Questions or Comments? - Proposal to amend cell tower regulations
Post date: Nov 16, 2017 7:07:38 PM
From: Howell, Jeffrey B.
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2017 5:14 PM
Subject: Proposed cell tower regulation changes
Dear Neighborhood Associations,
The Planning and Inspections Department is proposing to amend its cell tower regulations (Personal Wireless Service Facility (PWSF) Ordinance) and is reaching out to the Neighborhood Associations to inform them of what is proposed. Many of these changes pertain to the most noticeable of the three which is the free-standing type or the Ground-mounted facilities. A personal wireless service facility or PWSF is the code’s technical term for a cell tower, of which there are three (3) types: Ground-mounted (free-standing), Roof-mounted (on a roof), and Facility-mounted (attached to a structure). More information on the existing regulations can be found within the Municipal Code Section 20.10.455 or on the Planning and Inspections website:
https://www.elpasotexas.gov/planning-and-inspections/planning/pwsf-info
Section 20.10.455
Attached are the proposed changes and exhibits for your reference. The new regulations that are being proposed are to further encourage locating new facilities on existing structures or towers, receive better designs for new facilities, and encourage them to be located in commercial and manufacturing zoning districts. The changes that are proposed are summarized below.
- Height: proposed to match the height for buildings in base zoning district (decrease in height of towers from current)
- Camouflaging: Trying to make them blend in more with surroundings
- Siting and Facility Type Preferences: Where they should go and what type should they be
- New towers are discouraged
- Commercial and Manufacturing zoning districts encouraged
- Adoption of Policy Guide to provide visual references
- Special Permit provisions: modifying when and how they can be utilized for a new tower
- Reformatting: Section 20.10.455 into a table to better organize the requirements
- Encourage space on towers for additional carriers: should help to decrease the overall number of new towers
We would like to hear from the Neighborhood Association to see if they have any suggestions, comments, or support of the new changes. Are there things the Neighborhood Association would like to see changed from the current regulations? If you have any questions or comments as they relate to these proposed changes, you can call 915-212-1607, or send an email to HowellJB@elpasotexas.gov. If you could please respond by November 22, 2017 that would be much appreciated. Also, if you would like further clarification on any of the proposed changes, please let us know.
Thank you.
Jeff Howell, CNU-A
Lead Planner, Long Range
Planning & Inspections | City of El Paso
801 Texas Avenue
El Paso, TX 79901
915..212.1607