Criteria
A wireless communications facility is a facility used to: (1) provide personal wireless services as defined at 47 U.S.C. Section 332(c)(7)(C); or (2) wireless information services provided to the public or to such classes of users as to be effectively available directly to the public via licensed or unlicensed frequencies; or (3) wireless utility monitoring and control services. A wireless communications facility does not include a facility that is an accessory use. A wireless communications facility includes an antenna or antennas, including without limitation, directional, omni-directional and parabolic antennas, support equipment and their permitted supporting structure, but does not include the support structure to which the wireless communications facility or its components are attached if the use of such structure for the wireless communications facility is not the primary use. The term does not include mobile transmitting devices used by wireless service subscribers, such as vehicle or hand held radios/telephones and their associated transmitting antennas.
Wireless communication facilities are permitted within the City of Boulder as either a principal use on private property or as small cell facilities within the public right-of-way, subject to specific standards. An administrative review for a wireless communications facility includes the following review types:
- Establishment of a new facility.
- Modification to existing facility, including eligible facility requests and substantial changes to an eligible support structure.
- Collocation for new carrier at existing facility, including mounting or installation of transmission equipment on an eligible support structure.
Small Cell Facilities within the Public Right-of-Way
Wireless communications facilities are permitted in the public right-of-way as small cell facilities on existing or replacement traffic light poles, street lights, or other vertical infrastructure or as a new freestanding poles. Equipment vaults and other associated equipment must be installed underground in the right-of-way to the extent possible and consistent with state law. Small cell facilities are subject to height, siting, and design standards in Subsection 8-6-6.5(e), B.R.C. 1981. Multiple small cell facilities as part of the same network may be submitted as one application. The application fee covers two facilities within the city limits. Each additional facility included in the same application requires a $100 fee.
Facilities on Private Property
Antennas for a wireless communications facility on private property must be attached to either existing buildings or water towers. Freestanding facilities are not permitted. Antenna and transmission equipment are subject to the siting and design standards in Subsection 9-6-4(f), B.R.C. 1981. A separate application is required for each property.
Review Process
To begin the review process, please submit a completed Administrative Review Application, the application fee (listed on the application), and the application requirements listed below. Applications for wireless communications facilities must be submitted in person at the Planning and Development Services Center (address above). Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Architectural Inspections
As a part of the city’s Design Excellence Initiative, a new architectural inspection process has been created to ensure high quality outcomes in the built environment. This additional inspection will require that architectural details, including but not limited to items like screening for wireless antennas, have been constructed in a manner that is consistent with approved final documents.
Application Requirements for Public Right-of-Way
- A completed Administrative Review Application.
- Application fee (due at time of application submission).
- Property owner authorization letter.
- Proof of agent authorization (to act on Carrier’s behalf).
- Completed Federal Shot-Clock Checklist.
- Written statement describing how each small cell facility proposed meets the review criteria of Section 8-6-6.5, “Small Cell Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way Permits”. Each criterion must be addressed individually. See criteria excerpt below. If the applicant believes that the proposal qualifies as an “eligible facilities request” the applicant must state as such and indicate why in the written statement.
- If this application is an eligible facilities request, you must submit for building and electrical plan check at the same time as this application, or your application will not be considered to have been submitted.
- Inventory of existing sites, to include a written narrative and map description of the carrier’s existing or then currently proposed small cell facilities within the city, and outside of the city within one mile of its boundaries. In addition, the applicant shall inform the city generally of the areas of the city in which it believes small cell facilities may need to be located within the next three years. The inventory list should identify the site name, site address or general vicinity if no address is known, and a general description of the facility (i.e. rooftop antennas and ground mounted equipment). This provision is not intended to be a requirement that the applicant submit its business plan, proprietary information, or make commitments regarding locations of small cell facilities within the city. Rather, it is an attempt to provide a mechanism for the city and all applicants for small cell facilities to share general information to promote competition and collocation, assist in the city's planning process, and promote collocation by identifying areas in which small cell facilities might be appropriately constructed for multiple users.
- Technical Plans or Construction Documents signed and sealed by appropriate qualified professionals of the proposed installation(s) with new and existing equipment labeled, as applicable. The plans must be drawn to scale with a north arrow and include the following:
- If multiple facilities are requested (consolidated application with single permit), a master siting map, which includes the locations of all small cell facilities proposed with the application and an identification system for each site (site names, numbering, etc.). The map must clearly show the 100-year floodplain, conveyance, and high hazard zone boundaries and regulatory wetland and buffer area boundaries as they relate to the proposed facilities.
- Detailed plan drawings for each facility, including the following:
- Large scale site plan that includes adjacent streets, property lines, curb cuts, and uses of adjacent properties. Include the locations of all transmission equipment related to the facility, including antennas, radio transceivers, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and backup power supply. Include all existing and proposed features in the right-of-way and within 20 feet of facility on adjacent properties (landscaping, trees, bike racks, tree grates, parking meters, benches, awnings, signs, doors, lights, hydrants. fencing, manholes, fire hydrants, etc.). Include the setbacks to buildings and sidewalk clearance adjacent to the vertical infrastructure and facility, if applicable. Include any proposed tree removal locations.
- Small scale site plan that shows the proposed separation of the facility from all other wireless communication facilities and small cell facilities within the right-of-way. If a master siting map was not provided, the site plan must show the 100-year floodplain, conveyance, and high hazard zone boundaries and regulatory wetland and buffer area boundaries.
- Elevation drawings of proposed facility that call out the height of the vertical infrastructure, antenna(s), and all exposed elements from grade and clearance to sidewalk, if applicable. Include below grade equipment vaults and the locations of all transmission equipment related to the facility, including antennas, radio transceivers, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and backup power supply. Include the dimensions of each antenna enclosure and of all exposed elements.
- Detailed plans for the screening of antenna and other transmission equipment, including equipment enclosures and vaults. Plans to include sample exterior materials, with material finish, and colors.
- If placed on existing vertical infrastructure, engineering analysis demonstrating that the existing vertical infrastructure can support the additional loads created by the attachment(s).
- If new or replacement vertical infrastructure is proposed, specifications and attachment details for the new pole.
- If below grade equipment vaults are proposed, specifications on proposed vault and cover and plans showing the horizontal and vertical distances from all existing utilities, property lines, and easement boundaries. Include details on materials removed and/or replaced in the right of way (concrete, asphalt, masonry, or stonework, etc.).
- Attachment details.
- Photographs of existing conditions and photo simulations of proposed installation(s) demonstrating architectural compatibility and screening method. Include a map depicting where the photographs were taken. Unless unique circumstances dictate otherwise, photo simulations should be taken from pedestrian level and show the facility’s relative size and visibility from adjoining properties and within public rights-of-way.
- If new or replacement vertical infrastructure is proposed, a report from a qualified and licensed professional engineer and/or statement from the manufacturer that describes the capacity for collocation.
- If a facility is proposed on an existing traffic signal, a letter from a qualified and licensed professional engineer certifying that the antenna installations will be placed in a manner so that the size, appearance, and function of the traffic signal will not be considerably altered.
- Approval on letterhead from utility companies.
- Landmarks Approval (If applicable). Any facilities located on landmarked buildings or properties located within a historic district requires approval by the Landmarks Board prior to submittal of an administrative review application.
- Additional materials as requested at the time of staff review.
Note: If a facility is approved within the public right-of-way, the applicant must apply for and receive a separate right-of-way permit. Right-of-way installations may not be constructed without (1) an approved wireless communications facility application, (2) an approved right-of-way permit, and (3) any applicable building permits.