Wireless Guidelines

 Wireless Guidelines for Proposed Communication Towers

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors has adopted "Wireless Communication Guidelines" which are used in the review of all proposed communication towers. The Project Description/Operational Statement required for your application must, in addition to the subjects listed on the Operational Statement Checklist, include information relevant to the "Guidelines". The items listed below identify the key information requirements related to the "Guidelines".

• Submit detailed information to justify the need for the tower site (e.g. network design, search ring, specific site selection criteria).
• Submit 18 color copies of service coverage maps and other necessary graphics that demonstrate the need for the proposed tower site.
• Identify the location of any existing or approved future tower within a five-mile radius of the proposed site.  Include information regarding the operator/owner of the tower, and the tower height.
• Submit information including correspondence which documents efforts to negotiate "co-location" on existing towers and other existing structures in the area.
• Submit detailed information documenting consideration of any alternative sites (other than existing towers).
• Provide documentation that provisions are included in your lease agreement that reserves "co-location" opportunities for other service providers.
• Depict on the site plan the area available within the tower site to accommodate other future equipment buildings/towers.
• Identify the distance and location of the nearest residence(s) within one-quarter mile from the proposed tower site.
• Identify the location of any airstrip or airport within a five-mile radius of the proposed tower site.
• Tower sites proposed in rural agricultural areas must include information relevant to the siting criteria and requirements found in item No. 7 of the "Guidelines" handout.
• Tower sites proposed within one-half mile of the boundary of the Cities of Fresno and Clovis must give consideration to City-adopted Guidelines (see attached Guidelines presently utilized by the City of Fresno).
• Tower sites proposed adjacent to roads classified as major roads on the Circulation Element of the General Plan and other aesthetically sensitive areas (e.g. river bottom, existing/planned residential areas) must include information regarding measures taken to minimize aesthetic impacts (e.g. substantial setback from major road, trees, stealth tower design, slim-line monopole).
• Identify total number of existing towers in Fresno County.
• Identify total number of existing tower sites on which co-location has occurred with other communication carriers.
• Indicate total number of tower sites planned for location in Fresno County.

NOTE: The information identified above must be provided in order to accept your application for processing.

FRESNO COUNTY WIRELESS COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES

1. The need to accommodate new communication technology must be balanced with the need to
   minimize the number of new tower structures which can adversely impact other segments of the community.
2. The land use permitting process should rely on general guidelines and policies rather than specific standards which are not flexible enough to accommodate the evolving technology.
3. Applicants for new tower permits should be required to submit detailed information in their applications to justify the need for the tower site (e.g. network design, search ring, specific site selection criteria).
4. Applicants for new tower permits should be required to submit evidence regarding alternative sites considered, information regarding potential co-location opportunities, and evidence of negotiation for co-location on other existing towers where such opportunities exist.
5. A map documenting the location of all existing communication towers in the County should be
   maintained by the County.
6. Applications for new tower sites within one-half mile of the boundary of the Cities of Fresno and Clovis should give consideration to City-adopted Guidelines.
7. Siting of towers in rural agricultural areas should be subject to the following criteria and requirements:
   a.Tower sites should be selected to minimize disruption to agricultural aircraft operations, farm irrigation systems, and movement of farm equipment. Applicants should describe factors specific to the property that have been addressed in the site selection. If site selection negotiation is conducted with an absentee owner, a supporting statement from the farm manager should be provided.
   b. Towers should be placed adjacent to the farm homesite or other existing farm buildings. If there are no improvements on the property, the preferred location is at the edge of the field or adjacent to existing farm access roads. Locations at the center of fields or sections of land should be avoided.
   c. Generally, guyed towers should not be allowed, except for Broadcast T.V., Broadcast Radio, and Amateur Radio.
   d. Towers should be sited to minimize aesthetic impacts to adjacent homesites on surrounding properties.
   e. Towers should be sited to minimize impacts to adjacent farming operations on surrounding properties.
8. Permits for new tower sites should include provision for removal of towers when they are no longer in use.
9. Applicants for new tower sites should include provisions in their land lease agreements that reserve colocation opportunities.
10. Tower sites adjacent to roads classified as major roads on the Circulation Element of the General Plan should include measures to minimize aesthetic impacts when feasible.
11. The County should consider modified procedures that encourage applicants to fully utilize existing tower sites, and to consider use of existing structures and industrial locations when proposing new sites.

Please contact the City of Fresno or the City of Clovis for further information, if you plan to develop wireless facilities within their spheres of influence.

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