On September 12, 2006, the City Council approved resolution 2006-290 authorizing the City Manager to execute a Site License Agreement allowing the installation of cellular antennas on a faux monopine tree at Boulder Ridge Park, APN 374-150-029-000. As a result, Metro PCS, Inc. installed a cell tower on site. Due to the age of the equipment Metro PCS, Inc. has requested authorization to replace and upgrade the existing antennas and associated equipment located on the tower.
The Site License Agreement allows MetroPCS the right to construct, maintain and operate the radio communications facilities. Pursuant to the Agreement, changes to MetroPCS facilities affecting visual appearance of the site, or any substantial change in Licensee's Facilities is prohibited until approved in writing by the City, and such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, unreasonably conditioned, or unreasonably delayed. (Section 5, subsection "B")
Findings:
• The cell tower and associated equipment was approved on September 12, 2006 pursuant to resolution 2006-290. Section 5-B of the Site License Agreement allows the Licensee (Metro PCS, Inc.) the right to construct, maintain and operate the radio communications which includes transmitting and receiving equipment, batteries, antennas, etc.
• Existing equipment is antiquated and in need of replacement. The work consists of 3 existing antennas to be removed and replaced with 6 new antenna panels, 2 TMA units per sector (6 total), install of 7/8” coax cables, removal of existing diplexers and paint antennas to match existing.
• The visual effect will be negligible as all proposed antennas will match existing and the overall addition will slightly modify the existing appearance from 3 antennas to 6. Photo simulations are provided to demonstrate the anticipated visual impact. Completing these upgrades will ensure conformity with FCC Regulations and Guidelines.
• This project has been reviewed by the City’s Environmental Coordinator and it was determined that is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act.
• In 1996, the FCC adopted regulations for the evaluating of the effects of RF emissions and has defined two separate tiers of exposure limits: occupational “controlled environment” or general public “uncontrolled environment”. The general public limits are generally 5 times more restrictive than the occupational limits.
• At the request of the City, this proposal has undergone an RF (radio frequency electromagnetic field) study. Metro PCS, Inc. contracted with Sitesafe, Inc. – an independent radio frequency regulatory and engineering consulting firm to determine whether this proposed communications site is in compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations for RF emissions.
• The analysis conducted by Sitesafe, Inc. indicates that the Metro PCS, Inc. site will be compliant with the general public standards for the FCC rules and regulations based upon theoretical modeling, proposed antenna inventory and the level of access on site.
• Sitesafe, Inc. has provided actions necessary for site compliance (3.2 of the RF study) which have been completed by Metro PCS, Inc.