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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD 739 Penny Royal Lane Appealcarr no
Agenda Item No: 5.b
Meeting Date: November 19, 2012
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Community Development Department, Planning Division
Prepared by: Paul A, Jensen, CDD Director [kt] City Manager Approval-::' / 4 -
SUBJECT: Public Hearing to consider an appeal of the Planning Commission action approving a
wireless antenna infrastructure improvement within the public right-of-way near 714 Penny Royal
Lane/adjacent to 739 Penny Royal Lane (Node LUC-003A) as part of a Master Use Permit No. UP11-20,
Master Environmental and Design Review Permit No. ED11-24 and Exception No. EX12-002 for ExteNet
Systems, LLC Wireless Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Infrastructure project.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council deny the appeal and uphold the decision
of the Planning Commission (Resolution No. 12-17) granting Master Use Permit, Master Design Review
Permit and Exception approvals for installation of wireless antenna node infrastructure within public
rights-of-way, comprised of an initial installation of 5 antenna nodes, including node LUC-003A (714
Penny Royal Lane) which is the subject of this appeal.
BACKGROUND:
Overview of Planninq Commission Review and Decision
On September 25, 2012, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on a telephone
corporation project consisting of installation of wireless antenna infrastructure on existing PG&E poles in
the public right of way. A detailed Project Description is found in the attached September 25, 2012
Planning Commission Staff Report (Exhibit 5, pages 28-29 of this report)
The project sponsor, ExteNet Systems, LLC, is licensed by the Ca Public Utility Commission (CPUC) to
install telephone equipment infrastructure within public rights of way pursuant to CPUC Code Section
7901-7912. The equipment would be provided for wireless service providers (e.g., carriers) to serve its
customers. ExteNet is pursuing necessary zoning entitlements within the City of San Rafael, the County
and the City of Novato as part of a larger infrastructure network project extending through the Lucas
Valley area. The Planning Commission granted approval for an initial five nodes within the City, with the
ability to expand the system in compliance with the parameters established by the Master Use and
Design approvals. The approval allows staff to consider approval for additional nodes added to the
network through review of an Administrative Design Review Permit (UP11-020 Condition's No. 2 & 3, and
ED11-024 Condition No. 5). The Planning Commission Resolution is attached (Exhibit 4. pages 29 to 24
of this report)
Prior to formal submittal of its application. ExteNet had filed a pre -application review to determine the
applicable City requirements. Based on this review. the City Planning Division and City Attorneys office
had concluded that the project was subject to the City of San Rafael Wireless Telecommunications
Ordinance: thus requiring Use Permit and Environmental and Design Review Permit approvals. If and
File No.:
Council Meeting: l ( f
Disposition:
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT /8^mee; 2
when those planning applications are approved, a ministerial encroachment permit would be required for
the work required hoinstall the equipment inCity rights ofway. More detailed information nnthe
background related to this application is provided in the September 25 2012 Report tothe Planning
Comrnisoion, including o review ofutility equipment installation in rights ofway, the state and local
regulatory authority and CEQA determination that applies to this request (Exhibit 5, pages 20-28mfthis
report).
Staff reports, attachments, audio and video of the Planning Commission September 25, 2012 meeting
and Design Review Board June 19 and August 7, 2012 meetings can be found on the City website
address: http://vpmxw.citYofoannafae|,ono/meednqs.
Overview ufDeukJnReview Board Review
Prior tothe Planning Commission's review and action, the Design Review Board (DRB) reviewed the
project at two meatingm, and ultimately recommended approval of the proposed antenna node designs
and locations (including the subject node) at its August 7, 2012 meeting. The Board recommended
relocation ofone antenna node that was proposed adjacent toaresidential front yard and design
techniques and locations for remaining proposed and any future nodes. The subject node location under
appeal (Node LUC-003A) was supported subject to placement of related equipment cabinets below grade
within the existing sidewalk. The Board concluded that the requirement for undergrounding along with
recommended replacement of utility poles with new poles to achieve increased heights desired by the
utility company, and concealment of cabling proposed from cabinets to antenna on the utility poles would
adequately address the aesthetic impacts nfthe project. Asunnmoryofthe DRB action incontained inthe
September 25Planning Commission report (Exhibit 5,pages 35-36pfthis rmpwnU.
VVina|esa Telecommunications Fooi|ib/ Review Criteria
The San Rafael Municipal Code (SRMC) Section 14.16.360 - Wireless Telecommunications regulations
identify design uriterio, performance standards and a ranking of preferred and least preferred locations.
The City iaprecluded from evaluating such facilities based on Radio Frequency (RF) hea|th, provided that
established federal thresholds are not exceeded. RFanalysis have been provided that the equipment
would be in compliance with the federal RFthresholds and, thonafore, deemed to ba''safe"Adetai|ed
analysis of the project can be found on pages 6 through 11 of the Planning Commission staff report
(Exhibit 5, pages 31-36 of this report). A discussion of the subject Node LUC-003A RF analysis is
found onpage ofthe PCreport (Exhibit 5, page 34 ofthis repmmt).
The City ordinance identifies residential and open space areas as least -preferred locations for wireless
antenna facilities; which should be avoided unless there are no other feasible alternative sites. An
alternative site analysis is required for new monopoles or towers proposed in residential areas (Exhibit 5-
4, pages 43bm47of this report). The subject site proposes collocation of its infrastructure on existing
utility poles. Given the nature ofthis project (i.o.aeate|ephoneinhaotruoturep ject.whiohisdesigned
to be collocated on existing facilities, and its intended coverage area which requires a close -in
relationship with the neighborhoods to be covered) it has been established that there would not be
alternative public right of way sites outside of the residential neighborhoods that could meet the service
coverage objectives ofthe area. |tiopossible for the carrier toplace equipment onother utility pole
locations; however, this may lead togaps incoverage.
APPEAL: Within the statutory appeal period, an appeal ofthe Planning Commission's action was filed
along with the required filing fee. The appellant, David Carey, submitted a letter dated October 1, 2012,
which iaincluded aaExhibit 3(pages Y7-Y9ofthis reppm0.Mr. Carey, aneighbor adjacent toone ofthe
five nodes approved as part of the Master Use Permit granted by the Planning Commission has appealed
the location near his residence (The antenna at Node LUC003A would be located at the top of a PG&E
pole near 714Penny Royal Lane that iaadjacent tothe side and rear yard ofthe appellant's residence,
The appellant provided comments regarding Node LUC003A at the Design Review Board and Planning
Commission hearings. The October 1 st letter of appeal states that node LUC003A near is house is one of
five (5) locations proposed on telephone poles, and that the subject node is immediately adjacent to his
property and backyard. The following points have been identified in the appeal letter:
�
The appellant strongly objects tothe installation due toafear ofhealth risks Uzhis family from
transmission of cellular signals. The antenna transmitter would be located less than one hundred
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT /Pmue: 3
� The Design Review Board had requested that the two nmja locations at Hibiscus and the subject
site at Penny Royal Lane be relocated [e.g., to less visible locations outside of immediate
residential neighborhoods]. The site at Hibiscus way was relocated to median location along
Freitas Parkway, while the one on Penny Royal was left. This would be the only house with a cell
phone tower adjacent hua backyard. This iaacomplete violation. This installation should be
relocated to medians of divided secondary roads in a similar manner as the other 4 nodes
proposed within the City.
�
The telephone poles will have a sign posted with a health warning that will have animpact on
property values.
�
There kaplenty ofcell phone coverage from multiple carriers inthis immediate area. There hanu
need for ecell phone transmission tower on Penny Royal Lane. It is of no benefit hothe San
�
Request that ExteNetfind analternate location that would not pose ahealth risk that in
unnecessary.
ANALYSIS: The appeal that was filed contests only one ofthe five locations approved bvthe Planning
Commission. Given that the one location was part of a application that includes five separate locations,
the attached Staff Report to the Planning Commission includes discussion and analysis and documents
relating toall five locations. Below in boldlitalics are the appeal points identified in the appellant's
October 1st letter regarding the appeal of the proposed 739 Penny Royal Lane location. Immediatley
following each point of appeal, o staff response is provided:
t The appellant strongly objects tothe installation due tmafear mfhealth risks bohis family from
transmission of cellular signals. The antenna transmitter would be located less than one
hundred feet from their patio area and gardens.
As noted inthe Background section above, adetailed analysis of the project has been conducted by
staff, the Design Review Board and Planning Commission that resulted in adoption of findings and
conditions of approval to support the project as presented in the Planning Commission Resolution No.
12-17 (Exhibit 4, pages Y9-24ofthis report).The criteria for approval ofthepnojeuthavebeen
deemed satisfied based on the analysis found in the September 25 1h Staff Report to the Planning
Commission (Exhibit 5, pages 30-35 of this report) and findings in the Planning Commission
Resolution. Based on the Federal Telecommunications Act of18SOosamended, a local government
is precluded from denying any wireless facility based on perceived health risks, where the facility has
been found to comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations and within
the limits established by the FCC for Radio Frequency (RF) emissions. A study was presented by the
applicant's engineer confirming that any new RF emissions for this site, as well as the other four sites,
would be at 5% the FCC's established threshold and limit for public exposure limits.The City ofSan
Rafael then conducted a third party peer review (conducted by Jonathan Kramer and Associates) of
the RFemission study and confirmed the findings ofthe applicant's study that the equipment would
be in compliance with FCC mandates and would operate at 5% of the FCC standard (Exhibit 5-4,
pages 43-47 of this report). Given that the proposed facility would operate within the established
FCC standards, the City does not have the ability topreclude this facility based solely onperceived
health impacts. Therefore, staff would not recommend support of the appeal on this point.
2. The Design Review Board had requested that the two node locations at Hibiscus and the
subject site mtPenny Royal Lane �relocated [e.g., to less visible locations outside nf
immediate residential neighborhoods]. The site at Hibiscus way was relocated to median
location along Freitas Parkway, while the one on Penny Royal was left. This would bethe only
house with a cell phone tower adjacent to a backyard. This is a complete violation. This
installation should be relocated to medians of divided secondary roads in a similar manner as
the other 4nodes proposed within the City.
Staff had suggested relocating or undergrounding the subject node locations on Hibiscus and Penny
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Paee: 4
buffer between the utility poles and adjacent lots. This recommendation was made due to the visual
implications of the equipment associated with these facilities. As noted on pages 10-11 of the PC staff
report, the DRB's recommendation was to place the equipment associated with these node locations
below ground. In response, ExteNet placed Penny Royal Lane underground and relocated Hibiscus
Way to Freitas Parkway arterial road frontage. The Board supported these revisions as they complied
with its prior direction. The Planning Commission also supported the design concepts recommended
by the Board, with further direction provided to require all equipment cabinets be placed below grade.
There was no further direction given to relocate all proposed poles to median/arterial collector street
locations on order to avoid placement directly adjacent to a residential side yard location. Based on
the determinations made by the Board and Planning Commission, staff would not recommend
support of the appeal on this point.
3. The telephone poles will have a sign posted with a health warning that will have an impact on
property values.
The warning signs consist of an 8" by 10" standard sign placed on the utility pole 6' below the
antenna on the pole -top. These are required to be posted on the poles for notification to utility
workers and are not intended to be visible at street level (see LUC-3A Peer Review Report attached
as Exhibit 5-4, pages 43-47 of this report). The findings required for approval or denial of the
zoning entitlement does not require analysis of any potential affects on property values, which is
difficult to determine and generally considered to be outside of the City's scope of review.
4. There is plenty of cell phone coverage from multiple carriers in this immediate area. There is
no need for a cell phone transmission tower on Penny Royal Lane. It is of no benefit to the
San Rafael citizens living here.
Staff cannot recommend support of the appeal based on the appellant's conclusion. The State PUC
has regulatory authority in determining the need for such equipment. The City purview in this case is
fairly limited to the aesthetic impacts of the project and assuring conformance with City design
policies. As such, undergrounding and concealment of equipment has been required to the extent
feasible, which is deemed to be an appropriate requirement and supported by City General Plan
policies and design criteria.
5. Request that ExteNet find an alternate location that would not pose a health risk that is
unnecessary.
As stated above the City cannot regulate this facility based on perceived health risks, as the analysis
prepared for the project indicates the facility would comply with FCC regulations. Based on this
finding the facility is considered to pose no health risk. However, the City may consider the aesthetic
impacts of the facility, and encourage locations that provide the lowest potential for visual impact on
neighborhoods.
FISCAL IMPACT: The applicant, ExteNet LLC has submitted an application fee deposit that will cover
the full cost of staff time processing this zoning application and appeal. There will be no short-term or
ongoing fiscal impact related to this project.
OPTIONS: The City Council has the following options:
1. Deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission approval (staff recommended).
2. Grant the appeal and amend the approval of the Planning Commission (ED11-024 Condition No.
3) to eliminate the subject node LUC003A from the initial approved 5 node sites. Under this
scenario, the applicant could proceed with the remaining four approved node locations, and could
apply for an alternate node location under the terms of the entitlements.
3. Continue the matter with direction for further information or modifications to the project
entitlements.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Pau: 5
ACTION REQUIRED: Adopt eResolution denying ihemppea|anduoholdingthnyPkanningCommisoion
action approving the entitlements for all five initial antenna node sites (Exhibit2,pages 7~1Gwfthis
EXHIBITS Pagm#
1. Vicinity Map (Node LUCOU3A) 0
2. Draft City Council Resolution Denying Appeal and Upholding Planning 7
Commission's approval
3. Letter ufAppeal from David Carey, Oct 1.2812 17
4. Planning Commission Resolution No.12-17 18
5. Planning Commission September 25.2012Report and Exhibits 25
5-1 Vininib/LoomdonyWaps 39
5-2 ExteNedSystems 7/O/12 Memo hothe DRB 40
5-3 Peer Review ofRFRReports 43
5-4 Lucas Valley DAGproject uonatruotionandcovenagemops OO
6-5 Public Correspondence. 69
O. City Council Public Hearing Notice 86
Project Plans (LUC 003A) —714 Penny Royal Lane Site (Distributed to City Council only, under
Vicinity .• - ExteNet LUC-003A
W, -
SCALE 1 : 4,562
200 0 200 400 600
FEET
0
CC fleeting Nov. 19, 20-12
File No. AP 12-006
Exhibit I- Vicinity Map
RESOLUTION 13462
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DENYING AN
APPEAL (AP12-006) OF PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO 12-17 GRANTING
APPROVAL FOR PLACEMENT OF A WIRELESS ANTENNA FACILITY NODE (LUC-003A)
WITHIN PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT TO 739 PENNY ROYAL LANE.
WHEREAS, on November 16. 2010 ExteNet Systems, LLC submitted a pre -application review
(PA10-004) for installation of telecommunications equipment onto existing PG&E utility poles in the
public right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2011, ExteNet Systems, LLC (a telephone corporation) filed formal
zoning applications (UP 11-20, ED 11-24 & EX 12-002) for installation of five omni -antenna and related
wireless telephone equipment infrastructure placed on existing utility poles in public rights-of-way
throughout the Lucas Valley area of San Rafael, in PD and R residential zoning districts within the Santa
Margarita, Terra Linda and Mont Marin -San Rafael Park neighborhood areas (within Manuel T. Freitas,
Las Gallinas Ave., Penny Royal Lane and Del Ganado Road rights-of-way), and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the pre -application review (PA 10-004) conducted for the project, at the
request of the applicant, it was confirmed and established that ExteNet Systems has: i) obtained a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by the California Public Utilities Commission
(PUC), which is required for a telephone corporation to utilize public rights of way pursuant to PUC
Section 7901, ii) demonstrated that they are a member of the Joint Poles Authority, established to assure
joint use and maintenance of utility poles, and iii) understood the City's position that the project would
remain subject to the City of San Rafael Wireless Communications Facilities provisions of Municipal
Code Section 14.16.360; and
WHEREAS, on June 19 and August 7, 2012 the City of San Rafael Design Review Board
reviewed the project. On August 7, 2012, the DRB by a vote of 4-0-2 (with Chair Kent and Member
Lentini absent) recommended approval of the project to the Planning Commission, with certain
conditions, including: 1) their support of project without inclusion of an extended skirt at the base of the
antenna; 2) alternate placement/location of underground antennae on Manuel Freitas instead of Hibiscus
Way; and 3) underground placement of all cabinets at all five locations. and
WHEREAS, upon review of the application, the project has been determined to be exempt from the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301(b) and
Section 15303(d) ofthe CEQA Guidelines which exempts utility extensions and utilit-y improvements;
and
WHEREAS. on September 25. 2012. the San Rafael Planning Commission held a duly noticed
public hearing on the project zoning entitlements, accepting all oral and written public testimony and the
x\,rittcn report of the Community Development Department staff. and
WHEREAS. on September 25. 2012 the City of San Rafael Planning Commission b\, Resolution
No. 12-17 approved a Master t!sc Permit (UPI 1-20), Master Erik ironmental and Design Review Permit
(ED 11-24) and Exception for I leight (EX 12-002), pursuant to the applicable provisions of San Rafael
Municipal Code Section 14.16.360 (Wireless communications facilities) for the ExteNet Distributed
Antenna System wireless antenna facility infrastructure project consisting of initial installation of 5
wireless antenna nodes placed on existing utility poles locations within City public rights of way; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to City of San Rafael Municipal Code Chapter 14.28, on October 2, 2012,
David J. Carey, filed a timely appeal (AP12-006) of the Planning Commission action to include antenna
node LUC-003A as part of its action granting the master zoning entitlements for the ExteNet DAS project;
and;
WHEREAS, on November 2, 2012, at least 15 days before the scheduled hearing date on the
subject appeal, the City of San Rafael Planning Division and City Clerk caused notice of the appeal to be
mailed to residents within at least 300 feet of the subject project location and interested parties, posted
notice on-site and published notice in the Marin Independent Journal, in compliance with the City of San
Rafael Municipal Code Section 14.29 (Public Notice); and;
WHEREAS, on November 19, 2012, the City Council conducted a duly noticed public hearing to
consider the appeal, accepting staff's written and verbal report and all public testimony.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby denies the Appeal
(AP 12-006) and upholds the September 25, 2012 decision of the Planning Commission action granting a
Master Use Permit (UPI 1-020), a Master Environmental and Design Review Permit (ED 11-024) and
Exception (EX12-0021) for the ExteNet Systems, LLC in its entirety approving a wireless infrastructure
distributed antenna system network within public rights of way consisting of five initial antenna nodes
including node LUC-003A at 739 Penny Royal Lane, which is the subject of this appeal. The City
Council finds and determines that the points of the appeal cannot be supported for the following reasons:
Appeal Point #1. The appellant strongly objects to the installation due to afear of health risks to
his family from transmission of cellular signals. The antenna transmitter would be located less
than one hundred feet from their patio area and gardens.
Response and Finding: The point of appeal that the appellant strongly objects to the installation due
to a fear of health risks to his family from transmission of cellular signals, that antenna transmitter
would be located less than one hundred feet from their patio area and gardens is not sufficient to
uphold the appeal.
As noted in the staff report provided to the City Council, a detailed analysis of the project has been
conducted by staff. the Design Review Board and Planning Commission that resulted in adoption of
findings and conditions to support the project by Planning Commission (PC) Resolution No. 12-17.
The criteria for approval of the project have been deemed satisfied based on the analysis found on
pages 6 through 11 of'staffs report to the Planning Commission and findings in PC Resolution No.
12-17. Based on the federal Telecommunications Act, a local goverriment is precluded from denying
any \\ircless facility based on perceived health risks. where the facility has been found to comply
with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations and within the limits established
b\ the FCC for Radio Frequency (RF) emissions. A study was presented by the applicant's engineer
confirming that an} new RF emissions would be at 50,'o of the FCC's established threshold and limit.
The City of San Rafael then conducted a third party peer review (Jonathan Kramer and Associates)
of the RF emissions study and confirmed the findings of the applicant's study that the equipment
would be in compliance with FCC mandates; as discussed on PC Report pages 5-6 and 9-10, and PC
Exhibit 4. Given that the proposed facility would operate within the established FCC standards, the
City does not have the ability to preclude this facility based solely on perceived health impacts.
Appeal Point #2. The Design Review Board had requested that the two node locations at Hibiscus
and the subject site at Penny Royal Lane be relocated [e.g., to less visible locations outside of
immediate residential neighborhoods]. The site at Hibiscus Way was relocated to median location
along Freitas Parkway, while the one on Penny Royal was left. This would be the only house with
a cell phone tower adjacent to a backyard. This is a complete violation. This installation should
be relocated to medians of divided secondary roads in a similar manner as the other 4 nodes
proposed within the City.
Response and Finding: The point of the appeal that the Design Review Board had requested that the
two node locations at Hibiscus and the subject site at Penny Royal Lane be relocated [e.g., to less
visible locations outside of immediate residential neighborhoods], that the site at Hibiscus Way was
relocated to median location along Freitas Parkway, while the one on Penny Royal was left, that this
would be the only house with a cell phone tower adjacent to a backyard, that this is a complete
violation and that this installation should be relocated to medians of divided secondary roads in a
similar manner as the other 4 nodes proposed within the City does not provide sufficient grounds to
uphold the appeal.
As discussed in the staff report to the City Council, staff had suggested relocating or undergrounding
the subject node locations on Hibiscus and Penny Royal Lane (subject site), which were immediately
adjacent to residential yard areas and lacked any buffer between the utility poles and adjacent lots.
This recommendation was made due to the visual implications of the equipment associated with
these facilities. As noted on pages 10 and 11 of the September 25, 2012 Planning Commission staff
report, the Design Review Board recommended placing equipment associated with the two nodes
located adjacent to residential yards below ground. In response, ExteNet placed Penny Royal Lane
equipment underground and relocated the Hibiscus Way site to Freitas Parkway arterial road
frontage. The Board supported these revisions as they complied with its prior direction. The
Planning Commission also supported the design concepts recommended by the Board, with further
direction provided to require all equipment cabinets be placed below grade. There was no further
direction given to relocate all proposed poles to median/arterial collector street locations in order to
avoid placement directly adjacent to a residential side yard location. Based on the determinations
made by the Board and Planning Commission, staff would not recommend support of the appeal on
this point.
Appeal Point #3. The telephone poles will have a sign posted with a health warning that will have
an impact on property values.
Response and Finding.: The point of appeal that the telephone poles will have a sign posted with a
health warning that will have an impact on property values does not provide sufficient grounds to
uphold the appeal. As noted in staffs report to the City- Council. the warning signs consist of an 8
by 10- standard sign placed on the utility pole 6' below the antenna on the pole -top. These are
required to be posted on the poles for notification to utility �\orkers and are not intended to be visible
at street level: xNhich is described on page 5 of the Peer RevieNN, Report prepared for the subject site
3
LUC-3A, attached as CC Report Exhibit 5-4. The findings required for approval or denial of the
zoning entitlement does not require analysis of any potential affects on property values, which is
difficult to determine and generally considered to be outside of the City's scope of review.
Appeal Point 44. There is plenty of cell phone coverage from multiple carriers in this immediate
area. There is no need for a cell phone transmission tower on Penny Royal Lane. It is of no
benefit to the San Rafael citizens living here.
Response and Findiniz: The point of appeal that there is plenty of cell phone coverage from multiple
carriers in this immediate area, that there is no need for a cell phone transmission tower on Penny
Royal Lane, and that it is of no benefit to the San Rafael citizens living here does not provide
sufficient grounds to uphold the appeal. As discussed in the report to the City Council, the State
Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority in determining the need for such equipment.
The City purview in this case is limited to design compatibility and aesthetic impacts of the project,
through assuring conformance with City design policies. Undergrounding and concealment of
equipment has been required to the extent feasible, which is deemed appropriate and supported by
City General Plan policies and design criteria.
Appeal Point #5. Request that ExteNet find an alternate location that would not pose a health
risk that is unnecessary.
Response and Finding: The appeal request that ExteNet find an alternate location that would not
pose a health risk that is unnecessary cannot be supported. As stated above the City cannot regulate
this facility based on perceived health risks. as the analysis prepared for the project indicates the
facility would comply with FCC regulations. Based on finding that the facility would not generate
RF emissions exceeding 5% of the FCC exposure limit for the general public and therefore is
considered to pose no health risk. The City purview is primarily related to consideration of the
aesthetic impacts of the facility, and the City may encourage locations that provide the lowest
potential for visual impact on neighborhoods.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council does hereby deny
the Appeal (AP12-006) and upholds the September 25, 2012 decision of the Planning Commission action
granting a Master Use Permit (UPI 1-020), a Master Environmental and Design Review Permit (ED 11-024)
and Exception (EX 12-002) for the ExteNet Systems, LLC in its entirety approving a wireless infrastructure
distributed antenna system network within public rights of way consisting of five initial antenna nodes
including node LUC-003A which is the subject of this appeal based on the following findings:
Master Use Permit (UP 11-020)
Findings
A. The project. as conditioned. is in accord with the pertinent San Rafael General Plan 2020 Infrastructure
Element policies including. Policy I-2 (adequaev of irrtr•astructur•e). I-4 (utility under•gr•ounding), and
1-15 (access to reliable, rnoder•n and cost-effective telecorninunications) and the general objectives and
purposes of the zoning ordinance given that, i) the proposed wireless antenna infrastructure omni -
antenna. supports and equipment cabinets would be designed to minimize visual impacts, including
screening and undergrounding of cabinets to be compatible with the existing neighborhood and other
4
utility infrastructure improvements in the neighborhoods, and ii) project conditions require
modification or relocation of the wireless antenna infrastructure_ at such time as the other electric, cable
and telephone utility infrastructure that share the above ground utility pole infrastructure can be
relocated underground which would render the joint utility pole obsolete.
B. The project, as conditioned, would not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare or
materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity or the general welfare of the City
given that the facility has been reviewed to assure compliance with Federal Communications
Commission limits on general public exposure to radio-frequency radiation emissions would be met,
the wireless antenna has been required to be designed to blend with existing infrastructure, and an
encroachment permit is required to be obtained to assure the time, manner and place of access to the
public rights-of-way is conducted in accord with City Public Works Department requirements.
C. The project, as conditioned complies with each provision of San Rafael Municipal Code (SRMC)
Section 14.16.360 given that all required entitlements have been submitted and reviewed for this case,
including design review, and the design would result in wireless antenna infrastructure improvement
project that minimizes visual impacts of the facility to the maximum extent deemed feasible and
necessary; as discussed further in the Environmental and Design Review Permit findings.
Master Environmental and Design Review Permit (EDI1-024)
Findings
A. The project design is in accord with the General Plan, the objectives of the Zoning Ordinance, and the
purposes of Zoning Ordinance Chapter 25 (Design Review) given that the project has been reviewed
by the Design Review Board and Planning Commission for compliance with the Wireless
communications facility criteria in SRMC Section 14.16.360 to ensure that the design is compatible
with its setting, as required by the General Plan and "Zoning Ordinance.
B. The project design is consistent with all applicable site, architecture and landscaping design criteria
given that the project design would minimize visual impacts by concealing conduit runs, replacing
existing utility poles to minimize aesthetic impacts of taller pole heights required by the antenna,
minimizing the size of equipment enclosures and undergrounding related mechanical equipment, and
has applied for and obtained approval for an exception to exceed the maximum 30 foot height limit
that applies to the area, which may be permitted for wireless facilities through design review approval.
C. As conditioned, the project design minimizes environmental impacts and given that it involves a minor
utility infrastructure project located within public rights-of-way, which qualifies for a categorical
exemption from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); pursuant to
Sections 15301.b and 15303.d.
t). The project design will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare. nor materially
injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity given that the project has been reviewed by the
appropriate agencies and conditioned accordingly, and as fiirther discussed under Use Permit Finding
B above.
Exception (EX12-002)
Findings
A. There are special circumstances applicable to the project that warrant an exception to the 30 -foot
height limit, given that the project involves a wireless telephone infrastructure improvement that
would require a location on utility poles which typically are not subject to the zoning height limit
provisions, and which is considered appropriate to achieve coverage and minimize design impacts
of the project.
B. Granting of the exception would not be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the
vicinity or to the health, safety or welfare of the general public, as discussed in Use Permit Finding
B and Environmental and Design Review Permit Finding D above.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of San Rafael upholds and
approves the requests for a Use Permit, Environmental and Design Review Permit and Exception to height
subject to the following conditions:
Master Use Permit (UPI1-020)
Conditions of Approval
Community Development Department, Planning Division
1. This approval grants a Master Use Permit for installation of distributed antenna system (DAS) wireless
antenna infrastructure within public rights-of-way by the ExteNet Systems telephone corporation, and
its successor(s), as indicated on approved plans and subject to compliance with all Environmental and
Design Review Permit (ED 11-024) conditions of approval.
2. Any changes, modifications, expansions, alterations, etc. proposed to the distributed antenna system
"DAS" network infrastructure shall be subject to prior review and approval by the Planning Division to
assure it remains in compliance with this approval. The Community Development Director shall
determine whether such change, modification, expansion, alteration, etc. shall require a major or minor
amendment to this use permit approval.
3. An expansion of the DAS system network shall be permitted under the terms of this use permit without
requiring an amendment, provided that it consists of an expansion of the original system approved
under this permit with antenna nodes similarly spaced and designed consistent with the related design
approval ED] 1-024 and a minor design permit is obtained.
4. The DAS system equipment shall not preclude any efforts in the future to underground utility wires and
utility infrastructure in the area. In the event that other utility equipment is proposed to be placed
underground, the telephone corporation responsible for the DAS equipment shall agree to obtain
rel ised zoning approvals to relocate its infrastructure or retain the equipment on stand alone utility
poles.
�. The applicant shall comply Nvith all post -approval requirements for wireless facilities as required by
Section 14.16.360.N of the San Rafael Zoning Ordinance. as they may be updated from time to time,
including the folloNx ing:
6
a. Within forty-five (45) days of commencement of operations, the applicant for the wireless
communication facility shall provide the community development department with a report,
prepared by a qualified expert, indicating that the actual RFR levels of the operating facility,
measured at the property line or nearest point of public access and in the direction of maximum
radiation from each antenna, is in compliance with the standards established by the FCC for
RFR.
b. The owner or operator of an approved wireless communication facility shall participate in and
pay proportionate cost for periodic review of measurement by the City of the RFR of the
facility, to be scheduled and conducted on a routine basis by the City.
c. The owner or operator of an approved wireless communication facility shall remove any
abandoned facilities or restore the existing approved use of a facility within ninety (90) days of
termination of use.
d. Any operational or technological changes to an approved wireless communication facility
affecting RFR exposures shall be reported promptly to the city, including any change of
ownership. The city may require new RFR testing within forty-five (45) days of notification.
e. Owner or operators of all approved wireless communication facilities shall make necessary
changes or upgrades to their facilities in order to comply with any newly adopted FCC
standards for RFR. Upgrades to facilities shall be made no later than ninety (90) days after
notification of the changed FCC standards and the owner or operator shall notify the city in
writing that the upgrades have been completed.
f. The City will contract with a qualified expert to perform the testing and the owners or operators
shall bear the proportionate cost of testing for its facility.
6. ExteNet and or its client(s) shall place and maintain an 8" wide by 12" high permanent RFR caution
sign in English and Spanish at the base of the 6" tall utility pole extension just above the cross arm. The
sign shall be compliant with FCC OET Bulletin 65 or ANSI 095.2 for color, symbol and content
conventions. The sign shall provide at all times a working local or toll free telephone number to its
network operations center, and such telephone number shall reach a live person who can exert
transmitter power -down control over this site as required by the FCC. The location of the sign must be
visible immediately prior to climbing above the base of the utility pole extension.
7. An encroachment permit shall be obtained for the work within public -rights-of-way.
8. This Use Permit approval shall be valid for two years from date of approNal, and shall expire unless an
encroachment permit has been submitted and work is pursued diligentl} to completion.
N
Master Environmental and Design Review Permit (EDI1-024)
Conditions of Approval
Cormnuniry Develolmient Departrnent, Planning Division
1. This Design Review Permit (EDI1-024)shall be valid for two years from approval, or until September
25, 2014, and shall be null and void if an encroachment permit is not issued or a time extension granted
prior to the expiration date. Once the encroachment permit is issued and the facilities are installed, the
Design Review Permit shall remain valid and run with the land subject to all conditions of approval.
2. The building techniques, materials, elevations and appearance of this project, as presented for approval
by the Planning Commission on September 25, 2012, shall be the same as required for the issuance of
an encroachment permit, except as further conditioned herein. Any future additions, expansions,
remodeling, etc., shall be subject to the review and approval of the Community Development Director.
3. The distributed antenna system network infrastructure shall be designed as indicated on approved plans,
consisting of initial installation of five antenna nodes comprised of the following details or
components:
a. A small 2'2" by 16" diameter omni -antenna attached to the top of a utility pole replacement,
without need for any extension arm.
b. New poles shall be placed in the same location as existing utility poles.
c. Conduit runs shall be concealed with U -Guard painted to match the pole.
d. Equipment cabinets shall be placed in underground vaults, in order to minimize visual blight
and potential for graffiti.
e. Existing utility poles may be replaced with taller poles (e.g., allowing placement of wireless
antenna on poles exceeding the height limit established for the area) if necessary to provide the
minimum 6 -feet of separation required for safety between the proposed antenna facility
equipment and PG&E electrical transmission lines.
4. Prior to issuance of an encroachment permit, the following changes shall be made to the plan and
installed accordingly:
a. The "skirting" proposed on the project plans to conceal the bracket and wire connections below
the omni -antennas shall not be utilized (consistent with the recommendation of the Design
Ret iexN Board to reduce the visual impact of the facility).
b. The location I.UC-004B is approved at the Manual T Freitas,Nlunson Park location instead of
the previously proposed Hibiscus Nkay site.
c. All utilitx cabinets for all locations shall be placed underground.
S. Additional nodes may be added to the network, as deemed permitted under the terms of Master Use
Permit (UPI 1-020), through grant of an administrative environmental and design review permit and
subject to compliance with stealth design approaches approved herein and shown on project plans.
6. Construction activities shall comply with City's Noise Ordinance.
Department Qf Public Works
7. The applicant shall apply for and receive an encroachment permit for this work prior to any
construction or operation occurring. Proper security such as a bond shall be required to assure the
equipment shall be removed in the event of its discontinued use.
8. It is recommended and in the interest of the City to have a single contractor perform work in one
neighborhood to avoid conflicts.
9. The applicant shall pursue utilization of the smallest equipment cabinet enclosure possible.
10. ExteNet shall enter into an agreement with PG&E or AT&T to remove the facilities firom the joint
utility pole and public rights-of-way if in the future they are no longer needed.
1. Provide a signed agreement with AT&T or PG&E allowing the use of the existing utility pole and
infrastructure. Provide verification that ExteNet has rights to work on these facilities and is covered
under state franchise agreement,
12. Provide evidence of easements for any infrastructure occurring outside of public rights of way.
Exception (EX12-002)
Conditions of Approval
Community Development Department, Planning Division
I. This Exception EX 12-002 permits new omni -antenna to be placed on utility poles in excess of the 30 -
foot height limit established in the subject residential areas, as part of a wireless antenna infrastructure
project, consistent with and subject to related zoning entitlements UP 11-020 and ED 11-024 granted for
the ExteNet Lucas Valley DAS Infrastructure Project.
1, ESTHER C. BEIRINE, Clerk of' the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was
duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San
Rafael, held on :Monday. the 19t" ofNoN ember 20 1-2, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBLRS: Connolly. Heller. Levine,;McCullough& Mayor Phillips
NOES: COL1NCILME."vIBfRS: None
ABSI','N'I-: COUNCILME,M131"RS: None
ESTI IER C. BEIR-Nf,-. (Cty ,;ler,.,_
9
David J. Carey
739 Penny Royal Lane
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-305-4831
October 1, 2012
San Rafael City Council
San Rafael, CA 94901
RE: Appeal to thXP anning Commission decision to allow an Extenet transmitter
on Penny Royal Lane.
Dear Mr. Mayor and San Rafael City Council,
On September 2521' the Planning Commission approved the installation of cell phone
transmission equipment in Terra Linda. One of the locations is on a telephone pole
immediately adjacent to my property in my backyard. I strongly object to the
installation, as I fear health risks to my family from the transmission of cellular
signals. The transmitter will be located at the top of the pole, forty-three feet high
and less than one hundred feet from our patio area and gardens.
I believe there are a total of five of these installations planned for Terra Linda. In
Extenet's original plans there were two in residential areas, one on Hibiscus Way
and one on Penny Royal Lane. The three others are on medians of divided secondary
reads, Las Gallinas, Freitas Parkway and Del Ganado. The Design Review Board
requested that the two in the residential areas be relocated. The one on Hibiscus
Way was relocated to Freitas Parkway, the one on Penny Royal behind my house
was left I believe this one should be relocated as well. You can imagine how we feel
being the only house in San Rafael with a cell phone tower in our backyard. This is
complete violation.
The telephone poles will have a sign posted with a health warning that some type of
electronic transmission is being made. What do think that will do to the resale value
of my property when I go to retire in 10 years. I wouldn't buy a house with a
warning for dangerous transmission right in the back yard, I an-, honestly appalled
the Planning Commission approved this without requesting the transmitter planned
for my backyard be located elsewhere.
There is plenty of cell phone coverage from multiple carriers in this inlinediate area.
Most people on my street have Internet DSL service with Wi-Fi, which also connects
I- It t - -aiisn
,_0 Cell prones, There is no need for a cell nhmie ti . iission tower on Penny Royal
Lane. It is of no benefit to the San Rafael citizens living here.
CC 1Ve6tir79 Nov. 19, 2012
File No, AP 12-006
Exhibit 3- Appeal Letter
I respectfully request that you hear and approve my appeal and ask the Extenet
people to find an alternate location for this transmitter. We have lived in our house
and been a part of this community for twenty-one years and would like to remain
here without the threat of a health risk that is completely unnecessary. Thank you
for your consideration.
,5in,j�erely,
David J. Carey-----
WV1011IR11114191W111116ya
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVING A
MASTER USE PERMIT, ENVIRONMENTAL AND DESIGN REVIEW PERMIT AND
EXCEPTION (HEIGHT) FOR THE EXTENET SYSTEMS, LLC, LUCAS VALLEY
"DAS" WIRELESS ANTENNA INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT LOCATED WITHIN
PUBLIC RIGHTS-O&WAY
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2011, ExteNet Systems, LLC (a telephone corporation) filed
applications for installation of five omni -antenna and related wireless telephone equipment infrastructure
placed on existing utility poles in public rights-of-way throughout the Lucas Valley area of San Rafael, in
PD and R residential zoning districts within the Santa Margarita, Terra Linda and Mont Marin -San
Rafael Park neighborhood areas (within Manuel T. Freitas, Las Gallinas Ave., Penny Royal Lane and Del
Ganado Road rights-of-way); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to a pre -application review PA 10-004 conducted for the project, at the
request of the applicant, it was confirmed and established that ExteNet Systems has, i) obtained a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by the California Public Utilities Commission
(PUC), which is required for a telephone corporate to utilize public rights of way pursuant to PUC
Section 7901, ii) that Extenet Systems is a member of the Joint Poles Authority, established to assure
joint use and maintenance of utility poles, and iii) that the project would remain subject to the City of
San Rafael Wireless communications facilities provisions of its municipal code, section 14.16.360; and
WHERE AS, on June 19 and August 7, 2012 the City of San Rafael Design Review Board
reviewed the project. On August 7, 2012, the DRIB by a vote of 4-0-2 (with Chair Kent and Member
Lentini abssnt) recommended approval of the project to the Planning Commission, with certain
conditions, including: 1) their support of project without extended skirt at the base of the antenna; 2)
alternate placement/location of underground antennae on Manuel Freitas instead of Hibiscus Way; and 3)
underground placement of all cabinets; and
W1 ERE AS, upon review of the application, the project has been determined to be exempt 'troin
the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301(b) and
Section 15303(d) of the CEQA Guidelines which exempts utility extensions and utility improvements;
and
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2012, the San Rafael Planning Commission held a duly noticed
public hearing on the project zoning entitlements, accepting all oral and written public testimony and the
C,
written report of the Community De -N clopment Department staff
KIEREAS, the custodian of documents which constitute the record of'proccedings upon lvhich
this decision is based is the Community Development Department
fl' !RESOLVE j-,, the Planning Celli ni ission makes the '10110\�illg
findings:
Use Permit (UPI 1-020)
Fiqfflngs
1 h Proicct.aS Condi-Lioned. accold- kith he pel ipent San Rafa,--] General Plan ...020;`
1llfras-LrLlCt1,lFe Elenici-it poiik:-Ixsli: 11i 2i-1-olic-v 1`--2 qj'hv1 asirlicitli-4 1-4' tiitililj
and --T 'i io 'hie, Modern C'no-, C0St-C/,:,,,eC[i1v tel -
the general objectives and purposes of the zoning ordinance given that, i) th
CC illieeting Nov. 19, 2012
File No. AP 12-006
Exhibit 4- PC Resolution 12-17
antenna infrastructure omni -antenna, supports and equipment cabinets would be designed to
minimize visual impacts, including screening and undergrounding of cabinets to be compatible with
the existing neighborhood and other utility infrastructure improvements in the neighborhoods, and
ii) project conditions require modification or relocation of the wireless antenna infrastructure at such
time as the other electric, cable and telephone utility infrastructure that share the above ground
utility pole infrastructure can be relocated underground which would tender the joint utility pole
obsolete.
B. The project, as conditioned, would not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare or
materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity or the general welfare of the City
given that the facility has been reviewed to assure compliance with Federal Communications
Commission limits on general public exposure to radio-frequency radiation emissions would be met,
the wireless antenna has been required to be designed to blend with existing infrastructure, and an
0
encroachment permit is required to be obtained to assure the time, manner and place of access to the
public rights-of-way is conducted in accord with City Public Works Department requirements.
C. The project, as conditioned complies with each provision of San Rafael Municipal Code (SRMC)
Section 14.16.360 given that all required entitlements have been submitted and reviewed for this
case, including design review, and the design would result in wireless antenna infrastructure
improvement project that minimizes visual impacts of the facility to the maximum extent deemed
feasible and necessary; as discussed further in the Environmental and Design Review Permit
Findings.
Environmental and Design Review Permit (EDI 1-024)
Findings
A. The project design is in accord with the General Plan, the objectives of the Zoning Ordinance, and
the purposes of Zoning Ordinance Chapter 25 (Design Review) given that the project has been
reviewed by the Design Review Board and Planning Commission for compliance with the Wireless
communications facility criteria in SRMC Section 14.16.3 60 to ensure that the design is compatible
with its setting, as required by the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
2. The project design is consistent with all applicable site, architecture and landscaping design criteria
given that the project design would minimize visual impacts by concealing conduit runs, replacing
existing utility poles to minimize aesthetic impacts of taller pole by heights required the antenna,
0 1
minimizing the size of equipment enclosures and tnAergroundii— related mechanical equipment and
has applied for and obtained approval for an exception to exceed the maximum 30 foot height limit
that applies to the arca, which may be permitted for wireless facilities through design review
approval.
C. As conditioned, the project design minimizes environmental impacts and given that it invokes a
minor Litilit-, infrastructure prcje;--t located within public rights-of-wav, x;hich qualifies for a
Categorical exemption from the proN isioiis of the California Em, ironinuntal 011ality Act (CEQA);
pursuant to Sections 15301 b and 15303d.
D. The de's; 1-1,01 be deter i Inenta1 to the 1-Jublic The- ltll.Y or "-' el farc. nor Iv
injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinit}' given that the project has bc'cn re6ewed b\
the and co-n'lilion'--d - -P�;' I
disc—c-Q,--d und--r Us,-� R�r! 0.
1 1 -020 Findina B above,
A. There are special circumstances applicable to the project that warrant an exception to the 30 -foot
height limit, given that the project involves a wireless telephone infrastructure improvement that
would require a location on utility poles which typically are not subject to the zoning height limit
provisions, and which is considered appropriate to achieve coverage and minimize design
impacts of the project.
B. Chanting of the exception would not be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in
the vicinity or to the health, safety or welfare of thegeneral public, as discussed in Use Permit
Finding B and Environmental and Design Review Permit Finding D above.
BE 1T FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the City of San Rafael
approves the requests for a Use Permit, Environmental and Design Review Permit and Exception to
height subject to the following conditions:
Use Permit (UP11-020)
Conditions of Approval
Cornrnxnity Development Department, Planning Division
1. This approval grants a Master Use Permit for installation of distributed antenna system (DAS)
wireless antenna infrastructure within public rights-of-way by the ExteNet Systems telephone
corporation, and its successor(s), as indicated on approved plans and subject to compliance with all
Environmental and Design Review Permit(ED 11-024) conditions of approval.
2. Any changes, modifications, expansions, alterations, etc, proposed to the distributed antenna system
"DAS" network infrastructure shall be subject to prior review and approval by the Planning Division
to assure it remains in compliance with this approval. The Community Development Director shall
determine whether such change, modification, expansion, alteration, etc. shall require a major or
minor amendment to this use permit approval.
3. An expansion of the DAS system network shall be permitted under the terms of this use permit
without requiring an amendment, provided that it consists of an expansion of the original system
approved under this permit with antenna nodes similarly spaced and designed consistent with the
related design approval EDI 1-024 and a minor design permit is obtained.
4. The DAS system equipment shall not preclude any efforts in the future to underground utility wires
and utility ir:frastructure in the area. In the event that other utility equipment is proposed to be placed
underground, the telephone corporation responsible for the DAS equipment shall agree to obtain
revised zoning approvals to relocate its infrastructure or retain the equipment on stand alone utility
poles.
5. The applicant shall comply with all post approval requirements for wireless facilities as required by
Section 14.16.360.'\ of the San Rafael Zoning Ordinance, as they may be updated front time to time.
including the following:
Within forty -civ{, (45) days of commencement of operations, the applicant for the N� ireless
conimuni_atin n fat_.ilitt- cin.di nroN.-ich- ilne .-onin-111tli1 rite. Aonnicnr �3-pa,t; ,.rnt t;;iti a repo t
r r ...-.., r rd.
prepared by a qualified expert. indicating that the actual RFR levels of the operating facility,
measured at the property line or nearest noint of rubji(' access tad in iltp direeticin of
maximum radiation from each antenna. is in compliance N� ith the standards established b;:
i FC - UR,
b. The owner or operator of an approved wireless communication facility shall participate in
and pay proportionate cost for periodic review of measurement by the City of the RFR of the
facility, to be scheduled and conducted on a routine basis by the City.
The owner or operator of an approved wireless communication facility shall remove any
abandoned facilities or restore the existing approved use of a facility within ninety (90) days
of termination of use.
d. Any operational or technological changes to an approved wireless communication facility
affecting RFR exposures shall be reported promptly to the city, including any change of
ownership. The city may require new RFR testing within forty-five (45) days of notification.
e. Owner or operators of all approved wireless communication facilities shall make necessary
changes or upgrades to their facilities in order to comply with any newly adopted FCC
standards for RFR.. Upgrades to facilities shall be made no later than ninety (90) days after
notification of the changed FCC standards and the owner or operator shall notiB/ the city in
writing that the upgrades have been completed.
The City will contract with a qualified expert to perform the testing and the owners or
operators shall bear the proportionate cost of testing for its facility.
ExteNet and or its client(s) shall place and maintain an 8" wide by 12" high permanent RFR caution
sign in English and Spanish at the base of the 6' tall utility pole extension just above the cross arm.
The sign shall be compliant with FCC OET Bulletin 65 or ANSI C95.2 for color, symbol and content
conventions. The sign shall provide at all times a working local or toll free telephone number to its
network operations center, and such telephone number shall reach a live person who can exert
transmitter power -down control over this site as required by the FCC. The location of the sign must
be visible immediately prior to climbing above the base of the utility pole extension.
7. An encroachment permit shall be obtained for the work within public -rights-of-way.
8. This Use Permit approval shall oc valid for two years from date of approval, and shall expire unless
an encroachment permit has been submitted and work is pursued diligently to completion.
Environmental and Design Review Permit (i DII-024)
Conditions of Approval
Cott munitj= Derelolmient Department, Plaa777ing Division
1. This Design Review Permit (EDI 1-024) shall be valid for t No years from approval, or until
September 25, `;014, and shall be n and void if an encroachment permit is not issued or a time
extension granted prior to the expiration; date. Once the encroachment permit is issued and tiie
facilities are installed, the Design Review Permit shall remain valid and run N\ ith the land subjcci io
all conditions of approval.
2. The building" techniques, materials, elevations and appearance of this project, as presented for
a>pri le'). i" Cnf,�rovnbthF,Pinnnincy t�.�qh"111
issuance of .an encroachment perniit, except as further conditioned hs rein. :any future additions.
exriansictis, remodeling. eic.. :lull be S?_i'bject to the rel"iev,- ;and approi ai of the Con;ILMits
i evelo (menu Director,
-4-
The distributed antenna system net -work infrastructure shall be designed as indicated on approved
plans, consisting of initial installation of five antenna nodes comprised of the following details or
components:
a. A small 2'2" by 16" diameter on -mi -antenna attached to the top of a utility pole replacement,
without need for any extension arm,
b. New poles shall be placed in the same location as existing utility Poles.
c. Conduit runs shall be concealed with U -Guard painted to match the pole.
d. Equipment cabinets shall be placed in underground vaults, in order to minimize visual blight
and potential for graffiti.
c. Existing utility poles may be replaced with taller poles (e.g., allowing placement of wireless
antenna on poles exceeding the height limit established for the area) if necessary to provide
the minimum 6 -feet of separation required for safety between the proposed antenna facility
equipment and PG&E electrical transmission lines.
4. Prior to issuance of an encroachment permit, the following changes shall be made to the plan and
installed accordingly:
a. The "skirting" proposed on the project plans to conceal the bracket and wire connections
below the omni -antennas shall not be utilized (consistent with the recommendation of the
Design Review Board to reduce the visual impact of the facility).
b. The location LUC-004B is approved at the Manual T Freitas/Munson Park location instead
of the previously proposed Hibiscus Way site.
c. All utility cabinets for all locations shall be placed underground.
5. Additional nodes may be added to 11-c network, as deemed permitted under the tecins of maste- Usp,
Permit (UPI 1-020), through grant of an administrative environmental and design review permit and
subject to compliance with stealth design approaches approved herein and shown on project plans.
6. Construction activities shall comply with City's Noise Ordinance.
Depal-1777MF 01'Public TVorks
The applicant shall apply for and receive an encroachment permit for this work prior to any
construction or operation occurring.
It is recommended and in the interest of the City to have a single contractor peribrin Nvork in one
neighborhood to avoid conflicts.
9� The applicant shall pursue utilization t -)f the smallest equipment cabinet enclosure possiblN.
10. ExteNet shall enter into an agreement with PG&E or AT&T to remove the facilities from the joint
—11 pole an— I �bli igl
1 1 - , -- - +� A
Pro%:-,M� c;nn,,ri AT��,� T , — f,
or I I !0---� I Sri Z- ,_,L U
infraSti-LICU11-C. Provide \,erilfication that ExteN,,el leas rights to Nvork on these facilities and is covered
Phldej- siate 11 ancli-isc agrectijeot.
Z:11
-5-
12. Provide evidence of easements for any infrastructure occurring outside of public rights of way.
Exception (EX12-002)
Cott nntniy Development Department, Planning Division
1. This Exception EX121-002 permits new omni -antenna to be placed on utility poles in excess of the 30 -
foot height limit established in the subject residential areas, as part of a wireless antenna
infrastructure project, consistent with and subject to related zoning entitlements UPI 1-020 and ED
11-024 granted for the ExteNct Lucas Valley IFAS Infrastructure Project.
The foregoing Resolution was adopted at the regular City of San Rafael Planning Commission meeting
held on the 25"' day of September, 2012.
Moved by Commissioner Pick and seconded by Commissioner Robertson.
AYES: COMMISSIONERS Colin, Pick, Robertson, Schaefer and Chair Wise
NOES: COMMISSIONERS None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS Paul
SAN RAFAEL PLANNING COMMISSION
A-FTEST: BY:
Paul A. Jensen, Secretary ViktoriyaV�risc, Chair
CITY OF
Meeting Date: September 25.2012
�
".~�� n* Agendabenm:
CommuoityDevo|opmentDepartment-PlanninQDhvimion Case Numbers: UP11'20.ED11'24.EX12-002
R0. Box 1515O0.San Rafael, C4 84915-1560
PHONE: (415) 485-3085/FAX: (415) 485-3184 Project Planner: Kraig Tambonnini-(415)485-
3D92
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT: Lucas Valley Area (ExteNet Systems DAS Network) - Use Permit, Environmental
and Design Review Permit and Exception for installation Cf8wireless @DtSDn8 network
within City public rights-of-way, as part Of 8 distributed anhBDD8 SySt8D1 ("D/\G^) public
telephone infrastructure project proposed to be implemented by ExteNet Systems, a
telephone COrpO[3ti0D. The network vvOU|d be Q}Dlphs8d of five /5> DOd8S. consisting Of
2'2" tall by 18" diameter O[DDi-@DteDn8 placed OD top Of joint Uh|ih/ pO|8S and ground
mounted equipment placed at VF below grade near each antenna node. The project
8pODSO[ is |iCeDG8d by the State of California PUC as a telephone corporation that
provides iDfraS\[UCtUne for wireless telephone service providers. The equipment within
G@O Rafael is part of larger network that would extend to the City Of Novato. Address:
EXiSUDQ public rights-of-way in the median strip of Las G8||iDa3 Ave (1900 b|OCk). Del
(3aO8dO Rd (800 block), Las G@||iO@SAve at Montevideo Way, adjacent to property at
714 Penny Royal Lane and 8|VOg Manuel T. Freitas parkway near Las P8V@d8G; T8[[8
Linda, Santa Margarita and Mont Marin -San R8f88| Park neighborhood areas.
ExteNet Systems, ULC is 8teleph0Oe corporation that installs enhanced wireless antenna telephone
infrastructure (8h8' distributed @OLeOO8 avoteOlS. "D/\S") within public rights-of-way, under the prOViSiOOS
of Ca Codes CPUC 7901-7912. Ex[eNethas received its required authorizations from the State Public
Utilities CDDlrDiSSi0D to iDSt8|| infrastructure within rights-of-way as 2 public utility, and is @ DlBDlbe[ of the
Joint Poles Authority (which is an 8[[8Og8OUeDt between utility providers for use and nl8iOteDaOC8 Of
shared above ground utility poles). Staff has determined that the project, although G public utility
improvement, [8Dl8iOS SUbi8Ct to the Wireless CODl[DUDiC8UODS facilities p[OViSi0OS of the San Rafael
yWUDiCip8| Code Section 14.18.380; particularly to 38SU[8 C000p|i3Oc8 with S[08|th design and Radio
Frequency (RF) e[DioSi0D Si3Od8PdS. As such, the project requires a Use Permit, Envi[UO[DSDt@| and
Design Review Permit and Exception to exceed the height limit of 30 feet for the subject 8[e@8. The
project is being processed as W18Gt8[ Use Permit and Design Review Permit entitlements, aGthe facility
is a single iDh'8S[[UCtUFe network and may be expanded from time to time. The facility will also require
iSSU8DCe Of an encroachment permit from Public \8/O[hS for work in the City rights-of-way.
The "D/\G^ infnlstnuCLUn3 is proposed to be installed in the existing pUb1k: hA nJOOiOg from north
San Rafael through K8ahO County and into the City Of Novato, to provide inh@StnUCtU[G for vire|8SS
service providers that would serve residential properties in the Lucas Valley area, west of Highway 101.
Wireless telephone service providers (e.g.. C3[/i8rS such as Gp[iOL AT&T, T -mobile, etc.) COU|d utilize the
"DA8"te|8CO[DDlUDiC6diOOS infrastructure t0extend orenhance their services in these 3F88S. CUrneOUy,
the infrastructure is p[OpO38d to Serve T -Mobile, as 8 client OfExteNBt. The oO0p8Dy. EXteNet, does not
provide wireless services it5e|f', theiehjne, does not require aD FCC or PUC license to operate.
Tvvo of the five antenna nodes are located vvithin the nlediaO Of Las G3UiOaS Avenue. |n the Mont
Marin/San Rafael P8d< neighborhood. The remaining three sites, located within the Terra Linda/Santa
M@[g8ht8 neighborhood area, include two nodes adjacent to FBS{deOba| |Cd
Hibiscus Way and one node within the Del G8Dado Road median strip. TheE CC Meeting Nov. 10' 20/2
FXeNo. APY2-00O
Exhibit 5-PCStaff Report
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMIbslON - Case No: UPI 1-20, EDI 1-24, EXI 2-02 Page 2
residentially designated neighborhoods. The zoning classifications of adjacent properties include R5,
R7.5, R10, R-20, PD and R5 -EA. Zoning district development standards(i.e., lot coverage, setbacks,
etc.) would not apply to utility equipment placed in public rights-of-way. However, the standards in
Chapter 14.16.360 (Site & Use regulations) would apply to installation of the wireless antenna facilities.
Therefore, the 30 -foot height limit established for the area pursuant to the General Plan 2020 Exhibit 8
would also be applicable to the project.
The project has been reviewed and recommended by the Design Review Board, with changes. As a
result of DRB's review, facility LUC004A has been moved from a front yard location on Hibiscus Way to
the Manuel T. Freitas location (aka, LUC 004B). The Board supported the five locations, subject to
elimination of a proposed skirt screening below the antenna and with undergrounding of all equipment
cabinets (as recommended by staff). Staff supports the project, with incorporation of the additional
revisions recommended by the DRB,
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving a Master Use Permit,
Environmental and Design Review permit and height Exception for the ExteNet Systems DAS project,
with conditions.
History
On December 22, 2010 the City completed pre -application review (PA10-004) for the project, which
included review by the Department of Public Works and City Attorney's office. Applicable City permit
requirements and preliminary project issues were identified as a result of this preliminary review. A
formal application was filed on March 25, 2011, and referred internally for review. As a result of the pre -
application review, ExteNet eliminated a proposed new utility pole installation that was proposed at the
end of Cedar Hill Drive off Lucas Valley Road, and a proposed side mount antenna on the Las Gallinas
Ave location. Pole -top installations were viewed as a less obtrusive design solution. Formal review of the
project submittal was suspended in order for ExteNet to conduct a public informational meeting, which
was conducted October 12, 2011. Peer review of the proposed antenna equipment was completed by a
third party, Kramer Firm, the City RFR consultant. Finally, the Design Review Board reviewed the project
at two meetings (June 19 and August 7, 2012), and recommended approval with some further revisions
to the proposed facility design and installation. Staff also notes that similar applications have been filed
and are being processed within Marin County and the City of Novato,
Utility Transmission Infrastructure Overviev.,
The utility poles within the City rights-of-way are generally used for electrical transmission, telephone
communications and cable television infrastructure. PG&E and AT&T are the primary owners of the poles
and transmission systems for electrical and telephone, and have rights under franchise agreements to
use the rights-of-way. Cable television providers require a local franchise agreement. Ownership and
maintenance of the poles are primarily controlled by PG&E and AT&T, and shared use by other providers
is managed through agreement by a Joint Poles Authority collaborative group.
AT&T maintained ownership of its 'telephone distribution line infrastructure following deregulation, and
must make its infrastructure available to other telephone service providers (as is also the case with the
PG&E n[-iA,n r lines, whi.k —uSt nroVi—rbm d—istri—butin—n for Marin Energy Authority and other energy
Z:1 Y
providers). Thus, for decades cities have had long-term working relationships with the utility transmission
cornnanies that maintain the nrimary diStribution infrastructure. The advent of new te!er)hone
technologies has opened the doors for new corporations to install infrastructure in the rights-of-way,
under thie CA Public Utility Col-tir-nission (PUC) regulations. Local authority is discussed furtr-ler below, but
generally is limited to issuance of an encroachment permit for installation of utility infrastructure in public
i Additional local, state and federal permit requirements apply to telephone service providers
(e.g.. C8Diers), including wireless telephone providers.
T«pic8||y, the initial iDS13||81iOD of utility infrastructure is addressed at time of subdivision approval, and
the cost for things such as UOdergR}UOdiDA can be placed On the deV8|0p8[ PG&E and AT&T routinely
underground their transmission |iDGS and equipment in new developments. UDde[gn]UOding of existing
lines can be 8CCODlp|iSh8d in older neighborhoods when funded through local programs. In order to
maintain the character of its neighborhoods and implement its design objectives, the City must diligently
promote its policies for UOde[O[OUDdiDg Of iDf[8St[UCtUFe where practical, particularly as smaller utility
corporations propose use of existing public rights-of-way for new technologies.
State Regulatory Authority
The State Public Utilities C0OlDliSSi0D has CODC{Uded that iDsta||@dOO of advanced te|eCOD101UOiC8ti0OS
infrastructure is of statewide CODCe[O. Pursuant to CPUC 1001-1013 the State maintains the authority for
iSSU8OCe of certificate of convenience and necessity /CPNC\ and franchise 8gneSnleOt authorizing
telephone corporations to construct iDf[8StrUCtUne in rights-of-way. CPUC 7901-7912 establish that
telephone corporations "Day CODGbDC/ telephone lines 8/0Og and upon any public road, highway, waters
or lanes NVfh/0 the state, may erect poles, posts, p/8cG or abutments for supporting insulators, wires and
other necessary fixtures Oftheir lines, /0such manner aSnot /Oincommode the public use 0fthe road Or
highway 0rinterrupt the navigation Ofw@h9y8."CPUC Section 234(8)defines "telephone line" tOinclude
all equipment in connection with or facilitating CODlDlUOiC3tiOO by telephone, with Or without use Of
t[8DSDliSSiOO wires.
Local Review Authority
The City may exercise reasonable control 8sb]time, QA9Ce, and manner iOwhich PO@ds, highways and
waterways are accessed. TObereasonable, "local controls shall b0applied tOall entities /OaDequivalent
manner." Typically, 3 t8|8ph0O8 CO[pO[8tiDO nlUSt only obtain ministerial |eVS| 8XCGV8tioO. encroachment
and/or building permits for infrastructure coOSt[uCbOO. /\ City's Public VVo[k8 Department D1@iDt8iOS
primary FeSpODSibi|ih/ for authorizing work in rights-Of-Vv@y.1 The City reserves its |OC8| @Uth0htv to
regulate cable or telecommunications SerViC8S provided by telephone cVrpOr8U0DS and Ce||U|8r Service
Car[ie[Sc' 3 and maintains CODt[0| over @CCe8S to and p|8cCOleDt Of new utility equipment in its public
rights-of-way. The G8Oe[@} Plan 2020 Infrastructure Element COOtaiOS |oC@| policy guidance regarding
iDSt8||8tiOO and O}GiDteDaDCe of public infrastructure.
Based OD its review Ofall of applicable |OC3| and state codes and City General P|@D 2020. staff has
determined that iDSt8U8dOO Of°D/\G"wireless facility iDfraGtRJCtUnS in {|hv hg neDl8iD subject to
the discretionary zoning pR}viSiODS OfSRK8C 14.18.360; in addition to obtaining eDCnO@Ch0eOt permits
for telephone iDfraSiTUCtUFe VVO[h. This vvOu!d include naVievv of RFR emission thresholds and stealth
design n3qUiPen08Ots. to the Ol8XiDlU[D extent practicable. ThSF8fOFe' staff has required a Master Use
Permit and EOVirODDl8Dt8| and Design Review Permit for the ExteN8t D/\8 xvine|SSS antenna system
network; in -lieu of requiring separate zoning permits for each 8Dt9DDa node location. The fO||0VViOg
minimum info[DlatiDn ha3boCn [8quinadfor the ''[}AG" network application:
�+ RFRreport for each node
�~
Plans for each node (Sit8.elevation and details)
Photographs for each node
Coverage Map showing areas that could be served bysystem inf[astruoturS
Photo -simulation for each node
^ Responsibilities for underlying property ovinee and City for the use, maintenance and improve menta in public rights-of-way
-re ea��inha��nthaCoSUae�ondH�hnmyaC,�e (Ca Codes ����t�18&CaCcdnu3JUU�3ON�
-
The PUC defers to the local government lor review Of cellular telecommunication service providers.
�
Cable/video providers remain subject local franchise ugeements, managed by K8arinTelecommunications Agency (0TA)
joint powers authority.
Peer review of the project design requirements and RFR emissions
Structural calculations for the subject utility poles
Joint Poles Authority agreement
> State CPNC granted for the subject telephone company
If a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determination was made by the CPUC for the project a
copy of this would also need to be submitted. Additional information could be requested, as necessary, to
confirm work is within a dedicated public right-of-way; such as a survey of the properties and respective
rights-of-way, title report confirming dedication of right-of-way in fee for public use, as well as map(s)
showing location of AT&T and PG&E transformer and related equipment that were installed to serve the
subdivision. This additional information was not needed as the facilities have been clearly established to
fall within dedicated public rights-of-way. Further, the environmental determination will be made by the
City.
The application materials provided have confirmed that ExteNet is a telephone corporation, has received
a State franchise agreement pursuant to the Ca PUC requirements, and has obtained membership in the
public utility pole infrastructure providers' Joint Pole Authority. Therefore, staff has determined that the
following general criteria should apply to this project in order to determine whether the facility design and
placement would maximize stealth opportunities in compliance with local standards and policies:
Existing pole dimensions should not be materially altered for placement of new antenna (e.g.,
maintaining existing pole heights andlor respecting the height limit of the zoning district)
Existing utility pole infrastructure should be utilized to the maximum extent possible
> Undergrounding of related ancillary equipment should be proposed to the maximum extent possible
(consistent with GP 2020 Policy 1-4 and existing subdivision characteristics) andlor new equipment
should be collocated near the existing utility cabinets in the subdivision
RFR emission standards should not cause General Public exposure thresholds to be exceeded
Any infrastructure proposed on private property would be subject to all discretionary provisions of
SRMC 14.16.360
"t- The use of existing public utility poles should not preclude future undergrounding of the shared facility
,infrastructure, including overhead utility lines and any related equipment
The joint pole authority owners should provide assurance for removal should equipment become
obsolete or abandoned
ExteNet Systems (California) LLC proposes to install a Distributed Antenna System ("DAS")
telecommunications network within the County of Marin (aka, Lucas Valley Network). "DAS" networks
provide telecommunications transmission services to wireless service providers (aka, carriers). "DAS"
infrastructure services allow wireless service providers to establish or expand their network coverage and
capacity. A "DAS" network consists of a series of telecommunications antennas and associated
equipment boxes, typically mounted on existing wooden utility poles within the public rights-of-way. The
antennas and equipment boxes are mounted on the same pole. These pole -mounted antennas and
equipment boxes are referred to as "nodes". Five such nodes within the Lucas Valley system are
proposed to be located within the City of San Rafael. (The other nodes within the system are proposed to
be located in the unincorporated County and City of Novato; which are also processing zoning
entitlements for system segments within their jurisdictions.) The nodes are linked by fiber-optic cable that
iS typically routed aerially from pole-to-pole, in some cases, "micro -trenching' is needed to COLItefibe'r.-
optic cable where there is no overhead infrastructure available. The fiber-optic cable is typically
connected to the intended wireless service clients equipment hub.
The proposed te|eC0[DDlUDic@tODS facility 8qUipOle[d VV0U|d be placed OD existing Uti|dv DO|e8 vvhhiD
existing hg throughout north G8O Rafael. Starting from the north and rOOviOQ south and east,
the five antenna "DOdeS"proposed iOSan Rafael are @Sfollows:
m LUC-014Alocated Vn8new 43 tall pole (replacing existing 3O'utility pole) iDthe center median of
Las CSaVlinas Ave at Twelve Oak Hill Dr, with at grade equipment cabinet.
° LUC-008A |OC8[ed OD 8 new 52' tall pO|8 (replacing existing 43' utility pole) in the center median of
Las GaHimasAve atMontevideo Dr, with Etgrade equipment cabinet.
m LUC-004B located on 8 new 47'6" pole (replacing 39` pole) @|0Dg Manual l[ Freitas at Munson
Park. with 8tgrade equipment cabinet.
» LUC-003A located OD @ new 43' 18U pole /[ep|8CiOg 37' pole) OD Penny Royal Lne' adjacent to 8
residential side yard, with below grade equipment vault in sidewalk.
w LUC-017A located on 8 new 43' [3U pole (n2p|8dOg 36' pD|8) in the center median of Dei Ganado
Rd at Duran Dr, and at grade equipment cabinet.
The sites would provide the potential for wireless telephone coverage and services to the surrounding
neighborhoods @|0Og Las G8UinoSAVe and Del G8nadO Rd. These @[e8S are SUrrOUOd8d by hills and
valleys that limit wireless service coverage provided by CODveOtiOD@| 8nte003S (see Project P|@DS -
COVengg8 W18p, Exhibit 5). All the UU|itv infrastructure i0pPDV8DleDtG are identified within the dedicated
public rights-of-way of Terra Linda Subdivision's N0.2 and No.5' recorded 1954. The five "OA8" nodes
proposed within the City UfSan R8fe8| include the following equipment components:
a. Omni -antennas measuring 2'-2"tall bv1O"diameter mounted OO4"bv4"bv0'post extensions b]the
existing utility poles capable of supporting 1900 — 2100 MHz bands of service.
Equipment cabinets at four locations measuring 6-2" tall bvZ-1"wide by2'-1"deep and electric
Dl8te[ placed at ground level, @pp[OXiDl@te|y 5 -feet from poles, to house battery backups and @ deka
node.
c. Cable runs underground from the cabinet through U -guard conduit along the pole to the antenna.
d. (]vedl83d fiber-optic line [UDS 8|OOg existing poles OD the Las G@UinaS Ave and Del GaO8dO
S8gDlSD[S' with short underground "n0iCn3-tFeDChing" runs on L@SP8v8d8S. DU[@O Road and Penny
Royal/Pine Lane .4 (See Project P|@D3 - Lucas Valley CODSt[u{tiOD Map) (Note: this CD[Dp0DeOt is not
subject to City discretionary review.)
The nodes would provide service coverage t0the residential neighborhoods in the Terra Linda. GaDL8
K8@rg8[it8 and Mont Marin/San Rafael Park OBighbndlOOdS. The pole |DC2bODS presented for
consideration are stated as maximizing the coverage Vbi8(tiV8s for the wireless service provider clients,
without" holes" 0run-served areas ofwireless coverage (see Project P|aOS-00ve[8ge08p).
RFR Emissions:
An RFR study has been required for the antenna OOd5S and CO[fimD8d to comply with FCC rules, as
required by the City regulations. The FCC establishes signage and RFR intensity requirements for both
service workers and general public exposure from t8|8Co[nrDUDiC8boDS antenna. Emissions that dO not
GXC88d 5% of the 08rirDUnl [8cOnlDleDded general HXpoGu[8 limit are considered to be a8f8 without
requiring any special miUQadoD (a.a. safety barriers: eiOnnge). Pepr ,evievv ofthe app|ioRnt's, ;lDFf nt/|dy
has been completed by Kramer'Firm, the City's RFR consultant for all 5 original nodes. Peer review Of
� Chyzoning �veadoes not opp�iothe ove�eadKdaoommuniuodonslines ex�ndedbetween ex�UnguU|hy�o�s�
the RA0Cat8d node LUC004B has not been deemed necessary 8Sthe chGc@ctehSiiCS are substantially
similar to the related facilities, including previous LUC004A which was closer to residential properties.
General Plan 2B28Consistency:
The pertinent San Rafael General P|8O 2020 |DfraStnJCtU[8 Element policies include Policy 1-2
(Adequacy of infrastructure), 1-4 (Utility m7dergmm7ding). and 1-15 (access to reliable, modern and cost-
effective teA;CVD7/nUn/C8bpnS). FzO|iCy 1-4 encourages UDdergPDuOdiDg of existing traOSDliSSiOD |iOHS. No
Specific policy has been developed neC0O0DleDdiDg UDd8rgrOundiOg Of new iOf[8St[UCtUne' as this is
already the standard for new development and implicit Of Policy 1-4. The City typically eXe[CiSGS its
CnDbo| over the design and placement of new utility iDfr8St[uCiU[8 during review and 8ppnOV8| of
subdivision i0p[OV8DlentS (State Subdivision Map Act 8eC1iOD 66410-65852.2). This USU8||y is
3CCO[Dp|iSh8d at the expense of the developer, pursuant to @RPWC Sections 15.08.130 (UDdengnOUDdiOg
Utilities) and Section 15.11.050 (Subdivision Improvement Agreements). This C8Se is unique in that it
iDv0|VeS new technologies that were not considered when the utility infrastructure was designed and
installed in the rights-of-way for the subject 8F8GS.
The project would b8 in 5UbS18Dti8| CU0p|i8DC8 with City pO|iCies, provided that 8SSUr3DC8S are nnod9 to
require Fe!VCghOO of the 0OODi-@Ot8DD8 at such time as the Other electric, C@b|8 and telephone utility
iOhBSt[UCtUre is [8|UC8fed underground [BDde[iDQ the utility pU|8 obsolete, and to 3SSUFe that the joint
pole authority vvOU|d r8iDOVe any equipment associated with the "OAS" project ShOU|d it become
obsolete. Furthermore, the 8DteDDG. its supports and equipment cabinets Sh0U|d be designed to
[DiDiDliZe ViSUG| iOlp8CtS' including SCFBeOiDg 8Od/V[ UDdergnOUOdiOg Of C8biDetS, to be CO[Dpadb|e with
the existing neighborhood and other utility infrastructure i[OpP0VeDleOtS in the neighborhoods. Note: draft
conditions of approval are recommended to 8ddn3SG these CUOCe[ns (Condition # Of UP11-020 and
Condition #2OfED11-O24).
Zoning Ordinance Consistency:
The proposed omni -antenna and equipment cabinets have been deemed tObe subject tDDesign Review
pursuant to Chapter 14.25 and 8RK0C 14.16.380, and require 3 major Exception pursuant to 8RN1{}
Chapter 14.24 to exceed the 30-fO0t height limit that applies to 'the area; in addition to obtaining an
encroachment permit for work. The project DOdeS8Ra8||pnDp0sedinke8stprefe[[edFeSid8Obe||Ooationm'
which are discouraged |0C8tiODS due to concerns with 88Gth8tiCS and perceived health risks. Further,
OiV8D the technology @sSOCi8t8d with this utility iDfrast/UCtU[S. which requires supporting gnDUOd Or pole -
mounted equipment at each node /OCatiOD in order to provide enhanced SerViC8S. and given that utility
companies typically do not provide routine |8Od5C8pe Dl8iDt8OenCe for their equipment, it is deemed
important that the City fully implement policies pnDDlodOg screening and UOde[g[OUDding Of utility
equipment in City rights-of-way in 0nd8[ to pFeSBn/e the character and aesthetic of its neighborhoods-,
consistent with the General Plan 2020 Neighborhood and Community Design Elements.
Based on this diScoS8i0n, it is important that the need for each node location be d80ons1rated, that the
number of nodes be minimized, that stealth design be maximized, and that FCC limits on RFR emissions
be maintained at the |Ovv88t recommended levels for general p0pU|@tiOO (e.g., public) exposure. Peer
review of the designs and RFFl eDliaSiOD3 has been required to CODfi[Ul that each node vvoU|d be
designed to COnlp|y with Dlini3luDl technical St8Odanjs. and CQ[Dp|y with [DiDi0uOl RFR 8DliSSi0nG
ihFeGh0|dS (Exhibit 4). Staff has COOC(Uded that the project may be supported with o few design ChaDA8S.
as recommended bythe Design Review Board: inc|udinO vnderOr0UOding 0f�|| �qUiprnent �abinpf�
Analysis of pertinent reqUirements and recornmended design changes are provided below.
71111''1 "1 IR", 11� 11111111111 l�11111 illiI, 1111 ill
�M
Chanter 16 — Site and Use Reaulations
Section 14.16.360 requires an RFR study, photo -simulations, coverage maps, landscape plans for
ground mounted equipment, and alternative site analysis be provided for wireless communications
facilities that are subject to major review, including those proposed within residential areas.
Local review of this equipment is required to minimize the potential safety and aesthetic impacts on
neighboring property owners and the community, preserve the visual character of the city and to ensure
public health and safety, consistent with federal law and Federal Communication Commissions (FCC)
regulations, acknowledge the community benefit associated with the provision of wireless communication
services within the city, and encourage the joint use of new and existing tower sites as a primary option
rather than construction of additional single -use towers. The pertinent design requirements to achieve
these objectives are discussed as follows:
Co -Location. Service providers are encouraged to co -locate with other existing facilities to minimize
the overall visual impact of the new facility. Co -location is preferred over new monopoles or other
towers erected. Sited to be screened by existing development, topography or vegetation to the extent
consistent with proper operation of the wireless communication facility. Additional new, irrigated
vegetation, or other screening, may be required as a condition of approval
Stealth Design. All wireless communication facilities shall have a stealth design to screen or reduce
visual impacts and blend the facility into the existing environment. Examples of stealth design are
facade -mounted antennas located within architectural features so they are screened from view, or an
antenna design that mimics architectural features so they appear to be a part of the building design,
or facilities with colors and materials to minimize visibility such as a non -reflective finish it) a color
compatible with the surrounding area.
Locations. New monopoles or towers shall not be located within residential, designated open space
or conservation areas unless sufficient technical and other information is provided to demonstrate to
the satisfaction of the planning commission or zoning administrator that location in such areas is
appropriate, subject to the findings that the location of the proposed facility site is essential to meet
the service demands of the carrier and no other alternative co -location, existing development or utility
facility site, or type of antenna support structure is feasible. This shall be documented by the
applicant providing a list of the locations of preferred technically feasible sites, the good faith efforts
and measures taken by the applicant to secure these preferred sites, and the specific reasons why
these efforts and measures were unsuccessful. and that the use of a monopole for the proposed
facility by itself or in combination with other existing, approved, and proposed facilities will avoid or
minimize adverse effects related to land use compatibility, visual resources and public safety.
Height. The maximum height of building -mounted antennas shall be in compliance with the height
limitations for the zoning district in which they are located. An exception to antenna height may be
granted by the planning commission or zoning administrator if the RFR exposures and aesthetic
quality of the proposed facility are found to be acceptable.
Setbacks. Towers. guy u,,ires, and accessory structures, including equipment cabinets, shall comply
with the setback requirements of the applicable zoning district Towers and support structures shall
be located a minimum of two hundred feet (200') or at least three (3) times the height of the tower,
whichever is greater, from existing residential units or vacant residentially Zoned property,
Landscaping. Wireless communication facilities shall be installed in a manner that maintains and
enhances existing vegetation and provides new landscape material to screen proposed facilities. The
emphasis cf the landscape d sigi i shall be to tvisuaily screen the proposed facility and stabilize soils
017 sloping sites. Introduced vegetation shall be native, drought tolerant species
screening
necies compatible ivith tha
predominant natural setting of the adjacent area. Existing trees and other screeni . ng vegetation in the
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISbION - Case No: UPI 1 -20, EDI 1-24, EXI 2-02 Page 8
vicinity of the proposed facility shall be protected from damage both during and after construction.
Submission of a tree protection plan prepared by a certified arborist may be required. All vegetation
disturbed during project construction shall be replanted with compatible vegetation and soils
disturbed by development shall be reseeded to control erosion. Appropriate provisions for irrigation
and maintenance shall be identified in the landscape plan. The city may impose a requirement for a
landscape maintenance agreement as a condition of approval.
Noise. Wireless communication facilities shall be constructed and operated in a manner that
minimizes noise. Wireless communication facilities shall operate in compliance with the noise
exposure standards in San Rafael Municipal Code Chapter 8.13, Noise. Normal testing and
maintenance activities shall occur between eight a. m. (8:00 a. m.) and six p.m. (6:00 p.m.), Monday
through Friday, excluding emergency repairs.
Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR). Wireless communication facilities operating alone and in
conjunction with other telecommunication facilities shall not produce RFR in excess of the standards
for permissible human exposure as adopted by the FCC. Applications for wireless communication
facilities shall include a RFR report, prepared by a qualified expert, which identifies the predicted and
actual (if available) levels of RFR emitted by the proposed facility operating by itself and in
combination with other existing or approved facilities which can be measured at the proposed facility
site. Measurements for RFR shall be based on all proposed, approved, and existing facilities
operating at maximum power densities and frequencies,
> Post -Approval Requirements. The following requirements apply to wireless antenna facilities:
* Within forty-five (45) days of commencement of operations, the applicant for the wireless
communication facility shall provide the community development department with a report,
prepared by a qualified expert, indicating that the actual RFR levels of the operating facility,
measured at the property line or nearest point of public access and in the direction of maximum
radiation from each antenna, is in compliance with the standards established by the FCC for RFR.
The city will contract to perform the testing with a qualified expert and the owners or operators
shall bear the proportionate cost of testing for its facility.
* The owner or operator of an approved wireless communication facility shall remove any
abandoned facilities or restore the existing approved use of a facility within ninety (90) days of
termination of use.
* Any operational or technological changes to an approved wireless communication facility affecting
RFR exposures shall be reported promptly to the city, including any change of ownership. The city
may require new RFR testing within forty-five (45) days of notification.
* Owner or operators of all approved wireless communication facilities shall make necessary
changes or upgrades to their facilities in order to comply with any newly adopted FCC standards
for RFR, Upgrades to facilities shall be made no later than ninety (90) days after notification of the
changed FCC standards and the Owner or operator shall notify the city in writing that the upgrades
have been completed,
RFR Emissions Review
A confirmation that the facility would comply with the FCC's RFR safety standards is sufficient for
purposes of Design Review. This discussion is provided for the benefit of the Board and public to confirm
that the applicable requirements have been met. Pursuant to the FCC Bulletin 65 Supplemental C,
harmful biological effects can occur from an exposure level from wireless antenna facilities of 4,0 W/kg;
i.e., specific absorption rate (SAR ' ) as averaged over the whole-body. After applying additional safety
factors, the FCC established its limits for whole-body exposure at 0.4 W/kg for "control I ed/occu pation al "
exposure and 0.08 VV/kg for "uncontrolled/general population" exposure, respectively. The FCC further
establishes special mitigation requirements for any -180iii-Ly that would generate an exposure level at or
above 5% (.0041A//kg) of the general population exposure limit,
The following QoOC|U8iOOS have been provided based UpOD a peer review by the City's independent
consultant, Kramer Firm, of the RFR studies prepared for the antenna nodes:
Node LUC-014A-ROW iDmedian 0fLas G8UiD88Ave 8tTwelve Oak Hill Dr, - This node would result
in an Ov8[8U height Of 46'3" with aD[eDD8 [DOUO[8d at 44' above grade, 8qUiprD8Ot cabinet 5 -feet
south Of the pole toward Twelve Oak Hill D[ intersection, at 5 -feet above grade. The Oe8[8St
residence is approximately 63 feet from the facility. The general eXpVSUr8 limit threshold falls b8|oVv
596 of the General Public Exposure limit at G distance of21-feetfrom the 8OteOD8, which is worst
case. Noaccessible area iSpredicted tOexceed the FCC 596general public exposure limit.
Node LUC-009A - ROW in the median of Las Gallinas Ave at Montevideo Dr, - This node would result
iOGDoverall height Of54'3"with antenna mounted Gt52`above grade, equipment cabinet 5-feetwest
Of the pole tDVV8Pd P8[hridge Rd intersection, at 5 -feet above grade. The nearest residence is
approximately 107 feet from the facility. The general 8xp0SUrB limit threshold f2\|S be|OVV 5% of the
General Public Exposure limit at a distance Of 21 -feet from the ant8DDe' at the height of the antenna
which iSworst case. No accessible area is predicted t0exceed the FCC 5% general public exposure
limit.
Node LUC-004A - ROW adiacent to 459 Hibiscus Wav residential front vard - This node would result
in an OVe[@|| height of 47'4" with gDt8Dn8 DlOUOt8d at 45' above grade, equipment cabinet 5 -feet east
of the pole along the residential properties street frontage, at 5 -feet above grade and 8' from the
curb. The nearest residence is 25 feet from the 3D[eOOa and exposure |8V8\ f8|iS be|OVv 5% of the
GSn8[8| PUh|iC Exposure limit at 8 distance of21-f9Etfrom the antenna, which is worst case. No
8CC8sSib|e area is predicted to 8XC88d the FCC 596 general public 8XpOSUFe |iDliL /Note: this facility
has been relocated to LUC 004B. and would result in materially similar effects).
Node LU[| -003A - ROW 0OP8OOYROVa|LOand 8di8CenttO8residential side Y8Pd-This node would
ReSU|t in an UV8[a|} height Of45' with the 8DteDDG mounted at 43' above grade, 8qUipDl8Ot cabinet 5 -
feet north of the pole along the [8SideOd3| property frontage, at 5 -feet above grade and 5 feet from
the curb. The nearest residence is approximately 50 feet from the facility. The general exposure limit
threshold f@||S be|UvV 5% Of the G8DB[8| Public EXpOSUne limit at a distance of 21 -feet from the
3D1eOD8, which iSworst case. No accessible area is predicted toexceed the FCC 596 geD8[8| public
exposure limit.
Node [UC -017A - ROW iDmedian UfDel B8O8dORd3tDuran D�-The subject node VVOU|dresult iO
an 0Ve[a|| height of 44' with the 8Ot8DD8 mounted 42' above g[8de. equipment cabinet 5 -feet east
toward the intersection at [}Ur@U Drive, at 5 -feet above grade. The nearest residence is
app[OXi[ngt8|y 48 feet from the facility. The geDS[8| exposure limit threshold f@||S be|Om/ 5% Of the
General Public EXp0SUnG |i[Di[ at 3 distance of 21 -feet from the GDteDn@. which is vvOrSt case. NO
accessible area is predicted to exceed 5% of the FCC general public exposure limit.
Based Onthe RFRreports arid reviews completed by Krarfle!Firm, staff has deter -mined that each node
would OOnOp|y with FCC [>ET Bulletin 85 rules regarding safety, with the fVUOVVD0 r8CO0nleDd9d
RFRCondhioD
^EXteN8t8Od O[its C|iSOt(s) Sh8U place and Dl8iDt8iD an 8' mjd8 by 12" high permanent
RFR caution sign in English and Spanish at the base of the 6' tall utility pole extension just
above the cross arm. The sign shall becomplaint with FCC {}ETBulletin 85D[ANSI C85.2
fOrCO|Q[. SyOBbO| and content conventions. The sign shall provide at all 1iDles 8vVQrking
|oCG| or 'Coll freeie|epnOn8 nUOlbertC its network operations center, and Suoh telephone
5117471r�llllliii I'll 1 1111311 1,117,111
site as required by the FCC. The location of the sign must be visible immediately prior to
climbing above the base of the utility pole extension."
K[@0e[ Firm notes that if the Ud|ity, or carrier(s), agree to this coDdUUOO there will be no basis to deny or
further CODdbiOO the project based On its RFFl emissions. This is based VO the f3Cƒ that the FCC
pneC|UdBS |DC8| government from denying wireless service facilities based on health impacts if8facility
operates within the RIF thresholds for public exposure limits established by the FCC for wireless facilities.
lFhe[8fOne' this n8C0nnDl8nd8d CODdibOD has been included in [}[aft Resolution as {}OOdibOn # 8 of the
Use PB[n0iL
For informational pu[pOSeS, staff further notes that concerns with eDvPODOleDt8| health hSkS associated
with both low fne�ueDCieS(povVe[lines) and high f�qUGOd8S(radio vvuve)�3DsrDiSsiODSxvhichgenerate
non -ionizing radiation have been identified to be primarily related to the potential th8[[n8| effects OD
tissue. Radiation from |OVv frequency e|8Cthog| t[8nS[DiSsiOO is typically C@\CU|8t8d using Dli||igGUS (D1G)'
which [n8@SUrBS electro -magnetic field intensity. High frequency transmissions use more power and have
a shorter wave length and are calculated based on power density. The RFR exposure levels are reported
in published literature to drop off exponentially as distance from the source iDCre8s8e. and health effects
are dependent on both the amount of time and intensity of exposure to the source.
Stealth
Design
The pole extension design details with the unconcealed SqU3ne post bolted to pole -tops are not
considered to be h8rD0DiOUS|y integrated with the existing UU|ih/ pole. In order to C0Dlp|y with the City
zoning StGDd8ndS and policies related to VViF8|eSS antenna as well as for new Ud|itv equipment
iDfr8Gt[UCtUP3 placed in its rights-of-way, staff recommends that the antenna and equipment Sh0U|d be
further modified to minimize its visual impacts; particularly Yvh8[e pPDpOS8d in rights-of-way that abut
residential yards. AddiUOO@\iy. staff OO[e3 that the phntV-SirDU|@dODS appear to ShOVv equipment cabinets
that are wider than indicated on plans, and that the plans shall take precedence.
The following 0iOi0Sd and relatively simple modifications are recommended by the DRB and staff in
order t8minimize the aesthetic impacts Ofthe proposed antenna and equipment, with high-quality stealth
design solutions that would integrate into the context of the SUrPDUDdiDQ neighborhood and structures:
Underground all equipment cabinets. If not underground, 8 graffiti abatement program needs to be
executed. Landscaping is not considered 8 suitable long-term eO|UtioD to SCRaoO above gnDUDd
cabinets in the public rights Of vV@y dU8' GS neither the City DU[ utility could agree to @ |0Dg-tB[rD
Dl3|DteO8nCe program.
Eliminate the "skirting" proposed below the [8dODle 8OteDn@3' intended to QDOC88} cabling.
Rep|Go8VAeD[ of each UtUKv pole and installation of U -conduit painted out to r03tnh the pole is
sufficient.
These recommend ations have been incorporated into conditions of approval #3 and #4 of ED1 1-24 and
Noise
CoOCS[O has been raised with the pOteUbB| for electronic noise to result from the cabinets. The facility
does not require 2 transformer Orgenerator 'thus is not anticipated to generate significant audible noise
that vvOU|d violate residential noise thn8GhO|dG of 40dBA at the property line. The @ppUC8Ot has stated
that G fan VVOU|d trigger when the battery backups are in use. If p|3o8d be|OVv Q[8de. A/C and sump pump
oqUipmentCOU|d generate eoo\e /eSid8nii8l UuiSe� The UU|iiye4uipmenLvvou!d b� cVrnpa[ab!eiu eXi�UnQ
W0ih/ cabinets located in 'the area and vvOU{d not generate noise exceeding the residential O0|Se
flhFeshn|dEtandard9.
PNEPORT TO PLANNING COMMI,%,,,ON - Case No: UPI 1-20, EDII-24, EX12-%,,j2 Page 111
Post approval requirements
The post approval requirements identified above would be required as a condition of issuance of
encroachment permits for the project. Public Works (DPW) is supportive of assuring that the project
would be designed to minimize its visual impacts and maintained in perpetuity. DPW further recommends
that a single contractor should be selected to perform the work to help assure it is completed in
compliance with all City requirements and as efficiently as possible. Post approval requirements have
been incorporated in the draft Use Permit conditions.
Chapter 24 — Exception
As previously discussed, the extension of the utility poles would exceed the City's 30 foot height limit for
residential areas. Pursuant to SRMC Section's 14.24.020.E, 14.24.060, and 14.16.360 the Planning
Commission may approve height exceptions of more than five -feet above the base height limit (30 feet)
for antenna facilities; where special circumstances warrant the increase and would not be detrimental to
the health, safety or general welfare. Both staff and the DRB have considered this request and
recommend that increased pole height appears justified in order to provide the desired service coverage,
and reduce the number of antenna nodes that would be required for the project.
Chapter 25 — Environmental and Desian Review Permit
Design review criteria encourage equipment to be placed underground or concealed within stealth
enclosures, with colors and materials that would harmoniously integrate with the surroundings. Staff has
recommended screening and alternative design solutions in its discussion of Chapter 16 above (including
undergrounding and removal of proposed skirting of antenna cables); which, if implemented would satisfy
the pertinent design criteria of Chapter 25.
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD RECOMMENDATION
On June 19, 2012 the Board reviewed the project. Commissioner Lang served as the PC liason for the
meeting. After their review, the DRB continued the matter and recommended the following:
Conceal the support posts, cabling and conduit with stealth enclosures that would more seamlessly
blend in with the existing utility pole; in order for the Board to support the co -location design solution.
Place the cabinets proposed at Hibiscus Way and Penny Royal Lane underground, in order- for the
Board to support these locations.
Move the cabinets proposed in Las Gallinas and Del Ganado median strip locations to the center of
the median, in less visible locations and conceal these with landscaping,- in -lieu of undergrounding
equipment.
Provide a proposal for long term maintenance of facilities including landscaping and graffiti removal;
in -lieu of undergrounding equipment.
At its August 7, 2012 meeting the Board reviewed the revised plans. There was no Planning
Commissioner was present at this meeting to serve as PC liason. The Board recommended that the
revised designs and relocation of LUC 004A had substantially addressed its concerns (per the ExteNet
response memo dated 7/6/12, Exhibit 3). The Board recommended that the addition of U Guard conduit
and replacement of utility poles addressed its concerns with design and concluded a "skirt" under the
antenna would not be necessary. By a vote of 4 -0-2 (Chair Kent and Member Lentini absent) the Board
voted to recommend approval of the project with the following recommended changes.
1) Support of project without extended skirt at the base of the antenna.
2) Alternate placement/location of underground antennae on Manuel Freitas instead of Hibiscus Way
3) Underground placement of all cabinets.
I
Tne audio and video of the Design Review Board (DRB) meetings can be accessed (;aline at:
;Ittf)://wvwv.citvof,,,ani-afael.oro/'meetinns/ and selecting the link for the June 19 or August 7 meeting
dates. The prior staff reports are also available at this webpage.
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMIStilON - Case No: UP11-20, ED11-24, EX12-uO2 Page 12
Revisions tOPlans/Conditions OfApproval Since DRB Recommendation
Staff d0SS OOt8 that the plans that are beh)n8 the COrnDliSSioD this evening do not incorporate all the
recommendations of the DRB. In summary
* The plans cUrreOtk/ show that the extended Skirt on all the site. A condition of approval has
been added Environmental and Design Review Permit #43' that require that the SNAiDg
below the antennas be removed and this will be required to be shown on the plans submitted
for building permit
w The plans for LUC-OO4Bd0 illustrate the alternate \OC@tiDD recommended by the DRB The
median at Las P8vad8S Ave at K8@DU8l T Freitas instead of the previously pn3pOSBd Site of
Hibiscus Way. To support this change, a condition of approval has been added Environmental
and Design Review Permit # 415 that confirms that this site is to be placed at Las Pavadas and
Manual TFreitas rather than Hibiscus Way.
oThe plans before the Commission cu[[8Ddy only show the underground p|@oeDl8Ot of Site
LUC-003A (Penny Royal). The plans for the other 4 sites currently show above gn]UOd
cabinets. Therefore, a condition Of approval has been added Environmental and Design
Review Permit #4C. that require that the underground p}@C8Ol8Ot of all utility cabinet at all 5
|OCadVDS.
The State PUC may act 8Sthe lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)for
issuance of a state franchise and all related work for construction of telephone corporation infrastructure.
GeD8[8||y. iDSt8||@tiOD of utility infrastructure may qualify as eW8DlDt from the pn0viSiUOS Of CEQA
pU[GU@Dt to CEC>A Guidelines Section 15280 (Ministerial Projects), 15301/b\ (Existing public utility
facilities, and/or 15303(d) (New utility eXteDSiOOS\; vxhSPe work is not within an 8Dvi[OODlenta||y sensitive
area, 88 defined under CE{}A. The PUC has not Dl8d8 its determination for this facility. Thus, the City
must make its own eOvir0D08Dt8| determination for the project. City staff concludes that the Categorical
Exemptions 153O1(b) and 153O3(d) would apply t0the scope Qfwork proposed.
0GHBORHOOD MEETING 1 CORRESPONDENCE
Notice of h8@[Dg for the project for this P|@OOiDg CUnDDlisSiOD meeting and the two prior DRB meetings
VVGS COOdU[t8d in aCCoFd8DQe with noticing r8qUiFenn8OtS contained in Chapter 29 Of the Zoning
{}Fdin@DD8. At |88Gt 15 days prior to RU meetings, including this hearing, 8 Notice of Public Hearing was
posted and mailed to all property owners and occupants within a 400 -foot radius of the subject sites and
the Santa K8@rgarit8, Terra Linda and M0Nt-KX@hO/S2O R@f88| Pad{ Neighborhood Associations, and all
other interested parties.
Public comments have been received in support and opposed to the project. Proponents in favor Ofthe
project support need for enhanced wireless technology and to address |@Ck of coverage in the area.
Opponents are concerned with visual blight, health and safety potential oFe@fSd by this project. Copies of
all written public correspondence on the pnnpOS8d project received to d@te are attached to'this report as
Exhibit 6. Any new correspondence received after publication of this report will be pFVvided to the
Planning Commission 8ƒthe hearing.
/. Approve the applicants as presented, Nlithconditions hvthe DRB and staff
Z Approve the applicationwith certain modifications, changes u(additional conditions Dfapproval.
REPORTTO PLANNING COMMISzmON - Case No: UPI 1-20, EDI 1-24, EX12-uu2 Page 13
3. Continue the applications to allow the applicant to address any of the Commission's comments or
concerns
4. Deny the project
1. Vicinity/Location Maps
,...,.-Draft R�, u-'tuborn-of Approval -
3. ExteNet Systems 7/6/12 Memo to the DRB
4. Peer Review of RFR Reports (color copies distributed to Commission)
5. Lucas Valley "DAS" project construction and coverage maps (color copies distributed to Commission)
6. Public Correspondence
(Plans have been distributed to the Planning Commission only)
This Page is Intentionally Left Blank
NO', 0
Cc Me 12-()06
[!e! No, \\ Locatiojj'�Aap
EEX \§!5
Exhibit 3
RECEIVED
]U/ 0O��0
vu� vv"//
=. SM
PLANNING
—''^~SYSTEMS
TO: KraigTannbmmnini, Case Planner
RE: Design Review Board summary letter ofG/2D/12—RESPONSE MEMO
DATE: 7/6/12
Dear Kraig,
Please accept this rnenno as our formal reply tnyour letter dated June ZO 2822. We have
addressed each request individually herein below:
1. Conceal the support posts, cabling and conduit with stealth enclosures that would more
searnlessly blend in with the existing utility pole; in order for the Board to support th"
collocation design solution.
As there were no immediate options that would adequately answer the requestto conceal
the pole top extension in the timeframe allotted,L ExteNet Systems has chosen pole
replacements as opposed to pole top extensions for the San Rafael node locations. This will
alleviate the entire problem for these locations.
We have also added a cable/connector concealing "skirt" at the bottom of the antenna.
Please note that because utility poles taper from bottom to top and the antenna is larger
around than the pole top, there will be a gap at the bottom of the skirt. The photo
simulations provided will show o depiction but it is highly likely that it will look a
significantly cleaner in the actual installation.
As you can see in the CDs, U-3uandswill beused inplace ofthe conduit onthe side ofthe
pole. As the U -Guard didn't really show any differently on the photo sim, we feel it needs
to be called Out atthe DRB. The U -Guard vviU be a |h1|e less obtrusive than the conduit, but
vvedid not want toleave itoff nfthe photo sirninthe event itwas misconstrued that the U'
Guardvvou|d bevirtually invisible inthe actual installation,
2. Place the cabinets proposed otHibiscus Way and Penny Royal Lane in order
for the Board tosupport these locations.
VVeare inagreement with the suggestion toundergroundthecabinet associated with the
Penny Royal Lane location and will duso.
As regards Hibiscus Way, upon extensive discussion and research,
suitable pole along Freitas Parkway, approximately 3OUfeet south of
location, which will satisfy « ExteNe�s coverage requirements. Th( {�(�8��e�»gNb« 18.20Y2
- File No. AP 12-006
location would have to be extended approximately 10-20 feet in height in order to achieve
the optimal coverage that would have been achieved had we located this node on Hibiscus.
In addition, we would request to ground -mount the equipment cabinets at this proposed
location rather than underground them, due to the classification of Freitas Parkway as a
major regional arterial street rather than a local residential or collector street.
Nonetheless, we have included the underground option for Hibiscus Way in the
package. Prior to the DRB meeting coming up shortly, we would like the opportunity to
discuss both options with you and determine what you feel is the best way to present
this to the URB. Please call me upon receipt of the package so we can decide upon a
course ofaction for this node.
3. Move the cabinets proposed in Las Gallinas and Del Ganado median strip locations to the
center of the median, in less visible locations and conceal these with landscaping, in lieu
of undergrounding equipment.
We are in agreement with the suggestion to shift the associated equipment cabinets for
these two nodes to the center of their respective median strips. However, please note that
the Las 8aUinas median strip is only approximately 12 feet inwidth, thus the equipment
cabinet pad will shift only o few feet inward. Also, please note that the Del Ganado median
strip is approximately 25 feet in width. The equipment is already shown placed six feet away
from the edge, thus the equipment cabinet will shift only approximately five additional feet
inward.
We are in agreement with the suggestion hzconceal the cabinets with landscaping to
soften their visual impact. We propose to install native drought -resistant species in
order to ensure the success of the plantings, and then to dedicate the plantings to the
City of San Rafael for continued maintenance and irrigation, as is typical with such
circumstances. In order to provide a temporary source of irrigation while the plants are
becoming established, we propose to use RainNnd irrigation get packs. These packs
provide constant, reliable moisture for three months per each application.
4. Provide a proposal for long term maintenance of facilities including landscaping and
graffiti removal; in lieu of undergrounding equipment.
We are in agreement with the stated directives to facility the growth and success of the
landscaping aswell asthe graffiti removal program. Asstated above, we propose toinstall
native, drought -resistant species, which will be dedicated to the City of San Rafael for
continued maintenance and i/hDation, as is typical in such circumstances. In order to
provide temporary sou/ce of irrigation while the plants are becoming established, we
propose to use Rainbird irrigation gel packs which provide constant, reliable moisture for
three months per application,
As for the graffiti removal request, we agree to abide by the graffiti removal program and
its intent. Hoo/ever, we understand that pet- the pnognarn, graffiti must be removed within
24 hours ofdefacennent. 'Ale would request to be given an exception and be provided 48
hours [mrepair and clean any defacement,
There is another itern in the June 20, 2012 letter that you request, vjhich was not part of the
DRB requests. You have asked ifthe CPUC requires that our equipment beopen toany and
all carriers. There isnospecific language inthe CP[Ntothis point that | can send tnyou,
but there is no need for the City of San Rafael to be concerned about this. ExLeNet's
business model is an open network with multiple carriers on each network. There are few
circumstances under which vveagree to build proprietary networks and the one going into
the Marin County area isnot one ofthe exceptions.
VVedofeel compelled tnclarify one point you had in the letter. You make statement
about us being able to accommodate I carriers. There are various configurations and
parameters that determine how many carriers one pole can handle. Technically, the
antennas can accommodate at least carriers apiece. The boxes are more restrictive and
only house 4 slots. With the demand for data now outstripping the existing infrastructure
by leaps and bounds, it is completely conceivable that one carrier could take up all four slots
in one box, necessitating the need to "clam -shell" a second box on the pole next to the first.
As slots get taken in the boxes, we would need to install a second set of two boxes above
the first set to accommodate more and more carriers. Conversely, we may have a carrier
that only wants one or two slots in a box; then we are multi -carrier with one box.
This network was designed to operate with at least two carriers and hopefully four. At this
time, it is impossible to say what the future holds for this network, but all indicators to
ExLeNetare that vvewill bemulti-carrier sooner rather than later.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Regards,
Patti Ringo
JvLermavandumm
To Kraig Tambornini, City of San Rafael
From: `_nnscyc/merry
Reviewed by: Jonathan L /
Date:June |3,Z0|2
RE: UPI 1-20
7|4Penny Royal Lane(Extenat Systems, U-[)
A1chedirecdonoftheCky,|hsmeravem/edtheExtenetSvsterno,LLCy'Exte-
net'\appUcadontoinstu|unevvdisUibutedantennaaysternonaud|itvpo|ein
the right-of-way near 714 Penny Royal Lane.
Extenet is a California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") authorized wired
telephone corporation. It does not hold any FCC -issued wireless licenses -to
provide cellular telephone service. Rather, Extenet installs wireless equipment
forits customer's use. For this planning case, Extenet`scustom eris T-y1obi|e.
| have reviewed the proposed project in light ofthe recently passed Middle
Class Tax Relief and job Creation Act of 20|Z(the "Act"). Section 6409(a) of
the Act addresses mandatory approvals ofcollocations a1existing wireless tow-
ers, facially eliminating local discretion in connection with collocations.
t he instant project is proposed to be constructed on an exstng utility pole dhat
was not constructed for, or has a primary use as a wireless tower.
Given that the project iswotonanexistingwireless tower,the instant project
does not, in my opinion, fall within the provisions of Section 6409(a)' and is not
� cm�e��othemonda��opp��/�qui�dbvth�|o�. /�cu�in��che�ia/�
/ � . ' '
d/screLiunaryrevevvofzh�prnk�ctpumuanttoko Municipal '-ode isnpprupri-
ate.
m!nc.
Excenecpropoaescoinstall anev/2'coUcmniainoennauna6excensionpc!aco
be attached to she cop of an existing 37 tall uziKcy pole in the right- near
7|4 Penny Royal Lane. The CPUC requires aminirnurn of 6' separfTcion be-
tween the e|ecthcdservice and any secondary service onthe utility pole.
The on
��nna�] b� moon�d � 43'���aound }e� CAG_")aod �U
bec-�pab!eofmup��r'�7'�1obi{��ser�c��nkse��ir q|.Y80MHzcnd2./OO
Mnzband's ofservice.
CC P o� na Nov. 19, 2012
Fde No. APY2-0OG
_F:Xh/bit 5-4 Peer Reviem RF Reports
Kraig Tambornini
714 Penny Royal Lane
UP||'20/LUC3/\ U-[\
June |3.Z0|2
Page 2 of 5
Extenet proposes to install an equipment cabinet and an electrical meter at
ground level approximately 8' to the north east of the base of the utility pole.
The proposed equipment cabinet will extend 5' AGL. It appears,from the
project documentation that the equipment cabinet will house battery backups
and ade|tu node. /\ meter cabinet will also be mounted to the side of the
equipment cabinet.
According to the project plans, Exteetproposes to connect the antenna to the
equipment cabinet via conduit that will run underground from the cabinet to
the utility pole and along the utility pole to the antenna. A portion of the cabling
will bevisible o1the base o7the antenna.
Extent does not disclose the dominant purpose of this project however the
project documentation suggests that the primary purpose of this project is to
provide coverage for T-y1mbi/einits |'9O0MHz and Z'|00MHz bands o[oep
Extenetprovided acoverage map that appears tuindicate the proposed signal
level coverage for the area surrounding the site, Figure | below.
<Balonceo{page intentionally leftbhmk>
�
Figure U, Proposed signal coverage mop for the proposed site as asserted ' bvExtenet . (Source:
The proposed coverage map, however, does not provide objective signal level
data for the proposed site. Extenet did not provide an exodn� s' cd cover
-
0
map. Without adequate coverage maps ( am unable to offer an opinion as
to whether T -Mobile is attempting to close a gap in service or is attempting to
add signal capacity tothe area surrounding this site.
Eauioment Cabinet
�ccmrdi��nmthe photo simulations, the equipnoenccobinetwiU be visible toneighboring residences.
|n orderto reduce�he�esth*tic inopactzhe site will have, I recommend -hat
ck� Cizy quir� E��enaz cu uith�r �croen zhe c�bine� *Ith —iry z�proved
|andscuping or place i�� e|eccricd povver meter on the utilitypo|e such that
Kraig Tambonnini
7|4Penny Royal Lane
UP||'2U/LUC3/\(Extenet Systems,LLC)
June |3'2O|2
Page 3 of 5
�
Figure U, Proposed signal coverage mop for the proposed site as asserted ' bvExtenet . (Source:
The proposed coverage map, however, does not provide objective signal level
data for the proposed site. Extenet did not provide an exodn� s' cd cover
-
0
map. Without adequate coverage maps ( am unable to offer an opinion as
to whether T -Mobile is attempting to close a gap in service or is attempting to
add signal capacity tothe area surrounding this site.
Eauioment Cabinet
�ccmrdi��nmthe photo simulations, the equipnoenccobinetwiU be visible toneighboring residences.
|n orderto reduce�he�esth*tic inopactzhe site will have, I recommend -hat
ck� Cizy quir� E��enaz cu uith�r �croen zhe c�bine� *Ith —iry z�proved
|andscuping or place i�� e|eccricd povver meter on the utilitypo|e such that
Kraig Tambornini
7/4Penny Royal Lune
UP11-20/ LUC 3A(ExtenetSystems, Lk]
June |3,2D|2
Page 4 of 5
the lowest cfthe meter isnot less than 8'AGLand place the remain-
ing
Site Aesthetics
/ also recommend that the City require Extenet to paint all equipment, inClUd-
ing without limitation, the extension, conduits, cabling, and antenna color ap-
proved by the City so that all elements at this site have the same or oinni/ur
visual appearance.
Site Drawinqs
Sheet E/detail |of the site plans indicates that Extenetpropcses to attach
node to the wd|bv pole. However, the node is not shown on the elevation
view of the site plans nor is it shown in the photo simulations.
/ recommend that the City require Extenet to correct the site plans and pho-
to simulations to accurately reflect the proposed design ondtorefecttheunderground vault and node if this design change is required by the City.
-
Thm FCC completely occupies the field as to setting RF safety standards in the
United States. The City isnot permitted to set its own standards regardless
of whether higher, |ovver, or even the same. as the FCC's standards. The
Commission doeo, however, permit the City to determine vvhether a pro-
posed wireless project meets the required FCC 47 CFR § 1. 1307 et seq. (the
"FCC rules") and FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin 65
(''{}ET65'`) RFsafety directives.
Under the FCC rules, certain typos of wireless projects are deemed to be
"categorically excluded, ,' thus not subject to further KF evaluation under dhe
rules due to idend8�d factors indudin�� �hhethe aenn� oupporn�
structureisnotubui/dingorsharadtoperfurnnsorneother6unction,undthe
lowest portion ofthe trunsrni`tingantenna iso1least 10rneto'sabove91-ound.
The proposed proicct does n2:L ouz�vfor | exclusion under the
FCC ru!es because the antenna is mounced on ascructure that is shared to
perform sorn,:� oth��rf/nction. An of the Rf ernissions is necessarynz
determine vvhedherapnOJ�_Xtdesignv/i(icon/plyvvirhthe FCCru|es.
Extene1 has submitted athind party RF en�is�/ons repor��crn S�e3afe do -ed
KroigTombornini
7|4Penny Royal Lane
UP||`20/UUC3A(Exteet Systems, LLC)
June |3'20|2
Page 5 of 5
dent emissions data to perform an independent analysis of the proposed
emissions from the omni antenna. Based on the frequency and power to be
emitted from T-MobUe's unoni antenna, ucuntnoUed access zone of 3.3 feet
will extend outward from each transmitting panel antenna o1the sanne level as
the panel antennas.
The existence ufacontrolled zone does not mean that the project violates
the FCC rules; rather, itmerely requires that the wireless carrier take affir-
mative steps turestrict access tothe controlled zones. In this case, the con-
trolled zones will be in inaccessible airspace utthe same level as the ontennzm.
To comply with the existing FCC rules and FCC (}ET Bulletin 65 rules re'
garding RF safety, I recornmend the City condition the project as follows:
|. EXtenet and/mT-Mobile shall place and maintain a permanent RF
Caution sign in English and Spanish at the base of the 6` tall utility
pole extension just above the cross arm. The signage nnustbea
rnininnunn of 8" wide by 12" high, compliant with FCC {}ET Bulletin
65 or ANSI C95.2 for color' synnbo|, and content conventions. All
such signage shall a1all times provide aworking local ortoll-free tel-
ephone number to its network operations center, and such tele-
phone number shall beable to reach alive person who can exert
transmitter power -down control over this site as required by the
'FCC. The location of the sign must be visible immediately prior to
dinnbingabove the base ofthe utility pole extension.
{fExtenetand T-Mobikyz�iU�`wbe
M emmo�rpamd umm
To Kraig Tambornini, City ofSan Rafael
From: ^_nnmYOoe//y
Reviewed by: Jonathan L Krarn
Date: June 7, 2012
RE: UPI |-lU(LUL-Y��
7Montevideo Way , LLC)
Atthe direction ofthe City, | have reviewed the Extenet Systems, LLC ("Exte-
net") application to install a new distributed antenna systern on a utility pole in
the median at the intersection of Montevideo Way and Las Gallinas Avenue.
Extenet is a California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") authorized wired
telephone corporation. It does not hold any FCC -issued wireless licenses to
provide cellular telephone service. Rather, Extenet inyto||o wireless equipment
Tor its customer's use. For this project, Exieoet'ocustomer iaT-Mobi/e.
| have reviewed the proposed project in light of the recently passed Middle
Class Tax Relief and job Creation Act of20|2(the '\4ct'). Section 64Q966mf
the Act addresses mandatory approvals ofcollocations atexisting wire|esotow`
ers, facially eliminating local discretion in connection with collocations.
The instant project icpmposed tobeconstructed onan existing uti|itycolethat
was not constructed for, or has a primary use as a wh-J-ess tower.
Given that the project is not on on existing wireless tower, the instant
project
does not, in my opinion, fall within the provisions of Section 6409(a), and is not
' su�e�tochemand�oryapp��nequi�d|mth�|m�A�o��
Accordingly, the � -
c'' discretionary review ofthe project pursuantiokoMunidpalCodoisappropri-
ate.
ppropri-
U\ o1e
'
uninc, '
Exten'ec propo�eszo install onuvv Z' ruU omni antenna on a6, extension po|e to
be attached no the top of an existing 43` tall utility pole in the nnedian at the in-
0terseccion ofy1onrsvidooYVe«and Las ���|inosAvenue. The CPUC requires a
n�inionum of6` separation bet' eenrhea|eccrica| serviceand any secunda/yset
-
x^'"»f-"°' viceonrhputi|itypn|e
/3:'1/1=��
ao�eon�vi;s�av�6�und
s�,zx
be capable of supporting T-t",,obi!e'u scnice in its existing |'900 MHzand 2. 100
11Hz b�nds o[service.
�,���. c�` rr'--,
KroigTamburnini
7Montevideo Way
UPi|-2O/LUC9/\/Extenet Systems,U-C\
June !3.20|I
Pag
Extenet proposes to install an equipment cabinet and an electrical meter at
ground level approximately S' to the south west of the base of the utility pole.
The proposed equipment cabinet will extend 5' /\GL It appears from the
project documentation that the equipment cabinet will house battery backups
and udelta node. A meter cabinet will also be mounted to the side of the
equipment cabinet.
According tuthe project plann Extenetproposes toconnect the antenna 1othe
equipment cabinet via conduit that will run underground from the cabinet to
the utility pole and along the utility pole to the antenna. Aportion of the cabling
will be visible at the base of the antenna.
Project Purpose
Extent does not disclose the dominant purpose of this project, however the
project documentation suggests that the primary purpose of this pjectisto
provide coverage for T-Mobi/einits 1,900 MHz and 2, 100 MHz bands of ser-
vice.
Extenet provided a coverage map that appeprs to indicate the proposed signal
level coverage for the area surrounding the site, Figure | be|nvv
Krok'Tombonnini
7Montevideo Way
UP| 1-20/LUC9/\/ExtenetSvstenos' LLC)
June |]'2O|2
Page 3 of 6
TT X�I
Figure K; Proposed signal coverage map for the proposed site osasserted bvExtanet. /Source
The proposed coverage map, however, does not provide objective signal leve
data for the proposed site. Extenet did not provide an existing signal covep
age map. Without adequate coverage maps I am unable to offer an opinion as
tnwhether 7-Mobi|eisattempting toclose a gap inservice orisattempting to
add signal capacity tothe area surrounding this site.
Alternative Site
The extension and antenna proposed on this utility pole will increase the height
of the pole to 52' /4GL in this location, the extension and equipment cabinet
vvi/| bevisual/yintruoir�ro 1hesurnound/n,- res!dences and rnsyirnp�cc;-he safo-
ryofdheinze/socdonforpassingvehic/es.
vp
TT X�I
Figure K; Proposed signal coverage map for the proposed site osasserted bvExtanet. /Source
The proposed coverage map, however, does not provide objective signal leve
data for the proposed site. Extenet did not provide an existing signal covep
age map. Without adequate coverage maps I am unable to offer an opinion as
tnwhether 7-Mobi|eisattempting toclose a gap inservice orisattempting to
add signal capacity tothe area surrounding this site.
Alternative Site
The extension and antenna proposed on this utility pole will increase the height
of the pole to 52' /4GL in this location, the extension and equipment cabinet
vvi/| bevisual/yintruoir�ro 1hesurnound/n,- res!dences and rnsyirnp�cc;-he safo-
ryofdheinze/socdonforpassingvehic/es.
KroigTambornini
7 Montevideo Way
UP| 1-20/ LUC g/\ (Exianet3votema, LLC)
June !3`20|2
Page 4 of 6
| recommend that the City require Extenet to relocate this site to autility pole
at the end of Corte San Benito as shown in Figure 2, below.
Figure 2: The location of the proposed site and the location of Suggested alternative site. Kra-
Locating the site it the end �Corte San Benito V,/OL!|dbeless visible mthe
surroundingrenidencesandvvou|dreducodheinnpacttheskewiUhaveonthe
right'of-v/oy in the median at the intersection of Los G-al|inas /4/enue and
Mon1eviden\��v. The suggested alternative site would benefit Exzenetau it
provides approximately 20 fact cfaddidond height as u result of tile topuor2phy-
-
EauiiDmenE Cabinet
-i16 co ciie photu dn:u|odono, zhe equ/"nnent cabnez %.di| Ce ulac-c �o
rho, median az r.ho inzersec1ion cf 1 a GalUnas Avenue and i1ontevdeoVVus.
In this location the cabinet will be visible to the curnoundin� residences and
Kraig Tambornini
7 Montevideo Way
UPI 1-20/LUC9A/Ex1enet Systems, LLC)
June |3.ZU|2
Page 5 of 6
may impede visibility for vehicles travelling along Las GoUnam Avenue and
Montevideo Way.
If the City prefers the site to remain in the location proposed by Extenet |
recommend that the City require E¢enettoplace its electrical power meter
on the utility pole such that the lowest portion of the meter is not less than 8'
/\GLond place the remaining equipment in an underground flush to grade
Site Aesthetics
| also recommend that the City require ExtenetLopaint all equipment, indud-
in�without limitation, the extension, conduits, cabling, and antenna color up-
pruved by the City so that all elements at this site have the same or similar
visual appearance.
SiteDravimzs
Sheet E I detail I of the site plans indicates that Extenet proposes to attach a
node bzthe utility pole. However, the node is not shown on the elevation
view of the site plans nor is it shown in the photo simulations.
/recommend that the City require Extenet to correct the site plans and pho-
to simulations to accurately reflect the proposed design or the alternative site.
is selected by the 'City.
'The FCC completely occupies the field astosetting KFsafety standards inthe
United States. The City bnot permitted toset its own standards regardless
of whether higher, lower, or even the same as the FCC's standards. The
Commission does, however, permit the City to determine whether -1 pro-
posed vv/re|eae project meets the required FCC 47 CFR§ |.13O7 lcc meq. (the
"FCC rules") and FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin 85
\ RF safu2ty directives.
Under the FCC rules, certain types �,vilrelessprojects are deemed to be
"categohcd|v excluded," thus not subject to further RF evaluation under the
ru/e� d:� t� ide:dSed tacto/� includin�� p/he�her rhe o�tenna suppurdn'g
otruccure is not obuilding orsharod co per6ornn sorne otherfun'tion. and the
low �-stpordcncf tha n'7zn7enn�i���!oas�|Urno�e/�x�Vvr�;o::H.
Kraig Tambor ini
7Montevideo Way
UP||-ZO/LUC9/\(ExtenetSystems, LLC)
June 13, 2012
Page 6 of 6
The proposed project does not qualify for categorical exclusion under the
FCC rules because the antenna is mounted on aatructure that is shared to
perform some other function. Amanalysis ofthe RFemissions isnecessary to
determine whether aproject design will comply with the FCC rules.
Extenet has submitted uthird party RFemissions report from SiteSafe dated
March 12, 3012 (the"3iteSafe Report"). The3ite3sfla Report contains suffi-
cient emissions data to perform an independent analysis of the proposed
emissions from the omni antenna. Based on the frequency and power to be
emitted from l -Mobile's omni antenna, ocontroUed access zone of 3.3 feet
will extend outward from each transmitting panel antenna ytthe same level an
the panel antennas.
The existence of a controlled zone does not mean that the project vic|uteo
the FCC rules; rather, it merely requires that the wireless carrier take affir-
mative steps to
ffipnoativeotepsto restrict access tothe controlled zones. In this case, the con-
trolled
To comply with the existing FCC m|ea and FCC CET Bulletin 65 rules ne-
Igarding RF safety, I recommend the City condition the project as follows:
Extenetand/or T-Mobileshall place and maintain apermanencRF
Caudon sign in English and Spanish at the base of the 6' tall ud!kv
pole extension just above the cross arm. The signage must be a
minimum of8"wide 6v |2" high' compliant with FCC {}ET 8uUetin
65 or ANSI C95.2for color, symbol, and content conventions. All
such signage shall a1all times provide uworking local ortoll-free tel-
ephone number to its network operations center' and such tele-
phone number shall beable to reach a|ive person who can exert
transmitter power -down control over this site as required by the
FCC. The location of the si�n must be visible immediately prior to
climbing above the base of1heutility pole extension.
If Extenetcnd T -Mobile agree to the��itions jus -c stated, there wiUbe
cob
&0emncranAumm
To Kraig Tam
From: �nnnry��u
Reviewed bv Jonathan
' -- '-
[}ata June 5`20|2
RE: UPI 1-20
1959 Las Gallinas Avenue (Extenet Systems, LLC)
At the direction of the City, |have reviewed the Extenet Systerns, LLC ('Exte-
net") application to install u new distributed antennauystenn on a utility pole at
/959Las Gal|inamAvenue.
Exteoet is oCalifornia Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") authorized wired
telephone corporation. Itdoes not hold any FCC -issued wireless licenses to
provide cellular telephone service. Rather, Extenetinstalls wireless equipment
for its customer's use, In this planning case, Extenet's customer is T -Mobile.
| have reviewed the proposed project in light of the recently passed Middle
Class Tax Relief and job Creation Act of 2012 (the "Act"). Section 6409@ of
the Act addresses mandatory approvals of collocations atexisting wireless tow-
ers, facially eliminating local discretion in connection with collocations.
The instant project is proposed to be constructed on an ex1istingutility pole that
was not constructed -for, or has a primary use as a wireless 'Lowor.
Given that the project is not on an existing wireless tower, the instant project
does not, in my opinion, fall within the provisions of Section 6409(a), and is not
subject tothe mandatory npprova required6vchac/om'. Accordingly, the City's
discretionary review of the project pursuant to its Municipal Code is appropri-
ate,
m�oerGnn|nc
Excener proposes to install a new td/ onnni antenna on a6' extension pu|-2
to be attached to the -cop ofanexisting ]fY od| utility pole in the median of Las
GalUnss Avenue.Tho 1-11FUC requires a nnininnuro of 6` separation between chic
electrical service and any secondary sen,,iceonthe utility pole.
7,11-/f3; TheonnnianTennawiUbennountedaz-1 �roundlevel (^L�
\�L')andv/i{/
'
��
~ ����beu[�ppo�n�Thcbi�Y.Sse-C9D1JM|�s�2,|OO
3c" -Hrizbandsof' service.
KroigTambornini
|959Las GoUnssAvenue
UP||-20/LUC|4A(Ex1enetSystems, LLC)
June 5,20|2
Page 2 of 4
Extenet proposes to install an equipment cabinet with an electrical meter
mounted toitu1ground level approximately 6`from the base ofthe utility pole.
The proposed equipment cabinet will extend S' /\GL. It appears from the
project documentation that the equipment cabinet will house battery backups
and a delta node. A meter cabinet will also be mounted to the equipment cabi-
net.
According tothe project p|ana`Extenetpruposestuconnectthezntennxto1he
equipment cabinet via conduit that will run underground from the cabinet to
the utility pole and along the utility pole to the antenna. A portion of the cabling
will be visible at the base of the antenna.
Project Purpose
Extent does not disclose the dominant purpose of this project, however the
project documentation suggests that the primary purpose ofthis project isto
provide coverage for T-Mubileinits |'qOOMHz and 2'|OOMHz bands ufoer-
Neither Extenet nor T -Mobile has submitted proposed or existing coverage
maps for this project. Therefore, | am unable to offer an opinion as to wheth-
er T -Mobile is attempting
vheth'erT-Mubi|eimatternpting toclose a gap inservice oriaattempting tuadd sig-
nal capadtyto1heoreusurrounding this site.
Equipment Cabinet
/\ocordin�tothe photo ainnuk�kons the equipnnentcabinet wiUbephcednear
the curb on the northeast side of the median at Los GalUnasAvenue In this
location the cabinet will bevisible tothe surrounding residences and nnayinopecle visibility for vehicles travelling alon, Las Gallinas Avenue.
-
|norde to reduce the aesthetic impact the site wU|have, | recommend that
the City require Extenecto place its -electrical power meter on the utility pole
such that the lowest portion of 'die nnaber is nor- less than 8' AASL and place
the rernaWng equipment, including the DAS node, in an underground flush to
Grade vault.
She;�sdhesico
Accurd\��tothephoio �onu|adono' Fxtener proposes -to p�nzcheexcensicn.
KruigTambornini
|959Las (SoUnasAvenue
UP||-20/LUC |4/\/ErtenetSystems, LLC)
June 5,ZO|2
Page 3 of 4
the City require Extenetto paint all equipment, including without limitation,
the extension, conduits, cabling, and antenna to match the utility pole.
Site Drawino
Sheet E| detail | of the site plans indicates that Extenet proposes to attach u
node tothe utility pole. However, the node is not shown on the elevation
view of the site plans nor is it shown in the photo simulations.
| recommend that the City require Extenet to correct the site planoandpho-
ThaFCCconop|etelyoccupieadhefieldostuuetdng RFsafety standards inthe
United States. The City isnot permitted toset its own standards regardless
ofwhether higher, lower, or even the same as the FCC's standards. The
Commission does, however, permit the City to determine whether a pro-
posed wireless project meets the required FCC 47 CFR §|.|]O7etseq. (the
"FCC rules") and FC[ Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin 65
rC]ET 65"\ RF safety directives.
Under the FCC m|es, certain types of wireless pmjects are cleemed to be
"categohodly excluded," thus not subject to furher RF evaluation under the
rules due to identified tactors including: whether the antenna supporting
structure is not abuilding orshared to perform some other function, and the
lowest portion ofthe transmitting antenna iao1least |Ometers above �round.
The proposed project does not qmdK, for categorical exclusion under the
FCC rules because the antenna is mounted on astructure that is shared to
perform some other function. An analysis of the RF ernisaiono is necessary to
determine whether aproject design will cornp|yvviththe FCC rules.
Eztenet hos submitted uthind party RF emissions report from 3itesafe dated
March 9'20|2(the ^5itesafeHeoon`lThe SitesafeXeporzcontainssufficient
emissions data to perform an independent analysis of the proposed emissions
from the omni antenna. Based on the frequency and power T -Mobile propos-
es to emit from die omni antenna' aconU`o||ed access zone of3.] feet will ex'
cenJ uuivvar6 frum U'u/'y/niuiou p�aoe| uoten/iu at the sarne level as che
pane|mncennas.
The exist�nce ofa controlled one does not rn,�an that the pn�ecc violates
Kraig Tambomini
|95gLas {SalUnooAvenue
UPI |-2O/LUC |4A/ExtenetSystems, LLC)
June 5'2U|2
Page 4 of 4
mative steps to restrict access tothe controlled zones. |nthis case, the con-
trolled zones will be in inaccessible airspace at the same level as the antennas.
To comply with the existing FCC rules and FCC DETBulletin 65 m|esre-
garding RE safety, I recommend the City condition the project as follows:
|. Extenet and/orT-Mobi|e shall place and maintain a permanent RF
Caution sign /n English and Spanish at the base of the &' td/ utility
pole extension just above the cross arm. The signage must be a
minimum of8"wide by|2"high, compliant with FCC {}ETBulletin
65 or ANSI C95.2 for color, symbol, and content conventions. All
such signage shall at all times provide a working local or toll-free tel-
ephone number to its network operations center, and such tele-
phone number shall be able to reach a|i*e person who can exert
transmitter pov/epduvvn control over this site as required by the
FCC. The location of the sign must be visible immediately prior to
climbing above the base ufthe utility pole extension.
KExtenet and T-Pkobik*agree tothe conditions just stated, there will be
memamranndwmm
To: Kraig Tambornfflii, City of San Rafael
From: ,.nnmy`/
Reviewed by: Jona___ L Kr�h
Date: April z3,2o/2
RE: UPI |-2O/ED||
459 Hibiscus Way (Extenet Systems, LLC)
Acthe direction ofthe City, | have reviewed tkeExteot Systems,LLC ("
application to install u new/ distributed antenna system on u utility pole at 459 Hi-
biscus Way.
�e�����������a�&u��mIn
| have reviewed the proposed project in light of the recently oasoaJ Middle Class
ToxRelief and job Creation Act o[2O|2(the "Act1. Section 640966ofthe Act
addresses mandatory approvals of collocations at existing wireless towers, facially
eliminating local discretion in connection with collocations.
The instant project is proposed to be constructed on on existing utility pole that
was not constructed for, orhas aprimary use osuwireless tower.
Given that the project is not on an existing wireless tower, the instant project does
not, in my opinion, fall within the provisions of Section 6409(a), and is not subject
tothe mandatory approval required bvthat law. Accordingly, the City's discretio-
nary review of the project pursuant toits Municipal Code isappropriate.
i0escriple[c -g
Extenacproposestoinuta|anevv2`-2"td|ornniancmnnaono6`extensionoole to
be attached to the top of an existing 39' tall utility pole. The California Public Utili-
ties Commissions requires a minimurn of 6' separation between the electrical ser-
vice and any secondary set -vice on the utility pole.
epvicaandnnysecondarysenicnontheuti|hypo|e.
The omni antenna will bemounted at 46' above ground level ("AGOand will be
capable ofsupporti��Mobi|�'o���in����/9�MHz ������.
mmn�Frm, 'nc.
Eucanec proposesto install on equipment cabinet and an e|ccuic:| mocerzt�zound
level approximately 6' from the base of the utility pole. The Fropose6 oqu!pnnenc
cmbinervviH extend S`AGL 't appears [rum the project 6ocunnencution 1:h21che
equipment cabinet will house battery backups and adelta node. Amorercabinet
will also be mounted to the equipmeni: cabinet.
Acozrd<n�oo ,he pr��� �ams. E�en�� proposes to oznne��e s�e n�ro �e
°==*=^, .
�'eguipnnenccabinatviaconduitthacvviUrununder�round�omzhecabinec�uthe
po!ezn�do�����uri!h7p�|e��rhe�n��n�z/\����in�ofrhocab||��`�|||be
visible czdhebase ofthe zncanno.
KraigTambmrnini
459 Hibiscus Wm
UPI |-20/E[)||-24(Extenet Systems,LLC)
April 23.2O/2
Page 2 of 3
Extent does not disclose the dominant purpose of this project, however the
project documentation suggests that the primary purpose of this project is to
provide coverage for T-Mobi|einits |9OUMHz band ofservice.
Neither Extene1 nor T -Mobile has submitted proposed or existing coverage
maps for this project., Therefore, | am unable to offer an opinion ostuwhether
7 -Mobile is attempting to close agop in set -vice or is attempting to add more sig-
nal capacity to the area surrounding this site.
ig-no|capzcitytutheoreasurroundingthissite.
tPlhysical Design Considerations
According mothe photo simulations, this site is located near uresidential area and
will have animpact onthe aesthetics to the area surrounding this site. Additional-
ly, having an above ground cabinet could block the view line for the driversalong
Hibiscus Way and drivers utilizing their driveways at the surrounding residences.
In order to reduce this impact, | recnnnnoend that Extenet place its electrical
power meter onthe utility pole such that the lowest portion ofthe meter isnot
less than 8' /VSLond place the remaining equipment in an underground flush to
grade vault.
Placing the equipment in on underground vault is not only asohyty concern as
m��n������ma���au���ae�����dm����ephysical intrusion of the equipment for pedestrian traffic in that area.
1V Safety Considerations
The FCC completely occupies the field as to setting RfaaKetvstandards ill the
United States. The City is not permitted Cmset its own standards regurd|esoJ
whether higher, lower, ureven the same asthe FCC's standards. TheCommis-
oion does, how'ever, permit the City rudetermine whether uproposed wireless
project nneucu the required FCC 47 CFR § i.!307 ei: seq. (the "FCC rules") and
FC[ Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin 65 (°()ET65") RF mfecydi-
rectives.
Under the FCC FLJ|es'certain types ofvvirelesspmjec�sare Jeemedmba^cate-
gohcd|vexdudad.^thusnot subject nofurther RFavaluadonunder tile rules due
toidentified factors including: whether the antenna supporcin�struccure�not o
building orshared cmpsrfornnsonwother [uncdon,--odthe lowest po/tn'nnofc6a
-,:r;;nsmitting antenna is at !east 10 meters above cround.
The proposed project dues not� ouzKv for cateaohczd exclusion under the FCC
KroigTambornini
459Hibiscus Way
UP||-2O/E[)||-24/ExtenetSystems, LLC)
April 23'2D|2
Page 3 of 3
some other function. Ali analysis of the RFemissions isnecessary todetermine
whether a project design will comply with the FCC rules.
Extenet has submitted udiird party RF emissions report from Sitesufe dated
March 9' 2012 (the "Sitesafe Report"). The Sitesuha Report contains sufficient
emissions data to perform an independent analysis of the proposed emissions
from the omni antenna. 8uoud on the frequency and power to be emitted from
7 -Mobile's omni m`cennu' a controlled access zone of 3.3 feet will extend out-
ward from each transmitting panel antenna utthe same level as the panel anten-
nas.
The existence ofucontrolled zone does not mean that the project violates the
FCC rules; rather, it merely requires that the wireless carrier take affirmative
steps to restrict access to the controlled zones. in this muue' the controlled zones
will beininaccessible airspace o1the same level aethaantennas.
To comply with the existing FCC rules and FCCDE Bulletin 6Srules
RF safety, I recommend the City condition the project as follows:
Extenet and/or T -Mobile shall place and maintain a permanent RF Cau-
tion sign in English and Spanish at the base of the 6' tall utility pole ex-
tension just above the cross arm. The signage must be annininnunn of
8~ wide by |2" high' compliant with FCC {}ET Bulletin 65 or ANSI
C95.2 for color, symbu|, and concent conventions. All such signage
shall at all tinies provide a working local or toll-firee telephone number
to its network operations center' and such telephone number shall be
able to reach a live person who can exert transmitter power -clown
control over this site as required by the FCC. The location of the sign
must be visible immediately prior to climbing above the base of the util-
ity pole extension,
If Extenet and T -Mobile agree tothe conditions just stated, there will beno
memmersandumm
To Kraig Tambor(r�'ni, City of Sa f el
From: CnnscyOoe
Reviewed by: Jonathan L Kram
Date: June |3,20|2
RE: UPI |-2O/LUC
873 Del Ganado Road (Extenet Systems, LLC)
At the direction of the City, |have reviewed the Extenet Systems, LLC ("Exte-
nut') application to install a new distributed antenna system on a ud|kx pole at
the median at 873 Del Ganado Road near the intersection of Del Ganado Road
and Duran Drive.
Extenet is a California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") authorized wired
telephone corporation. It does not hold any FCC -issued wireless licenses to
provide cellular telephone service, Rather, Extenetinstalls wireless equipment
for its customer's use. In this planning case, Extenet`s customer isT-Mobi|e.
| have reviewed the proposed project in light of the recently passed [1Nd|e
Class Tax Relief and job Creation Act of2O|2(the '\4ct"). Section 6409()of
the Act addresses mandatory approvals of collocations at existing wireless tow-
ers, facially eliminating local discretion in connection with collocations.
TheinotantprojectisproposedtobeconmtructadonanexiS1ngoNkvun}etheo
was not constructed for, or has a primary use as a wireless tower.
Given that the project isnot onan existing wireless tower, the instant project
does not, in my opinion` kd| within the provisions of Section 640966' and is not
subiecttothe noundacoryapprov�required 6vthat |aw/ Accordingly, the City's
|��--
~—��t��Mun�'��bu�mp�d~'^~~'~/ ���t� project
ate.
Extenec proposes to install a nexv Z tall omni antenna on z6' extension pole to
be attached to the top of an existing 36' tall ud|�v polo in the rnedizn of [}d
{Sanodn Road. The CPUC requires anninirnunn of 6' separation between the
e|ectr��d senic� and anyser/ice on ti— ud|itypo|e
anre�n�ni|{ I -e ��ounced a`_*4IwiU
Kraig Tambor ini
873 Del GanadoKoad
UPI 1-20/LUC ITA (ExtenetSystems, LLC)
June |3,2U|2
Page 2 of 5
Extenetproposes m install an equipment cabinet and an electrical meter at
ground level approximately 5` to the north of base of the utility pole. The pro-
posed equipment cabinet will extend 5` /\GL It appears from the project do-
cumentation that the equipment cabinet will house battery backups and a delta
node. /\rnetercabinet will also bemounted to the equipment cabinet.
According to the project plans, Extenetproposes tuconnect the antenna tuthe
equipment cabinet via conduit that will run underground from the cabinet to
the utility pole and along the utility Pole to the antenna. A portion of tile cabling
will bevisible u1the base ofthe antenna.
Project Purpose
Extent does not disclose the dominant purpose of this project, however the
project documentation suggests that the primary purpose of this project is to
provide coverage for T-MobUeinits 1.90OMHz and Z`1UOMHz bands cfser-
vice.
Extenetprovided acoverage map that appears toindicate the proposed signal
level coverage for the area surrounding the site, Figure | below.
KruigTambornini
873 Del Ganado Road
UP| 1-20/ LUC 17/\(Ex1enet Systems, LLL)
June |3,ZO|2
Page 3 of 5
for the proposed site as asserted by Extenet. (Source
The proposed coverage map, however, does not provide objective signal level
data For the proposed site. Extenet did not provide an existing signal covep
��/ noap. \A/thout odaquot� coveru�e noapa | nnn unab|� to of�r on opinion as
to whether T -Mobile is attempting to close a gap in service or is attempting to
add signal capacity tothe area surrounding this site.
Eq-ui,[Dment Cabinet
Accordin� tu the photo �nnuk�iono, e equipment cabinet will be placed in
the median on the northeast side ofDel Ganndo Road. In this location the
ccbins:"{! havisib|eto the surrounding residc:�cs and nnay iMpedls ,isil-Airy
Tor vehicles travelling along Del GanodoRoad.
KraigTombornini
873 Dei GonadoRoa
UP||-2O/LOC |7A/ExtmnetSystems, LLC)
June {3,2O|2
Page 4 of 5
In order to reduce the aesthetic impact the site will have, I recommend that
the City require Extenet to place its electr ical power meter on the utility pole
such that the lowest portion of the meter is not less than 8^ /\GL and place
the remaining equipment inanunderground flush tograde vault.
Site Aesthetics
| also recommend that the City require Ertenetto'ntall equipment, indud-
in�vvhhout limitation, the tha extena|on`conduits,cabling, and antenna color ap-
proved by the City yo that all elements at this site have the same or similar
visual appearance.
SiteDoawnen
Sheet E|detail |ofthe site plans indicates that Extenetproposes toattach a
node tothe utility pole. However, the node isnot shown onthe elevation
view of the site plans nor is it shown in the photo Simulations.
I recommend that the City require Extenet to correct the site plans and pho-
to simulations to accurately reflect the proposed design or to reflect theun'
derground vault and node if this design change is required by the City.
s; laior_
TheFCC completely occupies dhm0eNantooetdngRFsofetvs1andordsincbe
United States. The City konot permitted 0oset its own standards regardless
of whether higher, lower, or even the same as the FCC's standards. The
Commission does' however, permit the City to determine whether a pro-
posed wireless project meets the required FCC 47 CFR § |.)307 at seq. (the
"FCC ru|eo''\ and FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin 65
("OET 65") RF safety directives.
Under the FCC rules, cerosn cype: ufwineess projects are deerned to be
^categorically exc uded.° thus not subject to further RF evaluation under the
rules due to identified factors indudin�: vvhether the antenna muppooin�
structL/re is nof a building or shared to perform sonne u -cher and 'Che
lowest portion of the transmitting antenna is at least 10 meters above ground.
ThU p F 0i doeallOt Ciunk6/for c�-,| cXcusI'cn undprrha
FCC ru|es because the antenna is mount -2d on astruccurethat io shl-red to
psrTo/rn some other funczion. �o ano�s�s o|t�a Q� �o)is�ionu �s noc��sa/y �,
KruigTombomini
879 Del (SunodoRoad
UP||-2O/LUC|7A(ExtenetSystems, LLC)
June |3'2O|2
Page 5 of 5
Exteethas submitted athird party FFemissions report from SiteSafedated
March 9'20|2(the 'SheSafe Report'). The SheSafeReport contains sufficient
emissions data toperhorn�onindependent unu�uisufthe proposed ennisoions
from the omni antenna. Boxed on the frequency and power to be emitted
from T -Mobile's omni antenna' ocontro||ed access zone o{3.] feet will ex-
tend outward fzono each transmitting panel antenna a1the same level as the
pune|antennua.
The existence ofzcontrolled zone does not mean that the project violates
the FCC rules; rather, itmerely requires that the wireless carrier take affir-
mative
ffip
nna1iveateps to restrict access to the controlled zones. In this case, the con-
trolled zones will be in inaccessible airspace at the same level as the antennas.
To comply with the existing FCC rules and FCC {}ET Bulletin 65 rules ne-
gardi I ng RF safety, I recommend the City condition the project as follows:
Extenet and/or 7 -Mobile shall place and maintain a permanent RF
Caution sign in English and Spanish at the base of the 6' tall ud|hx
pole extension just above the cross arm. The signage must be a
nnininnunn of 8" wide by {2" high' compliant with FCC OET Bulletin
65 or ANSI C95.2 for color, symbol, and content conventions. All
such a|gnoge shall at all times provide avvorking local or toll-free tel-
ephone number to its network operations center' and such tele-
phone number shall be able to reach aiiva person who can exert
transmitter power -clown control over this site as required by the
FCC. The location of the sign must be visible immediately prior to
dinnhin�above the base ofthe ud|itypole extension.
IT' Extanetand T-Mobi|eagree tothe conditions just stated, there will be
no RF emissions basis to deny or further condition the project.
�- _2E-e�
ILUCAS "VALLEEY
C 0 MI S T R U GIF � 0 LN M A P
L
CC Meeting Nov. -1'9, 20*12
File No. AP 12-006
Exhibit 5-5 ExteNet Maps
Lc 1
- 7
J4,7
dip
Kraig Tambornini
From: Paul H. Gusciora [
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 1:28 PM
To: Kraig Tarnbornini
Co: Maia L. McGehee; Paul H. Gusciora
Subject: Re: ExteNet - San Rafael
Kraig:
I am out of town and not able to attend the planning commission meeting tonight. I still object
to the project as proposed.
A long-term objective of many San Rafael residents is the underground relocation of electrical,
cable, and telephone service cables and equl 'pm"nt. This would include elimination of the
poles that support these cables. The only remaining poles would be to support street lighting.
The utility poles would not be available to support antennas.
I propose that the project be encumbered with a requirement that they remove or relocate the
antennas and equipment when utility services are placed underground, perhaps with the following,
language:
Within a reasonable amount of time, say six months, of project commencement to relocate the
utility service cables underground, the applicant of this project or the asset owner, their
assignees or successors, be required to remove and reloca-It-e, the antennas and their associated
equipment at no cost to the city, county, residents or any other entity funding or regulating
relocation of utility service cables and elimination of utility poles.
Best regards,
Paul H. Gusciora, Ph.D., P.E.
19 Maple Hill Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-492-1869
Original Message -----
From: "Kraig Tambornini"
To: < ,
"Carolyn Lenert" < ,
"da-vid caret'" < --,
<I'lwi- ,
"Osborne, Neal"
"Paul Gusciora" <- >,
"Pay SAFE PASS -'.GE Lorber"
"Ster�hen Marshall" <
-d i -h- cu -r- s"taus. f0- the
<<ExteNet Lette_c T --n
pro-ject.
9
a r 1�: a C_ I .
S C
n-- ___3 CC Pvleezling Nov. 19, 2012
File No. AP 12-006
Exhibit 5-6 PUblic Correspondence
Kraig Tambornini
From: Kristen Flynn EaUleimor[ .00m]
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 20129:38PYN
To: KraigTembornini
�.�
Subject: Re: Terra Linda/Lucas Park - Wireless Antenna's for which 3Wireless Carriers -ExbenetSystems
�
Thanks, That would bagreat. Having lived here mywhole life, then moving away for 20years I'm now
�`.
back having purchased my parents home and finding it's not technically up to par. | know there was amyU
`'.
tower declined over in Mont Marin, and I thought this would be an alternative. Looking forward toyour
Z�
' . Krishan
Kristen Flynn Ea8lmhner
`
OriginalMessage
From:
Flynn ~-—_'
Sent: Tue, Jul 24, 2012 7;18 pm
.`_
Subject: RE: Terra Linda/Lucas Park - Wireless Antenna's for which 3 Wireless Carriers - Extenet
Systems
'
Extenet LLC is required to provide infrastructure capacity to serve up to 3 carriers per PLIC regulations.
'
They are building this infrastructure specifically otthe request /bzserve one carrier, T Mobile. AT&T
�
Mobile Services could also lease this infrastructure from Extenet if desired. I arn surprised that they have
�not proposed something similar since they have the existing telephone company arm of AT&T that owns
, the existing land line infrastructure, | can ask Extenet if AT&T has expressed any interest.
KraiQTembornini Senior Planner
City of San Rafael
(415)485-30Q2
� From.Kristen Flynn EsU7ehner |muiKo:
' Sent. Tuesday, July 24. 2012 7:29 PM
To: KraigTannboonini
Subject: Terra Linda/Lucas hark - Wireless Antenna's for which 3 Wireless Carriers - Extenet Systems
Hello Kraig,
`
Would you knnxUhe three wireless carriers who are involved in this extension. |tn all for it We have
AT&T and even though they say we have cell service here on 7 Corte Verano, we do not. An internal
.,
Lower weadded inour house still makes itUmitndcoverage. Can you hear rnenow Sotherefore I'm in
support ofthis addition. |sone of' the carrier's AT&T7
�
Thanks for your efforts onour behalf.
Kristen
Kristen Flynn Estheimer
` 7/25/20I2
Page I of I
From: LJ Finch [
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 1:40 PM
To: Kraig Tambornini
Subject: Wireless Antenna installation near my property
Hello,
I'm writing in regard to a proposed installation of a wireless antenna installation atop a telephone
pole near my property (on Nlanuel Frietas). I aiii completely opposed to this and will pursue all
legal recourse to stop this installation near my home which shares a backyard with Manuel
Frietas. Furthermore, the proposed installation is near a park which harbors rare nests of hawks
and other birds. I suggest you use the "alternate" Hibiscus location.
I would like some additional information regarding this as I've seen no public flyers, nor mention
of a public hearing. I will be certain to rally the neighbors as to this "sneaky" proposal to install
these antennas with not much notification to neighbors (I'm sure you are well aware that not
everyone agrees to the benefits of these antennas).
Please send me/email additional information.
Regards,
Lisa
Page 1 of I
From: David Carey [
Sent: Sunday, June 17.2U1210:i6AM
To: KreigTambonnini
Co: Poo;
Subject: Proposed Uti|tyPole work at714Penny Royal Lane
Mr.Tambornini,
I live adjacent tothe utility pole Penny Royal Lane which is a proposed location for the installation
of communication transmitter. I strongly oppose this installation for the following reasons:
1. Aesthetically Unsightly- The proposed pod or antenna will look like something from a temporary
military outpost in the Mideast. it will cheapen the neighborhood and obstruct views of the surrounding
hills. The transformers and other boxes that will be mounted to the poles are just as ugly and and will
add to a completely unacceptable visual eyesore. It is obvious this is just a cheap band aid type of.
system that will be quickly thrown up and AT&T or Exonet could care less what it looks like.
2. Safety- The idea of attaching a 6 foot metal pole to the top of an aged 30' wood pole with significant
checking and cracking is certainly not a good idea. I really doubt there is enough solid wood at that
height to though bolt to hold this antenna in place properly and safely. There is also a P,G&E
transformer pretty much in the same location otthe top of the pole. Has a licensed structural engineer
reviewed this specific location for the proposed attachment and provided stamped and signed drawings?
3. Noise- Will there be a step down transformer mounted on the pole to provide 120 voltage for their
equipment? This will make a constant hum sound which is totally unacceptable.
4. Electromagnetic Transmitted Waves- I don't believe the effect of these transmitters has been honestly
evaluated and the public informed of the potential health issues. To have a high powered transmitter in
my and other peoples back yards here in Terra Linda really is an outrage. With the amount of deceit we
have already seen from Exonet trying to install these transmitters over the last year why would anyone
believe that these are safe. AT&T is a huge corporation and certainly could absorb the cost to run new
low voltage communication cable in new underground conduits in the street which is safe, modern and
the right way hodoit. This isjust acheap fly bynight fix.
Thank you for your work onour behalf.
David Carey
Sari Rafael, CA94983
6/18/2-012
From: Paul H. Gusciora [ net]
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 10:39 AM
To: Kraig Tambornini; Community Development Internet Mail
0: Maia L. McGehee; Paul H. GUsciora
Subject: 2012-06-19 Design Review Board meeting to discuss: Lucas Valley Area (ExteNet Systems DAS
Network) - Use Permit Environmental and Design Review and Exception
San Rafael Community Development Department Planning Division Design Review Board
Kraig Tamborini & Design Review Board Members:
According to a public notice that I received in the mail, and an agenda published on the San
Rafael web -site, on Tuesday 2012-06-19 you will consider applications UPII-020 & ED11-024. if my
schedule permits, I will attempt to attend the Design Review Board meeting.
1 recommend alternative locations for the cell -phone antennas and transmitter proposed to be
Located on top of existing power poles in San Rafael.
Some people have observed that many cell -phone carrier's reception is marginal in Lucas Valley
including the campuses of Dixie Elementary School, Marin Waldorf School, and Miller Creek
School.; as well as the Mont Maria San Rafael neighborhood, and the MarinWood Community Center.
Phis presents a public safety issue and provides an incentive to cell carriers to improve
reception for their customers by installing additional cell phone transmitter sites.
Driving with cell -phones in field test mode shows that marginal AT&T cell -phone coverage in
several of these areas is provided by an AT&T cell transmitter near Northgate mall. At these
same locations, NexTel cell phones receive excellent reception from a cell -phone transmitter
Lower located North-West of St. Vincent's school. Google earth images suggest', and personal
experience driving on highway 1,01. confirms, that the cell phone antennas North-West of St.
Vincent's school are difficult to observe from public roads.
Fn particular, I recommend that the proposal to install a cell -phone antennas and transmitters
Dn a power poles on or near Las Gallinas Avenue be rejected in the short term. Instead, I
recommend that the applicant co -locate a cell -phone transmitter at one (or more) of the existing
antenna sites including:
the tower Noxth-West of St. Vincent's school
latitudowt+38.04217, longitude�-122.53249
the tower on Luiz Fire Road latitude"+33.038, longitude= -122.591
the antenna sites on Big Rock Ridge Fire Road including:
1_atitude-+38.037, longitude= -122.568
latitude:-+38.0499,longitude--122.601:L
the MMWD parcel an Old Lucas Valley road
Ehese antenna sites are less likely to lcose power due to fallen power disrribution lines. if ar
qhen power is lost, it would be easier to deploy portable genetoro to these antenna sites thaTI
to We-m2unted transmitters.
Aftnr the apyllcanzs 1ccaze t:=_.,.,_. _...__c antennas and t7anamitteru at or near one of thaw!_-
2xisting annonna sitco, a ce!L-phcne antonna and zronaniouer might he unnecessary or ninht
vrovt6e irfaricr incrcy�nzaL call-qh= coverage to a cell - Yom:
cns =ansmitzor at cna of the c7h�
AU7!ng antanhi sitn2.
lo-1ccating cell-yhcne anzennas at existing antenna siteL rcdsocs the i�pact to the envircnmeni
and srcvides an oppcyLunity to provide a proven incrcase in cell -shone ccuerage rc a widor arca,
Zes' sizan ha7e more rcliabin power, and arc hitinr solzed Or tzmpo2ary, pornable gvnexatcrs,
in FdMinnal DeEefiv za inn anpitcan7 is U,az 1ha capital coat C� pro4ding serv!ce =�ld he
fnducEd hy -a-i:-Ej,n7 at n =11 nuTbor of fized lccali=3 rather than deploVing zFny zri-I
sites than cich cover a smaller area.
Rest rogards,
?au! A. Guscicra, Ph.D,, 2,E.
rm no UIJLGI_tz, Yq,.;J-v -uluu,
ILK'AnIum-Rum- m -u-,
To: "Kraig Tarnbornini" <Rraig.tai-nboy nini@cityofsaivafiel.org>, "San. Rafael Planning,"
<
Froln: "Paul H. Gusciora" <
Subject: 2012-06-19 Design Review Board meeting to discuss: Lucas Valley Area (ExteNei
Systems DAS Network) -Use Permit, Environmental and Design Review and Exception
Cc: "Maia L. McGehee" < corn>, "Pa -u! H. Gusciora" <
. >
Bcc:
X-Attacli.ments:
San Rafael Community Development Department
Planning Division
Design Review Board
Kraig'-Famborh-d A Design Review Board N fen.ibers:
I
According to a public notice that 1 received in the Eo.ail, ai,,d an agenda -pubhslled on -the Sa-11,
0 -
Rafael web -site, on Tuesday 2012-06-19 you will coiisideril--�-ptica'tioiis'UPII,-020 &ED11-024.1f
ri-Ly schedule permits, T will attempt to attend the Design Review Boa -M lneeting.
I reconunend alternative locations for the cell -phone antennas and iransmitter proposed to be
located on top of existing power poles in San Rafael.
Some people have observed that many cell -phone carrier's reception is marginal in Lucas Valley
including the campuses of Dixie Elementary School, Marin Waldorf School, and Miller Creek
SchooJ; as well as the Mont Marin San Rafael neighborhood, and the MarinWood Corn unity
Center. This presents a public safety issue and provides an incentive to cell carriers to improve
reception for their customers by installing additional cell phone transmitter sites.
Driving with cell-pho).-ies in field test mode shows that marginal. AF&T cell -phone coverage in
several of these areas is provided by an AT&T cell iransmitter:aear Nortligate mall. At these
same locations, NexTel cell phones receive excellent reception frona a cell-photie trans. -I-
1- -ed- North-West of St. Vincerfs school. Google eazrh i -i -naps stlgges� ard rierso-aa-i
�_ower to cat 1 0 If
experience dr: ing on highway 101 cmifirins, that 'the cefl� pho-n_e am-e-Falas North-West ofSt.
IVI
Vincent's school are difficult to observe ho -m publicroads.
-cor ad that the -posal 'to installaw del -pl-mre nntennas and transmitte-is oil
.11 particular, 11 re mii,ei th pro
a power poles on or near Las Gallinas Avenue be rejected JR the short te-rm. fflstead, 1
Zecoi'muend that the applicant co' -locate a cell -phony (oxr -more) of r1he edstIJ*_n,g
anter -aa sites illcluoling:
the tLower Norflh.-TiVcst oi"'t'. Vincent's school
t
oilgil o 0
e-122.53249
the 'tower on Luiz Fire Road latiWde3S 038 JOIL, U(I
thea-,ife--mia sites on B-1-0 Rock rkidoel-' eRoadhiciuciing
0 g:
latitrud'e-z-38.037,
latiiuele:--+`18.04,99 to
J RgJ L -422.'041
the X! NIA, IflD parcel on Old Lucas "galley r0a d
"-4, -e `,-ss i; o i oose povv,eir due -X; 13 MV eT cd"; "YlOu jj nes it o t.
-
De -CS ;'�-O
J,
011e 0,
L
Kraig Tambornini" <kraig, ibarninWelt ofsanira, 6/18/12 10.31" /1 -0760,201-2-36-19
antenna sites, a cell -phone antenna and transmitter might be unnecessary or might provide
inferior ix-icrementa.1 cell -phone coverage to a cell -phone transmitter at one of the other existing
antenna sites.
Co -locating cell -phone antennas at existing antenna. sites reduces the -impact to the environment
and provides an opportunity to provide a proven increase in cell -phone coverage to a wider
area. These sites have more reliable power, and are better suited for temporary, portable
generators. An additional benefit to the applicant is that the capital cost of providing service
would be reduced by co -locating at a small number of fixed locations rather than deploying
many cell sites that each cover a smaller area.
Best regards,
Paul 1-1. Gusciora, Ph.D., P.E.
San Rafael, CA 94903
The following is background so that
the San Rafael City Planning Department Staff,
the applicant,
and the public
may verify the information that I have reported in this message:
Posted meeting agenda for UP11-020 er EDII-024:
Lucas Valley Area (ExteNet Systems D Network) -Ilse Peimit, Environmental and Design
Review and Exception for installation of 2`2" tall by 16" diameter oi-n-m-antenna on. 4" by 4" by 6'
tall post eXtensions attached to the top of e,,dsting 39' to 48! talljointutility poles, and associated
01round ii-tounied equipinent cabinets -located within- t-ile public rights-of-way al five locafio-as Jur.
-north San Rafael, as ipart of a distrfIbukted antemia system ("DAS") public telephone iii-frastructure
proj e ct hnplemeiile iter- by.Exi eNet Sy stef-as; APN: n/ a, siu',. e Ic catiojas ne ar 1959 Las sa I E* Y -Las Ave,
8703 Del Granado Rd, 714 Per_ny loyal 7 Mou�,-c,71deo Wey, and 459 Flibiscus Way; R5, R7.5,
RIO, R20, PD and R5 -EA Zone Dis-Mcts; Ricl,, 1741rscIll, Applicant,- 1,17xieNet Systems, LLC Owner;
Terra Linda/ Santa Margarita and Neighborhoods. Project Planner:
Kraig Tarnbornird
According to a document that was once posted on the Sci-ri Rafael Pla-tu-iii-ig Departtlllel-(€
web -site:
4 ap- rayl I -qu - --o er - sir,, -m -e tiliat'diere a-�e -,-I.o " as' le or nno-re
e, - 0" - "'Ee Ib
plicant ri ;e Yc ire J t d uoll
M)ec
--ed altei�nMI-Ves available -oioul I, ineei 'kRe coverao�e ob- tives."
-he M X -re 3 iel d i est i7n if -r, veaJs t1i at froin Lucas Vafley, the Nk.�\'Yef cell-pho ne
I -J ceJt-i Ii -one f7' ' ' * e
1. - Y I - 4� �j I
coiisiste-_ntly cmrt.nects ik-o a ceill'-plao-ne towe at taf itude� '38. 0421 o)-tb de 122,53,24-9.
Comparin-0 t1lat location
(MapQuest)
2 I 11,Ild_ 38 -4
01:
VV
r, -v7,Ajw.927.,,--_cE/ Lists 'n- s ---d t�i: '; ,-vv,-
Kraig Tainbornini 11 <kraig.taiiiboriiiiiiecityofsalira, ro/iS/12-10-39 AM -0700,2012-06-19 3
shows that the NexTel cell. -phone is connecting to:
Callsign Loc Addr Loc City Grant Date
WPPN464 ONE ST. VINCENTs DR. SAN RAFAEL 12/17/1999
Field test node for NexTel cell -phones reveals the cell -phone received signal level and often the
cell -phone transmitter site servicing the call. Field test mode for the AT&T Whone cell -phones
requires driving away from the transmitter or from the target location to the likely transmitter
which is alit more tedious.
flere is the inforniation, about how to put a cell telephone into niany cell -phones includitig
Who:ae avid, INfe,11el naio Field _a`LIJ_3: / /,,,�n. w;I<Jk*_0 ed o;z / -w-`ki /.Fielcl tes L, irtoel 2 -Ixiod 2
d,13/P.lioiie-Test-Mor esl.i:,,dff
Apple Whone
In phone node dial %3001#1234,5#'` 'then press CALL. The Field Test Screen will, appear. Select
"Cell Information." Signal Strength is on the top line after RX-. Frequency follows F) and is
based on the channel number (i.e. 100-200 is 800 -1\4FIz and 500-700 is 1900NII-1z). The top line
displays information about the tower you, are using. The lines below display itifo about your
neighboring towers.
Nextel, Mike, SouthernLINC (iDEN Phones)
Quickly dial #, *, Menu, RIGFfr ARROW
Scroll down to System Status or RX Status, press "View." NOTE: On some phones you will push
TRACE or MENU so the signal will automatically update. Other phones you will have to press
BACK to return to the Menu and theca choose TRX StaWs again to manually update. On the RX
STATUS Screen t.ie toopaledimal _aurnber is ycur Sigo-nal Q-aaEi'Ly.r_,'(-,u-,v c (SOE). '11 -his r,-jnaber
-1 _k - nt -
needs to be as high as possible between 25.00 to 35.00. YoLur signal strength is the second
t aty.; b er on tile s e c o P, d L! n e f ; c, v) f,-. !�_i e ', ai ril 0(e -,,,v e k Ire be -00 -90 w fu��:�- e s y
, it iii - "Bac-
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June 19, 2012
Kraig TannbomniniSenior Planner
City ofSan Rafael Community Development Department -Planning Division
I40UFifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA949O3
RE: ExteNEtSystems DASNetwork Project - Installation at 714Penny Royal, San Rafael, C4
Dear Mr. Tambornini:
Thank You for taking the time toreview the proposed project last week, | was surprised atthe scope of
the work proposed. ifeel that the neighborhood does not really understand the impact Lnour
community. We has homeowners are banned from building a second story on Our homes, but we can
have this antenna high inthe sky?
|nreviewing the proposed project, concerns are the following:
Aesthetic and visual impacts
Characteristics impacts
Privacy and views ofopen space
Benefit only totheir customers
Inability Loscreen the antenna
Due to the blind corners on this street, children have to ride on sidewalk in this area and the box
at the edge of sidewalk; which would restrict the ability to move suddenly off the sidewalk if
needed.
Maintenance and if company abandoned site due to any constraints.
Neighbors onLas Rapmsas,T/a/eeWay, Knocknabou|VVay Patricia Way, Las CohndasRoad should have
the opportunity to review and comment on this project due this impacting their views looking down
from the hillside.
Require photos of current locations insimilar type neighborhood to realize impact and/or story poles
and mock cabinet at this site.
If project is allowed for the City to require the project underground.
We are in opposition and support your recommendation to relocate Penny Royal site.
Ric &, Kimberly Wilson
San Rafael, [A94903
Community Development Department
Planning Department, City of San Rafael
San Rafael, California 94915-1560
We would like to report our strong objection to the proposed 6' extension and antenna placement at
459 Hibiscus Way, Terra Linda.
Our neighborhood fought long and hard to have special design review status, due to the design of our
homes and their close proximity to one another. This status should preserve the views and privacy of
our homes.
The proposed location is on a pole in the middle of residences.... not along the public walkways or main
streets, where the poles are already higher. It would stand out and be obtrusive. We are also
concerned about the nature of such antennae in general, and the health questions raised by this close
proximity to people's homes ..... just above a bedroom, in this case.
If this extension is made, we will see it from all the clerestory windows of our home, as well as from our
kitchen table. it will take away our only slice of a view of the hills, and we will no longer have our view
of a tiny slice of the sky..we would be looking at electronic equipment that is put there to benefit private
enterprise/profits. Are we not protected from this by our special architectural area status? That is
certainly what we all intended when, as a neighborhood, we fought so hard for that status...
San Rafael has already allowed AT T to place ugly electronic boxes, with NO planting or screening, along
Freitas Parkway. These boxes produce an electronic "hum" 24 hours a day, and have service people
there on a regular basis, with the attendant noise and disruption. It seems that Terra Linda does not get
the same consideration that other areas of San Rafael receive... it seems that the City allows things here,
for for profit, that might not be allowed in other parts of San Rafael.
Please do not do this to us .... there are a lot of ways to hide these antenna and a lot of places to put
them besides adjacent to our homes.
Thank you,
Van and Carolyn Jar
VLS
�-,
a= � afa1�- I
1-�ei
April 30, 2012
Mr. Kraig Tambornini, Senior Planner
Community Development Department -Planning Division
1400 Fifth Avenue, Post Office Box 151560
San Rafael, CA 94915-1560
Mr. Neil Osborne
Community Development Agency
County of Marin
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
Re: ExteNet Systems (California) LLC -Telecom DAS Network -Terra Linda/Lucas Valley
Gentlemen:
Thank you for transmitting the above project referral to Santa Margarita Neighborhood
Association and the North San Rafael Coalition of Residents. The following represents a
joint response on our behalf.
A. In re Memo to Kraig Tambornini re incomplete letter of 4120111 response memo
dated 4/10112 Item 6 Stealth Design. Landscape screening for equipment cabinets
mounted at grade is proposed. Although the aesthetic intent is appreciated, without an
allocation for maintenance and irrigation, this is not feasible. The installations are in un-
irrigated public rights of way with extremely depleted and hardened soils. In the unlikely
event that plants installed for screening could survive, the costs of irrigation and regular
maintenance should be borne by the Applicant and not by City taxpayers.
B. Memo To KT re 4/2011111 response mem.o dated 4110/112 -- Rern 7 General Plan
Compliance. Equipment boxes have been redesigned to be mounted at grade. While
this is an improvement over the "garbage can in the sky" approach, equipment boxes at
grade will attract graffiti and require re -painting within 24 hours of their defacement. To
prevent the blighting of the neighborhoods, a toll-free graffiti hotline telephone number
should be established, placed on each installation together with sorne ExteNet
identification that describes the location of the facility. The terms of this maintenance
should be written, specific and involve no expense for the City.
"The equipment boxes can be vaulted in certain unique cases if absolutely necessary,
- vided _'-hpt `"he 'itv can Pagree �o a cost-st-12ring ac --h (Pity (ta,l oavers)
Q,, 0 � k" ,
greernen.." I I * ea
should bear no cost o-1 any kind in connection with the highly -lucrative private enterprise
Q
being conducted in public rights of way. If utilities are to be undergrounded and the
existing wood utility poles are left in place, ExteNet should bear all costs and liability
since it is the primary beneficiary.
C. Memo To KT re 4/20/11 response memo dated 4/10/12 - Item 8. Basic
Description; last sentence of third paragraph. 'Wireless -only households as a
percentage of overall households is (sic) increasing steadily, and will eventually be the
predominate (sic) means of telephone communication." In the event of disaster,
wireless -only households and VOIP-households will be left vulnerable--- without
telephone service within a short period. Since ExteNet is promoting this outcome, they
should fund a public service announcement program for the foreseeable future
regarding their customers' clients' expectations during disasters and/or prolonged
electrical outages.
D. 8a. CPUC regulations that apply to the DAS system network and purpose for
installing the utility infrastructure, 10th line. "Although it is ExteNet's policy that it will
work with local jurisdictions on location and design issues, it is also ExteNet's position
that local jurisdictions cannot take actions that are contrary to this grant of authority or
that are otherwise inconsistent with the CPUCs exercise of its jurisdiction in
determining that DAS networks and the advanced telecommunication services that they
provide are in the state's interest in ubiquitous deployment of such services. " According
to the Bagley -Keene Act.- "The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the
agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public
servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for
them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control
over the instruments they have created." The State's interest is the people's interest and
this is further delineated and expressed in local government, local control and local
regulations to which ExteNet will comply without objection or exception.
E. Of. Alternative design solutions that would nieelt, coverage objectives and
decrease node and equipment visibility, height, nui-aber, placement, etc. Explain
why alternatives that decrease v! ' sibility are not pursued. See the first paragraph,
7th line: "...and novil has evolved to ground -mounted boxes, softened by landscaping.
ExteNet believes that this latest solution will decrease the visibility of the installations to
the greatest extent possible..." See comments A and B above.
F. Pole Loading Analysis. DPW Comment 4. Agil 19;ement to remove improvenients.
"'ExteNet is willing to post a surety bond satisfactopy to the City in form and amount to
I
en -sure the rest-oratior.) of t,' -,,e light standards to a condition absent ExteNet's DAS
,-qtAwnent in the elvent ,that F�dp_Ne[ C.anfloi- S.,!!Stain actillitfii9s or the
3
deemed no longer needed. Please confirm the direction and the amount of the surety
Bond." Of course, the bond should ensure the restoration of the entire pole (not just the
light standards) to pre-ExteNet installation conditions. We do not understand what the
"direction" of a bond is. The amount of bond should be tied to the CPI or other
appropriate and customary cost/inflation projection index.
G. Open House Summary. "Most people simply want to be heard, and they appreciate
that we took the time to listen, " said Patti.' We vigorously disagree with the above
statement. ExteNet was forced to convene a community forum after a total failure to
properly engage one community while attempting to install a 60' tower 20' from a San
Rafael homeowner's bedroom on Cedar Hill without the necessary permits or regulatory
review. The "divide and conquer" approach at the Open House with five topic -specific
stations was unsuccessful and resulted in a lively community question and answer
period. One vice president began his statement "in all good faith..." while the Applicant
was suing another Bay Area city that was attempting to apply its local
telecommunication ordinances. The five -station approach is inefficient and incoherent.
The public did not "want to be heard," but wanted the facts and assurances of local
design standards. "Most people" cannot believe assertions made by ExteNet
representatives due to their divisive attempts to circumvent local regulations and their
later false written assertion that Underground Service Area markings on Cedar Hill have
been removed. The multi -color paint remains to this day along the entire length of the
street, reminding "most people" what almost happened on the 2011 Martin Luther King
3 -day holiday weekend.
Lasi page. "All of the utility lines in this particular community are underground..." While
this may be true of the Lucas Valley installations, four of the facilities are planned for
Terra Linda. So this statement is confusing or untrue.
"Also, please note that none of the comments submitted concerned any of the nodes
that are currently planned for the City of San Rafael. "The public record is clear: from
the beginning of the proposed project, the Santa Margarita Neighborhood Association
requested compensation for the blighting of its community, objected to the "garbage
cans in the sky," and asked that a bond for equipment removal be secured.
H. Obsolesance. We understand that DAS technology is already obsolete and are not
enthusiastic about the proposed project.
r
1.;2 Hs -fight of Aelvi_al Rouldneg. VVe have obser ed that aerial Inole-to-pole rou'finq has
1 v r -
'been installed too lov�j and without cable -wrapping in our neighborhoods. In several
locations, ofliner vendois' facilities do not enable moving trucks to stavin their lane of
.1
4
travel which is completely unacceptable. In other locations ---especially at wide
intersections ---the steel cable -wrapping around the fiber optics has failed. There were
lengthy delays until this could be repaired. Most of Terra Linda and parts of Lucas
Valley experiences high winds and deferred maintenance is not acceptable.
J. Age/Condition of Poles, Our community has 50+ year old wood poles. The
additional weight of above -ground fiber optic cabling is causing the poles to lean and/or
fail. The staking or "tie -downs" on private property are further blight and may create
public safety issues that Applicant should mitigate.
Thank you for this opportunity to comment. We appreciate your attention to detail and
prompt clear communication on this issue.
Respectfully submitted,
NORTH SAN RAFAEL COALITION OF RESIDENTS*
SANTA MARGARITA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION**
103
Carolyn S. Lenert
cc: City of Novato Telecommunication Specialist
*Post Office Box 6442, San Rafael, CA 94903
**Post Office Box 6449, San Rafael, CA 94903
Page I of .1
Kraig Tambornini
From: David Carey [ com]
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2011 3:04 PM
To: Kraig Tambornini
Cc: CarolynLenert@msn.
Subject: Protest of ExteNet Distributed Antenna Phone Syst. File Number: UP1 1-020 (ED1 1-024)
Dear Mr. Tambornini,
I live on Penny Royal Lane adjacent to the proposed equipment installation and I am strongly opposed
to this. I have lived here in San Rafael for over 20 years, I am a responsible citizen and pay my property
taxes every year. I believe there should be a public forum, (well advertised), to itifom-i the people of
Terra Linda what is going on, how a large corporation is trying to sneak in here and install an extremely
unsightly installation ugly atioon 50 year old infrastructure which is already unsightly. Additionally, I
believe there are safety issues that should be addressed.
In the Santa Margarita Valley area we have wonderful views in all directions and that is an obvious
benefit to living here. There is a moratorium on altering the roof on your house. Anyone who wants to
modify the roof line of their house needs to go through a public hearing process. Why does this not go to
the same scrutiny? This installation is far more unsightly than proposed roof modifications I have seen
that were not allowed to be built. The proposed installation looks like a military communications pole in
a war zone or something from a third world nation, it does not belong in Terra Linda. I cannot believe it
is even being proposed. It also provides no benefit to any citizen of this area. There is already very good
cellphone coverage, Internet and television service. It is not necessary.
Please inform me what avenues 1 have as a citizen of San Rafael to protest this installation. I look
forward to your response.
Sincerely,
David J. Carey
San Rafael, CA 94903
411W201 I
April 16, 2011
Mr. Kraig T@nlbornini
Planning Department
City of San Rafael
140OFifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA94SO3
Subject: ExteNetApplication File No. UP11-O2O0ED11-O24\
Dear Kraig:
The Santa Margarita Neighborhood Association B0erd of Directors (representing 1,230 homes
and other members) has authorized me to respond to the above ExteNet proposal to modify
telephone poles onDel Genado,Hibiscus, Las GaUinaoand Penny Royal.
Our concerns are:
1.This iavisual' blight. VVewant owritten guaranty (and anamount inescrow) that the
extensions, wires and equipment will beremoved when obsolete.
2.Our 50-OOyear-old poles are already leaning. Anchoring the existing poles creates more
visual blight and new easements onto private property. Please address.
3. We call for ExteNet make an annual. contribution of $2,500 per extended pole per yeai. (now
and iDthe future) to promote community engagement via our nonprofit 5O1 o3 status.
4. We would like one ExteNet contact and 24/7 telephone number in case of emergency (during
installation and for the futuns). This information would be affixed to each modified pole.
5. We strongly object hm placing additional equipment (such as o OO' towerin K4MVVD property)
inMarin County Open Space.
Thank you for your attention to this, and for keeping us informed in the future.
Very truly yours,
/s/Carolyn Loned
Cano\ynLened
President
49S-9234
PoO�OffiC�B0���42'BanR�f@�!.C/\94�O3—vwm�sn�na-cn|inecorn
Page 1 of I
Kraig Tambornini
From: Jan Vazquez [
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 2:02 PM
To: CarolynLenert@msn.
Cc: Kraig Tambornini
Subject: ExteNet application
Hello Carolyn,
Thank you for taking the time and effort on behalf of the Santa Margarita Neighborhood Association to
contact neighbors near the proposed ExteNet project. I have reviewed your letter and the attached
application materials and have the following comments: .
1. Yes, the telephone poles and the ExteNet antenna attachment will be a visual blight. But even without
the antenna, the series of utility poles and lines in the Terra Linda valley are huge distraction from the
view of the beautiful open space hillsides. The City of San Rafael has been collecting money for decades
from the utility companies for the sole purpose of undergrounding utilities and I really want to know why
that money cannot be used/why it has not been used in Terra Linda. It's more than time that it should be.
As for a financial guaranty that ExteNet remove their equipment when it comes obsolete, I think that
would be a good idea, if it is feasible. However, I don't know of cities holding such securities for years on
end without some sort of term specified. It may be time for the City to establish a fund to be paid into for
the City have them removed when obsolete.
2. I did not find anything in the plans or written materials showing a proposal to create new anchors for the
utility poles. I doubt that the addition of the equipment on the top of the poles will have any affect on the
poles: they are too small to have an effect given the existing anchors and foundation of the poles.
3. I don't know what events have occurred that lead you to conclude ExteNet is a "bad actor" that is
attempting to force the facilities on the neighborhood without rectuired hearings. What I get from the
application materials is that the company is a public utility licensed by the State of California; it is a
member of the Norther California Joint Pole Association, subject to the California Joint Pole Agreement
which I guess entitles them to use utility poles; the ExteNet representative has met with some neighbors
and as a result decided to locate a node outside of the City to gain neighbors' support for the project; and
ExteNet has now filed for use permit and design review permits which will entail a public hearing before
the planning commission. I don't see where there is anything amiss or where there might have been a
public hearing through any prior action or change in company ownership. Apparently, the ExteNet
representative. smartly, took the initiative to contact neighbors in advance of filing the application and
amend the plans, something that is not required of them.
4. It would be prudent for ExteNet to provide an emergency contact information to the Fire Department, as
they are the ones who would most likely be the first responders.
-�. The application does not include the installation of a 60' tower in public open space.
Jan Vazquez
San Rafael
A 11 7;701 1
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
You are invited to attend the City Council hearing on the following project:
PROJECT: PROJECT: ExteNet LLC Distributed Antenna Systems (Lucas Valley Network) — Appeal
of the Planning Commission action approving a wireless antenna infrastructure improvement
(Node t.UC-003A) within City public rights-of-way adjacent to 714 Penny Royal Lane as part
of its decision to grant Master Use Permit No. UPI 1-20, Master Environmental and Design
Review Permit No. EDII-24 and Exception No. EX12-002 for the ExteNet Wireless
Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Infrastructure project. File: AP 12-006.
As required by state law, the project's potential environmental impacts have been assessed. Planning staff recommends
a finding that this project will not have a significant effect on the environment and is Categorically Exempt from the
provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) tinder 14 CCF? Section 15301(b) and 15303(d) (utility
facilities), If the City Council determines that this project is in an environmentally sensitive area, further studies may be
required.
HEARING DATE: Monday, November 19, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.
LOCATION: San Rafael City Hall — City Council Chambers
1400 Fifth Avenue at "D" Street
San Rafael, California
WHAT WILL The Citv Council will consider all oublic testimony and decide whether to approve or deny the
HAPPEN:
IFYOU CANNOT You can send a letter to the Office of the City Clerk-, Room 209, City of San Rafael, P.O. Box
ATTEND: 151560, San Rafael, CA 94915-1560. You can also hand deliver it prior to the meeting.
FOR MORE Contact Kraig Tarnbomini, Project Planner at (415) 485-3092 or
INFORMATION: ki-aig.tamboriiini*citylofsanrafael.oig. You can also come to the Planning Division office.
located in City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue, to look at the file for the proposed project. The office
is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday and Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. You can also view the staff report after 5:00 p.m. on the
Friday before the meeting at httta:1,itivtiv.citvofsanrafael.orr?'meeiint s.
SAN RAFAEL CITU COUNCIL
Esther Beime
CITY CLERK
At flic "Ibow I i!ii,, at-, d placc. at I 1,`ticr, roccixed \\ it I be noted antl ,iIt intere,,tt:d piries \\i':I be heard, I I',, mi ch<illcngc in Court Ilia tilatler
lcscribcd lit wl I St -,:i\ 1%, 1 in)ilcd to rai,;1to 0n h those' issues wii orstir icone el,t, mised iii the pit h I ic hearin dcciihed in Ibis nt ;! ice, or in
Nxt-111cr., cortvzpon, 1,:: ice dcli\ cro" o- pno,- it 1. 111 obo% C rete r, -,I Ice"I 1111blic I Icaring.
Council 1094,0)
>r& ril?, r to 01,.I Hit"! Goido" Rile' 2" 01--J i,,
CC ilvle e fir a Nov. 19; 2012
i - de No. A 12-006
Exhibit 6- CC Hearing Notice
Jeannie Courteau
From: Esther Beirne
Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2012 6:40 PM
To: Kraig Tambornini
Cc: Jeannie Courteau
Subject: RE: CC Hearing Notice for Appeal 12-006
Yes needs publication notice please send to jeannie Courteau for Jeanne leoncini's attention
From: Kraig Tambornini
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 1:25 PM
To: Esther Beirne
Cc: Anne Derrick
Subject: CC Hearing Notice for Appeal 12-006
Hi Esther:
The referenced appeal has been scheduled for a hearing before the CC on Nov 19 2012 and the notice below will be
mailed out next Friday to owners, residents and interested parties within 500 feet of the site, and posted at the site. Do you
need to publish this in the IJ, and if so, do you need me to prepare a form for that?
I will be out next week so am asking Anne to help take care of any noticing details for the CC meeting.
Thanks,
Kraig
<< OLE Object: Microsoft NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING — CITY COUNCIL
Word Picture >> You are invited to attend the City Council hearing on the following proposed project:
PROJECT: ExteNet LLC Distributed Antenna Systems (Lucas Valley Network) — Appeal of the Planning Commission action approvinc
wireless antenna infrastructure improvement (Node LUC-003A) within City public rights-of-way adjacent to 714 Penny Royal Lane as part
decision to grant Master Use Permit No. UP11-20, Master Environmental and Design Review Permit No. ED11-24 and Exception No. EX1
for the ExteNet Wireless Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Infrastructure project. File: AP12-006.
As required by state law, the project's potential environmental impacts have been assessed. Planning staff recommends a finding that this project will not h
significant effect on the environment and is Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under 14 CCR Se
15301(b) and 15303(d) (utility facilities. If the City Council determines that this project is in an environmentally sensitive area, further studies maybe require
MEETING DATE/TIME/LOCATION: Monday, November 19, 2012, 7:00 p.m. City Council Chambers, 1400 Fifth Ave at D St, San Rafae
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kraig Tambornini, Project Planner at (415) 485-3092 or kraig.tambornini@cityofsanrafael.org.
can also come to the Planning Division office, located in City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue, to look at the file for the proposed project. The office
open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday and Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. You can al:
the staff report after 5:00 p.m, on the Friday before the meeting at httr)://www,citvofsanrafael.ora/meetings
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: You can comment on the project. The City Council will consider all public testimony and decide whether to appro
deny the application.
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND: You can send a letter to the Community Development Department, Planning Division. City of San Rafael, P.
151560, San Rafael CA 94915-1560. You can also hand deliver it prior to the meeting.
At the above time and puce all letters received'v:1. be noted and al! interested parties wil, be heard iF you challenge ;r. court the matter descrited above. you may be limited to
raising on;y those issues you or someone e'se rased at the pubic hea^ng described in this notice or in writer correspondence cleiivered at. or prior to the above referenced
cubiic nearing tGcver mer.t Code Section e5Gv9 't;
Jud,oal review ,f an administratr,e dec.s,cr cf tre C by Counc.. must be fired wit" the Court not iater than the 92" da, fc icving tre date of the Ccunc,:'s decision JCode of C `,-i
P,ccedure Sectio 1G94 6',
Sign Language and interpretat,cr, aria assistive :,sten,rg cevices ,; ay Ce requested by ca,.;ng 415; 485-3085 , voice; cr , 41, 5) 485-3'98: TLI--i at least 1 12 hours .r, ad race
;op;es of docurrmerts are avauab;e it access;tIe formats upon request
Punic transportatia,; to City Nal. <s avadabie through Gcider, Gate Transit u.ne 22 or 23 Para -transit is avauabie Cr caGng Wr„stiestcp Wineeis at i415) 454-0964
To ar avv ,rdivrduais grill-, er,v�rdnrreniai ;,mess or.murtip+'e chem;ca, se,rsitmly to attend tie meetingtt-,earng rnmviduars are requested to refrain from :veanng scented ,products.
Marin independent Journal
Legal No 0004673097
RAFAEL
150 Alameda del Prado
CITY OF SAN
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PO Box 6150You
are invited to attend the City Council
hearing on the following project:
Novato, California 94948-1535
PR01ECTr PROJECT: ExteNet LLC Distributed
(415) 382-7335
Antenna Systems (Lucas valley Network) - Ap-
peal of the Planning Commission action ap-
proving a vvireless antenne infrastructure im.
provement thode LUC-003A) within City public
rights-of-way adiacent to 714 Penny Royal Lane
as part of its decrswn to grant Master Use Per-
mit No. UPI 1-20. Master Environmental and De-
sign Review Permit No. EDIT-24 and Exception
SAN RAFAEL,CITY OF
No. EX12-002 for the ExtoNet wireless Distribut-
ed Antenna system (ans) Infrastructure proj-
ect. rile: AP12-006.
WORKS,1400 FIFTH AVE
As required by state law, the project's poten-
tial environmental impacts have been as-
SAN RAFAEL CA 94915 1560
mssed. Planning staff recommends a findingg
that this project will not have a significant ef.
fect on the environment and is Categorically
Exempt from the pprovisions of the California
Act under 14 CCR
Environmental r9uality iCEQA),
Section ty and utility
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
is project if the City Council determines that this project
Council determines
is in an environmentally sensitive area, further
(2015.5 C.C.P.)
studies may be required.
HEARING DATE: Monday, November 19, Z012
at 7:00 P,M.
LOCATION: San Rafael City Hall - City Council
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Chambers 1400 Fifth Avenue at "D" Street
Sari Rafael, California
WHAT WILL HAPPEN; The City Council will
1tA
County Os I Marin
consider all public testimony and decide
shether to approve or deny the appeal.
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND: You can send a letter
to the Cifice of the City Clerk. Room 209. City of
San Rafael. P. O. Box 151560. Sari Rafael, CA
FILE NO. 0004673097
94915-1560. You can also hand deliver it prior to
the meeting.
FOR MORE INFORMATION : Contact Kraig
Tmnbornird, Project Planner at (41S) 4855-3092
or kraig.tambormniia cityofsanrafaei org. You
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of the County
can also come to the Planning Division office.
located in City Hall. 14-00 Fifth Avenue, to soak at
aforesaid: I am over the age of eighteen years, and not a party to
the fife for the proposed project. The office is
npen from 8:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m, 5-,n Monday and
or interested in the above matter. I am the principal clerk of the
Thursdedoesd B:30nd m, to 1 :45 p.m.
T leS-
printer of the MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL, a newspaper of
also
the staff report after 5:00 p.m. on the Friday be-
circulation, printed and published daily in the County of
fore the meeting at ntep:v;'�^ww.cityrotsanrafaei
general
Marin, and which newspaper has been adjudged a newspaper of
.org/meetings.
general circulation by the Superior Court of the County of Marin,
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL
Esther Eeirne
State of California, under date of FEBRUARY 7, 1955, CASE
CITY CLERK
NUMBER 25566; that the notice, of which the annexed is a printed
At the above time and place, all letters received
copy (set in type not smaller than nonpareil), has been published in
,will be noted and all interested parties •vull be
heard. if ou challenge in court the matter de-
each regular and entire issue of said newspaper and not in an
gY
scribed above, you may be limited 5-o raising
only those issues you or someone else raised at
supplement thereof on the following dates, to-wit-
the public hearing described in this notice. or in
mitten correspondence delivered at, or prior
to, the above referenced public hearingg, (Gov.
ernment Code Section 65009(b)i2)).ludiciai re-
11/2/2012
Jew of an administrative decision of the City
Council must be filed Aith the Court not later
than 30th day fol{owiny the date of the Coun-
cil's decision. tCede of Civil Procedure Section
1094.6)
Public Transportation to City Hall is available
through Golden Gate Transit, Line 20 or 23.
Para-transit is available by calling whistlestop
Wheels at (415)454-0964. To allow individuals
.lith environmental illness or multiple chemical
sensitivity to attend the ni etinq'hearing, indi-
viduals are requested to refrain from wearing
scented pn,ducts.
NG, 161-3 NOV2, 2012
certify for declare` under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing
Is true and correct
Gated this 2nd day of November 2012
Signature
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
Jeannie Courteau
From: Lazarus, Donna [ com]
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 9:54 AM
To: Jeannie Courteau
Cc: LEGALS@MARINIJ.COM
Subject: 4673097
Attachments: OrderConf.pdf
, "
OrderConf.pdf (102
KB)
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
COST $154.00 NET
LOG 1673
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
INSTRUCTIONS: USE THIS FORM WITH EACH SUBMITTAL OF A CONTRACT, AGREEMENT,
ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION BEFORE APPROVAL BY COUNCIL / AGENCY.
SRRA/ SRCC AGENDA ITEM NO. 5.b
DATE OF MEETING: November 19, 2012
FROM: Kraig Tambornini
DEPARTMENT: Community Development Department
DATE: November 8, 2012
TITLE OF DOCUMENT: Extenet Appeal AP 12-006 Report and Resolution
Department Head (signature)
(LOWER HALF OF FORM FOR APPROVALS ONLY)
APPROVED AS COUNCIL AGENCY APPROVED AS TO FORM:
AGENDA ITEM:
City Manager (signature) City Attorney (signature)
NOT APPROVED
IXEMARKS: