The City of Palo Alto has the ability to control many more aspects of wireless communication facilities than are covered in the current ordinance; from http://www.telecomsol.com/24_items.html:
Cost of Expert Assistance - this can be required to be paid for by an applicant, so that expert assistance is available to the community at no cost to the community
No towers on 'Speculation', i.e. without a service provider who can prove the need for the facility
Verification/determination of actual need
Location - the City of Palo Alto can prioritize preferred locations . . . without violating the prohibition against 'zoning them out'
Height
Appearance/Aesthetics
Required Co-location of facilities, to minimize the number of towers
Number of Sites in the Community
Application Fees
Non-tax Revenue
Verification of compliance with the FCC’s RF Emission Standards
Lighting can be prohibited
Setback
Signage
Screening
Structural Adequacy and Integrity
Site Security
Utilities (Underground versus Aerial)
Removal Bond (In the event the facility is ever abandoned)
Indemnification for use of municipally-owned property
Insurance
Interference with other communications & electronic devices
Inspection to assure that what is constructed is what was permitted
Analyzing RF propagation is the domain of experts; see http://www.telecomsol.com/experience.html.
The Town of Hempstead, NY, has taken steps to prevent the installation of cell towers near homes and schools.
http://merrick.patch.com/articles/hempstead-town-board-expected-to-adopt-new-cell-tower-regulations-tuesday and http://hosted-exchange.tmcnet.com/topics/mobility/articles/104066-long-island-town-passes-restrictive-cell-tower-law.htm
The State of Connecticut is working on "legislation to have cell towers not be sited within 750 feet of a school unless the Siting Council finds that there are no economically feasible alternative sites within the municipality." http://repfloren.com/?p=187
North Merrick, NY, is making it illegal to put cell towers within 1500 feet of a residence: http://northmerrickcivic.org/cellantennas.html
Oradell, NJ, is protecting their town by hiring an independent consultant to help draft a new wireless ordinance.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The EU is adopting regulations to place cell towers at specified distances from schools and hospitals.