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City Council <br />Meeting Minutes <br />September 4, 2018 <br />Page 8 of 14 <br />Councilmember Maloney asked what parts of the letter staff agrees with or disagrees <br />with. Ritchie stated there is some disagreement with Verizon over interpretation of FCC <br />regulations. Staff and the consulting attorney believe the code is in compliance; staff <br />would also like to keep some of the language Verizon would like amended. <br />Councilmember Maloney asked about the change related to height. Ritchie noted they <br />are requesting additional height to 35 feet. Staff is open to discussion if Council is <br />interested. There is also a request to add additional 5 feet to existing structures and in <br />small cell facilities to 8 feet. <br />Ritchie stated the reason for the continuance is code changes pertaining to height <br />require a hearing and there might be areas to allow administrative approval under <br />certain circumstances. <br />Councilmember Maloney asked if this will work for 5G infrastructure when it is needed. <br />He would like that addressed next time. He wanted it clear that HOA common property <br />was not included in the phrase about allowing on structure or structures with 8 or more <br />units on residentially zoned property. Ritchie noted staff would double check the intent <br />of that statement. <br />Ken Feliman, Kissinger and Fellman, consultant to the City stated new state laws <br />require cities to allow small cell facilities in the rights -of -way subject to design <br />guidelines. This is a use -by -right subject to the City's police power. Federal provisions <br />say no state or local government can prohibit the facilities so if this can't meet our <br />regulations it would be considered preemptive by the City. Because of this, he <br />recommends a continuation so staff can determine if the height limit is workable and we <br />aren't being preemptive. <br />Both legally and technically this is a rapidly changing area and new laws are likely. This <br />is really good option, but we may need to make changes as we start seeing deployment <br />and the FCC may change the law to create further preemptions. Even if approved, this <br />may need to be evaluated and changes made in the next few months. <br />Regarding 5G the extra height request may solve that, but there is no accepted <br />standard for 5G so it is hard to legislate toward. Other communities have found some of <br />this language staff is suggesting has been acceptable. This ordinance will position the <br />City to deal with 4G and 5G networks. <br />Melissa Regan, Sherman & Howard, representing Verizon, stated the height request is <br />to be proactive to be able to reach 5G implementation. She noted photo simulations in <br />her letter so members can see what they might look like. The thought is the need for <br />additional 8 feet would get both 4G and 5G on existing structures and 35 foot. <br />proprietary poles to allow 4G and 5G without asking for changes. The taller pole allows <br />