HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.0310.PZCAgendaPacket
AMENDED 3/10/25
NOTICE OF MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
FOUNTAIN HILLS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Chairperson Dan Kovacevic
Vice Chairperson Clayton Corey
Commissioner Mathew Corrigan
Commissioner VACANT
Commissioner Peter Gray
Commissioner Scott Schlossberg
Commissioner Phil Sveum
TIME:6:00 P.M. – REGULAR MEETING
WHEN:MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025
WHERE:FOUNTAIN HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS
16705 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS, FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ
Commissioners of the Town of Fountain Hills will attend either in person or by telephone conference call; a quorum of the
Town’s Council, various Commission, Committee or Board members may be in attendance at the Commission meeting.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9, subject to certain specified statutory exceptions, parents have a
right to consent before the State or any of its political subdivisions make a video or audio recording of a minor child.
Meetings of the Commission are audio and/or video recorded and, as a result, proceedings in which children are present
may be subject to such recording. Parents, in order to exercise their rights may either file written consent with the Town
Clerk to such recording, or take personal action to ensure that their child or children are not present when a recording may
be made. If a child is present at the time a recording is made, the Town will assume that the rights afforded parents
pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9 have been waived.
REQUEST TO COMMENT
The public is welcome to participate in Commission meetings.
TO SPEAK TO AN AGENDA ITEM, please complete a Request to Comment card, located in the back
of the Council Chambers, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion of that item, if
possible. Include the agenda item on which you wish to comment. Speakers will be allowed three
contiguous minutes to address the Commission. Verbal comments should be directed through the
Presiding Officer and not to individual Commissioners.
TO COMMENT ON AN AGENDA ITEM IN WRITING ONLY, please complete a Request to Comment
card, indicating it is a written comment, and check the box on whether you are FOR or AGAINST and
agenda item, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion, if possible.
REGULAR MEETING
1.CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE –
Chairperson Kovacevic
2.ROLL CALL
3.CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on
matters NOT listed on the agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the
jurisdiction of the Commission, and (ii) is subject to reasonable time, place, and manner
restrictions. The Commission will not discuss or take legal action on matters raised
during Call to the Public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal
action. At the conclusion of the Call to the Public, individual commissioners may (i)
respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff to review a matter, or (iii) ask that the matter be
placed on a future Commission agenda.
4.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: approving the regular meeting
minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission January 13, 2025.
APPROVED
5.HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING, CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION:
Ordinance 25-02 amending Zoning Ordinance by amending Chapter 25,
Entertainment Overlay to Chapter 25,Downtown Overlay District, with
associated permitted uses, parking, lot coverage, and setback provisions.
CONTINUED
6.REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND PROVIDE DIRECTION: A) Overview of wireless
communication ordinances, resolutions, and associated documents and
Town Council direction for review and possible modification; and
B) Review of Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17, Wireless Telecommunication
Towers and Antenna compared to draft Campanelli ordinance.
DISCUSSION ONLY
7.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Annual report on the
implementation of the Fountain Hills General Plan 2020.
8.COMMISSION DISCUSSION/REQUEST FOR RESEARCH to staff.
9.SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS from Development Services
Director.
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of March 10, 2025 2 of 3
10.REPORT from Development Services Director.
11.ADJOURNMENT
Dated this ______ day of ____________________, 2025.
_____________________________________________
Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant
The Town of Fountain Hills endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities. Please call 480-816-5199 (voice)
or 1-800-367-8939 (TDD) 48 hours prior to the meeting to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting or to obtain
agenda information in large print format. Supporting documentation and staff reports furnished the Commission with this agenda are
available for review in the Development Services' Office.
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of March 10, 2025 3 of 3
ITEM 4.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 03/10/2025 Meeting Type: Planning and Zoning Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Development Services
Prepared by: Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant
Request to Planning and Zoning Commission (Agenda Language): CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE
ACTION: approving the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission January 13,
2025.
Staff Summary (Background)
The intent of approving meeting minutes is to ensure an accurate account of the discussion and
action that took place at the meeting for archival purposes. Approved minutes are placed on the
Town's website and maintained as permanent records in compliance with state law.
Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle
N/A
Risk Analysis
N/A
Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s)
N/A
Staff Recommendation(s)
Staff recommends approving the meeting minutes of the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and
Zoning Commission January 13, 2025.
SUGGESTED MOTION
MOVE to approve the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission January 13,
2025.
Attachments
250113 Summary Minutes & Verbatim Transcript
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS PLANNNING & ZONING COMMISSION January 13, 2025
A Regular Meeting of the Fountain Hills Planning & Zoning Commission was convened at 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains in open and public session at
6:00 p.m.
Members Present: Chairperson Peter Gray; Commissioner Clayton
Corey; Commissioner Mathew Corrigan; Commissioner Patrick
Dapaah; Commissioner Dan Kovacevic; Commissioner Scott
Schlossberg and Commissioner Phil Sveum
Staff Present: Development Services Director John Wesley, Senior
Planner Farhad Tavassoli, And Executive Assistant Paula Woodward.
Planning and Zoning Commission January 13, 2025 1 of 3
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 13, 2025 1. CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE Chairperson Gray called the Regular Meeting of the Fountain Hills Planning
and Zoning Commission held on January 13, 2025, to order at 6:00 p.m. and led the Commission and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence. 2. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Chairperson Peter Gray; Commissioner Clayton Corey;
Commissioner Mathew Corrigan; Commissioner Patrick Dapaah; Commissioner Dan Kovacevic; Commissioner Scott Schlossberg and Commissioner Phil Sveum
Staff Present: Development Services Director John Wesley, Senior Planner Farhad Tavassoli, and Executive Assistant Paula Woodward.
3. CALL TO THE PUBLIC The following resident addressed the Commission: Larry Meyers 4. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: approving the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission November 18, 2024 and December 9, 2024. MOVED BY Commissioner Corey to approve the regular meeting minutes of the
Planning and Zoning Commission November 18, 2024 and December 9, 2024. SECONDED BY Commissioner Schlossberg. Vote: 6/0 Unanimously
Commissioner Corey Aye Commissioner Corrigan Abstained Commissioner Dapaah Aye
Commissioner Kovacevic Aye Commissioner Sveum Aye Commissioner Schlossberg Aye Chair Gray Aye 5. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION of Appointing a Chairperson to the Planning and Zoning Commission. MOVED BY Commissioner Schlossberg to nominate Commissioner Kovacevic to the Planning & Zoning Commission Chairperson for the term from January 13, 2025 through December 31, 2025. SECONDED BY Commissioner Corrigan Vote: 7/0 Unanimously Commissioner Corey Aye
Commissioner Corrigan Aye Commissioner Dapaah Aye
Planning and Zoning Commission January 13, 2025 2 of 3
Commissioner Kovacevic Aye Commissioner Sveum Aye
Commissioner Schlossberg Aye Chair Gray Aye 6. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Appointing a Vice Chairperson to the Planning and Zoning Commission. MOVED BY Commissioner Kovacevic to nominate Commissioner Corey to the Planning & Zoning Commission Vice Chairperson for the term from January 13, 2025 through December 31, 2025. SECONDED BY Commissioner Schlossberg. Vote: 7/0 Unanimously Commissioner Corey Aye Commissioner Corrigan Aye Commissioner Dapaah Aye Commissioner Kovacevic Aye Commissioner Schlossberg Aye Commissioner Sveum Aye
Chair Gray Aye 7. HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING, CONSIDERATION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION: A
request for a Special Use Permit to allow vehicle sales with outdoor display at 15225 N. Fountain Hills Blvd.
The following resident addressed the Commission: Crystal Cavanaugh MOVED BY Commissioner Corrigan to recommend the Town Council approve a request for a Special Use Permit to allow vehicle sales with outdoor display at 15225 N. Fountain Hills Blvd., to include electric golf carts only. SECONDED BY Commissioner Corey. Vote: 7/0 Unanimously Commissioner Corey Aye Commissioner Corrigan Aye Commissioner Dapaah Aye
Commissioner Kovacevic Aye Commissioner Schlossberg Aye Commissioner Sveum Aye
Chair Gray Aye 8. HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING, CONSIDERATION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION: A request for a Special Use Permit to allow ten (10) single family residential units on six (6) properties in a commercial subdivision (Plat 106) generally located 400 feet west of the northwest corner of Fountain Hills Blvd. and El Pueblo Blvd. (15012-15014-
15016-15018-15020-15022-15026 N. Ivory Dr.) in the C-C (Community Commercial) zoning district.
The following residents addressed the Commission: Barry McBride Larry Meyers
Crystal Cavanaugh MOVED BY Chairperson Gray to recommend the Town Council DENY a Special Use Permit to allow ten (10) single family residential units on six (6) properties in a
Planning and Zoning Commission January 13, 2025 3 of 3
commercial subdivision (Plat 106) generally located 400 feet west of the northwest corner of the northwest corner of Fountain Hills Blvd. and El Pueblo Blvd. (15012-
15014-15016-15018-15020-15022-15026 N. Ivory Dr.) in the C-C (Community Commercial) zoning district. SECONDED BY Commissioner Sveum. Vote: 7/0 Unanimously
Commissioner Corey Aye Commissioner Corrigan Aye Commissioner Dapaah Aye Commissioner Kovacevic Aye Commissioner Schlossberg Aye Commissioner Sveum Aye Chair Gray Aye
9. HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING, CONSIDERATION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION: A request for a Special Use Permit to allow four (4) multi-family buildings containing 3 dwellings each on four (4) adjacent 1,250 square-foot parcels generally located 200 feet east of the northeast corner of Fountain Hills Blvd. and El Pueblo Blvd. (15037-15039-15041-15043 N. Fountain Hills Blvd.) in the C-C (Community Commercial) zoning district. MOVED BY Chairperson Gray to recommend the Town Council DENY a request for a Special Use Permit to allow four (4) multi-family buildings containing 3 dwellings each on four (4) adjacent 1,250 square-foot parcels generally located 200 feet east of the northeast corner of Fountain Hills Blvd. and El Pueblo Blvd. (15037-15039-15041-15043 N. Fountain Hills Blvd.) in the C-C (Community Commercial) zoning district. SECONDED BY Commissioner Sveum. Vote: 7/0 Unanimously
Commissioner Corey Aye Commissioner Corrigan Aye Commissioner Dapaah Aye
Commissioner Kovacevic Aye Commissioner Schlossberg Aye Commissioner Sveum Aye
Chair Gray Aye 10. DISCUSS AND PROVIDE COMMENTS ON: First draft of a proposed new Downtown Overlay District. The following resident addressed the Commission:
Larry Meyers 11. COMMISSION DISCUSSION/REQUEST FOR RESEARCH to staff.
12. SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS from Development Services Director. 13. REPORT from Development Services Director. 14. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Gray adjourned the Regular meeting of the Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission held on January 13, 2025, at 8:30 p.m.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 13, 2025 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Page 1 of 68
Post-Production File
Town of Fountain Hills
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2025
Transcription Provided By:
eScribers, LLC
* * * * *
Transcription is provided in order to facilitate communication accessibility and may not
be a totally verbatim record of the proceedings.
* * * * *
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
JANUARY 13, 2025 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Page 2 of 68
GRAY: All right. It's 6 p.m. Let's go ahead and call this meeting to order. This is the
January 13th version of the Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission. If you
would all please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
IN UNISON: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all.
GRAY: Thank you. Paula, roll call, please?
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corey?
COREY: Here.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corrigan?
CORRIGAN: Here.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Dapaah?
DAPAAH: Here.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: Here.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Schlossberg?
SCHLOSSBERG: Here.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Sveum?
SVEUM: Here.
WOODWARD: Chairman Gray?
GRAY: Here. Thank you, Paula. Agenda item number 3, open call to the public. Paula,
any speaker cards?
WOODWARD: Yes, Chair. One speaker card. Larry Meyers.
MEYERS: Happy New Year. So I -- my question is -- when I looked at the discussion of a
new commissioner or new chair, my question is what are you tired of the job or are you
termed out? Nothing against the other people that want to be the chair, but I've lived
through some pretty serious discussions on multiple topics that were extremely thought
out and completely organized by this chair, so of course, I'm partial. One of which was
the transitional housing, which quite possibly is a model for the entire country to not
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JANUARY 13, 2025 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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have their towns taken over by that horrible business that we so aptly named
transitional housing, which is just a code word for residential detox. So that just being
one example of Chairman Gray's good work working with residents, researching,
figuring a way to get something that our town attorney said couldn't be done, but it
could be.
So I understand there are other candidates. I don't know what their resume -- I know
what Mr. Kovacevic's resume is. I don't know what Commissioner Corey's resume is in
terms of business experience or whatever, but that was my question. Are you termed
out, or are you tired of this? Thanks.
GRAY: Thank you, Mr. Meyers. I can respond to that, right, Paula?
WOODWARD: Sure.
GRAY: So the answer is neither termed out nor tired, but probably time for somebody
else to take the seat after several years. So any other speaker cards, Paula?
WOODWARD: No, Chair.
GRAY: Thank you, Paula. All right. Let's move to agenda item number 4, consideration
and possible action to approve the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning
Commission from November 18th and December 9th. Commissioners, any deliberation
or a motion, please? Mr. Corrigan, you were first with the mic.
CORRIGAN: Oh, I would decline.
GRAY: So I think let's have Commissioner Corrigan abstain from this one, being the new
seat because it's meeting minutes from the prior. So --
CORRIGAN: I'm just reading the documents.
GRAY: Who was first? Commissioner Corey?
COREY: Sure. I'll make a motion to approve regular meeting minutes from the
November 18th and December 9th meeting.
SCHLOSSBERG: I'll second.
GRAY: All in favor?
IN UNISON: Aye.
WOODWARD: Six-zero.
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JANUARY 13, 2025 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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GRAY: Thank you, Paula. Agenda item number 5, consideration and action to appoint a
chair to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioners, we will seek nomination
and a second on that nomination for the chair position. Commissioner Schlossberg?
SCHLOSSBERG: Yeah. I'll make a nomination to appoint Commissioner Kovacevic to the
chair position.
CORRIGAN: I second that.
GRAY: Motion made by Commissioner Schlossberg, seconded by Commissioner
Corrigan to appoint Commissioner Kovacevic to the role of chair. Paula, roll call, please?
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corey?
COREY: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corrigan?
CORRIGAN: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Dapaah?
DAPAAH: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Schlossberg?
SCHLOSSBERG: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Sveum?
SVEUM: Aye.
WOODWARD: Chairperson Gray?
GRAY: Aye.
WOODWARD: Seven-zero.
GRAY: Thank you, Paula. Agenda item number 6, consideration and action to appoint a
vice chair to the Planning and Zoning Commission for the term of one year.
Commissioners, a motion, please? Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: I'll nominate Commissioner Corey.
GRAY: Looking for a second on Commissioner Kovacevic's motion.
SCHLOSSBERG: I'll second that.
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JANUARY 13, 2025 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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GRAY: Motion made by Commissioner Kovacevic, seconded by Commissioner
Schlossberg. Paula, roll call, please?
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corey?
COREY: Aye.
GRAY: Are you sure?
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corrigan?
CORRIGAN: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Dapaah?
DAPAAH: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Schlossberg?
SCHLOSSBERG: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Sveum.
SVEUM: Aye.
WOODWARD: Chair Gray?
GRAY: Aye. Thank you, Paula.
WOODWARD: Seven-zero.
GRAY: All right. As we fly through our agenda, we are to number 7, public hearing
consideration and possible action to request a Special Use Permit to allow vehicle sales
with outdoor displays at 15225 North Fountain Hills Boulevard..
WESLEY: Chairman, guests, and commissioners, Happy New Year. Good to be with you
this evening. I'll go through this presentation fairly quickly because you've already seen
it once before, but for the benefit of any who haven't been -- new Commissioner
Corrigan, who was in the audience but not up there before. We'll go through a quick
presentation. So we are talking about a tract of land up northeast corner of Glenbrook
and Fountain Hills Boulevard. The applicant has been operating a golf cart sales
business there for a period of time. The Zoning District C-1 does not allow outdoor
display.
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JANUARY 13, 2025 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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However, the commission has recommended and council have on their agenda next
week a change in the ordinance to allow display of small vehicles in the parking lot. So
we're processing this SUP back through you in anticipation of that text amendment
being approved.
So again, here is the property at the northeast corner, Zone C-1. We got a commercial
to the north and south and residential around it. And again, the area with the land uses,
a variety of residential, commercial, and institutional type uses in the area.
So again with the change -- so C-1 allows vehicle sales of all types indoors. The change
that's been approved is to allow outdoor display of non-gasoline vehicles up to one ton
or less in size with approval of a Special Use Permit. But the text amendment also then
would allow special approval of gas-powered for maximum of 30 days on display.
The request involves Suites 103, 4, and 5 for the sales cart -- the golf cart sales business.
They're requesting SUP for outdoor display.
The applicant requested up to six parking spaces along the Fountain Hills Boulevard side
for that use. The required -- when we applied -- the required parking requirements
based on the building size, there's really only one space left available that's over that
could be used for display.
The general plan recognizes as -- recognizes this area as a neighborhood-oriented
commercial site serving the surrounding area. The development pattern also -- we want
to keep this in that scale of the small neighborhood focus type uses.
The Zoning Ordinance in Section 2.02(F)(1)(d) lays out the criteria for consideration and
recommendation on a Special Use Permit. There are basically three questions we look
at when we do this. What would be the impact on the public health, safety, peace, and
comfort of the neighborhood? Again, this has been operating there for about a year.
We've had no problems with the use, except for the outdoor display that's been in
violation of the current code.
Any impact on those residing or working in the neighborhood? Again, staff has not
identified anything. They have not heard any negative comments from the
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JANUARY 13, 2025 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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neighborhood.
And would this be detrimental and injurious to the property? We have not identified
anything that would be a problem to the town by allowing the outdoor display of small
vehicles, golf carts at this property.
So the one consideration that we do have for you to give us some direction on would be
how many parking spaces we should devote towards the display. Staff would suggest
the area highlighted in red on this map be designated as the display area. That's for
actual parking spaces and one kind of leftover area. Golf carts, they could probably get
five or six golf carts in that area.
Citizen participation, they had no attendees at their meeting, and staff had not had any
contacts or interest from the public. The Good Neighbor Policy, working with citizens
and working to avoid any conflicts.
Again, zoning recommendation, staff does recommend approval and looks for the
commission direction on the number of spaces. Questions?
GRAY: Commissioner Corrigan, question?
CORRIGAN: John, we talked earlier about --
WOODWARD: Reverse it.
CORRIGAN: Oh, thank you. We talked earlier, but you can accommodate then up to six
vehicles on this as long as they're electric. We hadn't talked about -- I heard earlier in
last year's meeting that it could possibly be something besides a golf cart. I mean, it
could be something -- another recreational vehicle as long as it's electric; is that correct?
WESLEY: Chair, Commissioner Corrigan, yes. The ordinance -- if I go back to that slide
here. This one. So the Special Use Permit specifically would allow small vehicles, non-
gas powered up to one ton. And then if commission includes in their motion, could
allow display of gas-powered for a maximum of 30 days.
CORRIGAN: Thank you.
WESLEY: That would take a kind of a special statement in the approval that you're doing
that.
GRAY: Commissioners, other questions or we go to public hearing? Commissioner
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Dapaah?
DAPAAH: Yeah. John, I drove by there and couldn't identify which side of the building
does this business occupy. Is it the first building there?
WESLEY: Let's see which looks better.
DAPAAH: Was it that second one?
WELSEY: Let me use this one. I'm going to go back, I guess, actually to the-- over --
more overall map. This map indicates the area where they are operating and the south
three suites of the building I believe are correct. The applicant can correct that if I'm
wrong, but it's the south three.
DAPAAH: So it's the first three from --
WESLEY: Yeah, up north from Glenbrook. Yes.
DAPAAH: Okay. Thank you.
GRAY: Commissioner Corrigan, do you have another one?
CORRIGAN: I do not. Thank you, Chair.
GRAY: Thank you. Let's go ahead and open the public hearing. Paul, any speaker cards?
WOODWARD: Yes. One speaker card. Crystal Cavanaugh.
CAVANAUGH: Is there a reason that it can't just be a simple statement text
amendment? This is a golf cart business. Why are we going into electric versus gas
versus -- he might hardly ever have anything in gas, or he just might want to sell all
those. It's not like he's going to have them running out in the lot for a significant time
period.
I'm just sensing mostly from the -- I think when I listened to it about the council too
before it came back here, it just started getting more complicated than it needed. Why
don't you just give him an SUP for his golf carts and use the word golf cart display during
business hours, just like people have to put out their A-frame and then bring in their A-
frame at the end of business hours? I might be missing something, but I just think it's
way simpler than it's been being presented.
GRAY: Any others, Paula?
WOODWARD: No, Chair.
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JANUARY 13, 2025 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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GRAY: All right. That was simple. We'll go ahead and close the public hearing.
Commissioners, any final discussion or a motion, please?
COREY: Yes, Chair. John, could we address the point that she brought up? I think it
does --
WESLEY: Chair, Commissioner, yes. It is a valid point. Certainly the commission could,
with a specific application. If you wanted to limit it to just golf carts, you could do that.
The text that we processed, we had a little bit broader because we didn't know what all
else might, you know, work in a given situation. But --
GRAY: So we talked about this last time through. And the reason that it got expanded
was if he could take something in on trade, right? And so we wanted to account for the
Vespa or something else to where we weren't limiting him from being able to move or,
you know, handle a transaction.
And so yeah, I get it. You know, it's more complicated, but unintended consequences of
not doing it is why we did it.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Okay. Thank you.
GRAY: All right. No further discussion. Looking for a motion from the commission.
COREY: So again -- sorry, just to clarify then. So what we're looking at is just allowing
sales in that red -- that square red area. Nothing outside of that. And that's what five
spaces did I see on the picture?
WESLEY: Let me go back to that again, that -- Chair, Commissioner. So yes, that's what
staff is proposing, is that you designate these areas south of the driveway --
COREY: Okay.
WESLEY: -- off of Fountain Hills Boulevard and west of the driveway off of Glenbrook as
a place where display could occur.
COREY: Okay.
WESLEY: You could do more or less than that if you -- if you'd like.
COREY: And I think I read that it's technically four spaces. And then the fifth one is kind
of a partial space.
WESLEY: Yes.
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COREY: Okay. And to clarify, I heard this from my fellow colleague here, that building
on the bottom. I drove by it today. It says e-bikes on the corner of that one. Is that --
that's the same business?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Yes.
COREY: Okay. Okay. Thank you.
GRAY: Are you in the market?
COREY: I just got one.
GRAY: Okay.
CORRIGAN: Mr. Chair?
GRAY: Commissioner?
CORRIGAN: Can we in fact expand -- here we are. I'll get it. Can we, in fact, expand this
beyond, you know, a reasonable explanation of golf carts in general rather than just e-
carts or electric carts?
GRAY: We're free to make any recommendation or modifications to the language that
that we see fit. It was just that in the last session when this came before us, the
question came up to the applicant of, well, do you have any desire to move a scooter,
you know, a small CC motorcycle through? And he said, yeah, not really. But
occasionally he could take -- he might take something in on trade but would want to flip
that, you know, back to the market or sell it -- you know, sell it off within 30 days. And
so that's why that gas-powered component got bolted on there. But you know, we're
free to make any recommendation we see fit.
CORRIGAN: I might recommend that we use the golf cart in general rather than a
specific category of electric versus gas. That would allow him a lot more latitude to, you
know, be free within his business rights to make a trade if it's a Vespa or another gas
powered cart. I think that's a reasonable thing to do given his businesses is golf carts.
GRAY: Commissioner Sveum?
SVEUM: The discussion was centered on golf carts. The other types of vehicles was kind
of a side note. Originally, it was just the -- it was just electric carts. And I asked
specifically if he was going to -- he may take a trade-in with a gas cart that he may want
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to display it. That's why this extra one got -- the extra gas cart got it included this time
around. I mean, I don't -- personally, I don't have any problem either way, but it was set
up originally as just electric carts. Was there a reason for that with the planning
department or -- I can't remember exactly, or was it what the applicant requested?
GRAY: I think originally we were doing a text amendment to C-1, right, and then we --
SVEUM: That's whole other ---
GRAY: -- pivoted off of that because we've done that before, and it hadn't worked out
in the second time through the gate.
WESLEY: Yes. Chairman, Commissioner, yes, when staff brought it forward, we were
focused on the electric because of some potential concerns. You get gas-powered
vehicles out there and the noise of them being, you know, started and run and whatever
have a little bit more of an impact in this neighborhood commercial area. It doesn't stop
them from having them for sale inside the building, just not on the display outside. The
commission looked at it and felt, as you just explained, well, you know, there could be
those instances where gas-powered would be okay.
And so you amended what was proposed by staff which was certainly fine. And so it
now does this -- assuming the commission -- or the council next week approves it as
you've recommended it, it would allow the option to also approve the gas-powered on
the limited basis.
SVEUM: Well, it seems that the applicant was fine with that --
WESLEY: Yes.
SVEUM: -- when we got together last time, correct?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Correct.
SVEUM: Yeah. So that's what -- that's why we ended up where we did.
CORRIGAN: Okay. If he's comfortable with that latitude then I'm okay with it. It's his
business. Yeah.
RUCCI: John is right. If I have a gas vehicle --
GRAY: Let's have you -- let's have you come up to the mic so they can hear at home.
RUCCI: John's correct. If I have a gas vehicle, I can just display it inside. I don't -- it
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doesn't have to be outside, so I'm okay with that.
GRAY: So applicant is okay with either. I would say keep it simple and let's move on
with it. So I'll call for a motion. Commissioner Corrigan, do you want to make a motion?
CORRIGAN: Motion to approve.
GRAY: It would be a motion to approve simplifying language to golf carts of the
electronic variety only, correct?
CORRIGAN: Correct, as stated.
GRAY: And inclusive of all staff comments?
RUCCI: Spaces.
GRAY: Spaces. Okay.
COREY: Second.
GRAY: All right. Motion on the table from Commissioner Corrigan, seconded by
Commissioner Corey to make a recommendation to approve inclusive of staff comments
and recommendations for space allocation. However, simplifying the language to
include electric golf carts only. Capture it all? All right.
CORRIGAN: Thank you.
GRAY: Paula, roll call, please?
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corey.
COREY: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corrigan?
CORRIGAN: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Dapaah?
DAPAAH: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Schlossberg?
SCHLOSSBERG: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Sveum?
SVEUM: Aye.
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WOODWARD: Chair Gray?
GRAY: Aye.
WOODWARD: Seven-zero.
GRAY: Thank you, Paula. All right. We're going to break protocol here just a little bit
due to the intermingled complexities of the next two agenda items being adjacent to
each other, although they're dissimilar uses. We're going to have staff -- we're going to
have Farhad present both cases, then open one public hearing that will address both
and then draw a closure with two recommendations, one, on agenda item 8 and one on
agenda item 9.
So in opening the hearing for both agenda item 8 and 9, they are both to hold a hearing,
consideration and possible action for the request of a Special Use Permit to allow ten
single family residential units on six properties in the commercial subdivision Plat 106.
And in addition to that agenda item number 9, a request for Special Use Permit to allow
for four multifamily buildings containing three dwelling units each on four adjacent
1,250 square foot parcels located at -- generally located 200 feet east the northeast
corner of Fountain Hills Boulevard at El Pueblo Drive.
Farhad, presentations, please?
TAVASSOLI: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members of the commission, a Happy
New Year. I want to apologize in advance. I'm on the mend, so I hope you don't mind if
my presentations get interrupted by an intermittent cough or two or three.
So Mr. Chairman, as you mentioned, these two cases are interrelated, one of which was
actually originally brought before you in November of last year. That was continued.
This one that I'm presenting to you today, first, is a new item that I'm presenting before
you. Same applicant, same site, different type of residential project.
So the applicant in this case is proposing, as you mentioned, ten single-family units as he
refers to them in his proposal, the cottages, rather small units.
The site is Plat 106 of -- up on the north, far northern part of the town, at the northeast
corner of El Pueblo and Fountain Hills Boulevard. And more specifically, they involve the
lots that you see here. It was platted back in 1974. And as you can see, there has been
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minimal development.
There were three recent approvals in this area. And by recent, I mean just within the
last year or so for residential in this commercial area. And as you all know, any type of
residential use would require a Special Use Permit if it's in a commercially zoned area.
This is just to emphasize how little it has developed, Plat 106, and just within the past --
well, now 20, 21, 22 years.
So the applicant is proposing a Special Use Permit to allow ten single-family residential --
excuse me, there it is -- units on six properties in a commercial subdivision known as Plat
106 with the coordinates that you mentioned, Mr. Chairman -- I won't go through that
again -- in the Community Commercial zoning district. And what you're seeing below, to
start, are some -- obviously some color renderings of the alley-loaded garage for each of
these units, which also would include the front entry entrance. And you'll see more
detail in the site plans that follow.
So the -- just so we have our bearing straight down here is El Pueblo Boulevard and the
existing parking lot. The common parking lot is further to the west, and it's adjacent to
Fountain Hills Boulevard, just actually south of the subject property for the use permit in
the previous case. And it is bifurcated by an alley as you can see here. And you can see
the convenience store located here adjacent to El Pueblo Boulevard and the church here
in the interior.
Now the ten units are being proposed for the lots that use -- the vacant lots that you see
here. And also these -- this row here, this parcel currently exists as one lot. The
applicant, should the commission or council be inclined to approve it, would need to
split these lots in order to accommodate for the four single-family units.
And as you can see in most cases here the -- it's a zero lot line orientation and one -- at
least on one side of the -- each of these units.
So again, ten single-family units, they're approximately a little over 1,300 square feet,
two stories. The applicant is proposing a tandem garage for each of these units. And
the tandem garage is largely following staff's suggestion, or I should say staff's
comment, that typically for residential -- single-family residential units, there are at least
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two covered parking spaces that are required for each single-family residential unit. But
that only applies to single-family zoning districts.
So one thing -- one consideration that we may, you know, request further consideration
on from -- or direction from the commission is, should that requirement apply here as
well? The initial proposal came in with only one garage and right in front of that, it
would have been a single-family garage. And in front of that would have been an open-
air parking spot. So again, that's something that staff could use some direction on if the
applicant were to come forward with any alternative design following tonight's meeting.
So in doing a review and analysis, and much of this analysis is the same with the case
that follows, the general plan does, of course, encourage infill in areas that are
underutilized in a broad range of housing types and densities. So generally speaking, we
think from a land use standpoint, Plat 106 would be appropriate for this kind of infill
opportunity.
And again, I would refer to the Zoning Ordinance to determine whether or not this use
would have any impacts to public health, safety, and welfare. Again, cookie cutter type
of point to bring up when looking at Special Use Permits cases such as this. But it goes
for just about all of them.
The applicant has gone through the citizen participation process and has not to date
received any opposition. There were some suggestions that were shared by the Plat 106
committee that are reflected on the site plan. And I'll have the applicant provide some
details on that. But again, to date, we have not received any expressed opposition to
the case.
There are some design concerns that staff has spelled out in the staff report. One is
particularly the row of homes being proposed for this to the north. Here's the alley.
And just beyond -- I mean, I could -- you could probably see it here better. Yeah. So this
is where the -- those four homes are proposed. Back here is the rear yard of a single
family residential unit. And as you saw in those elevations earlier, there was a balcony
proposed, which would be overlooking the rear yard here. So that's a design
consideration that you know, we'd be ready to look at some alternative design methods
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to kind of mitigate that.
The building footprint for the far western unit here. I'll go back to this slide. It does
seem to be awfully close to the property line. I'll have the applicant explain some
possible solutions to that, but one of which was to, in the future, acquire a -- sorry -- at
least a portion of this commonly owned area, common to Plat 106 here is to shift over
the units to provide a little bit more clearance here at the two adjoining alleys.
The other concern is trash collection and mail delivery.
There are a couple of trash enclosures. One here where my -- encircling right now, and
actually, the closest one to most of the units is over here on the eastern common
parking area. It's about 230 feet away. The applicant has, you know, shared the idea of
putting some trash bins out in the alley -- out in the alleys, I should say.
We are a little concerned about the narrowness of these alleys and whether or not any
solid vehicles can -- solid waste vehicles can go through, and even with the common
trash, dumpster or trash enclosures.
Plat 106 so far has not expressed any opposition to the project. But you know, there
was nothing specific about trash being taken out there, you know, frequently by the
residents and whether that would cause any concern.
Guest parking -- well, guest parking is provided by the in the common areas. There are
no separate guest parking for -- guest parking stalls for each of the units. And also there
are -- aside from the balconies and I think there was a few units that had, you know, a
rather small patio, there are no open space amenities being offered here.
Now, I do want to emphasize that the applicant, yes, he is coming to you as proposed.
But he has expressed flexibility and is also looking to get input for perhaps some
alternative designs to come back before you in the future. But as it stands right now, as
we said -- the staff said that we would support the use, but we also would suggest some
modifications to the proposal before approval. And the applicant, as I said, has
expressed flexibility and is willing to listen to your suggestions. So that concludes the
single-family cottages.
GRAY: So can we take --
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TAVASSOLI: Um-hum.
GRAY: -- a few elements of this before we --
TAVASSOLI: Absolutely.
GRAY: -- move on because I've got --
TAVASSOLI: Yeah.
GRAY: -- well, I'm sure you're going to bridge both, but I've got one comment specific to
this one. And it's specific to the Parcel 15026, which is the northwesternmost parcel.
When you move up a sheet to your aerial overlay that shows you know the subject
properties of -- there you go.
We talked about that alleyway with a prior zoning case and how that all works and, you
know, what rights are afforded to those single-family homes given they've used that as a
primary means of ingress and egress, you know, for -- I don't know how many years, a
lot of years.
What happens to that alley? How does that get treated with respect to their accesses
and the legacy, you know, entitlement to that passageway? And then whom, either
developer or town, is responsible for the civil improvements of that alley to support this
type of development?
TAVASSOLI: Mr. Chairman so this alley here, that's actually, town's right of way. This
one here to the --
GRAY: Right, that's the one I'm referring to.
TAVASSOLI: Yeah. That's the one you're referring to.
GRAY: Well, really both. But that's the one that's got the access, you know --
TAVASSOLI: Right.
GRAY: -- entitlements to it.
TAVASSOLI: Right. This is actually a common property to the Plat 106, this alley here.
And so as far as accessibility, vehicular accessibility, of course, Plat 106 would need to
provide their buy-in. Yeah? Correction? Yeah. Okay.
WESLEY: Chair, the applicant for these homes over here, this apartment, as part of his
site plan, he is working on the improvement of the alley past his property into this area.
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And he knows about this development to the west and the need to work together to tie
that in. But as far as this property owner to the north, they'll have a paved alley in the
future that they'll be able to use to access into there.
GRAY: So it's the development's --
WESLEY: The developer.
GRAY: -- that --
WESLEY: The developer.
GRAY: -- clear the cost --
WESLEY: Correct.
GRAY: -- of those improvements?
WESLEY: Yes.
GRAY: And so does something like that find its way into a development agreement with
the town?
WESLEY: No, that's too minor. It's just part of the development process.
GRAY: And the same would hold true for the --
WESLEY: Yes.
GRAY: -- southern? And then my second thought, which I think is going to be common
to both cases, is that, you know, this is complicated being Plat 106 and having its own
board. That's an alternate use of 15026 in particular that should not bear any adverse
effect on those adjacent stakeholders, you know, albeit they're across the -- you know,
they're across an alleyway. But for us to even try and sort out the refuse side of this and
the utility side of it, I think, is disingenuous to those stakeholders. And so I think Plat
106 needs to deal with Plat 106 trash internally to Plat 106. I'm willing to be talked off
of that, but I've got that as a big sticking point as we continue on. Commissioner
Schlossberg?
SCHLOSSBERG: A question is might -- the applicant might be better to answer this one,
but it goes back to when it was first brought up in November. And it's on the plans on
both of them, but it's not mentioned here. This home of the aged for both of these, so
is this some type of senior living or -- for both projects?
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TAVASSOLI: Mr. Chairman and Commissioner Schlossberg, this particular project, the
cottages, is not targeting any particular demographic. So no, it's not for --
SCHLOSSBERG: Okay.
TAVASSOLI: -- any (indiscernible).
SCHLOSSBERG: But on the plan -- on the plan right here, it's home of the aged. It says it
that --
GRAY: Oh, good reading.
SCHLOSSBERG: So it's on the -- I'm just saying it's on the plan. So on the right-hand side
of the --
TAVASSOLI: Oh.
SCHLOSSBERG: -- right there.
GRAY: The project type.
SCHLOSSBERG: Over to the far right.
WESLEY: To the right.
SCHLOSSBERG: Project type --
TAVASSOLI: Oh.
SCHLOSSBERG: -- in bold.
TAVASSOLI: Okay. Yeah, that's obviously an error.
GRAY: Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: Are these designated for sale or are they rentals?
TAVASSOLI: Mr. Chairman, I believe these are going to be individually titled. Each of
the -- as I was saying, with the row of homes further to the north, they're going to be
individually platted. So I think there will be fee simple lots. I'll have the applicant
correct me otherwise, but we move forward with the idea that this is a -- they're going
to be sold.
GRAY: Commissioner Sveum?
SVEUM: Well, four-bedroom units; is that correct? Is that correct? They're all upstairs.
TAVASSOLI: Right.
SVEUM: So I assume that this is not home of the aged?
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TAVASSOLI: No.
SVEUM: So a family, perhaps. There's no playground area, right? There's no place for
kids to play? No green space or desert scape at all? I think that's a real problem as far
as I'm concerned with having this built there as well as the design of these buildings.
I realize we're on your -- the applicant's objective is to create some affordable housing.
But I really strongly object to the east side and west side how they look. I think it's a
very problematic, whether there's four-feet of separation between these buildings or 40
feet. There should be more.
And maybe this is out of the zoning -- it's not part of the zoning. I understand that. But
there should be more attention given to how these -- how the outside of these buildings
are built, how they look, and the maintenance of these buildings over time is four
bedroom rentals. So I have a strong objection to how they've been designed.
I think as well, with the setback of four feet as we're seeing in LA right now that there
should be more separation. And I want to -- I don't think the fire department has voiced
any opinion on these yet, from what I gathered anyway.
TAVASSOLI: Yeah. Typically at this stage, when the -- yeah, the fire department is
included in the routing during the staff review, and they had no comment at this point.
SVEUM: Well, he wants feedback.
TAVASSOLI: Right. Right.
SVEUM: So I think these are worthy of consideration.
TAVASSOLI: Right.
KOVACEVIC: Is this the time to get into -- how deep in the weeds are we getting? Are
we getting a --
GRAY: Well, I think --
KOVACEVIC: -- presentation?
GRAY: So I think we'll -- well, yeah, we'll get a presentation on the other application. So
any comments specific to -- you know, that might be site specific to these parcels now?
And then we'll pick the others up and then we'll kind of tie it all back together at the
end.
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KOVACEVIC: Okay. Specific to these, I don't understand why -- I'm going to piggyback
on Commissioner Sveum's comment -- I don't understand why they wouldn't just be
attached and eliminate the small side yards.
I mean, I'm concerned with the criteria. They can't be detrimental to public health and
safety, but there's zero side yard or a four-foot side yard on the alley. People driving in
and out of -- from the alley where the garages are on to the main alley, the existing alley
to get to one of the streets, there is no room to see what's coming down the alley. And
you're going to have ten families driving down that main alley to get to El Pueblo or
Glenbrook or whatever the east-west streets are. So that's a problem. And I don't
know -- what are the dimensions of these lots? Are they 25 by 50 to get to 1,250?
TAVASSOLI: They're each -- I don't know the exact dimensions, but they're each about
1,125 square feet -- 25, okay. Do you know the dimensions, approximately? Okay.
Thank you. 25 by 50. Yeah.
KOVACEVIC: So why couldn't you -- I mean, we're looking for suggestions because I
think the way it's laid out is a problem. Why couldn't you re-subdivide the lots and
make them 20 feet wide, attach the units, and that'll give you 20 feet clearance so that
somebody can see what's coming down the alley or go, you know, 22 feet wide, and
then you have 12 feet of clearance. Whatever it is, but somebody's got to be able to see
what is coming down the alley. Those vehicles are -- it's going to be bumper cars. So
that's my -- and I don't have a problem with attaching the units, rather than --
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible)
KOVACEVIC: Yeah. And I think it's safer, yeah, from the fire standpoint too. So those
are my comments for what it's worth.
GRAY: Commissioner Dapaah.
DAPAAH: Yeah, I would like more clarity on trash management. I'm a little confused by
that. But I have a question relating to Lot 18 and 19. That mixed-use building that is
sitting behind it. Was that approved through a Special Use Permit also?
TAVASSOLI: Mr. Chairman, Commissioner Dapaah, what's existing right there right now,
the pharmacy, that was not approved through a Special Use Permit. That's a by right
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use.
DAPAAH: Okay.
TAVASSOLI: So --
DAPAAH: It's a pharmacy and --
TAVASSOLI: Yeah, so it's not entirely accurate mixed-use -- I mean, the nature of the
building might be mixed-use, but --
DAPAAH: There are some dwelling units there too, right, some residential units?
WESLEY: Chair, Commissioner Dapaah, yes, Special Use Permit did approve residential
on the second floor of that building several years ago. Yes.
DAPAAH: Okay. So someone in the future could take that building and do whatever
else they want with it without the --
TAVASSOLI: This one here, as long as it's consistent with the CC Zoning District.
DAPAAH: Right.
TAVASSOLI: And the Special Use Permit that John just corrected me with, it would carry
with the land.
DAPAAH: So that's a pharmacy now?
TAVASSOLI: The first floor.
DAPAAH: Are there any kind of hazardous compounding activities going on there or for
a pharmacy?
TAVASSOLI: There have been none that have been brought to our attention. No
violations. No, you know -- I'm not sure what impacts --
DAPAAH: Well, not violations but some pharmacies have compounding rooms --
TAVASSOLI: Right.
DAPAAH: -- hazardous compounding rooms where they mix up drugs for use in the
elderly communities here in town or whatever. Are they doing -- is that activity
happening at this pharmacy?
TAVASSOLI: I am not aware of any.
DAPAAH: Okay. That's another concern of mine. That would mean that there's some
kind of an exhaust system that may be putting out fumes or something hazardous. We
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would need to look into that and make sure of it as well because you have two dwelling
units right behind it. And that was just my question about that.
GRAY: That’s more of a good neighbor question because ASHRAE 170 wouldn't come
into play being an unlicensed pharmacy by your definitions, but point taken
nonetheless. Commissioner Corey?
COREY: Yes, I understand you're trying to maximize the value of what you get on this lot
here. But I think the point about -- there's four bedrooms, and there's a tandem garage.
So it sounds like it will be families there. And I could see the tandem garage could
become an issue because most likely a family with four bedrooms is going to have two
cars that they'll use regularly.
So I think that's something to consider if there's one car that's in the back. You know,
those two cars are going to be used all the time. So that could present a problem with
cars being parked on the road there. Sometimes those types of garages are used for
storage in the back and only one car gets used. So that's just something that was on my
mind.
And then in the image that you're showing, you mentioned the balconies. Let's say A, B,
C, and D. The balconies are on the north side. Well, go up a little bit to the top of the
page there. Yeah, right where it -- the cottages A, B, C and D.
TAVASSOLI: Right.
COREY: So the balconies are on the north side --
TAVASSOLI: That's correct.
COREY: -- and that would be what's looking at that residential property?
TAVASSOLI: Correct.
COREY: Okay. So those are the little squares. And then on the bottom, those are the
yards?
TAVASSOLI: Correct. The patios. Yeah.
COREY: Okay.
TAVASSOLI: Um-hum.
COREY: Thank you for clarifying.
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GRAY: Commissioner Corrigan.
CORRIGAN: So I noticed in the analysis by the staff that item number 2, the balconies
actually overhang the property line. Can you explain in a little more detail about that?
TAVASSOLI: Yeah. Mr. Chairman, Commissioner Corrigan, particularly for what's
labeled as Lot A here, it appears that the balcony -- although I'm not sure if it's entirely
clear here -- but balconies basically are not allowed to overhang a property line,
whether it's one feet or two feet.
So that is a design concern. That's why, you know, the tightness of this setup here,
particularly to the north, might create some accessibility issues, especially for like larger
fire trucks. So it is a concern for accessibility for emergency vehicles and trash pickup if
that applies here.
CORRIGAN: Okay. Thank you.
TAVASSOLI: Um-hum.
GRAY: Farhad, two more specific to these parcels and Plat 106. What would the
residential -- what would the commensurate residential zoning for us be at this density
and with these setbacks, or what's the most limiting of those two?
TAVASSOLI: Mr. Chairman it would be a -- with the types of minimum setbacks shown
here and the density, probably a multifamily designation anywhere between R-2 to R-5,
but yeah, probably closer to R-5.
GRAY: And then the other one specific to these parcels; how do you treat open space
requirements in a plat like this? Does the open asphalt of the common lot count as
open space, or are we only calculating, you know, what's left of non -- you know, the
non-parceled --
TAVASSOLI: Right.
GRAY: -- zones?
TAVASSOLI: Right. Mr. Chairman, so the ordinance doesn't address open space
requirements in that terminology, but there are some landscaping requirements
typically for -- say, if this were a subdivision or if the applicant was proposing a
subdivision with this type of housing type, then there would be a minimum open space
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requirement. I don't quite remember what that formula is off the top of my head, but in
this case, the property is already platted, or I should say Plat 106, obviously, is already
platted --
GRAY: So --
TAVASSOLI: --but.
GRAY: I guess that's where I wanted to go with it is -- I understand that by right that
open space calculation doesn't come in because of the legacy platting. But when we
consider this type of alternate use of the underlying zoning, I just wonder if it's
something that we shouldn't consider as a town, as a commission, to fold that into the
equation, right? I mean, if we're going to -- if we're going to change that use type --
TAVASSOLI: Um-hum.
GRAY: -- we probably ought to start bringing some of the rest of that with it. Because
to Commissioner Sveum's point, you know, there's no place for a swing set. Well, the
reason there's no place is because it's a commercial plat.
And to Commissioner Kovacevic's point, which, you know, personally I think maybe he's
exaggerating a little bit, but I get it. There should be some astro triangle considerations
to those T-intersections, and that's a given when you start talking about that ratio of
open space to build whereas here the underlying zoning, you know, is not to have
tandem parked cars and four bedrooms worth of kids or three bedrooms worth of kids.
So I think it's probably really important for us to consider that, not related to this case,
but in the more macro sense going forward. And I think as we, you know, work our way
towards a recommendation on this, I think that's going to weigh pretty heavily for me.
So Commissioners, anything else on this one or should we move to the other --
Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: Yeah, I do. One more question. What's the height of the cottages?
TAVASSOLI: The maximum is at 25 feet, which is the maximum for the CC zoning
district.
KOVACEVIC: And are you -- well, I thought I saw the maximum height was 23 feet in CC
zoning. I could be wrong, too. I mean, I get lost in the zoning codes, but I thought I saw
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a maximum height was 23 feet.
TAVASSOLI: Yeah, I'm fairly certain it's 25 feet, but I can double-check that for you.
KOVACEVIC: Okay.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: 25.
KOVACEVIC: 25? And if he wanted to go up, could he do that in a PUD? PAD -- I'm
sorry, PAD, if he wanted a height?
TAVASSOLI: Mr. Chairman, Commissioner Kovacevic, if these properties met the
prerequisites for that type of designation, PAD, which it doesn't, yeah, he may do that --
KOVACEVIC: Okay. But it doesn't.
TAVASSOLI: -- but they don't meet the minimum lot size requirements --
KOVACEVIC: Okay.
TAVASSOLI: -- for PAD.
KOVACEVIC: Thank you.
TAVASSOLI: Um-hum.
GRAY: And since he went there, I'll chase the rabbit a little further. What did we say
that the separation is if we don't go to a common demising wall? It's a four-foot
between the buildings? Six is minimum, right? And in either case, my question is at 25
feet, and by all accounts, the elevations show that it's a completely pitched roof,
where's the condenser going to go and still allow for all the clearances by electric code
to access meters and condensers and so on? They're going in the back. Yeah. Probably
not. Speaker cards? All right. Okay. How many cards do we have specific to this
agenda item, Paula?
WOODWARD: For number 8 there are three.
GRAY: And for the second -- for agenda item 9?
WOODWARD: Looks like two.
GRAY: Are they common?
WOODWARD: Yes.
GRAY: So who are they?
WOODWARD: Larry Meyers, Barry McBride (ph.) and Crystal Cavanaugh.
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GRAY: Larry, Barry, Crystal, if we give you six minutes and one trip to the mic, does that
work for you guys? Yeah? Okay. Let's do that. So let's go ahead with your second
presentation and then we'll open up the speakers.
WOODWARD: Okay.
TAVASSOLI: Okay. All right. So Mr. Chairman, as I said, the second one was presented
before you back in November of 2025. For the benefit of Commissioner Corrigan and
maybe as a refresher, I'll go through some of this without sounding too repetitive with
some of -- because many of the introductory slides are the same.
The zoning is the same as in the previous case, CC. Same site, obviously. This is a
Special Use Permit to allow four multifamily buildings -- four different multifamily
buildings containing three dwelling units each on four adjacent 1,250 square foot
parcels.
And I am going to skip over right by the slide, but just to clarify. So obviously the subject
parcels are outlined in red, but in relation to the cottages they are fairly close to the
subject property here. So two of those cottages would be going over here and directly
across would be the multifamily dwellings. And so the applicant has provided a
rendering here as well as a preliminary site plan.
These buildings will also be two stories. Each building, each of the four buildings, will
have three units. The largest of the units will be on the second floor. That would be
about 966 square feet. The first floor would feature two much smaller floor plans.
So the footprint is about 966 square feet. About a third of that would be the one-
bedroom unit that you see here to the north, and then a two-bedroom unit adjacent to
that.
The second floor would be accessible via a stairway. There would be no elevator
accesses as you see here. I know that question was brought up previously. I'll go over
some of those comments that were brought up in November's meeting.
Again, the gaps or the setbacks in between the buildings, the widest setback between
the two buildings would be for the two middle units. That's about eight -- that is eight
feet as shown here and then four feet for the units on the outside between the two
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adjacent units.
Again, in looking at the general plan, this does offer a mix of a broad range of units. And
again, as far as the land use is concerned, the staff has no issues.
I should mention, as I mentioned before in the November meeting, the target
demographic, the market here is for the aged. It is for the elderly.
Now, I do want to make clear, and I was clear in the staff report, this is not being
proposed as an assisted living facility. These would be rental units. And the applicant or
the owner may be providing some concierge services, such as like trash pickup or
deliveries of some type or transportation. But it will not be characterized as an assisted
living facility.
So looking at the commission's comments from November, I've mentioned them here.
As I mentioned earlier, there will be a staircase access to the second floor, but there will
be no elevator. I know that was a concern with regards to -- especially in regards to the
fact that this is targeting the aged. There were a few details that could be shared at the
time about the leasing arrangement between the owner and the tenants. The applicant
is ready to provide more information about that.
The tight separation between the buildings that was mentioned with the previous case
as well, there is no option for private parking in this case. All parking is provided in the
common area. That was a concern that was brought up.
There was little detail about the outdoor lighting, and the color rendering provided
minimal detail as far as the materials and colors but kind of gave a general idea.
So as with the -- just as the previous case where, again, staff, you know, supports the
use for this area because it's so underutilized. But we would also in this case
recommend some modifications to address some of the concerns that commission
brought up last time. So I'll conclude with that.
GRAY: Farhad, similar question related to access rights from a legacy route crossing
Parcel 39 and 37 and potentially 51. It looks like there's a walking path that extends
from the municipal curb cut at the crossing there on kind of a, let's call it a 30 degree
angle to the northwest. Any concerns or reservations? That just looks like a pretty well-
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traveled path. That --
TAVASSOLI: And just to be clear, you're talking about --
GRAY: No. So --
TAVASSOLI: (Indiscernible)
GRAY: -- right where your cursor is there's a -- draw a 30 degree angle southeast to
northwest.
TAVASSOLI: Oh, I see. Oh, okay.
GRAY: That's coming from a city ADA walk across -- it just looks like that's very well-
traveled.
TAVASSOLI: Right.
GRAY: Is that for the javelinas or is that (indiscernible)?
TAVASSOLI: Yeah, Mr. Chairman, I'm not sure if that's just like a path that's been beaten
over time. But yeah, I don't have information on that. It certainly doesn't appear on the
plat as, like, any kind of easement or it's just been, I guess, established --
GRAY: Established.
TAVASSOLI: -- over the past 50 years. Yeah.
GRAY: Well, yeah. My question is, it's established?
TAVASSOLI: Yeah.
GRAY: I'm curious what the implications of that might be if someone took offense to
building on those parcels. But Commissioners, site specific comments to this
development? Commissioner Corey was first.
COREY: Oh, thank you. I guess my primary concern, you weren't here last time we
talked about this, is why was this decided to be a home of the aged? And if there's no
elevator, if the aged are going to be walking up a flight of stairs to the second floor. I
would like to hear a little bit about that. Like, what was the thought process behind
that? Is that, A, an opportunity to change it from home of the aged to maybe other
residential or put in some sort of an elevator or something so people can get up there?
That's my primary concern.
GRAY: And we'll let the applicant address that.
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COREY: Sounds good.
GRAY: Commissioner Sveum?
SVEUM: I think the chair made an excellent point before on the previous one. And that
is if you're going to tag along with a residential use and a commercial property, you
should be bringing forward a residential subdivision type of requirements. Whether
it's -- whatever they may hold, but there should be much more consideration made for
this -- as a residential property and not just a converted commercial property. There's a
lot of things that are missing.
GRAY: Commissioner Corrigan?
CORRIGAN: I do share some of the same concerns about the lack of elevator for an
elderly home and lack of private parking and actually agree with the six stipulations or
analysis of the staff. And this has been, you know, discussed before, but somewhat new
to me. So yeah, those are all issues that I see.
GRAY: Commissioner Dapaah?
DAPAAH: Yeah. During your review of these requests, do we consult with the fire
department at all?
TAVASSOLI: Mr. Chairman, during the review, as I mentioned earlier, they are included
in the review process, but they did not call out any violations of the Fire Code, at least
none that stood out at this stage of development.
DAPAAH: So this particular one has been reviewed, and they had no concerns with the
space between? Okay.
TAVASSOLI: Correct.
DAPAAH: Thank you.
GRAY: Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: So how many units are in this building again?
TAVASSOLI: So four buildings, three units in each building, twelve altogether.
KOVACEVIC: Twelve? Yeah. On a 5,000 square foot lot -- 5,000 square feet of lot.
There are four lots; combined are 5,000 square feet?
TAVASSOLI: Right.
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KOVACEVIC: So that's about 96 units an acre?
TAVASSOLI: Give or take.
KOVACEVIC: Give or take.
TAVASSOLI: Yes.
KOVACEVIC: The maximum density in our code is 25 in the zoning ordinance. And then
we moved heaven and earth to get to 45. It's a nonstarter to me. I don't know how we
get there from here. And I don't understand -- I mean, let's have some uniformity. I'm
like staff, I'm open to residential here. I think commercial has been vacant for so long.
Commercial just has an inherent problem.
You know, what, 500 feet, 1,000 feet north of here is parkland. How far east? Maybe
half a mile east is reservation land. You don't have population density to support
commercial here. So if we're going to use the land residential, it makes sense. There's
something that works, but not 96 units an acre. And you know, if he's got control of the
whole thing, let's do something with some uniformity. And those are my comments.
GRAY: All right, Commissioners. Paula, let's go ahead and open the public hearing. I
think what we should probably do is anybody who's specific to agenda item 8, first. And
then we'll do -- does the applicant -- did you want to give a presentation ahead, or did
you want to wait until after public comment?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible) ahead.
GRAY: Okay.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible).
GRAY: Okay. So Paula, as he's making his way up, we'll do 8, then 9, and then the
combo comments of those last three cards.
TAVASSOLI: Okay.
WOODWARD: Okay.
TAVASSOLI: I'll hang on to the keyboard if in case we need to flip through slides.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Yeah.
GRAY: Okay.
EJIM: My name is Wilson Ejim, and I'm the developer. And again, I want to apologize
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for --
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: (Indiscernible).
EJIM: Okay. Thank you. I want to apologize for November. I thought it was all moved
to January. That's why I left. But I didn't know that some of them was held back, so I'm
very sorry for that.
But the project, of course, is challenging. And I have worked with the POA for the last
two years trying to figure out the best way to address the concerns.
At the initial time my proposal was slightly different, but parking seems to be an issue.
So that was why we decided to, okay, let me provide single-family that will have tandem
garages. So that was what drove to that need.
But in the process of that, I thought about, okay, what varieties of housing need can I
meet? So that brings into the home of the aged because I know there are some people
that could not afford a nursing home or assisted living. That doesn't mean they're in
wheelchairs, just that maybe they retired, and they don't have that much income. So
then I could provide a home for those 55 and older. They don't necessarily have to have
an elevator. They still walk around, but their income has dropped so we could provide
additional services, but I will talk more about that.
But some of the issues that I encountered with the parking space. I had to address.
Now, I just got the staff report today. So some of the things I'm going to tell you was
not -- it's not on the drawing yet but getting -- you know, because of the holidays, we
just go back to the office. And I heard today -- I saw the report. I said, well, I'm here to
solve problems. That's what we do.
But what I've decided was Lot 18, 20 and Lot A, that is east of the alley, that we can give
up to provide additional parking space. So if you take all those along that eastern line,
that will open up the question talking about visibility, about somebody not seeing other
things coming, but also give us parking along that area, which will alleviate some of the
parking issues we have and open up that alley.
So then each of the units have ten feet back yard. It's not much, but it's still enough to
have kids play and a family gathering. You know, we have done that in Vegas; it works
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in a small lot like this. I still have a property in Vegas that's just about that size with a
ten-foot backyard, and it works very well by new homes.
So then when it comes to the trash collection, there are some trash collection areas
right now. Meeting with the POA board, we decided that we'll be working with John,
the other developer, to expand the existing collection center to accommodate more and
then we share the cost. So that was some of the ideas that were brought up. And I'm
very comfortable with that. You know, so they have some piece of land there that we
can expand it, make it much bigger so people can have a central collection area for the
trash over there.
Now, the balcony issue on Lot 25, that's where we have the A, B, C, and D. Those
balconies can be eliminated. These are all in conceptual stages. So the actual -- as I go
to site planning, some of this is going to be resolved. But for privacy issues, the
balconies are overlooked. These areas will be eliminated.
Okay. Parking issues, we are giving up almost three lots that border the alley, so that
would mitigate the constraint in that area and also provide additional parking.
Now, when it comes to the open space, it's part of overall master plan. So I would think
that they will also be able to utilize the same public space that the residents right now
use because they are part of that community.
The small lots we are trying to do something separate for them. There is no space for
that, you know, but I did provide ten feet back yard, so that way they could have a place
for the kids.
But my vision of what I envision is more younger couples or older couples because,
number one, older couples have the clinic close by, so they're going to want to make use
of that. Younger couples may be those that are just trying to start off, you know, they
want somewhere they can -- cheaper, they can just go live. And when they start having
kids, they may sell and go somewhere bigger.
So the market target I'm reaching are those that need a way to get in and be able to
really sustain life or living. So that is the market target.
Now when it comes to the home of the aged, my envision is, or my vision is if somebody
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is using the upper level and have an issue, maybe develop some conditions, they can no
longer climb stairs. Those are wide enough for a stair lift. Stair lift is a chair that you
hook up to the rail, it takes you up there.
But I'm 64, I walk up the stairs all the time. A 55 year old person that is healthy would
love to go up and down. It's part of exercising yourself. But for any reason they have
issues, the stair lift solves our problem. We don't need an elevator to go upstairs, you
know? But because there are other ways to get up there without an elevator. But those
that may be older, that don't want to go upstairs, have the ground unit on the lower
level to meet their needs. So that is some of the thinking.
Now, the building on the home of the aged partially solved sprinkler system. They offer
sprinklers. So the fire issue there is resolved. And most fire trucks are 150 feet reach,
and it's still close by where they can reach to the furthest part of the building, you know.
So those things are put into consideration.
And again, my whole idea on this is what can -- how can I use that property to serve the
needs of the community or the needs that I have right now? And I think affordable
housing is something that everyone that's in need across the whole nation to provide
affordable housing, whether for seniors or for starters. And this is targeting those --
these are the market targets I'm trying to serve.
GRAY: Okay. Commissioners, any questions for the applicant?
SCHLOSSBERG: Is the for-sale housing or rental housing?
EJIM: The single-family, those will be sold by the home of the aged. We will maintain
that. The reason being what I envision is if these people are there, I will provide services
like home care. You don't have to be -- there are businesses that will send people to
help them out. No food is -- if they can't cook for themselves, you have people that are
bringing food, and those businesses have contacted -- they exist. They're local that will
serve them.
The home care will come and help you clean, go to the grocery, and clean, you know, do
whatever they can for you. If you need to go to the hospital, they have a medical rides
that will take you there. So these ones will provide services. Now it will be as needed,
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you know, because if it's not assisted living, it's just independent living, but provides
some support services.
GRAY: Commissioner Dapaah?
DAPAAH: So this centralized trash area that you're collaborating with John on.
EJIM: Yes.
DAPAAH: Will the church, the pharmacy, and the convenience store use that same
central trash?
EJIM: I don't know whether they're using the same now. I would think so. But it's being
used right now. All I'm doing is, okay, I'm providing additional trash. So I will have to
add more in their space there that they've given us to expand the trash collection
center. And I think it's much easier than trying to provide individual ones.
So meeting with the board I was -- I'm willing to do that work to expand what we have
right now.
DAPAAH: And that is this one that is displayed here sitting in the middle of the parking
lot?
EJIM: Yeah.
DAPAAH: So residents would have to come across that parking lot to toss their trash?
EJIM: Well, the thing about it is, the residences have a choice, you know, because they
have garages. If they want to put their trash can in the garage and roll it once a week.
Well, they then want to bring in a trash truck, they can't afford to do that because
there's no trash service right now.
I would think if I lived there, everyone is taking their trash there, I'm going to roll mine
there and put it away. But for the home of the aged, the home care that comes in and
clean their homes once a week or twice a week would do that for them. But given the
constraints of the space, I think it's more practical to take the trash to where we have
the dumpsters.
DAPAAH: Affordable housing without a concrete trash management, you know, leaves a
big question mark for me. Okay. Because that area, too, as Clayton was saying, that's
the marching grounds for javelinas. Okay. They run around there. And I can just
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imagine trash coming across the back breaks, and they just walk away, you know? They
drag it on the floor, it breaks, and they walk away.
EJIM: Okay.
DAPAAH: Trash management is -- you know, there needs to be some clarity on that
because --
EJIM: Okay.
DAPAAH: -- it can get out of hand for everyone.
EJIM: That is another possibility. On that alley right behind the drugstore, the owner of
the drugstore has a trash collection, a private one there. Okay. Now, since I'm giving up
the lots along that alley, it gives me another opportunity to create my own trash
collection. You know, I'm trying not to put more traffic on that alley, you know, because
it was brought up in our conversation. But I have the option of putting my own trash
collection there so it's more closer to the resident.
DAPAAH: Okay. Thank you.
GRAY: Commissioner Corey?
COREY: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Wilson. So I just wanted to clarify, you mentioned --
I mean, it's pretty significant that you mentioned, I believe it was Unit 19 --
EJIM: Yeah.
COREY: -- 20 and A. So you would nix those --
EJIM: Yeah. What I'm doing is -- I think it's 18.
COREY: I think it was maybe 19 on that one I saw.
EJIM: Okay. That's the one that's --
COREY: On the lot.
EJIM: -- east of the alley. That is 19, 20, and A.
COREY: Yes.
EJIM: Okay. So those ones that border the alley I'm willing to let go. So then I'll use
that to provide additional parking.
COREY: Um-hum.
EJIM: They are 50 feet long. So that would give at least four to five parking spaces. So I
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have potential up to 12 to 15 parking spaces there. Now, if we take a portion of that for
the trash collection and the -- and since this has an exit, so I think a dump truck can
easily come pick it up and continue because if they turn around, it takes a lot of space.
So we can put one there, they pick it up and then continue drive out the other way so
that'll solve it.
COREY: So you're thinking it's like four to five spaces per lot if you were to --
EJIM: Yes. Yeah.
COREY: -- remove it though. Okay.
EJIM: Yeah, a 9 foot lot so we could get up to four or five or more.
COREY: Okay. So that would significantly reduce -- what did you say earlier? It was 90-
something dwelling units. So what does that bring it down to --
KOVACEVIC: That's not the -- that was just the home for the -- that was just the home
for the aged. That had nothing to do with -- you combine them. What do you have?
You have 10, 14, and then the 12 is 26 on 25,000. No, not 20 -- 22,000 feet. So about a
half -- you're still at 52 for the whole site.
COREY: Okay.
EJIM: What I envision on that is when I did some of the -- for the assisted living before,
they don't want to keep the cost down. They don't mind sharing beds -- I mean room,
you know. So one should have fixed financial income. Now, I'm not talking about those
that could afford it. I'm talking about those that need a place to stay and can't afford to
pay assisted living.
COREY: Yes.
EJIM: And those that are willing to share rooms. So what now -- even though I have
three units there, one is a one-bedroom, that's at the back, if you want to be by
yourself. If the other one say, I can pay the two, the whole unit with two bed. Fine. Or
maybe I don't mind sharing my own room.
They have the individual rooms -- they have an individual bath, they should have a
common area. And when they have a cluster like that, they love it because they're able
to make friends than staying by themselves, you know, because they're not living with
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young people. They're not living with their grandkids. They're living with other elderly
people. And if they could have a roommate, they're more lively. They enjoy that better
than just being stuck up by themselves.
COREY: Yes. No, thank you for explaining that. I mean, we appreciate that you're
bringing this to us and that you're looking at developing that area. We're just trying to
make sure that it makes sense.
And the other comment I wanted to make to address what some of my colleagues said
was the kind of the elevations and look and feel. So you've got different sites. Would
you consider bringing elements in that would be -- that would kind of make some
consistency, so this area has some uniformity?
EJIM: Yes.
COREY: Okay.
EJIM: Yes.
COREY: Okay. Thank you.
EJIM: Very open.
GRAY: Commissioner Schlossberg?
SCHLOSSBERG: So I'm going to go back to the home of the aged again here, so I can be
clear on what I'm thinking or seeing. So this is going to be a mandate 55 plus. Nobody
under 55 --
EJIM: Yes.
SCHLOSSBERG: -- can live there. And you're obviously representing someone, so who is
going to manage this entity once it's completed?
EJIM: We will maintain that, you know. Basically they'd be a management maintaining
that section. It is not for sale. It's for you know -- it will be leased out to these people,
and we will provide services.
SCHLOSSBERG: So would it be subsidized in any way?
EJIM: No. Subsidize any tax credit from the city. Something you know, that -- I've never
looked into that. There is incentives that could help then, it will help to subsidize the
rent, you know. So right now I've not thought that through about subsidizing the rent.
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SCHLOSSBERG: So by designating it as 55 plus there are special incentives and -- okay.
EJIM: Yeah.
SCHLOSSBERG: That's kind of where I was going. All right. Thank you.
GRAY: So to follow on to your inquiry, Commissioner, if I am interpreting correctly,
we're talking about renting beds and not necessarily renting units by --
EJIM: No, no, no it's the units. But what I'm saying is some of them, you know, from
experience, they don't mind sharing a room -- I mean, an apartment.
So basically, let's just assume -- because you have placement companies. Let's say, Mr.
Jones, this is X amount of dollars. Well, I don't have that much. Do you mind sharing
with somebody? And that way both of them can share because they have a common
kitchen, a common living room, a common -- you know, and they're all full apartments.
But some of them may say, look, I'm moving in with my wife. I don't want to share or
I'm okay. I can take care of that. And they stay about themselves.
SCHLOSSBERG: So you will hold one lease, but the residents of your property might
seek roommates through a third-party platform; is that what we're saying?
EJIM: No, no, no, no. What we're going to do, we are going to manage the entire unit.
So if you're going to bring a roommate, it's something that we work together and find a
roommate that both of you agreed to stay and manage that because that is -- the
essence of managing it is because we are providing other services. They may need
occupational therapy. They may need physical therapy. They may need speech
therapy. It depends on the needs.
SCHLOSSBERG: Understood.
EJIM: So since they are seniors, we want to make sure that they are well taken care of;
we're able to provide services they may need.
GRAY: Very good. John, can I ask you, are we broaching in the community residents
with all of these services and components to this dwelling unit?
WESLEY: Chairperson, that's certainly been on our mind as we've listened to him and
what he's proposing to do and how he is structuring it. Right now, it's still individual
units. And so each unit could have --
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GRAY: It seems like a lot of good ideas culminated in a community residence is the way
I'm interpreting this.
WESLEY: Yeah. Again, it's been close to that, and it's what we've been listening to. And
so far, from my perspective, he hasn't quite gotten there. They have been still individual
apartment units for rent that on the side have had some services, but not to the level of
a residence. It's operating as one facility.
GRAY: Okay.
WESLEY: It was something we discussed with him earlier; is the idea of ultimately
turning it into an institutional use. So it is more clearly providing those services, but not
as a community residence, but more as the nursing -- not nursing home's an
overstatement. The other way. But you can understand kind of that's got ten or more
people in that congregate --
GRAY: Understood.
WESLEY: -- type --
GRAY: Yeah.
WESLEY: -- setting. But he didn't want to go there for various reasons, so.
GRAY: Yeah. Okay. I understand, thank you. Commissioner, did you have one?
Commissioner Corrigan?
CORRIGAN: I've got my answer. Thank you.
GRAY: Very good. All right, Commissioners, last chance. We'll call you back up, Mr.
Ejim, after the public hearing. Paula, let's go ahead and open that hearing, and we'll call
on agenda item number 8, specific speakers.
WOODWARD: Okay. There are three speakers. The first speaker is Larry Meyers, the
second speaker is Barry McBride, and the third speaker is Crystal Cavanaugh.
GRAY: Okay. And they're speaking on both 8 and 9 then as they --
WOODWARD: Well, Barry McBride is number 8. Larry Meyers and Crystal are both.
GRAY: Let's bring up Mr. McBride then --
WOODWARD: Okay.
GRAY: -- first so we can try and tease out 8 versus 9.
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WOODWARD: Okay.
MCBRIDE: Mr. Chairman and Commissioners, I apologize for my appearance. A hat on
the inside. If my dad saw me, I'd be doing push-ups right now. But in my appearance,
I've been in cancer treatment today for the top of my head. I have to have a hat on.
And Mr. Wesley pointed out this is the first time he's ever seen me without a necktie,
and he's absolutely correct. So I do apologize.
WESLEY: That's true.
MCBRIDE: Ladies and gentlemen, I just have a couple of comments, if I may. First of all,
I am a board member of Tract 106, and every so often, it seems as though there's in a
presentation that we're just not involved. And I have to say that as a board member, we
are very involved with the operation of our tract.
We've always considered it to be commercial, and we have put hours into this proposed
development. And we really do like Dr. Ejim as a gentleman. He's a fine man. There is
no question about that. But I want to point out the fact that a perceived
underdevelopment or a lack of development does not open the window to change a
commercial property into a residential property. Already the pharmacy has a Special
Use Permit, residential above with pharmacy below. There's also a Special Use Permit
on the southeast corner of the property. And there has been approved true residential
development on the northeast corner.
And so we have to express the amount of stress that comes to the board when we
protect the other commercial owners as it relates to a mixed-use of truly a commercial
development.
So while we do respect the importance of developing property -- I purchased two
buildings. I've got over a million invested in my two buildings that I purchased in good
faith that those would be commercial properties in a commercial area, and I do use
them for commercial purpose.
So I present to the board and I ask for consideration for the future, possibly, as you see,
the stress that's involved trying to force residential into commercial, is it such that the
council might want to consider the respect of commercial in commercial and look at
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development of residential in residential areas, properties that have not yet been
developed. I thank you so much for your time. Good evening.
MEYERS: Well, rarely would I say I couldn't have said it better, but I can't say it better
than that. So on the 26th of January, I'm supposed to go to a meeting in which I'm a
newly-minted Economic Development Committee member.
Economic development. Let's talk about this whole plat, globally, and let's talk about
the common language that I think Mr. McBride just referred to that constantly comes up
whenever there's some change in zoning that we want to do. And I want you to take
your zoning hats off, and I want you to think about planning because planning doesn't
involve something five minutes from now, ten months from now, five years from now,
ten years from now because I've been doing it for 43 years in this town or trying to.
So Economic Development requires planning; something we don't have in this town.
We have somebody like Mr. Ejim, who's probably a fine man, buys up a bunch of
property, tries to shoehorn it, get y'all to change the zoning on it, and then shoehorns
something in it that wasn't designed to be there. It was designed to be commercial.
And as the years have gone by, we have rezoned away our economic development
opportunities. Why do I say that? Because in 1999, I had to stand before a whole bunch
of people just like you and tell them that the Target Plaza was a bad idea. The math
didn't work. The place was designed for a corporate center to employ 2- or 300 people
to create economic development activity in this town.
I got the same blank stares then as I got now. Oh, the Target's going to be great. And
here we are. Here we are. We had to rezone one end of it because it's failing. Because
it was always going to fail. Because it wasn't meant to be zoned as commercial. It was
industrial, corporate center.
Now, just because this -- and this language is constantly used, "staff supports the
proposed use as an infill opportunity for Plat 106, which is vastly underutilized".
Underutilized, why? Because nobody plans. Nobody works at anything.
So if I'm going to sit on this committee on the 26th with a bunch of other smart people
and try and do some economic development, I'm going to sit here and forever sit here
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and tell you that every time some developer who wants you to save his investment, it's
all this is. The same thing that the Sandor guys are wanting you to do. They wanted you
to save their investment. They bought the Target Plaza from Barclay Holdings for 14.4
million. They knew it would be a failed commercial center. And now they want to
throw up onto a bunch of crappy apartments.
I'm looking at this the same way, only on a smaller scale. It's a chunk of land. What can
I use that land for? Could I have a corporate headquarters there of maybe 100 people?
Could the rest of the commercial people out there decide to sell all of their property to
one entity, and we end up with 100 employees? Maybe. But if you don't work at it,
you'll never get it. And nobody ever works at it. They just rezone for crap.
This to me is crap. Sorry, Mr. Ejim. And I don't buy the baloney, oh, I'm going to bring in
business. And the more people we have, the more business we'll have. I got news for
you. Another 20, 30 people in this town spending a few dollars in a restaurant
somewhere for sales tax revenue is not what I'm talking about.
I'm talking about 2-, 300 employees with families and kids going in the school that's
failing because we don't have any young people. And he's going to build a home for the
aged. That's what we need, another one of those in Fountain Hills.
So from a global perspective, forget the rezoning. Don't rezone any more stuff because
it's vastly underutilized. Stuff was vastly underutilized in 1999, in 2000, in 2010. But if
you don't try to work at it to fill it with something that actually means something rather
than meaningless apartments. Apartments are not economic development. They don't
generate squat.
And so from a global perspective -- just give me one more minute. From a global
perspective, every time one of these rezones SUPs where it takes away land that was
supposed to be used for something, when the master planners thought this place out
and you rezone it to build an apartment, think about what you're taking away. You just
took away the ability to actually plan. And you just took away the town's economic
development possibilities because every time you take one of these little places, a little
one here, a little one there, you've taken away another possibility for something that
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actually really matters.
And this, sorry, matters to you, financially, doesn't matter squat to me, and I don't think
it matters squat to 55 percent of the voters of this town.
And that's what I want to say, globally, about 8 and 9. Neither one means anything in
the grand scheme of things in Fountain Hills. Thank you.
CAVANAUGH: Hello. I'm not going to talk globally. I'm actually not going to address the
whole commercial aspect either because they both have done that. But my radar goes
up on a few of these things.
On number 8, for example. Overall, it's pretty unattractive for a single family residential
area and in a scenic community. Number one, that's a concern of mine. Commissioner
Corey mentioned, you know, obviously it's probably going to be a family and then it's
going to be parking concerns.
There are four bedrooms in 1,325 square feet. It's quite small. Like you also mentioned,
nowhere for small children to play. So this leads me to worry. What four adults will
reside here?
And I've heard the term affordable housing a few times. Now, the developer and all
developers need to make money. So what's affordable? For one thing, they're going to
have to get their money back. Then they sell to who? And then they're going to want
their money back. And so without government subsidies, affordable housing doesn't
really exist during these economic times. So that worries me. And so he's talking about
solving our needs. I'm not really thinking those are our needs.
And then it bounces me over to number 9, the home for the aged. So this was my
question too. So what is aged? So is this going to be an over 55 community? Can you
just designate a few apartments as over 55, or is that some sort of discrimination? I
don't know. I know communities I've been in, gated communities, they'll have an over
55 section. I just don't know the rules on that for one. And so that bothered me.
And I'm going to say I actually have talked to Dr. Ejim two or three years ago when we
were worried, when he was buying up all these parcels that had been unused for years.
And of course, you know, my major concerns at the time, and I was worried that's what
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was going to happen, so I actually called him, and he eventually called me back. And
what he told me was his goals were group homes for the elderly. He did say group
homes though.
And that kind of leads me to something else I heard here. So he keeps saying home for
the aged, and then he's talking about home care and then he's talking about services.
And to me, he's talking in terms of this building as a unit -- as a unit. Almost like a
nursing home, but it isn't a nursing home. And so those were my other concerns that
you guys did bring up. It's sounding a little like community services.
And my notes on the side, before I ever knew, how do you get to the second floor if
you're disabled or have a bad ankle or carrying your groceries because there is no
elevator? That was my question. Is there one? And you guys answered that there was
not one.
And another thing is when you ask something about a development contract, you know,
would this be stipulated in it? And then I think, John, you might have said it was a minor
issue and no, no, no, no, everything better be stipulated if something like this is going to
go forward. And I truly think something like this shouldn't go forward because he also
used the word affordable for this development also.
So I'm worried, I'm suspicious, and that's all I got to say at this point. I think there's way
too many unanswered questions and whether it should even be changed at all for
zoning. Thanks.
GRAY: No more cards?
WOODWARD: No, Chair.
GRAY: Any written comments that came in late that we might not have seen?
WOODWARD: No, Chair.
GRAY: Thank you, Paula. All right. Go ahead and close the public hearing. Mr. Ejim,
you'd like to address any of the comments made from the public tonight?
EJIM: Yes. Thank you. Well, she mentioned that she had spoken to me ,and I spoke to
quite a few over the phone. I can't recall that. But one thing I do know, I've never used
the word "group home". The presenters here never approached me for group home.
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John, all the time we discuss, never talk about group home.
Yeah, I've talked about a way to help an assisted living form. Then I look at the -- what
the code allowed such that with John and say, okay, what I'm trying to do, this is the
right use for that. So that's how -- I work with the city and the community all these
years to make sure that I define where I'm going and make sure I fall within the
premises of the zoning ordinance. So what I'm doing is exactly for the home of the aged
and trying to find a way that I could bring support services to meet their needs. Okay.
GRAY: Commission, open the table to discussion. Let's kind of tease these two apart at
this point. So let's work with agenda item 8, which is a Plat 106 single-family residence,
first and then we'll move on to agenda item 9 for discussion.
So open floor comments, clarifications needed from applicant, or staff at this time?
Commissioner Sveum.
SVEUM: With all due respect this is -- I have to look at both 8 and 9. And I understand
maybe protocol isn't the right way to that I'm doing it. But this is so disjointed in my
mind. I have a hard time tracking what is where anymore. I think that it's just -- it's not
very well thought out. There should be more -- if you want to do a development there, I
think you need to look at more of a centralized building, whether it's mixed-use or
whatever.
But this can't be -- I don't believe the way you've got set up is very attractive. I think
that there's a very mysterious, cloudy business model going on with whatever the
housing is going to be. I just think I'd feel very uncomfortable if I was a neighbor hearing
a presentation like this and feeling very comfortable with what's going on in that
location.
I also agree. I think converting our -- see the commercial properties to residential. We
did one a few months ago that I voted against, an office building that's going to be
converted to an apartment building.
I agree, Mr. Meyers, with your assessment that economic development is not
necessarily residential housing it is. It has a lot to do with jobs being created and
services being created. That's what belongs in these commercially zoned parcels. And
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we're making too many concessions and not looking at long-term from this perspective.
I haven't been here 43 years, but I've done a lot over the years in this industry. And I've
never felt I could bring something that has such short or such small thinking of -- and
just trying to throw things against the wall and hopefully something sticks.
And I don't know if you bought the property or not. It's not ours to even look into. I
don't really care. I think it's very poor planning. And in fact, I don't even care about
how many units per acre when you're only putting up 25 units. It's irrelevant to me.
It's just the way this is planned out with the alleyways, with no park space, with
removing units and creating more parking, it doesn't deserve the hour we've taken,
frankly.
Unfortunately, we need to do better when you present these things. And this is, I think,
very poorly designed, and I don't think it should have been even brought forward, so I
can't support this, not at all.
GRAY: Commissioner Corey?
COREY: I'm trying to remember our discussions. Did we ever talk about the commercial
element on the first floor in this area because, you know, we've -- what's this?
TAVASSOLI: Mr. Chairman --
COREY: Did that come up to the Planning and Zoning Commission, other ways to design
this?
TAVASSOLI: In regards to particularly these two cases?
COREY: Yes.
TAVASSOLI: Mr. Chairman, Commissioner Corey, there was -- I may have brought up the
possibility of -- the applicant was thinking maybe one of the units on the ground floor
can be used as an office for the -- and this is in reference to the multifamily for the
homes for the age --
COREY: Okay.
TAVASSOLI: -- could be used as an office for like administering, you know, trash pickup
or --
COREY: Yeah. Okay.
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TAVASSOLI: -- some other services.
COREY: Because yeah -- because I mean --thank you.
TAVASSOLI: But that would be compatible with the CC zoning district.
COREY: Yes.
TAVASSOLI: Yeah.
COREY: Okay. So what we're hearing a lot tonight is, you know, we don't have a lot of
this property left. So we're taking away the commercial aspect and just replacing it 100
percent with residential. But we've been in this plat before and I think that southwest
corner -- southeast corner, we approved the commercial on the first floor and
residential on the second. And that seems to be something that works well for us. And
that could be something that we want to discuss moving forward is to help appease the
people that want to keep commercial there and keep that a vibrant commercial area,
but with residential units on the top. So as we go forward, that might be something that
we want to talk about.
GRAY: Commissioners, last chance comments on agenda item 8, single families.
Commissioner Corrigan?
CORRIGAN: Chair, I just agree with the staff's report in basically rejecting the project as
is for their concerns. I share all of their concerns, not just one or two. And I'll
reiterate -- excuse me. I'll reiterate it again that I don't think that's been addressed
adequately. And I don't think this answers the overall problem that we have with
commercial space. And I do agree with Commissioner Sveum that we should look at this
differently rather than a Special Use Permit. These concerns are staff-identified. And
when I see them highlight recommended rejection, I take that not lightly.
GRAY: Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: Well, I have concern -- I am concerned that Plat 106 itself doesn't support
this project. I think this is a tough commercial site. And I think it'd be it -- so I am open
at looking at some sort of residential that might make sense. But again, Mr. O'Brien
(ph.), it concerns me that you're not in support of it. But I have no interest in the home
for the aged putting 13 units on 5,000 square feet.
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And I think that I don't -- this wasn't designed as a residential site, and a lot of
modifications have to be made to provide for the health and safety of residents that
might be living there, and I don't think any thought's been given to that.
GRAY: All right. Just final comments from me before we go to a vote on agenda item 8.
These are really specific to Plat 106 and the application. I generally concur with the
statements of the other Commissioners and staff across the board, but I think I said this
the last time we looked at a rezone within 106. It feels like 106 wants to go through a
master plan as a plat. It feels like 106 needs a new vision for 106, but that's not ours to
govern.
We've routed through and approved two prior conversions. Yes, one was a mixed-use.
One was strictly residential, with some pretty significant municipal improvements, civil
improvements associated with it. I think we've levied a heavy enough hand in the
conversion of Plat 106 without Plat 106 wanting to carry that through. And to carry that
through, I believe you've got a master plan it. You can't have whatever that is, 160
parking spaces, stuck in the middle of this thing, and us trying to arm wave infills and
infills that just barely make sense if they do. So that's my thoughts related to 106.
And then again I should bring this up later as we talk about, you know, discussion with
staff. But I think I've learned the lesson this time around that as we look at these
conversions, the general plan isn't -- it's not an edict to convert it. There's those that
would tell you that it is, but it's not. We need to really say convert it when it makes
perfect sense to convert it.
And that means -- to me, that means we really start to take a look at that open space
ratio, those setbacks, those densities, those things that are commensurate with what
the underlying residential zoning would be if applied. And obviously, we were a long
ways away from that here.
So with that, I'm going to call for a motion, or if you guys allow me to do it, it's going to
be a motion to deny.
All right. With respect to agenda item 8, let me get the right language here. Maybe?
Agenda item 8, request for Special Use Permit to allow ten single-family residential units
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on six parcels within Plat 106. I'm Making the recommendation to council to deny on
the basis of discussion had here this evening, inclusive of all staff comments as well.
SVEUM: Second.
GRAY: All right. I've made the motion. Commissioner Sveum has seconded. Paula, let's
do a roll call.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corey?
COREY: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corrigan?
CORRIGAN: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Dapaah?
DAPAAH: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Schlossberg?
SCHLOSSBERG: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Sveum?
SVEUM: Aye.
WOODWARD: Chair Gray?
WOODWARD: Seven-zero.
GRAY: Thank you, Paula. All right. And then on to agenda item 9. This is specific to the
four multifamily buildings containing three dwelling units each on four adjacent 1,250
square foot parcels, otherwise known as home for the aged. Commission, any
discussion amongst us for the applicant or staff ahead of a motion? Okay.
Commissioner Sveum, or are you guys just --
SVEUM: (Indiscernible) --
GRAY: -- mics still on or -- that's my cue.
SVEUM: I was just going to second.
GRAY: Okay. Anything from you guys? You guys want me to make the motion?
IN UNISON: Yeah.
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GRAY: All right. Well, before I make the motion, agenda item 9 leaves itself open. You
know, amongst all the planning -- you know, underlying planning issues that I don't think
that we have any ability to jump over here this evening or even with modification. What
I see, intentional or not, with agenda item 9 is a compartmentalization strategy to work
around the community residence provision in our ordinance. I think that's something. I
don't know what we do with that, you know, between commission and staff, but
something, you know -- certainly it's an angle we didn't consider. And I don't know that
it's intentional here tonight, but that's what's possible.
And so for that reason, along with just a general disposition, that I don't think we can
make this work -- you know, make this conversion work in that zoning on those parcels,
I'm going to make a motion to forward a recommendation of denial to the council with
respect to agenda item 9.
SVEUM: Second.
GRAY: Motion made. Commissioner Sveum seconded. Paula?
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corey?
COREY: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Corrigan?
CORRIGAN: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Dapaah?
DAPAAH: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Schlossberg?
SCHLOSSBERG: Aye.
WOODWARD: Commissioner Sveum?
SVEUM: Aye.
WOODWARD: Chair Gray?
GRAY: Aye.
WOODWARD: Seven-zero deny.
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GRAY: Thank you, Paula. All right. Agenda item number 10. John, this one is yours.
Discuss and provide comments on the first draft of a new downtown overlay district.
WESLEY: If I can find it. I'm going past it. There you go. Okay. Chairman,
Commissioners, we had this opportunity last month but delayed it to this month. So the
council has recently approved a downtown strategy, and the strategy calls for several
items for staff to be working on over the coming months and couple of years to help
improve the vibrancy and activity in the downtown area trying to create more
employment opportunities, mixed-use, and better use and maintenance of vacant
properties.
As part of that, we are looking at the opportunity to update the zoning as it applies to
the primary downtown area, in this case, the area that is the Plat 208 area so from
Avenue -- the Fountains on up here to La Montana SWO (ph.) in this area.
Currently, in the southern portion here over Plat 208, it's mostly zoned C-2 with a little
bit of C-3 and has two overlays, the Economic Development overlay and the planned
shopping plaza overlay.
They do slightly different things but overlap to some degree, and having the two of
them is always a bit confusing in trying to describe to somebody what they can and can't
do to the property. And so we're proposing that we replace those two existing overlays
with one new overlay that we're calling Downtown Overlay. And that overlay would
divide the area into three subdistricts, the Innovation District, the Business District, and
the Avenue District.
The Avenue District is, as it says, right along the avenue with also part of Verde River, it
keeps the uses pretty much the same as what is allowed today. I did note, however,
that in the ordinance I had one typo. And the sections listed here are the ones that
would be allowed.
But the one restriction or the one main change that is proposed is that on the ground
floor in these areas we would restrict uses to active retail restaurant type uses, ones
that add to that vibrancy and no longer allow office type uses on those ground floors.
They would be allowed to stay as long as they're here, but when things become vacant
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and it's time to fill them, it would have to be with the new uses.
It continues the same -- items that are in the current entertainment overlay in terms of
allowing for outdoor seating and the associated entertainment that goes with that.
Today, however, if you're familiar along the avenue, the room for those outdoor
activities is somewhat limited. As we can see with this one example here by Sofritas.
Nice to have that dining along the avenue, but the area left for the pedestrians is rather
narrow.
And so as a separate item, the staff has been proposing to the town council, and it
would be part of their budget considerations for the coming year, that we fund
improvements along the avenue. So we take those curb lines and move them out to
give us more space for those sidewalk type activities and bring that liveliness and
vibrancy to the businesses, allow for more opportunities for the sidewalk cafes and
room for the pedestrians.
So another part of this is that -- currently, as you know, because we've had this
discussion a few times, is that the current Overlay District allows for a maximum of eight
units by right on the second floors. We're always coming to you with Special Use
Permits. Special Use Permits create challenges in the development world. It's time. It's
money. It's a question. Can I get it? Can I not?
So feedback we've gotten from people who work in this area and trying to build in the
downtown is we need to increase that allowed by right density. So we've proposed in
the ordinance that we increase that to 15 units per acre. And I'll talk about that here in
a little bit.
So some of the questions and comments that we've had, excuse me, is again, how does
this impact current uses? It does not impact current uses if it's adopted. And we do
limit the ground floors that would affect future uses. Existing uses would be able to
continue.
We've had some question about, well, what are those allowed uses because the
ordinance language is pretty broad. We didn't want to get specific in an ordinance
because then you start tying your hands too much. But looking through the different
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types of commercial establishments in the codes, this is an example of types of uses that
could go in those ground floor spaces.
Coming back to the density issue currently again, most of our lots are 6,000 square foot
lots. At eight units per acre, you can get 1.1 under the current ordinance. I've actually
been allowing people to do two by right, just because one just really doesn't make any
sense. So usually we round down, but in this case I'll round it up. We up it to 15 units
per acre. That's 2.6 units per acre. So we really haven't accomplished anything by going
to the 15 units per acre.
So another thought that's come to mind since we sent out the ordinance draft that I'll
be looking at and looking for any feedback you have on, instead is to look at it in terms
of number of units per square foot of the building footprint. So you have a 6,000 square
foot lot. If we allow one unit per 2,000 square foot of your footprint, then you could get
three units per floor. So if you have, you know, three floors or two floors of residential,
you'd have six units on that. So that's still pretty low density. But I think that math
works easy for everybody to understand what they can do and does increase it a little
bit over what that 15 is. The next district we have is to the north. So between the
Avenue and Palisades, calling up the Business District and trying to expand some of the
uses allowed in there, some of the uses that may we -- we aren't as excited to see on
the avenue. The offices would be very welcome in the Business District area, as well as
continuing the other uses that are there with the restaurants and entertainment type
activities. So all those would still be allowed. Again, proposing to increase the dwelling
unit to 15 units per acre and limits the SUPs to things for residential densities only.
And then going further north of Palisades up to the La Montana in that triangle area,
trying to expand that even more in terms of business opportunities and employment
type opportunities. So here again, the typical commercial districts, but starting to
expand a little bit into some of the light industrial type things with the laboratories,
some of the manufacturing assembly of nonhazardous, nontoxic light assembly and
storage, as long as it's less than 50 percent of the building. Another thing we're looking
at is temporary uses. We've got a number of vacant lots in the downtown area that are
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sitting there idle, and maybe not as attractive as they could be, and so could we allow
some temporary type activities and uses on those that would get them cleaned up a
little bit, utilized a little bit, but don't require a big investment upfront until the more
permanent type uses could come along.
And with that, we've again left the ordinance fairly general, with the idea that we would
create some guidelines that could be used by myself and the town engineer to guide
that development. So again, cleans up the lot, addresses some of the concerns you
might have with dust or access or some of those things, but they can be used. The
ordinance continues the same allowances for common-use parking in Plat 208 and
another item that we may wish to consider. However, particularly in the Plat 208 area,
right now it has a zero setback so you can build to the property line, but you don't have
to, particularly along the avenue and really on most of the Plat 208. We really want
those businesses brought to the street, so you create that street wall and that interest
and vibrancy and not be set back. And so maybe we want to change that in what's
called in some codes as a build two line. So you have to build within five feet or ten feet
of the property line to make sure they are bringing those buildings forward. So we
might consider that as an amendment to what's been looked at so far.
Again, with regard to the vacant properties I mentioned earlier, the temporary uses as a
separate item, we're also going to be looking at, are there some things we can do on our
property maintenance code to step up the level of maintenance that's required on these
vacant properties to keep them clean and attractive for the public and for visitors to
come and potential investors?
So that's an overview of this draft ordinance. We've had a preliminary discussion with
the Avenue Merchants Association. We've mailed out the ordinance to different
property owners within the Town Center area, been talking to the Plat 208 board about
it and plan to go to their meeting in February and discuss it with them to continue that
public input.
We want to go ahead and get started with this commission to see if you had any early
thoughts for us. But we will -- when we're ready here, hopefully by March, to set it for
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public hearing for more formal discussions. But any preliminary comments that you
have would be appreciated at this time.
GRAY: Commissioner Corey, I'll let you go first.
COREY: Thank you. Just a few comments, John. One of them is the grandfathered in
aspect. So just for clarification, so if the business owner or the building owner is going
to re-lease or re-rent that to another business, then they would need to be -- they
would be then in the new plat, right? Not plat but the new --
WESLEY: The new ordinance. Yes. Yes.
COREY: Yes. So would that potentially cause any issues, like they were expecting that
they could provide one service and now it's going to change? Have we heard any issues
there.
WESLEY: So thus far, I have not heard any. I would expect to hear them. That's the
most controversial thing in this proposal is the impact that that could have.
COREY: Okay. And then I saw that the third -- the innovation area, I kind of like that. I
think I read in the agenda was that that would allow new businesses to have a quicker
approval process, right? One of the elements of that district would be that we'd let
them come in quicker and set up shop a little bit quicker.
WESLEY: Chair, Commissioner Corey, yes. Especially in terms of some of these uses
right now, if they're allowed -- some of these extra uses shown on the screen, if they're
allowed through Special Use Permit, but if we make it by right then certainly it would be
quicker or to keep them from having to rezone to allow the uses.
COREY: Yes. And I remember hearing that, you know, the process of getting the
business license was time-consuming so maybe that's something -- I do like hearing
about that.
I want to talk a little bit about the move to curb, the street wall element. So I think in
the picture that you showed, it reminds me of like the Sofritas area. There you go. It is
Sofritas. If you go back one more. So that shows what it looks like today, and we can
see that there's only room for maybe one wheelchair if you're in a wheelchair to go
straight down there. The other people have to kind of wait. I think I brought this up last
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year because I was very concerned about it. So in the new image, it looks like this is a
rendering of that same spot.
WESLEY: Yes.
COREY: So help me understand. The fence is in the same spot?
WESLEY: Yes. This dashed line represents the current location of the curb --
COREY: As it is today?
WESLEY: -- (indiscernible) -- yes.
COREY: I see.
WESLEY: And so the proposal is that the curb gets moved out to create that additional
landscape and --
COREY: Okay.
WESLEY: -- pedestrian area.
COREY: So I see -- I still see cars parked there.
WESLEY: Yes.
COREY: So what does that mean to the street? Does that mean the cars are just pushed
closer to the street and the street's still there?
WESLEY: Yes. Chairman, Commissioner, I didn't bring those slides cause I didn't want to
get, you know, off into that it's not really part of this proposal too much. So I didn't
bring the details. But yes, the center parkway stays the same --
COREY: Okay.
WESLEY: -- but the drive aisles currently are almost two lanes wide, but not quite.
COREY: Yes. I see.
WESLEY: And so that's what we're doing is taking that extra wide drive lane and putting
it over here on the pedestrian side.
COREY: Okay.
WESLEY: Everything else stays --
COREY: Okay. Thank you. That makes sense.
WESLEY: -- remains the same.
COREY: It's unfortunate we didn't think of this a long time ago because it looks like, you
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know, it was recently paved and redone, but that's great to hear that. Okay. Thank you.
GRAY: It's recyclable.
COREY: Yeah.
GRAY: It'll be fine. How will we drag race?
WESLEY: You can still do it. Just got to stay in a straight line.
GRAY: It's new pavement. Brand new pavement, as you stated. Commissioner
Kovacevic?
KOVACEVIC: So I'm glad to hear you say that the most controversial thing are the uses
on the avenue because this would render the title company noncompliant or
nonconforming, right?
WESLEY: So Chairman, Commissioner Kovacevic, the title company I can think of is on
the south side. Maybe there's one on the north side. This just affects the north side of
the street.
KOVACEVIC: Okay.
WESLEY: But there are a number --
KOVACEVIC: (Indiscernible) --
WESLEY: -- of realty offices in particular on that north side that would be affected.
KOVACEVIC: Yeah.
WESLEY: (Indiscernible).
KOVACEVIC: Okay. So that helps. What about -- there's some mortgage companies --
WESLEY: Right. There's --
KOVACEVIC: -- on the north side as well.
WESLEY: -- right. There's various office type uses.
KOVACEVIC: Are they an insurance -- insurance, those are nonconforming?
WESLEY: Those would be.
KOVACEVIC: And I guess I have a concern there because it was so hard for the
developer to lease the retail space in the apartments on the south side. How -- the
demand -- and my concern is that you're eliminating so many uses that you could be
creating a vacancy problem on the north side of the street. I do have some concern for
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that, and I would hate to see you eliminate so many uses that demand couldn't support
enough of the right kind of businesses that are approved for the north side of the street.
WESLEY: Yes, Chairperson and Commissioner, we are concerned about that also. We
know it's a balancing act that we need to strike here. The plan is that as we do a
combination of things, these streetscape improvements that provide the room for the
different, more vibrant types of uses and other improvements in the lighting and the
amenities that would drive that demand so that the restaurants and the retail will want
the avenue.
And it'll be that process of filling in and basically pushing then the other uses out, and it
won't be so much because again, anybody that's there can stay there as long as they
want to stay. It's only when a vacancy occurs that the refill would need to be within the
code. But it is something we will continue to look at and see what kind of feedback we
continue to get from the businesses and property owners.
KOVACEVIC: Because I understand the merit of making it a -- you know, a Restaurant
and Entertainment District. Like I said, I'm just concerned about the demand and you
know whether it's there to support the whole north side of the avenue.
WESLEY: Right.
GRAY: Commissioner Sveum? Oh, sorry. Commissioner Schlossberg first.
SCHLOSSBERG: I think you and I had spoken about this earlier, and I was a little irritated
that I was going to be eliminated from being able to have an office space on the ground
floor of the avenue. But I will tell you, over the weekend, I was down in Naples, Florida,
my old hometown on 5th Avenue, and I was trying to get -- wrap my head around
what's different here than what is going on in our avenue?
And at the end of the day, I started doing an inventory and that's what it was. So I think
you're definitely on the right track. As much as it pains me that I won't be able to have
an office there, but I think at the end of the day to create the true, vibrant avenue that
we really all want, I think you're on the right track.
WESLEY: Thank you.
SVEUM: Commissioner Schlossberg, did you say Naples?
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SCHLOSSBERG: Correct.
SVEUM: Well, just a little bit different population as well, I mean, right?
SCHLOSSBERG: Very similar.
SVEUM: I mean, 25,000 people?
SCHLOSSBERG: I'd say demographically --
SVEUM: Okay.
SCHLOSSBERG: -- (indiscernible).
SVEUM: Yeah. I think that maybe there might be -- rather than seeing what types of
businesses can be put in there, if the entertainment and dining and bar is the main draw
or the main objective is to maybe look at percentages of square footage that is being
used by those. And maybe there's a sliding scale over a period of time. Because I agree.
I think there's a potential of vacancy that may be hard to fill up, right? So I understand.
It's a hard. It's tough to balance. Did you say you presented it to TAMA?
WESLEY: Yes.
SVEUM: And the thoughts were positive about this?
WESLEY: Yes. Excuse me. Yes, it was we had -- I'm trying to remember now. It's been a
month or so ago. We had, I don't know, six or eight people in the meetings.
MEYERS: Six or eight.
WESLEY: Yeah, so it wasn't an extensive group, but it was a representative group, and
they were supportive.
SVEUM: They're not all property owners, though, are they?
WESLEY: Correct.
SVEUM: There are a lot of tenants that are there.
WESLEY: Correct.
SVEUM: It might be good to get some feedback from property owners --
WESLEY: Right.
SVEUM: -- as well.
WESLEY: Right. And so we have, again, through Plat 208 supplied them with that so
they can distribute it out to their membership and otherwise for the area north of
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Palisades, mailed directly to the property owners that we could identify there. And
again, received really no particular feedback at this point.
SVEUM: Thanks, John
GRAY: Commissioner Corrigan?
CORRIGAN: Thank you, Chair. This may have been a question that was asked before in
a different way by Commissioner Corey, but looking at the streetscape, I see the
sidewalk being expanded. And I thought you said, John, that the street was then
narrowed from two lanes to one lane.
WESLEY: Chairperson, Commissioner, so right now it's technically a one-lane street. It's
just a very, very wide one lane. It feels like two lanes and that causes some confusion.
Yeah, it causes confusion because people do pass others.
CORRIGAN: Yeah, it feels like two lanes.
WESLEY: And so this will --
CORRIGAN: But to follow up on that, does it add any parking or take away parking?
WESLEY: I don't remember now, Commissioner, how the parking numbers turned out.
It's certainly very similar. If it's not exactly the same, it's plus or minus. Very close.
CORRIGAN: Okay. My concern is that parking places are at a minimum right now
downtown, and I don't want to see anything taken away. If anything, added.
WESLEY: Right.
CORRIGAN: Because if there's no place to park, you're not going to spend a lot of time
downtown.
WESLEY: Right.
GRAY: Okay. All right. I've got a couple. He was telling jokes. It's not my fault. So a
macro thought here first. Four commissioners have talked about use restriction, not
restriction, you know, are we doing too much? We're one small piece of this. Economic
development is a macro, heavy hitter in this scheme, and we haven't had that here as
long as I've been a homeowner in Fountain Hills. I'm assuming there's a town-level
strategy that's going to champion that side of it, which is going to help fulfill the zoning
vision that underlies this whole thing, right?
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WESLEY: Yes.
GRAY: Okay. So then just cherry-picking from within, on the uses by right, I almost
think, you know, on the first district, on the -- what do we call it? The Avenue District?
WESLEY: Yes.
GRAY: I think that we've done enough of it. We committed to Park Place. We just
rezoned for Mr. Ejim and his investors across the street. I think we ought to consider --
and I mean, of course, this is just exploratory, but we ought to consider allowing
residential above by right in that Avenue District, I think is one.
WESLEY: Chair, which we do, currently.
GRAY: Oh, we do? Okay. I thought it was carved out there.
WESLEY: No, we currently do, and we will continue to. The question is at what density.
GRAY: Okay. So I think the density should be significantly higher.
WESLEY: Okay.
GRAY: You know, if ever there was a place for density in residential, it's in that Avenue
District.
WESLEY: Okay.
GRAY: Right?
WESLEY: So --
GRAY: And I don't know why we would do anything that's not commensurate with --
what is it? Are we 35 across the street?
MEYERS: 45.
GRAY: 45. Maybe it doesn't need to be 45, but it can be at least our version of R-5.
What was I going to say? So going back to the Economic Development interface here,
I'm just curious, as, you know -- hopefully we get maybe a joint session with that group.
And I don't know what the board that Mr. Meyers sits on, but maybe we can get a joint
working session with them and zoning potentially.
But I'm curious, in a conversation like that, how close are we to density and catchment
that would support, you know, various tiers of commercial and FNB coming in because
we -- you know, we throw these darts, but we never really have a conversation about
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what's it take to -- you know, to support those and to be able to allow Economic
Development to go out and grab, grab those folks and start to have those conversations,
put the fliers in the airplane seat pockets, so to speak.
You talked about -- I'm trying to read my own typed notes. That's really bad. You talked
about setback building line. I think that what I also would envision in concert with that
is a prescribed landscape plan for continuity, especially along the avenue. So you don't
get -- you know, you don't go through multiple reviews or versions as different parcels
are developed that it's, here's the prescription and the avenue, you know, is structured
from end to end.
And then I just want to ask the question. So Clayton obviously loves the idea of sidewalk
outside of Sofritas. But didn't we just put an ordinance through, I must say, a year and a
half ago that allowed businesses to -- I don't think it was even through a permit. They
could just by right extend their seating areas onto the sidewalk. So we extend this
sidewalk then does that not just -- does that not just, you know, elastic, you know,
balloon out to take over that whole footprint again?
WESLEY: Chairman, I'm trying to remember exactly what that change was. The main
thing I remember, and I think Farhad worked on it, maybe he'll remember a little bit
better than I can. We had --
GRAY: I think we said you had the four foot clear --
WESLEY: Right.
GRAY: -- but you could -- you know, you could let your seating encroach onto the public
walk.
WESLEY: Right. So we had a little difference between what was allowed in the TCDD
District, which is what we have here on this side of the avenue with Park Place versus
the Entertainment District on the other side. And so we made some amendments to the
Entertainment District to make those more similar in terms of what those outdoor uses
could be. But you still have to get a encroachment permit for any use out into the right
of way. And so that is something else too, that we may try to shorten up with this once
this -- if and when the street does get widened.
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GRAY: Okay.
WESLEY: But yes, we did do something along that line.
GRAY: Okay.
WESLEY: But it's not to the extent of this.
GRAY: And then just one last one, and I know it's very, very early here, but I think, you
know, as we talk about making better use of our ultra-wide avenue there, probably you
know, looking at bike lane dedication and so on, maybe not a street bike lane, but a, you
know -- but a concrete pathway while we're doing those improvements in that scheme.
So but buy in large, I think this is a great idea.
WESLEY: Thank you.
GRAY: All right.
WESLEY: Appreciate the feedback. And we'll be back with the public hearing in a month
or two.
GRAY: Sounds good. Paula, we've got one speaker card on the agenda item, not a
public hearing, but a speaker card.
WOODWARD: Yes, Chair. Larry Myers.
GRAY: He's already exhausted his attempts tonight, Paula.
MEYERS: No, I haven't.
Actually, my idea, you already spoke it. I think when I go on the 26th, I will recommend
that somebody from this Planning and Zoning Commission be added to the committee
because I think it's a really good idea. And tonight it's like you've outdone yourself with
regard to thinking.
When Scott said, I really wanted to have an office on the ground floor of the Avenue,
but I see your point. Planning, you can't plan with fear. So my word to Mr. Kovacevic is,
yeah, I get it. You don't want to be worried about, oh, my God, can we fill the spaces
up? Think about the Avenue and then think about -- forget all the realtors because
they're useless at night, taking up space that could be -- I could be entertained in.
GRAY: No, that was dangerous about a year ago up here. We were half realtors at one
point.
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MEYERS: Yes. So let's think about something, I mean, even worse than the realtors
would be Fearless Kitty. But let's think about something for all the farmers and butchers
who sit on this commission. Sometimes you have to thin the herd to get a healthier
herd, and you can't be afraid of it. Otherwise, you're frozen in time.
And so I like this idea. Proceed with caution. Do it overtime, and you'll be just dandy.
Thanks. And I will recommend one of y'all get on that.
GRAY: You know, we'll talk about that in the next agenda item. But I think what we look
at is maybe a brief from that commission. I mean, certainly anybody could sit there but
a brief from that commission at the hearing, if -- you know, if someone's willing --
MEYERS: I will --
GRAY: -- to volunteer for that.
MEYERS: -- bring it up. Thanks.
GRAY: All right. Commission, any other thoughts? We've got a long road on that one it
sounds like. So John, what does that timeline look like?
WESLEY: So again, the hope is meet with the Plat 208 committee again, I think it's in the
February meeting. Depending upon what feedback we get at that point, make any
adjustments and advertise for March P&Z Commission meeting and then on to council
from there. If we get there and we get a lot of rocks and bricks and things thrown at us
and realize we need to step back, then it may be a little bit longer. But given the fact
that we haven't gotten anything significant at this point, I think it'll go fairly well.
GRAY: Okay. Commissioners, last chance. We're moving on. Moving on. All right.
Number 11, commission discussion a request for research to staff. John, just pick up
with some of -- some of my comments from the agenda items 8 and 9. I think there's
some takeaways there that we should probably consider.
WESLEY: Yes. Chairman, I will mention that back before we came forward with the
seven-unit departments, that the Economic Development director and I did meet with
some representatives of Plat 106, suggesting to them basically the same thing. We need
a kind of a, I'll use the term, comprehensive plan for what's going to happen here. This
piecemealing isn't going to be the best approach. And we weren't quite able to get
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there at that time. Maybe this will help motivate it.
GRAY: And I guess my main takeaway tonight is we really should consider factoring
open space and density in these conversions, and not just go with the prevailing
assumption that a conversion is what the voting populace wants, right?
WESLEY: Right. Yes. Something that's a little bit lacking in our code even in the
multifamily districts. There is really a percentage of open space that's required. And so
that might be really the first step is what that is. And then in the commercial districts
saying if you're going to do the SUP here's the residential piece you need to mirror.
GRAY: Okay. Commissioner Sveum?
SVEUM: John, I just had the -- what was the per acre density for that project we
approved on the Avenue?
WESLEY: It was right at 45, 46, I believe.
SVEUM: Yeah. Yeah. So it was like 12 units or something like that --
WESLEY: Right. Right.
SVEUM: -- was it?
WESLEY: Yeah, 12 units on 12,000 square feet.
SVEUM: 45 or 46 per acre?
WESLEY: Right.
SVEUM: Okay.
WESLEY: Yeah, I guess, you got to think about it. Yeah. Because there's one per 1,000
square feet, so it's 43.56.
SVEUM: Yeah.
WESLEY: Just as a quick side note on that, Chairman, and so the Commissioners are
aware, that request was scheduled for council next Tuesday but has been withdrawn by
the property owner.
GRAY: Okay. Completely?
WESLEY: Completely. Yes. She has sold the property. And so the new buyer will have
to move forward with -- and we've had the preliminary discussion with him, and he's
looking at something similar but different. So he'll have to start over again.
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GRAY: And Mr. Ejim's proposal of last month on the Avenue --
WESLEY: Yes.
GRAY: Okay. So the special use -- well, it never went to a vote.
WESLEY: Right.
GRAY: So it's application is --
WESLEY: Right.
GRAY: -- (indiscernible)?
WESLEY: And so maybe not to beat this too far, but this is an example. If it had gone to
council and they would have approved it, sell the property, it hadn't been developed.
He had to start over at square one anyway because it doesn't vest until it's built.
GRAY: Good. We put that in some time ago. I think that's going to bear fruit over time
here. So that was a good pick -- good pick up. Commissioner Corey?
COREY: Yes. We're on 11 still? Commission discussion.
GRAY: Yeah.
COREY: I just wanted to take this moment to thank Chairman Gray for all of his service
to the commission for --
GRAY: I'm not going anywhere.
COREY: Well, as chair --
GRAY: Oh.
COREY: -- as chair, let me add that part. I don't know, it's been a few years, I think, and
I appreciate the way that you've led the group and made everyone feel valued and
welcomed here. And yeah.
GRAY: Appreciate it.
COREY: Thank you.
GRAY: All right. Number 12. Moving on. Quickly.
WESLEY: I don't have my agenda up here. So is 12 back from me?
GRAY: That's you. Yeah.
WESLEY: Okay. So yes, Chairman Gray, it's been a pleasure having you as chair. Future
Chairman Kovacevic, we're glad to have you on board as chair. I look forward to
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working with you. Knowing there's a learning curve there, we're going to -- looks like
you have until March to get comfortable in your role. We're not aware right now of
anything that we have for a February meeting. First time we've had a break in a while, I
think and so Happy Valentine's Day.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank you.
WESLEY: You know, on that subject, a little bit will change if something comes up, but
right now, we know of nothing for a February meeting.
GRAY: Okay. The dreaded number 13 report.
WESLEY: That's it.
GRAY: Okay. We're adjourned. Thanks, guys. Thank you.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
_______________________
Dan Kovacevic, Chairperson
ATTEST AND PREPARED BY:
__________________________
Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the
minutes of the Regular Meeting held by the Planning & Zoning Commission of
Fountain Hills in the Town Hall Council Chambers on the 13th day of January
2025. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was
present.
DATED this 10th Day of March 2025.
_____________________________
Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant
ITEM 5.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 03/10/2025 Meeting Type: Planning and Zoning Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Development Services
Prepared by: John Wesley, Development Services Director
Staff Contact Information: John Wesley, Development Services Director
Request to Planning and Zoning Commission (Agenda Language): HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING,
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Ordinance 25-02 amending Zoning Ordinance by amending
Chapter 25, Entertainment Overlay to Chapter 25,Downtown Overlay District, with associated
permitted uses, parking, lot coverage, and setback provisions.
Staff Summary (Background)
In October, the Town Council approved an updated Downtown Strategy. The goal of the updated
strategy is to provide the framework for continued improvements to the downtown area to make it a
vibrant, active commercial district serving the needs of residents and visitors.
The Strategy was developed following a series of focus group meetings, community surveys, and an
open house. Public input was used throughout the process to determine the priorities that should be
implemented to address the needs of the community.
Regarding land use, there was a strong desire among those who participated to see the Avenue as a
more vibrant entertainment and shopping area, to see better use and maintenance of the vacant
properties, allow for an increase in residents in the area, and to see an expansion of the uses available
in the area north of Palisades to address employment needs.
Currently, most of the area bounded by the Avenue of the Fountains, La Montana, and Saguaro is
zoned C-2, Intermediate Commercial (there is one small area of C-3 zoning). The area from the
Avenue to Palisades also has two overlay districts which modify the underlying zoning rules: the
Entertainment Overlay, and the Planned Shopping Plaza Overlay. Applying two similar zoning overlays
in this one area creates some confusion in understanding and applying the zoning regulations.
To address the goals of the Strategy and to simplify the zoning rules, staff is proposing to combine the
two existing overlays into one new overlay called the Downtown Overlay District. A copy of the
proposed ordinance and the current zoning requirements are attached for your review. It is also
anticipated that the new overlay will be extended to include the area north of Palisades.
The draft new ordinance divides the entire area into three districts to allow for slightly different
regulations in each area (see attached map). Following is a brief overview of the key provisions of the
regulations in each area (see attached map). Following is a brief overview of the key provisions of the
new ordinance with the changes from the current regulations.
The Innovation District
Continues to permit all the same uses currently listed.
Except for residential uses, it does not allow uses which require a Special Use Permit as provided
in Sections 12.03 and 12.05.
Does allow by right a few of the uses that would have required a Special Use Permit and some
that are not currently allowed to include:
Laboratories, (research, experimental and testing).
Manufacture and assembly of nonhazardous and nontoxic materials.
Light assembly and storage as an accessory use if all the following criteria are met:
a. Any assembly, or storage areas associated with assembly activities, shall not occupy
more than fifty (50%) percent of enclosed building space used for the business; and,
b. There shall be no use of hazardous materials involved in the assembly operation(s).
The Business District
The allowed uses in this District are increased by clearly allowing all of the office uses allowed
Section 12.02 A of the zoning ordinance.
This District does not restrict ground floor uses.
The allowed residential density will increase from 8 units per acre to 15 units per acre. Ground
floor residential and density higher than 15 units per acre can be considered through a Special
Use Permit.
The Avenue District
The same uses are allowed, but the ordinance will limit the ground floor uses to active retail,
restaurant, bar, entertainment, and similar uses. Office uses will not be allowed on the ground
floor. Existing offices will be able to continue to operate and will be “grandfathered” in. Only
when a tenant space becomes vacant would the ordinance require compliance with the new
use regulations.
The allowed density by right for residential use will increase from 8 dwelling units per acre to 15
dwelling units per acre. Increases above 15 units per acre will require Council approval of a
Special Use Permit. In this area, ground floor residential will not be allowed.
Except for residential uses, the uses allowed through approval of a Special Use Permit as listed
in Sec. 12.03 will no longer be an option in this District. The uses that will no longer be available
due to this change are:
Amusement park, arcade, drive-in theater, or outdoor theater, miniature golf course, and
golf driving range.
Cemetery, pet cemetery, and mausoleum.
Community residences subject to the requirements in Section 5.13, nursing home, homes
for the aged, convalescent home.
Kennels, indoors or outdoors.
Sports arenas.
Section 25.03 of the ordinance makes provision for allowing temporary uses on vacant land in all the
Districts. The temporary uses must comply with guidelines established by the Town Engineer and the
Zoning Administrator; a copy of the draft guidelines is attached. The idea is to generate more activity
by allowing temporary uses that are easy to implement and then easy to change when a permanent
development can be constructed. The temporary uses may also aid in cleaning up some of the vacant
lots.
The other land use regulations in the current ordinance with regard to things such as lot coverage,
setbacks, parking, signage, outdoor entertainment, etc. are not being changed.
Comments Received
Copies of the draft ordinance were shared with property owners in Plat 208 through distribution by
the Plat 208 Board. Copies were also mailed to the property owners in the area north of Palisades
Boulevard. Staff met with representatives of The Avenue Merchants' Association and with the Plat
208 Board at their annual meeting to explain the ordinance and receive feedback. One individual has
shared comments and questions.
Overall, responses received by staff to date have been positive and supportive of the text
amendment. Some comments and questions for the Commission to consider in reviewing and making
a recommendation on the ordinance include:
Why not also apply this overlay to the area on the south side of the Avenue? That area is zoned
TCCD, not C-2 and does not currently have any overlay zoning designations. The current and
planned developments are subject to regulation through a development agreement.
Consideration for amending the zoning regulations in this area could be considered, but it would
be done separately from this change to the existing overlay.
The most significant change being proposed in the ordinance is the limitation of ground floor
uses along the Avenue. This has generated several comments and questions.
The language on allowed uses is somewhat general, what uses will be allowed? Attached
is a document which lists types of uses which would meet the code allowance for ground
floor uses. As a reminder, all existing businesses will be "grandfathered in" and can
remain and do business. It is only when a space becomes vacant that the new ordinance
would apply and the new business would have to meet the ordinance requirements.
Is it really necessary to extend the limitation on office uses the full length of the Avenue,
along Verde River, and La Montana? Should the limitation be just for buildings that front
on the Avenue? Staff is open to the idea of reducing the area that limits the ground floor
uses. The primary objective is for any building face that fronts along the Avenue.
Some of the buildings will be very difficult to reuse for restaurant or retail commercial
uses. They were designed and built for other purposes and retrofitting will be expensive.
Another item that has come up is the allowed density for residential uses. Given market
conditions, it is very difficult to build a commercial building without a residential component
and the residential component needs to have a sufficient number of units for it to work. The
current ordinance is 8 dwelling units per acre, which is way too low to encourage development.
The draft ordinance suggests an increase to 15 units per acre. The recent cases that have been
processed are above 40 units per acre. Because of the small lot sizes, it is difficult to easily
understand the number of units that can go on these lots when using a number of units per
acre. The majority of the lots in Plat 208 are 6000 sq. ft. in size. Another way to approach it
would be to use the R-4 zoning district as a guide. The R-4 allows one unit per 2,000 sq. ft. of
lot area. If the overlay district would allow one dwelling unit by right for each 2,000 sq. ft of
floor area per floor, the density by right would be similar to that of the R-4 zoning district. A
building with two residential floors at 5,000 sq. ft. per floor would be allowed four units by right.
It has been pointed out that the Plat 208 CC&R's limit building height to 30'. The C-2 district
and the Planned Shopping Plaza Overlay have always allowed 40' of building height. While the
discrepancy can cause some confusion, at the Plat 208 Board meeting, there was support for
allowing the 40' as long as the Town did not allow variances above that limit.
Next Steps and Implementation
As staff has continued to work on this text amendment, it has become clear that this new overlay
district needs to be adopted as a new chapter in the Zoning Ordinance. This modification will be
made when it moves on to the Town Council. The ordinance will be modified, designating this overlay
district as Chapter 27.
Once the P&Z Commission makes a recommendation to the Council a public hearing will be scheduled
for Council consideration of this new zoning district. The public will again have the opportunity to
comment on the proposed ordinance.
After the new zoning district is adopted, the next step will be to process a rezoning application to
apply the new overlay district to the area it is designed to cover. The process will be the same as any
other rezoning to include public notice and hearings before the P&Z Commission and Town Council.
Staff anticipates processing this rezoning after the summer break.
Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle
General Plan 2020
Community Economic Development Strategy 2023-2026
Downtown Strategy
Zoning Ordinance Chapter 12, Commercial Zoning Districts
Zoning Ordinance Chapter 25, Entertainment District Overlay
Zoning Ordinance Chapter 26, Planned Shopping Plaza Overlay
Risk Analysis
N/A
Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s)
N/A
Staff Recommendation(s)
Staff recommends approval subject to modification made by the Commission following the public
hearing and discussion.
SUGGESTED MOTION
MOVE to recommend adoption of Ordinance 25-02.
Attachments
Draft Ordinance 25-02
Uses allowed on the Avenue
Temporary Use Guidelines
ORDINANCE NO. 25-02
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA, AMENDING THE FOUNTAIN HILLS ZONING
ORDINANCE CHAPTER 25, ENTERTAINMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT, TO
CHAPTER 25, DOWNTOWN OVERLAY DISTRICT
ENACTMENTS:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA,
as follows:
SECTION 1. That Chapter 25, Entertaiment Overlay District, of the Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is
amended as provided in Exhibit A attached hereto.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Council of the Fountain Hills, Maricopa County, Arizona, this
15th day of April, 2025.
FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS: ATTESTED TO:
___________________________________ __________________________________
Gerry M. Friedel, Mayor Kandace French Contreras, Town Clerk
REVIEWED BY: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________________ __________________________________
Rachael Goodwin, Town Manager Aaron D. Arnson, Town Attorney
ORDINANCE 25-02 PAGE 2
Exhibit A
Chapter 25
Entertainment DOWNTOWN Overlay District
Section 25.01 Purpose and Intent
The Entertainment DOWNTOWN Overlay District is an overlay zoning district covering portions
of downtown within the Downtown Area Specific Plan area, as shown in Figure 25-1 below; any
property located either partially or wholly within the district is allowed the uses in this Chapter.
The overlay district is intended to allow for outdoor entertainment and uses to establish a more
vibrant and active downtown area. FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF
FOUNTAIN HILLS. THE INTENT OF THIS DISTRICT IS TO INTEGRATE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICES WITH RESIDENTIAL USES, VISITOR ATTRACTIONS AND PARKS AS
APPROPRIATE FOR THE ESTABLISHED DISTRICTS WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. The
EntertainmentDOWNTOWN Overlay District modifies the underlying zoning district regulations
only to the extent specifically set forth in this Chapter. If not specifically modified in this
Chapter, all of the regulations in effect in the underlying zoning districts will remain in full force
and effect.
ORDINANCE 25-02 PAGE 3
Section 25.02 Provisions Applicable to all PERMITTED Uses
USES PERMITTED IN THE DOWNTOWN OVERLAY DISTRICT SHALL BE:
A. THE AVENUE DISTRICT:
1. USES PERMITTED IN ZONING ORDINANCE SECTIONS 12.02 B. AND C. PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT GROUND FLOOR USES SHALL BE LIMITED RESTAURANTS AND CAFES; BARS AND TAVERNS;
GIFT SHOPS, APPAREL STORES, VARIETY STORES AND SIMILAR RETAIL COMMERCIAL STORES;
ENTERTAINMENT VENUES; OR SIMILAR USES.
A2. Outdoor Entertainment is permitted at any establishment with dedicated outdoor seating
areas for food and beverage service WITH ASSOCIATED OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT SUBJECT TO
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS.
BA. Any recorded or live music or sound that is electronically amplified and played outside an
establishment shall only be permitted at establishments with dedicated outdoor seating areas
for food and beverage service.
CB. Establishments with dedicated outdoor seating areas for food and beverage service shall
comply with the sound level requirements set forth in the Fountain Hills Town Code Section 11-
1-7, as amended.
DC. Outdoor seating areas for food and beverage service shall comply with any applicable
barrier requirements from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
ED. Outdoor seating areas for food and beverage service are allowed within the sidewalk areas,
provided an encroachment permit is approved by the Town Council, in its sole discretion, for
any seating areas located in a public right-of-way. Such outdoor seating areas must be properly
maintained to ensure safe access and mobility for business patrons.
3. MUSEUMS
4. MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL UP TO 15 UNITS PER ACRE ABOVE THE GROUND FLOOR.
5. USES PERMITTED BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT SHALL BE MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL ABOVE THE
GROUND FLOOR AT A DENSITY MORE THAN 15 UNITS PER ACRE.
B. THE BUSINESS DISTRICT:
1. THOSE USES PERMITTED IN ZONING ORDINANCE SECTIONS 12.02 A. B. AND C.
ORDINANCE 25-02 PAGE 4
2. OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE WITH ASSOCIATED OUTDOOR
ENTERTAINMENT SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
A. ANY RECORDED OR LIVE MUSIC OR SOUND THAT IS ELECTRONICALLY AMPLIFIED AND
PLAYED OUTSIDE AN ESTABLISHMENT SHALL ONLY BE PERMITTED AT ESTABLISHMENTS WITH
DEDICATED OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE.
B. ESTABLISHMENTS WITH DEDICATED OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE
SERVICE SHALL COMPLY WITH THE SOUND LEVEL REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THE
FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN CODE SECTION 11-1-7, AS AMENDED.
C. OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE SHALL COMPLY WITH ANY
APPLICABLE BARRIER REQUIREMENTS FROM THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR
LICENSES AND CONTROL.
3. MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL UP TO 15 UNITS PER ACRE ABOVE THE GROUND FLOOR.
4. USES PERMITTED BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT SHALL BE RESIDENTIAL USES ON THE GROUND FLOOR
OR IN EXCESS OF 15 UNITS PER ACRE.
C. THE INNOVATION DISTRICT:
1. THOSE USES PERMITTED IN ZONING ORDINANCE SECTIONS 12.02 A. B. AND C.
2. LABORATORIES, (RESEARCH, EXPERIMENTAL AND TESTING).
3. MANUFACTURE AND ASSEMBLY OF NONHAZARDOUS AND NONTOXIC MATERIALS.
4. LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND STORAGE AS AN ACCESSORY USE IF ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA
ARE MET:
A. ANY ASSEMBLY OR STORAGE AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH ASSEMBLY ACTIVITIES SHALL NOT
OCCUPY MORE THAN FIFTY (50%) PERCENT OF ENCLOSED BUILDING SPACE USED FOR THE
BUSINESS; AND,
B. THERE SHALL BE NO USE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INVOLVED IN THE ASSEMBLY
OPERATION(S).
5. USES PERMITTED BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT SHALL BE RESIDENTIAL USES.
ILLUSTRATION 25.02. DOWNTOWN DISTRICT BOUNDARIES
ORDINANCE 25-02 PAGE 5
Section 25.03 Permitted TEMPORARY Uses
TEMPORARY USES ARE PERMITTED AS ALLOWED BY ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION 2.03. IN ADDITION,
VACANT LOTS MAY ESTABLISH TEMPORARY USES AS APPROVED BY THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
AND TOWN ENGINEER CONSISTENT WITH ADOPTED GUIDELINES.
A. Any permitted use identified in the underlying zoning districts.
ORDINANCE 25-02 PAGE 6
B. Single- or multifamily residential dwellings located on the second story or above of a building, so
long as the residential dwelling and the underlying use/structures are in compliance with the following:
1. The technical codes set forth in Article 7-1 of the Town Code.
2. The height and coverage restrictions in the underlying zoning districts.
3. A maximum of eight dwelling units per acre.
SECTION 25.04 GENERAL PROVISIONS
EXCEPT AS MAY BE MODIFIED BY THIS OVERLAY DISTRICT, THE GENERAL PROVISIONS IN CHAPTER 5
SHALL APPLY.
SECTION 25.05 SIGNS
THE REGULATIONS IN CHAPTER 6, SIGNS, SHALL APPLY.
SECTION 25.06 PARKING AND LOADING
A. AREA SOUTH OF PALISADES BOULEVARD.
1. THE PARKING REGULATIONS IN CHAPTER 7, PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS, SHALL
APPLY TO ALL LOTS OVER 10,800 SQUARE FEET IN AREA AS OF JANUARY 1, 1992. THE COUNCIL
MAY APPROVE UP TO A FIFTY PERCENT (50%) REDUCTION IN REQUIRED ON-SITE PARKING
THROUGH APPROVAL OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT.
2. FOR LOTS 10,800 SQUARE FEET OR LESS AS OF JANUARY 1, 1992, THE COMMON PARKING LOT
AREAS SHALL SATISFY ALL OF THE OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS REGARDLESS OF THE
LAND USE. ANY ELIMINATION OF PARKING SPACES IN THE COMMON PARKING AREA BY A LOT
OWNER OR USER IS REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED BY ADDING THE LOST SPACES ON SITE OR ON
ANOTHER LOT IN THE SAME BLOCK.
B. AREA NORTH OF PALISADES BOULEVARD. THE REGULATIONS IN CHAPTER 7, PARKING AND
LOADING REQUIREMENTS, SHALL APPLY.
SECTION 25.07 OUTDOOR LIGHTING
THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 8, OUTDOOR LIGHTING CONTROL, SHALL APPLY.
SECTION 25.08 PLAN REVIEW
THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 2.04, SITE PLAN REVIEW REGULATIONS, SHALL APPLY.
ORDINANCE 25-02 PAGE 7
SECTION 25.09 DENSITY, AREA, BUILDING AND YARD REGULATIONS
A. BUILDING HEIGHT:
BUILDING HEIGHT ALLOWANCES SHALL BE THE SAME AS PERMITTED IN THE UNDERLYING ZONING
DISTRICT.
B. BUILDING SETBACKS:
1. AREA SOUTH OF PALISADES BOULEVARD.
A. FRONT YARD:
I. LOTS 10,800 SQUARE FEET AND UNDER DO NOT HAVE A FRONT YARD SETBACK
REQUIREMENT BUT MUST MEET SIGHT TRIANGLE REQUIREMENTS WHEN A CORNER LOT
(SEE CHAPTER 7, EXHIBIT 7.03 G). MUST NOT ENCROACH INTO PLATTED EASEMENTS.
II. LOTS OVER 10,800 SQUARE FEET MUST PROVIDE A 10-FOOT FRONT YARD AND MUST
MEET SIGHT TRIANGLE REQUIREMENTS WHEN A CORNER LOT. MUST NOT ENCROACH
INTO PLATTED EASEMENTS.
B. SIDE YARD. NONE REQUIRED, EXCEPT ON CORNER LOTS AS REQUIRED BY CHAPTER 12,
SECTION 12.13. STREET SIDE YARDS MUST MEET SIGHT TRIANGLE REQUIREMENTS. MUST NOT
ENCROACH INTO PLATTED EASEMENTS.
C. REAR YARD. NONE REQUIRED; MUST NOT ENCROACH INTO PLATTED EASEMENTS.
2. AREA NORTH OF PALISADES BOULEVARD. AS REQUIRED BY THE UNDERLYING ZONING DISTRICT.
C. MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE:
1. SOUTH OF PALISADES BOULEVARD. LOTS MAY HAVE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) LOT
COVERAGE EXCLUSIVE OF ANY EASEMENTS OR REQUIRED SETBACKS.
2. NORTH OF PALISADES BOULEVARD. AS REQUIRED BY THE UNDERLYING ZONING DISTRICT.
Uses allowed on AOTF with new ordinance using North America Industry Classiflcation System
(NAICS) codes
445230 Fruit and Vegetable Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing fresh fruits and vegetables.
445291 Baked Goods Retailers
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing baked goods not for
immediate consumption and not made on the premises.
445292 Confectionery and Nut Retailers
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing candy and other
confections, nuts, and popcorn not for immediate consumption and not made on the premises.
445298 All Other Specialty Food Retailers
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing miscellaneous specialty
foods (except fruit and vegetables, meat, flsh, seafood, confections, nuts, popcorn, and baked
goods) not for immediate consumption and not made on the premises.
Illustrative Examples:
Coffee and tea (i.e., packaged) retailers
Soft drink (i.e., bottled) retailers
Dairy product retailers
Spice retailers
Gourmet food retailers
Water (i.e., bottled) retailers
449210 Electronics and Appliance Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) retailing an
array of new household-type appliances and consumer-type electronic products, such as
televisions, computers, electronic tablets, and cameras; (2) specializing in retailing a single line of
new consumer-type electronic products; (3) retailing these new products in combination with
repair and support services; (4) retailing new prepackaged or downloadable computer software
(without publishing); and/or (5) retailing prerecorded audio and video media, such as downloadable
digital music and video flles (without production or publishing), CDs, and DVDs.
Illustrative Examples:
Appliance retailers, household-type
Consumer-type electronics retailers (e.g., televisions, computers, cameras)
Cellular telephone accessories retailers
Stereo and sound system retailers (except automotive)
455110 Department Stores
This industry comprises establishments generally known as department stores that have separate
departments for general lines of new merchandise, such as apparel, jewelry, home furnishings, and
toys, with no one merchandise line predominating. Department stores may sell perishable
groceries, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, but such sales are insigniflcant.
Department stores with flxed point-of-sale locations may have separate customer checkout areas
in each department, central customer checkout areas, or both.
456120 Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing cosmetics, perfumes,
toiletries, and personal grooming products.
456130 Optical Goods Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1)
retailing and fltting prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses; (2) retailing prescription eyeglasses
in combination with the grinding of lenses to order on the premises; and (3) retailing
nonprescription eyeglasses.
456191 Food (Health) Supplement Retailers
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing food supplement
products, such as vitamins, nutrition supplements, and body enhancing supplements.
458110 Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing general or specialized lines of
new clothing and clothing accessories, such as hats and caps, costume jewelry, gloves, handbags,
ties, wigs, toupees, and belts. These establishments may provide basic alterations, such as
hemming, taking in or letting out seams, or lengthening or shortening sleeves.
458310 Jewelry Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing one or more of the following
items: (1) new jewelry (except costume jewelry); (2) new sterling and plated silverware; and (3) new
watches and clocks. Also included are establishments retailing these new products in combination
with lapidary work and/or repair services.
458320 Luggage and Leather Goods Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new luggage, briefcases, and
trunks, or retailing these new products in combination with a general line of leather items (except
leather apparel), such as belts, gloves, and handbags.
459110 Sporting Goods Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new sporting goods, such as
bicycles and bicycle parts; camping equipment; exercise and fltness equipment; athletic uniforms;
specialty sports footwear; and other sporting goods, equipment, and accessories.
Illustrative Examples:
Fishing supply retailers
Bicycle (except motorized) retailers
Golf pro shops
Bowling equipment and supply retailers
Tack shops
Sporting goods (e.g., scuba, skiing, ball sports) retailers
Exercise equipment retailers
Sporting gun and hunting equipment retailers
Camping and hiking equipment retailers
459120 Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new toys, games, and hobby
and craft supplies (except needlecraft).
59130 Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new sewing supplies, fabrics,
patterns, yarns, and other needlework accessories or retailing these products in combination with
new sewing machines.
Illustrative Examples:
Fabric retailers
Sewing supply retailers
Needlecraft sewing supply retailers
Upholstery materials retailers
Quilting supply retailers
459140 Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new musical instruments,
sheet music, and related supplies; or retailing these new products in combination with musical
instrument repair, rental, or music instruction.
Illustrative Examples:
Musical instrument retailers
Sheet music retailers
Piano retailers
459210 Book Retailers and News Dealers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new books, newspapers,
magazines, and other periodicals (without publishing).
459310 Florists
This industry comprises establishments generally known as fiorists primarily engaged in retailing
cut fiowers, fioral arrangements, and potted plants grown elsewhere. These establishments may
prepare the arrangements they sell.
459410 Office Supplies and Stationery Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1)
retailing new office supplies, stationery, and school supplies; (2) retailing a combination of new
office equipment, furniture, and supplies; and (3) retailing new office equipment, furniture, and
supplies in combination with selling new computers.
459420 Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new gifts, novelty
merchandise, souvenirs, greeting cards, seasonal and holiday decorations, and curios.
Illustrative Examples:
Greeting card retailers
Seasonal and holiday decoration retailers
Novelty retailers
Souvenir retailers
Gift retailers
Fruit basket or fruit bouquet retailers
459920 Art Dealers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing original and limited edition
art works created by others. Included in this industry are establishments primarily engaged in
displaying works of art for retail sale in art galleries.
522110 Commercial Banking
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in accepting demand and other deposits
and making commercial, industrial, and consumer loans. Commercial banks and branches of
foreign banks are included in this industry.
522130 Credit Unions
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in accepting members' share deposits in
cooperatives that are organized to offer consumer loans to their members.
712110 Museums
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the preservation and exhibition of
objects of historical, cultural, and/or educational value.
Illustrative Examples:
Art galleries (except retail)
Planetariums
Art museums
Science or technology museums
Halls of fame
Wax museums
713120 Amusement Arcades
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating amusement (except
gambling, billiard, or pool) arcades and parlors.
713990 All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries
This industry comprises establishments (except amusement parks and arcades; gambling
industries; golf courses and country clubs; skiing facilities; marinas; fltness and recreational sports
centers; and bowling centers) primarily engaged in providing recreational and amusement services.
Illustrative Examples:
Amusement ride or coin- or card-operated nongambling amusement device concession
operators (i.e., supplying and servicing in others' facilities)
Outdoor adventure operations (e.g., white water rafting) without accommodations
Miniature golf courses
Golf driving ranges
Archery or shooting ranges
Recreational day camps (except instructional)
Billiard or pool parlors
Recreational chess or bridge clubs
Boating clubs (without marinas)
Recreational or youth sports clubs (i.e., sports teams) not operating sports facilities
Escape rooms
Riding stables (except boarding horses)
722410 Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
This industry comprises establishments known as bars, taverns, nightclubs, or drinking places
primarily engaged in preparing and serving alcoholic beverages for immediate consumption. These
establishments may also provide limited food services.
722511 Full-Service Restaurants
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing food services to
patrons who order and are served while seated (i.e., waiter/waitress service) and pay after eating.
These establishments may provide this type of food service to patrons in combination with selling
alcoholic beverages, providing carryout services, or presenting live nontheatrical entertainment.
722513 Limited-Service Restaurants
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing food services (except
snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars) where patrons generally order or select items and pay
before eating. Food and drink may be consumed on premises, taken out, or delivered to the
customer's location. Some establishments in this industry may provide these food services in
combination with selling alcoholic beverages.
Illustrative Examples:
Delicatessen restaurants
Pizza delivery shops
Family restaurants, limited-service
Takeout eating places
Fast-food restaurants
Fast casual restaurants
Takeout sandwich shops
Limited-service pizza parlors
722514 Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets
This U.S. industry comprises establishments, known as cafeterias, grill buffets, or buffets, primarily
engaged in preparing and serving meals for immediate consumption using cafeteria-style or buffet
serving equipment, such as steam tables, refrigerated areas, display grills, and self-service
nonalcoholic beverage dispensing equipment. Patrons select from food and drink items on display
in a continuous cafeteria line or from buffet stations.
722515 Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) preparing and/or serving a
specialty snack, such as ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies, or popcorn, or (2) serving nonalcoholic
beverages, such as coffee, juices, or sodas for consumption on or near the premises. These
establishments may carry and sell a combination of snack, nonalcoholic beverage, and other
related products (e.g., coffee beans, mugs, coffee makers) but generally promote and sell a unique
snack or nonalcoholic beverage.
Illustrative Examples:
Beverage bars, nonalcoholic, flxed location
Doughnut shops, on premise baking and carryout service
Bagel shops, on premise baking and carryout service
Pretzel shops, on premise baking and carryout service
Cookie shops, on premise baking and carryout service
Coffee shops, on premise brewing
Ice cream parlors
Juice bars, nonalcoholic, flxed location
Temporary Use Guidelines within the Downtown Overlay District
Purpose. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide direction on the establishment of temporary
uses on vacant properties within the Downtown Overlay District as permitted by Section 25.03 of
the Zoning Ordinance.
Definition. For the purposes of implementing the Temporary Use Permit allowance in Section
25.03 of the Zoning Ordinance, temporary uses must meet the following criteria to be considered:
1. Either be an ongoing activity that can operate without permanent improvements to the
property, or
2. Be a regular, periodic activity occurring over several months.
The temporary uses permitted under this Section of the Zoning Ordinance are uses that would not
be classifled as Special Events as deflned in Section 8-3 of the Town Code and this designation
does not apply to one-time activities that would require a TUP as described in Section 2.02 of the
Zoning Ordinance.
Permitted Uses/Activities. Any use or activity allowed in the base zoning district, as amended by
the Downtown Overlay, is allowed to be considered for a temporary use. Other similar uses may be
considered and approved on an individual basis.
Standards to be applied as appropriate for the given use or activity include:
Parking. Parking is provided by the existing Plat 208 parking lot and the adjacent on-street parking
spaces. If any vehicles are to be brought on site as part of the use or activity, a dustproof surface as
approved by the Town Engineer will be required.
Lighting. Any lighting installed or used must comply with any applicable building codes and
receive any required permits and inspections and must comply with the Outdoor Lighting Control
Ordinance.
Noise. All activities must comply with the Town’s noise ordinance. Applicants should include a
description of any noise-generating equipment or activities in the application.
Surfacing. A dustproof surface must be provided for any use or activity. Areas for pedestrian
activity must be cleared of rocks and other hazards. The surface should be ADA-compliant where
applicable.
Stormwater. Temporary uses must address stormwater management to prevent fiooding, erosion,
or sedimentation that could impact neighboring properties or public infrastructure. The following
requirements apply:
• Stormwater Management Plan/Narrative: Applicants must submit a Stormwater
Plan/Narrative for the temporary use explaining how stormwater runoff will be directed to
appropriate locations and will not create hazards or nuisances.
• Erosion Control Measures: If any grading or earthwork operations are proposed as part of
the application, erosion control measures, such as silt fencing or wattles, must be installed to
prevent sediment from leaving the site during storm events, until such time when the surface
is stabilized.
• No Impact Certiflcation: For sites with no signiflcant grading, the applicant may provide a
certiflcation from a licensed professional stating that the proposed use will not impact
existing stormwater patterns or increase runoff.
Landscaping. Temporary uses must incorporate landscaping elements to maintain the aesthetic
quality of the Downtown Overlay District while addressing environmental considerations. The
following requirements apply:
• Native Vegetation: Landscaping must prioritize the use of drought-tolerant, native species
that require minimal maintenance.
• Tree Preservation: Existing trees must be preserved and protected during temporary use
activities. Any damage to existing landscaping must be repaired or mitigated by the
applicant.
Maintenance. The lot must be maintained free of trash and debris. Any structures or equipment
placed on the property must also be kept in good repair. Failure to maintain the property in a clean
and orderly condition may result in revocation of the Temporary Use Permit.
Application. An application for a temporary use shall be submitted through the Town’s online
application portal TOPPS. The application must include:
• A site plan showing how the property will be used and any temporary improvements that will
be made to the property to facilitate the proposed use or activity.
• The dates/times and duration for the proposed use or activity.
• A narrative describing the proposed use or activity.
Enforcement and Compliance. The Town Engineer or their designee will inspect the site to ensure
compliance with these guidelines. Failure to comply with approved plans and conditions may result
in suspension or revocation of the Temporary Use Permit.
ITEM 6.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 03/10/2025 Meeting Type: Planning and Zoning Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Development Services
Prepared by: John Wesley, Development Services Director
Staff Contact Information: John Wesley, Development Services Director
Request to Planning and Zoning Commission (Agenda Language): REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND PROVIDE
DIRECTION: A) Overview of wireless communication ordinances, resolutions, and associated
documents and Town Council direction for review and possible modification; and B) Review of Zoning
Ordinance Chapter 17, Wireless Telecommunication Towers and Antenna compared to draft
Campanelli ordinance.
Staff Summary (Background)
In 2024, the P&Z Commission reviewed and discussed Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17 to prepare
recommendations for modifications to this chapter of the zoning ordinance. The last discussion by the
Commission was on July 8, 2024. The Commission review resulted in discussion of numerous possible
modifications, but a recommendation was not made prior to the ordinance going to the Town Council
for their consideration. Staff presented a revised ordinance to the Town Council at their regular
meeting on September 4, 2024, at which time the Council adopted the revised ordinance.
At the January 21, 2025, Town Council meeting, the Council voted to "Send back to Planning and
Zoning the review of existing ordinances, resolutions, and documents associated with the provisions
of wireless communication services to revise these regulations, to designate Councilman Watts to be
the point of contact with Planning and Zoning and staff and have input with regard to finding one or
more consultants to assist with the process of reviewing this topic, and to release the Campanelli
consultant report for Planning and Zoning and for the public.”
As directed by the Town Council, the following documents are attached to this report for review by
the Commission:
Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17
Draft Campanelli Ordinance
Town Code Article 16-2
Resolution 2018-03
Resolution 2018-18
Town Code Article 16-3
The plan for the review process is to first review and prepare amendments to Zoning Ordinance
Chapter 17. This will be followed by review of the ordinance and documents associated with small
cell wireless facilities and then utility service antennas.
To start the review and discussion, this report outlines the differences between the existing Chapter
17 and the draft ordinance by Mr. Campanelli that are not included in the current Town ordinance. In
a subsequent report for a future meeting, there will be a review of the approved ordinance against
items that were previously discussed by the Commission that were not included in the ordinance
provided to the Town Council.
Review of Campanelli Draft Ordinance and Approved Ordinance
Section 17 Personal Wireless Service Facilities
The first paragraph is not used in the codified ordinance but was stated in the heading of the
adopting ordinance in regard to replacing the previously existing Chapter 17.
The second paragraph was used for Section 17.01 B. 1.
The remaining items in this section are generally covered in other portions of the adopted
ordinance regarding the types of applications required for different types of situations. The
basic concept contained in the Campanelli ordinance is that towers will generally require a
Special Use Permit and that maintenance of existing towers and equipment will not. This is
similar to the adopted ordinance.
Section 17-1 Purpose and Legislative Intent
This is similar to adopted Section 17.01 and serves the same purpose of stating the intent of the
ordinance and efforts to balance community and industry needs.
The second paragraph was used for Section 17.01 B. 2.
The other paragraphs go into greater detail but are also being used to establish the
understanding that the regulations have been developed to balance community needs with
those of the industry.
Section 17-2 Definitions; Word Usage
There are some definitions which are similar to the ones used in the adopted ordinance, but
none of the definitions contained in the Campanelli ordinance were used in the adopted
ordinance.
Section 17-3 Application Types
Section 17.04 of the adopted ordinance is the comparison to this section of the Campanelli
ordinance. While the categories suggested in this ordinance were not used, what was adopted
is similar to the structure and intent of this draft ordinance.
1. Type I Applications Colocations of Small Wireless Facilities
This ordinance allows SWF in the ROW by right as allowed by state statute. This is the
same as stated in Town Code Article 16-2
This ordinance requires a SUP for all SWF not in the ROW. The adopted ordinance would
most often require a Special Use Permit unless located at least 300' from residential
zoning and single-residence homes and meeting the separation requirements from other
towers.
2. Type II Applications Co-locations that do not meet the definition of a Small Wireless Facility
This allows co-location by right based on the criteria in (a) to (f). In the adopted
ordinance, whether a co-location is allowed administratively or requires a SUP depends
on the approval of the existing tower. If the existing tower did not require an SUP or the
SUP approved for the tower included an allowance for co-location, then a SUP would not
be required. After that is determined, then the application is reviewed against
the criteria listed in 17.04 A. 2. and 4. of the adopted ordinance to describe the types of
applications that can be reviewed administratively. These criteria are the same as in the
Campanelli draft ordinance. One change was to (a), instead of an increase of 15%, the
adopted ordinance states an increase of 10% or 20 feet, whichever is greater. This
change was based on staff research on the established FCC criteria for administrative
review.
Instead of listing all the individual zoning districts (some were missed) that could allow
co-location administratively, the adopted ordinance uses the overall category name in
Section 17.04 A. 7.
This ordinance had the applications going through the Town Engineer. That is not the
practice in Fountain Hills, so it was not used in the adopted ordinance.
This ordinance referenced both special use permits and site plans going to Town Council
if they did not meet the requirements for administrative review. Because the special use
permit process requires site plan review, the adopted ordinance does not state both.
This ordinance did not seem to include the Planning and Zoning Commission in the
review process. The adopted ordinance includes review by the Planning and Zoning
Commission in the review process for the SUP.
3. Type III Applications New Small Wireless Facilities
This type applies only to new small wireless facilities not in the right-of-way and requires
all of them to obtain special use permit and site plan approval by the Town Council. In
the adopted ordinance, these would be handled as any other new tower and antenna
application and would require an SUP in most cases.
It should be noted that these application types do not include any provisions for new
small wireless facilities in the right-of-way.
4. Type IV Applications New Towers and All Other Wireless Facilities
This requires Town Council approval of a special use permit and site plan for all other
types of applications
This is the same as Section 17.04 B. which requires public review of all applications that
do not meet the criteria for administrative review.
Section 17-4 Shot Clock Periods & 17-5 Shot Clock Tolls, Extensions & Reasonable Delay Periods
With adjustments to fit the format of our ordinance, these provisions are in Section 17.05 B 1.
& 2. of the Town's adopted ordinance.
This ordinance goes through the four application types and describes the Shot Clock and Tolling
for each type. The adopted ordinance uses a two application types, so the discussion is greatly
simplified in the adopted ordinance.
This ordinance has 60-, 90-, and 150-day review times. Because of our organizational structure
we just used the 90- and 150-day time frames. It should be noted that the timeframes include
issuance of a building permit, they do not end with Council action.
Notices to applicants in the draft ordinance are in writing by mail. The Town uses an electronic
system and will notify the applicants by email using the online system.
Section 17-6 Application Requirements
This ordinance includes a mailed Notice of Incompleteness. The adopted ordinance does not go
into these details. For items going through the SUP process, the completeness review is stated
in Section 2.02. The Town uses an electronic application and response system rather than
mailed communication to applicants.
The adopted ordinance lists the required submittal items in Section 17.05 A. Of the items listed
in the Campanelli draft ordinance, the adopted ordinance requires the same information (but
not necessarily to the same level of detail in the draft ordinance) except: 8, Environmental
Assessment Form; 12, FCC License; 13, Effective Prohibition Claims (but the adopted ordinance,
Sec. 17.05 C. 3. c. viii., does include some of the language from the draft ordinance regarding
drive tests); 14, Estimate for Cost of Removal of Facility; 15, Property Owner Consent & Liability
Acknowledgment (our adopted ordinance requires the consent but not the liability
acknowledgement).
Section 17-7 Design Standards
1. Small Wireless Facilities. Small wireless facilities covered in Chapter 17 (those not in the
ROW) are subject to the same design requirements as any other tower as provided in Section
17.03. Small Wireless Facilities in the ROW are subject to the design standards adopted as part
of that set of regulations.
2. Towers other than SWF. Much of this section was copied directly into the adopted ordinance
in Section 17.03 A. 3.
Section 17-8 Town Council Initial Review
This is not included in the adopted ordinance. There is an overall timeframe for review and
approval of the building permit of 150 days. Adding in this step creates some challenges to
meeting that time frame.
Section 17-9 Hearings and Public Notices
Our Zoning Ordinance Section 2.02 for Special Use Permits sets forth all the notice and hearing
requirements. It is problematic to establish competing notice and hearing requirements in this
section. Therefore, this language was not used.
Section 17-10 Factual Determination to be Rendered by the Town Council
None of this section was used in the adopted ordinance.
This ordinance did not appear to include P&Z in the application review process.
Section 17-11 Retention of Consultants
This was not used in the adopted ordinance. Sections 17.06 B. 2. a. and b. allow the Town to
hire a consultant at the applicant's expense. There is nothing in the Town's rules or procedures
that would prohibit hiring an outside consultant to assist with the review and monitoring of
wireless communication facilities.
Section 17-12 Setback Requirements
1. SWF. In this ordinance, the setback proposed for non-residentially zoned property is 50', but
it is not clear what the setback is from. In residential districts, the setback is 300' from any
residential dwelling or structure unless on an existing pole. This is the same for SWF in the
adopted ordinance.
2. Non-SWF. The only specific setback in this ordinance is that it be 110% of the height of the
tower from the property line. There is nothing about setback or separation of residential uses
or distance between towers. The adopted ordinance is 100% of the height and includes
separation distances from different uses and other towers.
Section 17-13 Height Restrictions
1. SWF cannot exceed 60' in nonresidential or 45' in residential districts. In the adopted
ordinance, a tower not in the ROW would require a SUP if taller than the maximum height in the
zoning district where it is being sited, but there is no stated maximum height.
2. Non-SWF cannot exceed 150' in nonresidential or 100' in residential districts. In the adopted
ordinance, any tower that exceeds the maximum height of the zoning district where it is being
located would require a SUP; no maximum height limit is provided.
located would require a SUP; no maximum height limit is provided.
Section 17-14 Use Restrictions and Variances
This section was not used. Use variances are not allowed under Arizona law.
This section of the draft Campanelli ordinance seems to mostly state that towers are a
permitted use in all zoning districts and all but SWF in the ROW require review and approval of
a SUP. Section 17.03 A. 1. establishes the same concept that towers are allowed in all zoning
districts. The adopted ordinance also requires SUP's in most cases.
Section 17-15 Environmental Impacts
This was not used in the adopted ordinance.
Section 17-16 Historic Sites Impacts
This was not used in the adopted ordinance.
Section 17-17 Force Majeure
This was not used in the adopted ordinance.
Section 17-18 Eleventh Hour Submissions
This was not used in the adopted ordinance.
Section 17-19 Prohibition Against Illegally Excessive Emissions and RF Radiation Testing
Portions of Subsections 1 and 2 were used as Section 17-06 B of the adopted ordinance.
Section 17-20 Bond Requirements, Removal of Abandoned Facilities and Reclamation
Similar provisions are in Section 17-06 A. of the adopted ordinance.
Section 17-21 ADA Accommodations
This section was reserved in the draft Campanelli ordinance.
Section 17-22 General Provisions
This was not used in the adopted ordinance.
Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle
Zoning Ordinance Chaper 17, Wireless Telecommunications Towers and Antennas
Risk Analysis
N/A
Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s)
N/A
Staff Recommendation(s)
N/A
SUGGESTED MOTION
SUGGESTED MOTION
N/A
Attachments
Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17
Draft Campanelli Ordinance
Town Code Article 16-2
Resolution 2018-03
Resolution 2018-18
Town Code Article 16-3
Chapter 17
Wireless Telecommunications Towers and Antennas
Section 17.01 Purpose, Intent, and Applicability
A. The purpose of this chapter is to establish general guidelines for the siting of wireless communications towers
and antennas. The goals of this chapter are to:
1. Protect residential areas and land uses from potential adverse impacts of towers and antennas;
2. Encourage the location of towers in nonresidential areas;
3. Minimize the total number of towers throughout the community;
4. Strongly encourage the joint use of new and existing tower sites as a primary option rather than
construction of additional single-use towers;
5. Encourage users of towers and antennas to locate them, to the extent possible, in areas where the
adverse impact on the community is minimal;
6. Encourage users of towers and antennas to configure them in a way that minimizes the adverse visual
impact of the towers and antennas through careful design, siting, landscape screening, and innovative
camouflaging techniques;
7. Enhance the ability of the providers of telecommunications services to provide such services to the
community quickly, effectively, and efficiently;
8. Consider the public health and safety of communication towers; and
9. Avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from tower failure through engineering and careful siting
of tower structures.
In furtherance of these goals, Town of Fountain Hills shall give due consideration to the Town of Fountain Hills
General Plan, the Town of Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance, existing land uses, and environmentally sensitive areas
in approving sites for the location of towers and antennas.
B. It is the intent of this chapter:
1. That no wireless communication towers or antenna be sited, constructed, reconstructed, installed,
materially changed, expanded, or used unless in conformity with this chapter.
2. To achieve a balance between the need to provide wireless services with the health, safety, and general
welfare of the residents of Fountain Hills by balancing four (4) simultaneous objectives:
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The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
a. Enabling personal wireless service providers to provide adequate personal wireless services
throughout the Town so that Town residents can enjoy the benefits of same from any FCC-licensed
wireless carrier from which they choose to obtain such services;
b. Minimizing the number of cell towers and/or other personal wireless service facilities needed to
provide such coverage;
c. Preventing, to the greatest extent reasonably practical, any unnecessary adverse impacts upon the
Town’s communities, residential areas, and individual homes; and
d. Complying with all the legal requirements which the Telecommunications Act of 1996, as amended
(“TCA”) imposes upon the Town, when the Town receives, processes and determines applications seeking
approvals for the siting, construction and operation of cell towers and/or other personal wireless service
facilities.
C. Applicability.
New Towers and Antennas. All new towers or antennas in Town of Fountain Hills shall be subject to these
regulations. The following exceptions apply:
1. Amateur Radio Station Operators/Receive Only Antennas. This chapter shall not govern any tower, or the
installation of any antenna, that is under the maximum building height of the zoning district in which such
structure is located and which is owned and operated by a federally licensed amateur radio station operator
or is used exclusively for receive only operations.
2. Pre-existing Towers or Antennas. Legally established pre-existing towers and pre-existing antennas shall
not be required to meet the requirements of this chapter, other than the requirements of Sections 17.06(B)(1)
and 17.06(C).
3. AM Array. For purposes of implementing this chapter, an AM array, consisting of one (1) or more tower
units and supporting ground system which functions as one (1) AM broadcasting antenna, shall be considered
one (1) tower. Measurements for setbacks and separation distances shall be measured from the outer
perimeter of the towers included in the AM array. Additional tower units may be added within the perimeter
of the AM array by right.
4. Small Cell Towers in the Right-of-Way. Wireless communication towers and antenna meeting the definition
of small wireless facilities as contained in A.R.S. 9-591 are subject to the requirements of Article 16-2, Small
Wireless Facilities, of the Town Code.
5. Mobile or Temporary Towers. Mobile wireless facilities, when placed on site for seven (7) consecutive days
or less, provided any necessary building permit or encroachment permit is obtained.
6. Utility Service Antennas in the Right-of-Way. Utility service antennas as defined in this chapter placed in the
public right-of-way are subject to the requirements of Article 16-3, Utility Service Antenna, of the Town Code.
(24-08, Amended, 09/04/2024, Deleted and replaced)
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The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
Section 17.02 Definitions
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Alternative tower structure” means man-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, light poles and similar
alternative-design mounting structures that camouflage or conceal the presence of antennas or towers.
“Antenna” means any exterior transmitting or receiving device mounted on a tower, building or structure and used
in communications that radiates or captures electromagnetic waves, digital signals, analog signals, radio
frequencies (excluding radar signals), wireless telecommunications signals or other communication signals.
“Backhaul network” means the lines that connect a provider’s towers/cell sites to one (1) or more cellular
telephone switching offices, and/or long distance providers, or the public switched telephone network.
“Existing structure” means light poles, power poles, chimneys, billboards, and other similar structures, which are
placed, within the Town at the time of adoption of this chapter, except existing buildings.
“FAA” means the Federal Aviation Administration.
“FCC” means the Federal Communications Commission.
“Height” means, when referring to a tower or other structure, the vertical distance measured from the natural
grade level to the highest point of the structure directly above the natural grade when such structure is not
located in a platted subdivision. If the structure is located in a platted subdivision, the height shall be the vertical
distance measured from the finished grade as shown on the subdivision grading plans or finished grade as shown
on the individual lot’s grading plans (whichever is lower), to the highest point of the structure directly above the
finished grade. In the event that terrain problems prevent an accurate determination of height, the Zoning
Administrator shall rule as to height and appeal from that decision shall be to the Board of Adjustment.
“Pre-existing towers and pre-existing antennas” means any tower or antenna for which a building permit has been
properly issued prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, including permitted towers or
antennas that have not yet been constructed so long as such approval is current and not expired.
“Tower” means any structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one (1) or
more antennas for telephone, radio and similar communication purposes, including self-supporting lattice towers,
guyed towers, or monopole towers. The term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave
towers, common-carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, alternative tower structures, and the like. The term also
includes the structure and any support thereto.
“Utility service antennas” means antenna placed on or near utility boxes, poles, switches, storage tanks, etc., and
used by a utility provider to facilitate the operation of the utility system.
“Wireless communication” means the transmission of voice or data without cable or wires.
“Wireless communication facility” means wireless communication facilities including, but not limited to, facilities
that transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals for cellular radio telephone service, personal communications
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The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
services, enhanced specialized mobile services, paging systems, and related technologies. Such facilities also
include antennas, microwave dishes, parabolic antennas, and all other types of equipment used in the
transmission or reception of such signals; telecommunication towers or similar structures supporting said
equipment; associated equipment cabinets and/or buildings; and all other accessory development used for the
provision of personal wireless services. These facilities do not include radio and television broadcast towers and
government-operated public safety networks. (24-08, Amended, 09/04/2024, Deleted and replaced)
Section 17.03 Requirements
A. General Requirements.
1. Principal or Accessory Use. Antennas and towers may be considered either principal or accessory uses. A
different existing use of an existing structure on the same lot shall not preclude the installation of an antenna
or tower on such lot.
2. Lot Size. For purposes of determining whether the installation of a tower or antenna complies with
district development regulations, including but not limited to setback requirements, lot coverage
requirements, and other such requirements, the dimensions of the entire lot shall control, even though the
antennas or towers may be located on leased parcels within such lot.
3. Aesthetics. Towers and antennas shall meet the following requirements:
a. Towers shall, subject to any applicable standards of the FAA, be painted a neutral color so as to
reduce visual obtrusiveness.
b. At a tower site, the design of the buildings and related structures shall, to the extent possible, use
materials, colors, textures, screening, and landscaping that will blend them into the natural setting and
surrounding buildings.
c. If an antenna is installed on a structure other than a tower, the antenna and supporting electrical
and mechanical equipment must be of a neutral color that is identical to, or closely compatible with, the
color of the supporting structure so as to make the antenna and related equipment as visually
unobtrusive as possible.
d. The choice of design for installing a new wireless communication facility or the substantial
modification of an existing wireless communication facility shall be chosen to minimize the potential
adverse impacts that the new or expanded facility may, or is likely to, inflict upon nearby properties.
Stealth designs such as mono-palms or flagpoles should be utilized to camouflage the pole and
antennas.
e. Accessory Structures.
i. Accessory structures shall maximize the use of building materials, colors, and textures
designed to blend with the natural surroundings. The use of camouflage communications towers
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The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
may be required by the Council to blend the communications tower and/or its accessory structures
further into the natural surroundings. “Camouflage” is defined as the use of materials incorporated
into the communications tower design that give communications towers the appearance of tree
branches and bark coatings, church steeples and crosses, sign structures, lighting structures, or
other similar structures.
ii. Accessory structures shall be designed to be architecturally similar, compatible with each other,
and shall be no more than 12 feet high. The buildings shall be used only for housing equipment
related to the particular site. Whenever possible, the buildings shall be joined or clustered so as to
appear as one (1) building.
iii. No portion of any telecommunications tower or accessory structure shall be used for a sign or
other advertising purpose, including but not limited to the company name, phone numbers,
banners, and streamers, except the following. A sign of no greater than 2 square feet indicating the
name of the facility owner(s) and a twenty-four (24) hour emergency telephone shall be posted
adjacent to any entry gate. In addition, “no trespassing” or other warning signs may be posted on
the fence. All signs shall conform to the sign requirements of the Town.
f. Towers must be placed to minimize visual impacts. Applicants shall place towers on the side slope
of the terrain so that, as much as possible, the top of the tower does not protrude over the ridgeline, as
seen from public ways.
g. Existing Vegetation. Existing vegetation shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible. No
cutting of trees shall take place on a site connected with an application made under this chapter prior to
the approval of the application.
h. Screening.
i. Tree plantings may be required to screen portions of the telecommunications tower and
accessory structures from nearby residential property as well as from public sites known to include
important views or vistas. The standard buffer shall consist of a landscaped strip at least 4 feet wide
outside the perimeter of the compound. Additional palm trees may be required to accompany
towers which use a palm tree stealth design.
ii. Where a site adjoins a residential property or public property, including streets, screening
suitable in type, size and quantity shall be required by the Town Council.
iii. The applicant shall demonstrate to the approving board that adequate measures have been
taken to screen and abate noise emanating from on-site equipment, including but not limited to
heating and ventilating units, air conditioners, and emergency power generators.
Telecommunications towers shall comply with all applicable sections of this chapter as it pertains to
noise control and abatement.
i. Utility Services Antennas.
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The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
i. If placed on another utility structure such as a water tower, the antenna shall be painted to blend
with the building or equipment it is placed on.
ii. If a separate tower structure is used, the design shall comply with the provisions in this section.
4. Lighting. Towers shall not be artificially lighted, unless required by the FAA or other applicable authority.
If lighting is required, the lighting alternatives and design chosen must cause the least disturbance to the
surrounding views.
5. Measurement. For purposes of measurement, tower setbacks and separation distances shall be
calculated and applied to facilities located in the Town of Fountain Hills irrespective of municipal and county
jurisdictional boundaries.
6. Not Essential Services. Towers and antennas shall be regulated and permitted pursuant to this chapter
and shall not be regulated or permitted as essential services, public utilities, or private utilities.
7. Franchises. Owners and/or operators of towers or antennas shall certify that all franchises required by
law for the construction and/or operation of a wireless communication system in the Town of Fountain Hills
have been obtained and shall file a copy of all required franchises with the Community Development Director.
8. Signs. No signs other than those required by law shall be allowed on an antenna or tower.
9. Co-location and Multiple Antenna/Tower Plan. The Town of Fountain Hills encourages tower and antenna
users to submit a single application for approval of multiple towers and/or antenna sites and to submit
applications, which utilize co-location with an existing wireless telecommunications provider. Applications for
approval of multiple sites or for co-location with an existing provider shall be given priority in the review
process.
10. Security fencing. Towers shall be enclosed by security fencing not less than 6 feet in height and no more
than 8 feet in height, shall be constructed of a block or masonry, and shall be equipped with an appropriate
anti-climbing device; provided, however, that the Town Council may waive such requirements, as it deems
appropriate.
11. Noise. Submission of applications for towers and associated equipment shall include noise and
acoustical information, prepared by a qualified firm or individual, for the base transceiver station(s),
equipment buildings, and associated equipment such as air conditioning units and backup generators. The
Town may require the applicant to incorporate appropriate noise baffling materials and/or strategies to avoid
any ambient noise from equipment reasonably likely to exceed the applicable noise regulations contained in
Section 11-1-7 of the Town Code.
12. Any information of an engineering nature that the applicant submits, whether civil, mechanical, or
electrical, shall be certified by an Arizona licensed professional engineer.
13. Application approval issued under this chapter shall be conditioned upon verification by the Town
Engineer or designee that such tower structure is structurally sound. Such verification shall be received by the
applicant prior to submission.
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The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
B. Minimum Setbacks and Separations.
1. Setbacks From Property Lines. Except for utility service antennas, the following setback requirements shall
apply to all towers; provided, however, that the Town Council may reasonably reduce the standard setback
requirements if the goals of this chapter would be better served thereby:
a. Towers must be set back a distance equal to at least one hundred percent (100%) of the height of
the tower from any adjoining lot line; provided, however, that the setback distance shall be increased as
required to comply with the separation distances from residential uses in accordance with Table 1 set
forth below.
b. Accessory buildings must satisfy the minimum zoning district setback requirements.
2. Separations From Adjacent Uses. Except for utility service antennas, the following separation requirements
shall apply to all towers and antennas; provided, however, that the Town Council may reasonably reduce the
standard separation requirements if the goals of this chapter would be better served thereby.
a. Separation From Off-Site Uses/Designated Areas.
i. Tower separation shall be measured from the base of the tower to the lot line of the off-site
uses and/or designated areas as specified in Table 1, except as otherwise provided in Table 1.
ii. Separation requirements for towers shall comply with the minimum standards established in
Table 1.
Table 1. Separation Requirements From Offsite Uses/Areas
Off-Site Use/Designated Area Separation Distance
Single-family or duplex residential buildings1 200 feet or 300% of tower height, whichever is
greater
Vacant single-family or duplex residentially
zoned land which is either platted or has
preliminary plat approval which is not
expired2
200 feet or 300% of tower height, whichever is
greater2
Vacant unplatted residentially zoned lands3 100 feet or 100% of tower height, whichever is
greater
Existing multifamily residential units greater
than duplex units
100 feet or 100% of tower height, whichever is
greater
Nonresidentially zoned lands or
nonresidential uses
None, only setbacks apply
1 Includes modular homes and mobile homes used for living purposes. Separation measured
from base of tower to the closest building wall.
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The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
2 Separation measured from base of tower to closest building setback line.
3 Includes any unplatted residential use properties without a valid preliminary subdivision plan or
valid development plan and any multifamily residentially zoned land greater than a duplex.
b. Separation Distances Between Towers. Separation distances between towers shall be applicable for
and measured between the proposed tower and pre-existing towers. The separation distances shall be
measured by drawing or following a straight line between the base of the existing tower and the
proposed base, pursuant to a site plan, of the proposed tower. The separation distances (listed in linear
feet) shall be as shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Separation Distances Between Towers
Monopole 65 ft. in
height or greater
Monopole less than 65
ft. in height but
greater than 40 ft. in
height
Monopole less
than 40 ft. in
height
Monopole 65 ft. in height or
greater
2,000 feet 1,500 feet 1,000 feet
Monopole less than 65 ft. in
height but greater than 40 ft. in
height
1,500 feet 1,500 feet 1,000 feet
Monopole less than 40 ft. in
height
1,000 feet 1,000 feet 750 feet
C. Buildings or Other Equipment Storage.
1. Antennas Mounted on Structures or Rooftops. The equipment cabinet or structure used in association with
antennas shall comply with the following:
a. The cabinet or structure shall not contain more than 120 square feet of gross floor area or be more
than 8 feet in height and shall be located on the ground.
b. Equipment storage buildings or cabinets shall comply with all applicable building codes.
2. Antennas Mounted on Utility Poles, Light Poles, or Towers. The equipment cabinet or structure used in
association with antennas shall be located in accordance with the following:
a. In residential districts, the equipment cabinet or structure may be located:
i. In a required front yard or required street side yard, provided the cabinet structure is no
greater than 3.5 feet in height and 20 square feet of gross floor area and the cabinet/structure is
located a minimum of 3 feet from all lot lines. The cabinet/structure shall be screened by sight
obscuring landscaping which obscures at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the structure at planting
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and throughout the duration of the cabinet or structure’s existence with an ultimate height not to
exceed forty-two (42) inches.
ii. In a required rear yard, provided the cabinet or structure is no greater than 5 feet in height or
120 square feet in gross floor area. The cabinet/structure shall be screened by sight obscuring
landscaping which obscures at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the structure at planting and
throughout the duration of the cabinet or structure’s existence with an ultimate height of 6 feet.
iii. The entry or access side of a cabinet or structure shall be gated by a solid, sight-obscuring gate
that is separate from the cabinet or structure.
b. In commercial or industrial districts the equipment cabinet or structure shall be no greater than 14
feet in height or 300 square feet in gross floor area. The structure or cabinet shall be screened by sight-
obscuring landscaping with an ultimate height of 16 feet and a planted height of at least 6 feet. The entry
or access side of a cabinet or structure shall be gated by a solid, sight-obscuring gate that is separate
from the cabinet or structure. Such access way shall not face residentially zoned property.
3. Modification of Building Size Requirements. In the case of wireless facilities considered by the Town
Council, the requirements of subsections (C)(1) and (C)(2) of this section may be modified by the Town Council
to address site specific conditions and requirements.
D. Co-location.
1. Any new telecommunications tower shall be designed to accommodate future shared use by other
communications providers. Design considerations shall include sufficient area for additional ground
equipment, structural design of the tower, and sufficient electrical power available for the load of at least two
(2) additional wireless service providers.
2. Good Faith. Applicants and permittees shall cooperate and exercise good faith in co-locating wireless
telecommunications facilities on the same support structures or site, if the Town so requests. Good faith shall
include sharing technical information to evaluate the feasibility of co-location, and may include negotiations
for erection of a replacement support structure to accommodate co-location. A competitive conflict to co-
location or financial burden caused by sharing such information normally will not be considered as an excuse
to comply with this section.
3. Third Party Technical Review. In the event a dispute arises as to whether a permittee has exercised good
faith in accommodating other users, the Town may require the applicant to obtain a third-party technical
study at the applicant’s expense. The Town may review any information submitted by the applicant and
permittee(s) in determining whether good faith has been exercised.
4. Exceptions. No co-location may be required where the shared use would or does result in significant
interference in the broadcast or reception capabilities of the existing wireless telecommunications facilities or
failure of the existing wireless telecommunications facilities to meet federal standards for emissions.
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The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
5. Violation; penalty. Failure to comply with co-location requirements when feasible may result in denial of a
permit request or revocation of an existing permit. (24-08, Amended, 09/04/2024, Deleted and replaced)
Section 17.04 Application Types
A. Administrative. The following types of applications are processed administratively by staff:
1. Applications to change or modify an existing administratively approved wireless communication facility
that remains in compliance with all chapter requirements.
2. Applications to change or modify an existing wireless communication facility approved through public
review; provided, that the modification will not:
a. Increase the approved height of the supporting structure by more than ten percent (10%) or 20 feet,
whichever is greater;
b. Cause the original approved number of antennas to be exceeded by more than fifty percent (50%);
c. Increase the original approved square footage of accessory buildings by more than 200 square feet;
d. Add new, additional, or larger microwave antenna dishes;
e. Expand the footprint of said support structure; or
f. Potentially cause significant adverse impacts on the existing support structure or the surrounding
area.
3. Applications for co-location of additional antenna for an additional service provider on an existing
administratively approved tower that remains in compliance with all chapter requirements.
4. Applications for co-location of additional antenna for an additional service provider on an existing tower
approved through public review; provided, that the modification will not:
a. Increase the approved height of the supporting structure by more than ten percent (10%) or 20 feet,
whichever is greater;
b. Cause the original approved number of antennas to be exceeded by more than fifty percent (50%);
c. Increase the original approved square footage of accessory buildings by more than 200 square feet;
d. Add new, additional, or larger microwave antenna dishes;
e. Expand the footprint of said support structure; or
f. Potentially cause significant adverse impacts on the existing support structure or the surrounding
area.
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5. Applications for new utility service antenna that comply with the height and setback requirements of the
zoning district in which they are located.
6. Applications for mobile or temporary wireless facilities for more than seven (7) consecutive days.
7. Applications for new towers in the following locations:
a. Town property with the tower located at least 300 feet from a residential zoning boundary.
b. On commercial, industrial, utility, or lodging zoned property and located at least 300 feet from a
residential zoning boundary.
c. Alternative tower structures when such structures and their accompanying equipment are
appropriately blended into the surrounding terrain, are within the height limitations of the underlying
zoning district and are at least 300 feet from a residential zoning boundary.
B. Public Review.
1. Any new tower or modification to existing towers or antennas that do not meet the requirements in
subsection (A) of this section for administrative review shall require review and approval as provided in
subsection 17.05(C)(2). Any new tower not meeting the setback or separation requirements in Section
17.03(B). (24-08, Amended, 09/04/2024, Deleted and replaced)
Section 17.05 Application Submittal, Review, and Processing
A. General. The following provisions shall govern the review of all wireless communication facility applications:
1. Complete Application. Applications for wireless communication facilities shall be filed electronically on the
Town’s website by an owner of real property and shall contain the area proposed for the wireless
communication facility using the process established by the Director for such applications. All such
applications shall include the information required in this section. Applications filed on behalf of the property
owner by a third party shall include a statement from the property owner authorizing the submittal of the
application.
2. Applications shall include documentation of compliance with items listed in Section 17.03(A) as
applicable to the application submitted.
3. Inventory of Existing Sites. Each applicant for a new tower or co-location of new antenna on an existing
tower shall provide to the Development Services Director an inventory of its existing towers, antennas, or
sites approved for towers or antennas, that are either within the jurisdiction of the Town of Fountain Hills or
within one (1) mile of the border thereof, including specific information about the location, height, and design
of each tower. Each applicant shall also provide a one (1) year build-out plan for all other wireless
communications facilities within the Town. The Development Services Director may share such information
with other applicants applying for administrative approvals or special use permits under this chapter or with
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The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
other organizations seeking to locate antennas within the jurisdiction of Town of Fountain Hills; provided,
however, that the Development Services Director is not, by sharing such information, in any way representing
or warranting that such sites are available or suitable.
4. Utility Service Antennas.
a. If the antenna complies with the height requirements of the underlying zoning district, the plans for
the antenna will be reviewed and approved with the overall site development plans if the site is being
developed concurrently. If the antenna is being added to an existing utility site, the plans will be
reviewed and processed consistent with the requirements of subsection (C)(2) of this section.
b. If the antenna does not comply with the height requirements of the underlying zoning district, the
plans for the antenna will be reviewed and processed consistent with the requirements of subsection
(C)(3) of this section.
5. Applications Using Existing Towers.
a. Dimensioned, to-scale drawings showing the existing and proposed antenna on the tower including
the height of the tower and the antennas.
b. The number and type of existing and proposed antennas.
c. Engineering calculations documenting the structural changes and certifying the tower’s ability to
carry the new antennas.
d. Dimensioned, to-scale drawings illustrating modification of ground equipment, if any.
6. Applications Using New Towers – Information Required.
In addition to any information required for applications for special use permits pursuant to Chapter 2,
Section 2.02, applicants for a new wireless facility shall submit the following information:
a. A site plan as required in Section 2.04 plus zoning, General Plan classification of the site and all
properties within the applicable separation distances set forth in Section 17.03(B)(1), adjacent
roadways, proposed means of access, elevation drawings of the proposed tower and any other
structures, photo simulations showing the tower in the proposed location from at least four (4)
directions, and other information deemed by the Development Services Director to be necessary to
assess compliance with this chapter.
b. The setback distance between the proposed tower and the nearest residential unit and
residentially zoned properties.
c. The separation distance from other towers described in the inventory of existing sites
submitted pursuant to Section 17.03(B)(2) shall be shown on an updated site plan or map. The
applicant shall also identify the type of construction of the existing tower(s) and the owner/operator
of the existing tower(s), if known.
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d. Method of fencing, and finished color and, if applicable, the method of camouflage and
illumination.
e. A description of compliance with Sections 17.03(A)(3), 17.03(A)(4), 17.03(A)(5), 17.03(A)(7),
17.03(A)(8), 17.03(A)(9), 17.03(A)(10), 17.03(A)(11), 17.03(B), subsection (A)(3) of this section, Sections
17.06(A) and 17.06(B) and all applicable federal, state or local laws.
f. A notarized statement by the applicant as to whether construction of the tower will
accommodate collocation of additional antennas for future users.
g. Identification of the entities providing the backhaul network for the tower(s) described in the
application and other cellular sites owned or operated by the applicant in the municipality.
h. A description of the suitability of the use of existing towers, other structures or alternative
technology not requiring the use of towers or structures to provide the services to be provided
through the use of the proposed new tower.
i. A description of the feasible alternative location(s) of future towers or antennas within the
Town of Fountain Hills based upon existing physical, engineering, technological or geographical
limitations in the event the proposed tower is erected.
j. A statement of compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) radio frequency
(RF) exposure standards.
7. Filing Fee. Payment of a filing fee in an amount established by a schedule adopted by resolution of the
Council and filed in the offices of the Town Clerk. No part of the filing fee shall be returnable.
B. Shot Clocks and Tolling. To comply with the requirements of Section 47 U.S.C. §332(c)(7)(B)(ii) of the TCA, the
following shot clock periods set forth hereinbelow shall be presumed to be reasonable periods within which the
Town shall render determinations upon applications for wireless communication facilities.
The Town shall render determinations upon such applications within the periods set forth hereinbelow, unless the
applicable shot clock period listed below is tolled, extended by agreement or the processing of the application is
delayed due to circumstances beyond the Town’s control.
1. Application Shot Clocks.
a. Receipt of Initial Application. Upon receipt of an application, the Development Services Director, or
designee, shall review the application for completeness. If the Director determines the application is: (i)
incomplete, (ii) missing required application materials, (iii) is the wrong type of application, or (iv) is
otherwise defective, then, within ten (10) days for administrative applications and thirty (30) days for
public hearing applications of the Town’s receipt of the application, the Director, or their designee, shall
notify the applicant of the finding and state what is needed to have a complete application.
The notice of incompleteness shall toll the shot clock, which shall not thereafter resume running unless
and until the applicant tenders an additional submission to the Director to remedy the issues identified
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in the notice of incomplete application. The submission of any responsive materials by the applicant shall
automatically cause the shot clock period to resume running.
If upon receipt of any additional materials from the applicant, the Director determines that the
application is still incomplete and/or defective, then the Director shall, once again notify the applicant
within ten (10) days for administrative applications and thirty (30) days for public hearing applications of
the applicant having filed its supplemental or corrected materials to the Town and the shot clock shall
once again be tolled, and the same procedure provided for hereinabove shall be repeated.
b. Application Review. The shot clock for administrative applications which do not involve new towers is
ninety (90) days. The shot clock for administrative applications with new towers and public review
applications is one hundred fifty (150) days.
2. Shot Clock Tolls, Extensions and Reasonable Delay Periods. Consistent with the letter and intent of Section
47 U.S.C. §332(c)(7)(B)(ii) of the TCA, each of the shot clock periods set forth within subsection (B) of this
section shall generally be presumed to be sufficient periods within which the Town shall render decisions
upon applications.
Notwithstanding the same, the applicable shot clock periods may be tolled, extended by mutual agreement
between any applicant and/or its representative and the Town, and the Town shall not be required to render
its determination within the shot clock period presumed to be reasonable for each type of application, where
the processing of such application is reasonably delayed, as described hereinbelow.
a. Tolling of the Applicable Shot Clock Due to Incompleteness and/or Applicant Error. As provided for within
subsection (B)(1) of this section, in the event that the Development Services Director deems an
application incomplete, the Director shall send a notice of incompleteness to the applicant to notify the
applicant that its application is incomplete and/or contains material errors, and shall reasonably identify
the missing information and/or documents and/or the error(s) in the application.
If the Director sends a notice of incompleteness as described hereinabove, the applicable shot clock shall
automatically be tolled, meaning that the applicable shot clock period within which the Town is required
to render a final decision upon the application shall immediately cease running, and shall not resume
running, unless and until the Town receives a responsive submission from the applicant.
If and when the applicant thereafter submits additional information in an effort to complete its
application, or cure any identified defect(s), then the shot clock shall automatically resume running, but
shall not be deemed to start running anew.
The applicable shot clock period shall, once again, be tolled if the Director thereafter provides a second
notice that the application is still incomplete or defective, despite any additional submissions which have
been received by the Town, from the applicant, up to that point.
b. Shot Clock Extension by Mutual Agreement. The Town shall be free to extend any applicable shot clock
period by mutual agreement with any respective applicant. This discretion on the part of the Town shall
include the Town’s authority to request, at any time, and for any period of time the Town may deem
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reasonable or appropriate under the circumstances, consent from a respective applicant to extend the
applicable shot clock period to enable the Town, the applicant, or any relevant third party, to complete
any type of undertaking or task related to the review, analysis, processing, and determination of the
particular application, which is then pending before the Town, to the extent that any such undertaking,
task, or review is consistent with, or reasonably related to, compliance with any federal, state, or local
law and/or the requirements of any provision of the Town Code, including but not limited to this chapter.
In response to any request by the Town, the applicant, by its principal, agent, attorney, site acquisition
agent, or other authorized representative, can consent to any extension of any applicable shot clock by
affirmatively indicating its consent either in writing or by affirmatively indicating its consent on the
record at any public hearing or public meeting. The Town shall be permitted to reasonably rely upon a
representative of the applicant indicating that they are authorized to grant such consent on behalf of the
respective applicant, on whose behalf they have been addressing the Town within the review process.
c. Reasonable Delay Extensions of Shot Clock Periods. The Town recognizes that there may be situations
wherein, due to circumstances beyond the control of the Town and/or the Town Council, the review and
issuance of a final decision upon an application for a wireless communication facility cannot reasonably
be completed within the application shot clock periods delineated within subsection (B) of this section.
If, despite the exercise of due diligence by the Town, the determination regarding a specific application
cannot reasonably be completed within the applicable shot clock period, the Town shall be permitted to
continue and complete its review and issue its determination at a date beyond the expiration of the
applicable period, if the delay of such final decision is due to circumstances including, but not limited to,
those enumerated hereinbelow, each of which shall serve as a reasonable basis for a reasonable delay of
the applicable shot clock period.
i. In the event that the rendering of a final decision upon an application under this chapter is
delayed due to natural and/or unnatural events and/or forces which are not within the control of
the Town, such as the unavoidable delays experienced in government processes due to the COVID
19 pandemic, and/or mandatory compliance with any related federal or state government orders
issued in relation thereto, such delays shall constitute reasonable delays which shall be recognized
as acceptable grounds for extending the period for review and the rendering of final determinations
beyond the period allotted under the applicable shot clock.
ii. In the event that applicant tenders eleventh-hour submissions to the Town in the form of (a)
expert reports, (b) expert materials, and/or (c) materials which require a significant period for review
due either to their complexity or the sheer volume of materials which an applicant has chosen to
provide to the Town at such late point in the proceedings, the Town shall be afforded a reasonable
time to review such late-submitted materials.
If reasonably necessary, the Town shall be permitted to retain the services of an expert consultant
to review any late-submitted expert reports which were provided to the Town, even if such review
or services extend beyond the applicable shot clock period, so long as the Town completes such
review and retains and secures such expert services within a reasonable period of time thereafter
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and otherwise acts with reasonable diligence in completing its review and rendering its final
decision.
C. Review and Processing of Applications.
1. Conformity to the following shall be considered in review of all applications:
a. The application is consistent with the objectives of this chapter.
b. The height of the proposed tower.
c. The adequacy of the proposed site, considering such factors as the sufficiency of the size of the site
to comply with the established criteria, the configuration of the site, and the extent to which the site is
formed by logical boundaries (e.g., topography, natural features, streets, relationship of adjacent uses,
etc.) that provide for the ability to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
d. The extent to which the proposal responds to the impact of the proposed development on adjacent
land uses, especially in terms of visual impact.
e. The extent to which the proposed telecommunications facility is camouflaged (i.e., use of stealth
technology).
f. The extent to which the proposed facility is integrated with existing structures (i.e., buildings, signs,
utility poles, etc.) with particular reference to design characteristics that have the effect of reducing or
eliminating visual obtrusiveness.
g. An applicant’s compliance with all town requirements with respect to previous applications.
2. Review of Administrative Applications.
a. Administrative applications will be reviewed by staff using the Town’s standard building permit
review processes.
b. Applications for new towers shall provide staff with the same information as required in subsection
(C)(3) of this section for public review applications.
c. Applications for mobile or temporary wireless facilities which remain in place for more than seven
(7) consecutive days must submit a request for a temporary use permit as provided in Section 2.03.
3. Review and Processing of Public Review Applications.
a. Applications which require public review and approval on private property will be processed as
special use permits and follow the requirements listed in Section 2.02 for special use permits.
Applications on Town owned property will not require a special use permit but will follow the same
requirements for notice for review by the Town Council.
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b. In addition to the factors listed in subsection (C)(1) of this section for review of applications, public
review applications will also be subject to the standards for consideration of special use permit
applications pursuant to Chapter 2, Section 2.02 of this chapter.
c. Availability of Suitable Existing Towers, Other Structures, or Alternative Technology. No new tower shall
be permitted unless the applicant demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of the Town Council that
no existing tower, structure or alternative technology that does not require the use of towers or
structures can accommodate the applicant’s proposed antenna. An applicant shall submit information
requested by the Town Council related to the availability of suitable existing towers, other structures or
alternative technology. Evidence submitted to demonstrate that no existing tower, structure or
alternative technology can accommodate the applicant’s proposed antenna may consist of any of the
following:
i. No existing towers or structures are located within the geographic area, which meet applicant’s
engineering requirements.
ii. Existing towers or structures are not of sufficient height to meet applicant’s engineering
requirements.
iii. Existing towers or structures do not have sufficient structural strength to support applicant’s
proposed antenna and related equipment.
iv. The applicant’s proposed antenna would cause electromagnetic interference with the antenna
on the existing towers or structures, or the antenna on the existing towers or structures would
cause interference with the applicant’s proposed antenna.
v. The fees, costs, or contractual provisions required by the owner in order to share an existing
tower or structure or to adapt an existing tower or structure for sharing are unreasonable. Costs
exceeding new tower development are presumed to be unreasonable.
vi. The applicant demonstrates that there are other limiting factors that render existing towers
and structures unsuitable.
vii. The applicant demonstrates that an alternative technology that does not require the use of
towers or structures, such as a cable micro cell network using multiple low-powered transmitters/
receivers attached to a wire line system, is unsuitable. Costs of alternative technology that exceed
new tower or antenna development shall not be presumed to render the technology unsuitable.
viii. If the applicant asserts a claim that a proposed facility is necessary to remedy one (1) or more
existing significant gaps in an identified wireless carrier’s personal wireless services, the Council may
require the applicant to provide drive-test generated coverage maps, as opposed to computer-
generated coverage maps, for each frequency at which the carrier provides personal wireless
services, to show signal strengths in bins of three (3) DBM each, to enable the Council to assess the
existence of such significant gaps accurately, and/or whether the carrier possesses adequate
coverage within the geographic area which is the subject of the respective application.
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4. In granting a permit, the Town may impose conditions to the extent such conditions are necessary to
minimize any adverse effect of the proposed tower on adjoining properties. (24-08, Amended, 09/04/2024,
Deleted and replaced)
Section 17.06 Maintenance and Operation
A. Removal of Abandoned Antennas and Towers. Any antenna or tower that is not operated for a continuous
period of ninety (90) days shall be considered abandoned, and the owner of such antenna or tower shall remove
the same within ninety (90) days of receipt of notice from the Town of Fountain Hills notifying the owner of such
abandonment. Failure to remove an abandoned antenna or tower within said ninety (90) day period shall be
grounds to remove the tower or antenna at the owner’s expense. If there are two (2) or more users of a single
tower, then this provision shall not become effective until all users cease using the tower for the prescribed
period.
B. State or Federal Requirements.
1. All towers must meet or exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, the FCC, and any other
agency of the state or federal government with the authority to regulate towers and antennas. If such
standards and regulations are changed, then the owners of the towers and antennas governed by this
chapter shall bring such towers and antennas into compliance with such revised standards and regulations
within six (6) months of the effective date of such standards and regulations, unless a different compliance
schedule is mandated by the controlling state or federal agency. Failure to bring towers and antennas into
compliance with such revised standards and regulations shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower
or antenna at the owner’s expense.
2. To ensure continuing compliance with such limits by all owners and/or operators of wireless
communication facilities within the Town, all owners, and operators of wireless communication facilities shall
submit reports as required by this section.
As set forth hereinbelow, the Town may additionally require, at the owner and/or operator’s expense,
independent verification of the results of any analysis set forth within any reports submitted to the Town by
the owner and/or operator.
a. Certification of Compliance with Applicable RF Radiation Limits. Within forty-five (45) days of initial
operation or a substantial modification of a wireless communication facility, the owner and/or operator
of each telecommunications antenna shall submit to the Development Services Director a written
certification by a licensed professional engineer, sworn to under penalties of perjury, that the facility’s
radio frequency emissions comply with the limits codified within 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1), Table 1 Sections (i)
and (ii), as made applicable pursuant to 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(3).
The engineer shall also measure the emissions of the approved wireless facility, including the cumulative
impact from other nearby wireless facilities, and determine if such emissions are within the limits
described hereinabove.
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A report of these measurements and the engineer’s findings with respect to compliance with the FCC’s
maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits shall be submitted to the Development Services Director.
If the report shows that the facility does not comply with applicable limits, then the owner and/or
operator shall cease operation of the facility until the facility is brought into compliance with such limits.
Proof of compliance shall be a certification provided by the engineer who prepared the original report.
The Town may require, at the applicant’s expense, independent verification of the results of the analysis.
b. Random RF Radiofrequency Testing. At the operator’s expense, the Town may retain an engineer to
conduct random unannounced RF radiation testing of such wireless facilities to ensure the facility’s
compliance with the limits codified within 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1) et seq.
The Town may cause such random testing to be conducted as often as the Town may deem appropriate.
However, the Town may not require the owner and/or operator to pay for more than one (1) test per
facility per calendar year unless such testing reveals that one (1) or more of the owner and/or operator’s
facilities are exceeding the limits codified within 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1) et seq., in which case the Town
shall be permitted to demand that the wireless facility be brought into compliance with such limits, and
to conduct additional tests to determine if, and when, the owner and/or operator thereafter brings the
respective wireless facility and/or facilities into compliance.
3. Actions for Noncompliance. If the Town at any time finds that there is good cause to believe that a wireless
communication facility and/or one (1) or more of its antennas are emitting RF radiation at levels in excess of
the legal limits permitted under 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1) et seq., then a hearing shall be scheduled before the
Town’s Zoning Administrator at which the owner and/or operator of such facility shall be required to show
cause why any and all permits and/or approvals issued by the Town for such facility and/or facilities should
not be revoked, and a fine should not be assessed against such owner and/or operator.
The owner and/or operator shall be afforded not less than two (2) weeks’ written notice of the hearing.
At such hearing, the burden shall be on the Town to show that, by a preponderance of the evidence, the
facilities emissions exceeded the permissible limits under 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1) et seq.
In the event that the Town establishes same, the owner and/or operator shall then be required to establish,
by clear and convincing evidence, that a malfunction of equipment caused their failure to comply with the
applicable limits through no fault on the part of the owner/operator.
If the owner and/or operator fails to establish same, the Town shall have the power to revoke any permit,
building permit, and/or any other form of approval(s) which the Town Council or any other representative of
the Town may have then issued to the owner and/or operator, for the respective facility. The Zoning
Administrator may revoke an administrative approval. The decision of the Zoning Administrator may be
appealed to the Town Manager. If the tower or antenna was approved by the Town Council, revocation will be
considered by the Town Council in the same manner as the original approval.
In addition, the Town may issue a civil citation for noncompliance as provided in Section 1-8-3 of the Town
Code.
Ch. 17 Wireless Telecommunications Towers and Antennas | Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance Page 19 of 21
The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
In the event that an owner or operator of one (1) or more wireless communication facility is found to violate
subsection (B)(1) of this section three (3) or more times within any five (5) year period, then in addition to
revoking any zoning approvals for the facilities which were violating the limits codified in 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1)
et seq., the Town Council shall render a determination within which it shall deem the owner/operator
prohibited from filing any applications for any new wireless personal services facilities within the Town for a
period of five (5) years.
C. Building Codes; Safety Standards. To ensure the structural integrity of towers, the owner of a tower shall ensure
that it is maintained in compliance with standards contained in applicable state or local building codes and the
applicable standards for towers that are published by the Electronic Industries Association, as amended from time
to time. If, upon inspection, the Town of Fountain Hills concludes that a tower fails to comply with such codes and
standards and constitutes a danger to persons or property, then upon notice being provided to the owner of the
tower, the owner shall have thirty (30) days to bring such tower into compliance with such standards. Failure to
bring such tower into compliance within said thirty (30) days shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower
or antenna at the owner’s expense.
D. Noise. Wireless facilities and all related equipment must comply with all noise regulations and shall not
exceed such regulations, either individually or collectively. Backup generators shall only be operated during power
outages and/or for testing and maintenance purposes between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (24-08,
Amended, 09/04/2024, Deleted and replaced)
Section 17.07 Nonconforming Uses
A. Not Expansion of Nonconforming Use. Towers that are constructed, and antennas that are installed, in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to constitute the expansion of a
nonconforming use or structure.
B. Pre-existing Towers. Pre-existing towers shall be allowed to continue their usage as they presently exist.
Routine maintenance (including replacement with a new tower of like construction and height) shall be permitted
on such pre-existing towers. New construction other than routine maintenance on a pre-existing tower shall
comply with the requirements of this chapter.
C. Rebuilding Damaged or Destroyed Nonconforming Towers or Antennas. Notwithstanding other provisions of this
chapter, bona fide nonconforming towers or antennas that are damaged or destroyed may be rebuilt without
having to first obtain a special use permit and without having to meet the separation requirements specified in
Section 17.03. The type, height, and location of the tower on site shall be of the same type and intensity as the
original facility approval; provided, however, that any destroyed lattice or guyed tower shall be replaced with a
monopole structure only. Building permits to rebuild the facility shall comply with the then applicable building
codes and shall be obtained within ninety (90) days from the date the facility is damaged or destroyed. If no permit
is obtained or if said permit expires, the tower or antenna shall be deemed abandoned as specified in Section
17.06(A). (24-08, Amended, 09/04/2024, Deleted and replaced)
Ch. 17 Wireless Telecommunications Towers and Antennas | Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance Page 20 of 21
The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
Disclaimer: The town clerk’s office has the official version of the Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance. Users should
contact the town clerk’s office for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.
Town Website: www.fh.az.gov
Hosted by General Code.
Section 17.08 Reserved
Section 17.09 Reserved
Section 17.10 Reserved
Section 17.11 Reserved
Ch. 17 Wireless Telecommunications Towers and Antennas | Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance Page 21 of 21
The Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 24-15, passed October 15, 2024.
1
INDEX
§17 Personal Wireless Service Facilities
§17-1 Purpose and Legislative Intent
§17-2 Definitions; Word Usage
§17-3 Application Types
§17-4 Shot Clock Periods
§17-5 Shot Clock Tolls, Extensions
& Reasonable Delay Periods
§17-6 Application Requirements
§17-7 Design Standards
§17-8 Town Council Initial Review
§17-9 Hearings and Public Notices
§17-10 Factual Determinations to be Rendered by the Town Council
§17-11 Retention of Consultants
§17-12 Setback Requirements
§17-13 Height Restrictions
§17-14 Use Restrictions and Variances
§17-15 Environmental Impacts
§17-16 Historic Site Impacts
§17-17 Force Majeure
§17-18 Eleventh Hour Submissions
§17-19 Prohibition Against Illegally Excessive Emissions & RF Radiation Testing
§17-20 Bond Requirements & Removal of Abandoned Facilities and Reclamation
§17-21 ADA Accommodations
§17-22 General Provisions
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§17 Personal Wireless Service Facilities
This Chapter 17 is intended to repeal and replace all previous versions of, and amendments to,
Chapter 17 (“Wireless Telecommunications Towers and Antennas”) and Article 16-2 (“Small
Wireless Facilities”) of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Fountain Hills (“Town Code”), all
of which are hereby repealed and replaced in their entirety by this Chapter 17 et. seq., as of the
effective date hereof.
No Personal Wireless Service Facility (“PWSF”) shall be sited, constructed, reconstructed,
installed, materially changed or altered, expanded, or used unless in conformity with this Chapter.
For the installation, construction, erection, relocation, substantial expansion, or material alteration
of any PWSF that is not classified as a Small Wireless Facility as hereinafter defined and discussed,
the Town shall require a special use permit and site plan approval pursuant to the provisions of
this Chapter, which shall be applied for in accord with the procedure set forth in Chapter 2, §2.02,
unless otherwise provided herein below.
The performance of maintenance, routine maintenance, in-kind replacement of components, and/or
repairs (as defined herein) to an existing PWSF and/or existing personal wireless service
equipment shall not require a special use permit.
Each application for a special use permit under this Chapter and each individual PWSF for which
an application for a special use permit is submitted shall be considered based on the individual
characteristics of each respective installation at each proposed location as an individual case. In
other words, each installation at each proposed location shall be reviewed and considered
independently for its own characteristics and potential impacts, irrespective of whether the
proposed facility is designed and intended to operate independently or whether the installation is
designed and/or intended to operate jointly as part of a Distributed Antenna System.
§17-1 Purpose and Legislative Intent
The purpose of this section is to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of
the Town of Fountain Hills and to preserve the scenic, historical, natural, and man-made character
and appearance of the Town while simultaneously providing standards for the safe provision,
monitoring, and removal of cell towers and other personal wireless service facilities consistent
with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Consistent with the balancing of interests which the United States Congress intended to embed
with the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 (hereinafter “the TCA”), Chapter 17 is intended
to serve as a Smart Planning Provision, designed to achieve the four (4) simultaneous objectives
of: (a) enabling personal wireless service providers to provide adequate personal wireless services
throughout the Town so that Town residents can enjoy the benefits of same, from any FCC-
licensed wireless carrier from which they choose to obtain such services, while (b) minimizing the
number of cell towers and/or other personal wireless service facilities needed to provide such
coverage, (c) preventing, to the greatest extent reasonably practical, any unnecessary adverse
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impacts upon the Town’s communities, residential areas, and individual homes, and (d) complying
with all of the legal requirements which the TCA imposes upon the Town, when the Town receives,
processes and determines applications seeking approvals for the siting, construction and operation
of cell towers and/or other personal wireless service facilities.
The Town seeks to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, any unnecessary adverse impacts
caused by the siting, placement, physical size, and/or unnecessary proliferation of personal
wireless service facilities, including, but not limited to, adverse aesthetic impacts, adverse impacts
upon property values, adverse impacts upon the character of any surrounding properties and
communities, adverse impacts upon historical and/or scenic properties and districts, and the
exposure of persons and property to potential dangers such as structural failures, ice fall, debris
fall, and fire.
The Town also seeks to ensure that, in applying this section, the Town Council (“Council”) is
vested with sufficient authority to require applicants to provide sufficient, accurate, and truthful
probative evidence to enable the Council to render factual determinations consistent with both the
provisions set forth herein below and the requirements of the TCA when rendering decisions upon
such applications.
To achieve the objectives stated herein, the Town seeks to employ the “General Authority”
preserved to it under Section 47 U.S.C.A. §332(c)(7)(A) of the TCA, to the greatest extent which
the United States Congress intended to preserve those powers to the Town, while simultaneously
complying with each of the substantive and procedural requirements set forth within subsection
47 U.S.C.A. §332(c)(7)(B) of the TCA.
§17-2 Definitions; Word Usage
For the purposes of this article, and where not inconsistent with the context of a particular section,
the defined terms, phrases, words, abbreviations, and their derivations shall have the meanings
provided in this section. When not inconsistent with the context, words in the present tense include
the future tense, words used in the plural number include words in the singular number, and words
in the singular number include the plural number. The word “shall” is always mandatory and not
merely directory. The definitions set forth herein shall supersede any definitions set forth within
the Town Code, and the definitions set forth herein below shall control and apply to Chapter 17
and all subparagraphs herein.
ACCESSORY FACILITY OR ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A facility or structure serving or being used in conjunction with a personal wireless services
facility or complex and located on the same property or lot as the personal wireless services facility
or complex or an immediately adjacent lot, including, but not limited to utility or transmission
equipment storage sheds or cabinets.
ACHP
The Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
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ADEQ
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
ADEQUATE COVERAGE
As determined by the Town Council, adequate coverage means that a specific wireless carrier’s
personal wireless service coverage is such that the vast majority of its customers can successfully
use the carrier’s personal wireless service the vast majority of the time, in the vast majority of the
geographic locations within the Town, that the success rate of using their devices exceeds 97%,
and that any geographic gaps in a carrier’s gaps in personal wireless services are not significant
gaps, based upon such factors including, but not limited to, lack of significant physical size of the
gap, whether the gap is located upon a lightly traveled or lightly occupied area, whether only a
small number of customers are affected by the gap, and/or whether or not the carrier’s customers
are affected for only limited periods of time. A wireless carrier’s coverage shall not be deemed
inadequate simply because the frequency or frequencies at which its customers are using its
services are not the most preferred frequency of the wireless carrier.
ANTENNA
An apparatus designed for emitting radiofrequency (RF) radiation to be operated or operating from
a fixed location for personal wireless service.
APPLICANT
Any individual, corporation, limited liability company, general partnership, limited partnership,
estate, trust, joint-stock company, association of two or more persons having a joint common
interest, or any other entity submitting an application for a special use permit, site plan approval,
variance, building permit, and/or any other related approval, for the installation, operation and/or
maintaining of one or more personal wireless service facilities.
APPLICATION
Refers to all necessary and required documentation and evidence that an applicant must submit to
receive a special use permit, building permit, or other approval for personal wireless service
facilities from the Town.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
The Board of Adjustment of the Town of Fountain Hills, established pursuant to §1.06 of the
Zoning Ordinance with membership, powers, duties, and responsibilities as set forth in Article 2-
8 of the Town Code.
COUNCIL OR TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council of the Town of Fountain Hills.
CELL TOWER
A free-standing, guy-wired, or otherwise supported pole, tower, or other structure designed to
support or employed to support equipment and/or antennas used to provide personal wireless
services, including, but not limited to, a pole, monopole, monopine, slim stick, lattice tower or
other types of standing structures.
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CEQ
The Council on Environmental Quality, as established under NEPA.
COLOCATION, CO-LOCATION, and/or CO-LOCATE
To install, mount or add new or additional equipment to be used for the provision of personal
wireless services to a pre-existing structure, facility, or complex which is already built and is
currently being used to provide personal wireless services by a different provider of such services,
wireless carrier or site developer.
COMPLETE APPLICATION, COMPLETED APPLICATION
An application that contains all the necessary and required information, records, evidence, reports,
and/or data necessary to enable an informed decision to be made with respect to an application.
Where any information is provided pursuant to the terms of this Chapter and the Community
Development Director, Engineer or the Town’s expert or consultant or the Council determines,
based upon information provided, that any additional, further, or clarifying information is needed
as to one or more aspects, then the application will be deemed incomplete until that further or
clarifying information is provided to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director,
Engineer, Town Council or the Town’s expert or consultant of the Council.
COMPLEX
The entire site or facility, including all structures and equipment, located at the site.
DBM (dBm)
DBM stands for decibel milliwatts, which is a concrete measurement of the wireless signal strength
of wireless networks. Signal strengths are recorded in negative numbers and can range from
approximately -30 dBm to -110 dBm. The closer the number is to 0, the stronger the cell signal.
DEPLOYMENT
The placement, construction, or substantial modification of a personal wireless service facility.
DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM, DAS
A network of spatially separated antenna nodes connected to a common source via a transport
medium that provides personal wireless service within a geographic area.
EFFECTIVE PROHIBITION
A finding by the Town Council that if an application seeking approval for a specific new Personal
Wireless Service Facility at a specific location, and a specific height, were to be denied, such denial
would either: (a) prevent an identified Wireless Carrier from providing personal wireless services
within a specific geographic area, or areas, within the Town, or (b) would prevent a specific
Wireless Carrier from constructing a sufficient number of such facilities necessary to enable it to
provide Personal Wireless Services within the Town.
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An effective prohibition shall not be found to exist if a Wireless Carrier has Adequate Coverage
in a specified geographic area, such that its end-use customers can use their cellular telephones to
connect to landlines using the Carrier’s Personal Wireless Services; however, the frequencies are
not the “most preferred” frequencies of the Carrier.
An effective prohibition shall also not be found to exist if an applicant fails to establish before the
Town Council that any existing geographic gap or capacity deficiency in the specific Wireless
Carrier’s coverage cannot be remedied through a less intrusive means than what is being proposed,
including, but not limited to, potential installations on alternative less intrusive sites, a shorter
tower or facility, the incorporation of a more stealthy design, etc.
A finding of Effective Prohibition, or lack thereof, shall be based upon an applicant’s submission
of sufficient probative, relevant, and sufficiently reliable evidence and the appropriate weight the
Town Council deems appropriate to afford.
ELEVENTH HOUR SUBMISSIONS
An applicant’s submission of new and/or additional materials in support of an application less than
five (5) business days before the expiration of an applicable shot clock or at an otherwise
unreasonably short period of time before the expiration of the shot clock, making it impracticable
for the Town Council to adequately review and consider such submissions due to their complexity,
volume, or other factors, before the expiration of the shot clock.
ENURE
To operate or take effect. To serve to a person or party's use, benefit, or advantage.
EPA
The United States Environmental Protection Agency.
FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration or its duly designated and authorized successor agency.
FACILITY
A set of wireless transmitting and/or receiving equipment, including any associated electronics
and electronics shelter or cabinet and generator.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission.
GENERAL POPULATION/UNCONTROLLED EXPOSURE LIMITS
The applicable radiofrequency radiation exposure limits set forth within 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1),
Table 1 Section (ii), made applicable pursuant to 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(3).
HEIGHT
When referring to a tower, personal wireless service facility, or personal wireless service facility
structure, the height shall mean the distance measured from the pre-existing grade level to the
highest point on the tower, facility, or structure, including, but not limited to, any accessory, fitting,
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fitment, extension, addition, add-on, antenna, whip antenna, lightning rod or other types of
lightning-protection devices attached to the top of the structure.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
Any structure that is either on the National Register of Historic Places or is eligible for inclusion
in the national register, irrespective of whether or not an application for inclusion onto the national
register has been filed or not filed.
ILLEGALLY EXCESSIVE RF RADIATION or ILLEGALLY EXCESSIVE RADIATION
RF radiation emissions at levels that exceed the legally permissible limits set forth within 47 CFR
§1.1310(e)(1), Table 1 Sections (i) and (ii), as made applicable pursuant to 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(3).
IN-KIND REPLACEMENT
The replacement of a malfunctioning component(s) with a properly functioning component of
substantially the same weight, dimensions, and outward appearance.
MACROCELL
A cellular base station that typically sends and receives radio signals from large towers and
antennas. These include traditionally recognized cell towers, typically ranging from 50 to 199 feet
in height.
MAINTENANCE or ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Plumbing, electrical or mechanical work that may require a building permit but that does not
constitute a modification to the personal wireless service facility. It is work necessary to assure
that a wireless facility and/or telecommunications structure exists and operates reliably and in a
safe manner, presents no threat to persons or property, and remains compliant with the provisions
of this chapter and FCC requirements.
NECESSARY or NECESSITY or NEED
What is technologically required for the equipment to function as designed by the manufacturer
and anything less will result in prohibiting the provision of service as intended and described in
the narrative of the application. “Necessary” or “need” does not mean what may be desired,
preferred, or the most cost-efficient approach and is not related to an applicant’s specific chosen
design standards or unspecified “coverage objectives.” Any situation involving a choice between
or among alternatives or options is not a need or a necessity.
NEPA
The National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. §4321, et seq.
NHPA
The National Historic Preservation Act, 54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq, and 36 CFR Part 800, et seq.
NODE, DAS NODE
A fixed antenna and related equipment installation that operates as part of a system of spatially
separated antennas, all of which are connected through a medium through which they work
8
collectively to provide personal wireless services, as opposed to other types of personal wireless
facilities, such as macrocells, which operate independently.
NOTICE ADDRESS
An address, which is required to be provided by an applicant at the time it submits an application
for a special use permit, at which the Town, Town Council, and/or Community Development
Director or Engineer can mail notice, and the mailing of any notice to such address by first-class
mail shall constitute sufficient notice to any and all applicants, co-applicants, and/or their
attorneys, to satisfy any notice requirements under this Chapter, as well as any notice requirements
of any other local, state and/or federal law.
NOTICE OF INCOMPLETENESS, NOTICE OF INCOMPLETE APPLICATION
A written notice, mailed by first class mail, to an applicant seeking approval for the installation of
a PWSF, wherein the sender advises the applicant that its application is either incomplete, the
wrong type of application, or is otherwise defective, and setting for the reason or reasons why the
application is incomplete and/or defective.
NOTICE OF EFFECTIVE PROHIBITION CONDITIONS
A written notice, which is required to be provided to the Town at the time of the filing of any
application by all applicants seeking any approval, of any type, for the siting, installation, and/or
construction of a PWSF, wherein the respective applicant asserts, claims or intends to assert or
claim, that a denial of their respective application, by any agent, employee, board or body of the
Town, would constitute an “effective prohibition” within the meaning of the TCA, and
concomitantly, that a denial of their respective application or request would violate Section 47
U.S.C. §332(c)(7)(B)(i)(II) of the TCA.
OCCUPATIONAL/CONTROLLED EXPOSURE LIMITS
The applicable radiofrequency radiation exposure limits set forth within 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1),
Table 1 Section (i), made applicable pursuant to 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(2).
PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE/PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICES
Commercial mobile services, unlicensed wireless services, and common carrier wireless exchange
access services, within the meaning of 47 U.S.C. §332(c)(7)(c)(i), and as defined therein.
PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITY, PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICES
FACILITY or PWSF
A facility or facilities used for the provision of personal wireless services, within the meaning of
47 U.S.C. §332(c)(7)(c)(ii). It means a specific location at which a structure that is designed or
intended to be used to house or accommodate antennas or other transmitting or receiving
equipment is located. This includes, without limitation, towers of all types and all kinds of support
structures, including but not limited to buildings, church steeples, silos, water towers, signs, utility
poles, or any other structure that is used or is proposed to be used as a telecommunications structure
for the placement, installation and/or attachment of antennas or the functional equivalent of such.
It expressly includes all related facilities and equipment such as cabling, radios and other electronic
equipment, equipment shelters and enclosures, cabinets, and other structures enabling the complex
to provide personal wireless services.
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PROBATIVE EVIDENCE
Evidence which tends to prove facts, and the more a piece of evidence or testimony proves a fact,
the greater its probative value, as shall be determined by the Town Council, as the finder-of-fact
in determining whether to grant or deny applications for special permits under this provision of
the Town Code.
REPAIRS
The replacement or repair of any components of a wireless facility or complex where the
replacement is substantially identical to the component or components being replaced, or for any
matters that involve the normal repair and maintenance of a wireless facility or complex without
the addition, removal, or change of any of the physical or visually discernible components or
aspects of a wireless facility or complex that will impose new visible intrusions of the facility or
complex as originally permitted.
RF
Radiofrequency.
RF RADIATION
Radiofrequency radiation. That being electromagnetic radiation, which is a combination of electric
and magnetic fields that move through space as waves, and can include both Non-Ionizing
radiation and Ionizing radiation.
SECTION 106 REVIEW
A review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
SETBACK
For purposes of special use permit applications, a setback shall mean the distance between (a) any
portion of a personal wireless facility and/or complex, including but not limited to any and all
accessory facilities and/or structures, and (b) the exterior line of any parcel of real property or part
thereof which is owned by, or leased by, an applicant seeking a special use permit to construct or
install a personal wireless facility upon such real property or portion thereof. In the event that an
applicant leases only a portion of real property owned by a landlord, the setback shall be measured
from the facility to the line of that portion of the real property that is actually leased by the
applicant, as opposed to the exterior lot line of the non-leased portion of the property owned by
the landlord.
SHOT CLOCK
The applicable period, which is presumed to be a reasonable period within which the Town is
generally required to issue a final decision upon an application seeking special use permit approval
for the installation or substantial modification of a personal wireless services facility or structure
to comply with Section 47 U.S.C. §332(c)(7)(B)(ii) of the TCA.
SHPO
The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office
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SITE DEVELOPER or SITE DEVELOPERS
Individuals and/or entities engaged in the business of constructing wireless facilities and wireless
facility infrastructure and leasing space and/or capacity upon, or use of, their facilities and/or
infrastructure to wireless carriers. Unlike wireless carriers, site developers generally do not
provide personal wireless services to end-use consumers.
SMALL CELL
A fixed cellular base station that sends and receives radio signals and is typically mounted upon
poles or support structures at substantially lower elevations than macrocell facilities.
SMALL WIRELESS FACILITY
A personal wireless service facility that meets all of the following criteria
(a) The facility does not extend the height of an existing structure to a total
cumulative height of more than fifty (50) feet from ground level to the top of the
structure, and any equipment affixed thereto;
(b) Each antenna associated with the deployment is no more than three (3) cubic feet
in volume;
(c) All wireless equipment associated with the facility, including any pre-existing
equipment and any proposed new equipment, cumulatively total no more than
twenty-eight (28) cubic feet in volume;
(d) The facility is not located on tribal land; and
(e) The facility will not result in human exposure to radiofrequency radiation in
excess of the applicable FCC safety standards set forth within Table 1 of
47 CFR §1.1310(E)(1).
SPECIAL USE PERMIT
The official document or permit granted by the Town Council pursuant to which an applicant is
allowed to file for and obtain a building permit to construct and use a personal wireless services
facility, personal wireless service equipment, and/or any associated structures and/or equipment
which are used to house, or be a part of, any such facility or complex, or to be used to provide
personal wireless services.
STATE
The State of Arizona.
STEALTH or STEALTH TECHNOLOGY
A design or treatment that minimizes adverse aesthetic and visual impacts on the land, property,
buildings, and other facilities adjacent to, surrounding, and generally in the same area as the
requested location of such personal wireless service facilities. This shall mean building the least
visually and physically intrusive facility and complex under the facts and circumstances.
STRUCTURE
A pole, tower, base station, or other building, physical support of any form used for, or to be used
for, the provision of personal wireless service.
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SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
Substantial Evidence means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate
to support a conclusion. It means less than a preponderance but more than a scintilla of evidence.
TCA
The Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C. §332(c)
TOLLING or TOLLED
The pausing of the running of the time period permitted under the applicable shot clock for the
respective type of application for a personal wireless services facility. Where a shot clock is tolled
because an application has been deemed incomplete and timely notice of incompleteness was
mailed to the applicant, the submission of additional materials by the applicant to complete the
application will end the tolling, thus causing the shot clock period to resume running, as opposed
to causing the shot clock to begin running anew.
TOWER, TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER
Any structure designed primarily to support one or more antennas and/or equipment used or
designed for receiving and/or transmitting a wireless signal.
TOWN
The Town of Fountain Hills.
TOWN CODE
The Zoning Code of the Town of Fountain Hills.
UNDERTAKING
Any application for a special use permit seeking Council approval for the installation of a personal
wireless services facility licensed under the authority of the FCC shall constitute an undertaking
within the meaning of NEPA, in accord with 42 CFR §137.289 and 36 CFR §800.16.
WIRELESS CARRIERS or CARRIER
Companies that provide Personal Wireless Services to end-use consumers.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Fountain Hills, as codified in Chapter 1, §1.01 of the Town
Code.
§17-3 Application Types
There shall be four (4) specific types of applications for special use permits under this section,
which shall include Type I, Type II, Type III, and Type IV applications. It shall be the obligation
of any applicant to explicitly and correctly identify which type of application they are filing.
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1. Type I Applications Colocations of Small Wireless Facilities
Type I applications shall be limited to applications wherein an applicant seeks to co-locate a new
small wireless facility, as defined in this Chapter, by installing new personal wireless service
equipment upon an already existing small personal wireless services facility structure.
If the completed facility would still meet the physical limits and requirements to meet the definition
of a small wireless facility after the installation of the new equipment, then the application to install
such new equipment is a Type I application.
Type I applications for co-location of a small wireless facility in a public right of way as set forth
in A.R.S. §9-592(J) and A.R.S. §9-593(C) shall be a permitted use with a building permit.
Type I applications for co-location of a small wireless facility in all other areas or zones shall
require an applicant to obtain a special use permit from the Town Council.
2. Type II Applications Co-locations that do not meet the definition of
a Small Wireless Facility.
Type II applications shall be limited to applications wherein an applicant is seeking to co-locate
new personal wireless service equipment by installing such new wireless equipment upon an
already existing personal wireless services facility structure, tower, or complex which does not
meet the definition of a small wireless facility or which will not meet the definition of a small
wireless facility if and when the proposed new personal wireless service equipment is installed
upon the existing facility and/or structure. Type II applications for co-location of personal wireless
service facility equipment shall either be a permitted use with a building permit or a special use
permit, as set forth below.
The co-location of personal wireless service facility equipment on an approved PWSF tower or
PWSF structure on property within C-O Commercial Office Zoning District; C-C Common-
Commercial Zoning District; C-1 Neighborhood Commercial Professional District; C-2
Intermediate Commercial Zoning District; C-3 General Commercial Zoning District; IND-1
Planned Industrial Zoning District; IND-2 Light Industrial Zoning District; and UT Utility Zoning
District is a permitted use subject to the issuance of a building permit, provided that the Town
Engineer determines that the proposed co-location will not:
(a) Increase the approved height of the supporting structure by more than 15%;
(b) Cause the original approved number of antennas to be exceeded by more than
50%;
(c) Increase the original approved square footage of accessory buildings by more than
200 square feet;
(d) Add new or additional microwave antenna dishes;
(e) expand the footprint of said support structure; or
(f) potentially cause significant adverse impacts on the existing support structure or
the surrounding area.
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If the Town Engineer cannot make the findings above, special use permit and site plan
approvals will be required in accord with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, and the
Town Engineer shall refer the application to the Town Council, where it will be subject to
the terms and conditions specified in the requirements and standards in this Chapter as part of the
special use permit and site plan review process.
The co-location of personal wireless service facility equipment on an approved PWSF tower or
PWSF structure on property within all other zoning districts shall require a special permit and site
plan approvals as provided in this Chapter.
3. Type III Applications New Small Wireless Facilities
Type III applications shall be limited to applications seeking to install and/or construct a new small
wireless facility, as defined in Section §17-2 hereinabove, which is not collocated in a public right
of way.
Type III applications shall require applicants to obtain a special use permit and site plan
approvals from the Town Council in all zoning districts.
4. Type IV Applications New Towers and All Other Wireless Facilities
Type IV applications shall include applications for the installation of a new telecommunications
tower, personal wireless service facility, complex, structure, or equipment that does not meet the
criteria for Type I, Type II, or Type III applications.
Type IV applications shall require applicants to obtain a special use permit and site plan approvals
from the Town Council in all zoning districts.
§17-4 Shot Clock Periods
To comply with the requirements of Section 47 U.S.C. §332(c)(7)(B)(ii) of the TCA, the
following shot clock periods set forth herein below shall be presumed to be reasonable periods
within which the Town Council shall render determinations upon special use permit
applications for personal wireless service facilities.
The Town Council shall render determinations upon such applications within the periods set
forth hereinbelow, unless the applicable shot clock period listed below is tolled, extended by
agreement or the processing of the application is delayed due to circumstances beyond the
Council and/or Town’s controls, as addressed within subsections §17-15, §17-16, §17-17 and
§17-18 herein below.
1. Type I Applications Colocations of Small Wireless Facilities
Sixty (60) Days
Unless extended by agreement, tolled, or subject to reasonable delays, the Town Council shall
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issue a written decision upon a Type I application within sixty (60) days from the date when the
Town receives a Type I application.
Upon receipt of a Type I application, the Town Engineer shall review the application for
completeness. If the Town Engineer determines the application is: (a) incomplete, (b) missing
required application materials, (c) is the wrong type of application, or (d) is otherwise defective,
then, within ten (10) days of the Town’s receipt of the application, the Town Engineer, or their
designee, shall mail the applicant a Notice of Incompleteness by first class mail, to the Notice
Address provided by the applicant.
Within such Notice of Incompleteness, the Town Engineer shall advise the applicant, with
reasonable clarity, of the defects within its application, including a description of such matters as
what items are missing from the application and/or why the application is incomplete and/or
defective.
The mailing of a Notice of Incomplete Application by the Town Engineer shall toll the sixty (60)
day shot clock, which shall not thereafter resume running unless and until the applicant tenders an
additional submission to the Town Engineer to remedy the issues the Town Engineer identified in
the Notice of Incomplete Application, which they had mailed to the applicant. The submission of
any responsive materials by the applicant shall automatically cause the shot clock period to resume
running.
If upon receipt of any additional materials from the applicant, the Town Engineer determines that
the application is still incomplete and/or defective, then the Town Engineer shall, once again, mail
a Notice of Incompleteness within ten (10) days of the applicant having filed its supplemental or
corrected materials to the Town and the shot clock shall once again be tolled, and the same
procedure provided for hereinabove shall be repeated.
2. Type II Applications Colocations on existing Towers, Structures, or other
Facilities which do not meet the definition of a Small
Wireless Facility. Ninety (90) Days
Unless extended by agreement, tolled, or subject to reasonable delays, the Town Council shall
issue a written decision upon a Type II application within ninety (90) days from the date when
the Town receives a Type II application.
Upon receipt of a Type II application, the Town Engineer shall review the application for
completeness. If the Town Engineer determines the application is: (a) incomplete, (b)
missing required application materials, (c) is the wrong type of application, or (d) is otherwise
defective, then, within thirty (30) days of the Town’s receipt of the application, the Town
Engineer, or their designee, shall mail the applicant a Notice of Incompleteness by first class
mail to the Notice Address provided by the applicant.
Within such Notice of Incompleteness, the Town Engineer shall advise the applicant, with
reasonable clarity of the defects within its application, including a description of such matters as
what items are missing from the application and/or why the application is incomplete and/or
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defective.
The mailing of a Notice of Incomplete Application by the Town Engineer shall toll the ninety
(90) day shot clock, which shall not thereafter resume running unless and until the applicant
tenders an additional submission to the Town Engineer to remedy the issues the
Town Engineer identified in the Notice of Incomplete Application, which they had mailed to the
applicant.
The submission of any responsive materials by the applicant shall automatically cause the shot
clock period to resume running.
If upon receipt of any additional materials from the applicant, the Town Engineer determines
that the application is still incomplete and/or defective, then the Town Engineer shall, once
again, mail a Notice of Incompleteness within ten (10) days of the applicant having filed its
supplemental or corrected materials to the Town. The shot clock shall be tolled again, and the
same procedure provided hereinabove shall be repeated.
3. Type III Applications New Small Wireless Facilities
Sixty (60) Days
Unless extended by agreement, tolled, or subject to reasonable delays, the Town Council shall
issue a written decision upon a Type III application within sixty (60) days from the date when
the Town receives a Type III application.
Upon receipt of a Type III application, the Town Engineer shall review the application
for completeness. If the Town Engineer determines the application is: (a) incomplete, (b)
missing required application materials, (c) is the wrong type of application, or (d) is otherwise
defective, then, within ten (10) days of the Town’s receipt of the application, the Town
Engineer, or their designee, shall mail the applicant a Notice of Incompleteness by first class
mail to the Notice Address that the applicant has provided.
Within such Notice of Incompleteness, the Town Engineer shall advise the applicant, with
reasonable clarity, the defects within its application, including a description of such matters as
what items are missing from the application, and/or why the application is incomplete and/or
defective.
The mailing of a Notice of Incomplete Application by the Town Engineer shall toll the sixty
(60) day shot clock, which shall not thereafter run unless and until the applicant
tenders an additional submission to the Town Engineer to remedy the issues the
Town Engineer identified in the Notice of Incomplete Application, which they had mailed to the
applicant.
The submission of any responsive materials by the applicant shall automatically cause the shot
clock period to start running anew, consistent the 47 CFR §1.6003(d).
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If upon receipt of any additional materials from the applicant, the Town Engineer
determines that the application is still incomplete and/or defective, then the Town Engineer
shall, once again, mail a Notice of Incompleteness within ten (10) days of the
applicant having filed its supplemental or corrected materials to the Town and the shot clock
shall once again be tolled, and the same procedure provided for hereinabove shall be repeated.
4. Type IV Applications New Towers and All Other Wireless Facilities
One Hundred Fifty (150) Days
Unless extended by agreement, tolled, or subject to reasonable delays, the Town Council shall
issue a written decision upon a Type IV application within one hundred fifty (150) days from the
date when the Town receives a Type IV application.
Upon receipt of a Type IV application, the Town Engineer shall review the application for
completeness. If the Town Engineer determines the application is: (a) incomplete, (b)
missing required application materials, (c) is the wrong type of application, or (d) is otherwise
defective, then, within thirty (30) days of the Town’s receipt of the application, the Town
Engineer, or their designee, shall mail the applicant a Notice of Incompleteness by first class
mail to the Notice Address provided by the applicant.
Within such Notice of Incompleteness, the Town Engineer shall advise the applicant, with
reasonable clarity, the defects within its application, including a description of such matters as
what items are missing from the application, and/or why the application is incomplete and/or
defective.
The mailing of a Notice of Incomplete Application by the Town Engineer shall toll the one
hundred fifty (150) day shot clock, which shall not thereafter resume running unless and until the
applicant tenders an additional submission to the Town Engineer to remedy the issues the
Town Engineer identified in the Notice of Incomplete Application, which they had mailed to the
applicant.
The submission of any responsive materials by the applicant shall automatically cause the shot
clock period to resume running.
If, upon receipt of any additional materials from the applicant, the Town Engineer determines
that the application is still incomplete and/or defective, then the Town Engineer shall, once
again, mail a Notice of Incompleteness within ten (10) days of the applicant having filed its
supplemental or corrected materials to the town, and the shot clock shall once again be tolled,
and the same procedure provided hereinabove shall be repeated.
§17-5 Shot Clock Tolls, Extensions & Reasonable Delay Periods
Consistent with the letter and intent of Section 47 U.S.C. §332(c)(7)(B)(ii) of the TCA, each of
the shot clock periods set forth within Section §17-4 hereinabove shall generally be
presumed to be sufficient periods within which the Town Council shall render decisions upon
special permit applications.
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Notwithstanding same, the applicable shot clock periods may be tolled, extended by mutual
agreement between any applicant and/or its representative and the Town Council, and the
Town Council shall not be required to render its determination within the shot clock period
presumed to be reasonable for each type of application, where the processing of such application
is reasonably delayed, as described hereinbelow.
1. Tolling of the Applicable Shot Clock Due
to Incompleteness and/or Applicant Error
As provided for within Section §17-4 hereinabove, in the event that the Town Engineer deems an
application incomplete, the Town Engineer shall send a Notice of Incompleteness to the
applicant to notify the applicant that its application is incomplete and/or contains material errors,
and shall reasonably identify the missing information and/or documents and/or the error(s) in the
application.
If the Town Engineer mails a Notice of Incompleteness as described hereinabove, the applicable
shot clock shall automatically be tolled, meaning that the applicable shot clock period within
which the Town Council is required to render a final decision upon the application shall
immediately cease running, and shall not resume running, unless and until the Town receives a
responsive submission from the applicant.
If and when the applicant thereafter submits additional information in an effort to complete its
application, or cure any identified defect(s), then the shot clock shall automatically resume
running, but shall not be deemed to start running anew.
The applicable shot clock period shall, once again, be tolled if the Town Engineer thereafter
provides a second notice that the application is still incomplete or defective, despite any
additional submissions which have been received by the Town, from the applicant, up to that
point.
2. Shot Clock Extension by Mutual Agreement
The Town Council, in its sole discretion, shall be free to extend any applicable shot clock
period by mutual agreement with any respective applicant. This discretion on the part of the
Council shall include the Council’s authority to request, at any time, and for any period of time
the Council may deem reasonable or appropriate under the circumstances, consent from a
respective applicant to extend the applicable shot clock period to enable the Council, the
applicant, or any relevant third party, to complete any type of Undertaking or task related to the
review, analysis, processing, and determination of the particular application, which is then
pending before the Council, to the extent that any such Undertaking, task, or review is consistent
with, or reasonably related to, compliance with any federal, state, or local law and/or the
requirements of any provision of the Town Code, including but not limited to this Chapter.
In response to any request by the Council, the applicant, by its principal, agent, attorney, site
acquisition agent, or other authorized representative, can consent to any extension of any
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applicable shot clock by affirmatively indicating its consent either in writing or by affirmatively
indicating its consent on the record at any public hearing or public meeting. The Town Council
shall be permitted to reasonably rely upon a representative of the applicant indicating that they
are authorized to grant such consent on behalf of the respective applicant, on whose behalf they
have been addressing the Council within the hearing process.
3. Reasonable Delay Extensions of Shot Clock Periods
The Town recognizes that there may be situations wherein, due to circumstances beyond the
control of the Town and/or the Town Council, the review and issuance of a final decision upon
a special permit application for a personal wireless facility cannot reasonably be completed
within the application shot clock periods delineated within Section §17-4 hereinabove.
If, despite the exercise of due diligence by the Town and the Town Council, the determination
regarding a specific application cannot reasonably be completed within the applicable shot clock
period, the Council shall be permitted to continue and complete its review and issue its
determination at a date beyond the expiration of the applicable period, if the delay of such final
decision is due to circumstances including, but not limited to, those enumerated hereinbelow, each
of which shall serve as a reasonable basis for a reasonable delay of the applicable shot clock period.
Reasonable delays that may constitute proper grounds for extending the presumed sufficient
periods for rendering determinations under the applicable shot clock periods may include but are
not necessarily limited to, those set forth within Sections §17-15, §17-16, §17-17, and §17-18
herein below.
§17-6 Application Requirements
Applications for special use permits under this section shall be made to the Town Engineer, who
shall initially determine whether or not the application is complete and/or free of defects upon
receipt of the same.
If the Town Engineer determines that the application is defective or incomplete, they shall
promptly mail a Notice of Incompleteness to the applicant, in accord with §17-4 to toll the
applicable shot clock, to ensure that the Town and the Town Council are afforded sufficient time
to review and determine each respective application.
Each application shall include the following materials, the absence of any one of which listed
hereinbelow shall render the respective application incomplete:
1. Special Use Permit and Site Plan Applications
Completed applications for a special use permit and site plan that shall identify all
applicants, co-applicants, site developer(s), and wireless carrier(s) on whose behalf the
application is being submitted, as well as the property owner of the proposed site.
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2. Filing Fees
The appropriate filing fees then being charged by the Town for applications for special
use permit applications, site plan applications, and other related applications.
3. A “Notice Address”
A “Notice Address,” that being a specific address to which the Town, Town Council,
and/or Town Engineer may mail any type of notice, and that the mailing of same to such
address shall constitute sufficient notice to any applicant, co-applicant, and/or their
attorney, to comply with any requirement under this section as well as any local, state
and/or federal law
4. Proof of Authorization for Site Occupancy
Where an applicant is not the owner of the real property upon which it seeks to install its
equipment or facility, it shall submit proof of authorization to occupy the site at issue.
If the applicant is leasing all or a portion of real property upon which it intends to install
its new facility or equipment, then the applicant shall provide a written copy of its lease
with the owner of such property. The applicant may redact any financial terms contained
within the lease, but it shall not redact any portion of the lease which details the amount
of area leased nor the specific portion of the real property to which the applicant has
obtained the right to occupy, access, or preclude others from entering.
Where an applicant seeks to Co-Locate new equipment into an existing facility, it shall
provide a copy of its written co-location agreement with the owner of such pre-existing
facility, from which it may redact any financial terms.
5. A Drawn-To-Scale Depiction
The applicant shall submit drawn-to-scale depictions of its proposed wireless support
structure and all associated equipment to be mounted thereon or to be installed as part of
such facility, which shall clearly and concisely depict all equipment and the
measurements of same to enable the Town Engineer to ascertain whether the proposed
facility would qualify as a small wireless facility as defined under this Chapter.
If the applicant claims that its proposed installation qualifies as a small wireless facility
within this Chapter, the drawn-to-scale depiction shall include complete calculations for
all of the antennas and equipment of which the facility will be comprised, depicting that,
when completed, the installation and equipment will meet the physical size limitations
which enable the facility to qualify as a small wireless facility.
6. Site plan
The applicant shall submit a site plan and site plan application in accordance with §2.04
of the Zoning Ordinance. The site plan shall show all existing and proposed structures
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and improvements, including antennas, roads, buildings, guy wires and anchors, parking,
and landscaping. It shall include grading plans for new facilities and roads. Any methods
used to conceal the modification of the existing facility shall be indicated on the site plan.
7. Engineer’s Report
To the extent that an application proposes the co-location of new equipment onto an
existing tower or facility, the applicant shall provide an engineer's report certifying that
the proposed shared use will not diminish the structural integrity and safety of the
existing structure and explaining what modifications, if any, will be required in order to
certify to the above.
8. Environmental Assessment Form
A completed environmental assessment form (EAF) and a completed visual EAF
addendum if required by ADEQ.
9. Visual Impact Analysis
A completed visual impact analysis, which, at a minimum, shall include the following:
(a) Small Wireless Facilities
For applications seeking approval for the installation of a small wireless facility, the
applicant shall provide a visual impact analysis which shall include photographic images
taken from the perspectives of the properties situated in closest proximity to the location
being proposed for the siting of the facility, as well as those properties which would
reasonably be expected to sustain the most significant adverse aesthetic impacts due to
such factors as their close proximity to the site, their elevation relative to the site, the
existence or absence of a “clear line of sight” between the tower location and their
location.
(b) Telecommunications Towers and Personal Wireless Service Facilities which do
not meet the definition of a Small Wireless Facility
For applications seeking approval for the installation of a telecommunications tower or a
personal wireless service facility that does not meet the definition of a small wireless
facility, the applicant shall provide:
(i) A “Zone of Visibility Map” to determine locations from where the new
facility will be seen.
(ii) A visual impact analysis which shall include photographic images taken
from the perspectives of the properties situated in closest proximity to the
location being proposed for the siting of the facility, as well as those
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properties which would reasonably be expected to sustain the most
significant adverse aesthetic impacts due to such factors as their close
proximity to the site, their elevation relative to the site, the existence or
absence of a “clear line of sight” between the tower location and their
location.
The photographic images shall depict the height at which the proposed
facility shall stand when completed, including all portions and proposed
attachments to the facility, including, but not limited to, the main support
structure, all antennas, transmitters, whip antennas, lightning rods, t-bars,
crossbars, and cantilever attachments which shall, in whole or in part, be
affixed to it, any and all surrounding equipment compound(s), fencing,
cellular equipment cabinets, transformers, transformer vaults and/or
cabinets, sector distribution boxes, ice bridges, backup generators, switch
boxes etc., to the extent that any of such compound and/or equipment will
be visible from properties other than the property upon which the
proposed tower and compound are to be installed.
The visual impact analysis shall include an assessment of alternative designs and
color schemes, as well as an assessment of the visual impact of the proposed
facility, taking into consideration any supporting structure which is to be
constructed, as well as its base, guy wires, accessory structures, buildings, and
overhead utility lines from abutting properties and streets.
10. Alternative Site Analysis
A completed alternative site analysis of all potential less intrusive alternative sites which
the applicant has considered, setting forth their respective locations, elevations, and
suitability or unsuitability for remedying whatever specific wireless coverage needs the
respective applicant or a specific Wireless Carrier is seeking to remedy by the installation
of the new facility which is the subject of the respective application for a special use
permit.
If, and to the extent that an applicant claims that a particular alternative site is
unavailable, in that the owner of an alternative site is unwilling or unable to
accommodate a wireless facility upon such potential alternative site, the applicant shall
provide probative evidence of such unavailability, whether in the form of
communications or such other form of evidence that reasonably establishes same.
The alternative site analysis shall contain:
(a) an inventory of all existing tall structures and existing or approved
communications towers within a two-mile radius of the proposed site.
(b) a map showing the exact location of each site inventoried, including latitude and
longitude (degrees, minutes, seconds), ground elevation above sea level, the
height of the structure and/or tower, and accessory buildings on the site of the
inventoried location.
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(c) an outline of opportunities for shared use of an existing wireless facility as
opposed to the installation of an entirely new facility.
(d) a demonstration of good-faith efforts to secure shared use from the owner of each
potential existing tall structure and existing or approved communications tower,
as well as documentation of the physical, technical, and/or financial reasons why
shared usage is impractical in each case.
11. FCC Compliance Report
An FCC compliance report, prepared by a licensed engineer, and certified under penalties
of perjury, that the content thereof is true and accurate, wherein the licensed engineer
shall certify that the proposed facility will be FCC compliant as of the time of its
installation, meaning that the facility will not expose members of the general public to
radiation levels that exceed the permissible radiation limits which the FCC has set.
If it is anticipated that more than one carrier and/or user is to install transmitters into the
facility, the FCC compliance report shall take into account anticipated exposure from all
users on the facility and shall indicate whether or not the combined exposure levels will
or will not exceed the permissible General Population Exposure Limits, or alternatively,
the occupational Exposure Limits, where applicable.
Such FCC Compliance Report shall provide the calculation or calculations with which
the engineer determined the levels of RF radiation and/or emissions to which the facility
will expose members of the general public.
On the cover page of the report, the report shall explicitly specify: (a) Whether the
applicant and their engineer are claiming that the applicable FCC limits based upon
which they are claiming FCC compliance are the General Population Exposure Limits or
the Occupational Exposure Limits. If the applicant and/or their engineer are asserting that
the Occupational Exposure Limits apply to the proposed installation, they shall detail a
factual basis as to why they claim that the higher set of limits is applicable, (b) The exact
minimum distance factor, measured in feet, which the applicant’s engineer used to
calculate the level of radiation emissions to which the proposed facility will expose
members of the general public. The minimum distance factor is the closest distance (i.e.,
the minimum distance) to which a member of the general public shall be able to gain
access to the transmitting antennas mounted upon, or which shall be a part of, the
proposed facility.
12. FCC License
A copy of any applicable Federal Communications Commission license possessed by any
carrier named as an applicant, co-applicant, or whose equipment is proposed for
installation as of the time the application is being filed with the Town.
13. Effective Prohibition Claims
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The Town is aware that applicants seeking approvals for the installation of new wireless
Facilities often assert that federal law, and more specifically the TCA, prohibits the local
government from denying their respective applications.
In doing so, they assert that their desired facility is “necessary” to remedy one or more
significant gaps in a carrier’s personal wireless service, and they proffer computer-
generated propagation maps to establish the existence of such purported gaps.
The Town is additionally aware that, in August 2020, driven by a concern that
propagation maps created and submitted to the FCC by wireless carriers were inaccurate,
the FCC caused its staff to perform actual drive tests, wherein the FCC staff performed
24,649 tests, driving nearly ten thousand (10,000) miles through nine (9) states, with an
additional 5,916 stationary tests conducted at 42 locations situated in nine (9) states.
At the conclusion of such testing, the FCC Staff determined that the accuracy of the
propagation maps submitted to the FCC by the wireless carriers had ranged from as little
as 16.2% accuracy to a maximum of 64.3% accuracy.
As a result, the FCC Staff recommended that the FCC no longer accept propagation maps
from wireless carriers without supporting drive test data to establish their accuracy. A
copy of the FCC Staff’s 66-page report is made a part of this Chapter as Appendix 1.
The Town considers it of critical import that applicants provide truthful, accurate,
complete, and sufficiently reliable data to enable the Town Council to render
determinations upon applications for new wireless facilities consistent with this Chapter's
requirements and the TCA's statutory requirements.
Consistent with same, if, at the time of filing an application under this Chapter, an
applicant intends to assert before the Town Council or the Town that: (a) an identified
wireless carrier suffers from a significant gap in its personal wireless services within the
Town, (b) that the applicant’s proposed installation is the least intrusive means of
remedying such gap in services, and/or (c) that under the circumstances pertaining to the
application, a denial of the application by the Town Council would constitute an
“effective prohibition” under Section 47 U.S.C. §332 the TCA, then, at the time of filing
such application, the applicant shall be required to file a written statement which shall be
entitled:
“Notice of Effective Prohibition Conditions”
If an applicant files a Notice of Effective Prohibition Conditions, then the applicant shall
be required to submit Probative Evidence to enable the Town Council to reasonably
determine: (a) whether or not the conditions alleged by the respective applicant exist, (b)
whether there exists a significant gap or gaps in an identified wireless carrier’s personal
wireless services within the Town, (c) the geographic locations of any such gaps, and (d)
the geographic boundaries of such gaps, to enable the Town Council to determine
whether granting the respective application would be consistent with the requirements of
this Chapter and the legislative intent behind same, and whether or not Federal law would
require the Town Council to grant the respective application, even if it would otherwise
violate the Town Code, including, but not limited to, this Chapter.
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The additional materials which the applicant shall then be required to provide shall
include the following:
(a) Drive Test Data and Maps
If, and to the extent that an applicant claims that a specific wireless carrier suffers from a
significant gap in its personal wireless services within the Town, the applicant shall
conduct or cause to be conducted a drive test within the specific geographic areas within
which the applicant is claiming such gap or gaps exist, for each frequency at which the
carrier provides personal wireless services. The applicant shall provide the Town and the
Town Council with the actual drive test data recorded during such drive test, in a simple
format which shall include, in table format:
(i) the date and time for the test or tests,
(ii) the location, in longitude and latitude, of each point at which signal
strength was recorded and
(iii) each signal strength recorded, measured in DBM, for each frequency.
Such data is to be provided in a separate table for each frequency at which the respective
carrier provides personal wireless services to any of its end-use customers.
(iv) The applicant shall also submit drive test maps depicting the actual
signal strengths recorded during the actual drive test for each frequency at
which the carrier provides personal wireless services to its end-use
customers.
If an applicant claims that it needs a “minimum” signal strength (measured
in DBM) to remedy its gap or gaps in service, then for each frequency, the
applicant shall provide three (3) signal strength coverage maps reflecting
actual signal strengths in three (3) DBM bins, the first being at the alleged
minimum signal strength, and two (2) additional three (3) DBM bin maps
depicting signal strengths immediately below the alleged minimum signal
strength claimed to be required.
By way of example, if the applicant claims that it needs a minimum signal
strength of – 95 DBM to remedy its alleged gap in service, then the
applicant shall provide maps depicting the geographic area where the gap
is alleged to exist, showing the carrier’s coverage at – 95 to -98 DBM, -99
to -101 DBM, and -102 to -104 DBM, for each frequency at which the
carrier provides personal wireless services to its end-use customers.
(b) Denial of Service and/or Dropped Call Records
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If and to the extent that an applicant claims that a specific wireless carrier suffers from a
capacity deficiency or a gap in service that renders the carrier incapable of providing
adequate coverage of its personal wireless services within the Town, then the applicant
shall provide dropped call records and denial of service records evidencing the number
and percentage of calls within which the carrier’s customers were unable to initiate,
maintain and conclude the use of the carrier’s personal wireless services without actual
loss of service, or interruption of service.
14. Estimate for Cost of Removal of Facility
A written estimate for the cost of the decommissioning, and removal of the facility,
including all equipment that comprises any portion or part of the facility, compound, and/or
complex, as well as any accessory facility or structure, including the cost of the full
restoration and reclamation of the site, to the extent practicable, to its condition before
development in accord with the decommissioning and reclamation plan required herein
15. Property Owner Consent & Liability Acknowledgement
A signed written consent from each owner of the subject real property upon which the
respective applicant is seeking installation of its proposed personal wireless service
facility, wherein the owner or owners both authorize the applicant to file and pursue its
special use permit application and acknowledge the potential landowner’s responsibility,
under section §17-11 for engineering, legal and other consulting fees incurred by the
Town.
§17-7 Design Standards
The following design standards shall apply to all applications for the siting, construction,
maintenance, use, erection, movement, reconstruction, expansion, material change, or
structural alteration of a personal wireless service facility.
1. Small Wireless Facilities
Small Wireless Facilities (SWF) shall be sited to inflict the minimum adverse impacts
upon individual residential properties and, specifically, to minimize, to the greatest extent
reasonably feasible, adverse aesthetic impacts upon residential homes or reductions in
the property values of same.
SWFs attached to pre-existing wooden and non-wooden poles shall conform to the
following criteria:
(a) Proposed antenna and related equipment shall meet:
(i) design standards which the Town may maintain and update as needed,
provided that the Town makes its designed standards publicly available for
review by any potential applicant seeking approval for the installation
of an SWF within the Town, and
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(ii) National Electric Safety Code (NESC) standards; and
(iii) National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
(b) Antennas and antenna equipment, including but not limited to radios, cables,
associated shrouding, disconnect boxes, meters, microwaves, and conduit, which
are mounted on poles, shall be mounted as close to the pole as technically
feasible. They shall not be illuminated except as required by municipal, federal, or
state authority, provided this shall not preclude deployment on a new or
replacement street light.
(c) Antennas and associated equipment enclosures must be camouflaged to appear as
an integral part of the pole or be mounted as close to the pole as feasible.
Conduits and cabinets shall cover all cables and wiring to the extent that
it is technically feasible, if allowed by the pole owner. The number of conduits
shall be minimized to the extent technically feasible. To the extent it is technically
feasible, antennas, equipment enclosures, and all ancillary equipment, boxes, and
conduits shall match the approximate material and design of the surface of the
pole or existing equipment to which they are attached.
SWFs attached to replacement poles and new poles shall conform to the criteria set
forth herein above for SWFs attached to pre-existing wooden and non-wooden poles but
shall additionally conform to the following criteria:
(a) The Town prefers that wireless providers and site developers install SWFs on
existing or replacement poles instead of installing new poles, and accordingly, to
obtain approval for the installation of a new pole, the provider shall be required to
document that installation on an existing or replacement pole is not technically
feasible.
(b) To the extent technically feasible, all replacement poles and new poles and pole-
mounted antennas and equipment shall substantially conform to the material and
design of the pole being replaced, or in the case of a new pole, it shall conform to
the nearest adjacent pole or poles.
(c) The height of replacement poles and new poles shall conform with the height
limitations applicable to the district within which the applicant seeks to install
their proposed SWF unless the applicant obtains a variance to obtain relief from
any such limitation(s).
2. Telecommunications Towers and Personal Wireless Service Facilities which do not meet
the definition of a Small Wireless Facility
The design of a proposed new telecommunications tower or personal wireless service
facility shall comply with the following:
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(a) The choice of design for installing a new personal wireless service facility or the
substantial modification of an existing personal wireless service facility shall be
chosen to minimize the potential adverse impacts that the new or expanded
facility may, or is likely to, inflict upon nearby properties.
(b) Any new telecommunications tower shall be designed to accommodate future
shared use by other communications providers.
(c) Unless specifically required by other regulations, a telecommunications tower
shall have a finish (either painted or unpainted) that minimizes its degree of visual
impact.
(d) Notwithstanding the height restrictions listed elsewhere in this chapter, the
maximum height of any new telecommunications tower shall not exceed that
which shall permit operation without artificial lighting of any kind or nature in
accordance with municipal, state, and/or federal law and/or regulation.
(e) Accessory Structures
(i) Accessory structures shall maximize the use of building materials, colors,
and textures designed to blend with the natural surroundings. The use of
camouflage communications towers may be required by the Council to
blend the communications tower and/or its accessory structures further
into the natural surroundings. "Camouflage" is defined as the use of
materials incorporated into the communications tower design that give
communications towers the appearance of tree branches and bark coatings,
church steeples and crosses, sign structures, lighting structures, or other
similar structures.
(ii) Accessory structures shall be designed to be architecturally similar,
compatible with each other, and shall be no more than 12 feet high. The
buildings shall be used only for housing equipment related to the
particular site. Whenever possible, the buildings shall be joined or
clustered so as to appear as one building.
(iii) No portion of any telecommunications tower or accessory structure shall
be used for a sign or other advertising purpose, including but not limited to
the company name, phone numbers, banners, and streamers, except the
following. A sign of no greater than two square feet indicating the name of
the facility owner(s) and a twenty-four-hour emergency telephone shall be
posted adjacent to any entry gate. In addition, "no trespassing" or other
warning signs may be posted on the fence. All signs shall conform to the
sign requirements of the Town.
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(f) Towers must be placed to minimize visual impacts. Applicants shall place towers
on the side slope of the terrain so that, as much as possible, the top of the tower
does not protrude over the ridgeline, as seen from public ways.
(g) Existing vegetation. Existing on-site vegetation shall be preserved to the
maximum extent possible. No cutting of trees shall take place on a site connected
with an application made under this article prior to the approval of the special use
permit use.
(h) Screening.
(i) Deciduous or evergreen tree plantings may be required to screen portions
of the telecommunications tower and accessory structures from nearby
residential property as well as from public sites known to include
important views or vistas.
(ii) Where a site adjoins a residential property or public property, including
streets, screening suitable in type, size and quantity shall be required by
the Town Council.
(iii) The applicant shall demonstrate to the approving board that adequate
measures have been taken to screen and abate site noises, such as heating
and ventilating units, air conditioners, and emergency power generators.
Telecommunications towers shall comply with all applicable sections of
this chapter as it pertains to noise control and abatement.
(i) Lighting. Telecommunications towers shall not be lighted except where
FAA/FCC required lighting of the telecommunications towers necessary. No
exterior lighting shall spill from the site in an unnecessary manner.
(j) Access.
(a) Adequate emergency and service access shall be provided and maintained.
Maximum use of existing roads, public or private, shall be made. Road
construction shall always minimize ground disturbance and
vegetation cutting to the top of fill, the top of cuts, or no more than 10 feet
beyond the edge of any pavement. Road grades shall closely follow
natural contours to assure minimal visual disturbance and reduce soil
erosion potential.
(b) To the extent feasible, all network interconnections to and from the
telecommunications site and all power to the site shall be installed
underground. At the initial construction of the access road to the site,
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sufficient conduit shall be laid to accommodate the maximum possible
number of telecommunications providers that might use the facility.
(k) Parking. Parking shall be provided to assure adequate emergency and service
access. The Town Council shall determine the number of required spaces, but in
no case shall the number of parking spaces be less than two spaces.
(l) Fencing. A fence shall adequately enclose the telecommunications tower and any
accessory structures, the design of which shall be approved by the Town Council.
The Town Council may waive this requirement if the applicant demonstrates that
such measures are unnecessary to ensure the security of the facility.
§17-8 Town Council Initial Review
1. Initial Review
Upon the acceptance of an application that appears to be complete, the Town Engineer
shall transmit the application to the Town Council for initial review.
The Town Council shall then conduct an initial review to consider whether or not to
establish itself as Lead Agency pursuant to ADEQ and/or NEPA and whether or not a use
or area variance is required for the proposed application such that a referral for an
application to the Board of Adjustment will be required to be made after the Town
Council has declared itself to serve as Lead Agency and during the process of the Town
Council considering an ADEQ determination of environmental significance. That
consideration of granting any required variances by the Board of Adjustment is done
concurrently with the Town Council’s review and consideration of special permit and site
plan approval.
The Town Council shall then conduct a public hearing upon each application and render
its determinations in accord with Sections §17-9 and §17-10 herein below and shall
ultimately determine whether or not to grant each applicant a special use permit and/or
site plan approval.
§17-9 Hearings and Public Notices
1. Public Hearings
The Town Council shall conduct a public hearing upon each special permit application,
except the Town Council shall have the authority to schedule such additional or more
frequent public hearings as may be necessary to comply with the applicable shot clocks
imposed upon the Town and the Town Council under the requirements of the TCA.
2. Required Public Notices
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The Town Council shall ensure that both the public and property owners whose
properties might be adversely impacted by the installation of a wireless facility receive
Notice of any public hearing pertaining to same and shall ensure that they are afforded an
opportunity to be heard concerning same.
Before the date scheduled for the public hearing, the Town Council shall cause to be
published a
“NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR NEW WIRELESS FACILITY”
Each “Notice of Public Hearing for New Wireless Facility” shall state the name or names
of the respective applicant or co-applicants, provide a brief description of the personal
wireless facility for which the applicant seeks a special permit and the date, time, and
location of the hearing.
Each “Notice of Public Hearing for New Wireless Facility” shall be published both: (a)
once per week for two successive weeks in the official newspaper of the Town of
Fountain Hills and (b) by mailing copies of such notice to property owners, as provided
for herein below.
The face of each envelope containing the notices of the public hearing shall state, in all
bold typeface, in all capital letters, in a font size no smaller than 12 point, the words:
“NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR NEW WIRELESS FACILITY”
For Type I and Type III applications, notices of public hearing shall be mailed to all
property owners whose real properties are situated within 300 feet of any property line of
the real property upon which the applicant seeks to install its new wireless facility. If the
site for the proposed facility is situated on, or adjacent to, a residential street containing
twelve (12) houses or less, the Town Council shall additionally mail a copy of such
notices to all homeowners on that street, even if their home is situated more than 300 feet
from any property line of the property upon which the applicant proposes to install its
facility.
For Type II and Type IV applications, the applicant shall mail such notices of public
hearing to all property owners whose real properties are situated within 1,500 feet of any
property line of the real property upon which the applicant seeks to install its new
wireless facility.
The applicant shall additionally post a notice upon the proposed site advising the public
of the public hearing.
Prior to the date of the hearing, the respective applicant shall file an Affidavit of Mailing,
attesting to whom the applicant mailed such notices and the content of the notices which
were mailed to such recipients.
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§17-10 Factual Determinations to be Rendered by the Town Council
1. Evidentiary Standards
In determining special use permit applications for personal wireless service facilities, the
Town Council shall have sole discretion to determine what probative evidence it shall
require each applicant to produce in support of its application to enable the Council to
make each of the factual determinations enumerated below.
By way of common examples of the types of evidence that the Council may require an
applicant to produce are the following:
(a) where an applicant is not the owner of the real property upon which it proposes to
install a new wireless facility, the Council can require the applicant to provide a
copy of the applicant’s lease with the property owner (including any schedules,
property descriptions, appendices or other attachments), from which the applicant
may censor or delete any financial terms which would be irrelevant to the factual
issues which the Council is required to determine;
(b) where the Council deems it appropriate, the Council can require the applicant to
perform what is commonly known as a “balloon test” and to require the applicant
to publish a reasonably sufficient advance public notice of same to enable the
Council, property owners, and the community, an opportunity to assess the actual
adverse aesthetic impact which the proposed facility is likely to inflict upon the
nearby properties and surrounding community;
(c) where the applicant asserts a claim that a proposed facility is necessary to remedy
one or more existing significant gaps in an identified wireless carrier’s personal
wireless services, the Council may require the applicant to provide drive-test
generated coverage maps, as opposed to computer-generated coverage maps, for
each frequency at which the carrier provides personal wireless services, to show
signal strengths in bins of three (3) DBM each, to enable the Council to assess the
existence of such significant gaps accurately, and/or whether the carrier possesses
adequate coverage within the geographic area which is the subject of the
respective application.
(d) where the applicant asserts that a potential less intrusive alternative location for a
proposed facility is unavailable because the owner of the potential alternative site
is incapable or unwilling to lease space upon such site to the applicant, the
Council may require the applicant to provide proof of such unwillingness in the
form of communications to and from such property owner, and/or a sworn
affidavit wherein a representative of the applicant affirms, under penalty of
perjury, that they attempted to negotiate a lease with the property owner, what the
material terms of any such offer to the property owner were, when the offer was
tendered, and how, if at all, the property owner responded to such offer.
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The Council shall have sole discretion to determine, among other things, the relevance of
any evidence presented, the probative value of any evidence presented, the credibility of
any testimony provided, whether expert or otherwise, and the adequacy of any evidence
presented.
The Council shall not be required to accept, at face value, any unsupported factual claims
asserted by an applicant but may require the production of evidence reasonably necessary
to enable the Council to determine the accuracy of any factual allegations asserted by
each respective applicant.
Conclusory factual assertions by an applicant shall not be accepted as evidence by the
Council.
2. Factual Determinations
To decide applications for special use permits under this Section, the Town Council shall
render factual determinations, which shall include two (2) specific types of factual
determinations, as applicable.
First, the Council shall render local zoning determinations according to Section (a)
hereinbelow.
Then, if, and only if, an applicant asserts claims that:
(a) a denial of its application would effectively prohibit an identified Wireless
Carrier from providing Personal Wireless Services within the Town, or
(b) its proposed wireless facility or installation is necessary to remedy a
significant gap in personal wireless services for an explicitly identified
Wireless Carrier, and that its proposed installation is the least intrusive
means of remedying a specifically identified significant gap or gaps.
The Council shall then additionally render TCA determinations in accord with Section
(b) herein below.
The Council shall separately record each factual determination it makes in a written
decision and shall reference, or make note of, the evidence-based upon which it rendered
each of its factual determinations.
Each factual determination made by the Council shall be based upon Substantial
Evidence. For purposes of this provision, “Substantial Evidence” shall mean such
relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.
It means less than a preponderance but more than a scintilla of evidence.
Evidence that the Council may consider shall include any evidence submitted in support
of an application and any evidence submitted by anyone opposing a respective
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application, whether such evidence is in written or photographic form or whether it is in
the form of testimony by any expert, or any person who has personal knowledge of the
subject of their testimony. The Council may, of course, additionally consider as evidence
any information or knowledge which they, themselves, personally possess and any
documents, records, or other evidence which is a matter of public record, irrespective of
whether such public record is a record of the Town, or is a record of or is maintained by,
another federal, state and/or other governmental entity and/or agency which maintains
records which are available for, or subject to, public review.
The requirements for specific factual determinations set forth below are intended to enure
to the benefit of the Town, its residents, and property owners, and not applicants.
If, and to the extent that the Town Council fails to render one or more of such
determinations, that omission shall not constitute grounds upon which the respective
applicant can seek to annul, reverse or modify any decision of the Town Council.
(a) LOCAL ZONING DETERMINATIONS
The Council shall make the following factual determinations as to whether the
application meets the requirements for granting a special use permit under this Chapter.
(i) Compliance with §2.02
Whether the proposed installation will meet each of the conditions and standards
set forth within §2.02 in the absence of which the Town Council is not authorized
to grant a special use permit.
(ii) Potential Adverse Aesthetic Impacts
Whether the proposed installation will inflict a significant adverse aesthetic
impact upon properties located adjacent to, or in close proximity to, the proposed
site or any other properties situated in a manner that would sustain significant
adverse aesthetic impacts by the installation of the proposed facility.
(iii) Potential Adverse Impacts Upon Real Estate Values
Whether the proposed installation will inflict a significant adverse impact upon
the property values of properties that are located adjacent to, or in close proximity
to, the proposed site or properties that are otherwise situated in a manner that
would cause the proposed installation to inflict a significant adverse impact upon
their value.
(iv) Potential Adverse Impact Upon the Character of the Surrounding
Community
Whether the proposed installation will be incompatible with the use and/or
character of properties located adjacent to or in close proximity to the proposed
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site or other properties situated in a manner that would cause the proposed
installation to be incompatible with their respective use.
(v) Potential Adverse Impacts Upon Historic Properties or Historic Districts
Whether the proposed installation will be incompatible with and/or would have an
adverse impact upon, or detract from the use and enjoyment of, and/or character
of a historic property, historic site, and/or historic district, including, but not
limited to, historic structures, properties and/or districts which are listed on, or are
eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places.
(vi) Potential Adverse Impacts Upon Ridgelines or Other Aesthetic Resources
of the Town
Whether the proposed installation will be incompatible with and/or would have an
adverse aesthetic impact upon or detract from the use and enjoyment of, and/or
character of, recognized aesthetic assets of the Town, including, but not limited
to, scenic areas and/or scenic ridgelines, scenic areas, public parks, and/or any
other traditionally or historically recognized valuable scenic assets of the Town.
(vii) Sufficient Fall Zones
Whether the proposed installation shall have a sufficient fall zone and/or safe
zone around the facility to afford the general public safety against the potential
dangers of structural failure, icefall, debris fall, and fire.
(viii) Mitigation
Whether the applicant has mitigated the potential adverse impacts of the proposed
facility to the greatest extent reasonably feasible. To determine mitigation efforts
on the part of the applicant, the mere fact that a less intrusive site, location, or
design would cause an applicant to incur additional expense is not a reasonable
justification for an application to have failed to propose reasonable mitigation
measures.
If, when applying the evidentiary standards set forth in subparagraph (a) hereinabove, the
Town Council determines that the proposed facility would not meet the standards set
forth within §2.02 or that the proposed facility would inflict one or more of the adverse
impacts described hereinabove to such a substantial extent that granting the respective
application would inflict upon the Town and/or its citizens and/or property owners the
types of adverse impacts which this provision was enacted to prevent, the Town Council
shall deny the respective application for a special use permit unless the Council
additionally finds that a denial of the application would constitute an Effective
Prohibition, as provided for in Sections (b) and (c) immediately hereinbelow.
(b) TCA DETERMINATIONS
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In cases within which an applicant has filed a “Notice of Effective Prohibition
Conditions,” the Town Council shall determine if a denial of the respective application
would “Effectively Prohibit” a specifically identified Wireless Carrier from providing
Personal Wireless Services within any geographic area or areas in the Town.
More specifically, the Town Council shall determine whether a denial of the specific
application would either: (i) prevent an identified Wireless Carrier from providing
personal wireless services within a specific geographic area or areas within the Town or
(ii) would prevent a specific Wireless Carrier from constructing a sufficient number of
such facilities necessary to enable it to provide Personal Wireless Services within the
Town.
In determining whether a denial of any specific application would constitute an
“Effective Prohibition,” the Town Council shall determine: (1) whether an applicant has
established that an identified Wireless Carrier suffers from one or more significant gaps in
its Personal Wireless Services, and (2) whether its proposed installation is the least
intrusive means of remedying any such gap or gaps.
(1) Significant Gap in Personal Wireless Services of an Identified Carrier
The Town Council shall determine whether the applicant has established, based
upon probative evidence provided by the applicant and/or its representative, that a
specific Wireless Carrier suffers from a significant gap in its personal wireless
services within the Town.
In rendering such determination, the Council shall consider factors including, but
not necessarily limited to:
(a) whether the identified Wireless Carrier, which is alleged to suffer
from any significant gap in their personal wireless services, already
provides Adequate Service in its Personal Wireless Services to its
customers at any frequency being used by the carrier to provide
personal wireless services to its end-use customers,
(b) whether any such alleged gap is relatively large or small in
geographic size,
(c) whether the number of the carrier’s customers affected by the gap
is relatively small or large,
(d) whether or not the location of the gap is situated on a lightly
traveled road, or sparsely or densely occupied area, and/or
(e) overall, whether the gap is relatively insignificant or otherwise
relatively de minimis.
An Effective Prohibition shall not be found to exist under subparagraph (c)
hereinbelow if a Wireless Carrier has adequate coverage in any specified
geographic area, such that its end-use customers can use their cellular telephones
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to connect to landlines using the Carrier’s Personal Wireless Services, but the
frequency at which the customers are using such services is not the frequency
most desired by the Carrier.
(2) Least Intrusive Means of Remedying Gap(s) in Service
The Town Council shall determine whether the applicant has established, based
upon probative evidence provided by the applicant and/or its representative, that
the installation of the proposed facility at the specific site proposed by the
applicant and the specific portion of the site proposed by the applicant, and at the
specific height proposed by the applicant, is the least intrusive means of
remedying whatever significant gap or gaps which the applicant has
contemporaneously proven to exist as determined by the Town Council based
upon any evidence in support of, and/or in opposition to, the subject application.
In rendering such determination, the Council shall consider factors including, but
not necessarily limited to:
(a) whether the proposed site is the least intrusive location at which a
facility to remedy an identified significant gap may be located, and
the applicant has reasonably established a lack of potential
alternative less intrusive sites and lack of sites available for co-
location,
(b) whether the specific location on the proposed portion of the
selected site is the least intrusive portion of the site for the
proposed installation
(c) whether the height proposed for the facility is the minimum height
actually necessary to remedy an established significant gap in
service,
(d) whether or not a pre-existing structure can be used to camouflage
the facility and/or its antennas,
(e) whether or not, as proposed, the installation mitigates adverse
impacts to the greatest extent reasonably feasible through the
employ of Stealth design, screening, use of color, noise mitigation
measures, etc., and/or
(f) overall whether or not there is a feasible alternative to remedy the
gap through alternative, less intrusive substitute installations.
An Effective Prohibition shall also not be found to exist in subparagraph (c) hereinbelow
if an applicant fails to establish before the Town Council that any existing geographic gap
or capacity deficiency in the specific Wireless Carrier’s coverage cannot be remedied
through a less intrusive means than what is being proposed, including, but not limited to,
potential installations on alternative less intrusive sites, a shorter tower or facility, the
incorporation of a more stealthy design, etc.
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(c) Finding of Effective Prohibition or Lack of Effective Prohibition
After considering the evidence presented before it, the Town Council shall determine
whether or not a denial of the respective application would constitute an effective
Prohibition.
If the Town Council affirmatively determines that the applicant has failed to establish
either: (i) that a denial of the application would prevent an identified Wireless Carrier
from providing personal wireless services within a specific geographic area or areas
within the Town or (ii) that a denial of the application would prevent a specific Wireless
Carrier from constructing a sufficient number of such facilities necessary to enable it to
provide Personal Wireless Services within the Town, then the Town Council shall find
that a denial of the application does not constitute an Effective Prohibition.
If the Town Council affirmatively determines that: (i) a denial of the application would
prevent an identified Wireless Carrier from providing personal wireless services within a
specific geographic area or areas within the Town, or (ii) that a denial of the application
would prevent a specific Wireless Carrier from constructing a sufficient number of such
facilities necessary to enable it to provide Personal Wireless Services within the Town,
then the Town Council shall find that a denial of the application would constitute an
Effective Prohibition, and the Town Council shall grant the subject application,
irrespective of whether or not the granting of same would otherwise be inconsistent with
any other provision of this Section §17-10.
§17-11 Retention of Consultants
1. Use of Consultants
Where deemed reasonably necessary by the Town Council and/or the Town, the Town
Council and/or the Town may retain the services of professional consultants to assist the
Town Council in carrying out its duties in deciding special use permit applications for
personal wireless service facilities. Where the Town Council uses the services of private
engineers, attorneys, or other consultants for purposes of engineering, scientific, land use
planning, environmental, legal, or similar professional reviews of the adequacy or
substantive aspects of applications or of issues raised during the course of review of
applications for special use permit approvals of personal wireless service facilities, the
applicant and landowner, if different, shall be jointly and severally responsible for
payment of all the reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the Town for such services.
That responsibility shall not exceed the actual cost to the Town of such engineering,
legal, or other consulting services.
2. Advance Deposits for Consultant Costs
The Town and/or Town Council may require advance periodic monetary deposits held by
the Town on account of the applicant or landowner to secure the reimbursement of the
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Town's consultant expenses. The Town Council shall establish policies and procedures
for the fixing of escrow deposits and the management of payment from them. After the
audit and approval of itemized vouchers by the Town Clerk as to the reasonableness and
necessity of the consultant charges, the Town may make payments from the deposited
funds for engineering, legal, or consultant services. Upon receiving a request by the
applicant or landowner, the Town shall supply copies of such vouchers to the applicant
and/or landowner reasonably in advance of audit and approval, appropriately redacted
where necessary to shield legally privileged communications between Town officers or
employees and the Town's consultant. When it appears that there may be insufficient
funds in the account established for the applicant or landowner by the Town to pay
current or anticipated vouchers, the Town shall cause the applicant or landowner to
deposit additional sums to meet such expenses or anticipated expenses in accordance with
policies and procedures established by the Town Council. Consultants shall undertake no
review on any matter scheduled before the Town Council until the initial escrow deposit
has been made or requested replenishment of the escrow deposit has been made. No
reviewing agency shall be obligated to proceed unless the applicant complies with escrow
deposit requirements.
3. Reasonable Limit Upon Consultant Expenses
A consultant expense or part thereof is reasonable in amount if it bears a reasonable
relationship to the customary fee charged by engineers, attorneys, or planners within the
region for services performed on behalf of applicants or reviewing boards in connection
with comparable applications for land use or development.
The Town may also take into account any special conditions for consideration as it may
deem relevant, including but not limited to the quality and timeliness of submissions on
behalf of the applicant and the cooperation of the applicant and agents during the review
process.
A consultant expense or part thereof is necessarily incurred if it was charged by the
engineer, attorney or planner, or other consultants for a service that was rendered to assist
the Town Council in: (a) making factual determinations consistent with the goals of
protecting or promoting of the health, safety or welfare of the Town or its residents; (b)
assessing potential adverse environmental impacts such as those identified within an
ADEQ process; (c) accessing potential adverse impacts to historic properties, structures
and/or districts, and/or (d) assessing and determining factual issues relevant to Effective
Prohibition claims, as addressed herein, enabling the Council to best comply with the
letter and intent of the provision of the TCA which is relevant thereto.
4. Audits Upon the Request of an Applicant
Upon request of the applicant or landowner, the Town Council shall review and audit all
vouchers and determine whether such engineering, legal, and consulting expenses are
reasonable in amount and necessarily incurred by the Town in connection with the review
and consideration of a special use permit application for personal wireless service
39
facility. In the event of such a request, the applicant or landowner shall be entitled to be
heard by the Town Council on reasonable advance notice.
5. Liability for Consultant Expenses
For a land-use application to be complete, the applicant shall provide the written consent
of all owners of the subject real property, both authorizing the applicant to file and pursue
land development proposals and acknowledging potential landowner responsibility, under
this section, for engineering, legal, and other consulting fees incurred by the Town. If
different from the applicant, the owner(s) of the subject real property shall be jointly and
severally responsible for reimbursing the Town for funds expended to compensate
services rendered to the Town under this section by private engineers, attorneys, or other
consultants. The applicant and the owner shall remain responsible for reimbursing the
Town for its consulting expenses, notwithstanding that the escrow account may be
insufficient to cover such expenses. No building permit or other permit shall be issued
until reimbursement of costs and expenses determined by the Town to be due. In the
event of failure to reimburse the Town for such fees, the following shall apply:
The Town may seek recovery of unreimbursed engineering, legal, and consulting
fees by court action in an appropriate jurisdiction, and the defendant(s) shall be
responsible for the reasonable and necessary attorney's fees expended by the Town in
prosecuting such action.
Alternatively, and at the sole discretion of the Town, a default in reimbursement
of such engineering, legal, and consulting fees expended by the Town shall be remedied
by charging such sums against the real property that is the subject of the special use
permit application by adding that charge to and making it a part of the next annual real
property tax assessment roll of the Town. Such charges shall be levied and collected
simultaneously and in the same manner as Town-assessed taxes and applied in
reimbursing the fund from which the costs were defrayed for the engineering, legal, and
consulting fees. Prior to charging such assessments, the owners of the real property shall
be provided written notice to their last known address of record by certified mail, return
receipt requested, of an opportunity to be heard and object before the Town Council to
the proposed real property assessment, at a date to be designated in the notice, which
shall be no less than 30 days after its mailing.
§17-12 Setback Requirements
1. Small Wireless Facilities
(a) Within C-O Commercial Office Zoning District; C-C Common-Commercial
Zoning District; C-1 Neighborhood Commercial Professional District; C-2
Intermediate Commercial Zoning District; C-3 General Commercial Zoning
District; IND-1 Planned Industrial Zoning District; IND-2 Light Industrial Zoning
District; and UT Utility Zoning District, the minimum setback shall be
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fifty (50) feet, unless the facility is being installed upon a pre-existing utility pole
or other utility structure.
(b) Within all residentially-zoned and other districts, all small wireless facilities shall
be set back a minimum of three hundred (300) feet from any residential dwelling
or structure unless the facility is being installed upon a pre-existing utility pole or
is being co-located upon a pre-existing personal wireless service facility.
2. Cell Towers and all Personal Wireless Service Facilities
that do not meet the definition of a Small Wireless Facility
(a) Each proposed wireless personal service facility and personal wireless service
facility structure, compound, and complex shall be located on a single lot and
comply with applicable setback requirements. Adequate measures shall be taken
to contain on-site all icefall or debris from tower failure and preserve the privacy
of any adjoining residential properties.
(b) Each lot containing a wireless personal service facility and personal wireless
service facility structure, compound, and complex shall have the minimum area,
shape, and frontage requirements generally prevailing for the zoning district
where located in the Schedules of Regulations for Nonresidential and Residential
Districts of this chapter, and such additional land if necessary to meet the setback
requirements of this section.
(c) Cell towers and personal wireless service facilities that do not meet the definition
of a small wireless facility shall maintain a minimum setback of a distance equal
to one hundred ten (110%) percent of the height of the facility, for front yard
setbacks, rear yard setbacks, and side yard setbacks, in all zoning districts.
§17-13 Height Restrictions
1. Small Wireless Facilities
Personal Wireless Service Facilities which meet the definition of a small wireless facility
shall not exceed a maximum height of sixty (60) feet above ground elevation in C-O
Commercial Office Zoning District; C-C Common-Commercial Zoning District; C-1
Neighborhood Commercial Professional District; C-2 Intermediate Commercial Zoning
District; C-3 General Commercial Zoning District; IND-1 Planned Industrial Zoning
District; IND-2 Light Industrial Zoning District; and UT Utility Zoning District and shall
not exceed a maximum height of forty-five (45) feet within all other zoning districts.
2. Non-Small Wireless Facilities
Personal Wireless Service Facilities which do not meet the definition of a small wireless
facility shall not exceed a maximum height of one hundred fifty (150) feet above ground
elevation in C-O Commercial Office Zoning District; C-C Common-Commercial Zoning
District; C-1 Neighborhood Commercial Professional District; C-2 Intermediate
Commercial Zoning District; C-3 General Commercial Zoning District; IND-1 Planned
41
Industrial Zoning District; IND-2 Light Industrial Zoning District; and UT Utility Zoning
District, and 100 feet above ground level in all other zoning districts.
§17-14 Use Restrictions and Variances
1. Use Restrictions by Application Type and Zoning District
Type I applications No Use Variance Required
Type I applications for co-location of a small wireless facility in a public right of way as
set forth in A.R.S. §9-592(J) and A.R.S. §9-593(C) shall be a permitted use with a
building permit.
Type I applications for co-location of a small wireless facility in all other areas or zones
shall require an applicant to obtain a special use permit from the Town Council.
Type II applications No Use Variance Required Unless Determined Otherwise
Applications for colocations of a wireless personal services facility, which do not meet
the definition of a small wireless facility, shall be considered a special use permit in all
districts and shall require a special use permit and a building permit but shall not require
a use variance, unless the Town Council, in its sole discretion, determines that the
proposed colocation will increase the overall intrusiveness of the site to a sufficient
extent that its presence would no longer be compatible with the surrounding properties
and/or surrounding community, in which case the Town Council shall issue a decision
determining that the applicant shall be required to obtain a variance from the Board of
Adjustment in accord with §2.07 of the Zoning Ordinance.
In rendering a determination of whether or not a variance shall be required, the Town
Council shall consider, among other things: (a) the physical size, number, and potential
intrusiveness of each new item of equipment to be installed as part of the proposed
colocation, (b) the extent to which the installation of such equipment is to require or
effectuate a significant physical expansion of the size or area of the facility or complex,
(c) the extent to which the addition of such additional equipment will likely increase the
adverse aesthetic impact of the facility, and/or any other potentially significant adverse
impacts which are likely to cause a significant increase in the overall intrusiveness of the
wireless facility, and/or its compound or complex, such that it will no longer be
reasonably compatible with the use of nearby or surrounding properties and/or that its
presence would be incompatible with the character and use of the nearby properties
and/or surrounding community.
If the Town Council determines that a variance is required for a specific proposed
facility, then the applicant shall be required to file an application for a variance to the
Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment shall thereafter have the authority to (a)
determine that no variance is necessary, (b) grant the application for a variance, or (c)
deny the application for a variance.
42
Type III Applications No Use Variance Required
Applications for installing new Small Wireless Facilities that meet the criteria for Type
III applications, which are not collocated in a public right of way, shall be considered a
special use permit use in all districts. They shall require a special use permit and building
permit but shall not require a variance unless they do not meet the applicable setback
requirements or height limitation.
Type IV Applications Variance Requirements
Type IV applications seeking approval for the installation of a new cell tower and/or all
other wireless facilities that are not a small wireless facility shall be a permitted use in all
districts, which shall not need a use variance but shall require a special use permit,
building permit, and area variance if the proposed facility does not meet the applicable
height limitation and/or setback requirements.
§17-15 Environmental Impacts
If, and to the extent that, the Town Council determines a proposed installation bears the
potential for a significant adverse impact upon the environment within the meaning of ADEQ
and/or the NEPA, then the Council shall be expected to comply with the requirements of ADEQ
in determining both (a) the extent of adverse impacts upon the environment and/or historic
properties and (b) what mitigation measures the applicant should be required to undertake to
minimize the adverse environmental impacts and/or adverse impacts upon historic sites,
structures and/or districts.
If a respective applicant fails to obtain a review from the ADEQ and/or NEPA and opinion
letters from the ADEQ and the FCC pertaining to its proposed installation prior to a first public
hearing before the Town Council for the respective application, then the Town Council may
make direct requests to the ADEQ and the FCC for their review of the application. The Town
Council may request SHPO and the FCC’s review and input in completing the statutorily-
required environmental impact analysis pursuant to ADEQ and NEPA.
In addition, the Town Council shall comply with the statutory requirements of ADEQ to
complete an ADEQ review, make determinations of significance, and, where appropriate, require
the applicant to complete a draft environmental impact statement and, if additionally appropriate,
to thereafter complete a final environmental impact statement and analysis.
So long as the Town Council acts with reasonable diligence in completing its ADEQ and NEPA
review, if compliance with the statutory requirements for environmental review requires a period
of effort that extends beyond the expiration of the applicable shot clock period, the delays
beyond such period shall be deemed reasonable.
43
§17-16 Historic Site Impacts
The Town Council shall consider the potential adverse impacts of any proposed facility upon any
historic site, district, or structure consistent with the Town’s historic preservation law
requirements and comprehensive plan and ADEQ.
If, and to the extent that, the Town Council determines that a proposed installation bears the
potential for a significant adverse impact on a historic site or a historic district within the
meaning of ADEQ and/or the NHPA (especially if the historic site at issue is listed upon the
National Register of historic places), then the Council shall comply with the requirements of
both ADEQ and Town law in determining both: (a) the extent of adverse impacts upon the
historic properties and (b) what mitigation measure might the applicant be required to undertake
to minimize the adverse environmental impacts and/or adverse impacts upon historic sites,
structures and/or district.
Should a respective applicant fail to obtain a SHPO and/or a Section 106 review under NHPA,
and opinion letters from SHPO and the FCC pertaining to its proposed installation prior to a first
public hearing before the Town Council for the respective application, then the Town Council
shall make direct requests to SHPO and the FCC for their review of the application. They shall
request SHPO and the FCC’s review and input in completing the statutorily-required
environmental/historic impact analysis pursuant to ADEQ and NHPA.
This request shall include, but not be limited to, a request to the FCC for a Section 106 review, as
defined in this Chapter, as the Town recognizes each application for a special use permit for the
installation of a personal wireless services facility shall constitute “an undertaking” for purposes
of compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act.
In addition, the Town Council shall comply with the statutory requirements of ADEQ to
complete a SEQ ADEQ RA review, make determinations of significance, and, where
appropriate, require the applicant to complete a draft environmental impact statement, and if
additionally appropriate, to thereafter complete a final environmental impact statement and
analysis.
So long as the Town Council acts with reasonable diligence in completing its ADEQ and NHPA
review, if compliance with the statutory requirements for historic preservation review requires a
period of effort that extends beyond the expiration of the applicable shot clock period, the delays
beyond such period shall be deemed reasonable.
§17-17 Force Majeure
In the event that the rendering of a final decision upon a special use permit application under this
Chapter is delayed due to natural and/or unnatural events and/or forces which are not within the
control of the Town or the Town Council, such as the unavoidable delays experienced in
government processes due to the COVID 19 pandemic, and/or mandatory compliance with any
related federal or state government orders issued in relation thereto, such delays shall constitute
reasonable delays which shall be recognized as acceptable grounds for extending the period for
44
review and the rendering of final determinations beyond the period allotted under the applicable
shot clock.
§17-18 Eleventh Hour Submissions
In the event that applicant tenders eleventh-hour submissions to the Town, the Council, and/or
the Town Engineer in the form of (a) expert reports, (b) expert materials, and/or (c) materials
which require a significant period for review due either to their complexity or the sheer volume
of materials which an applicant has chosen to provide to the Council at such late point in the
proceedings, the Town Council shall be afforded a reasonable time to review such late-submitted
materials.
If reasonably necessary, the Town Council shall be permitted to retain the services
of an expert consultant to review any late-submitted expert reports which were provided to the
Council, even if such review or services extend beyond the applicable shot clock period, so long
as the Council completes such review and retains and secures such expert services within a
reasonable period of time thereafter and otherwise acts with reasonable diligence in completing
its review and rendering its final decision.
§17-19 Prohibition Against Illegally Excessive Emissions and RF Radiation Testing
As disclosed on the FCC’s public internet website, personal wireless services facilities erected at
any height under 200 feet are not required to be registered with the FCC.
Of even greater potential concern to the Town is the fact that the FCC does not enforce the RF
radiation limits codified within the CFR by either: (a) testing the actual radiation emissions of
wireless Facilities either at the time of their installation or at any time thereafter, or (b) requiring
their owners to test them. See relevant excerpts from the FCC’s public internet website annexed
as Appendix 2.
This means that when wireless Facilities are constructed and operated within the Town, the FCC
will have no idea where they are located and no means of determining, much less ensuring, that
they are not exposing residents within the Town and/or the general public to Illegally Excessive
levels of RF Radiation.
The Town deems it to be of critical importance to the health, safety, and welfare of the Town, its
residents, and the public at large that personal wireless service facilities do not expose members
of the general public to levels of RF radiation that exceed the limits which have been deemed
safe by the FCC, and/or are imposed under CFR.
In accord with the same, the Town enacts the following RF Radiation testing requirements and
provisions set forth herein below.
No wireless telecommunications facility shall at any time be permitted to emit illegally excessive
RF Radiation as defined in §17-2 or to produce power densities that exceed the legally
permissible limits for electric and magnetic field strength and power density for transmitters, as
codified within 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1), Table 1 Sections (i) and (ii), as made applicable pursuant
to 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(3).
45
To ensure continuing compliance with such limits by all owners and/or operators of personal
wireless service facilities within the Town, all owners, and operators of personal wireless service
facilities shall submit reports as required by this section.
As set forth hereinbelow, the Town may additionally require, at the owner and/or operator’s
expense, independent verification of the results of any analysis set forth within any reports
submitted to the Town by an owner and/or operator.
If an operator of a personal wireless service facility fails to supply the required reports or fails to
correct a violation of the legally permissible limits described hereinabove, following notification
that their respective facility is believed to be exceeding such limits, any special use permit or
other zoning approval granted by the Town Council or any other body or representative of the
Town is subject to modification or revocation by the Town Council following a public hearing.
1. Initial Certification of Compliance with Applicable RF Radiation Limits
Within forty-five (45) days of initial operation or a substantial modification of a personal
wireless service facility, the owner and/or operator of each Telecommunications antenna
shall submit to the Town Engineer a written certification by a licensed professional
engineer, sworn to under penalties of perjury, that the facility’s radio frequency emissions
comply with the limits codified within 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1), Table 1 Sections (i) and (ii),
as made applicable pursuant to 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(3).
The engineer shall measure the emissions of the approved facility, including the cumulative
impact from other nearby Facilities, and determine if such emissions are within the limits
described hereinabove.
A report of these measurements and the engineer’s findings with respect to compliance
with the FCC’s Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits shall be submitted to the
Town Engineer.
If the report shows that the facility does not comply with applicable limits, then the owner
and/or operator shall cease operation of the facility until the facility is brought into
compliance with such limits. Proof of compliance shall be a certification provided by the
engineer who prepared the original report. The Town may require, at the applicant’s
expense, independent verification of the results of the analysis.
2. Random RF Radiofrequency Testing
At the operator’s expense, the Town may retain an engineer to conduct random
unannounced RF Radiation testing of such Facilities to ensure the facility’s compliance
with the limits codified within 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1) et seq.
The Town may cause such random testing to be conducted as often as the Town may deem
appropriate. However, the Town may not require the owner and/or operator to pay for more
than one test per facility per calendar year unless such testing reveals that one or more of
the owner and/or operator’s facilities are exceeding the limits codified within 47 CFR
§1.1310(e)(1) et seq., in which case the Town shall be permitted to demand that the facility
46
be brought into compliance with such limits, and to conduct additional tests to determine if,
and when, the owner and/or operator thereafter brings the respective facility and/or
facilities into compliance.
If the Town at any time finds that there is good cause to believe that a personal wireless
service facility and/or one or more of its antennas are emitting RF radiation at levels in
excess of the legal limits permitted under 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1) et seq., then a hearing
shall be scheduled before the Town Council at which the owner and/or operator of such
facility shall be required to show cause why any and all permits and/or approvals issued by
the Town for such facility and/or facilities should not be revoked, and a fine should not be
assessed against such owner and/or operator.
Such hearing shall be duly noticed to both the public and the owner and/or operator of the
respective facility or facilities at issue. The owner and/or operator shall be afforded not less
than two (2) weeks' written notice by first-class mail to its Notice Address.
At such hearing, the burden shall be on the Town to show that, by a preponderance of the
evidence, the Facilities emissions exceeded the permissible limits under 47 CFR
§1.1310(e)(1) et seq.
In the event that the Town establishes same, the owner and/or operator shall then be
required to establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that a malfunction of equipment
caused their failure to comply with the applicable limits through no fault on the part of the
owner/operator.
If the owner and/or operator fails to establish same, the Town Council shall have the power
to and shall revoke any special use permit, variance, building permit, and/or any other form
of zoning-related approval(s) which the Town Council, Board of Adjustment, Town
Engineer and/or any other representative of the Town may have then issued to the owner
and/or operator, for the respective facility.
In addition, the Town Council shall impose a fine of not less than $1,000, nor more than
$5,000 for such violation of subparagraph 1. hereinabove, or, in the case of a second
offense within less than five (5) years, a minimum fine of $5,000, nor more than $25,000.
In the event that an owner or operator of one or more personal wireless service facilities is
found to violate subparagraph 1. hereinabove three or more times within any five (5) year
period, then in addition to revoking any zoning approvals for the facilities which were
violating the limits codified in 47 CFR §1.1310(e)(1) et seq., the Town Council shall
render a determination within which it shall deem the owner/operator prohibited from
filing any applications for any new wireless personal services facilities within the Town for
a period of five (5) years.
§17-20 Bond Requirements, Removal of Abandoned Facilities and Reclamation
1. Bond Requirement
47
At or prior to the filing of an application for a special use permit for the installation of a
new personal wireless service facility, each respective applicant shall provide a written
estimate for the cost of the decommissioning and removal of the facility, including all
equipment that comprises any portion or part of the facility, compound and/or complex,
as well as any accessory facility or structure, including the cost of the full restoration and
reclamation of the site, to the extent practicable, to its condition before development in
accord with the decommissioning and reclamation plan required herein. The Town
Council’s Engineer shall review this estimate.
Upon receiving a special use permit approval from the Town Council and a building
permit, prior to the commencement of installation and/or construction of such facility or
any part thereof, the applicant shall file with the Town a bond for a length of no less
than three (3) years in an amount equal to or exceeding the estimate of the cost of
removal of the facility and all associated structures, fencing, power supply, and other
appurtenances connected with the facility. The bond must be provided within thirty (30)
days of the approval date and before any installation or construction begins.
Replacement bonds must be provided ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of any
previous bond.
At any time the Town has good cause to question the sufficiency of the bond at the end
of any three-year (3) period, the owner and/or operator of the facility, upon request by
the Town, shall provide an updated estimate and bond in the appropriate amount.
Failure to keep the bonds in effect is cause for the removal of the facility at the owner's
expense. Each facility will require a separate bond, regardless of the number of owners
or location.
2. Removal of Abandoned Facilities
Any personal wireless service facility that is not operated or used for a continuous
period of twelve (12) consecutive months shall be considered abandoned. At the
owner's expense, the owner of said facility shall be required to remove the facility and
all associated equipment buildings, power supply, fence, and other items associated
with such facility, compound, and/or complex, and permitted with the facility.
If the facility is not removed within ninety (90) days, the bond secured by the facility
owner shall be used to remove the facility and any accessory equipment and structures.
§17-21 ADA Accommodations
[Reserved]
§17-22 General Provisions
1. Balancing of Interests
48
The Town formally recognizes that, as has been interpreted by federal courts, when it
enacted the TCA, Congress chose to preserve local zoning authority over decisions
regarding the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless facilities (47
U.S.C. §332(c)(7)(A)) subject only to the limitations set forth in subsection
§332(c)(7)(b), consistent with the holding of the United States Court of Appeals in Sprint
Telephony PCS v. County of San Diego, 543 F.3d 571 (9th Cir. 2008) and its progeny,
and the Town has relied upon such federal courts’ interpretations of the TCA in enacting
Chapter §17 et seq.
The Town similarly embraces the Federal courts’ determinations that the TCA as the
Court additionally articulated in Sprint Telephony PCS v. County of San Diego, 543 F.3d
571 (9th Cir. 2008) This includes preserving to local governments, including the Town of
Fountain Hills, the power to deny applications for the installation of wireless personal
services facilities based upon traditional grounds of zoning denials, including, but not
limited to, the potential adverse aesthetic impacts or a reduction in property values which
the construction of any proposed structure may inflict upon nearby properties or the
surrounding community.
This additionally includes the recognition that, under this balancing of interest test, “once
an area is sufficiently serviced by a wireless service provider, the right to deny
applications (for new wireless facilities) becomes broader” Crown Castle NG East LLC
v. The Town of Hempstead, 2018 WL 6605857.
It is the intent of the Town that this Chapter be applied in a manner consistent with the
balancing of interests codified within the TCA.
Consistent with same, the Town rejects and shall reject any current and/or future FCC
interpretations of any provision of the TCA which are clearly inconsistent with, and/or
are clearly contrary to, both the language of the TCA and binding decisions of the United
States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and United States District Courts within the
Ninth Circuit.
This includes a rejection of any FCC interpretations inconsistent with Sprint and any
claims that the FCA legally prohibits the Town Council from denying a permit
application based solely upon a claim that an applicant desires the installation of its new
facility for “densification” of its existing personal wireless services, or to offer a new
service, irrespective of whether or not the carrier already possesses adequate coverage
within the Town, and irrespective of the potential adverse impact which the installation of
such new facility or facilities would inflict upon the Town, its property owners, citizens
and/or communities.
2. Conflict With Federal or State Laws
To the extent that any provision of this Chapter is found to conflict with any applicable
federal or State law, it is the intent of the Town that the remaining portion of this
Chapter, which has not been found to conflict with such law, be deemed to remain valid
and in full force and effect.
16-2-1
16-2-2
16-2-3
16-2-4
Article 16-2
Small Wireless Facilities
Sections:
Purpose
Definitions
Small Wireless Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way
Rates and Fees
Section 16-2-1 Purpose
The intent and purpose of this article is to facilitate the development and installation of small wireless facilities in
the Town of Fountain Hills to supplement existing wireless communications networks and to increase capacity in
high demand areas, while simultaneously promoting and preserving the health, safety, and general welfare of the
residents of the Town and protecting and preserving the aesthetic qualities of the natural and built environment
of the Town. Through this article, the Town seeks to balance the need for increased wireless communications
capacity with the need for reasonable standards to preserve the aesthetic values of the Town and to ensure the
safe placement of small wireless facilities. (18-01, Added, 02/20/2018)
Section 16-2-2 Definitions
The definitions contained in A.R.S. § 9-591 are incorporated by this reference and shall apply to this article as if
fully set forth here. (18-01, Added, 02/20/2018)
Section 16-2-3 Small Wireless Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way
This section permits the installation of small wireless facilities in the right-of-way subject to the following
requirements:
A. No monopoles, utility poles associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facilities shall be
collocated, installed, modified, or replaced in the public right-of-way unless the following requirements are met:
1. The applicant participates in a pre-application conference with the Department of Development Services;
2. An Application is submitted to and approved by the Town pursuant to this section;
3. All Town requirements as set forth in this article are met;
Art. 16-2 Small Wireless Facilities | Fountain Hills Town Code Page 1 of 3
The Fountain Hills Town Code is current through Ordinance 24-19, passed October 1, 2024.
4. All other applicable codes and requirements are met;
5. A Wireless Facility License Agreement is signed; and
6. A Wireless Facility Encroachment Permit issued.
B. The collocation, installation, modification, maintenance, and replacement of monopoles, utility poles
associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facilities in the public right-of-way shall be subject to and
comply with reasonable requirements, including the Wireless Facilities Standard Terms and Conditions, the Town’s
Design Standards and Guidelines, and any site-specific requirements developed based upon consultation with the
Town through the site review and permitting process.
C. The Development Services Department shall prescribe and provide a regular form of Application for use by
applicants for the collocation, installation, modification, maintenance, and replacement of monopoles, utility poles
associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facilities in the public right-of-way. The Application shall
include such information and details as the Department deems necessary to establish the exact location, nature,
dimensions, duration and purpose of the proposed monopoles, utility poles, or small wireless facilities in the
public right-of-way.
D. The Application shall be accompanied by maps, sketches, diagrams or similar exhibits. The accompanying
materials shall be of the size and in the quantity prescribed by the Development Services Department and of
sufficient clarity to illustrate the location, dimensions, nature and purpose of the proposed monopoles, utility
poles associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facilities in the public right-of-way and its relation
to existing and proposed facilities in the right-of-way.
E. No changes shall be made in the location, dimensions, character or duration of the monopoles, utility poles
associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facilities in the public right-of-way as granted by the
permit except upon written authorization of the Development Services Department.
F. Approval of an Application is contingent upon the applicant demonstrating compliance with the Wireless
Facilities Standard Terms and Conditions, the Town’s Design Standards and Guidelines, and any site-specific
requirements developed based upon consultation with the Town through the site review and permitting process.
G. An applicant may appeal denial of an Application to the Town Council by following this procedure: Within
seven calendar days of the denial of an Application, an applicant shall file a notice of appeal, in writing, with the
Town Clerk. The Town Council may affirm, modify, or reverse the action from which the appeal is taken.
H. Upon approval of an Application, a Wireless Facility Encroachment Permit will be issued for each monopole,
utility pole associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facility included in the Application. However,
nothing in this article shall be construed to exempt monopoles, utility poles associated with small wireless
facilities, or small wireless facilities in the public right-of-way from the requirements of Article 16-1 as an
encroachment in the public right-of-way.
Art. 16-2 Small Wireless Facilities | Fountain Hills Town Code Page 2 of 3
The Fountain Hills Town Code is current through Ordinance 24-19, passed October 1, 2024.
The Fountain Hills Town Code is current through Ordinance 24-19, passed October 1, 2024.
Disclaimer: The town clerk’s office has the official version of the Fountain Hills Town Code. Users should contact
the town clerk’s office for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.
Town Website: www.fh.az.gov
Hosted by General Code.
I. The collocation, installation, modification, maintenance, and replacement of monopoles, utility poles
associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facilities shall be subject to rates and fees pursuant to
Section 16-2-4 of this article. (18-01, Added, 02/20/2018)
Section 16-2-4 Rates and Fees
A. The Town Council shall, by ordinance or resolution, set and amend any rate, rate component, charge, or fee
authorized by state law for the use of the public right-of-way and Town utility poles in connection with small
wireless facilities including:
1. Fees for special use permit applications
2. Fees for collocation applications;
3. Fees for the use of the right-of-way;
4. Rates for the use of the Town’s utility poles;
5. Fees for Encroachment Permit Applications;
6. Fees to recover legal costs resulting from enforcement to any noncompliance including, but not limited
to, administrative expenses, investigation, testing, legal proceedings and filings, and continued monitoring;
and
7. Other fees as the Town may determine necessary to carry out the requirements contained herein.
B. All rates and fees set or amended pursuant to this article shall be reasonable and shall not exceed the
amounts permitted by state law.
C. The Town shall publish and make available its schedule of rates and fees.
D. These fees relate solely to the matters covered by this article and are separate from all other fees, fines and
penalties chargeable by the Town. (18-01, Added, 02/20/2018)
Art. 16-2 Small Wireless Facilities | Fountain Hills Town Code Page 3 of 3
The Fountain Hills Town Code is current through Ordinance 24-19, passed October 1, 2024.
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF
THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS, MARICOPA
COUNTY, ARIZONA, DECLARING AS A PUBLIC
RECORD THAT CERTAIN DOCUMENT FILED WITH
THE TOWN CLERK AND ENTITLED "SMALL
WIRELESS FACILITIES."
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That certain document entitled "Small Wireless Facilities," attached hereto
as Exhibit "A", of which one paper copy and one electronic copy maintained in compliance with
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 44-7041 are on file in the office of the Town Clerk and open for public
inspection during non -nal business hours, is hereby declared to be a public record, and said
copies are ordered to remain on file with the Town Clerk.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Fountain Hills,
Maricopa County, Arizona, this 20th day of February, 2018.
FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS:
4WIN1tee .
REVIEWED BY:
f
Grac y E.eller, own Manager
PHOENIX 77018-1 430829v2
ATTESTED TO:
Bevelyn J. B d - , Town Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Fri J isman, Town Attorney
CERTIFICATION
I, Bevelyn J. Bender, the duly appointed Clerk of the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona, do
hereby certify that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 2018-03 was duly passed by the
Mayor and Council of the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona, at a regular meeting held on
February 20, 2018, and the roll call of the vote thereon was Ayes, ) Nays, and that the
Mayor and .6 Councilmembers were present thereat.
Bevelyn J. nd , Town Clerk
Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona
PHOENIX 77018-1 430829v2
EXHIBIT A
TO
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-03
TOWN CODE ARTICLE 16-2]
See following pages.
PHOENIX 77018-1 430829v2
ARTICLE 16-2 Small Wireless Facilities
Section 16-2-1 Purpose
The intent and purpose of this article is to facilitate the development and installation of small
wireless facilities in the Town of Fountain Hills to supplement existing wireless communications
networks and to increase capacity in high demand areas, while simultaneously promoting and
preserving the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the Town and protecting and
preserving the aesthetic qualities of the natural and built environment of the Town. Through this
article, the Town seeks to balance the need for increased wireless communications capacity with
the need for reasonable standards to preserve the aesthetic values of the Town and to ensure the
safe placement of small wireless facilities.
Section 16-2-2 Definitions
The definitions contained in A.R.S. § 9-591 are incorporated by this reference and shall apply to
this article as if fully set forth here.
Section 16-2-3 Small Wireless Facilities in the Public Right of Way
This section permits the installation of small wireless facilities in the right of way subject
to the following requirements:
A. No monopoles, utility poles associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless
facilities shall be collocated, installed, modified, or replaced in the public right of way unless the
following requirements are met:
1) The applicant participates in apre-application conference with the Department of
Development Services;
2) An Application is submitted to and approved by the Town pursuant to this
section;
3) All Town requirements as set forth in this article are met;
4) All other applicable codes and requirements are met;
5) A Wireless Facility License Agreement is signed; and
6) A Wireless Facility Encroachment Permit issued.
B. The collocation, installation, modification, maintenance, and replacement of monopoles,
utility poles associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facilities in the public
right of way shall be subject to and comply with reasonable requirements, including the 'Wireless
Facilities Standard Terms and Conditions, the Town's Design Standards and Guidelines, and any
site-specific requirements developed based upon consultation with the Town through the site
review and permitting process.
C. The Development Services Department shall prescribe and provide a regular form of
Application for use by applicants for the collocation, installation, modification, maintenance, and
replacement of monopoles, utility poles associated with small wireless facilities, or small
PHOENIX 77018-1 430829v2
wireless facilities in the public right of way. The Application shall include such information and
details as the Department deems necessary to establish the exact location, nature, dimensions,
duration and purpose of the proposed monopoles, utility poles, or small wireless facilities in the
public right of way.
D. The Application shall be accompanied by maps, sketches, diagrams or similar exhibits.
The accompanying materials shall be of the size and in the quantity prescribed by the
Development Services Department and of sufficient clarity to illustrate the location, dimensions,
nature and purpose of the proposed monopoles, utility poles associated with small wireless
facilities, or small wireless facilities in the public right of way and its relation to existing and
proposed facilities in the right-of-way.
E. No changes shall be made in the location, dimensions, character or duration of the
monopoles, utility poles associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facilities in
the public right of way as granted by the permit except upon written authorization of the
Development Services Department.
F. Approval of an Application is contingent upon the applicant demonstrating compliance
with the Wireless Facilities Standard Terms and Conditions, the Town's Design Standards and
Guidelines, and any site-specific requirements developed based upon consultation with the Town
through the site review and permitting process.
G. An applicant may appeal denial of an Application to the Town Council by following this
procedure: Within seven calendar days of the denial of an Application, an applicant shall file a
notice of appeal, in writing, with the Town Clerk. The Town Council may affirm, modify, or
reverse the action from which the appeal is taken.
H. Upon approval of an Application, a Wireless Facility Encroachment Permit will be issued
for each monopole, utility pole associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facility
included in the Application. However, nothing in this article shall be construed to exempt
monopoles, utility poles associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facilities in
the public right of way from the requirements of Article 16-1 as an encroachment in the public
right of way.
I. The collocation, installation, modification, maintenance, and replacement of monopoles,
utility poles associated with small wireless facilities, or small wireless facilities shall be subject
to rates and fees pursuant to Section 16-2-4 ofthis article.
Section 16-2-4 Rates and Fees
A. The Town Council shall, by ordinance or resolution, set and amend any rate, rate
component, charge, or fee authorized by state law for the use of the public right of way and
Town utility poles in connection with small wireless facilities including:
1) Fees for special use permit applications
2) Fees for collocation applications;
PHOENIX 77018-1 430829v2
3) Fees for the use of the right of way;
4) Rates for the use of the Town's utility poles;
5) Fees for Encroachment Permit Applications;
6) Fees to recover legal costs resulting from enforcement to any noncompliance
including, but not limited to, administrative expenses, investigation, testing, legal
proceedings and filings, and continued monitoring; and
7) Other fees as the Town may determine necessary to carry out the requirements
contained herein.
B. All rates and fees set or amended pursuant to this article shall be reasonable and shall not
exceed the amounts permitted by state law.
C. The Town shall publish and make available its schedule of rates and fees.
D. These fees relate solely to the matters covered by this article and are separate from all
other fees, fines and penalties chargeable by the Town.
PHOENIX 77018-1 43082M
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-18
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA, ADOPTING THE
WIRELESS FACILITY LICENSE AGREEMENT AND THE
WIRELESS FACILITIES STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS
FOR LOCATING WIRELESS FACILITIES WITHIN TOWN
RIGHTS-OF-WAY, THE 2018 TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
WIRELESS FACILITIES IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY DESIGN
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES, AND AMENDING THE TOWN
COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA, as follows:
SECTION 1. That the Wireless Facility License Agreement is hereby approved
in the form as set forth in Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
SECTION 2. That the Wireless Facilities Standard Terms and Conditions are
hereby approved in the form as set forth in Exhibit "B", attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference.
SECTION 3. That the 2018 Town of Fountain Hills Wireless Facilities in the
Right-of-Way Design Standards and Guidelines are hereby approved in the form as set
forth in Exhibit "C", attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 4. That the proposed amendments to the Fee Schedule, initially posted
as Development Services Department Fees, are now included in Public Works
Department Fees as Encroachment/Engineering Permit Fees.
SECTION 5. That the Town Comprehensive Fee Schedule, of the Fiscal Year
2017-2018 Adopted Budget is hereby amended by adding the line items set forth in
Exhibit"D", attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 6. That the Mayor, the Town Manager, the Town Clerk and the Town
Attorney are hereby authorized and directed to execute all documents and take all steps
necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this Resolution.
SECTION 7. Because of the urgent need for the implementation of the Town's
regulations concerning small wireless facilities, and the immediate operation of this
Resolution is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and welfare, an
emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Resolution shall be in full force and effect
I 400, from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor and Council as required by law and
1
is hereby exempt from the referendum provisions of the Constitution and laws of the
State of Arizona.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Fountain
Hills, February 20, 2018.
FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS:ATTESTED TO:
d M. Ka nagh Bevelyn J. B de own Clerk
REVIEWED BY: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
OZ:›47/1N .. •VA•AIL---
Grady E. Miller, Tawn Manager Fr d isman, Town Attorney
111)
2
CERTIFICATION
I, Bevelyn J. Bender, the duly appointed Clerk of the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona,
do hereby certify that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 2018-18 was duly passed
by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona, at a re lar meeting
held on February 20, 2018, and the roll call of the vote thereon was Ayes, 0
Nays, and that the Mayor and 5 Councilmembers were present thereat.
Bevelyn J. nder, own Clerk
Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona
3
EXHIBIT A
TO
416, RESOLUTION NO. 2018-18
Wireless Facility License Agreement]
See following pages.
II
Town License#
Wireless Provider's Name:
WIRELESS FACILITY LICENSE AGREEMENT
THIS WIRELESS FACILITY LICENSE AGREEMENT (the "License Agreement") is
made and entered into this day of 20 ("Effective Date"), by and
between the Town of Fountain Hills, an Arizona municipal corporation ("Town"), and
a Wireless
Provider").
RECITALS
A. The Town of Fountain Hills "Wireless Facilities Standard Terms and
Conditions" sets out various recitals and terms (collectively the "Terms").
B. Town holds interests in certain parcels of land (the "Street Parcels")
comprising street Right- of-way within the Town of Fountain Hills.
C. This License Agreement allows Wireless Provider to use certain limited
portions of Town's specific Street Parcels pursuant to an approved Wireless Facilities
Encroachment Permit ("Encroachment Permit").
D. The portions of the Street Parcels that this License Agreement permits
Wireless Provider to use (the "Use Areas") are defined in the package of maps and related
materials (the "Boundary Plan") attached to each Encroachment Permit Application.
E. Wireless Provider desires to install and operate on the Use Areas the wireless
telecommunications receiving, processing and transmitting devices and related electronic
equipment that is specified on each Site Plan (the "Communications Equipment") subject to
the requirements of this License Agreement and associated Encroachment Permit. The
Communications Equipment is limited to the actual electronic equipment, portable cabinets
for such equipment, enclosures, and antennas ("Antennas") utilized for wireless
communications, all as shown on the drawings (the "Site Plans") attached to each
Encroachment Permit. Notwithstanding anything in this License Agreement or associated
Encroachment Permit to the contrary, the Communications Equipment excludes any item
not shown on the approved Site Plan.
F. The volume of the Enclosure and the above ground portion of its pad shall be
2
as shown in the Site Plan incorporated into each Encroachment Permit Application and
shall be limited as stated on that Site Plan.
G. The Street Parcel in each Encroachment Permit Application shall state
whether it is currently improved with an electrical, traffic signal, street light, or antenna
support pole (the "Utility Pole") which is owned by Town, and the approximate height of the
Utility Pole.
H. In the Encroachment Permit Application, the Wireless Provider will indicate
whether it proposes to use the existing Utility Pole, replace the existing Utility Pole, or install
a new Utility Pole that Town or Wireless Provider will own. If the Utility Pole is owned by a
third-party, the Wireless Provider shall provide documentation confirming the third-party
owners' consent for Wireless Provider's use of the Utility Pole.
I. In order to install the Communications Equipment, Wireless Provider desires
to construct supporting improvements and perform all other work shown on the Site Plan
collectively the "Project") for each site.
J. Wireless Provider shall complete the entire Project and put the
Communications Equipment in full operation no later than one hundred eighty (180) days
after the date of the issuance of the Encroachment Permit (the "Completion Deadline") for
each site.
K. Town desires to grant to Wireless Provider the right to install, maintain,
operate and repair the Communications Equipment (the "Permitted Uses") subject to the
requirements of this License Agreement and as specified in each specific Encroachment
Permit granted pursuant to this License Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing, the amounts
hereinafter to be paid by Wireless Provider, and the covenants and agreements contained
herein to be kept and performed by Wireless Provider, and other good and valuable
consideration, Town and Wireless Provider agree as follows:
I.LICENSE TERMS
1 . License Terms. Town hereby grants to Wireless Provider a license to use the Use
Areas as follows:
1.1 Terms Incorporated. The Terms (as defined in the Recitals above) are all
incorporated by reference as if set out in full herein. WIRELESS PROVIDER WARRANTS
AND REPRESENTS THAT WIRELESS PROVIDER HAS READ AND AGREES TO THE
TERMS. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this License Agreement shall have the
meanings assigned by the Terms.
1.2 Terms Application. Wireless Provider shall comply with all of the Terms.
Without limitation, the Terms shall apply to the Use Areas as follows:
3
1.2.1 Wireless Provider's Boundary Plan Responsibility. It is Wireless
Provider's responsibility before submitting any Encroachment Permit Application
authorized by this License Agreement to ensure that the Boundary Plan is prepared as
follows:
1.2.1.1 Wireless Provider shall insure that the Boundary Plan clearly
depicts all portions of the Street Parcel that Wireless Provider desires to use and that each
such area is clearly shown on the Boundary Plan and labeled to clearly indicate which of
the categories of Exclusive Areas or Shared Areas set out in the Terms applies to the area.
1.2.1.2 If the Boundary Plan does not clearly show any portion of the
Street Parcel as one of the categories of Exclusive Areas or Shared Areas set out in the
Terms, then such portion of the Street Parcel is not part of the Use Areas and Wireless
Provider may not use such portion of the Street Parcel, even if the use is discussed in the
Terms.
1.2.1.3 Any Exclusive Area or Shared Area described or named in the
Terms that is not clearly depicted and correctly labeled on the Boundary Plan is excluded
from this License Agreement and Encroachment Permit and unavailable for Wireless
Provider's use.
1.2.1.4 Any portion of the Boundary Plan or the Site Plan that indicates
a Wireless Provider's use of the Street Parcel that is not one of the Exclusive Areas or
Shared Areas specifically enumerated in the Terms is excluded from this License
Agreement and Encroachment Permit and not available for Wireless Provider's use.
1.2.1.5 All work, improvements and equipment within an Exclusive
Area or Shared Area is limited to the purposes enumerated in the Terms for that particular
Exclusive Area or Shared Area.
1.2.1.6 This License Agreement and Encroachment Permit does not
allow use of any land other than the specified portions of the Street Parcel that are
Exclusive Areas or Shared Areas.
1.2.1.7 Any change to the Boundary Plan after Town issues the
Encroachment Permit is void unless it is memorialized in a formal amendment to this
License Agreement.
1.2.2 Site Plan. It is Wireless Provider's responsibility before submitting any
Encroachment Permit Application authorized by this License Agreement to ensure that the
Site Plan correctly shows the work that Wireless Provider intends to perform, that the Site
Plan correctly shows all improvements and equipment that Wireless Provider intends be
located on the Use Areas, that the Site Plan shows no work, improvements or equipment
outside the Exclusive Areas and Shared Areas properly depicted and labeled on the
Boundary Plan, and that all work, improvements and equipment is encompassed within the
purposes enumerated in the Terms for that particular Exclusive Area or Shared Area. Any
4
work, improvements or equipment not conforming to all the foregoing is prohibited, even if it
is clearly shown on the Site Plan or discussed in the Terms. Any refinement or other
change to the Site Plan after Town issues a Encroachment Permit is void unless Wireless
Provider obtains Town's approval of the change pursuant to the plans approval processes
set out in the Terms and pursuant to all applicable regulatory requirements.
1.2.3 Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement is as stated in the
Terms.
1.2.4 Wireless Provider's Payments. Wireless Provider shall pay to Town the
amounts described in the Terms.
1.2.5 Use Restrictions. Wireless Provider shall comply with the use
restrictions set out in the Terms.
1.2.6 Encroachment Permits. This Agreement constitutes an "Encroachment
Permit" under Chapter 16-1-4.F of the Town of Fountain Hills Town Code to the extent of
granting permission for the Communications Equipment to exist on the Street Parcel but
not to allow any construction or other work of any description in the Right-of-way or to allow
obstruction of traffic or alteration of Town's improvements. Before performing any work on
the Right-of-way, Wireless Provider shall obtain the following additional encroachment
permits, as applicable:
41161, 1.2.6.1 Permission to work in the Right-of-way.
1.2.6.2 Traffic control plan.
1.2.6.3 Any other applicable permits regarding work in the Right-of-
way.
1.2.7 Compliance with Law. Wireless Provider acknowledges that this
License Agreement or any issued Encroachment Permit does not constitute, and Town has
not promised or offered, any type of waiver of, or agreement to waive (or show any type of
forbearance, priority or favoritism to Wireless Provider with regard to) any law, ordinance,
power, regulation, tax, assessment or other legal requirement now or hereafter imposed by
the Town of Fountain Hills or any other governmental body upon or affecting Wireless
Provider's use of the Street Parcel. For example, Wireless Provider shall comply with all
zoning, building and Right-of-way codes, ordinances and policies.
2. Permitted Uses. Town hereby grants to Wireless Provider the right to install,
maintain, operate and repair the Communications Equipment (the "Permitted Uses") subject
to the requirements of this License Agreement and as specified in each specific
Encroachment Permit granted pursuant to this License Agreement.
3. Annual Blanket Encroachment Permit for Incidental Work at a Site: On or before
January 1 of each calendar year, the Wireless Provider shall submit an application for a
5
Blanket Encroachment Permit to perform incidental and routine maintenance work at any
site in the Town's Right-of-way. The Blanket Encroachment Permit shall only cover such
activities as checking and inspecting communications equipment and antennas, changing
circuit packs and cards, cleaning the cabinets and immediate area, and other similar
activity. The Blanket Encroachment Permit does not include any work that requires the
replacement of cabinets, antennas, or communications equipment, or any excavation,
trenching, or concrete or roadway cutting within the Boundary Plan use area.
4. Town's Initial Information. Unless and until Town gives notice otherwise, Town's
contract administrator shall be the Development Services Director.
5. Wireless Provider's Initial Information. Unless and until Wireless Provider gives
notice otherwise:
5.1 Wireless Provider's network operations center phone number as required by
the Terms is (
0
0
5.2 Wireless Provider's address for notices as required by the Terms shall be:
L
5.3 Wireless Provider's billing address for routine billing invoices as required by
the Terms shall be:
7 .
EXECUTED as of the date first given above.
TOWN: Town of Fountain Hills,
an Arizona municipal corporation
By:
Town Manager
WIRELESS PROVIDER:
a
By:
Name:
Its:
40
0
EXHIBIT B
TO
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-18
Wireless Facilities Standard Terms and Conditions]
See following pages.
9
WIRELESS FACILITIES STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The Common Council of the Town of Fountain Hills ("Town") has adopted the
following recitals, terms and conditions (collectively, the "Terms") to govern the use of Town
owned right-of-way for the placement of wireless facilities by a Wireless Provider as defined
by the Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 9-591, et. seq. These Terms are effective as of
2018, and may be amended only upon approval of the Town Council.
RECITALS
a. Town owns the public street and alley rights-of-way and public utility easements within
the boundaries of the Town of Fountain Hills that are designed for use by utility
companies for installation, operation and repair of water, electrical and other utilities
pursuant to franchise, licenses or other agreements between utility companies and
Town (collectively the "Right-of-way").
b. Town is the owner of certain street lights and traffic signals (individually a "Utility Pole"
or collectively "Utility Poles") located in the Right-of-way (as hereinafter defined).
c. Pursuant to A.R.S. 9-591, et seq., one or more Wireless Providers may desire to
establish and operate a network of Small Wireless Facilities to enhance wireless
service coverage within the Town.
d. Town anticipates that one or more Wireless Providers may desire to install Small
Wireless Facilities on the Town's Utility Poles, install new and replacement Utility
Poles capable of supporting Small Wireless Facilities, and in certain cases and where
permitted by the Town's Code, install other Small Wireless Facilities or monopole
towers in the Right-of-way.
e. Wireless Providers agree to comply with the Town's Right-of-way use requirements
as provided in these Terms. Furthermore, Wireless Providers agree to file the
appropriate applications and secure the appropriate licenses and permits required by
the Town for placement of Wireless Facilities within the Town's boundaries.
f. Town Utility Poles approved for Small Wireless Facilities shall retain their primary
governmental purpose, and use of the Right-of-way by Wireless Providers shall not
interfere with the Town's use thereof. The primary purpose of these Terms is to
protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, and to protect the value of and
physical integrity of publicly-owned property and assets.
g. Because Town's existing streetlight poles and traffic signal poles are not designed to
safely support the additional weight and stress of Wireless Facilities, Wireless Service
Providers shall be required to provide poles designed to support these facilities to
replace existing poles prior to attaching Wireless Facilities.
TERMS
to
1. DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of the Terms:
Antenna" means communications equipment that transmits or receives
electromagnetic radio frequency signals and that is used in providing wireless
services.
Application Fee" means the Town's encroachment permit application, review
and other fees related to the issuance of the permit.
Base Use Fee" means the amount that the Company shall pay to Town for
each year of this license for use of Town Right-of-way and Town-owned Pole,
as set out in the current fee schedule.
Communications Equipment" means any and all electronic equipment at the
Small Wireless Facility location that processes and transports information from
the antennas to the Wireless Provider's network.
Competing Users" means entities that own the water pipes, cables and wires,
pavement, and other facilities which may be located within the Right-of-way.
The Competing Users include without limitation, the Town, the State of Arizona
and its political subdivisions, the public, and all manner of utility companies and
other existing or future users of the Use Areas.
Encroachment Permit" means a permit issued pursuant to Chapter 16 of the
Fountain Hills Town Code allowing a a utility pole, monopole, small wireless
facility or wireless support structure to be placed in the Town's Right-of-way
pursuant to the Wireless Provider's License Agreement.
FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission.
FCC Rules" means all applicable radio frequency emissions laws and
regulations.
FCC OET Bulletin 65" means the FCC's Office of Engineering & Technology
Bulletin 65 that includes the FCC Radio Frequency Exposure Guidelines.
License Agreement" means the license incorporating these Terms for Wireless
Providers to install and operate Wireless Facilities in the Town's Right-of-way.
Monopole" means a wireless support structure that is not more than forty
inches in diameter at the ground level and that has all of the wireless facilities
mounted on the pole or contained inside of the pole.
RF" means radio frequency.
II RF Letter" means a letter attesting to the Wireless Provider's compliance with
FCC RF exposure guidelines from the Wireless Provider's senior internal
11
engineer.
Right-of-way" as defined for wireless sites in A.R.S. §9-591(18) means the
area on, below or above a public roadway, highway, street, sidewalk, alley, or
utility easement. Right-of-way does not include a Federal Interstate Highway, a
state highway or state route under the jurisdiction of the Department of
Transportation, a private easement, property that is owned by a special taxing
district, or a utility easement that does not authorize the deployment sought by
the wireless provider.
Site Documents" means the depiction of the use area, schematic plans and
map showing location of the installation of the Wireless Facility in the Right-of-
way, including but not limited to the title report of the use area, vicinity map,
site plan, elevations, technical specifications and the cubic feet of the non-
antenna wireless equipment.
Small Wireless Facility" as defined in A.R.S. §9-591(19), means a Wireless
Facility that meets both of the following qualifications:
a. All antennas are located inside an enclosure of not more than six (6)
cubic feet in volume or, in the case of an antenna that has exposed
elements, the antenna and all of the antenna's exposed elements
could fit within an imaginary enclosure of not more than six (6) cubic
feet in volume.
b. All other wireless equipment associated with the facility is
cumulatively not more than twenty-eight (28) cubic feet in volume, or
fifty (50) cubic feet in volume if the equipment was ground mounted
before the effective date of this section. The following types of
associated ancillary equipment are not included in the calculation of
equipment volume pursuant to this subdivision:
An electric meter.
ii.Concealment elements.
iii.A telecommunications demarcation box.
iv.Grounding equipment.
v.A power transfer switch.
vi.A cutoff switch.
vii.Vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other
services.
Supplemental Parcel Agreement" means an agreement authorizing the
Wireless Provider to use property outside of the Town's Right-of-way, whether
12
owned by the Town or a third-party.
Third Party Areas" means the portions of the Right-of-way, such as canal
crossings or other areas that for any reason have limited Right-of-way
dedications or that have regulatory use restrictions imposed by a third party.
Violation Use Fee" means the types of fees that the Town has available to
remedy certain breaches of the License Agreement by a Wireless Provider.
Wireless Facility" as defined in A.R.S. §9-591(22):
a. Means equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless
communications between user equipment and a communications
network, including both of the following:
Equipment associated with wireless communications.
ii. Radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cables,
regular and backup power supplies and comparable
equipment, regardless of technological configuration.
b. Includes small wireless facilities.
c. Does not include the structure or improvements on, under or within
which the equipment is collocated, wireline backhaul facilities, coaxial
or fiber-optic that is between wireless support structures or utility
poles or coaxial or fiber-optic cable that is otherwise not immediately
adjacent to, or directly associated with, an antenna.
d. Does not include Wi-Fi radio equipment described in Section 9-506,
Subsection I or microcell equipment described in Section 9-584,
Subsection E.
Wireless Infrastructure Provider" as defined in A.R.S. §9-591(23) means any
person that is authorized to provide telecommunications service in this state
and that builds or installs wireless communications transmission equipment,
wireless facilities, utility poles or monopoles but that is not a wireless service
provider. Wireless Infrastructure Provider does not include a special taxing
district.
Wireless Provider" as defined in A.R.S. §9-591(24) means a Cable Operator,
Wireless Infrastructure Provider or Wireless Services Provider.
Wireless Provider's Improvements" means all improvements installed by the
Wireless Provider, including, but not limited to: all elements of the Wireless
ow Facility, all screening elements, any landscaping plants or materials, and any
13
other elements provided by the Wireless Provider in the approved License
Agreement.
Wireless Services" as defined in A.R.S. §9-591(25) means any services that
are provided to the public and that use licensed or unlicensed spectrum,
whether at a fixed location or mobile, using wireless facilities.
Wireless Services Provider" as defined in A.R.S. §9-591(26) means a person
that provides wireless services. Wireless Services Provider does not include a
special taxing district.
Wireless Support Structure" as defined in A.R.S. §9-591(27):
a) Means:
A freestanding structure, such as a monopole.
ii.A tower, either guyed or self-supporting.
iii.A sign or billboard.
iv.Any other existing or proposed structure designed to
support or capable of supporting small wireless facilities.
v.Does not include a utility pole.
2. USE AREAS.
Upon approval of a License Agreement, Town grants to Wireless Service Provider the
right to install Wireless Facilities in the Town's Right-of-way upon issuance of an
Encroachment Permit for each Use Area as set forth below:
2.1 Limitations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Use
Areas include and are limited to only certain areas that Wireless Provider is
permitted to exclusively use and occupy (the "Exclusive Area") and certain
areas that Wireless Provider is permitted to use on a shared basis (the "Shared
Area"). The Use Areas are defined by the Boundary Plan.
2.2 Use Areas Boundary. The Use Areas is the smallest geometric shape
that includes the Exclusive Areas and the Shared Areas. The Use Areas
exclude other parts of the Street Parcel or and all other land. Wireless Provider
shall not occupy or use any other portion of the Street Parcel or adjoining lands.
An approved License Agreement or any associated Encroachment Permit(s)
does not allow any use by Wireless Provider of land outside the Street Parcel.
If any portion of Wireless Provider's work, improvement or equipment is to be
located on other land, then such work, improvements and equipment are
prohibited unless Wireless Provider first obtains from the owner of said land
including Town, if applicable) a Supplemental Parcel Agreement allowing such
work, improvements and equipment.
14
2.3 Exclusive Areas. The Exclusive Areas are limited to the following, if and
as defined by the Boundary Plan:
2.3.1 The land area defined as "Enclosure" on the Boundary
Plan to be used by Wireless Provider solely for the enclosure
housing the electronic ground equipment shown on the Site Plan
the "Enclosure"). Such area is confined to the actual area occupied
by the exterior structure and the interior of the enclosure. If the
Boundary Plan does not show a clearly defined and correctly
labeled "Enclosure" area, then no enclosure area is available for
Wireless Provider's use and any enclosure for Wireless Provider's
use must be located outside the Street Parcel and authorized by a
Supplemental Parcel Agreement.
2.3.2 The area on the Pole defined as "Antennas" on the
Boundary Plan to be used by Wireless Provider solely for mounting
the Antennas. Such area is confined to the Town approved
elevations and locations actually occupied by the Antennas and
their supporting brackets. If the Boundary Plan does not show a
clearly defined and correctly labeled "Antennas" area, then no main
antennas area is available for Wireless Provider's use and any main
antennas for Wireless Provider's use must be located outside the
Street Parcel and authorized by a Supplemental Parcel Agreement.
2.4 Shared Areas. Shared Areas are limited to the following areas, if and as
defined by the Boundary Plan:
2.4.1 A motor vehicle Parking space (the "Parking Space") at the
Parking Space" location described on the Boundary Plan to be
used by Wireless Provider solely for parking a service vehicle to
service the Communications Equipment and for ingress and egress
to that Parking Space.
2.4.2 No temporary construction area is provided by these
Terms, an approved License Agreement or Encroachment Permit.
Wireless Provider must obtain from Town a separate written
document giving Wireless Provider permission to work in the Right-
of-way, as described elsewhere herein.
2.4.3 An underground cable route (the "Signal Route") labeled
as the "Signal Route" described on the Boundary Plan from the
Enclosure to the Antenna to be used by Wireless Provider solely for
underground radio frequency lines between the Enclosure and the
Antenna. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the portion of the
Signal Route upon the Pole shall not be underground but shall be
within the Pole. If the Boundary Plan does not show a clearly
IDdefined and correctly labeled "Signal Route" area, then no signal
route area is available for Wireless Provider's use and any signal
15
route for Wireless Provider's use must be separately authorized by
Town.
2.5 Power and Telephone Service. Nothing herein grants permission for
Wireless Provider to use any portion of power, telephone or other service
routes, if any. Wireless Provider acknowledges that use of the public street
Right-of-way or public utility easements for these purposes, if any, is governed
by Town's normal Right-of-way rules and policies, and by the franchise
agreements between the Town and the electrical and telephone service
providers.
2.6 Rights in Adjacent Land. Wireless Provider's rights are expressly limited
to the real property defined as the "Use Areas" an issued Encroachment Permit.
Without limitation, in the event any public Right-of-way or other public or private
property at or adjacent to the Use Areas is owned, dedicated, abandoned or
otherwise acquired, used, improved or disposed of by Town, such property shall
not accrue to Wireless Provider but shall be the Town's property and not subject
to the Use Areas.
2.7 Variation in Area. In the event the Use Areas consist of more or less
than any stated area, Wireless Provider's obligations hereunder shall not be
increased or diminished.
2.8 Condition of Title. Wireless Provider shall not have power to amend,
modify, terminate or otherwise change the Site Documents or create new Site
Documents.
2.8.1 Town does not warrant its own or any other person's title
to or rights to use the Use Areas or any other property.
2.8.2 Wireless Provider shall pay, indemnify, defend and hold
harmless Town and its agents and representatives of, from and
against any and all claims, demands, damages, expenses, interest
or penalties of any kind or nature whatsoever, including attorneys',
arbitrators' and experts' fees and court costs that arise from or
relate to Wireless Provider's non-compliance with the Site
Documents.
2.9 Condition of Use Areas. The Use Areas are being made available in an
as is" condition without any express or implied warranties of any kind, including
without limitation any warranties or representations as to their condition or
fitness for any use.
2.10 No Real Property Interest. Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the
contrary, and notwithstanding any negotiation, correspondence, course of
performance or dealing, or other statements or acts by or between the parties,
Wireless Provider's rights herein are limited to use and occupation of the Use
Areas for the Permitted Uses.
16
2.11 Limited Rights in Use Areas. Wireless Provider's rights in the Use Areas
are limited to the specific rights expressly granted in Wireless Provider's
approved License Agreement.
2.12 Reserved Right and Competing Users and Activities. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, Town specifically reserves to itself and excludes
from any Encroachment Permit a non-exclusive delegable right (the "Reserved
Right") over the entire Use Areas for all manner of real and personal
improvements and for streets, sidewalks, trails, landscaping, utilities and every
other land use of every description. Without limitation:
2.12.1 Competing Users. Wireless Provider accepts the risk that
Town and others (the "Competing Users") may now or in the future
install their facilities in the Use Areas in locations that make parts of
the Right-of-way unavailable for Wireless Provider's use.
2.12.2 Competing Activities. Wireless Provider accepts the risk
that there may now or in the future exist upon the Use Areas all
manner of work and improvements upon the Use Areas (the
Competing Activities"). The Competing Activities include without
limitation any and all laying construction, erection, installation, use,
operation, repair, replacement, removal, relocation, raising,
lowering, widening, realigning or other dealing with any or all of the
following, whether above, upon or below the surface of the Use
4110 Areas and whether occasioned by existing or proposed uses of the
Right-of-way or existing or proposed uses of adjoining or nearby
land:
2.12.2.1 All manner of streets, alleys, sidewalks,
trails, ways, traffic control devices, subways, tunnels,
trains and gates of every description, and all manner of
other transportation facilities and their appurtenances.
2.12.2.2 All manner of pipes, wires, cables, conduits,
sewers, pumps, valves, switches, conductors,
connectors, poles, supports, access points and guy
wires of every description, and all manner of other utility
facilities and their appurtenances.
2.12.2.3 All manner of drains, bridges, viaducts,
overpasses, underpasses, culverts, markings,
balconies, porches, overhangs and other
encroachments of every description and all manner of
other facilities and their appurtenances.
2.12.2.4 All other uses of the Right-of-way that Town
may permit from time to time.
40
17
2.12.3 Town's Rights Cumulative. All of Town's Reserved Rights
under various provisions of the License Agreement, these Terms
and Encroachment Permits shall be cumulative to each other.
2.12.4 Use Priorities. These Terms do not grant to Wireless
Provider or establish for Wireless Provider any exclusive rights or
priority in favor of Wireless Provider to use the Use Areas. Wireless
Provider shall not obstruct or interfere with or prevent any
Competing User from using the Use Areas.
2.12.5 Regulation. Town shall have full authority to regulate use
of the Use Areas and to resolve competing demands and
preferences regarding use of the Use Areas and to require Wireless
Provider to cooperate and participate in implementing such
resolutions. Without limitation, Town may take any or all of the
following into account in regulating use of the Use Areas:
2.12.5.1 All timing, public, operational, financial and
other factors affecting existing and future proposals,
needs and plans for Competing Activities.
2.12.5.2 All other factors Town may consider relevant,
whether or not mentioned in the License Agreement,
these Terms and Encroachment Permit(s).
2.12.5.3 Differing regulatory regimes or laws
applicable to claimed rights, public benefits, community
needs and all other factors relating to Competing Users
and Competing Activities.
2.12.6 Communications Equipment Relocation. Upon one
hundred eighty (180) days' notice from Town, Wireless Provider
shall temporarily or permanently relocate or otherwise modify the
Communications Equipment Relocation (the "Relocation Work") as
follows:
2.12.6.1 Wireless Provider shall perform the
Relocation Work at its own expense when required by
Town's town manager or designee.
2.12.6.2 The Relocation Work includes all work
determined by Town to be necessary to accommodate
Competing Activities, including without limitation
temporarily or permanently removing, protecting,
supporting, disconnecting or relocating any portion of
the Communications Equipment.
0 2.12.6.3 Town may perform any part of the Relocation
Work that has not been performed within the allotted
18
time. Wireless Provider shall reimburse Town for its
actual costs in performing any Relocation Work. Town
has no obligation to move Wireless Provider's, Town's
or others' facilities.
2.12.6.4 Town and not Wireless Provider shall be
entitled to use any of Wireless Provider's facilities that
are abandoned in place or that are not relocated on
Town's request.
2.12.6.5 All Relocation Work shall be subject to and
comply with all other provisions of the License
Agreement.
2.12.7 Disruption by Competing Users. Neither Town nor any
agent, contractor or employee of Town shall be liable to Wireless
Provider, its customers or third parties for any service disruption or
for any other harm caused them or the Communications Equipment
due to Competing Users or Competing Activities.
2.12.8 Emergency Disruption by Town. Town may remove, alter,
tear out, relocate or damage portions of the Communications
Equipment in the case of fire, disaster, or other emergencies if
Town's town manager or designee deems such action to be
reasonably necessary under the circumstances. In such event,
neither Town nor any agent, contractor or employee of Town shall
be liable to Wireless Provider or its customers or third parties for
any harm so caused to them or the Communications Equipment.
When practical, Town shall consult with Wireless Provider in
advance to assess the necessity of such actions and to minimize to
the extent practical under the circumstances damage to and
disruption of operation of the Communications Equipment. In any
event, Town shall inform Wireless Provider after such actions.
Wireless Provider's work to repair or restore the Communications
Equipment shall be Relocation Work.
2.12.9 Public Safety. If the Communications Equipment or any
other Wireless Provider equipment, improvements or activities
present any immediate hazard or impediment to the public, to Town,
to Town's equipment or facilities, to other improvements or activities
within or without the Use Areas, or Town's ability to safely and
conveniently operate the Right-of-way or perform Town's utility,
public safety or other public health, safety and welfare functions,
then Wireless Provider shall immediately remedy the hazard,
comply with Town's requests to secure the Street Parcel, and
otherwise cooperate with Town at no expense to Town to remove
any such hazard or impediment. Wireless Provider's work crews
shall report the Use Areas within four (4) hours of any request by
Town under this paragraph (the "RF Safety Paragraph").
19
2.13 Third Party Permission. There may be portions of the Right-of-way or
other areas that for any reason have limited Right-of-way dedications or that
have regulatory use restrictions imposed by a third party ("Third Party"). Areas
subject to such restrictions or regulations by Third Parties are referred to as
Third Party Areas" and communications equipment may not be built without
permission from the Third Party or Third Parties that have property rights or
regulatory authority over a specific Third Party Area. Wireless Provider's right
to use any Use Areas shall be suspended, but not its obligations with respect
thereto, during any period that a Third Party Permission is not in effect.
3.DURATION; EXTENSIONS.
3.1 Term. The original term of each License Agreement shall be for a
period of ten (10) years commencing on the effective date stated therein ("Initial
Term"). The Term of any associated Encroachment Permits issued to Wireless
Provider shall be the same as Wireless Provider's approved License
Agreement.
3.2 Extensions. The term of the License Agreement may be extended for
one (1) additional ten (10) year period ("Extension Term") subject to consent by
Town and Wireless Provider, which either may withhold in its sole and absolute
discretion. Both Town and Wireless Provider shall be deemed to have elected
to extend unless Town or Wireless Provider, respectively, gives notice to the
contrary to the other at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the initial Term.
3.3 Holding Over. In any circumstance whereby Wireless Provider would
remain in possession or occupancy of the Use Areas after the expiration of this
License Agreement (as extended, if applicable), such holding over shall not be
deemed to operate as a renewal or extension of the License Agreement or
Encroachment Permits, but shall only create a use right from month to month
that may be terminated at any time by Town upon thirty (30) days' notice to
Wireless Provider, or by Wireless Provider upon sixty (60) days' notice to Town.
3.4 Town's Right to Cancel. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to
the contrary, Town shall have the unconditional right, with or without cause, to
terminate any Encroachment Permit for reasons including but not limited to
street widening, Right-of-way abandonment, or development that may impact
the location of the site, upon one hundred eighty (180) days' prior written notice
given at any time after the first one hundred eighty (180) days.
3.5 Wireless Provider's Right to Cancel. Wireless Provider shall have the
unilateral right to terminate any License Agreement without cause upon thirty
30) days' prior written notice. Wireless Provider has no right to terminate any
time after an event of default by Wireless Provider has occurred (or an event
has occurred that would become a default after passage of time or giving of
notice).
20
3.6 Removal and Restoration Obligations. Upon expiration or termination of
any License Agreement or Encroachment Permit, or any abandonment of any
Wireless Facilities, Wireless Provider shall remove its Wireless Facilities from
the Right-of-way, at is sole cost and expense as provided in Section 12.4
hereto.
4.WIRELESS PROVIDER'S PAYMENTS.
Wireless Provider shall make payments to Town as follows:
4.1 Use Fee Items. Wireless Provider shall pay to Town each of the
following separate and cumulative amounts (collectively the "Use Fees"):
4.1.1 An annual amount (the "Base Use Fee").
4.1.2 An amount (the "Application Fee") based on Wireless
Provider's application and permit review and other costs as set out
below.
4.1.3 An amount (the "Violation Use Fee") based on certain
breaches by Wireless Provider of the License Agreement as set out
below.
4.1.4 All other amounts required by the License Agreement.
4.2 Base Use Fee Amount. The amount of Base Use Fee Wireless Provider
shall pay to Town for each year of this Agreement shall be the total of all
applicable fee line items for wireless communications facilities (including without
limitation "antenna base fee" and "ground equipment fee", as applicable) as set
out in the then current fee schedule as it may be amended from time to time by
Town's town council.
4.3 Application Fee Amount. The amount of the Application Fee for Small
Wireless Facilities under A.R.S. § 9-592 shall be Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars
750.00) and the Application Fee for wireless sites under A.R.S. § 9-594 shall
be One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00). Nothing herein shall prevent the Town
from charging any other applicable fees ordinarily charged by the Town for
review of plans, issuance of permits, and inspection of Wireless Provider's work
upon the Use Areas (including, without limitation, encroachment permits, traffic
control fees, technology fees) as set out in the then current fee schedule as it
may be amended from time to time by Town's town council.
4.4 Use Fees Cumulative. All items of Use Fees shall be cumulative and
separate from each other.
4.5 Use Fee Schedule. Provider shall pay all Use Fees at the times and in
lir the amounts specified by Town's normal processes. Town's failure to collect
21
any item of the Use Fees does not waive Wireless Provider's liability for such
Use Fee, nor shall such failure be deemed a waiver by the Town to collect such
Use Fee thereafter.
4.6 Letter of Credit. The Initial Letter of Credit amount shall be based upon
the Wireless Provider's good faith projection of the number of sites to be
constructed within the Town of Fountain Hills during the current calendar year.
The Initial Letter of Credit shall be received by the Town before any construction
and encroachment permits are issued as follows:
4.6.1 The amount of the letter of credit shall be as follows: Thirty
Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) for up to ten (10) wireless sites;
Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000) for eleven (11) to twenty (20)
wireless sites; One Hundred Five Thousand Dollars ($105,000) for
twenty one (21) to thirty five (35) wireless sites; One Hundred Eighty
Thousand Dollars ($180,000) for thirty six (36) to sixty (60) wireless
sites; Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) for sixty one
61) to one hundred (100) wireless sites; Four Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($450,000) for one hundred one (101) to one
hundred fifty (150) wireless sites; Six Hundred Seventy Five
Thousand Dollars ($675,000) for one hundred fifty one (151) to two
hundred twenty five (225) wireless sites; One Million Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($1,050,000) for two hundred twenty six (226) to three
hundred fifty (350) wireless sites; One Million Five Hundred
S Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) for three hundred fifty one (351) to
five hundred (500) wireless sites; Two Million Two Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($2,250,000) for five hundred one (501) to seven
hundred fifty (750) wireless sites; and Three Million Dollars
3,000,000) for seven hundred fifty one (751) to one thousand
1,000) wireless sites. If the number of Wireless Provider's wireless
sites is more than one thousand (1,000), the Three Million Dollar
3,000,000) letter of credit shall remain in effect and the letter of
credit for the wireless sites in excess of one thousand sites shall be
calculated using the schedule provided in this subsection.
4.6.2 The Town will determine at least once annually if the
number of Wireless Provider's wireless sites that are licensed
require that the letter of credit be upgraded to a higher amount. If
Town requires a new letter of credit, it shall provide formal notice in
writing to the Wireless Provider. The Wireless Provider must
provide the new letter of credit within 45 days of receiving written
notice.
4.6.3 The letter of credit is a security deposit for Wireless
Provider's performance of all of its obligations under these Terms
within the Town of Fountain Hills.
0 4.6.4 The letter of credit shall meet the requirements listed on
Exhibit "B" attached hereto.
22
4.6.5 Wireless Provider shall provide and maintain the letter of
credit during the entire term of the License Agreement as follows:
4.6.5.1 Wireless Provider shall cause the original
letter of credit to be delivered to Town's Development
Services Director.
4.6.5.2 Wireless Provider shall pay all costs
associated with the letter of credit, regardless of the
reason or manner such costs are required.
4.6.5.3 Within ten (10) business days after Town
gives Wireless Provider notice that Town has drawn on
the letter of credit, Wireless Provider shall cause the
letter of credit to be replenished to its prior amount.
4.6.6 Town may draw on the letter of credit upon any Event of
Default, and in the following circumstances whether or not they are
an Event of Default:
4.6.6.1 Wireless Provider fails to cause the letter of
credit to be renewed, extended, increased in amount or
otherwise maintained as required by these Terms.
4.6.6.2 Wireless Provider fails to make monetary
payments as required by these Terms.
4.6.6.3 The issuer of the letter of credit fails to
immediately honor a draft on the letter of credit or
otherwise repudiates or fails to honor the letter of credit.
4.6.7 Town shall also have such additional rights regarding the
letter of credit as may be provided elsewhere in the License
Agreement.
4.7 Late Fees. Any fee payable under this Agreement is deemed paid only
when Town actually receives good cash payment. Should any fee not be paid
on or before the date due, a late fee shall be added to the amount due in the
amount of the greater of ten percent (10%) of the amount due, or One Hundred
Dollars ($100.00). Furthermore, any fee that is not timely paid shall accrue
simple interest at the rate of one and one-half percent (1 1/
2 %) per month from
the date the amount first came due until paid. Wireless Provider expressly
agrees that the foregoing represent fair and reasonable estimates by Town and
Wireless Provider of Town's costs (such as accounting, administrative, legal
and processing costs, etc.) in the event of a delay in payment of the fee. Town
shall have the right to allocate payments received from Wireless Provider
40, among Wireless Provider's obligations.
23
4.8 Fee Amounts Cumulative. All amounts payable by Wireless Provider
hereunder or under any tax, assessment or other existing or future ordinance,
law or other contract or obligations to the Town of Fountain Hills or the State of
Arizona shall be cumulative and payable in addition to each other payment
required hereunder, and such amounts shall not be credited toward, substituted
for, or setoff against each other in any manner.
5. USE RESTRICTIONS.
Wireless Provider's use and occupation of the Use Areas shall in all respects conform
to all and each of the following cumulative provisions:
5.1 Permitted Uses. Wireless Provider shall use the Use Areas solely for
the Permitted Uses and shall conduct no other activity at or from the Use Areas
without Town's prior written consent, which may be withheld in Town's sole and
absolute discretion.
5.2 Enclosure Use. Wireless Provider shall use the Enclosure solely for
locating utility cabinets and housing the Communications Equipment used for
the Antennas.
5.3 Small Wireless Facility. Wireless Provider may install a Small Wireless
Facility, as defined in A.R.S. 9-591(19), to be limited to:
5.3.1 All antennas, including the antenna's exposed elements,
are located inside an enclosure of not more than six (6) cubic feet in
volume, and
5.3.2 All other wireless equipment associated with the facility is
cumulatively not more than twenty-eight (28) cubic feet in volume.
5.3.3. The following ancillary equipment is not included in the
equipment volume: electric meter, concealment elements, telecom
demarcation box, grounding equipment, power transfer switch,
cutoff switch, and vertical cable runs.
5.4 Communications Operations Restriction. Pursuant to A.R.S. 9-
592(F)(3), Wireless Provider shall not install, operate, or allow the use of
equipment, methodology or technology that interferes or is likely to interfere with
the optimum effective use or operation of Town's existing or future fire,
emergency or other communications equipment, methodology or technology
i.e., voice or other data carrying, receiving or transmitting equipment). If such
interference should occur, Wireless Provider shall immediately discontinue
using the equipment, methodology or technology that causes the interference
until Wireless Provider takes corrective measures to alter the Communications
Equipment to eliminate such interference. Any such corrective measures shall
be made at no cost to Town. Wireless Provider shall give to Town advance
ti.r written notice containing a list of the radio frequencies Wireless Provider is
24
using at the Use Areas and shall give advance written notice to Town of any
change in frequencies.
5.5 Other Equipment. Wireless Provider shall not disturb or otherwise
interfere with any other antennas or other equipment Town or an authorized
third party may have already installed or may yet install upon the Street Parcel.
5.6 Signs. All signage is prohibited except in compliance with the following
requirements:
5.6.1 Wireless Provider shall install and thereafter maintain the
following signs and other markings as reasonably determined by
Town from time to time:
5.6.1.1 All signs and markings required for safe use
of the Use Areas by Town, Wireless Provider and other
persons who may be at the Use Areas at any time for
any reason.
5.6.1.2 Any signage Town may request directing
parking, deliveries and other vehicles and other users to
comply with this License Agreement.
5.6.1.3 Warning signs listing only Wireless Provider's
ID
name, permanent business address, telephone number,
emergency telephone number, and any information
required by law.
5.6.2 All signage not expressly allowed by these Terms is
prohibited.
5.6.3 The location, size, content and style of each sign shall be
subject to the provisions of the applicable sign ordinance and shall
comply with Town's sign programs as the same may change from
time to time. Wireless Provider shall update signs, at Wireless
Provider's sole cost and expense, as required to comply with
changes in the applicable sign ordinance and Town's sign
programs.
5.6.4 Wireless Provider shall design, make, install and maintain
all signage in a first class, professional manner without broken
panels, faded or peeling paint or other damage. Town reserves the
right to require Wireless Provider to install, at Wireless Provider's
cost, new or updated signage if the existing signage is not compliant
with this Agreement.
5.6.5 Wireless Provider shall bear all costs pertaining to the
L erection, installation, operation, maintenance, replacement and
removal of all signs including, but not limited to, the application for
25
and obtaining of any required sign, building or other permits
regardless of the reason for any such activity, even if such activity is
required by Town pursuant to these Terms.
5.6.6 The requirements of this paragraph apply to all signs,
designs, monuments, decals, graphics, posters, banners, markings,
and other manner of signage.
5.7 Wireless Provider's Lighting. Except for security lighting temporarily
operated with Town's approval from time to time, Wireless Provider shall not
operate outdoor lights at the Use Areas.
5.8 Noise. Except during construction permitted under the License
Agreement and for burglar alarms and other safety devices, outdoor loud
speakers, sirens or other devices for making noise are prohibited. All equipment
shall be operated so that sound coming therefrom is compliant with Section 11-
1-7 of the Town Code and does not exceed the ambient noise level at the
boundary of the Street Parcel. The preceding sentence does not apply to use of
normal, properly maintained construction equipment used as permitted by the
approved License Agreement or permit issued to Wireless Provider by the
Town, to infrequent use of equipment that is as quiet or quieter than a typical
well maintained gasoline powered passenger automobile, to use of an air
conditioning unit that is no noisier than a typical well maintained residential air
conditioning unit.
5.9 Limited Access. It is Wireless Provider's and not Town's responsibility
to keep unauthorized persons from accessing the Communications Equipment
and the Exclusive Areas.
5.10 Standards of Service. Wireless Provider shall operate the Use Areas in
a first-class manner, and shall keep the Use Areas attractively maintained,
orderly, clean, neat and tidy at all times. Wireless Provider shall not allow any
person or persons in or about the Use Areas related to Wireless Provider's
operations who shall fail to be clean, courteous, efficient and neat in
appearance.
5.11 Wireless Provider's Agent. Wireless Provider shall at all times retain on
call available to Town by telephone an active, qualified, competent and
experienced person to supervise all activities upon the Use Areas and operation
of the Communications Equipment. Wireless Provider's agent shall be
authorized to represent and act for Wireless Provider in matters pertaining to all
emergencies and the day-to-day operation of the Right-of-way and all other
matters affecting a License Agreement or Encroachment Permit. Wireless
Provider shall also provide notice to Town of the name, street address,
electronic mail address, and regular and afterhours telephone number of a
person to handle Wireless Provider's affairs and emergencies at the Right-of-
way. Any change shall be given in writing to Town's Development Services
Director in the manner stated for notices required herein.
26
5.12 Coordination Meetings. Wireless Provider shall meet with Town and
other Right-of-way users from time to time as requested by Town to coordinate
and plan construction on the Use Areas and all matters affected by these
Terms.
5.13 Toxic Substances. Wireless Provider's activities upon or about the Use
Areas shall be subject to the following regarding any hazardous or toxic
substances, waste or materials or any substance now or hereafter subject to
regulation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601, et seq., the Arizona Hazardous Waste
Management Act, A.R.S. §§ 49-901, et seq., the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901, et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15
U.S.C. §§ 2601, et seq., or any other federal, state, county, or local law
pertaining to hazardous substances, waste or toxic substances and their
reporting requirements (collectively "Toxic Substances"):
5.13.1 Wireless Provider understands the hazards presented to
persons, property and the environment by dealing with Toxic
Substances. Town has made no warranties as to whether the Use
Areas contain actual or presumed asbestos or other Toxic
Substances.
5.13.2 Within twenty-four (24) hours after discovery by Wireless
Provider of any Toxic Substances, Wireless Provider shall report
tilar such Toxic Substances to Town in writing. Within fourteen (14) days
thereafter, Wireless Provider shall provide Town with a written
report of the nature and extent of such toxic substances found by
Wireless Provider.
5.13.3 Disturbance of Toxic Substances. Prior to undertaking any
construction or other significant work, Wireless Provider shall cause
the Use Areas to be inspected to prevent disturbance of potential
asbestos or other Toxic Substances. Prior to any work of any
description that bears a material risk of disturbing potential asbestos
or other Toxic Substances, Wireless Provider shall cause the
contractor or other person performing such work to give to Town
written notice by the method described in these Terms to the effect
that the person will inspect for Toxic Substances, will not disturb
Toxic Substances, and will indemnify, defend and hold Town
harmless against any disturbance in Toxic Substances in the course
of the contractor's or other person's work. Wireless Provider shall
cause any on-site or off-site storage, inspection, treatment,
transportation, disposal, handling, or other work involving Toxic
Substances by Wireless Provider in connection with the Use Areas
to be performed by persons, equipment, facilities and other
resources who are at all times properly and lawfully trained,
authorized, licensed, permitted and otherwise qualified to perform
such services. Wireless Provider shall promptly deliver to Town
27
copies of all reports or other information regarding Toxic
Substances.
5.14 Required Operation. During the entire term of the License Agreement
and associated Encroachment Permit(s), and any renewals or extensions
thereof, Wireless Provider shall actively and continuously operate the
Communications Equipment twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per
week, for the Permitted Uses. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
paragraph to the contrary, the operation requirements of this paragraph shall be
effective commencing on the completion of the Project and shall continue
through the date the License Agreement terminates or expires for any reason.
In the event of relocation of the Communications Equipment or damage to the
Use Areas severe enough that the Communications Equipment cannot
reasonably be operated during repairs, the operation requirements of this
paragraph shall be suspended during the time specified by these Terms for
accomplishing repair of such damage or relocation of the Communications
Equipment. Wireless Provider may temporarily cease operating the
Communications Equipment for short periods necessary to test, repair, service
or upgrade the Communications Equipment. Notwithstanding the foregoing to
the contrary, any suspension in operations, whether or not authorized pursuant
to the License Agreement, shall not serve to extend any Term of the License
Agreement.
5.15 Actions by Others. Wireless Provider shall be responsible to ensure
40 compliance with the License Agreement by all persons using the Right-of-way
through or under Wireless Provider.
6. WIRELESS PROVIDER'S IMPROVEMENTS.
All of Wireless Provider's improvements and other construction work whether or not
specifically described herein upon or related to the Use Areas (collectively "Wireless
Provider's Improvements") shall comply with the following:
6.1 Wireless Provider's Improvements. Wireless Provider's Improvements
include without limitation, all modification, replacement, repairs, installation,
construction, grading, structural, utility, lighting, plumbing, sewer or other
alterations, parking or traffic alterations, removal, demolition or other
cumulatively significant construction or similar work of any description and all
installation or alteration of the Communications Equipment.
6.2 Zoning and Similar Approval Process. The zoning processes, building
permit processes, Right-of-way management policies and similar regulatory
requirements that apply to Wireless Provider's Improvements are completely
separate from the plans approval processes set forth in these Terms. Wireless
Provider's satisfaction of any requirement set forth these Terms does not
substitute for compliance with any regulatory requirement. Wireless Provider's
satisfaction of any regulatory requirement does not substitute for compliance
with any requirement of these Terms. Wireless Provider must make all
28
submittals and communications regarding the requirements of these Terms
through Town's Development Services Director and not through other staff.
Wireless Provider shall be responsible to directly obtain all necessary permits
and approvals from any and all governmental or other entities having standing
or jurisdiction over the Use Areas. Wireless Provider bears sole responsibility to
comply with all stipulations and conditions that are required in order to secure
such rezoning and other approvals. Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph
to the contrary, to the extent regulatory requirements and requirements of these
Terms are identical, compliance with regulatory requirements shall constitute
compliance with these Terms and vice versa.
6.2.1 Batching Sites for Approval. Only sites that do not have a
new or a replacement pole required for the antennas, and do not
have any underground cables, conduit, and foundations, are eligible
for batch processing of the applications.
6.3 Relationship of Plans Approval to Regulatory Processes. Wireless
Provider's submission of plans under these Terms, Town's approval of plans for
purposes of these Terms, and the plans approval process herein shall be
separate and independent of all development, zoning, design review and other
regulatory or similar plans submittal and approval processes, all of which shall
continue to apply as provided under state law, in addition to the requirements of
these Terms and its approvals. BUILDING PERMITS, ZONING CLEARANCES,
OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL REVIEWS OR ACTIONS DO NOT
O CONSTITUTE APPROVAL OF ANY PLANS FOR PURPOSES OF THE
LICENSE AGREEMENT.
6.4 Town's Fixtures and Property. Wireless Provider shall not remove, alter
or damage in any way any improvements or any personal property of Town
upon the Use Areas without Town's prior written approval. In all cases, Wireless
Provider will repair any damage or other alteration to Town's property caused by
Wireless Provider or its contractors, employees or agents to as good or better
condition than existed before the damage or alteration.
6.5 Design Requirements. All Wireless Provider's Improvements shall
comply with the following design requirements:
6.5.1 All Wireless Provider's Improvements shall be contained
entirely within the Use Areas and without any encroachment or
dependence upon any other property, except for permitted utility
service.
6.5.2 Any changes to utility facilities shall be strictly limited to the
Use Areas, shall not affect utilities used by Town or any authorized
users thereof, and shall be undertaken by Wireless Provider at its
sole cost and expense.
6.5.3 The Antennas and other Communications Equipment shall
be properly designed, installed and maintained so as not to create a
29
risk of damage to the Pole, to persons or property upon or using the
Street Parcel or Town's other property.
6.5.4 To the extent requested by Town, Wireless Provider's
plans shall include a description of construction methods employed
to address environmental issues affecting or affected by the Use
Areas and protect other facilities at the Street Parcel and
surrounding properties.
6.5.5 All specifications set forth in the Town of Fountain Hills's
Design Standards for Small Wireless Facilities in the Right-of-Way,
attached here to as Exhibit "A."
6.6 Approval Required. Wireless Provider shall not construct any Wireless
Provider's Improvements (including work on adjacent public lands, if applicable)
without having first received an executed License Agreement, written plans
approval from Town and any and all permits deemed necessary by the Town.
Such consent requirement shall apply to all improvements, furnishings,
equipment, fixtures, paint, wall treatments, utilities of every description,
communications cabling and other construction work of any description as
described in all plans heretofore or hereafter delivered by Wireless Provider to
Town. Such consent requirement does not apply to work to the Communications
Equipment confined completely inside the Enclosure and not visible, audible, or
otherwise discernible outside the Enclosure.
6.7 Effect of Plans Approval. Wireless Provider shall submit engineering
and construction plans to the Town for review and approval. Town's approval of
plans submitted shall be for purposes of these Terms only and shall constitute
irrevocable approval (but only at the level of detail of the applicable stage of the
review process) of the matters plainly shown on the plans approved. Town shall
not reject subsequent plans to the extent the matter to which Town objects was
plainly shown on plans previously approved by Town. However, Town is not
precluded from objecting to matters not previously approved, changes to plans,
matters not previously clearly disclosed on approved plans, or refinements or
implementation of matters previously approved.
6.8 Plans Required. Wireless Provider's design of all Wireless Provider's
Improvements shall occur in three stages culminating in final working
construction documents for the Wireless Provider's Improvements (the "Final
Plans"). The three stages are, in order of submission and in increasing order of
detail, as follows:
6.8.1 Conceptual plans showing the general layout, locations,
elevations, configuration, and capacities of all significant
improvements, topographical features, pedestrian and vehicular
ways, buildings, utilities, and other features significantly affecting
the appearance, design, function or operation of each element of
Wireless Provider's Improvements.
30
6.8.2 Preliminary plans showing all surface finishes and
treatments, finished elevations, general internal and external design
including without limitation colors, textures and materials),
mechanical, communications, electrical, plumbing and other utility
systems, building materials, landscaping and all other elements
necessary prior to preparation of final working construction
documents and showing compliance with all requirements of these
Terms. The preliminary plans shall show all detail necessary prior to
preparation of Final Plans.
6.8.3 Final Plans. In addition to the information that Town
required for Preliminary plans, the Final Plans shall include a title
report for the Use Area and the Shared Use Area, engineering
design documents for the pole foundation, pole structural design,
and other generally required engineering specifications for
construction drawings or "CD" plans for permits.
6.9 Approval Process. The following procedure shall govern Wireless
Provider's submission to Town of all plans for Wireless Provider's
Improvements, including any proposed changes by Wireless Provider to
previously approved plans:
6.9.1 All plans Wireless Provider submits under these Terms
shall show design, appearance, capacity, views, and other
information reasonably deemed necessary by Town for a complete
understanding of the work proposed, all in detail reasonably
deemed appropriate by Town for the level of plans required herein.
6.9.2 Wireless Provider shall deliver all plans submissions for
non-regulatory approvals required herein directly to Town's
Development Services Director and shall clearly label the
submissions to indicate that they are submitted pursuant to the
Terms and not for building permits, zoning or other approvals. Each
submittal of plans by Wireless Provider for Town's review shall
include five (5) complete sets of the plans on paper and, if
requested, two (2) copies of the plans in electronic form.
6.9.3 All construction plans shall be prepared by qualified
registered professional engineers.
6.9.4 Town and Wireless Provider shall endeavor to resolve
design and construction issues to their mutual satisfaction but, in
the event of an impasse for any reason or however arising, in light
of Town's ownership and other uses of the Use Areas, and as a
condition of Town's entering into a License Agreement or issuing an
Encroachment Permit, final decision authority regarding all design
and construction issues shall rest with Town.
31
6.9.5 All Wireless Provider's Improvements shall comply with all
requirements of law, any applicable insurance contracts and these
Terms.
6.10 Cost of Wireless Provider Improvements. All Wireless Provider's
Improvements shall be designed and constructed by Wireless Provider at
Wireless Provider's sole cost and expense, including without limitation any
alteration or other change to Town's equipment or other improvements or
property that may occur. In no event shall Town be obligated to compensate
Wireless Provider in any manner for any of Wireless Provider's Improvements
or other work provided by Wireless Provider during or related to the term of any
approved License Agreement and Encroachment Permit(s). Wireless Provider
shall timely pay for all labor, materials, work, and all professional and other
services related thereto and shall pay, protect, indemnify, defend and hold
harmless Town and Town's employees, officers, contractors and agents against
all claims related to such items. Wireless Provider shall bear the cost of all work
required from time to time to cause the Use Areas and Town's adjoining
property (if directly affected by Wireless Provider's work) to comply with local
zoning rules, the Americans with Disabilities Act, building codes and all similar
rules, regulations and other laws if such work is required because of work
performed by Wireless Provider, by Wireless Provider's use of the Use Areas,
or by any exercise of the rights granted to Wireless Provider under this License
Agreement or associated Encroachment Permit(s).
6.11 Improvement Quality. Any and all work performed on the Use Areas by
Wireless Provider shall be performed in a workman-like manner meeting9 or
exceeding the best practices of similar facilities in Maricopa County, Arizona,
and shall be diligently pursued to completion and in conformance with all
building codes and similar rules. All of Wireless Provider's Improvements shall
be high quality, safe, fire resistant, modern in design, and attractive in
appearance, all as approved by Town through the plans approval processes
described in these Terms in addition to any zoning, building code or other
regulatory processes that may apply.
6.12 Ownership of Wireless Provider's Improvements. All Wireless
Provider's Improvements (including without limitation poles and lights) except
the Communications Equipment shall be and become part of the real property of
Town as the same is constructed or installed.
6.13 Damage During Work. Upon performing any work upon the Right-of-
way, Wireless Provider shall simultaneously restore the Right-of-way to its prior
condition, as directed by Town and repair any holes, mounting surfaces or other
damage whatsoever to the Right-of-way. Such work shall include revegetation
and appropriate irrigation systems for revegetated areas.
6.14 Replacement Pole. If Town approves a Wireless Provider proposal to
install Antennas on a Town owned pole, then in addition to the other
40 requirements, the following shall apply:
32
6.12.1 Wireless Provider shall provide and deliver to Town a
replacement pole, including mast arm, so that a replacement is
immediately available to Town in case the original pole is damaged.
6.12.2 If Town uses a replacement pole, then Wireless Provider
shall provide another replacement pole.
6.12.3 Upon installation of a replacement pole, the Town will
determine if the original pole, mast arm(s), signal head(s), and light
fixture(s) shall be delivered by Wireless Provider to the Town's
Corporation Yard or if the Wireless Provider shall dispose of the
original pole, mast arm, signal head and light fixture.
6.12.4 All performance under this paragraph shall be at Wireless
Provider's expense. Town owns the original pole and all
replacement poles.
6.15 Coordination with Encroachment Permit. The Street Parcel is located in
Town's public street Right-of-way. Wireless Provider shall obtain encroachment
permits at Wireless Provider's expense as follows:
6.15.1 Wireless Provider shall perform no construction work in the
Right-of-way without obtaining from Town a permit giving
permission to work in the Right-of-way.
6.15.2 Wireless Provider shall not alter or modify its antennas,
wireless equipment or any improvements without submitting plans
or drawings of the proposed alteration or modification to Town and
obtaining approval from Town's Development Services Director.
6.15.3 Wireless Provider shall not perform any work on its own
antennas or wireless equipment without first obtaining from Town an
encroachment permit giving it permission to work in the Right-of-
way.
6.15.4 Wireless Provider shall not in any way obstruct pedestrian
or vehicular traffic within the Right-of-way without first obtaining
from Town a permit giving permission to obstruct traffic.
6.16 Time for Completion. Wireless Provider shall diligently and
expeditiously pursue to completion the construction of all approved Wireless
Provider's Improvements. Wireless Provider shall complete construction of all
Wireless Provider's Improvements no later than one hundred eighty (180) days
of permit issuance unless Town and Wireless Provider agree to extend this
period or a delay is caused by a lack of commercial power at the site. If Town,
in its sole examination of the construction activity at a site, determines that
Wireless Provider has not substantially performed construction at a site within
11, one hundred eighty (180) days of the permit issuance date, Town may require
the Wireless Provider to cease construction and resubmit the site for approval.
33
6.17 Construction Notification. Town may establish requirements for
notification of nearby residents and property owners prior to construction.
6.18 Work Time and Manner Restrictions. All installation, construction,
maintenance, inspection, repair and other work of any kind shall be done in a
manner that does not disrupt traffic (except in compliance with appropriate
permits) or nearby land uses. Without limitation, such work shall be done in
compliance with applicable Town policies and directions from time to time,
taking into account the various sensitivities of traffic, tourism, events, adjoining
land uses, other Right-of-way uses, and all other needs and concerns that are
likely to be affected by Wireless Provider's work.
7.RF SAFETY FOR TOWN'S EMPLOYEES.
Prior to performing any work on a wireless site in the Right-of-way, an employee or
authorized agent of the Town will contact Wireless Provider's Network Operations
Center (the NOC") whose information shall be located on the ground equipment or on
the pole. The Town's employee or agent shall identify himself or herself as an
employee or agent of Town and the need for the RF to be turned off at the site for a
specified period to perform maintenance or repair work at the site. Upon completion
of the work, the Town's employee shall contact the NOC and inform them that the site
may activate the RF signals.
Furthermore, as Town's employees, agents, and representatives must have
uninterrupted and safe access to the Right-of-way and all structures located thereon,
Wireless Provider must comply with at least one of the following safety protocols:
7.1 Provide access to a "kill switch" for each wireless site that the Town's
employees, agents, or representatives can use to turn off all power to the
Wireless Provider's Facilities while Town's work is performed at the location.
7.2 Within 24 hours of a request, agree to send a technician with an RF
monitor to confirm that all RF emitting equipment has, in fact, been deactivated,
and to install all appropriate lockout tags and devices.
8. MAINTENANCE AND UTILITIES.
Except as expressly provided below, Wireless Provider shall be solely responsible for
all maintenance, repair and utilities for the Use Areas during the term of an approved
License Agreement and associated Encroachment Permit(s). Without limitation, Wireless
Provider shall perform the following:
8.1 Maintenance by Town. Town has no maintenance or repair obligations
for the Communications Equipment or other Wireless Provider's Improvements.
34
8.2 Maintenance by Wireless Provider. Wireless Provider shall at all times
repair and maintain the Use Areas at Wireless Provider's sole expense in a first-
class, sound, clean, safe and attractive manner, meeting or exceeding the
manner of maintenance at first class comparable facilities in Maricopa County,
Arizona, as determined in Town's reasonable discretion. The preceding
sentence does not require Wireless Provider to repair or maintain Town's
facilities at the Use Area unless such work is attributable in whole or in part to
Wireless Provider's use of the Use Areas.
8.3 Utility Service. Wireless Provider shall contract for and pay all charges,
fees, deposits and other amounts for electricity and telephone and other data
communication service to the Use Areas at the rates applicable thereto.
Wireless Provider shall use no other utilities at the Use Areas, unless otherwise
authorized by Town.
8.4 Utility Interruptions. Town is not responsible for any interruption of
utilities to or upon the Use Areas or other difficulties related to utilities at the Use
Areas.
8.5 Right of Inspection. Town shall be entitled to inspect all construction,
reconstruction or installation work and to make such tests as it deems
necessary to ensure compliance with the terms herein and any applicable laws
and regulations. All Town plans reviews, inspections, standards and other rights
and actions with relation to Wireless Provider's Improvements are for Town's
sole and exclusive benefit and neither Wireless Provider nor any other person
shall rely thereon or have any rights related thereto. The preceding sentence
does not prevent Wireless Provider from relying on consents, permits or
approvals Town may grant based on Town's plans, reviews, and inspections.
This right of access is in addition to access rights for Town inspectors or other
employees and officers acting within their legal authority.
8.6 Construction Notification. Town may establish requirements for
Wireless Provider to notify nearby residents prior to construction.
8.7 Blue Stake. Wireless Provider shall register with and comply with the
local Blue Stake program.
9.BREACH BY WIRELESS PROVIDER.
Wireless Provider shall comply with, perform and do each obligation required of
Wireless Provider herein and shall cause all persons using the Use Areas through or
under Wireless Provider or these Terms to do the same. Wireless Provider's failure to
do so shall be a material breach by Wireless Provider of these Terms.
9.1 Events of Default. All License Agreements and Encroachment Permits
are approved upon the condition that each and every one of the following
events herein shall be deemed an "Event of Default" by Wireless Provider of
Wireless Provider's material obligations under these Terms:
35
9.1.1 If Wireless Provider shall be in arrears in the payment of
Use Fee and shall not cure such arrearage within ten (10) days after
Town has notified Wireless Provider of such arrearage.
9.1.2 If Wireless Provider shall fail to operate the
Communications Equipment (except during specific periods
expressly excused herein) for a period of five (5) consecutive days
or a total of thirty (30) days within any twelve (12) month period.
9.1.3 If Wireless Provider shall fail to maintain any insurance
required under these Terms. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, such failure shall not be a default if, within ten (10) days
after notice from Town, Wireless Provider provides to Town the
required insurance and the required evidence thereof. Such
insurance must cover the past for a period adequate that there is no
gap in the insurance coverage required by these Terms.
9.1.4 If the Wireless Provider's right to use a Utility Pole expires
or is terminated for any reason.
9.1.5 If Wireless Provider does not commence and diligently
pursue to completion each required stage of construction of the site
within the times required herein. The times specified for concluding
40
each stage of required construction have been established far
enough in advance, and have taken into account the likelihood of
construction delays, so that no cure period is provided.
9.1.6 If Wireless Provider shall be the subject of a voluntary or
involuntary bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency or similar
proceeding or if any assignment of any of Wireless Provider's or
such other person's property shall be made for the benefit of
creditors or if Wireless Provider or such other person dies or is not
regularly paying its debts as they come due (collectively a "Wireless
Provider Insolvency").
9.1.7 If the issuer of any letter of credit shall fail for any reason
to timely and fully honor any request by Town for funds or other
performance under the instrument and Wireless Provider fails to
cause the issuer, or some other person, to honor the request within
ten (10) days after Town notifies Wireless Provider that such
request has not been honored.
9.1.8 If Wireless Provider shall fail to obtain or maintain any
licenses, permits, or other governmental approvals pertaining to the
Right-of-way or timely pay any taxes pertaining to the Right-of-way
and does not cure such failure within thirty (30) days.
0
36
9.1.9 If Town shall be exposed to any liability, obligation,
damage, cost, expense, or other claim of any description, whether
or not asserted, unless Wireless Provider gives immediate notice to
Town of Wireless Provider's commitment to indemnify, defend and
hold Town harmless against such claim, and Wireless Provider
does in fact promptly commence and continue to indemnify, defend
and hold Town harmless against such claim.
9.1.10 If Wireless Provider shall fail to meet its obligations under
the RF Safety Paragraph.
9.1.11 If Wireless Provider shall engage in a pattern of repeated
failure (or neglect) to timely do or perform or observe any provision
contained herein. After Town has once given notice of any failure by
Wireless Provider to comply with its obligations set forth in these
Terms, the following shall constitute a repeated failure by Wireless
Provider to comply with such provision:
h. 9.1.11.1 Another failure to comply with any provision of these
Terms during the following thirty (30) day period.
i. 9.1.11.2 Three (3) or more failures to comply with any provision
of these Terms during any ninety (90) day period.
410 j. 9.1.11.3 Six (6) or more failures to comply with any provision of
these Terms during any twelve (12) month period.
9.1.12 If Wireless Provider shall fail to or neglect to timely and
completely do or perform or observe any other provisions herein
and such failure or neglect shall continue for a period of thirty (30)
days after Town has notified Wireless Provider in writing of such
failure or neglect.
9.2 Town's Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default or at
any time thereafter, Town may, at its option and from time to time, exercise at
Wireless Provider's expense any or all or any combination of the following
cumulative remedies in any order and repetitively at Town's option:
9.2.1 Terminate the License Agreement or any or all
Encroachment Permits due to Wireless Provider's breach or for any
other reason, however, such termination does not terminate
Wireless Provider's obligations arising during the time simultaneous
with or prior to or the termination, and in no way terminates any of
Wireless Provider's liability related to any breach of these Terms.
9.2.2 Pay or perform, for Wireless Provider's account, in
Wireless Provider's name, and at Wireless Provider's expense, any
or all payments or performances required hereunder to be paid or
performed by Wireless Provider.
37
9.2.3 Abate at Wireless Provider's expense any violation of
these Terms.
9.2.4 Notwithstanding anything under these Terms to the
contrary, unilaterally and without Wireless Provider's or any other
person's consent or approval, draw upon, withdraw or otherwise
realize upon or obtain the value of any letter of credit, escrowed
funds, insurance policies, or other deposits, sureties, bonds or other
funds or security held by Town or pledged or otherwise obligated to
Town by Wireless Provider or by any third party (whether or not
specifically mentioned herein) and use the proceeds for any remedy
permitted by these Terms.
9.2.5 Require an additional security deposit adequate in Town's
sole discretion to protect Town and the Right-of-way.
9.2.6 Require that the Wireless Provider remedy any and all
violations and pay any and all outstanding fees in full (before
accepting applications for new Encroachment Permits).
9.2.7 Assert, exercise or otherwise pursue at Wireless Provider's
expense any and all other rights or remedies, legal or equitable, to
which Town may be entitled, subject only to the limitation set out
40 below on Town's ability to collect money damages in light of the
Violation Use Fee.
9.3 Violation Use Fee. Wireless Provider and Town agree that Wireless
Provider's failure to comply with the provisions herein will result in damages to
Town, including but not limited to expenses related to administrative costs, staff
time, field work and inspections, legal services, etc. Wireless Provider's failure
to comply with the provisions herein will result in damages in an amount that is
and will be impracticable to determine. Therefore, the parties have agreed that
Wireless Provider shall pay the Violation Use Fee set out below in accordance
with the following (the "Violation Fee Provisions"):
9.3.1 Violation Use Fee is only intended to remedy damages
that Town suffers because of Wireless Provider's breach of this
Agreement. Wireless Provider's payment of Violation Use Fee does
not in any way excuse any breach by Wireless Provider of these
Terms or limit in any way Town's obtaining any other legal or
equitable remedy provided by these Terms or otherwise for such
breach. For example, Wireless Provider's obligation to pay Violation
Use Fee does not in any way detract from Wireless Provider's
indemnity and insurance obligations under these Terms, which shall
apply according to their terms in addition to Wireless Provider's
obligation to pay Violation Use Fee.
38
9.3.2 Town may elect to draw upon the letter of credit to collect
the Violation Use Fee.
9.3.3 The Violation Fee Provisions and the amount of the
Violation Use Fee per day or part thereof are as follows:
9.3.3.1 The amount of Six Hundred Dollars
600.00) per day for Wireless Provider's failure to
properly restore the public Right-of-way or to correct
related violations of specifications, code, ordinance or
standards within ten (10) business days after Town's
notice to correct such defects. Such Violation Use Fee
shall be in addition to any cost the Town may incur to
restore the Right-of-way or correct the violation.
9.3.3.2 The amount of Five Hundred Dollars
500.00) per instance of any other action or non-action
by the Wireless Provider contrary to these Terms herein
and that is not cured after three (3) business days'
notice.
9.3.4 Violation Use Fees shall be assessed as follows:
9.3.4.1 If Town determines that Wireless Provider is
0 liable for Violation Use Fee, then Town shall issue to
Wireless Provider a notice of Town's assessing a
Violation Use Fee. The notice shall set forth the nature
of the violation and the amount of the assessment.
9.3.4.2 Wireless Provider shall pay the Violation Use
Fee within ten (10) days after Town's notice. However, if
the Violation Use Fee amount exceeds Five Thousand
Dollars ($5,000), then the following shall apply:
9.3.4.2.1 Wireless Provider shall have thirty (30)
days after the notice to pay the Violation
Use Fee or give Town notice contesting
the assertion of noncompliance.
9.4 Reimbursement of Town's Expenses. Wireless Provider shall pay to
Town within thirty (30) days after Town's demand any and all amounts
expended or incurred by Town in performing Wireless Provider's obligations
upon Wireless Provider's failure to perform the same after notice from Town)
together with interest thereon at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum
from the date expended or incurred by Town.
0 10. BREACH BY TOWN.
39
Notwithstanding anything in these Terms to the contrary, if Town at any time is
required to pay to Wireless Provider any amount or render any performance, such
amount or performance is not due until thirty (30) days after notice by Wireless
Provider to Town that the amount has become payable or that the performance is
due. In the event a cure cannot be effected during that period, Town shall not be in
default so long as Town commences cure during the period and diligently prosecutes
the cure to completion provided such cure must be completed within sixty (60) days
after the notice.
10.1 Right to Setoff and Credit. In addition to its other rights and remedies
Town shall have the right to setoff and credit from time to time and at any time,
any and all amounts due from Wireless Provider to Town, whether pursuant to
these Terms herein or otherwise, against any sum which may be due from
Town to Wireless Provider.
11. NON-WAIVER.
Wireless Provider acknowledges Wireless Provider's unconditional obligation to
comply with these Terms herein. No failure by Town to demand any performance
required of Wireless Provider under these Terms herein, and no acceptance by Town
of any imperfect or partial performances under these Terms herein, shall excuse such
performance or impair in any way Town's ability to insist, prospectively and
retroactively, upon full compliance with these Terms herein. No acceptance by Town
of Use Fee payments or other performances hereunder shall be deemed a
compromise or settlement of any right Town may have for additional, different or
further payments or performances as provided for in these Terms. Any waiver by
Town of any breach of condition or covenant herein contained to be kept and
performed by Wireless Provider shall not be deemed or considered as a continuing
waiver and shall not operate to bar or otherwise prevent Town from declaring a
default for any breach or succeeding or continuing breach either of the same condition
or covenant or otherwise. No statement, bill or notice by Town or Wireless Provider
concerning payments or other performances due hereunder, or failure by Town to
demand any performance hereunder, shall excuse Wireless Provider from compliance
with its obligations nor estop Town (or otherwise impair Town's ability) to at any time
correct such notice and/or insist prospectively and retroactively upon full compliance
with the License Agreement. No waiver of any description (INCLUDING ANY
WAIVER OF THIS SENTENCE OR PARAGRAPH) shall be effective against Town
unless made in writing by a duly authorized representative of Town specifically
identifying the particular provision being waived and specifically stating the scope of
the waiver. WIRELESS PROVIDER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND SHALL NOT
HAVE THE RIGHT TO RELY ON ANY SUPPOSED WAIVER OR OTHER CHANGE
OR MODIFICATION, WHETHER BY WORD OR CONDUCT OR OTHERWISE, NOT
CONFORMING TO THIS PARAGRAPH.
12. TERMINATION.
40
The following provisions shall apply at the expiration of the term or earlier termination
of each License Agreement and Encroachment Permit:
12.1 Surviving Obligations. Expiration or termination of a License Agreement
or Encroachment Permit does not terminate Wireless Provider's obligations
existing or arising prior to or simultaneous with, or attributable to, the
termination or events leading to or occurring before termination.
12.2 Delivery of Possession. Wireless Provider shall cease using the Use
Areas associated with the expired or terminated License Agreement or
Encroachment Permit. Wireless Provider shall, without demand, peaceably and
quietly quit and deliver up the Use Areas to Town thoroughly cleaned, in good
repair with the Use Areas maintained and repaired and in as good order and
condition, reasonable use and wear excepted, as the Use Areas now are or in
such better condition as the Use Areas may hereafter be placed.
12.3 Confirmation of Termination. Upon expiration or termination of a
License Agreement or Encroachment Permit for any reason, Wireless Provider
shall provide to Town upon demand recordable disclaimers covering the Use
Areas executed and acknowledged by Wireless Provider and by all persons
claiming through this License Agreement, Encroachment Permit or Wireless
Provider any interest in or right to use the Use Areas.
12.4 Removal of Improvements. Wireless Provider shall remove all
Communications Equipment and restore the Use Areas including Utility Pole,
mast arms, luminaires, or wireless support structure to its prior condition, or to a
condition matching Town's surrounding land and improvements, as directed by
Town, at Wireless Provider's expense prior to normal expiration of the term of a
License Agreement or Encroachment Permit; or within sixty (60) days after early
termination of a License Agreement or Encroachment Permit. Without limitation,
such work shall include revegetation and appropriate irrigation systems for
revegetated areas. Notwithstanding anything in the License Agreement and
these Terms to the contrary, Town may elect to require Wireless Provider to
leave any or all construction or other items (except the Communications
Equipment) in place, and all such items shall be owned by Town. Unless Town
directs otherwise, all wiring, pipes and conduits shall be left in good and safe
condition, in working order, with each end properly labeled and enclosed in
proper junction boxes.
12.5 Prior Improvements. This article also applies to any improvements that
Wireless Provider may have made to the Use Areas.
13. INSURANCE.
During the entire term of any License Agreement or Encroachment Permit, Wireless
Provider shall insure its property and activities at and about the Use Areas and shall
provide insurance and indemnification as follows:
41
13.1 Insurance Required. Not later than the date of this License Agreement,
and at all times thereafter when Wireless Provider is occupying or using the Use
Areas in any way, Wireless Provider shall obtain and cause to be in force and
effect the following insurance:
13.1.1 Commercial General Liability. Commercial general liability
insurance with a limit of Ten Million and No/100 Dollars
10,000,000.00) for each occurrence, a limit of Ten Million and
No/100 Dollars ($10,000,000.00) for products and completed
operations annual aggregate, and a limit of Ten Million and No/100
Dollars ($10,000,000.00) general aggregate limit per policy year.
The policy shall cover liability arising from premises, operations,
independent contractors, products, completed operations, personal
injury, bodily injury, advertising injury, and liability assumed under
an "insured contract" including this License Agreement. The policy
will cover Wireless Provider's liability under the indemnity provisions
set forth in these Terms. The policy shall contain a "separation of
insured's" clause.
13.1.2 Automobile Liability. Automobile liability insurance with a
limit of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) for each occurrence
covering any and all owned, hired, and non-owned vehicles
assigned to or used in any way in connection with Wireless
Provider's use of the Right-of-way. Without limitation, such
insurance shall cover hazards of motor vehicle use for loading and
off loading.
13.1.3 Workers' Compensation. Such workers' compensation
and similar insurance as is required by law and employer's liability
insurance with a minimum limit of One Hundred Thousand Dollars
100,000) for each accident, One Hundred Thousand Dollars
100,000) disease for each employee, Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($500,000) policy limit for disease. All contractors and
subcontractors must provide like insurance.
13.1.4 Special Risk Property. Unless waived by Town in writing,
all risk property insurance covering damage to or destruction of all
real and personal improvements to the Right-of-way, including
without limitation, all improvements existing upon the Right-of-way
prior to this License Agreement or hereafter constructed in an
amount equal to full replacement cost of all such improvements.
Such insurance shall be special causes of loss policy form
minimally including perils of fire, lightning, explosion, windstorm,
hail, smoke, aircraft, vehicles, riot, civil commotion, theft, vandalism,
malicious mischief, collapse and flood). Coverage shall include
pollutant clean up and removal with minimum limits coverage of
Fifty-Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).
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13.1.5 Other Insurance. Any other insurance Town may
reasonably require for the protection of Town and Town's
employees, officials, representatives, officers and agents (all of
whom, including Town, are collectively "Additional Insureds"), the
Right-of-way, surrounding property, Wireless Provider, or the
activities carried on or about the Right-of-way. Such insurance shall
be limited to insurance a reasonable person owning, leasing,
designing, constructing, occupying, or operating similar facilities
might reasonably purchase.
13.2 Policy Limit Escalation. Town may elect by notice to Wireless Provider
to increase the amount or type of any insurance to account for inflation,
changes in risk, or any other factor that Town reasonably determines to affect
the prudent amount of insurance to be provided.
13.3 Form of All Insurance. All insurance provided by Wireless Provider with
respect to the Right-of-way, whether required in these Terms or not, shall meet
the following requirements:
13.3.1 "Occurrence" coverage is required.
13.3.2 If Wireless Provider uses any excess insurance then such
excess insurance shall be "follow form" equal to or broader in
coverage than the underlying insurance.
0 13.3.3 Policies must also cover and insure Wireless Provider's
activities relating to the business operations and activities
conducted away from the Right-of-way.
13.3.4 Within five (5) business days of receiving a written request
from the Town, Wireless Provider shall provide copies of insurance
certificates, insurance policies, formal endorsements or other
documentation acceptable to Town that all insurance coverage
required herein is provided.
13.3.5 Wireless Provider's insurance shall be primary insurance
with respect to claims arising out of Wireless Provider's operations,
activities and obligations set forth in these Terms.
13.3.6 All policies, including workers' compensation, shall waive
transfer rights of recovery (subrogation) against Town, and the other
Additional Insureds.
13.3.7 All deductibles, retentions, or "self-insured" amounts shall
be subject to the following:
13.3.7.1 Wireless Provider shall be solely responsible
4110 for any self-insurance amount or deductible.
43
13.3.7.2 Such amounts shall not exceed in total One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) per loss. At
such times as Wireless Provider's net worth is more
than One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00),
such limit shall be One Million and No/100 Dollars
1,000,000.00).
13.3.7.3 Any self-insured exposure shall be deemed
to be an insured risk under this License Agreement.
13.3.7.4 Wireless Provider shall provide to the
beneficiaries of all such amounts no less insurance
protection than if such self-insured portion was fully
insured by an insurance company of the quality and
caliber required hereunder.
13.3.7.5 The right to self-insure is limited and specific
to Wireless Provider and does not extend to Wireless
Provider's contractors or others.
13.3.8 All policies except workers' compensation must name
Town and the other Additional Insureds as additional insureds.
Wireless Provider shall cause coverage for Additional Insureds to
be incorporated into each insurance policy by endorsement with
respect to claims arising out of Wireless Provider's operations,
activities and obligations under the License Agreement.
13.3.9 All policies must require the insurer to provide Town with
at least thirty (30) days' prior notice of any cancellation. The
insurer's duty to notify Town of changes in coverage shall not
include phrases such as "endeavor to" or "but failure to mail such
notice shall impose no obligation or liability of any kind upon the
company, its agents or representatives."
13.3.10 All policies shall require that notices be given to Town in
the manner specified for notices to Town set forth in the License
Agreement and these Terms.
13.4 Insurance Certificates. Wireless Provider shall evidence all insurance
by furnishing to Town certificates of insurance annually and with each change in
insurance coverage. Certificates must evidence that the policy described by the
certificate is in full force and effect and that the policy satisfies each requirement
of these Terms applicable to the policy. For example, certificates must evidence
that Town and the other Additional Insureds are additional insureds. Certificates
must also be in an industry standard form reasonably acceptable to Town.
Wireless Provider shall provide updated certificates at Town's request.
13.5 Acceptable Insurers. All insurance policies shall be issued by insurers
acceptable to Town. At a minimum, all insurers shall be duly licensed (or
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qualified unlicensed non-admitted insurer) by the State of Arizona, Department
of Insurance. At a minimum, all insurers shall have and maintain an A.M. Best,
Inc. rating of B++ 6.
13.6 No Representation of Coverage Adequacy. By requiring insurance
herein, Town does not represent that coverage and limits will be adequate to
protect Wireless Provider. Town reserves the right to review any and all of the
insurance policies and/or endorsements cited in these Terms but has no
obligation to do so. Failure to demand such evidence of full compliance with the
insurance requirements set forth in these Terms or failure to identify any
insurance deficiency shall not relieve Wireless Provider from, nor be construed
or deemed a waiver of, Wireless Provider's obligation to maintain the required
insurance at all times.
13.7 Risk of Loss. Wireless Provider assumes the risk of any and all loss,
damage or claims related to Wireless Provider's use of the Right-of-way or other
property of Town, Wireless Provider or third parties throughout the term of any
License Agreement or Encroachment Permit. Wireless Provider shall be
responsible for any and all damage to its property and equipment related to the
License Agreement or Encroachment Permit.
13.8 Insurance to be Provided by Others. Wireless Provider shall cause its
contractors or other persons occupying, working on or about, or using the Right-
of-way pursuant to these Terms to be covered by their own or Wireless
1110 Provider's insurance as required by these Terms. The required policy limits for
commercial general liability insurance provided by such persons shall be One
Million Dollars ($1,000,000) for each occurrence, One Million Dollars
1,000,000) for products and completed operations annual aggregate, and Two
Million Dollars ($2,000,000) general aggregate limit per policy year. This
paragraph does not apply to persons who do not actually perform physical labor
in the Right-of-way (such as Wireless Provider's consulting design engineers).
14. INDEMNITY.
In addition to all other indemnities and other obligations hereunder, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, throughout the term of any License Agreement or
Encroachment Permit and until all obligations and performances under or related to
the License Agreement (including these Terms) are satisfied and all matters
described in this Paragraph are completely resolved, Wireless Provider and all other
persons using, acting, working or claiming through or for Wireless Provider (if they or
their subcontractor, employee or other person or entity hired or directed by them
participated in any way in causing the claim in question) shall jointly and severally
indemnify, defend and hold harmless Town and all other Additional Insureds for, from
and against any and all claims or harm related to Wireless Provider's use of the Right-
of-way or the rights granted to Wireless Provider with respect to the Right-of-way or
Wireless Provider's exercise of its rights under these Terms (the "Indemnity"). Without
I limitation, the Indemnity shall include and apply to any and all allegations, demands,
judgments, assessments, taxes, impositions, expenses, proceedings, liabilities,
45
obligations, suits, actions, claims (including without limitation claims of personal injury,
bodily injury, sickness, disease, death, property damage, destruction, loss of use,
financial harm, or other impairment), damages, losses, expenses, penalties, fines or
other matters (together with all attorney fees, court costs, and the cost of appellate
proceedings and all other costs and expenses of litigation or resolving the claim) that
may arise in any manner out of any use of the Right-of-way or other property pursuant
to any License Agreement or Encroachment Permit or any actions, acts, errors,
mistakes or omissions relating to work or services in the performance of or related to
the License Agreement, including without limitation any injury or damages or cause of
action claimed or caused by any employees, contractors, subcontractors, tenants,
subtenants, agents or other persons upon or using the Right-of-way or surrounding
areas related to Wireless Provider's exercise of its rights under this License
Agreement, including without limitation, claims, liability, harm or damages caused in
part by Town or any other Additional Insured or anyone for whose mistakes, errors,
omissions or negligence Wireless Provider or Town may be liable (collectively,
Claims"). As a condition to Town's approval of any License Agreement or
Encroachment Permit, Wireless Provider specifically agrees that to the extent any
provision of this paragraph is not fully enforceable against Wireless Provider for any
reason whatsoever, this Paragraph shall be deemed automatically reformed to the
minimal extent necessary to cause it to be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted
by law. The Indemnity shall also include and apply to any environmental injury,
personal injury or other liability relating to Wireless Provider's use of real property
under the License Agreement or any Encroachment Permits. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Indemnity does not apply to Claims arising only from the sole gross
negligence or intentionally wrongful acts of Town or to Claims that the law prohibits
from being imposed upon the indemnitor.
15. CONDEMNATION.
The following shall govern any condemnation of any part of or interest in the Use
Areas and any conveyance to Town or another condemnor in avoidance or settlement
of condemnation or a threat of condemnation:
15.1 Termination for Condemnation. The Encroachment Permit for the Use
Area shall terminate on the date (the "Condemnation Date") that is the earlier of
the date title vests in the condemnor, or the date upon which the condemnor is
let into possession. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Town reasonably
determines that the Use Areas continue to be suitable for Wireless Provider to
conduct the Permitted Uses, Town may elect to cause the Encroachment Permit
to continue to remain in effect as to the part of the Use Areas not taken and the
Use Fee shall not be reduced or abated. Nevertheless, if Wireless Provider
reasonably determines that the Use Areas are not suitable for Wireless Provider
to conduct the Permitted Uses, then the Encroachment Permit shall terminate.
15.2 Condemnation Proceeds. Wireless Provider hereby assigns and
transfers to Town Wireless Provider's entire interest in all condemnation
damages, interest, severance damages, and any other payments or proceeds of
any kind relating to the condemnation (collectively the "Condemnation
46
Proceeds"). Wireless Provider shall execute and deliver to Town assignments or
other instruments requested by Town confirming such assignment and transfer.
Wireless Provider shall immediately pay to Town any Condemnation Proceeds
Wireless Provider may receive. The Condemnation Proceeds shall not include
relocation benefits, if any, awarded specifically to Wireless Provider to cover
expenses of relocating Wireless Provider's business located at the Use Areas at
the time of the condemnation, or any compensation specifically awarded to
Wireless Provider for any taking of the Communications Equipment itself. Any
repair, relocation or similar costs relating to the Communications Equipment
shall be borne by Wireless Provider.
15.3 Power to Condemn. Wireless Provider acknowledges that Town and
others from time-to-time may use the power to condemn the Use Areas or any
interest therein or rights thereto. Town has not relinquished any right of
condemnation or eminent domain over the Use Areas. Town does not warrant
that Town will not condemn the Use Areas during the term of this License
Agreement, but Town does not presently have intentions to condemn the Use
Areas.
16. DAMAGE TO OR DESTRUCTION OF USE AREAS.
The following provisions shall govern damage to or destruction of the Use Areas by fire,
flood, explosion, the elements, the public enemy, or other casualty (collectively "Casualty
Damage"):
16.1 Damage to Wireless Provider's Improvements. Wireless Provider shall
commence restoring the Casualty Damage to Wireless Provider's
Improvements within thirty (30) days after any Casualty Damage occurs.
Wireless Provider shall complete the restoration work within thirty (30) days
after commencement. Such work shall be subject to the plans approval process
and all other requirements for Wireless Provider's Improvements. Wireless
Provider shall perform all restoration work at Wireless Provider's sole cost and
expense.
16.2 Monthly Restoration Work Report. Wireless Provider shall provide to
Town no later than the tenth day of each month a written narrative report of the
progress of the restoration work.
17. WIRELESS PROVIDER'S RECORDS.
During the entire term of any License Agreement, Wireless Provider shall keep
records and provide information to Town as follows:
17.1 Scope of Information. Unless otherwise specified, all of Wireless Provider's
recordkeeping and disclosure obligations under this article are limited to the
following (collectively the "Covered Information"):
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17.1.1 The status of the construction, repair or restoration of
Wireless Provider Improvements.
17.1.2 Information indicating whether Town or Wireless Provider is
in compliance with the terms herein.
17.2 Records Inspection. At Wireless Provider's expense, Wireless Provider
shall:
17.2.1 Permit and assist Town and its representatives upon twenty-
one (21) days' notice to inspect, audit, and copy Wireless Provider's
records of Covered Information.
17.2.2 Make the records of Covered Information (and reasonable
accommodations for Town's audit and inspection) available to Town
at Wireless Provider's offices in Maricopa County, Arizona.
17.2.3 Cause Wireless Provider's employees and agents and
accountants to give their full cooperation and assistance in connection
with Town's access to the Covered Information.
17.3 Record Retention. Wireless Provider shall preserve records of the
Covered Information in a secure place at Wireless Provider's corporate
headquarters in the continental United States for a period ending seven (7) years
0 after the time period reported by the records.
17.4 Record Media Included. Town's and Wireless Provider's rights and
obligations regarding the Covered Information apply regardless of the type of
media, materials, or data repositories that may contain the Covered Information.
Town shall have access to Covered Information contained, without limitation, in
records, books, papers, documents, recordings, computer data, contracts, logs,
notes, ledgers, correspondence, reports, drawings, and memoranda, and any and
all other sources, records and repositories of Covered Information.
17.5 Reports. Wireless Provider shall deliver to Town written reports (and, if
requested by Town, a presentation to Town's governing council or designee)
covering such Covered Information as Town may request from time to time.
17.6 Standards for Records. Wireless Provider shall maintain a standard,
modern system of record keeping for the Covered Information and shall keep and
maintain proper and accurate books and other repositories of information relating
to the Covered Information.
18. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.
Wireless Provider shall perform its obligations under the License Agreement
including these Terms ) and any Encroachment Permit in accordance with all federal,
state, county and local laws, ordinances, regulations or other rules or policies as are
48
now in effect or as may hereafter be adopted or amended. Without limiting in any way
the generality of the foregoing, Wireless Provider shall comply with all and each of the
following:
18.1 Applicability of Municipal Law. Without limitation, Wireless Provider
shall comply with municipal laws as follows:
18.1.1 Wireless Provider acknowledges nothing set forth herein
or by approval of a License Agreement or issuance of an
Encroachment Permit constitutes, and Town has not promised or
offered, any type of waiver of, or agreement to waive (or show any
type of forbearance, priority or favoritism to Wireless Provider with
regard to) any law, ordinance, power, regulation, tax, assessment or
other legal requirement now or hereafter imposed by the Town of
Fountain Hills or any other governmental body upon or affecting
Wireless Provider, the Use Areas, or the Street Parcel or Wireless
Provider's use of the Use Areas, the Street Parcel or the Right-of-
way.
18.1.2 All of Wireless Provider's obligations hereunder are in
addition to, and cumulative upon (and not to any extent in
substitution or satisfaction of), all existing or future laws and
regulations applicable to Wireless Provider.
18.1.3 Town by approving this License Agreement or any
Encroachment Permit cannot, and has not, relinquished or limited
any right of condemnation or eminent domain over the Right-of-way
or any other property related to the License Agreement or
Encroachment Permit, or within the Right-of-way.
18.1.4 The approval of this License Agreement or issuance of any
Encroachment Permit cannot and does not impair Town's, power to
enact, apply or enforce any laws or regulations, or exercise any
governmental powers affecting in any way Wireless Provider, the
Use Areas, the Street Parcel, or the Right-of-way.
18.1.5 Town's rights and remedies under this License Agreement
and any Encroachment Permit for Wireless Provider's failure to
comply with all applicable laws supplement and are in addition to
and do not replace otherwise existing powers of the Town of
Fountain Hills or any other governmental body.
18.1.6 Wireless Provider's rights under this License Agreement
and any Encroachment Permit are further subject to all present and
future building restrictions, regulations, zoning laws, and all
ordinances, resolutions, rules and orders of all bodies, bureaus,
commissions and bodies of any municipal, county, state, or federal
authority, now or hereafter having jurisdiction over the Use Areas or
49
Wireless Provider's use thereof. Wireless Provider shall comply with
all of the foregoing.
18.2 Radio Frequency Compliance Requirements. Wireless Provider shall
document, report and confirm its compliance with Federal Communications
Commission ("FCC") Radio Frequency Exposure Guidelines (FCC OET Bulletin
65) and all other applicable radio frequency emissions laws and regulations in
effect from time to time (collectively, the "FCC Rules") as follows:
18.2.1 Wireless Provider shall cause its senior internal engineer
responsible for compliance with the FCC Rules to deliver to Town a
written letter (the "RE Letter"), as follows:
18.2.1.1 The RF Letter shall attest that Wireless
Provider's operation of the Communications Equipment
is in compliance with the FCC Rules. A statement from
Wireless Provider declaring exemption from reporting to
FCC is not acceptable to comply with the requirements
of this paragraph.
18.2.2 Wireless Provider shall maintain records of radio
frequency measurements and Communications Equipment
performance in accordance with the FCC Rules.
18.2.3 Wireless Provider shall also evidence and demonstrate its
compliance with the FCC Rules in such manner and at such
intervals as the Town of Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance and other
applicable laws and regulations may mandate.
18.3 Use Area Regulations. Town reserves the right to adopt, amend and
enforce against Wireless Provider rules and regulations governing the operation
of the Street Parcel, including the Use Areas, Wireless Provider's activities
therein and thereon, and the public areas and facilities used by Wireless
Provider in connection therewith.
18.4 Taxes, Liens and Assessments. In addition to all other amounts herein
provided and to the extent consistent with applicable law, Wireless Provider
shall pay, when the same become due and payable, all taxes and general and
special fees, charges and assessments of every description that during the term
of any License Agreement or Encroachment Permit may be levied upon or
assessed upon or with respect to Wireless Provider's use of the Right-of-way,
the operations conducted therein, any amounts paid or other performances
required by these Terms by either party, and all possessory interest in the
Right-of-way and Wireless Provider's improvements and other property thereon.
Wireless Provider shall pay, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Town from
any and all such obligations, including any interest, penalties and other
expenses which may be imposed, and from any lien therefor or sale or other
proceedings to enforce payment thereof.
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18.5 Permits. Nothing in these Terms relieves Wireless Provider of the
obligation to obtain permits, licenses and other approvals from Town or other
units of government that are required for the erection, construction,
reconstruction, installation, operation or maintenance of the Communications
Equipment or provision of telecommunications services; or from compliance
with applicable municipal codes, ordinances, laws and policies, such as zoning
and land use ordinances and regulations, pavement cut and restoration
ordinances and regulations, subdivision and project improvement ordinances,
curb cut permits, building permits, Right-of-way permits, encroachment permits,
traffic control permits and the like.
19. ASSIGNABILITY.
The License Agreement or Encroachment Permit(s) are not assignable by Wireless
Provider (and any assignment shall be void and vest no rights in the purported
assignee) unless the assignment is made in strict compliance with the following:
19.1 Assignments Affected. Every assignment of any of Wireless Provider's
interest in the Right-of-way, the License Agreement, Encroachment Permit(s) or
these Terms or any of Wireless Provider's rights or interests hereunder is
prohibited unless Wireless Provider first receives from Town notice of Town's
consent to the assignment, where Town's consent to such assignment not to be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed. All references in these Terms
to assignments by Wireless Provider or to assignees shall be deemed also to
apply to all of the following transactions, circumstances and conditions and to all
persons claiming pursuant to such transactions, circumstances and conditions:
19.1.1 Any voluntary or involuntary assignment, conveyance or
transfer of Wireless Provider's right to use the Right-of-way under
this License Agreement or any interest or rights of Town under this
License Agreement, in whole or in part.
19.1.2 Any voluntary or involuntary pledge, lien, mortgage,
security interest, judgment, claim or demand, whether arising from
any contract, any agreement, any work of construction, repair,
restoration, maintenance or removal, or otherwise affecting Wireless
Provider's rights to use the Right-of-way (collectively "Liens").
19.1.3 Any assignment by Wireless Provider of any interest in the
License Agreement or Encroachment Permit(s) for the benefit of
creditors, voluntary or involuntary.
19.1.4 A Wireless Provider Insolvency.
19.1.5 The occurrence of any of the foregoing by operation of law
or otherwise.
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19.1.6 The occurrence of any of the foregoing with respect to any
assignee or other successor to Wireless Provider.
19.2 Pre-approved Assignments. Subject to certain conditions hereafter
stated, Town hereby consents to certain assignments (the "Pre-approved
Assignments"). Only the following assignments are Pre-approved Assignments:
19.2.1 Complete Assignment of License Agreement and
Encroachment Permits. Wireless Provider's complete assignment
of all of Wireless Provider's rights and Interests in the Right-of-way,
the approved License Agreement and all Encroachment Permits to
a single assignee who meets all of the following requirements, as
determined by Town in Town's reasonable discretion (a "Qualified
Operator"):
19.2.1.1 The assignee has experience, management,
credit standing and financial capacity and other
resources equal to or greater than Wireless Provider's
and adequate to successfully perform the obligations set
forth herein.
19.2.1.2 The assignee is experienced in the
management and operation of similar projects.
ID 19.2.1.3 The assignee assumes all of Wireless
Provider's obligations herein.
19.2.1.4 The assignee has a net worth of not less
than Fifty Million and No/100 Dollars ($50,000,000.00).
19.2.2 Stock Transfers. The transfer of publicly traded stock,
regardless of quantity.
19.2.3 Merger. The merger or consolidation of Wireless Provider
with another entity that is a Qualified Operator.
19.2.4 Common Ownership Transfer. Wireless Provider's
complete assignment of all of Wireless Provider's rights and
interests in the Right-of-way, the approved License Agreement and
Encroachment Permits to single assignee who is and remains a
wholly owned subsidiary of Wireless Provider's sole owner as of the
date of the License Agreement (or a wholly owned subsidiary of a
wholly owned subsidiary of Wireless Provider's sole owner as of the
date of the License Agreement).
19.3 Limitations on Assignments. Town's consent to any assignment,
including without limitation, Pre-approved Assignments, is not effective until the
kV following conditions are satisfied:
52
19.3.1 Except for the sale of stock, Wireless Provider shall
provide to Town a complete copy of the document assigning its
interests, or other such documentation acceptable to the Town.
19.3.2 Each assignee must execute an assumption of the License
Agreements and/or the Encroachment Permits in form acceptable to
Town.
19.3.3 Each Pre-approved Assignment must satisfy all other
requirements of these Terms pertaining to assignments.
19.4 Assignment Remedies. Any assignment without Town's consent shall
be void and shall not result in the assignee obtaining any rights or interests.
Town may, in its sole discretion and in addition to all other remedies available to
Town under these Terms or otherwise, and in any combination, terminate any
and all of the License Agreement and Encroachment Permits, collect Use Fees
from the assignee and/or declare the assignment to be void, all without
prejudicing any other right or remedy of Town under these Terms. No cure or
grace periods shall apply to assignments prohibited under these Terms or to
enforcement of any provision under these Terms against an assignee who did
not receive Town's consent.
19.5 Effect of Assignment. Prior to any effective assignment, each assignee
must execute an assumption of each License Agreement and Encroachment
IP Permit in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "C." No action or inaction by Town
shall be deemed a waiver of the prohibition on assignments or any other
provision herein, or the acceptance of the assignee, Wireless Provider or
occupant as Wireless Provider, or a release of Wireless Provider from the
further performance by Wireless Provider of the provisions of these Terms.
Consent by Town to an assignment shall not relieve Wireless Provider from
obtaining Town's consent to any further assignment. No assignment shall
release Wireless Provider from any liability hereunder.
19.6 Enforceability after Assignment. No consent by Town shall be deemed
to be a novation. Town's consent to any assignment does not in any way
expand or modify the terms set forth in these Terms or waive, diminish or
modify any of Town's rights or remedies under the License Agreement or any
Encroachment Permit. The terms set forth in these Terms shall be enforceable
against Wireless Provider and each successor, partial or total, and regardless of
the method of succession, to Wireless Provider's interest hereunder. Each
successor having actual or constructive notice of the License Agreement, these
Terms or any Encroachment Permit shall be deemed to have agreed to the
preceding sentence.
19.7 Grounds for Refusal. Except for the Preapproved Assignments, no
assignment of the License Agreement or any Encroachment Permit by Wireless
Provider is contemplated or bargained for. Without limitation, Town has the right
IPto impose upon any consent to assignment such conditions and requirements
as Town may deem appropriate.
53
19.8 Consent to Assignments. Wireless Provider shall attach to each Pre-
approved Assignment a copy of Wireless Provider's notice to Town of the Pre-
approved Assignment and other required documents. Wireless Provider shall
attach to each other assignment, a copy of Town's notice to Wireless Provider
of Town's consent to the assignment. These Terms shall continue to be
enforceable according to its terms in spite of any provisions of any documents
relating to an assignment.
19.9 Assignment Fee. Wireless Provider shall pay to Town in advance the
sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) as a nonrefundable fee for legal,
administrative and other expenses related to every Pre-approved Assignment
other than the sale of publicly traded stock) or to any request for a consent to
assignment, whether or not Town grants such request.
20. MISCELLANEOUS.
The following additional provisions apply to these Terms:
20.1 Amendments. These Terms may not be amended except by a formal
writing executed by all of the parties.
20.2 Dates. Any reference to a year shall refer to a calendar year unless a
fiscal year is specifically stated. Sunday, Saturday and Arizona legal holidays
are holidays for purposes of the License Agreement and issued Encroachment
Permits.
20.3 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence of each and every provision of
the License Agreement and issued Encroachment Permits.
20.4 Severability. If any provision of these Terms shall be ruled by a court or
agency of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason,
then:
20.2.1 The invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not
affect the validity of any remaining provisions of these Terms.
20.2.2 These Terms shall be automatically reformed to secure to
the parties the benefits of the unenforceable provision, to the
maximum extent consistent with law.
20.5 Conflicts of Interest. No officer, representative or employee of Town
shall have any direct or indirect interest in the License Agreement or any
Encroachment Permit, nor participate in any decision relating to the License
Agreement or any Encroachment Permit that is prohibited by law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-511, the Town of
Fountain Hills may cancel the License Agreement or any Encroachment Permit,
without penalty or further obligation, if any person significantly involved in
54
initiating, negotiating, securing, drafting or creating the License Agreement or
associated Encroachment Permits on behalf of the Town is, at any time while
the License Agreement or Encroachment Permits is in effect, or any extension
thereof, an employee, agent or consultant to Wireless Provider in any capacity.
20.6 No Partnership. The transactions and performances contemplated
hereby shall not create any sort of partnership, joint venture or similar
relationship between the parties.
20.7 Nonliability of Officials and Employees. No official, representative or
employee of Town shall be personally liable to any party, or to any successor in
interest to any party, in the event of any default or breach by Town or for any
amount which may become due to any party or successor, or with respect to
any obligation of Town or otherwise under the terms of any License Agreement
or related to any License Agreement or Encroachment Permit.
20.8 Notices. Notices hereunder shall be given in writing delivered to the
other party or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid or a national overnight express courier (such as Federal
Express or UPS) to the addresses set forth in the License Agreement and to the
Town as follows:
If to Town: Town of Fountain Hills
16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains
II Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Attn: Town Manager
Copy to: Town of Fountain Hills
16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Attn: Development Services Director
0
55
Town of Fountain Hills
0 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Attn: Town Attorney
By notice from time to time, a person may designate any other street address
within Maricopa County, Arizona as its address for giving notice hereunder.
Service of any notice (i) if by registered or certified ail shall be deemed to be
complete three (3) days (excluding Fridays, Saturday, Sunday and legal
holidays) after the notice is deposited in the United States mail or (ii) if by
overnight courier upon receipt.
20.9 Construction. Whenever the context of these Terms requires herein the
singular shall include the plural, and the masculine shall include the feminine.
20.10 Funding. This subparagraph shall control notwithstanding any provision
of the License Agreement or any exhibit or other agreement or document
related hereto. If funds necessary to fulfill Town's obligations under the License
Agreement or any Encroachment Permit are not appropriated by the Town of
Fountain Hills Town Council, Town may terminate the License Agreement or
any Encroachment Permit, by notice to Wireless Provider. Town shall use best
efforts to give notice of such a termination to Wireless Provider at least thirty
30) days prior to the end of Town's then current fiscal period. Termination in
accordance with this provision shall not constitute a breach of the License
Agreement or Encroachment Permit byTown. No person will be entitled to any
compensation, damages or other remedy from Town if the License Agreement
or any Encroachment Permit is terminated pursuant to the terms of this
subsection.
20.11 Paragraph Headings. The paragraph headings contained herein are for
convenience in reference and not intended to define or limit the scope of any
provision of the License Agreement.
20.12 No Third Party Beneficiaries. No person or entity shall be a third party
beneficiary to the License Agreement or shall have any right or cause of action
hereunder. Town shall have no liability to third parties for any approval of plans,
Wireless Provider's construction of improvements, Wireless Provider's
negligence, Wireless Provider's failure to comply with the provisions of these
Terms (including any absence or inadequacy of insurance required to be carried
by Wireless Provider).
20.13 Exhibits. All Exhibits specifically stated to be attached hereto as
specified herein are hereby incorporated into and made an integral part of the
License Agreement for all purposes.
20.14 Attorneys' Fees. If any action, suit or proceeding is brought by either
0 party hereunder to enforce the License Agreement or any issued Encroachment
Permit or for failure to observe any of the covenants of the License Agreement,
56
these Terms or any issued Encroachment Permit, or to vindicate or exercise
any rights or remedies hereunder, the prevailing party in such proceeding shall
be entitled to recover from the other party such prevailing party's reasonable
attorneys' fees and other reasonable litigation costs (as determined by the court
and not a jury) in such proceeding).
20.15 Approvals and Inspections. All approvals, reviews and inspections by
Town are for Town's sole benefit and not for the benefit of Wireless Provider, its
contractors, engineers or other consultants or agents, or any other person.
20.16 Legal Workers. If and to the extent A.R.S. § 41-4401 is applicable,
Wireless Provider shall comply with laws regarding workers as follows:
20.16.1 Wireless Provider warrants to Town that Wireless Provider
and all its subcontractors will comply with all federal immigration
laws and regulations that relate to their employees and that
Wireless Provider and all its subcontractors now comply with the E-
Verify Program under A.R.S. § 23-214(A).
20.16.2 A breach of the foregoing warranty by Wireless Provider
shall be deemed a material breach of the License Agreement and
any issued Encroachment Permit that is subject to penalties up to
and including termination of this License Agreement and any issued
Encroachment Permits.
20.16.3 Town retains the legal right to inspect the papers of any
employee of Wireless Provider or any subcontractor who works on a
Use Area pursuant to License Agreement and any Encroachment
Permit to ensure that they or the subcontractor is complying with the
warranty given above.
20.16.4 Town may conduct random verification of Wireless
Provider's and its subcontractors' employment records to ensure
compliance with the warranty given above.
20.16.5 Wireless Provider shall indemnify, defend and hold Town
harmless for, from and against all losses and liabilities arising from
any and all violations of the warranty given above.
57
EXHIBIT A
le TOWN'S DESIGN GUIDELINES]
See following pages
58
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2018
Town of Fountain Hills
Small Wireless Facilities in the Right-of-Way
Design Standards & Guidelines
59
Town of Fountain Hills
Design Standards, Concepts and Requirements
Small Wireless Facilities in the Right-of-Way
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 60
Definitions 62
Small Wireless Facility on Existing Streetlight 65
Small Wireless Facility on Traffic Signal Pole 68
Small Wireless Facility on Existing Utility Pole 71
Common Standard Design Concepts, Requirements and Details 76
Town of Fountain Hills Contacts 83
Exhibit Al
Calculation Points for Height of an Existing Streetlight with Separated Luminaire Mast Arm ..... 84
Exhibit A2
Calculation Points for Height of an Existing Streetlight with Integrated Luminaire Mast Arm 85
IL Exhibit B
Calculation Points for Height of Existing Traffic Signal Pole 86
Exhibit C
Dog House— Cable Transition from Underground to Electric Utility Pole 87
Exhibit D1
Antenna Shrouds—45 Degrees 88
Exhibit D2
Antenna Shrouds —90 Degrees 89
Exhibit D3
Unacceptable Visible Cables 90
Exhibit El
Examples of Electrical Meter Pedestals—"Myers" or"Milbank" Style 91
Exhibit E2
Ground Equipment Screening Examples 92
Exhibit E2
Ground Equipment Screening Examples (continued) 93
Exhibit F
Cannister Antenna 94
60
Exhibit G
Larsen Camouflage Examples 95
411
61
Definitions
Standard Design Requirements for Small Wireless Facility
Antenna" means communications equipment that transmits or receives
electromagnetic radio frequency signals and that is used in providing wireless services.
Antenna Mounting Bracket" means the hardware required to secure the antenna to
the pole.
Antenna Mounting Post" means the vertical post or pipe that the antenna mounting
bracket is mounted to in order for the antenna to be attached to the pole.
Antenna Shroud" means the three-sided cover that is mounted at the base of the
antenna to conceal the appearance of the cables and wires from the hand-hole port
on the pole to the bottom-fed antenna.
Canister Antenna" means the canister or cylinder style housing used to conceal the
antenna(s), amplifier(s), radio(s), cables, and wires at the top of a pole.
Communications Equipment" means any and all electronic equipment at the Small
Wireless Facility location that processes and transports information from the antennas
to the Wireless Provider's network.
1w• Dog House" means the plastic or metal attachment to the base of a pole that covers
the transition point of underground cables and wires to the vertical section of the
pole.
Ground Mounted Equipment" means any communications equipment that is
mounted to a separate post or to a foundation on the ground.
Light Emitting Diode" also referred to as "LED" is a type of lighting fixture installed
on Town streetlight and traffic signal poles.
Light Fixture" means the lighting unit or luminaire that provides lighting during the
evening hours or during the hours of darkness.
Luminaire Mast Arm" means the horizontal post that attaches the light fixture to the
streetlight pole or traffic signal pole.
Omni-directional Antenna" also referred to as an "omni antenna" this antenna is
round in shape, like a pipe, and may be about one (1) inch diameter up to about six
6) inches diameter.
Outside Diameter" also referred to as "OD" means the points of measurement,
using the outer edges of a pole, pipe or cylinder.
62
Panel Antenna" means the style of antenna that is rectangular in shape and with
dimensions that are generally four (4) feet to eight (8) feet in height, by eight (8)
inches to twelve (12) inches wide, and four (4) inches to nine (9) inches deep.
Remote Radio Heads (RRH) / Remote Radio Units (RRU)" means the electronic
devices that are used to amplify radio signals so that there is increased performance
farther distance) of the outgoing radio signal from the antenna.
Right-of-way" as defined for wireless sites in A.R.S. §9-591(18) means the area on,
below or above a public roadway, highway, street, sidewalk, alley, or utility easement.
Right-of-way does not include a Federal Interstate Highway, a state highway or state
route under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, a private easement,
property that is owned by a special taxing district, or a utility easement that does not
authorize the deployment sought by the wireless provider.
Sight Distance Easements" means the area of land adjacent to an intersection,
driveway or roadway that has restrictive uses in order to preserve the view of
oncoming or crossing vehicular and pedestrian traffic by drivers in vehicles
attempting to merge with traffic or enter a roadway.
Sight Visibility Triangles" means the traffic engineering and safety concept that
requires clear view by the driver of a vehicle to crossing traffic at a stop sign,
driveway or intersection. In order to achieve clear visibility of the cross traffic, the
land areas in the sight visibility triangle has specific maximum heights on
landscaping, cabinets, and other potential view obstructions.
Signal Head" means the "Red, Yellow and Green" light signals at a signal-controlled
intersection.
Signal Head Mast Arm" means the horizontal pole that has the signal heads
mounted to it and attaches to the traffic signal pole.
Small Wireless Facility" as defined in A.R.S. 9-591(19), means a Wireless Facility that
meets both of the following qualifications:
a) All antennas are located inside an enclosure of not more than six (6) cubic feet
in volume or, in the case of an antenna, that has exposed elements, the antenna
and all of the antenna's exposed elements could fit within an imaginary enclosure of
not more than six (6) cubic feet in volume.
b) All other wireless equipment associated with the facility is cumulatively not
more than twenty-eight (28) cubic feet in volume, or fifty (50) cubic feet in volume if
the equipment was ground mounted before the effective date of this section. The
following types of associated ancillary equipment are not included in the calculation
of equipment volume pursuant to this subdivision:
i) An electric meter.
ii) Concealment elements.
63
iii)A telecommunications demarcation box.
0 iv)Grounding equipment.
v) A power transfer switch.
vi)A cutoff switch.
vii) Vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services.
Stealth and Concealment Elements" means the use of shrouds, decorative
elements, design concepts and faux elements so that a small wireless facility can be
designed to blend in with the surrounding streetscape with minimal to any visual
impact.
Utility Pole" as defined in A.R.S. §9-591(21) means a pole or similar structure that is
used in whole or in part for communications services, electric distribution, lighting or
traffic signals. Utility pole does not include a monopole.
0
64
411. Town of Fountain Hills
Standard Design Requirements
Small Wireless Facility on Existing Streetlight
The following design standards shall apply, in addition to the Common Standards
Design Concepts, Requirements and Details that is included in this document, to a
Small Wireless Facility (SWF) proposed for a location with an existing Town-owned or
third party-owned streetlight in the Town of Fountain Hills Right-of-way (ROW). These
design standards are not exhaustive and the Town, as the owner, keeper and manager
of the ROW retains the right to modify or adjust the requirements on a case-by-case
basis.
A. Pole Criteria:
1. Purpose of Streetlight Pole: The primary purpose of the pole shall remain as
a pole structure supporting a streetlight luminaire and related streetlight
fixtures used to provide lighting to the Town ROW. The attachment of
wireless equipment to an existing streetlight pole or to a replacement pole
that impedes this primary purpose will not be approved.
2. General Requirement:
a) An SWF shall be designed to blend in with the surrounding streetscape with
minimal to any visual impact.
b) A replacement pole shall match the Town of Fountain Hills standard
streetlight pole for the location in which it is installed, as closely as possible,
subject to more specific criteria below.
c) As specified in Section 6.14 of the Town of Fountain Hills's Wireless Facilities
Standard Terms and Conditions, for each individual pole type or style used to
support the wireless equipment, one spare replacement pole shall be
provided by the wireless provider to Town in advance so the pole can be
replaced promptly in case of a knockdown.
d) All plans shall be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in
the State of Arizona.
e) All other details in the Town of Fountain Hills street light design standards
shall apply.
3. Specific Criteria:
a) New or Replacement Pole Height
A new or replacement pole may be installed without zoning review if one of
the two height requirements is met:
1) Up to a ten (10) foot increase, not to exceed fifty (50) feet total (whichever
is less), subject to the additional limitations in A.R.S. §9-592(I); or
2) Up to forty (40) feet above ground level, per A.R.S.§9-592(J).
110
65
b) Overall Height of Replacement Pole
1) The "base" height of an existing streetlight pole shall be the height of the
vertical pole section from the existing grade. The height of the luminaire
mast arm, if higher than the vertical pole section, shall not be used to
determine the new overall height of the replacement pole.
2) If the antennas are the highest vertical element of the site, then the new
overall height of the replacement pole is measured from the existing grade
to the top of the canister, top of the omni-directional antenna, or the top of
the panel antenna.
c) Increase in Outside Diameter (OD) of Pole
The non-tapered replacement pole outside diameter (OD) of the base section
shall be equal to the top section, and the OD shall not exceed eight and five-
eights (8-5/8) inches (the pole manufacturing industry standard OD for an 8
inch diameter pole) or a 100% increase in diameter of the original pole,
whichever is less.
d) Luminaire Mast Arms
1) All luminaire mast arms shall be the same length as the original luminaire
arm, unless the Town requires the mast arm to be different (longer or
shorter) based upon the location of the replacement pole.
2) Unless otherwise approved, all luminaire mast arms shall match the arc (if
applicable) and style of the original luminaire arm.
3) The replacement luminaire mast arm shall be at the same height above
the ground as the existing luminaire.
e) Luminaire Fixtures
1) All replacement poles shall have the Town standard light-emitting diode
LED) light fixture installed.
2) All replacement light fixtures shall have a new Town standard photo-cell or
sensor provided by the wireless provider.
f) Pole Foundation
1) All pole foundations shall conform to the Town's adopted standards and
specifications on streetlight design and shall be modified for wireless
communications equipment and cables.
2) The Town, in its sole discretion, may require the pole foundation design to
be "worst case" for all soil conditions.
3) A separate, one-inch diameter conduit shall be installed in the pole
foundation for the Town's luminaire wire and any additional Town wires or
cables. The Town's conduit shall be trimmed to three (3) inches above
411, the top of the pole foundation.
66
4) The height of the pole foundation shall be two (2) inches above finished
410 grade. If the pole foundation encroaches into any portion of the sidewalk,
then the pole foundation shall be flush with the sidewalk.
5) Shrouds for the streetlight pole mounting bolts may be required for the
replacement pole.
g) Painting of Replacement Pole
1) If the replacement pole is an unpainted galvanized pole, the pole shall not
be painted or have a finish unless otherwise specified by the Town.
2) For powder coated type poles, the wireless provider shall replace with
same powder coated color and/or color combination per Town of Fountain
Hills street light design standards or as otherwise required by the Town to
minimize visual impact.
h) Painting Antennas and Mounting Equipment
1) All antenna mounting brackets and hardware, antenna mounting posts,
cables, shrouds and other equipment mounted on a new or replacement
unpainted galvanized pole shall be painted Sherwin Williams "Web Grey"
SW7075) color or equivalent, unless specified otherwise by the Town.
2) All antenna mounting brackets and hardware, antenna mounting posts,
cables, shrouds and all other equipment mounted on a painted new or
0 replacement pole shall be painted a color specified by the Town.
i) Wireless provider shall install pole numbers on each replacement pole (to
match the number on the existing streetlight pole being replaced) per Town of
Fountain Hills street light design standards.
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Town of Fountain Hills
Standard Design Requirements
Small Wireless Facility on Traffic Signal Pole
The following design standards shall apply, in addition to the Common Standards
Design Concepts, Requirements and Details included in this document, to a Small
Wireless Facility (SWF) proposed for a location with an existing Town-owned traffic
signal in the Town of Fountain Hills Right-of-way (ROW). These design standards are
not exhaustive and the Town, as the owner and manager of the ROW retains the right
to modify or adjust the requirements on a case-by-case basis.
A. Pole Criteria:
1. Purpose of Traffic Signal Pole: The primary purpose of the traffic signal pole
shall remain as a pole structure supporting a traffic signal and related
streetlight fixtures used to provide traffic control and lighting to the Town
ROW. The attachment of wireless equipment to a new or replacement traffic
signal pole that impedes this primary purpose will not be approved.
2. General Requirement:
a) An SWF shall be designed to blend in with the surrounding streetscape with
minimal to any visual impact.
b) A replacement pole shall match the Town of Fountain Hills standard traffic
signal pole, as closely as possible, subject to more specific criteria below.
c) As specified in Section 6.14 of the Town of Fountain Hills's Wireless Facilities
Standard Terms and Conditions, for each individual pole type or style used to
support the wireless equipment, one spare replacement pole shall be
provided by Company to Town in advance so the pole can be replaced
promptly in case of a knockdown.
d) All plans shall be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in
the State of Arizona.
e) All other details in the Town of Fountain Hills traffic signal design standards
shall apply.
3. Specific Criteria:
a) New or Replacement Pole Height
A new or replacement pole may be installed without zoning review if one of
the two height requirements is met:
1) Up to a ten (10) foot increase, not to exceed fifty (50) feet total (whichever
is less), per A.R.S. §9-592(I); or
2) Up to forty (40) feet above ground level, per A.R.S. §9-592(J).
b) Overall Height of Replacement Pole
The height of the replacement pole is measured from grade to the top of the
antenna canister or the top of the panel antennas if the antennas are the
highest elements.
68
c) Increase in Outside Diameter (OD) of Pole
1) If the replacement pole is a taper design, the diameter of the base section
of the replacement pole OD shall not exceed twelve (12) inches or a 100%
increase in the OD of the base section, whichever is less.
2) If the replacement pole is non-tapered, then the diameter of the base
section shall be equal to the top section and the OD shall not exceed
twelve (12) inches or a 100% increase, whichever is less.
d) Signal Head Mast Arms
1) The traffic signal head mast arms shall be the same length as the
original signal head mast arm unless the Town requires the mast arm to
be different (longer or shorter) based upon the location of the replacement
pole.
2) All signal head mast arms shall match the arc (if applicable) and style of
the original signal head mast arm.
e) Luminaire Mast Arms
1) All luminaire mast arms shall be the same length as the original luminaire
arm unless the Town requires the mast arm to be different (longer or
shorter) based upon the location of the replacement pole.
2) All luminaire mast arms shall match the arc (if applicable) and style of the
original luminaire arm.
f) Signal Heads
1) All existing signal heads shall be replaced, at no cost to Town, with new
light-emitting diode (LED) signal heads, per Town of Fountain Hills traffic
signal design standards.
2) All signal heads shall be procured from a Town approved signal heads
supplier or manufacturer.
g) Luminaire Fixtures
1) All replacement poles shall have the Town standard LED light fixture
installed.
2) All replacement light fixture shall have a new photo-cell or sensor
installed to Town standard.
h) Other Town Elements on Signal Mast Arm or Pole
All existing emergency signal detection units, video detection cameras, video
cameras, cross walk service buttons, cross walk signals, and any other
pedestrian or traffic devices shall be replaced with new units by wireless
provider and installed at no cost to the Town. All equipment shall be procured
from a list of Town approved suppliers.
i) Signs and Other Misc.
All street name plates or signs, directional signs and any other Town
69
approved signs shall be replaced with new signs at no cost to the Town. All
40 signs and attachments shall be procured from a list of Town approved
suppliers.
j) Traffic Signal Pole Foundation
1) All pole foundations shall conform to the Town's standards and
specifications on traffic signal pole design and shall be modified for
wireless communications equipment, hand holes and cables.
2) The wireless provider shall install a three (3) inch diameter (OD) conduit in
the pole foundation for the Town's cables and wires for the signal heads,
luminaire and devices on the signal mast arm and luminaire mast arm.
The Town's conduit shall be trimmed to three (3) inches above the top of
the pole foundation.
3) In addition to the conduits for the Town's use inside the pole, the wireless
provider shall install one of the two options for its cables and wires:
a) One, six (6) inch diameter (OD) conduit in the pole foundation; or
b) Two, four (4) inch diameter (OD) conduits in the pole foundation. The
length of the conduit shall extend from the pole foundation to six (6)
inches above the signal head mast arm.
4) Pole Foundation — Height Above Ground Level
a) If the pole foundation is in a landscaped or unimproved area, the
a. height of the caisson shall be two (2) inches above finished grade.
However, if the pole foundation is adjacent to or within a sidewalk or
ramp, the height of the pole foundation shall be flush with the surface
of the immediate area.
b) Shrouds for the traffic signal pole mounting bolts may be required for
the replacement pole.
k) Painting of Pole, Antennas and Mounting Equipment
1) Specifications on paint color and painting process are provided in the
Town of Fountain Hills traffic signal design standards.
2) For powder-coated traffic signal poles, the wireless provider shall replace
with same powder-coated color and/or color combination, or as otherwise
specified by the Town.
I) Construction of Traffic Signal
The installation work of the replacement traffic signal pole, including mast
arms, signal heads and devices, must be performed by a Arizona licensed
Traffic Signal Contractor with a minimum of five (5) years of experience
installing traffic signals.
40
70
0 Town of Fountain Hills
Standard Design Requirements
Small Wireless Facility on Existing Utility Pole
The following design standards shall apply, in addition to the Common Standards
Design Concepts, Requirements and Details that is included in this document, to a
Small Wireless Facility (SWF) proposed for a location with an existing third party-owned
utility pole in the Town of Fountain Hills Right-of-way (ROW). These design standards
are not exhaustive and the Town, as the owner, keeper and manager of the ROW
retains the right to modify or adjust the requirements on a case-by-case basis.
A. Pole Criteria:
1. Purpose of Utility Pole: The primary purpose of the pole shall remain as a pole
structure supporting a cables and wires used to provide communications services
and electric distribution in the Town ROW. The attachment of wireless
equipment to an existing third party-owned utility pole that impedes this primary
purpose will not be approved.
2. General Requirement:
a) An SWF shall be designed to blend in with the surrounding streetscape with
minimal to any visual impact.
b) A SWF mounted on an existing third party-owned utility pole is subject to
more specific criteria below.
c) All plans shall be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in
the State of Arizona.
3. Specific Criteria:
a) Replacement Pole Height
A replacement pole may be installed without zoning review if one of the two
height requirements is met:
1) Up to a ten (10) foot increase, not to exceed fifty (50) feet total (whichever
is less), per A.R.S. §9-592(I); or
2) Up to forty (40) feet above ground level, per A.R.S.§9-592(J).
b) Overall Height of Replacement Utility Pole
1) The "base" height of an existing utility pole shall be the height of the
vertical pole section from the existing grade.
2) If the antennas are the highest vertical element of the site, then the new
overall height of the replacement pole is measured from the existing grade
to the top of the canister or the top of the panel antenna.
c) Use of Existing Pole — Wood
0
71
1) An existing wood pole used for a SWF shall have the antennas contained
within an eighteen (18) inch (OD) canister mounted at the top of the pole.
2) Unless otherwise approved, the cables and wires from the base of the
pole to the antennas shall be installed in a conduit or cable chase outside
of the pole, facing away from the street or away from on-coming traffic.
3) If a "dog house" (see Exhibit C) is required as a transition point connecting
the underground cables and wires from the ground mounted equipment to
the pole, the Town shall provide the maximum size, dimension and shape
of the dog house on a case-by-case basis.
d) Use of Existing Pole — Metal
1) An existing metal pole used for a SWF shall have the antennas contained
within an eighteen (18) inch (OD) canister mounted at the top of the pole.
2) Panel antennas on a metal pole shall have the same "RAD center" (center
of radiation) so the antennas will be at the same height on the pole.
3) The cables and wires from the base of the pole to the antennas shall be
installed inside of the pole.
e) Painting of Pole and Dog House
1) If the replacement pole is an unpainted galvanized pole, the pole shall not
be painted or have a finish unless otherwise specified by the Town.
2) If the existing or replacement pole includes a dog house for the transition
of the cables and wires to the pole, the dog house shall be painted the
same color as the pole or a color specified by the Town.
f) Painting Antennas and Mounting Equipment
1) All antenna mounting brackets and hardware, antenna mounting posts,
cables, shrouds and other equipment mounted on a new or replacement
unpainted galvanized pole shall be painted Sherwin Williams "Web Grey"
SW7075) color or equivalent, unless specified otherwise by the Town.
2) All antenna mounting brackets and hardware, antenna mounting posts,
cables, shrouds and all other equipment mounted on a painted new or
replacement pole shall be painted a color specified by the Town.
3) If the antenna is mounted on a wood pole, the color of the antenna,
antenna canister, mounting brackets and posts, shrouds and cable chases
shall be painted a color specified by the Town that will closely match the
color of the wood.
g) Ground Mounted Equipment
The Town may require the ground-mounted wireless equipment to be
screened or concealed to reduce the visual impact to the surrounding area.
The screening or concealment shall take into account the location of the site,
the use of the immediate area, and the existing aesthetic elements
surrounding the site.
72
Town of Fountain Hills
Standard Design Requirements
Wireless Facility on New Structures in ROW
The following design standards, in addition to the Common Standards Design
Concepts, Requirements and Details that are included in this document, shall apply to a
Wireless Facility that a wireless provider may install in the ROW that is not: 1) a
replacement pole for an existing streetlight, 2) a replacement pole for an existing traffic
signal or 3) a replacement pole for an existing utility pole.
The new wireless support structure, monopole or utility pole (the "New Structure") shall
incorporate the highest level of stealth and concealment of the antennas and wireless
equipment in order to minimize the visual impact of the site to the public.
A. Pole Criteria:
1. Purpose of the New Structure: The sole purpose of a new vertical element is to
attach antennas for the provision of wireless services by a wireless provider in
the Town's ROW.
2. General Requirement:
a) The New Structure shall be designed to minimize the visual and aesthetic
impact of the new vertical element and associated equipment upon the look,
feel, theme, and use of the surrounding area.
b) A wireless facilityshall be designed to blend in with the surrounding9
streetscape and/or landscape with minimal to no adverse visual impact.
c) The New Structure shall be architecturally integrated and compatible with the
use of the surrounding area.
d) The height of the New Structure cannot exceed the maximum allowed height
of the zoning district that the site is proposed.
e) All plans shall be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in
the State of Arizona.
3. Specific Criteria:
a) New Structure Height. A New Structure may be installed without zoning
review if one of the two height requirements are met, see A.R.S. §9-592(I)
and A.R.S. §9-592(J):
1) A.R.S. §9-592(I) states that the small wireless facility in the ROW is not
subject to zoning review and approval in Section 9-594 if the utility pole
does not exceed the greater of either:
i. Ten feet in height above the tallest existing utility pole, other than
a utility pole supporting only wireless facilities, that is in place on
the effective date of this section, that is located within five
hundred feet of the new, replacement or modified utility pole and
73
that is in the same right-of-way within the jurisdictional boundary
of the authority, but no more than fifty feet above ground level.
ii. Forty feet above ground level.
2) A.R.S. §9-592(J) states that new small wireless facilities collocated on a
utility pole or wireless support structure in the right-of-way are not subject
to zoning review and approval if they do not extend more than ten feet
above the utility pole or wireless support structure and do not exceed fifty
feet above ground level.
b) Setbacks. Any New Structure subject to zoning review shall comply with all
Town fall and setback requirements, including a 100% setback from all
property lines, occupied structures, public roadways and sidewalks.
c) Overall Height of New Structure. The height of the New Structure is
measured from existing grade to the highest point of the New Structure.
d) Stealth and Concealment Elements
1) New Structures shall be located in areas where they can blend into the
existing built and natural environment, where existing landscape elements
may assist with concealing the structure from view, and where the addition
of the structure will least affect the view sheds from neighboring
properties.0 2) Depending upon the location of the New Structure and the character of the
neighboring area, the Town may require additional landscaping to be
installed in connection with the Town's approval of the application. The
additional landscaping may include trees, mature vegetation, natural
features or hardscaping.
3) The Wireless Provider shall conceal all equipment within a faux cactus
structure, similar to the 22' to 40' tall Larsen Camouflage design (see
Exhibit G) or as otherwise approved by the Town.
i. New Structures thus concealed shall comply with standard
details, such as dimensions, colors and materials similar to
existing faux cactus installations in the Town.
4) As part of the stealth and concealment elements of the New Structure, the
Town may require the wireless provider to install street name plates,
directional signs, and other decorative signs or artistic elements on the
structure.
5) The wireless provider is solely responsible for the cost of all stealth and
concealment elements and the installation of other elements required by
the Town.
6) The wireless provider is responsible for the performance of and any costs
incurred for regular upkeep, maintenance and replacement (if necessary)
of these stealth and concealment elements.
74
e) Architectural Integration with Surrounding Area
4110 1) The New Structure shall be designed in consultation with various internal
Town stakeholders and may include external stakeholders.
2) The Town may require the New Structure to be constructed of a
specific material or specific design that will enhance the stealth and
concealment of the site.
f) Foundation
1) The foundation for the New Structure, if required, shall conform to civil and
structural engineering standards acceptable to the Town, with design
modifications for wireless communications equipment and cables.
2) Unless otherwise stated herein, the height of the New Structure foundation
shall be two (2) inches above finished grade. However, if the New
Structure foundation is adjacent to or within a sidewalk or ramp, the height
of the pole foundation shall be flush with the surface of the immediate
area.
3) Shrouds for the pole mounting bolts may be required.
4) If the New Structure is concealed as a faux cactus installation, the
structure shall be installed to appear as part of the natural environment,
and shall not be located on existing concrete such as sidewalks or curbs,
nor shall concrete be placed around the base of the facility except as
needed to anchor and support the structural elements of the structure. All
such concrete and anchor devices shall be shielded from view by earth,
rocks, decomposed granite and landscaping as required by the Town.
g) Painting
1) The Town shall identify the paint colors, location of paint and any
decorative work that may be painted onto the New Structure or ground
equipment.
2) If visible, the Town shall identify the paint colors for the antennas, antenna
mounting brackets and posts, antenna shrouds, and cables.
3) The Town may require the New Structure or ground equipment to be
painted using a powder-coat or other process.
h) Ground Mounted Equipment
The Town may require the ground-mounted wireless equipment to be sited
and screened or concealed to reduce the visual impact to the surrounding
area. The screening or concealment shall take into account the location of
the site, the use of the immediate area, and the existing aesthetic elements
surrounding the site.
75
Town of Fountain Hills
Small Wireless in the ROW
Common Standard Design Concepts, Requirements and Details
The following standard design requirements shall be applied to all new small wireless
facilities in the Town's ROW, whether for a small wireless facility to be installed on an
existing or replacement streetlight pole, an existing or replacement traffic signal pole, an
existing or replacement utility pole, or on a New Structure.
A. Pole Design & Installation
1. Replacement Pole Clearances — Underground Utilities
All ground-mounted electrical equipment shall maintain minimum horizontal
clearance from underground utilities.
Clearance from water lines shall be at least six (6) feet.
Clearance from sewer lines shall be at least six (6) feet.
Clearance from telecommunications shall be at least one (1) foot.
Clearance from cable television lines shall be at least one (1) foot.
Clearance from all other underground infrastructure shall be at least six (6)
feet.
1110
a) The Town, in its sole discretion, may grant a variance, upon approval by the
Town Engineer, from these horizontal separation distances on a case-by-
case basis. The approval of a variance is dependent factors specific to the
site.
b) In the case where there is an issue with horizontal separation from other
underground utilities, the wireless provider may elect to work with the
impacted utility to have lines, pipes or property moved so that minimum
clearance is achieved. All relocation of Town-owned or a privately-owned
utility shall be at the sole expense of the wireless provider.
2. Calculating the Base Height of an Existing Pole
The base height, from which the calculation of the "increase in pole height" is
referenced for determining the overall pole height, shall be calculated as follows:
a) Streetlight Pole (see Exhibit Al and A2)
1) A streetlight with a separate luminaire mast arm mounted to the vertical
pole shall use the top of the vertical pole as the base height.
2) A streetlight, with the luminaire mast arm integrated (e.g. telescopic style
pole) into the top vertical section of the pole, shall use the point on the
pole where the mast arm is connected plus twenty-four (24) inches as the
base height.
b) Traffic Signal Pole (see Exhibit B)
A traffic signal pole with a luminaire mast arm that is mounted above the
76
signal head mast arm to the pole shall use the top of the vertical portion of the
pole as the base height.
3. Replacement Pole Clearance — Original Streetlight Pole or Traffic Signal Pole
The minimum distance of the replacement pole from the original pole location
shall be sixty (60) inches or more so that construction can occur safely. The
Town may change this minimum distance on a case-by-case basis.
4. Replacement Pole Clearances — Sidewalks
The new or replacement pole shall maintain twelve (12) inch minimum clearance
distance from sidewalks. The Town, in its sole discretion, may increase that
minimum clearance on a case-by-case basis to ensure the safe use of the
sidewalk and adjacent area.
5. Sight Distance Easements (SDE) and Sight Visibility Triangles (SVT)
All new and replacement poles shall be installed in a location that does not impair
or interfere with SDE or SVT safety requirements as reasonable determined by
the Town.
6. Cables, Wires and Jumpers
a) All cables for the wireless equipment and antennas — except where such
cables or wires attach to the ports in the antenna — shall be located inside a
conduit, inside the caisson, or inside the pole, as appropriate. There shall not
be any "dog house" or externally visible conduit or entry point of the cables
unless specified by the Town.
b) All cables for the wireless equipment and antennas shall exit the pole or
conduit at a location, behind the antenna shroud, and shielded from view. It
is the intent of the Town that the cables shall not be visible.
1) See Exhibit D1 for examples of appropriately shielded cables.
2) See Exhibit D2 for examples of unacceptable cabling.
c) All electrical wires for the streetlight luminaire, traffic signal heads, and any
Town device on the pole shall be new and connected to the existing power
source.
7. Hand-holes
a) All hand-hole locations shall be called out on the plans.
b) All hand-holes near antennas shall have the top of the hand-hole no lower
than the bottom height of the antennas.
c) The bottom of the hand-hole should not exceed six (6) inches below the
bottom of the antenna.
8. Wireless Facility Identification Information
77
a) A four (4) inch by six (6) inch Radio Frequency Safety notice may be mounted
no less than twenty-four (24) inches from the bottom of the antenna, facing
away from traffic.
b) The wireless provider may place on the pole a discreet site identification or
number. The size, color and location of this identifier shall be determined by
the Town.
c) The Town, as specified in the Wireless Facilities Standard Terms and
Conditions, may require the wireless provider to place on the pole, in a
discreet but accessible location, the telephone number of wireless provider's
network operations center.
d) No wireless provider signs may be placed on a streetlight, traffic signal pole,
wireless support structure, or a new or replacement pole except to the extent
required by local, state or federal law or regulations.
9. Interference with Town Wireless Network
The Town has, or may have in the future, certain wireless devices in a network
that connects traffic signals, community centers, water sites, and other locations
for the Town's proprietary use. The selection of a location for a wireless site
shall consider the potential interference of the Town's wireless network with RF
from a wireless provider's proposed site.
10. Cable Chase and Dog Houses
The Town, in its sole discretion, shall determine if an exterior cable chase and
dog house are aesthetically compatible with the pole and immediate area. The
materials and paint color of the cable chase and dog house shall be determined
on a case-by-case basis.
B. Removal of Original Pole, Equipment and Pole Foundation
1. Removal of Original Signal Pole, Mast Arm, Signal Heads and Luminaire
a) The Town shall determine what original components, (e.g., original pole, mast
arm, signal heads and luminaire, etc.) shall be delivered by the wireless
provider, at no cost to the Town, to a location specified by the Town.
b) If the Town accepts some of the original components, then only those
components shall be delivered by the wireless provider to the Town and the
remaining components shall be discarded by the wireless provider.
2. Removal of Original Streetlight or Traffic Signal Pole Foundation
The concrete pole foundation for the original streetlight or traffic signal pole shall
be removed by the wireless provider as instructed by the Town:
a) Partial Removal
The original pole foundation shall be taken back to a level that is twelve (12)
inches below existing grade and covered with four (4) inches of one-half (1/2")
III inch to three (3/4") quarter inch rock materials. The remaining eight (8)
inches shall be native soil.
78
b) Complete Removal
If the entire original pole foundation must be removed, then all materials
concrete, rebar, metals, bolts, etc.) shall be removed. The Town's Inspector
shall determine, on a case-by-case basis, the type of backfill material and
compaction required — ranging from native soil that is compacted to a half
1/2) sack slurry for the entire depth, or a combination of native soil and
slurry.
C. Antennas, RRH/RRU, Cables and Mounting on Pole:
1. General Requirement: All antennas shall be installed in a manner that minimizes
the visual impact to the general public. In order to minimize the visual impact,
wireless providers should use canister antennas, where possible and appropriate
unless the Town's stealth and concealment requirements indicate otherwise. See
Exhibit F. All work shall be performed in a professional manner that is consistent with
the highest standards of workmanship.
2. Specific Criteria:
a) Antenna Mounting Posts and Brackets
1) All panel antennas shall be mounted directly to the pole or onto a
mounting pole so that the distance from the "face" of the streetlight pole to
the back of the antenna does not exceed nine (9) inches.
2) All mounting posts shall be trimmed so that the poles do not extend higher
than the top of the antenna or protrude lower than the antenna unless
necessary to install the shroud.
3) All pole attached wireless equipment must be a minimum ten (10) feet
from the sidewalk elevation.
b) Panel Antennas
1) All panel antennas for a small cell site shall fit within an imaginary
enclosure of not more than six (6) cubic feet in volume in accordance with
A.R.S. §9-591(19)(a). (NOTE: This volume does not include antenna
cable shrouds when required.)
2) All panel antennas with exposed cables from the bottom of the antenna
shall have a shroud installed on the antenna or antenna mounting posts to
conceal the cables. (see Exhibits D1 and D2)
a. The type of shroud may be a forty-five (45) degree angle (away from
the bottom of the antenna; toward the pole) or a ninety (90) degree
angle (parallel to the bottom of the antenna) depending on the location
of the site.
b. The shroud shall extend from the bottom of the antenna to two (2)
inches below the bottom of the nearest hand-hole.
c) Canister Antennas
11110
79
1) All canister antennas shall fit within an imaginary enclosure of not more
0 than six (6) cubic feet in volume. (Note: This volume does not include the
canister as it is a stealth device and not the antenna.)
2) The canister shall be no larger than eighteen (18) inches in diameter (OD).
3) All canister antennas shall be located in a canister that is mounted to a
base plate at the top of the vertical section of the replacement pole.
4) All cables protruding from the canister shall be concealed within the
canister or by a shroud at the point where the canister is mounted to the
base plate.
d) Remote Radio Heads (RRH) / Remote Radio Units (RRU)
Under State Law §9-591(19)(a), the RRH/RRU is not considered part of the
antenna. If allowed, the RRH/RRU shall be calculated as part of "All other
wireless equipment associated with this facility..." in A.R.S. §9-591(19)(b) that
is subject to the twenty-eight (28) cubic feet maximum size for small cell sites.
1) On a case-by-case basis, the Town in its sole discretion and — upon
reviewing the landscape in the immediate surrounding area, the location of
the pole, and stealth options, may allow a site to have an RRH/RRU
installed on the pole.
D. Ground-mounted Equipment:
General requirement: All ground-mounted equipment shall be installed in a mannerLi.that minimizes the visual and ingress/egress impact to the general public. All work
shall be performed in a professional manner that is consistent with the highest
standards of workmanship.
2. Specific criteria:
a) Sight Distance Easements (SDE) and Sight Visibility Triangles (SVT)
All ground-based wireless equipment shall be installed in a location that does
not impair or interfere with SDE or SVT safety requirements. To ensure
proper sight distance, all Town of Fountain Hills Traffic Engineering Standard
Details shall apply.
b) Ground Equipment Location — Generally
All ground-based wireless equipment, including but not limited to equipment
cabinets or power pedestals, shall be placed as far as practical to the back of
the ROW while maintaining at least three (3) feet of ingress/egress in the
ROW or public utility easement (PUE) around the equipment.
c) Ground Equipment Clearances—Underground Utilities
1) All ground-mounted electrical equipment shall maintain minimum
horizontal clearance from below-ground utilities:
Clearance from water lines shall be at least six (6) feet.
Clearance from sewer lines shall be at least six (6) feet.
80
Clearance from telecommunications shall be at least one (1) foot.
0 Clearance from cable television lines shall be at least one (1) foot.
Clearance from all other underground infrastructure shall be at least six
6) feet.
2) The Town, in its sole discretion, may grant a variance upon approval from
the Town Engineer, from these horizontal separation distances on a case-
by-case basis. The approval of a variance is dependent on factors
specific to the site.
i 3) In the case where there is an issue with horizontal separation from other
underground utilities, the wireless provider may elect to work with the
impacted utility to have its lines, pipes or property moved so that minimum
clearance is achieved. All relocation work of Town-owned or a privately-
owned utility shall be at the sole expense of the wireless provider.
d) Ground Equipment Clearance — Sidewalks
The ground equipment shall maintain a minimum twelve (12) inch clearance
distance from sidewalks. The Town, in its sole discretion, may increase the
minimum clearance on a case-by-case basis to ensure the safe use of the
sidewalk and adjacent area.
11, e) Compliance with Height Requirements
Evidence or documentation that, where the above-ground structure is over
thirty-six (36) inches in height, given its proposed location, the structure will
comply or be in compliance with applicable Town of Fountain Hills planning
and zoning ordinances.
f) Screening of Ground Equipment
The Town requires that ground-mounted equipment be screened; the type of
screening materials and design will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
See Exhibit E2 for general screening examples that the Town may consider
on a case by case basis.
1) In cases when screening is not possible, the Town may specify the
location, orientation or paint color of the ground-mounted equipment.
2) Town may require ground-mounted equipment to be located underground
except for the electricity meters, kill switches, etc.).
g) Decals and Labels
1) All equipment manufacturers' decals, logos and other identification
information shall be removed unless required for warranty purposes.
2) The wireless provider of the site may place an "Emergency Contact" or
Network Operations Center" decal or emblem to the ground equipment.
0 3) The ground-mounted equipment shall not have any flashing lights, sirens
81
or regular noise other than a cooling fan that may run intermittently.
h) Equipment Cabinets on Residential Property
1) Residential Single-Family Lot
The Wireless Equipment and Ancillary Equipment listed in A.R.S. §9-
591(19)(b) shall not exceed thirty-six (36) inches in height in the front yard
of a residential single-family zoned property.
2) Air-conditioning Units
Unless otherwise specified by Town, a wireless equipment cabinet with
air-conditioning (not a fan only) shall be enclosed by walls and setback a
minimum of fifteen (15) feet from lots where the existing or planned
primary use is a residential single-family dwelling.
i)Electric Company Meter
1) All electric company meters shall be installed in the ROW or PUE. The
location of the meter equipment shall have minimum ingress and egress
clearance from private property lines and driveways.
2) All electric company meters shall maintain minimum clearance from
above-ground utility cabinets and below-ground utilities.
3) All electric company meters shall be installed in a location that does
not impair or interfere with the SDE or SVT safety requirements of the
Town.
4) The electric company meters shall be screened or contained within a
Myers-type" or "Milbank-type" pedestal cabinet that is painted to match
the ground equipment or as specified by the Town. (see Exhibit E)
5) In the case where screening is not required, the Town may specify the
paint color of the electric company meter cabinet on a case-by-case basis.
82
Town of Fountain Hills Contacts
For questions regarding the 2018 Town of Fountain Hills Design Standards,
Concepts & Requirements for Wireless Facilities in the Right-of-Way, contact:
Town of Fountain Hills Development Services Director:
Robert Rodgers
480-816-5138
1
1
ill
83
0
Exhibit Al
Calculation Points for Height of an Existing Streetlight with Separate Luminaire Mast Arm
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141
The purple line next to the streetlight
depicts the section of the existing1 i 1
ri
streetlight pole that shall be used to
calculate the height of the existing
q pole. The lines are not to scale and
II I.,
are solely used for illustrative
purposes.
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84
Exhibit A2
Calculation Points for Height of an Existing Streetlight with Integrated Luminaire Mast Arm
The"Connection Point"on an
Existing Telescopic Style
Streetlight Pole with an Integrated
as;.o-aror.& r<mv«Wimae.; r,14.a,.-' k,.rMv
Luminaire Mast Arm
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The top and Bottom Points on
a telescopic Streetlight Pole to •""
Calculate the Verticle Height
of the Existing Streetlight
Pole
Plus
Twenty-four(24) inches
85
0
Exhibit B
Calculation Points for Height of Existing Traffic Signal Pole
The Top and Bottom
Points on a Traffic Signal
i Pole to Calculate the
Base Vertical Height of
the Existing Pole
ff
ram
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10
86
Exhibit C
0 Dog House—Cable Transition from Underground to Electric Utility Pole
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the cables and
wires are mounted
underneath the
chase. Algite
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cable chase installed at the e."
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base of a pole to cover the s '
a
cables and wires when they ,,#ee''
cannot be installed inside
the utility pole.
87
Exhibit D1
10 Antenna Shrouds—45 Degrees
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Exhibit D2
Antenna Shrouds—90 Degrees
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Exhibit D3
Unacceptable -Visible Cables
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0 Exhibit E 1
Examples of Electrical Meter Pedestals—"Myers"or"Milbank" Style
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91
Exhibit E2
Ground Equipment Screening Examples
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Exhibit E2
Ground Equipment Screening Examples (continued)
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93
Exhibit F
Canister Antenna
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Exhibit G
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A.AotIrAt;
Saguaros
The need for concealed sites is also prevalent in the desert southwest region. To servemp bthisseil,
w
need
we have developed a Saguaro Cactu .Utilizingan RF-friendly, naturalistic looking
al,le to position antenna panels not only in the hollow shell of the upper main trunk.butalsoeintheindividualarms. This offers grenter flexibility in terms ofmultiple panels per sector,
horizontal separation,and centerline height.
OurSaguaros range from 10-40 feet tall,housing one to two antenna arrays. Scars,woodpecker
holes thousands ofpainted needles enhance the realism.
Even the birds can't tell the diff41411100
PHOENIX 77018-1 429462v3
95
EXHIBIT B
0 LETTER OF CREDIT FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS]
See following pages
IP
0
96
Wireless Facility Irrevocable Letter of Credit Template
iiiw
Instructions:
The following four (4) pages contain the template for an irrevocable letter of
credit relating to wireless facilities to be located within Town rights-of-way.
Throughout the document there are blank spaces into which should be
inserted the wireless facility provider name, bank name and letter of credit
document name. Please insert this information where requested.
The irrevocable letter of credit number may not be available when the initial
submission of the draft language for review is made. This can be inserted
later when the letter is actually issued by the named financial institution.
Submit the draft irrevocable letter of credit, together with to
the Town's Development Services Director.
The issuer of the irrevocable letter of credit shall be a federally-insured
financial institution, a member of the New York Clearing House Association or
another commercial bank or trust company satisfactory to the Town, having a
net worth and financial wherewithal also satisfactory to the Town.
As a reminder, any assurance submitted in a format other than the approved
letter of credit template is subject to review by the Town Attorney and Town
Development Services Director and may not be accepted.
0
97
FORM OF WIRELESS FACILITY LETTER OF CREDIT
INSERT BANK NAME]
INSERT LETTER OF CREDIT DOCUMENT NAME]
20
Letter of Credit No. Initial Expiration Date:
Town of Fountain Hills
16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Attn: Small Cell Administrator
At the request and for the account of our customer, [Insert Wireless Facility
Provider name], a(n) Provider"), [Insert
Bank Name] ("us", "we" or "Bank"), hereby establishes, in favor of Town of
Fountain Hills, an Arizona municipal corporation ("Town"), this clean,
irrevocable and unconditional [Insert Letter of Credit Document Name]
Letter of Credit"). This Letter of Credit authorizes you to draw on us in
amounts which in the aggregate shall not exceed the Stated Amount (herein
so called) of Dollars
We hereby engage with you that draft(s) drawn and
presented in compliance with the terms contained in this Letter of Credit will
be duly honored upon presentation as stated above, on or before the
expiration date hereof.
You may obtain the funds available under this Letter of Credit by presentment
to us of your sight draft or drafts drawn on us in the form set forth as Exhibit
A" hereto, accompanied by copies of the original of this Letter of Credit and
amendment(s) thereto, if any. Within ten (10) days after we honor your draft,
you must make the original of this Letter of Credit available to us in Maricopa
County, Arizona upon which we may endorse our payment.
Drafts may be presented by any of the following means:
By telefax to (
By email to
By hand or overnight courier service delivery to:
This address must be in
Maricopa County, Arizona.]
Cor By hand or overnight courier service delivery to:
98
This address need not be in
41, Maricopa County, Arizona]
This Letter of Credit is valid until 201_ and shall
thereafter be automatically renewed for successive one (1) year periods,
unless, at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to expiration, we notify
you in writing, by either registered or certified mail, that we elect not to renew
the Letter of Credit for such additional period. In the event of such notification,
any then unused portion of the Letter of Credit shall be available upon your
presenting to us your draft on or before the then- current expiration date.
If cancellation of this Letter of Credit is required before the expiry date stated
herein (which may be extended from time to time either automatically as
stated in Item 4 immediately above or by written amendment by us and
acceptance by you), the original of this Letter of Credit and amendment(s)
thereto, if any, must be returned to us accompanied by your letter requesting
cancellation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "B". This letter of credit
may also be reduced upon our receipt of a reduction certificate, the form of
Exhibit "B".
You may draw the full amount of this Letter of Credit or only part of it from
time to time, in your discretion; provided, that the total of all drafts honored by
us under this Letter of Credit shall not exceed the Stated Amount available to
you under this Letter of Credit.
Unless otherwise expressly stated herein, this Letter of Credit is subject to the
Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision),
International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600.
Very truly yours,
Insert Bank Name]
By:
Name:
Its:
99
EXHIBIT A
Drawn Under [Insert Bank Name]
Insert Letter of Credit Document Name] No.
U.S.) 20_
To: [Insert Bank Name]
Drawn under [Insert Bank Name] [Insert Letter of Credit Document Name] No.
I am the Development Services Director, and a duly authorized representative, of Town of
Fountain Hills, an Arizona municipal corporation(the"Town"),the beneficiary of[Insert
Bank Name] [Insert Letter of Credit Document Name] No. and
hereby certify that the amount drawn hereunder represents funds currently due the Town
under separate agreement(s)with [Insert Name of Provider].
Accordingly,please pay to the Town Dollars($
Please make payment to the Town in the form of a wire deposit to:
If such deposit cannot be accomplished immediately for any reason, please make your
payment in the form of a cashier's check issued by your institution and delivered to me
at 16705 E Avenue of the Fountains Fountain Hills, AZ 85268, Attn: Development
Services Director.
If there is any imperfection or defect in this draft or its presentation, please inform me
immediately at (480) 816-5122 so that I may correct it. Also, please immediately notify
the Town Attorney.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
By:
Name:
Its: Development Services Director
tor
100
EXHIBIT B
Date:
and
Ref: Letter of Credit No.
As parties to the above referenced Letter of Credit, we request that the following action(s)be taken as
evidenced by our initials and signatures below:
Please initial:
Reduce the amount from U.S. $ to
U.S. $
Extend the expiration date from
to
Cancel this Letter of Credit effective immediately.
Enclosed herewith are the original Letter of Credit documents, including the
amendment(s), if any,thereto.
1111 Note: If any of these documents are not included with this letter,you must specify
each missing document and explain the reason why it is not being returned.)
Town of Fountain Hills, an
Arizona municipal corporation
By:
Name:
Title:
a(n)
By:
Name:
Title:
41111
100
EXHIBIT C
0
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT]
See following pages
1111
101
Assumption Of Wireless Facility License Agreement
This assumption is made pursuant to Paragraph 19 of the Town of Fountain Hills Wireless Facilities
Standard Terms and Conditions ("Terms"), incorporated by reference into that certain Wireless
Facility License Agreement (the "License Agreement") between Town of Fountain Hills, an Arizona
municipal corporation ("Town") and a
Wireless Provider") dated 20
a Assignee"), having acquired the
rights of the Wireless Provider under the License Agreement, hereby assumes the License
Agreement, agrees to be bound thereby, and obligates itself to fully perform the terms and
conditions of the License Agreement, all in favor of Town.
ASSIGNEE WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT ASSIGNEE HAS READ AND AGREES TO THE
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS WIRELESS FACILITIES STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
After the Date of this assumption, notices to Assignee shall be addressed as follows:
Assignee's network operations center phone number as required by the Terms is
1
Assignee's address for notices as required by the Terms shall be:
i
Assignee's billing address for routine billing invoices as required by the Terms shall be:
102
Assignee understands that nothing in this Assumption serves to modify any provision (except for
the Notice addresses, as provided above) or extend the Term of the License Agreement. The
person signing this document on behalf of Assignee warrants to Town his authority to do so.
111116,
Dated: 20
ASSIGNEE:
a
By:
Its:
STATE OF
ss.
COUNTY OF
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of 20 ,by
of a
40
Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
Date
103
EXHIBIT C
TO
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-18
2018 Town of Fountain Hills Wireless Facilities in the Right-of-Way
Design Standards and Guidelines]
See following pages.
410
411
104
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2018
Town of Fountain Hills
Small Wireless Facilities in the Right-of-Way
Design Standards & Guidelines
105
Town of Fountain Hills
Design Standards, Concepts and Requirements
Small Wireless Facilities in the Right-of-Way
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 106
Definitions 62107
Small Wireless Facility on Existing Streetlight 110
Small Wireless Facility on Traffic Signal Pole 113
Small Wireless Facility on Existing Utility Pole 1171
Common Standard Design Concepts, Requirements and Details 122
Town of Fountain Hills Contacts 1283
Exhibit Al
Calculation Points for Height of an Existing Streetlight with Separated Luminaire Mast Arm 129
Exhibit A2
Calculation Points for Height of an Existing Streetlight with Integrated Luminaire Mast Arm 130
Exhibit B
Calculation Points for Height of Existing Traffic Signal Pole 131
Exhibit C
Dog House— Cable Transition from Underground to Electric Utility Pole 132
Exhibit D1
Antenna Shrouds —45 Degrees 133
Exhibit D2
Antenna Shrouds — 90 Degrees 134
Exhibit D3
Unacceptable Visible Cables 135
Exhibit El
Examples of Electrical Meter Pedestals —"Myers" or"Milbank" Style 136
Exhibit E2
Ground Equipment Screening Examples 137
Exhibit E2
Ground Equipment Screening Examples (continued) 138
Exhibit F
Cannister Antenna 139
106
Exhibit G
Larsen Camouflage Examples 140
c
107
Sier Definitions
Standard Design Requirements for Small Wireless Facility
Antenna" means communications equipment that transmits or receives electromagnetic radio
frequency signals and that is used in providing wireless services.
Antenna Mounting Bracket" means the hardware required to secure the antenna to the
pole.
Antenna Mounting Post" means the vertical post or pipe that the antenna mounting bracket
is mounted to in order for the antenna to be attached to the pole.
Antenna Shroud" means the three-sided cover that is mounted at the base of the antenna
to conceal the appearance of the cables and wires from the hand-hole port on the pole to
the bottom-fed antenna.
Canister Antenna" means the canister or cylinder style housing used to conceal the
antenna(s), amplifier(s), radio(s), cables, and wires at the top of a pole.
Communications Equipment" means any and all electronic equipment at the Small Wireless
Facility location that processes and transports information from the antennas to the Wireless
Provider's network.
Dog House" means the plastic or metal attachment to the base of a pole that covers the
transition point of underground cables and wires to the vertical section of the pole.
Ground Mounted Equipment" means any communications equipment that is mounted to a
separate post or to a foundation on the ground.
Light Emitting Diode" also referred to as "LED" is a type of lighting fixture installed on Town
streetlight and traffic signal poles.
Light Fixture" means the lighting unit or luminaire that provides lighting during the evening
hours or during the hours of darkness.
Luminaire Mast Arm" means the horizontal post that attaches the light fixture to the
streetlight pole or traffic signal pole.
Omni-directional Antenna" also referred to as an "omni antenna" this antenna is round in
shape, like a pipe, and may be about one (1) inch diameter up to about six (6) inches
diameter.
Outside Diameter" also referred to as "OD" means the points of measurement, using the
outer edges of a pole, pipe or cylinder.
Panel Antenna" means the style of antenna that is rectangular in shape and with
dimensions that are generally four(4) feet to eight (8)feet in height, by eight (8) inches to
twelve (12) inches wide, and four(4) inches to nine (9) inches deep.
Remote Radio Heads (RRH) / Remote Radio Units (RRU)" means the electronic devices
that are used to amplify radio signals so that there is increased performance (farther
108
distance) of the outgoing radio signal from the antenna.
Right-of-way" as defined for wireless sites in A.R.S. §9-591(18) means the area on, below or
above a public roadway, highway, street, sidewalk, alley, or utility easement. Right-of-way does
not include a Federal Interstate Highway, a state highway or state route under the jurisdiction of
the Department of Transportation, a private easement, property that is owned by a special
taxing district, or a utility easement that does not authorize the deployment sought by the
wireless provider.
Sight Distance Easements" means the area of land adjacent to an intersection, driveway or
roadway that has restrictive uses in order to preserve the view of oncoming or crossing
vehicular and pedestrian traffic by drivers in vehicles attempting to merge with traffic or enter
a roadway.
Sight Visibility Triangles" means the traffic engineering and safety concept that requires
clear view by the driver of a vehicle to crossing traffic at a stop sign, driveway or
intersection. In order to achieve clear visibility of the cross traffic, the land areas in the sight
visibility triangle has specific maximum heights on landscaping, cabinets, and other potential
view obstructions.
Signal Head" means the "Red, Yellow and Green" light signals at a signal-controlled
intersection.
Signal Head Mast Arm" means the horizontal pole that has the signal heads mounted to it
and attaches to the traffic signal pole.
Small Wireless Facility" as defined in A.R.S. 9-591(19), means a Wireless Facility that meets
both of the following qualifications:
c) All antennas are located inside an enclosure of not more than six (6) cubic feet in
volume or, in the case of an antenna, that has exposed elements, the antenna and all of
the antenna's exposed elements could fit within an imaginary enclosure of not more than
six (6) cubic feet in volume.
d) All other wireless equipment associated with the facility is cumulatively not more than
twenty-eight(28) cubic feet in volume, or fifty(50) cubic feet in volume if the equipment was
ground mounted before the effective date of this section. The following types of associated
ancillary equipment are not included in the calculation of equipment volume pursuant to this
subdivision:
i) An electric meter.
ii) Concealment elements.
iii) A telecommunications demarcation box.
iv) Grounding equipment.
v) A power transfer switch.
vi) A cutoff switch.
vii)Vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services.
Stealth and Concealment Elements" means the use of shrouds, decorative elements,
109
design concepts and faux elements so that a small wireless facility can be designed to blend
in with the surrounding streetscape with minimal to any visual impact.
Utility Pole" as defined in A.R.S. §9-591(21) means a pole or similar structure that is used in
whole or in part for communications services, electric distribution, lighting or traffic signals.
Utility pole does not include a monopole.
110
Town of Fountain Hills
Standard Design Requirements
Small Wireless Facility on Existing Streetlight
The following design standards shall apply, in addition to the Common Standards Design
Concepts, Requirements and Details that is included in this document, to a Small Wireless
Facility (SWF) proposed for a location with an existing Town-owned or third party-owned
streetlight in the Town of Fountain Hills Right-of-way (ROW). These design standards are not
exhaustive and the Town, as the owner, keeper and manager of the ROW retains the right to
modify or adjust the requirements on a case-by-case basis.
A. Pole Criteria:
1. Purpose of Streetlight Pole: The primary purpose of the pole shall remain as a pole
structure supporting a streetlight luminaire and related streetlight fixtures used to
provide lighting to the Town ROW. The attachment of wireless equipment to an
existing streetlight pole or to a replacement pole that impedes this primary purpose
will not be approved.
2. General Requirement:
a) An SWF shall be designed to blend in with the surrounding streetscape with minimal
to any visual impact.
b) A replacement pole shall match the Town of Fountain Hills standard streetlight pole
for the location in which it is installed, as closely as possible, subject to more specific
criteria below.
4111 c) As specified in Section 6.14 of the Town of Fountain Hills's Wireless Facilities
Standard Terms and Conditions, for each individual pole type or style used to
support the wireless equipment, one spare replacement pole shall be provided by the
wireless provider to Town in advance so the pole can be replaced promptly in case
of a knockdown.
d) All plans shall be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the State
of Arizona.
e) All other details in the Town of Fountain Hills street light design standards shall
apply.
3. Specific Criteria:
a) New or Replacement Pole Height
A new or replacement pole may be installed without zoning review if one of the two
height requirements is met:
1) Up to a ten (10) foot increase, not to exceed fifty (50) feet total (whichever is
less), subject to the additional limitations in A.R.S. §9-592(I); or
2) Up to forty (40)feet above ground level, per A.R.S.§9-592(J).
b) Overall Height of Replacement Pole
1) The "base" height of an existing streetlight pole shall be the height of the vertical
pole section from the existing grade. The height of the luminaire mast arm, if
higher than the vertical pole section, shall not be used to determine the new
110 overall height of the replacement pole.
111
2) If the antennas are the highest vertical element of the site, then the new overall
fil height of the replacement pole is measured from the existing grade to the top of
the canister, top of the omni-directional antenna, or the top of the panel antenna.
c) Increase in Outside Diameter(OD) of Pole
The non-tapered replacement pole outside diameter(OD) of the base section shall
be equal to the top section, and the OD shall not exceed eight and five-eights (8-5/8)
inches (the pole manufacturing industry standard OD for an 8 inch diameter pole) or
a 100% increase in diameter of the original pole, whichever is less.
d) Luminaire Mast Arms
1) All luminaire mast arms shall be the same length as the original luminaire arm,
unless the Town requires the mast arm to be different (longer or shorter) based
upon the location of the replacement pole.
2) Unless otherwise approved, all luminaire mast arms shall match the arc (if
applicable) and style of the original luminaire arm.
3) The replacement luminaire mast arm shall be at the same height above the
ground as the existing luminaire.
e) Luminaire Fixtures
1) All replacement poles shall have the Town standard light-emitting diode (LED)
light fixture installed.
2) All replacement light fixtures shall have a new Town standard photo-cell or
sensor provided by the wireless provider.
f) Pole Foundation
1) All pole foundations shall conform to the Town's adopted standards and
specifications on streetlight design and shall be modified for wireless
communications equipment and cables.
2) The Town, in its sole discretion, may require the pole foundation design to be
worst case" for all soil conditions.
3) A separate, one-inch diameter conduit shall be installed in the pole foundation for
the Town's luminaire wire and any additional Town wires or cables. The Town's
conduit shall be trimmed to three (3) inches above the top of the pole foundation.
4) The height of the pole foundation shall be two (2) inches above finished grade. If
the pole foundation encroaches into any portion of the sidewalk, then the pole
foundation shall be flush with the sidewalk.
5) Shrouds for the streetlight pole mounting bolts may be required for the
replacement pole.
g) Painting of Replacement Pole
1) If the replacement pole is an unpainted galvanized pole, the pole shall not be
painted or have a finish unless otherwise specified by the Town.
2) For powder coated type poles, the wireless provider shall replace with same
powder coated color and/or color combination per Town of Fountain Hills street
110
112
light design standards or as otherwise required by the Town to minimize visual
impact.
h) Painting Antennas and Mounting Equipment
1) All antenna mounting brackets and hardware, antenna mounting posts, cables,
shrouds and other equipment mounted on a new or replacement unpainted
galvanized pole shall be painted Sherwin Williams "Web Grey" (SW7075) color or
equivalent, unless specified otherwise by the Town.
2) All antenna mounting brackets and hardware, antenna mounting posts, cables,
shrouds and all other equipment mounted on a painted new or replacement pole
shall be painted a color specified by the Town.
i) Wireless provider shall install pole numbers on each replacement pole (to match the
number on the existing streetlight pole being replaced) per Town of Fountain Hills
street light design standards.
113
Town of Fountain Hills
Standard Design Requirements
Small Wireless Facility on Traffic Signal Pole
The following design standards shall apply, in addition to the Common Standards Design
Concepts, Requirements and Details included in this document, to a Small Wireless Facility
SWF) proposed for a location with an existing Town-owned traffic signal in the Town of
Fountain Hills Right-of-way (ROW). These design standards are not exhaustive and the Town,
as the owner and manager of the ROW retains the right to modify or adjust the requirements on
a case-by-case basis.
A. Pole Criteria:
1. Purpose of Traffic Signal Pole: The primary purpose of the traffic signal pole shall
remain as a pole structure supporting a traffic signal and related streetlight fixtures
used to provide traffic control and lighting to the Town ROW. The attachment of
wireless equipment to a new or replacement traffic signal pole that impedes this
primary purpose will not be approved.
2. General Requirement:
a) An SWF shall be designed to blend in with the surrounding streetscape with minimal
to any visual impact.
b) A replacement pole shall match the Town of Fountain Hills standard traffic signal
pole, as closely as possible, subject to more specific criteria below.
c) As specified in Section 6.14 of the Town of Fountain Hills's Wireless Facilities
Standard Terms and Conditions, for each individual pole type or style used to
support the wireless equipment, one spare replacement pole shall be provided by
Company to Town in advance so the pole can be replaced promptly in case of a
knockdown.
d) All plans shall be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the State
of Arizona.
e) All other details in the Town of Fountain Hills traffic signal design standards shall
apply.
3. Specific Criteria:
a) New or Replacement Pole Height
A new or replacement pole may be installed without zoning review if one of the two
height requirements is met:
1) Up to a ten (10) foot increase, not to exceed fifty (50) feet total (whichever is
less), per A.R.S. §9-592(I); or
2) Up to forty (40) feet above ground level, per A.R.S. §9-592(J).
b) Overall Height of Replacement Pole
The height of the replacement pole is measured from grade to the top of the antenna
canister or the top of the panel antennas if the antennas are the highest elements.
c) Increase in Outside Diameter (OD) of Pole
1) If the replacement pole is a taper design, the diameter of the base section of the
replacement pole OD shall not exceed twelve (12) inches or a 100% increase in
the OD of the base section, whichever is less.
114
2) If the replacement pole is non-tapered, then the diameter of the base section
0 shall be equal to the top section and the OD shall not exceed twelve (12) inches
or a 100% increase, whichever is less.
d) Signal Head Mast Arms
1) The traffic signal head mast arms shall be the same length as the original signal
head mast arm unless the Town requires the mast arm to be different (longer or
shorter) based upon the location of the replacement pole.
2) All signal head mast arms shall match the arc (if applicable) and style of the
original signal head mast arm.
e) Luminaire Mast Arms
1) All luminaire mast arms shall be the same length as the original luminaire arm
unless the Town requires the mast arm to be different (longer or shorter) based
upon the location of the replacement pole.
2) All luminaire mast arms shall match the arc (if applicable) and style of the original
luminaire arm.
f) Signal Heads
1) All existing signal heads shall be replaced, at no cost to Town, with new light-
emitting diode (LED) signal heads, per Town of Fountain Hills traffic signal
design standards.
2) All signal heads shall be procured from a Town approved signal heads supplier
or manufacturer.
g) Luminaire Fixtures
1) All replacement poles shall have the Town standard LED light fixture installed.
2) All replacement light fixture shall have a new photo-cell or sensor installed to
Town standard.
h) Other Town Elements on Signal Mast Arm or Pole
All existing emergency signal detection units, video detection cameras, video
cameras, cross walk service buttons, cross walk signals, and any other pedestrian or
traffic devices shall be replaced with new units by wireless provider and installed at
no cost to the Town. All equipment shall be procured from a list of Town approved
suppliers.
i) Signs and Other Misc.
All street name plates or signs, directional signs and any other Town approved signs
shall be replaced with new signs at no cost to the Town. All signs and attachments
shall be procured from a list of Town approved suppliers.
j) Traffic Signal Pole Foundation
1) All pole foundations shall conform to the Town's standards and specifications on
traffic signal pole design and shall be modified for wireless communications
equipment, hand holes and cables.
2) The wireless provider shall install a three (3) inch diameter (OD) conduit in the
pole foundation for the Town's cables and wires for the signal heads, luminaire
0
115
and devices on the signal mast arm and luminaire mast arm. The Town's conduit
0 shall be trimmed to three (3) inches above the top of the pole foundation.
3) In addition to the conduits for the Town's use inside the pole, the wireless
provider shall install one of the two options for its cables and wires:
a) One, six (6) inch diameter (OD) conduit in the pole foundation; or
b) Two, four (4) inch diameter (OD) conduits in the pole foundation. The length
of the conduit shall extend from the pole foundation to six (6) inches above
the signal head mast arm.
4) Pole Foundation — Height Above Ground Level
a) If the pole foundation is in a landscaped or unimproved area, the height of the
caisson shall be two (2) inches above finished grade. However, if the pole
foundation is adjacent to or within a sidewalk or ramp, the height of the pole
foundation shall be flush with the surface of the immediate area.
b) Shrouds for the traffic signal pole mounting bolts may be required for the
replacement pole.
k) Painting of Pole, Antennas and Mounting Equipment
1) Specifications on paint color and painting process are provided in the Town of
Fountain Hills traffic signal design standards.
2) For powder-coated traffic signal poles, the wireless provider shall replace with
same powder-coated color and/or color combination, or as otherwise specified by
the Town.
I) Construction of Traffic Signal
The installation work of the replacement traffic signal pole, including mast arms,
signal heads and devices, must be performed by a Arizona licensed Traffic Signal
Contractor with a minimum of five (5) years of experience installing traffic signals.
410
116
Town of Fountain Hills
Standard Design Requirements
Small Wireless Facility on Existing Utility Pole
The following design standards shall apply, in addition to the Common Standards Design
Concepts, Requirements and Details that is included in this document, to a Small Wireless
Facility (SWF) proposed for a location with an existing third party-owned utility pole in the Town
of Fountain Hills Right-of-way (ROW). These design standards are not exhaustive and the
Town, as the owner, keeper and manager of the ROW retains the right to modify or adjust the
requirements on a case-by-case basis.
A. Pole Criteria:
1. Purpose of Utility Pole: The primary purpose of the pole shall remain as a pole structure
supporting a cables and wires used to provide communications services and electric
distribution in the Town ROW. The attachment of wireless equipment to an existing third
party-owned utility pole that impedes this primary purpose will not be approved.
2. General Requirement:
a) An SWF shall be designed to blend in with the surrounding streetscape with minimal
to any visual impact.
b) A SWF mounted on an existing third party-owned utility pole is subject to more
specific criteria below.
c) All plans shall be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the State
of Arizona.
40 3. Specific Criteria:
a) Replacement Pole Height
A replacement pole may be installed without zoning review if one of the two height
requirements is met:
1) Up to a ten (10) foot increase, not to exceed fifty (50) feet total (whichever is
less), per A.R.S. §9-592(I); or
2) Up to forty (40) feet above ground level, per A.R.S.§9-592(J).
b) Overall Height of Replacement Utility Pole
1) The "base" height of an existing utility pole shall be the height of the vertical pole
section from the existing grade.
2) If the antennas are the highest vertical element of the site, then the new overall
height of the replacement pole is measured from the existing grade to the top of
the canister or the top of the panel antenna.
c) Use of Existing Pole —Wood
1) An existing wood pole used for a SWF shall have the antennas contained within
an eighteen (18) inch (OD) canister mounted at the top of the pole.
2) Unless otherwise approved, the cables and wires from the base of the pole to the
antennas shall be installed in a conduit or cable chase outside of the pole, facing
away from the street or away from on-coming traffic.
118
3) If a "dog house" (see Exhibit C) is required as a transition point connecting the
0 underground cables and wires from the ground mounted equipment to the pole,
the Town shall provide the maximum size, dimension and shape of the dog
house on a case-by-case basis.
d) Use of Existing Pole — Metal
1) An existing metal pole used for a SWF shall have the antennas contained within
an eighteen (18) inch (OD) canister mounted at the top of the pole.
2) Panel antennas on a metal pole shall have the same "RAD center" (center of
radiation) so the antennas will be at the same height on the pole.
3) The cables and wires from the base of the pole to the antennas shall be installed
inside of the pole.
e) Painting of Pole and Dog House
1) If the replacement pole is an unpainted galvanized pole, the pole shall not be
painted or have a finish unless otherwise specified by the Town.
2) If the existing or replacement pole includes a dog house for the transition of the
cables and wires to the pole, the dog house shall be painted the same color as
the pole or a color specified by the Town.
f) Painting Antennas and Mounting Equipment
1) All antenna mounting brackets and hardware, antenna mounting posts, cables,
shrouds and other equipment mounted on a new or replacement unpainted
galvanized pole shall be painted Sherwin Williams "Web Grey" (SW7075) color or
0 equivalent, unless specified otherwise by the Town.
2) All antenna mounting brackets and hardware, antenna mounting posts, cables,
shrouds and all other equipment mounted on a painted new or replacement pole
shall be painted a color specified by the Town.
3) If the antenna is mounted on a wood pole, the color of the antenna, antenna
canister, mounting brackets and posts, shrouds and cable chases shall be
painted a color specified by the Town that will closely match the color of the
wood.
g) Ground Mounted Equipment
The Town may require the ground-mounted wireless equipment to be screened or
concealed to reduce the visual impact to the surrounding area. The screening or
concealment shall take into account the location of the site, the use of the immediate
area, and the existing aesthetic elements surrounding the site.
111
119
Town of Fountain Hills
Standard Design Requirements
Wireless Facility on New Structures in ROW
The following design standards, in addition to the Common Standards Design Concepts,
Requirements and Details that are included in this document, shall apply to a Wireless Facility
that a wireless provider may install in the ROW that is not: 1) a replacement pole for an existing
streetlight, 2) a replacement pole for an existing traffic signal or 3) a replacement pole for an
existing utility pole.
The new wireless support structure, monopole or utility pole (the "New Structure") shall
incorporate the highest level of stealth and concealment of the antennas and wireless
equipment in order to minimize the visual impact of the site to the public.
A. Pole Criteria:
1. Purpose of the New Structure: The sole purpose of a new vertical element is to attach
antennas for the provision of wireless services by a wireless provider in the Town's
ROW.
2. General Requirement:
a) The New Structure shall be designed to minimize the visual and aesthetic impact of
the new vertical element and associated equipment upon the look, feel, theme, and
use of the surrounding area.
b) A wireless facility shall be designed to blend in with the surrounding streetscape
and/or landscape with minimal to no adverse visual impact.
c) The New Structure shall be architecturally integrated and compatible with the use of
the surrounding area.
d) The height of the New Structure cannot exceed the maximum allowed height of the
zoning district that the site is proposed.
e) All plans shall be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the State
of Arizona.
3. Specific Criteria:
a) New Structure Height. A New Structure may be installed without zoning review if
one of the two height requirements are met, see A.R.S. §9-592(I) and A.R.S. §9-
592(J):
1) A.R.S. §9-592(I) states that the small wireless facility in the ROW is not subject
to zoning review and approval in Section 9-594 if the utility pole does not exceed
the greater of either:
i. Ten feet in height above the tallest existing utility pole, other than a
utility pole supporting only wireless facilities, that is in place on the
effective date of this section, that is located within five hundred feet of
the new, replacement or modified utility pole and that is in the same
right-of-way within the jurisdictional boundary of the authority, but no
more than fifty feet above ground level.
ii. Forty feet above ground level.
120
0 2) A.R.S. §9-592(J) states that new small wireless facilities collocated on a utility
pole or wireless support structure in the right-of-way are not subject to zoning
review and approval if they do not extend more than ten feet above the utility
pole or wireless support structure and do not exceed fifty feet above ground
level.
b) Setbacks. Any New Structure subject to zoning review shall comply with all Town
fall and setback requirements, including a 100% setback from all property lines,
occupied structures, public roadways and sidewalks.
c) Overall Height of New Structure. The height of the New Structure is measured from
existing grade to the highest point of the New Structure.
d) Stealth and Concealment Elements
1) New Structures shall be located in areas where they can blend into the existing
built and natural environment, where existing landscape elements may assist
with concealing the structure from view, and where the addition of the structure
will least affect the view sheds from neighboring properties.
2) Depending upon the location of the New Structure and the character of the
neighboring area, the Town may require additional landscaping to be installed in
connection with the Town's approval of the application. The additional
landscaping may include trees, mature vegetation, natural features or
hardscaping.
40 3) The Wireless Provider shall conceal all equipment within a faux cactus structure,
similar to the 22' to 40' tall Larsen Camouflage design (see Exhibit G) or as
otherwise approved by the Town.
i. New Structures thus concealed shall comply with standard details,
such as dimensions, colors and materials similar to existing faux
cactus installations in the Town.
4) As part of the stealth and concealment elements of the New Structure, the Town
may require the wireless provider to install street name plates, directional signs,
and other decorative signs or artistic elements on the structure.
5) The wireless provider is solely responsible for the cost of all stealth and
concealment elements and the installation of other elements required by the
Town.
6) The wireless provider is responsible for the performance of and any costs
incurred for regular upkeep, maintenance and replacement (if necessary) of
these stealth and concealment elements.
e) Architectural Integration with Surrounding Area
1) The New Structure shall be designed in consultation with various internal Town
stakeholders and may include external stakeholders.
2) The Town may require the New Structure to be constructed of a specific material
or specific design that will enhance the stealth and concealment of the site.
f) Foundation
0 121
1) The foundation for the New Structure, if required, shall conform to civil and
1.
structural engineering standards acceptable to the Town, with design
modifications for wireless communications equipment and cables.
2) Unless otherwise stated herein, the height of the New Structure foundation shall
be two (2) inches above finished grade. However, if the New Structure
foundation is adjacent to or within a sidewalk or ramp, the height of the pole
foundation shall be flush with the surface of the immediate area.
3) Shrouds for the pole mounting bolts may be required.
4) If the New Structure is concealed as a faux cactus installation, the structure shall
be installed to appear as part of the natural environment, and shall not be located
on existing concrete such as sidewalks or curbs, nor shall concrete be placed
around the base of the facility except as needed to anchor and support the
structural elements of the structure. All such concrete and anchor devices shall
be shielded from view by earth, rocks, decomposed granite and landscaping as
required by the Town.
g) Painting
1) The Town shall identify the paint colors, location of paint and any decorative work
that may be painted onto the New Structure or ground equipment.
2) If visible, the Town shall identify the paint colors for the antennas, antenna
mounting brackets and posts, antenna shrouds, and cables.
3) The Town may require the New Structure or ground equipment to be painted
using a powder-coat or other process.
40 h) Ground Mounted Equipment
The Town may require the ground-mounted wireless equipment to be sited and
screened or concealed to reduce the visual impact to the surrounding area. The
screening or concealment shall take into account the location of the site, the use of
the immediate area, and the existing aesthetic elements surrounding the site.
411,122
014 Town of Fountain Hills
Small Wireless in the ROW
Common Standard Design Concepts, Requirements and Details
The following standard design requirements shall be applied to all new small wireless facilities in
the Town's ROW, whether for a small wireless facility to be installed on an existing or
replacement streetlight pole, an existing or replacement traffic signal pole, an existing or
replacement utility pole, or on a New Structure.
A. Pole Design & Installation
1. Replacement Pole Clearances — Underground Utilities
All ground-mounted electrical equipment shall maintain minimum horizontal clearance
from underground utilities.
Clearance from water lines shall be at least six (6)feet.
Clearance from sewer lines shall be at least six (6) feet.
Clearance from telecommunications shall be at least one (1) foot.
Clearance from cable television lines shall be at least one (1)foot.
Clearance from all other underground infrastructure shall be at least six (6)feet.
a) The Town, in its sole discretion, may grant a variance, upon approval by the Town
Engineer, from these horizontal separation distances on a case-by-case basis. The
approval of a variance is dependent factors specific to the site.
b) In the case where there is an issue with horizontal separation from other
underground utilities, the wireless provider may elect to work with the impacted utility
to have lines, pipes or property moved so that minimum clearance is achieved. All
relocation of Town-owned or a privately-owned utility shall be at the sole expense of
the wireless provider.
2. Calculating the Base Height of an Existing Pole
The base height, from which the calculation of the "increase in pole height" is referenced
for determining the overall pole height, shall be calculated as follows:
a) Streetlight Pole (see Exhibit Al and A2)
1) A streetlight with a separate luminaire mast arm mounted to the vertical pole
shall use the top of the vertical pole as the base height.
2) A streetlight, with the luminaire mast arm integrated (e.g. telescopic style pole)
into the top vertical section of the pole, shall use the point on the pole where the
mast arm is connected plus twenty-four (24) inches as the base height.
b) Traffic Signal Pole (see Exhibit 8)
A traffic signal pole with a luminaire mast arm that is mounted above the signal head
mast arm to the pole shall use the top of the vertical portion of the pole as the base
height.
3. Replacement Pole Clearance — Original Streetlight Pole or Traffic Signal Pole
The minimum distance of the replacement pole from the original pole location shall be
sixty (60) inches or more so that construction can occur safely. The Town may change
1111 this minimum distance on a case-by-case basis.
123
4. Replacement Pole Clearances — Sidewalks
The new or replacement pole shall maintain twelve (12) inch minimum clearance
distance from sidewalks. The Town, in its sole discretion, may increase that minimum
clearance on a case-by-case basis to ensure the safe use of the sidewalk and adjacent
area.
5. Sight Distance Easements (SDE) and Sight Visibility Triangles (SVT)
All new and replacement poles shall be installed in a location that does not impair or
interfere with SDE or SVT safety requirements as reasonable determined by the Town.
6. Cables, Wires and Jumpers
a) All cables for the wireless equipment and antennas —except where such cables or
wires attach to the ports in the antenna — shall be located inside a conduit, inside the
caisson, or inside the pole, as appropriate. There shall not be any"dog house" or
externally visible conduit or entry point of the cables unless specified by the Town.
b) All cables for the wireless equipment and antennas shall exit the pole or conduit at a
location, behind the antenna shroud, and shielded from view. It is the intent of the
Town that the cables shall not be visible.
1) See Exhibit D1 for examples of appropriately shielded cables.
2) See Exhibit D2 for examples of unacceptable cabling.
c) All electrical wires for the streetlight luminaire, traffic signal heads, and any Town
device on the pole shall be new and connected to the existing power source.
7. Hand-holes
a) All hand-hole locations shall be called out on the plans.
b) All hand-holes near antennas shall have the top of the hand-hole no lower than the
bottom height of the antennas.
c) The bottom of the hand-hole should not exceed six (6) inches below the bottom of
the antenna.
8. Wireless Facility Identification Information
a) A four (4) inch by six (6) inch Radio Frequency Safety notice may be mounted no
less than twenty-four(24) inches from the bottom of the antenna, facing away from
traffic.
b) The wireless provider may place on the pole a discreet site identification or number.
The size, color and location of this identifier shall be determined by the Town.
c) The Town, as specified in the Wireless Facilities Standard Terms and Conditions,
may require the wireless provider to place on the pole, in a discreet but accessible
location, the telephone number of wireless provider's network operations center.
d) No wireless provider signs may be placed on a streetlight, traffic signal pole, wireless
support structure, or a new or replacement pole except to the extent required by
local, state or federal law or regulations.
9. Interference with Town Wireless Network
The Town has, or may have in the future, certain wireless devices in a network that
124
connects traffic signals, community centers, water sites, and other locations for the
IL. Town's proprietary use. The selection of a location for a wireless site shall consider the
potential interference of the Town's wireless network with RF from a wireless provider's
proposed site.
10. Cable Chase and Dog Houses
The Town, in its sole discretion, shall determine if an exterior cable chase and dog
house are aesthetically compatible with the pole and immediate area. The materials and
paint color of the cable chase and dog house shall be determined on a case-by-case
basis.
B. Removal of Original Pole, Equipment and Pole Foundation
1. Removal of Original Signal Pole, Mast Arm, Signal Heads and Luminaire
a) The Town shall determine what original components, (e.g., original pole, mast arm,
signal heads and luminaire, etc.) shall be delivered by the wireless provider, at no
cost to the Town, to a location specified by the Town.
b) If the Town accepts some of the original components, then only those components
shall be delivered by the wireless provider to the Town and the remaining
components shall be discarded by the wireless provider.
2. Removal of Original Streetlight or Traffic Signal Pole Foundation
The concrete pole foundation for the original streetlight or traffic signal pole shall be
removed by the wireless provider as instructed by the Town:
4110 a) Partial Removal
The original pole foundation shall be taken back to a level that is twelve (12) inches
below existing grade and covered with four (4) inches of one-half(1/2") inch to three
3/4") quarter inch rock materials. The remaining eight (8) inches shall be native soil.
b) Complete Removal
If the entire original pole foundation must be removed, then all materials (concrete,
rebar, metals, bolts, etc.) shall be removed. The Town's Inspector shall determine,
on a case-by-case basis, the type of backfill material and compaction required —
ranging from native soil that is compacted to a half(1/2) sack slurry for the entire
depth, or a combination of native soil and slurry.
C. Antennas, RRH/RRU, Cables and Mounting on Pole:
1. General Requirement: All antennas shall be installed in a manner that minimizes the visual
impact to the general public. In order to minimize the visual impact, wireless providers should
use canister antennas, where possible and appropriate unless the Town's stealth and
concealment requirements indicate otherwise. See Exhibit F. All work shall be performed in
a professional manner that is consistent with the highest standards of workmanship.
2. Specific Criteria:
a) Antenna Mounting Posts and Brackets
1) All panel antennas shall be mounted directly to the pole or onto a mounting pole
so that the distance from the "face" of the streetlight pole to the back of the
antenna does not exceed nine (9) inches.
125
2) All mounting posts shall be trimmed so that the poles do not extend higher than
0 the top of the antenna or protrude lower than the antenna unless necessary to
install the shroud.
3) All pole attached wireless equipment must be a minimum ten (10) feet from the
sidewalk elevation.
b) Panel Antennas
1) All panel antennas for a small cell site shall fit within an imaginary enclosure of
not more than six (6) cubic feet in volume in accordance with A.R.S. §9-
591(19)(a). (NOTE: This volume does not include antenna cable shrouds when
required.)
2) All panel antennas with exposed cables from the bottom of the antenna shall
have a shroud installed on the antenna or antenna mounting posts to conceal the
cables. (see Exhibits D1 and D2)
a. The type of shroud may be a forty-five (45) degree angle (away from the
bottom of the antenna; toward the pole) or a ninety (90) degree angle
parallel to the bottom of the antenna) depending on the location of the site.
b. The shroud shall extend from the bottom of the antenna to two (2) inches
below the bottom of the nearest hand-hole.
c) Canister Antennas
1) All canister antennas shall fit within an imaginary enclosure of not more than six
6) cubic feet in volume. (Note: This volume does not include the canister as it is
a stealth device and not the antenna.)
III2) The canister shall be no larger than eighteen (18) inches in diameter(OD).
3) All canister antennas shall be located in a canister that is mounted to a base
plate at the top of the vertical section of the replacement pole.
4) All cables protruding from the canister shall be concealed within the canister or
by a shroud at the point where the canister is mounted to the base plate.
d) Remote Radio Heads (RRH) / Remote Radio Units (RRU)
Under State Law §9-591(19)(a), the RRH/RRU is not considered part of the antenna.
If allowed, the RRH/RRU shall be calculated as part of"All other wireless equipment
associated with this facility..." in A.R.S. §9-591(19)(b)that is subject to the twenty-
eight (28) cubic feet maximum size for small cell sites.
1) On a case-by-case basis, the Town in its sole discretion and — upon reviewing
the landscape in the immediate surrounding area, the location of the pole, and
stealth options, may allow a site to have an RRH/RRU installed on the pole.
D. Ground-mounted Equipment:
1. General requirement: All ground-mounted equipment shall be installed in a manner that
minimizes the visual and ingress/egress impact to the general public. All work shall be
performed in a professional manner that is consistent with the highest standards of
workmanship.
2. Specific criteria:
0 a) Sight Distance Easements (SDE) and Sight Visibility Triangles (SVT)
126
All ground-based wireless equipment shall be installed in a location that does not
impair or interfere with SDE or SVT safety requirements. To ensure proper sight
distance, all Town of Fountain Hills Traffic Engineering Standard Details shall apply.
b) Ground Equipment Location — Generally
All ground-based wireless equipment, including but not limited to equipment cabinets
or power pedestals, shall be placed as far as practical to the back of the ROW while
maintaining at least three (3) feet of ingress/egress in the ROW or public utility
easement (PUE) around the equipment.
c) Ground Equipment Clearances—Underground Utilities
1) All ground-mounted electrical equipment shall maintain minimum horizontal
clearance from below-ground utilities:
Clearance from water lines shall be at least six (6) feet.
Clearance from sewer lines shall be at least six (6) feet.
Clearance from telecommunications shall be at least one (1)foot.
Clearance from cable television lines shall be at least one (1) foot.
Clearance from all other underground infrastructure shall be at least six (6)
feet.
2) The Town, in its sole discretion, may grant a variance upon approval from the
Town Engineer, from these horizontal separation distances on a case-by-case
basis. The approval of a variance is dependent on factors specific to the site.
3) In the case where there is an issue with horizontal separation from other
underground utilities, the wireless provider may elect to work with the impacted
utility to have its lines, pipes or property moved so that minimum clearance is
achieved. All relocation work of Town-owned or a privately-owned utility shall be
at the sole expense of the wireless provider.
d) Ground Equipment Clearance — Sidewalks
The ground equipment shall maintain a minimum twelve (12) inch clearance distance
from sidewalks. The Town, in its sole discretion, may increase the minimum
clearance on a case-by-case basis to ensure the safe use of the sidewalk and
adjacent area.
e) Compliance with Height Requirements
Evidence or documentation that, where the above-ground structure is over thirty-six
36) inches in height, given its proposed location, the structure will comply or be in
compliance with applicable Town of Fountain Hills planning and zoning ordinances.
f) Screening of Ground Equipment
The Town requires that ground-mounted equipment be screened; the type of
screening materials and design will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. See
Exhibit E2 for general screening examples that the Town may consider on a case by
case basis.
1) In cases when screening is not possible, the Town may specify the location,
orientation or paint color of the ground-mounted equipment.
127
2) Town may require ground-mounted equipment to be located underground
except for the electricity meters, kill switches, etc.).
g) Decals and Labels
1) All equipment manufacturers' decals, logos and other identification information
shall be removed unless required for warranty purposes.
2) The wireless provider of the site may place an "Emergency Contact" or"Network
Operations Center" decal or emblem to the ground equipment.
3) The ground-mounted equipment shall not have any flashing lights, sirens or
regular noise other than a cooling fan that may run intermittently.
h) Equipment Cabinets on Residential Property
1) Residential Single-Family Lot
The Wireless Equipment and Ancillary Equipment listed in A.R.S. §9-591(19)(b)
shall not exceed thirty-six (36) inches in height in the front yard of a residential
single-family zoned property.
2) Air-conditioning Units
Unless otherwise specified by Town, a wireless equipment cabinet with air-
conditioning (not a fan only) shall be enclosed by walls and setback a minimum
of fifteen (15)feet from lots where the existing or planned primary use is a
residential single-family dwelling.
i) Electric Company Meter
1) All electric company meters shall be installed in the ROW or PUE. The location
of the meter equipment shall have minimum ingress and egress clearance from
private property lines and driveways.
2) All electric company meters shall maintain minimum clearance from above-
ground utility cabinets and below-ground utilities.
3) All electric company meters shall be installed in a location that does not impair or
interfere with the SDE or SVT safety requirements of the Town.
4) The electric company meters shall be screened or contained within a "Myers-
type" or"Milbank-type" pedestal cabinet that is painted to match the ground
equipment or as specified by the Town. (see Exhibit E)
5) In the case where screening is not required, the Town may specify the paint color
of the electric company meter cabinet on a case-by-case basis.
40
128
Town of Fountain Hills Contacts
For questions regarding the 2018 Town of Fountain Hills Design Standards, Concepts &
Requirements for Wireless Facilities in the Right-of-Way, contact:
Town of Fountain Hills Development Services Director:
Robert Rodgers
480-816-5138
129
Exhibit Al
Calculation Points for Height of an Existing Streetlight with Separate Luminaire Mast Arm
o'1/'r /a'I dsr yi a,4 5/ r/.% / r ; E
114
The purple line next to the streetlight 11,depicts the section of the existing S
streetlight pole that shall be used to
calculate the height of the existing
pole. The lines are not to scale and
are solely used for illustrative
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Calculation Points for Height of an Existing Streetlight with Integrated Luminaire Mast
Arm
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Streetlight Pole with an
Integrated Luminaire Mast Arm
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k % vonaTelescopicStreetlight
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131
Exhibit B
Calculation Points for Height of Existing Traffic Signal Pole
The Top and Bottom
Points on a Traffic
Signal Pole to
Calculate the Base
Vertical Height of the
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133
0 Exhibit D1
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0 Exhibit El
Examples of Electrical Meter Pedestals —"Myers" or"Milbank" Style
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Saguaros
The need for concealed sites is also prevalent in the desert southwest region. To serve this need
we have developed a Saguaro Cactus, Utilizing an RF-ftiendly, naturalistic looking FRP shell,
we ure able to poaltion antenna panels not only in th.e hollnw shell of the upper main trunk, but
also in the individual aims. This offers greater flexibility in terms of multiple panels per sector,
horizontal separation,and centerline height.
Our Saguarosrange from 10-40 feet tall, housing one to two antenna arrays. Scars, woodpecker
holes thousands of painted needles enhance the realism.
Even the birds can't tell the differenee
11110,
141
EXHIBIT D
TO
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-18
Amendments to Town Comprehensive Fee Schedule]
See following pages.
Sir
ftny
142
Description Fee FY17-18
ENCROACI-[ME TT,Ir''C,INF,FRI'K PERMITS
Small Wireless Facilities:
ROW Use Fee 50/year x number of small wireless facilities
Authority utility pole attachement 50/year
Small Wireless Facilities collocation 100 per SWF up to five
Small Wireless Facilities collocation 50 for SWF over five
100 per SWF up to five (at $100 each) ($500
Batched applications for up to 25 SWF's maximum fee)
50 per SWF 6 - 20 sites ($1000 maximum
Batched applications for up to 25 SWF's fee)
Applications for new, replacement or modified
utility poles NOT subject to zoning review Not to Exceed $750
Applications for new, replacement or modified
utility poles and collocation of wireless facilities
subject to zoning review Not to Exceed $1000
PHOENIX 77018-1 430871v7
4
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I
16-3-1
16-3-2
16-3-3
Article 16-3
Utility Service Antennas
Sections:
Purpose
Definitions
Utility Service Antennas in the Public Right-of-Way
Section 16-3-1 Purpose
The purpose of this article is to establish general guidelines for the siting of wireless communications towers and
antennas placed in the public right-of-way used by utility companies to communicate within the utility system.
(24-16, Added, 09/04/2024)
Section 16-3-2 Definitions
“Utility service antenna” means an antenna placed on or near utility boxes, poles, switches, storage tanks, etc., and
used by a utility provider to facilitate the operation of the utility system. (24-16, Added, 09/04/2024)
Section 16-3-3 Utility Service Antennas in the Public Right-of-Way
A. General Requirement. For an antenna placed in the town’s right-of-way with the top of the antenna less than
six feet above ground level, the support structure and antenna shall be painted a neutral color to blend with the
surrounding area. If the top of the antenna is six feet or more above ground level, the antenna and support
structure shall utilize the town’s approved saguaro cactus stealth design or a similar stealth design appropriate to
the given location as approved by the Public Works Director.
B. Review Process.
1. For antennas with a maximum height less than six feet above ground level, applications are reviewed
and approved through the town’s encroachment permit process as provided in town code article 16-1,
Encroachments. An electrical permit shall also be required for any associated electrical work.
2. For antennas with a maximum height six feet or more above ground level, applications will require an
encroachment permit as required by town code article 16-1, Encroachments, and review and approval
through the town’s building permit process. (24-16, Added, 09/04/2024)
Art. 16-3 Utility Service Antennas | Fountain Hills Town Code Page 1 of 2
The Fountain Hills Town Code is current through Ordinance 24-19, passed October 1, 2024.
The Fountain Hills Town Code is current through Ordinance 24-19, passed October 1, 2024.
Disclaimer: The town clerk’s office has the official version of the Fountain Hills Town Code. Users should contact
the town clerk’s office for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.
Town Website: www.fh.az.gov
Hosted by General Code.
Art. 16-3 Utility Service Antennas | Fountain Hills Town Code Page 2 of 2
The Fountain Hills Town Code is current through Ordinance 24-19, passed October 1, 2024.
ITEM 7.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 03/10/2025 Meeting Type: Planning and Zoning Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Development Services
Prepared by: Farhad Tavassoli, Senior Planner
Staff Contact Information: Farhad Tavassoli, Senior Planner
Request to Planning and Zoning Commission (Agenda Language): CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE
ACTION: Annual report on the implementation of the Fountain Hills General Plan 2020.
Staff Summary (Background)
Arizona Revised Statutes Section 9-461.07 A. 2. states that after the municipal legislative body has
adopted a general plan, the community’s planning agency shall render an annual report to the
legislative body on the status of the plan and progress in its application. The Town adopted its
current general plan on November 3, 2020. The previous annual report was presented before the
Planning and Zoning Commission on April 8, 2024, and was forwarded to Town Council following the
summer break.
The Fountain Hills General Plan 2020 includes the following requirement:
Each year, the Fountain Hills Development Services Department must prepare, and the Fountain Hills
Planning & Zoning Commission must review and submit to the Town Council an annual report on the
status of the General Plan progress. The report must include, but not be limited to, the following:
A summary of General Plan amendments processed during the preceding year and those
pending review, including General Plan amendments initiated by Town Council.
A report on the progress and status of implementation actions enumerated in the General Plan
Implementation Strategy.
A review of policy issues which may have arisen regarding provisions of the General Plan.
A recommendation for General Plan amendments to be initiated to maintain an effective,
up-to-date General Plan including policy changes, clarifications, and new policy development;
changes in character area; and other applicable changes. The recommendation may also include
suggestions to change implementation actions priorities, as Town’s priorities shift, as well as
General Plan amendments, if any, to be included in the work program for the following fiscal
year.
Attached is a draft report for the Commission's review and consideration. Report content includes
status updates received from the lead departments for various goals and policies contained in the
general plan. Based on comments from the Commission, staff will either bring the report back for
further review or forward it to Council. The attached draft report includes a brief overview of actions
taken during the 2024 calendar year to implement provisions of the 2020 General Plan. The report
also discusses and reevaluates some implementation steps that are yet to be initiated.
Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle
Fountain Hills General Plan 2020
Risk Analysis
N/A
Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s)
N/A
Staff Recommendation(s)
Staff recommends forwarding the annual report to the Town Council.
SUGGESTED MOTION
MOVE to forward the General Plan Annual Report to the Town Council.
Attachments
2024 Annual Report
Page 1 of 12
Fountain Hills General Plan 2020
2024 Annual Report
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Arizona Revised Statutes Section 9-461.07 A. 2. states that after the municipal legislative body
has adopted a general plan, the community’s planning agency shall render an annual report to
the legislative body on the status of the plan and progress in its application.
The Town of Fountain Hills has adopted and implemented general plans in accordance with state
statutes since 2002. The Fountain Hills General Plan 2010 was adopted by the Council on January
7, 2010 and was the guiding document for the Town until the voters ratified the 2020 General
Plan on November 3, 2020. This annual report summarizes the Town’s implementation efforts
for the 2024 calendar year.
Fountain Hills General Plan 2020
The Fountain Hills General Plan 2020 was adopted by Council on May 19, 2020 and ratified by
the voters on November 3, 2020 as a long-term vision for local development. The Plan did not
become official for use by staff and the Town until it was ratified by the voters. Therefore, little
actual implementation was reported in previous years, due in large part to challenges like the
pandemic and staff turnover, especially at the management level. This report discusses some
implementation advances in the 2024 calendar year and continued efforts going into the next
several years. The report also identifies some implementation challenges and identifies a few
immediate and short term General Plan goals that have fallen outside their expected completion
window.
Page 124 of the 2020 Plan includes direction regarding the annual report. It states:
Each year, the Fountain Hills Development Services Department must prepare, and the
Fountain Hills Planning & Zoning Commission must review and submit to the Town
Council an annual report on the status of the General Plan progress. The report must
include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. A summary of General Plan amendments processed during the preceding year
and those pending review, including General Plan amendments initiated by
Town Council.
2. A report on the progress and status of implementation actions enumerated in
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the General Plan Implementation Strategy.
3. A review of policy issues which may have arisen regarding provisions of the
General Plan.
4. A recommendation for General Plan amendments to be initiated to maintain
an effective, up-to-date General Plan including: policy changes, clarifications,
and new policy development; changes in character area; and other applicable
changes. The recommendation may also include suggestions to change
implementation actions priorities, as Town’s priorities shift, as well as General
Plan amendments, if any, to be included in the work program for the following
fiscal year.
The remainder of this report is organized according to the four (4) required information items
detailed above. The section pertaining to the Town’s progress and implementation actions
primarily discusses activities that occurred within 2024 calendar year. Other implementation
activities from previous years are provided for historical context. The conclusion of the report
discusses some immediate and short-range goals that are yet to be initiated and may be
reevaluated as part of a broader discussion with the Planning and Zoning Commission and Town
Council.
1. SUMMARY OF GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
There were no General Plan Amendments in the calendar year 2024, nor were there any
proposals for a General Plan Amendment.
It is important to note that the Town of Fountain Hills is landlocked and approaching build-out.
The 1,276-acre state trust land at the far northeast corner of the Town has the highest potential
to be the subject for a major general plan amendment request in the future. It is also the largest
contiguous undeveloped area with zoning to accommodate single-family homes, lodging,
neighborhood commercial development, and a network of open space. After little to no interest
development community over the past several years, Development Services staff was asked to
assist with a due diligence effort by fulfilling a request from a potential future bidder for public
records containing zoning information for the area. However, it should be noted that no auctions
have been scheduled by the State Land Department for the site at this time.
2. PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
The General Plan organizes the Town’s goals and policies according to three overarching
principles that guide its development, including Thriving Environment, Thriving Neighborhoods,
and Thriving Economy. These overarching principles contain eight (8) general plan elements
required by Arizona statutes. This section briefly highlights progress and implementation actions
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as they relate to each of the eight (8) general plan elements and their respective goals and
policies. Each goal in the General Plan prescribes a time frame for initiation:
• Ongoing
• Immediate – (initiate no later than 6 months after General Plan ratification by the voters)
• Short-range (First 4 years): Prioritizes development and redevelopment efforts that will
support the fiscal viability of the Town.
• Mid-range (5 to 8 Years): Prioritizes strategies that require funding and may not be pursue
until funding is available.
• Long-range (Within 10 years): Includes identification of funds for the preparation of
conceptual plans for State Trust Land in coordination with ASLD.
There is considerable progress to report on several fronts. This section briefly describes each of
the three overarching principles of the General Plan and their essential elements, and also
provides a brief description of the implementation actions taken during the 2024 calendar year.
Thriving Neighborhoods
Thriving Neighborhoods is the first of three overarching principles of the General Plan, addressing
policies pertaining to housing, neighborhood preservation/revitalization, neighborhood-scale
amenities and neighborhood safety to support healthy, complete, and vibrant neighborhoods.
Most of the implementation actions are identified by the General Plan as “Ongoing” efforts and
are realized daily.
Housing Element
Fountain Hills continues to accommodate a variety of housing types and quality development
and continues to maintain its existing housing stock and residential areas as essential to
sustaining Fountain Hills’ thriving neighborhoods. Residential permit and land entitlement
activity in 2024, as in previous years, saw a higher percentage for single family residential use.
Calendar year 2024 saw 53 permits issued for new single-family residential homes, slightly less
than 57 permits issued in the prior year. A permit was also issued for a single-family attached
building consisting of two condominiums.
Special use permits were approved for 5 residential units on the Avenue of the Fountains in the
Downtown area, as well as for 12 units in a commercial area along Panorama Drive. Furthermore,
building permits are pending for 17 townhome-style units near Saguaro and Shea Boulevards. All
three projects required and were granted Special Use Permits prior to submittal for site plan and
construction review, as they were all proposed residential uses in a commercial area.
In January, a rezone request was approved for 316 apartment units at Four Peaks Plaza. The
proposal envisions a four-story wrap style apartment within a commercial center consisting of a
high number of vacant commercial spaces.
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Neighborhood Amenities
In 2021, the Town approved the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) to ensure multimodal
connectivity between neighborhoods, neighborhood parks, and significant natural open space.
Pedestrian, bicycle and trail connectivity are further addressed in the Social Environment Element
and in the Connectivity, Access and Mobility Element.
Safety
The Town applies Safe-by-Design concepts during the site plan review process. Safe-by-Design is
about including safety at the earliest possible stage of development review. During the design
review stage, staff implements concepts such as visibility of entryways, lighting, accessibility to
outdoor areas, and clearly defined pedestrian, bicycle, trails and open space connectivity.
Thriving Environment
Thriving Environment integrates all aspects of the built, social, and natural environments by
carefully knitting growth areas, infill, redevelopment and revitalization, place-based land use
utilizing a character areas approach, connectivity, access and mobility supporting circulation for
all travel modes, parks, recreation, trails, and open space, resource protection, energy
conservation, air and water quality, infrastructure and public services in a cohesive manner as
integral parts of Fountain Hills.
Great Places
The Great Places Element defines the Town of Fountain Hills major character areas and the land
use mix supporting those areas. As a strategic tool, the Great Places Element guides new
development, redevelopment and infill to sustain the long-range viability of the Town and
continue to support the quality of life valued by the community. The following implementation
activities for 2024 demonstrate considerable progress in creating and fostering Great Places:
• Construction to build the long awaited International Dark Sky Discovery Center occurred on
July 8. The first phase of work has been focused on laying underground utilities and
earthwork that will prepare the site for the pouring of the foundation. The project is
expected to take 15 to 18 months to complete.
• The Pumphouse Pilot Art Project, a changing outdoor exhibition along the stucco wall
adjacent to the Pumphouse at Fountain Park, continues to provide a changing 2-D display
featuring panels from artists using a variety of mediums. The current installation is entitled
"Expressions", with the artist's interpretation of a facial expression that portrays an
emotion. The seven panels currently displayed were selected from a pool of over 300
applicants from various parts of the country. The exhibition includes a reusable framing and
bracketing system that can be used continually and will not damage the art pieces when
they removed for future exhibitions.
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• On October 30, the Town debuted the new 80-foot diameter shade structure at Centennial
Plaza. This new addition was designed to host special events, casual gatherings, meetups,
concerts, and private ceremonies and receptions. The Town collaborated with a vendor to
create a uniquely sized and designed structure. The absence of a central pole keeps the
area open, making it adaptable and accessible year-round. An adjacent art piece made from
galvanized and stainless steel, called Arizona State Donor Puzzle, the state of Arizona. The
individual puzzle pieces can be purchased for $1,000. Purchases allow for a dedication to a
group, in memory of a loved one, or to recognize a business, with up to 30 characters per
piece. Buyers can choose any available spot on the Arizona replica.
• Another shade structure was installed adjacent to the Rotary Splash Pad at Fountain Park.
The 55-foot by 60-foot shade canopy covers a 17-table configuration with seating for well
over 100 at one time. The shaded area, which was unusable in the past, creates an attractive
year-round area for improved seating in the summer for splash pad users, enhanced seating
for adjacent business, and a potential event gathering space. The project required several
changes to the area, including, grading, drainage as well as tree removal and replacement.
• The long awaited 42-toot Fountain Of Lights, made of steel and glass, was installed and
dedicated by a local artist on September 25 at the linear park along the Avenue of the
Fountains.
• The Farmer’s Market, held every Wednesday between November and April, saw an increase
of approximately 10 vendors since the previous year for a total exceeding 60 vendors. The
Market offers healthy eating options and food trucks, as well as a variety of over 40 art
vendors. The Market also hosted three special events featuring the Children’s Entrepreneur
Market (CEM), featuring 50 booths for kids to make and sell all types of foods and crafts.
CEM is a non-profit organization helping children learn business with first-hand experience.
• The community garden, funded in part by the Ft. McDowell-Yavapai Nation, entered its
seventh year. Garden organizers and members donate to local food pantry and hosts
healthy cooking classes. Pavers were recently installed to improve accessibility throughout
the garden compound.
• The Town continues to coordinate service availability and enhancements with utility
providers to ensure service capacity to new development, redevelopment or infill. Town
staff coordinated with utility companies to relocate their infrastructure to accommodate
the Saguaro Blvd. sidewalk infill project between Fountain Hills Blvd. and El Lago Blvd.
• In the 2024 calendar year, following a review of all current parking standards and design
guidelines, Town staff completed a Downtown Parking Study with additional technical
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assistance from a consultant. The study assesses the required capacity and use of existing
parking facilities and recommends parking standards based on today’s best parking
practices.
• Economic Development staff regularly utilizes visitor analysis software to identify various
trade areas. The analyses assist the Town in mapping out business activity and consumer
behavior at various points of interest. Analyzing a trade area entails studying things like
traffic patterns, shopping habits, and existing businesses, for the purpose of exploring the
market potential of a planning projects or impacts from a special event.
• The City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) announced the winners
of its 2024 Savvy Awards during a ceremony held in Arlington, Texas on September 5.
Fountain Hills received a Silver Circle Award for Graphic Design Art in the Fountain Hills
Branding category, thus recognizing the Town on a national stage. Town-wide brand
features the new Town logo, which is used for marketing purposes to target new residents
and businesses, such as the Town's, website, collateral material, and printed and digital ads.
• A grant totaling approximately $60,000 was received from the neighboring Salt River Pima-
Maricopa Indian Community. Another grant of $69,792 was received from the Arizona
Office of Tourism. These grants help fund programs and projects that focus on education,
public safety, health, environment, and economic and community development. The Town
applied for a grant offered by the Fort McDowell-Yavapai Nation but was unsuccessful.
Social Environment
This Social Environment Element defines the Town of Fountain Hills’ built public spaces as areas
for community interaction and networking. Such public spaces include community and regional
parks as well as public gathering spaces like plazas and courtyards in association with compact or
urban development. This element views streets, sidewalks and trails as social connectors and also
addresses passive and active recreation. When addressed in an integrated manner, the social
environment supports safety and a healthy and active lifestyle. The Town carried out a number
of activities in 2024 to support a social environment that supports safety and a healthy and active
lifestyle:
• A new outdoor fitness facility opened in April at Desert Vista Park, featuring a full array of
fitness equipment including an elliptical, stationary bike, rowing machine, weights and
other equipment to help provide a complete workout. Area is sheltered by a large shade
structure, which was donated to the Town by American Legion Post 58.
• Fountain Hills Parks and Recreation began offering new adult leagues for cornhole, and
pickleball and "Adult Return to Recess", offering beach volleyball, table tennis
croque/bocce ball and kickball. Programs are sponsored by local companies.
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• The Town Continues to design and maintain streetscapes that incorporate alternative
travel modes. Completed roadwork on El Pueblo Blvd, Grande Blvd, Glenbrook Blvd and
Panorama Drive, and restriped to include bicycle lanes on each street.
Access, Connectivity, and Mobility
In 2024, the following actions helped further improve the accessibility, connectivity and mobility
throughout town:
• Additional sidewalk infill on Saguaro Blvd. between Fountain Hills Boulevard and El Lago
Boulevard has been added to provide improved connectivity accessibility to and from
Fountain Park and neighboring businesses.
• The Public Works Department oversaw design and construction of several crosswalks on
Saguaro Boulevard at Gunsight Rd, Parkview Ave, Paul Nordin Rd and Kingstree Blvd, and
a crosswalk at Palisades Blvd & Verde River Dr. A mid-block crosswalk was also installed
on Eagle Mountain Parkway between the Clubhouse Drive and Summer Hill Boulevard.
• The MAG Regional Bike Map was amended to add a bike route on Glenbrook Blvd.
Public Facilities and Services
The Town in conjunction with its servicing utility companies continues to ensure potable water
and sanitation services to its residents while complying with all applicable environmental
regulations at all levels of government. In 2024, a new restroom was constructed at Four Peak
Park, as well as an upgraded recharge/recovery well for the Fountain Lake, which is operated by
the Fountain Hills Sanitary District.
Natural Resources and Open Space Element
In its consistent support for preservation and conservation efforts, the Town values the natural
environment as an essential component of a thriving community.
• Three new trails were completed in our growing open space network, including the Upper
Sonoran Trail, Remote Trail, and a new section of the Overlook Trail. The new section of
the Overlook Trail adds a connector to the Easy Access Trail making it a loop trail, which
is significantly more preferred by hikers, instead of an out and back trail where one sees
the same views twice. It is not believed that these trails will greatly increase the hiking
challenge and variety that the preserve trails offer to those who use them. Following the
completion of these trails and all previous goals established by the McDowell Mountain
Preservation Commission, the Town Council approved a resolution to officially sunset the
Commission.
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• Town staff, with assistance from the State Historic Preservation Office, formally initiated
that application process to request designation of the Fountain to the National Register
of Historic Places (NRHP). Listing in the National Register of Historic Places provides
formal recognition of a property’s historical, architectural, or archeological significance
based on national standards used by every state.
• There have been three recycling events in 2024 sponsored in part by the Town, including
the Household Hazardous Waste collection event, the Shred-a-Thon, and the Residential
Electronic Recycling event. All three events were well attended by Fountain Hills
residents.
• The Town implements strict re-vegetation requirements for protected hillsides that
require the restoration of disturbed areas with native plant species that are consistent in
type and density with the surrounding native desert and encourage builders to design
with a contextual emphasis.
Thriving Economy
Thriving Economy supports a strategic economic development approach to achieve the long-
range viability of the Town and provides specific mechanisms to finance new development.
Economic Development
The following activities were performed in 2024 and pertain to the Economic Development
Element of the General Plan and were largely guided by the 2022 Strategic Plan:
• Downtown Strategy was approved by Council on September 4. The Strategy provides an
implementation framework addressing land use, infrastructure, economic vitality, and public
spaces/placemaking. Future implementation actions for the Downtown area will be primarily
guided by this document.
• The Town continues to own and maintain dual port charging stations - one at the Civic Center
and the other at Fountain Park. The charging stations use the ChargePoint network which
operates a nationwide charging system. Ninety percent of the revenue generated from
people wishing to charge their vehicles goes to the Town, while 10% goes to ChargePoint.
• Rezone proposals and special use permit for specific locations are guided by the General Plan
and its identified Character Areas. Staff cites the general plan in their recommendations to
the Planning and Zoning Commission.
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Cost of Development
The Town continues to honor its current development agreements with the landowners and
developers, as well as its cost sharing through intergovernmental agreements with other
jurisdictions.
The Development Services department utilizes the Town Online Planning and Permitting System
(TOPPS) to provide a streamlined design review process for development and redevelopment of
the Town Center, Commerce Center, Saguaro Blvd and Shea Character Areas.
3. POLICY ISSUES
As the 2020 General Plan enters into the fifth year of implementation, a few issues remain with
regards to the timing and completion of some of the goals. Staff notes a number of immediate
and short-range implementation actions that have yet to be initiated. Immediate goals are
intended to be initiated within 6 months of ratification by voters. Short-range goals are to be
initiated within the first four years. Some goals have fallen outside of the expected time frame
for initiation. A number of factors have impacted its implementation progress, including staff
turnover and vacancies in various departments as well as logistical challenges. The calendar year
2025 is an opportunity for staff to study the changing needs of the Town and identify
opportunities and constraints that will better guide the Town in its policy direction.
Immediate Goals
There are two immediate goals for which progress was to be initiated within six months of
ratification but have not yet begun. These two goals are listed below, followed by a brief
statement regarding their status:
• Goal: Consider Part time grant writer. (Economic Development, Goal 2, Policy 1)
Department staff regularly searches for grant opportunities that could help fund new
infrastructure, recreational amenities, and economic development. However, grant
opportunities are limited, and not all grants awarded to the Town are accepted by Town
Council after careful consideration. Although the Town will continue to seek grant
opportunities where available, it may reconsider the feasibility of adding a part-time staff
member whose exclusive task is to write grant proposals.
• Goal: Establish a General Plan Monitoring System coordinated with the CIP in
conformance with the policy direction supporting this goal [to share costs with other
entities]. (Cost of Development, Goal 10, Policy 1-2)
Due to a number of factors including disruption from the pandemic and staff turnover at
the management level, efforts to coordinate the Capital Improvements Program with
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goals of the General Plan have not been initiated. In 2023, Staff informed Council of plans
to form an ad hoc group to begin this effort and ensure that implementation of the CIP
and General Plan align in mutually supportive fashion. Since then, staff has formed a
Capital Projects Review Committee that meets approximately every six weeks. Though
these meetings are not exclusively intended to address this specific goal of the General
Plan, it does allow planning staff to monitor how the Town’s resources are directed in
implementing the General Plan’s policies while also identifying cost sharing opportunities.
Short-Term Goals
Steps toward completing the short-term goals of the General Plan are to be initiated within four
years after voter ratification. The following are short-term goals, followed by a brief statement
regarding their status:
• Goal: Develop and implement an investment plan that responds to the Economic
Development Plan’s priorities, and that prioritizes infrastructure improvements in the CIP.
(Economic Development)
Although the Town has not initiated a formal investment plan that ties together the CIP
and Strategic Economic Development Plan and the CIP, staff makes sure that both are
complementary in their vision.
• Goal: Commission a cost/benefit study to identify the gap between actual subdivision
regulations infrastructure specifications and determine the cost of meeting such
specifications. (Economic Development)
The Subdivision Regulations are a foundational part of shaping the Town’s housing stock
and commercial uses, as well as the infrastructure that supports them. The Town has long
believed that these regulations ensure quality infrastructure. Currently, there are few
large privately-owned properties with the potential of being subdivided further into
residential lots. As mentioned earlier, the 1,276-acre site owner by ASLD provides the best
development opportunity, but no auctions are scheduled at this time. In anticipation of a
successful acquisition from a developer, staff will be researching the feasibility of a
cost/benefit study in the coming year.
Goal: Prepare, adopt and implement an integrated Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open
Space System Master Plan (Social Environment)
As mentioned earlier in this report, the Town completed three new trails in its growing
network. As efforts continue in maintaining or improving this network, the Town will be
able to utilize these efforts in tying together a network of trails with its large inventory of
open space into an integrated and organic master plan.
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• Goal: Amend Zoning Ordinance to include, at a minimum, Safe-by-Design concepts.
(Thriving Neighborhoods)
Though not yet codified in the Zoning Ordinance, the Development Services department
strongly advocates Safe-by-Design concepts in its site plan and design review processes.
These concepts are similar to the Architectural Review Guidelines in Chapter 19 of the
Zoning Ordinance. However, the extent to which Safe-by-Design concepts can be applied
may vary depending on site conditions and related factors. Therefore, as stated in
previous years, the concepts may better be suited to remain a policy in the General Plan
rather than a development regulation in the zoning ordinance. However, staff welcomes
feedback from the Planning and Zoning Commission and Town Council on this matter.
• Goal: Amend the Zoning Ordinance to include Low Impact Development (LID). (Natural
Resources and Open Space)
The term low impact development (LID) refers to systems and practices that use or mimic
natural processes that result in the infiltration, evapotranspiration or use of stormwater
in order to protect water quality and associated aquatic habitat. Like the Safe-by-Design
Concepts, the LID concepts have not been codified in the Zoning Ordinance. Many of the
Town’s standards, such as requiring stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) and
erosion control plans with new development plans largely align with many LID concepts.
However, staff welcomes feedback from the Planning and Zoning Commission and Town
Council on this matter.
The General Plan also identifies a number of mid-range and long-range goals that will be initiated
in the coming years:
• Goal: Work with ASLD to prepare a feasibility study for State Trust land and based on the
results [of a cost recovery study], consider future revenues that could be generated from
development of Trust Land. (Cost of Development)
This goal hinges on another goal which requires the Town to perform a cost recovery
study mentioned earlier. When and if such a cost recovery study is completed, staff would
invite a broader discussion with the Commission and Town Council before proposing
amendments to the ordinances.
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4. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AMENDMENTS
Although a number of policy issues have been identified, staff does not recommend any
amendments to the General Plan at this time. Substantive changes to any goal in the general plan
would require a Major Amendment per the Arizona Revised Statutes, which entails an extensive
review and public notification process and could take several months from initiation to
completion. However, changes to the implementation steps used to arrive at each goal may only
require a minor amendment, which does not require extensive lead time and may be considered
by the Planning and Zoning Commission and Town Council at any time. In any case, staff
appreciates further direction from the Planning and Zoning Commission and Town Council.