Planning 2016-02-25 Minutes - Public Hearing - TMC 18.58 Wireless Faciltiies Update

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City of Tukwila Planning Commission PLANNING COMMISSION (PC) MINUTES Date: February 25, 2016 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Council Chambers Present: Chair, Sharon Mann; Vice Chair, Miguel Maestas - arrived at 6:40; Commissioners, Mike Hansen, Louise Strander, Brooke Alford and Nhan Nguyen Staff: Nora Gierloff, Deputy Director; and Wynetta Bivens, Planning Commission Secretary Mayor Ekberg presented a certificate to former Planning Commissioner McLeod, who has been appointed to the Tukwila City Council. The Mayor said that it was a pleasure to have Mr. McLeod serve on the Planning Commission and he thanked Mr. McLeod for his 6 years of service on the Board. The Mayor said that Councilmember McLeod's help on the City Council is already being recognized. The Mayor also expressed his appreciation to the other six Commissioners for their service on the Planning Commission Board. Mr. McLeod said he appreciated his six years on the Commission. He said he enjoyed collaborating with the Commissioners who are wonderful, talented, professional and intellectual people, and beyond that he appreciates the friends he made. Chair Mann said on behalf of the Commission they appreciated working with Mr. McLeod. Commissioner Mann also said that Mr. McLeod had great insight on the cases that came before the Commission and she thanked him for his time and efforts. Chair Mann called the public hearing to order. Motion: Commissioner Strander made a motion to adopt the 08/27/15 minutes. Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion and all were in favor. Chair Mann opened the public hearing and swore in those wishing to provide testimony. CASE NUMBER: L15 -0014 TITLE: Update to TMC 18.58 Wireless Facilities TOPIC: Amendments to Tukwila's wireless communications facilities regulations to comply with the Spectrum Act and streamline technology updates by wireless carriers. LOCATION: Citywide Nora Gierloff, Deputy Director, Department of Community Development gave the presentation. She said the wireless regulations were originally adopted in 2006 and there have been considerable changes to technology since that time. After the passage of the Spectrum Act the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created new rules for how the City can regulate telecommunication carriers and sets certain parameters for existed permitted sites. Carriers are allowed to update their facilities if they meet the parameters, which the City must approve within 60 days. The City currently has three types of permits in the code, and these eligible facilities modifications fall under the least regulated Type I permit. The City wants to encourage carriers and make it easier for them to make the best use of existing sites instead of moving on to new monopoles or new sites. Therefore, the attempt to streamline the process for previously approved sites works well with the existing code. The proposal does not change the general scheme, and the Spectrum Act does not change the concept of how wireless facilities are regulated. Additionally, some housekeeping clarifications were proposed to streamline the process, as well as changes to come into compliance with current case law.