Wireless Ordinance Update
Part of the City’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update
Download -- (pdf / 656 kb / 59 pgs) Approved Wireless Ordinance Text
Wireless Sites - (pdf / 232kb / 1 pg) Graphic of wireless sites within the City of Scottsdale
- Planning Commission public hearings held January 22nd and 28th, 2003
- Approved by City Council – March 4, 2003
History/Background:
1997 - Scottsdale adopts the Personal Wireless Communication Ordinance in response to federal requirements established by the 1996 Telecommunication Act. The ordinance seeks to protect residential areas, encourages co-location and the use of existing vertical elements throughout the community.
1998 – The Personal Wireless Communication Ordinance is amended. Five-year time limits are placed on all use permits for major wireless facilities. In addition, an expedited approval process is adopted which allows for staff approval for those facilities that meet city development standards and guidelines.
2000/01 – Another amendment is initiated to expand the definition from personal wireless to include evolving wireless technologies such as the wireless Internet. The new wireless infrastructure is much smaller than the personal wireless (i.e. mobile/cellular) communication facilities and for the most part would not be seen by the community.
However, the current ordinance by definition does not cover these new technologies. Therefore, a text amendment is initiated to ensure these new technologies meet all city aesthetic standards and guidelines. During the public dialogue a number of issues surface many dealing with the mobile/cellular communication facilities. In order to move forward with the expansion of the definition, the contentious issues are removed from the text amendment and an Ideas Team is formed to further discuss these recent issues.
Purpose:
The purpose of the Wireless Communication Text Amendment is to address the following issues that surfaced during recent public dialogue.
These issues include:
- Document compliance of radio frequency (RF) emissions as adopted by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).
- Permitted heights of ham radio antennas.
- The use of flagpoles to conceal wireless antennas.
- The placement of wireless facilities on existing 230KV electrical transmission towers on lands designated for future preservation efforts
- The expansion of neighborhood/property owner notification within the approval process.
Review Process:
On February 12, 2001, the first Ideas Team meeting will be held to establish the ground rules, identify and clarify issues, desired outcomes, and direction. In addition, information will be shared and discussed to create a better understanding about the dynamics surrounding the world of wireless communication.
The next three meetings (February 26th, March 12th and 26th) will focus on discussing opportunities and constraints and ideas to deal with the issues listed above.
Following these meetings, the City of Scottsdale will hold a series of open houses with the community to discuss the ideas generated by the team to gain a broader community perspective.
Based upon the collective input, a draft text amendment will be released in late spring and a public hearing process will be initiated.
Community Benefit
Wireless communication technologies are changing the way information is exchanged in our everyday lives. However, in order to access this wireless technology a network of antennas must be strategically placed throughout the community. The Wireless Communication Ordinance ensures that these facilities have a minimum visual impact on the community. This ordinance however, must be refined over time to reflect changing dynamics in the wireless industry and address community concerns.
For more information:
Contact: Tim Curtis at (480) 312-4210.
E-mail comments to tcurtis@scottsdaleaz.gov.
