On September 13, the Planning Commission will consider new wireless communication facilities (WCF) design standards and take public comments. WCF in Piedmont includes telecommunication towers such as the Crown Castle distributed antenna system (DAS) installation or the Gulf South Towers macrocell facility in the Public Works corporation yard. The staff report says the goal of the standards is to ensure that WCF are “integrated within existing and new infrastructure, and have a limited impact on Piedmont’s built and natural environment”, with an emphasis on using “stealth” facilities — concealing the WCF so that antennas and radio equipment are not visible.
You can view new the design standards for new and modified WCF installations HERE.
The staff report is available HERE. From the executive summary:
“In 2018, the City of Piedmont began to develop design standards for wireless communication facilities (WCF) in response to changes to telecommunications law at the state and federal level, as well as pressure from wireless service providers wishing to locate facilities in Piedmont. Over the last few years, staff has researched telecom facilities, performed community outreach, followed closely various federal court rulings, and collaborated with experts and advisors about WCF. The City of Piedmont has developed a set of comprehensive design standards for wireless communications facilities (WCF). The WCF standards are proposed to be located in a new chapter of the Piedmont Design Guidelines, entitled “Chapter 8. – Wireless Communication Facilities.” This staff report and Planning Commission hearing begin the public comment period on the draft WCF design standards prepared by staff. Public comment will be accepted up to and including the City Council consideration of the WCF design standards, this fall.”
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. and this item is the last one on the agenda. Zoom instructions for attending the meeting can be found HERE.
For more information or to submit comments on the WCF design standards, please contact Assistant Planner Steven Lizzarago at slizzarago@piedmont.ca.gov