title
Consider the Wireless Communications Master Plan and Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendment - Proposed Amendments to Articles 3, 5, 6, and Appendix A.
body
Staff: |
Department: |
Ben Hitchings, Director |
Planning and Development Services |
Phil Mason, Planning Manager |
|
Overview: On April 18, 2018 <http://www.townofchapelhill.org/Home/Components/Calenda/Event/14090/15> the Town Council opened the Public Hearing for the Wireless Communications Initiative (WCI), including the proposed Master Plan and Ordinance for wireless communications facilities. Tonight, the continuation of the public hearing will address public comment.
The Wireless Communication Initiative commenced in spring of 2017 in response to forthcoming wireless technology changes, changes to Federal and State law and a need to modernize the Town’s rules related to this technology. The proposed Master Plan and Ordinance for wireless communications facilities will position the Town to benefit from coming changes as well as guard against unwanted impacts.

|
Recommendation(s): |
That the Council:
• Close the Public Hearing
• Adopt Resolution A, finding that the proposed text amendment is reasonable, in the public’s interest, and consistent with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan;
• Adopt Resolution B, adopting the Wireless Communications Master Plan proposal
• Enact the Wireless Communications Ordinance proposal, amending Articles 3, 5, 6, and Appendix A of the Land Use Management Ordinance.
Decision Points:
• Should the Wireless Communications Master Plan proposal be adopted to provide a framework for the deployment of wireless communication facilities in the community?
• Should the Wireless Communications Ordinance proposal be enacted to establish a regulatory link to the corresponding Wireless Communications Master Plan?
Key Issues:
• Response to wireless industry comments from the April 18 Public Hearing.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: The Town entered into a contract with CityScape consultants, Inc. for $35,500 for services related to a wireless communications Master Plan and Ordinance. Revenue sources from Town leases for wireless communications facility installations on Town properties are possible. We anticipate a need to dedicate additional staff time to the review and approval of wireless communications facility applications.
Where is this item in its process?

Council Goals:
☒ |

|
Create a Place for Everyone |
☒ |

|
Develop Good Places, New Spaces |
☒ |

|
Support Community Prosperity |
☐ |

|
Nurture Our Community |
☒ |

|
Facilitate Getting Around |
☒ |

|
Grow Town and Gown Collaboration |

|
Attachments: |
• Draft Staff Presentation
• Manager’s Report
• Staff Memorandum - Wireless Communications Initiative: Master Plan and Ordinance
• Resolution A, Adopting the Resolution of Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan
• Resolution B, Adopting the Wireless Communications Master Plan Proposal
• Resolution C, Denying the Wireless Communications Master Plan Proposal
• Revised Ordinance A, Enacting the Wireless Communications LUMO Text Amendment Proposal
• Resolution D, Denying the Wireless Communications LUMO Text Amendment Proposal
• Revised Wireless Communications Master Plan Proposal
• Advisory Board Recommendation(s)
• Council Questions with Staff Responses
• Wireless Industry Response to Town
• Town Response to Wireless Industry Comments
end
The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
PRESENTERS: Phil Mason, Planning Manager
Susan Rabold, CityScape Consultants
a. Introduction and revised recommendations
b. Comments and questions from the Mayor and Town Council
c. Motion to close the Public Hearing
d. Motion to adopt Resolution A, Resolution of Consistency
e. Motion to adopt Resolution B, the WCI Master Plan
f. Motion to enact the WCI Ordinance, amending Articles 3, 5, 6, and Appendix A of the LUMO.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council close the Public Hearing; Adopt Resolution A, finding that the proposed text amendment is reasonable, in the public’s interest, and consistent with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan; Adopt Resolution B, the Wireless Communications Master Plan, and; Enact the WCI Ordinance, amending Articles 3, 5, 6, and Appendix A of the LUMO.