To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
Title
Update: Wireless Cellular Facilities
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 discussion that follows provides a brief update of the Town’s approach to handling WCFs in the community; and, includes information regarding existing and proposed wireless communication facilities within Town boundaries. Periodic updates will be provided to Town Council in the future as well.
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 rights-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 and are used to expand capacity of the overall network. More information about small cell WCFs can be found in Attachment A.
Town Wireless Communication Facilities
To date, the Town has not actively solicited additional WCF installation from providers. However, staff is planning to solicit providers in an effort to get more active participation in the Town’s wireless network. 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 to locate wireless communication facilities on a specific Town property. Site locations within Town owned right-of-way go through a permitting process managed by Public Works.
The Town currently has one master license agreement (MLA) in place with Zayo Group, LLC and is currently developing an agreement with Verizon. 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.
There are currently 11 WCFs within Town boundaries including seven macro and four small cell facilities. The map in Attachment B identifies locations of current and proposed facilities. Installation of three additional macro facilities on private property has been approved, but facilities have not yet been built. The locations of these future macro towers include the Briscoe building near Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, the Riverwalk South building, and at 4625 Trail Boss Drive.
Additionally, applications for three additional small cell applications were received in August and are pending at this time. The Town is waiting for applicants to receive IREA approval in order to complete the applications. These proposed locations include:
• Liggett Road/Kellogg Court
• 8th Street/Park Street
• Factory Shops Boulevard/New Memphis Court
The timing for installation of these new WCFs is unknown at this time. Once the Town approves the addition of a new WCF, the actual construction timeline is determined by the provider.
Staff is currently developing a dynamic map that is planned to be available on CRgov.com. This map will provide updated information to the community regarding WCF locations (current and proposed) as well as the owner of each site. This map is expected to be finalized during the first quarter of 2020.
Attachments
Attachment A: Small Cell Technology FAQ
Attachment B: WCF Map (as of October 29, 2019)