-of-way go through a permitting process managed by the Town’s Development Review Team.
Master License Agreements (MLAs) provide a base agreement with providers that stipulate standards for design, operation, applicable fees, and expedite the application process for small cell locations in the right-of-way. The Town currently has three MLAs in place with Verizon and infrastructure providers Zayo Group and SQF.
There are currently 28 WCFs within Town boundaries including 10 macro and 18 small cell facilities. As of October 2023, there are nine small cell sites installed within the public right-of-way. There are applications in process for seven new cell sites in Castle Rock. Timing is unknown for the installation of the proposed infrastructure. Once the Town approves the addition of a new WCF, the actual construction timeline is determined by the provider.
Town staff is prepared and ready to assist wireless providers with infrastructure applications and will continue to follow approved Code requirements to ensure timely responses to all applications and safe construction of any approved wireless site. Since 2018, the Town has received 43 applications for wireless infrastructure including updates to existing infrastructure (such as antenna replacements) or new cell sites. The following table summarizes the applications by status with counts shown by the year of the application.
|
Year |
Applications Approved/Constructed |
Applications Expired or Withdrawn by Provider |
Applications Currently Under Review |
Applications Denied |
Total Applications |
|
2018 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
2019 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
|
2020 |
11 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
|
2021 |
7 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
10 |
|
2022 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
|
2023(YTD) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
28 |
8 |
7 |
0 |
43 |
Table 1: 2018 - 2023 (YTD) WCF Application Status
Verizon has begun the installation of their approved small cell sites in the right-of-way. They currently have 16 approved locations, nine of which have been installed. An additional five sights are still under review. Staff is working with T-Mobile for wireless infrastructure at Butterfield Crossing Park and Bison Park. Two neighborhood meetings have been held for the Bison Park facility since it is a new structure. Staff is awaiting resubmittal of the Bison Park plans which will then be followed by a third neighborhood meeting and public hearings. Staff expects the Bison Park project and associated lease to be presented to Town Council late 2023 or early 2024. The wireless infrastructure for Butterfield Crossing Park is under review. The project at Butterfield requires an addition to an existing building. One neighborhood meeting has been held. The project will require two additional neighborhood meetings and public hearings. Staff expects the Butterfield Crossing Park and associated lease to be presented to Town Council late 2023 or early 2024.Town staff continues to work with wireless providers to work through all aspects of permitting and construction.
Staff has developed a map that is available at <https://www.crgov.com/cellsites> to show locations of current and proposed WCFs. A sample of this map is shown below.
Conclusion
While the Town has little control over the wireless infrastructure in Castle Rock due to federal laws and market forces, staff continues to monitor cell site applications in the community. Staff will continue to ensure that infrastructure is permitted and constructed properly according to Town procedures. Periodic updates will be provided in the future in an effort to keep Town Council apprised of any updates and changes regarding cell site in Castle Rock.
Attachments
ATTACHMENT A: Small Cell Technology FAQ