Shared Facilities and Co-Location Policy.
FCC-licensed wireless communication providers are encouraged to construct and site their WTFs with a view towards sharing facilities with other utilities, to co-location with other existing WTFs and to accommodate the future co-location of other future WTFS, where technically, practically, and economically feasible. The city reserves the right to notify other registered wireless communication providers of new WTF applications to promote co-location. Per the process below applicants are required to show documentation of a genuine effort to achieve co-location.
Review Process.
A. The City has three (3) review processes, which may apply to the development of WTFs.
1. Platting. The normal platting requirements as required by the City subdivision ordinance and the Texas Local Government Code shall apply to WTFs.
2. WTF registration. This process is required for certain minor use subcategories and all intermediate and major subcategories with the exception of direct-to-home services and citizen’s band radio. The applicant can register by submitting the appropriate information to the City. This information will be used to aid in long range planning.
3. Site Plan Review. Review of any of the site-specific criteria set forth in this article in addition to other local government codes and ordinances.
B. To make application for site plan, the following is required:
1. Completed application for site plan and application fee submitted to the City Manager or designee.
2. WTF facility plan. A drawing and any supporting documents that identifies:
a. The location of existing applicant-owned wireless telecommunication facilities in Williamson County.
b. The type and height of each existing facility.
c. The current proposed facility.
d. The type and height of the proposed facility.
e. At least three co-location alternatives to the applicant’s own development along with proof of a genuine effort in co-locating on or attaching to an existing support structure; a certified letter addressed to potential lessors is recommended in addition to evidence that demonstrates that no existing tower or support structure can accommodate the applicant’s proposed WTF. Any of the following may be submitted as evidence:
I. No existing structures are located within the geographic area required to meet applicant’s engineering requirements.
II. Existing structures are of insufficient height to meet applicant’s engineering requirements.
III. Existing structures do not have sufficient structural strength to support applicant’s proposed antenna and related equipment.
IV. The applicant’s proposed antenna would cause electromagnetic interference with the antenna on the existing structures, or the antenna on the existing structures would cause interference with the applicant’s proposed antenna.
V. The fees, costs, or contractual provisions required by the owner in order to share an existing structure or to adapt an existing support structure for sharing are unreasonable. Costs exceeding those for new tower development are presumed to be unreasonable.
VI. The applicant demonstrates that there are other limiting factors that render existing structures unsuitable. The plan will assist the city in understanding the need for any new wireless telecommunication facility, assess the land use impacts, and aid in comprehensive land use planning. It is not necessary to reveal future plans or locations for additional proposed facilities.
f. Proof of compliance with FCC regulations.
g. Notification of an impending environmental assessment required by the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and a copy when the assessment is completed (if applicable).
h. A letter addressed to the city declaring an intent and willingness to build out a proposed tower to allow at least two (2) other service providers.
i. Copies of a site plan (the site plan is not the same as the WTF facility plan) as per City requirements; including signature lines for both the owner of the WTF and/or the owner of the property indicating an agreement to remove the entire WTF and any related equipment within sixty (60) days of abandonment.
j. Any information of an engineering nature that the applicant submits, whether civil, mechanical, or electrical shall be certified by a licensed professional engineer.
k. Upon receipt of the above items, the City Manager or designee will process the application and review the site plan.
Site Development Criteria for WTFs Review Process.
The site development requirements for WTFs follow the normal standards for any other type of development according to city code and ordinances. However, some additional standards apply to these sites as follows:
A.
Additional setbacks and separation requirements. See
§ 6.1524A Additional setbacks and separation requirements for details.
B. Towers shall be enclosed by security fencing not less than six (6) feet in height and shall also be equipped with an appropriate anti-climbing device.
C.
Special aesthetic and lighting standards. See
§ 6.15.24C Special aesthetic and lighting standards for details.
D.
Landscaping and screening. See
§ 6.1524D Landscaping and screening for details.
E. All proposed transmission towers shall provide a point of access from right-of-way which is in conformance with the TCM driveway standards. No off-street parking is required.
F. All transmission towers shall be built in accordance with the current FAA Airspace Obstruction Standards.
Abandonment.
Any WTF that is not operated for a continuous period of twelve (12) months shall be considered abandoned, and the owner of such a facility shall remove same within 60 (sixty) days of receipt of notice from the city notifying owner of such abandonment. If such facility is not removed within said sixty (60) days, the city may remove such facility at the property owner’s expense. If there are two or more users of a single WTF, then this provision shall not become effective until all users cease operations on the tower.
Modification to Existing Facilities or Preexisting Facilities Which Meet the Requirements of This Article.
A. Minor modifications to WTFs permitted under this Article shall be approved by the City Manager or designee. Minor modifications are as follows:
1. The addition of no more than two (2) antenna arrays to any existing WTF, so long as the addition of the antenna arrays add no more than twenty (20) feet in height to the WTF.
2. An increase in height of the support structure which is no greater than ten (10) percent, and a decrease in setbacks by no more than ten (10) percent.
3. Co-locations of up to one (1) antenna array shall be considered a minor modification.
B. Major modifications to WTFs permitted under this Chapter shall be subject to all terms of the section. Major modifications are any modifications that exceed the definition of minor modifications.
