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Planning Department • [PHONE REDACTED] City Hall 15670 NE 85th Street • PO Box 97010 • Redmond, WA 98073-9710 Memorandum To: Planning Commission From: Scott Reynolds, Planner, [PHONE REDACTED] Cameron Zapata, Planner, [PHONE REDACTED] Kimberly Dietz, Senior Planner, [PHONE REDACTED] Date: February 8, 2019 Subject: Wireless Communications Facilities (WCF) Zoning Code Update PURPOSE The Planning Commission will begin its review on February 20, 2019 of recommended amendments to the Redmond Zoning Code in accordance with a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) update to wireless communications facility laws. The following information is being provided in advance for the Commission’s reference. BACKGROUND Staff, with the City’s legal counsel for telecommunications, is proposing amendments to the Redmond Zoning Code (RZC) based on new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updates to 47 CFR Part 1, effective January 14, 2019 (Attachment The amendments include permit review timelines (“shot clocks”), minor aesthetic standards, and clarification of definitions. The FCC issued this new ruling regarding the deployment of Fourth Generation (4G) and Fifth Generation (5G) mobile communication system infrastructure (Attachment 5G deployments - - small cell wireless facilities feature equipment that is smaller and more densely sited than 4G and macro wireless facilities and is primarily located in the right-of-way. The equipment includes an antenna, equipment box, and wiring or fiber. In April 2018, the City Council approved Ord. 2919 amending the RZC to create permanent regulations governing Wireless Communication Facilities. The FCC’s January 2019 ruling provides an addition and update to the previously amended regulations. ---PAGE BREAK--- Planning Commission – Wireless Communications Facilities Zoning Code Update February 8, 2019 Page 2 of 2 R:\EnerGovWorkingDocs\2019 Plan Cases\LAND-2019-00094\3) PC\PC Memo - Wireless Comm Facil Code Updates 02062019.docx NEXT STEPS Staff proposes the following schedule that allows the City Council to take action on the RZC amendments by April 14, 2019, within the period of compliance (47 CFR Part 1, I. Declaratory Ruling, para. 32). Schedule Proposed Planning Commission Review Process February 20 Review Technical Committee report and discussion of issues February 27 Public hearing, complete discussion of issues, recommendation March 13 Report approval ATTACHMENTS A. FCC Fact Sheet – Accelerating Wireless Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment: Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order; WT Docket No. 17-79; WC Docket No. 17-84 (published September 5, 2018) B. Municipal Action Guide – Small Cell Wireless Technologies in Cities (National League of Cities) Please contact Scott Reynolds ([PHONE REDACTED], [EMAIL REDACTED]), Cameron Zapata (425- 556-2480, [EMAIL REDACTED]), or Kimberly Dietz ([PHONE REDACTED], [EMAIL REDACTED]) with questions.