Section 6-907 Minimum Standards for All Small Cell Wireless Facilities
Small cell wireless facilities are permitted in any zone district of the Town of Telluride. The requirements set forth in this Section shall apply to the location and design of all small cell wireless facilities to minimize the impact on the surrounding neighborhood and to maintain the character and appearance of the Town, consistent with other provisions of this Code. The Planning Department shall also be responsible for preparing a supporting document referred to as “The Telluride Small Cell Wireless Design Guidelines” to be considered and approved by HARC and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
6-907.A. General. Every small cell wireless facility in the public right-of-way shall comply with the following standards:
6-907.A.1. All small cell wireless facilities and equipment shall use camouflage design techniques including, without limitation, the use of industry best practices materials, colors, textures, screening, undergrounding, landscaping, or other design options that will blend the small cell wireless facilities and equipment into the surrounding natural setting and built environment.
a. Camouflage design may be of heightened importance for areas where findings of particular sensitivity are made in the Telluride Small Cell Wireless Design Guidelines (e.g., proximity to natural or historically significant structures or areas, views, and/or community features or facilities). In such instances, facilities shall be designed to minimize their profile (e.g., placed underground, inside of existing structures, depressed, or located behind earth berms).
b. The camouflage design may include the use of alternative tower structures should the Town determine that such design meets the intent of this Section and the community is better served thereby.
c. All small cell wireless facilities, such as antennas, vaults, equipment rooms, equipment enclosures, and tower structures shall be constructed out of nonreflective materials (visible exterior surfaces only). Coloring of welds, bands, bolts, and the like, shall be of a similar color to the main small cell wireless facilities.
d. When located adjacent to a commercial establishment, such as a shop or restaurant, care should be taken to locate the small cell wireless facilities such that they do not negatively impact the business. Small cell wireless facilities shall not block windows or any building entrances. To the extent possible, small cell wireless facilities shall not be located at intersections. All small cell wireless facilities shall be located to ensure proper sight triangles. Small cell wireless facilities should be located between properties as much as possible.
e. When located within a Town right-of-way, deployment shall not impede existing and future facilities, including sidewalks, stormwater infrastructure, water infrastructure, and electric infrastructure, and other infrastructure included in adopted Town plans.
6-907.A.2. To the extent technically feasible, small cell wireless facilities equipment and appurtenances shall be housed internally with regard to the pole or alternative tower structure which hosts the small cell wireless facility antennas.
6-907.A.3. For monopole designs, top-mounted antennas and their enclosures may be used and shall be no more than three and fourteen hundredths (3.14) cubic feet in volume (e.g., four feet (4') in height by one foot (1') in diameter). Small cell wireless facilities shall be contained in the base of the pole and shall be no larger than seventeen and twenty-eight hundredths (17.28) cubic feet in volume (e.g., five and one-half feet (5 1/2') in height by two feet (2') in diameter). Above the base, the diameter of the pole shall be a maximum of twelve inches (12") and tapered to a diameter of eight inches (8") at the top. Pole designs will need to be reviewed and approved by the Town for compliance with this Division and the Small Cell Wireless Design Guidelines.
6-907.A.4. Side-mounted small cell wireless facility antennas are not permitted.
6-907.A.5. Small cell wireless facilities located on pedestrian light poles shall not block light emanating from the streetlight fixture or otherwise interfere with the purpose or operation of the streetlight fixture.
6-907.A.6. Small cell wireless facilities shall not include any exterior lighting unless associated with a pedestrian street/light pole installment.
6-907.A.7. All exterior surfaces of the small cell wireless facilities shall be constructed out of, or be finished with, nonreflective materials.
6-907.A.8. Noise generated on the site must not exceed the levels permitted in the Municipal Code, except that a small cell wireless facility owner or operator shall be permitted to exceed noise standards for a reasonable period of time during repairs, not to exceed two (2) hours without prior authorization from the Town.
6-907.A.9. Existing mature tree growth shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible. Any tree removal shall first comply with Section 3-505. Small cell wireless facilities and equipment should not be installed within the dripline of any tree.
6-907.A.10. Small cell wireless facilities and related ground equipment shall be placed to comply with the clear zone requirements as described in the most recent edition of AASHTO’s Roadside Design Guide. These specifications generally state that when there is curb and gutter there should be a four-foot (4') clear zone on straightaways and a six-foot (6') clear zone on curves. The placement of these facilities on roads that do not have curb and gutter need to comply with the clear zone requirements in the Roadside Design Guide.
6-907.A.11. All small cell wireless facilities shall be installed in accordance with all applicable Town codes. No wiring or cabling shall interfere with any existing wiring or cabling installed by the Town, a utility, or a wireless services provider.
6-907.A.12. All related cabling shall connect to the small cell wireless facility underground. Aboveground connections to the facility are not permitted.
6-907.A.13. The centerline of a new wireless support structure in the right-of-way shall be in alignment with existing poles where present, or with street or parkway trees along the same side of the right-of-way.
6-907.A.14. The small cell wireless facility, including the antenna, and all related equipment if attached to a pole must be designed to withstand wind force and ice loads in accordance with the applicable standards established in the National Electric Safety Code for utility poles; standards governing wind, ice, and loading forces on utility poles in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in TIA/EIA established by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the Electronics Industry Association (EIA); and the applicable industry standard for other existing structures. The evaluation must be prepared by a professional structural engineer licensed in the State of Colorado.
6-907.A.15. Unless required by the FCC, signage is prohibited on all small cell wireless facilities and wireless support structures, except that a four-inch (4") by six-inch (6") plate with the wireless provider’s name, location identifying information, and emergency telephone number shall be permanently fixed to the small cell wireless facility equipment enclosure or shroud. The provider is required to update this information whenever it changes.
6-907.A.16. All attachments to wooden utility distribution poles that provide aerial support for overhead utility lines shall be approved by the owner prior to installation. Antennas shall be located inside an enclosure of no more than three and fourteen hundredths (3.14) cubic feet in volume (e.g., four feet (4') in height by one foot (1') in diameter). If the wooden utility pole is removed and utility lines placed underground, the replacement antenna shall be reviewed as per this Section prior to installation.
6-907.A.17. The minimum distance between small cell wireless facilities is three hundred feet (300'). Another provider may not request a small cell wireless facility within this three-hundred-foot (300') limitation, unless collocation on any applicable existing small cell wireless facility is not a technically viable option. This restriction applies to any existing or proposed application, including consolidated applications for small cell wireless facilities by the same applicant.
6-907.A.18. Ground-mounted enclosures must be concealed within existing aboveground cabinets or placed in a flush-to-grade underground equipment vault.
6-907.A.19. Small cell wireless facilities shall be located in a manner that meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not obstruct, impede or hinder the usual bike, pedestrian or vehicular path of travel.
6-907.A.20. Small cell wireless facilities collocated on Town-owned poles may not use the same power or communication source providing power and/or communication for the existing infrastructure. The Town may permit a new small cell wireless facility to use unused fibers within the same fiber cable if available. The wireless provider shall coordinate, establish, maintain, and pay for all power and communication connections with private utilities.
a. The applicant will be responsible for all new conduit, electric line, and associated construction activities to get power and/or communication to the small cell wireless facility. All new conduits (fiber, electric, etc.) and appropriate information must be shown in the complete layout.
6-907.A.21. Small cell wireless facility poles and associated equipment must meet minimum clearances from all utility infrastructure as specified in Section 3-306.
6-907.A.22. The applicant shall be responsible for meeting subsurface utility engineering (SUE) requirements of the Town Code where applicable.
6-907.A.23. If required by a utility provider, electric metering structures and/or meters shall not be visible from the exterior of the pole or alternative tower structure which hosts the small cell antennas where the pole or alternative tower structure is in Town right-of-way but will instead be located proximate to the transformer or underground with other related equipment. This requirement may be wholly or partially waived by the Town where it is technically infeasible to place all or part of a meter internally.
6-907.B. Wall-mounted small cell wireless facilities shall meet the following standards:
6-907.B.1. Small cell wireless facilities may be mounted to the exterior sides along the rear half of buildings or along the rear exterior wall of nonresidential structures; multi-story multifamily or mixed use residential structures; or Town-owned buildings and shall not interrupt the building’s architectural character or be visible from any street frontage.
6-907.B.2. New architectural features such as columns, pilasters, corbels, or other ornamentation that conceals antennas may be used if it complements the architecture of the existing building, subject to approval by the Historic Preservation Director.
6-907.B.3. Small cell wireless facilities shall utilize the smallest mounting brackets necessary to provide the smallest offset from the building.
6-907.B.4. Skirts or shrouds shall be utilized on the sides and bottoms of antennas to conceal mounting hardware, create a less cluttered appearance, and minimize the visual impact of the antennas. Exposed cabling/wiring is prohibited.
6-907.B.5. Small cell wireless facilities may be painted and textured to match the adjacent building surfaces.
6-907.B.6. Small cell wireless facilities shall not extend above the wall or parapet to which they are attached.
6-907.B.7. Accessory equipment for wall-mounted facilities may be located on the roof of a building if consistent with the standards of subsection C of this Section.
6-907.B.8. Wall-mounted small cell wireless facilities are prohibited on any structures that are defined as rated structures under Section 2-333 unless the installation is determined to be preferable to other locations and it is determined by the Historic Preservation Director that the visual impact of the facilities or equipment will be insignificant.
6-907.C. Roof-mounted small cell wireless facilities shall meet the following standards:
6-907.C.1. Roof-mounted facilities may only be located on nonresidential structures, multi-level multifamily or mixed use residential structures or any Town-owned building. Whenever a small cell wireless facility antenna is attached to a building roof, the antenna and support system for panel antennas shall not exceed ten feet (10') above the highest portion of that roof, including parapet walls, and the antenna and support system for whip antennas shall not exceed ten feet (10') in height as measured from the point of attachment.
6-907.C.2. All roof-mounted small cell wireless facilities shall be fully screened from view with existing parapets or with the addition of architecturally compatible screening walls or other structures as viewed at ground level from the adjoining street, alley, or any sidewalks along the adjoining street.
6-907.C.3. Any screen walls shall be set back from the parapet or roof edge so that visibility from the street or adjacent residential properties is minimized to the extent technologically feasible.
6-907.C.4. Roof-mounted small cell wireless facilities not meeting the screening standard above are subject to the lesser of the maximum building height for the zoning district or no more than ten feet (10') above the roof parapet.
6-907.C.5. No roof-mounted small cell wireless facilities or accessory equipment are allowed on any structures that are defined as rated structures under Section 2-333, unless it is determined by the Historic Preservation Director that the visual impact of the facilities or equipment will be insignificant.
6-907.D. Small cell wireless facilities (including micro wireless facilities) may be deployed in the right-of-way through the utilization of street/pedestrian light poles, distribution lines, utility poles, or similar structures, or freestanding small cell poles if no other alternatives are present. Such facilities shall remain subject to the applicable standards of approval noted above. Small cell wireless facilities in the right-of-way are exempt from setbacks, but are subject to the following additional design criteria below:
6-907.D.1. Small cell wireless facilities shall utilize existing street/pedestrian light poles or replacement poles unless the applicant demonstrates it is not technically feasible. Any replacement poles shall be of similar design, height, scale, and dimensions. The poles shall reflect any new designs implemented by the Public Works Department.
a. No small cell wireless facility shall be attached to any existing street/pedestrian light pole unless the existing pole was specifically designed to support equipment or is approved by a licensed Colorado professional engineer.
b. If use of an existing light pole is not possible, the applicant shall have the existing pole removed. The applicant shall be responsible for all costs for removal of the street/pedestrian light pole. The applicant shall place a new combined small cell wireless facility and light pole in place of the removed light pole or within five feet (5') of the removed pole.
c. Unless otherwise provided in a master license agreement, the Town shall be the owner of all new light poles in the right-of-way and luminaires upon completion of construction. The applicant shall retain ownership of any small cell wireless facility.
d. Removed street/pedestrian lights and luminaires shall be salvaged and returned to the Town of Telluride.
e. Each light pole component shall be architecturally compatible to create a cohesive aesthetic. The design in the right-of-way shall match the aesthetics, spacing, and architectural characteristics of street/pedestrian light poles adjacent to the pole. The poles shall reflect any new designs implemented by the Public Works Department.
f. For existing or replacement light poles, all equipment shall be housed internal to the pole or in a flush-to-grade underground equipment vault or other appropriate enclosure. Support facilities and enclosures, backup power supply, and electric meters must be concealed within existing aboveground cabinets or placed in a flush-to-grade underground equipment vault. All wiring shall be concealed inside the pole within a channel separate from municipal wiring within the pole.
g. Light poles shall include a transition over the equipment cabinet upper bolts, hidden hardware connections, and a restriction of horizontal flat spaces greater than one and one-half inches (1 1/2") to prevent cups, trash, and other objects from being placed on the pole components.
h. The replacement pole shall have space for at least one internal bay to house small cell wireless facility equipment. If the new pole is capable of housing two (2) collocated facilities, the pole shall have space for two (2) internal bays. The second bay will be available to another applicant with Town approval and upon demonstrating no interference with the first occupant’s small cell wireless facility.
i. If the new light pole results in the removal of an existing streetlight pole, any existing caisson shall be completely removed. Landscaping, sidewalk, or other surface treatment shall be restored above the removed caisson to the satisfaction of the Town.
j. Replacement pole caissons must be flush-to-grade and circular in nature designed to minimize impact of adjacent and future utilities. Concrete must follow the latest Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) road and bridge specification for applicable mix design. All designs must be stamped and signed by a registered professional engineer in the State of Colorado. Geotechnical boring may be used to install pole caissons. A geotechnical report from a registered professional engineer in the State of Colorado must be provided for the general area of the proposed location. The report must detail soils observed, depths, soil strength, and that the soil can support the entire proposed facility.
k. The applicant shall coordinate with the Town of Telluride Public Works Department to properly restore power to the existing pedestrian/street light circuit. The applicant will be responsible for all new conduit, electric line, and associated construction activities to get power to street/pedestrian light circuit in proper working order. All new conduits (fiber, electric, etc.) and appropriate information must be shown in the complete layout.
l. Antennas shall be located inside an enclosure of no more than three and fourteen hundredths (3.14) cubic feet in volume (e.g., four feet (4') in height by one foot (1') in diameter).
m. For replacement poles, the top of the street/pedestrian light should be mounted no more than twenty feet (20') above finished grade, and the luminaire should be at the height of adjacent light poles.
n. Lighting design shall meet the luminaire specifications and design requirements, including luminaire design aesthetics, lighting level criteria, and electrical, streetlight, and other specifications as determined by the Town of Telluride.
o. The color of the pole shall match the color of existing street/pedestrian lights along the same street frontage.
p. The minimum distance between small cell wireless facilities is three hundred feet (300').
q. Combined small cell wireless facilities’ street/pedestrian light poles shall be designed, placed, and constructed in a manner that meets the standards and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not obstruct, impede or hinder the standard bike, pedestrian or vehicular path of travel.
r. The replacement pole shall have secured safety shutoff controls within the pole base for the Town to be able to turn off the small cell wireless facility equipment for streetlight maintenance purposes.
s. The applicant shall be responsible for meeting subsurface utility engineering (SUE) requirements of the Town Code where applicable.
6-907.D.2. Single or multi-carrier freestanding small cell wireless facility poles are prohibited in the Town’s right-of-way unless there are no other alternatives within the right-of-way available such as utilization of street/pedestrian light poles, building locations or collocations. Freestanding poles shall meet the following:
a. Freestanding poles shall be designed as monopoles.
b. New freestanding poles shall be round in shape, tapered in diameter and have a fluted pattern on the base and shaft of the pole.
c. The small cell wireless facility shall be contained in a pole with a base diameter of no more than eighteen inches (18"). The maximum diameter indicated shall extend no more than five feet (5'), six inches (6") from ground level. Above the base, the diameter of the pole shall be a maximum of twelve inches (12") and tapered to a diameter of eight inches (8") at the top.
d. Side-mounted antennas are not allowed. No network equipment shall be strapped to the outside of the pole.
e. The color of the monopoles shall match the color of existing street/pedestrian lights along the same street frontage.
f. All anchor bolts must be concealed from public view, with an appropriate pole boot or cover powder-coated to match the wireless support structure color.
g. All new monopoles must be supported with a reinforced concrete foundation designed, stamped, sealed, and signed by a professional engineer licensed in the State of Colorado, and subject to the Town’s approval.
h. All freestanding monopoles shall be shaped to be visually pleasing and proportional to each other. Each pole component (the equipment cabinet, riser pole, and equipment antennas) shall be architecturally compatible to create a cohesive aesthetic. The foundation and riser pole shall internally house all necessary small cell equipment, and all hardware and electrical equipment necessary for a complete assembly.
i. All small cell wireless facility carrier equipment shall be housed internal to the freestanding monopole.
j. Ground-mounted enclosures, including backup power supply, and electric meters must be concealed within existing aboveground cabinets, or placed in a flush-to-grade underground equipment vault.
k. Freestanding poles shall include a transition over the equipment cabinet upper bolts, hidden hardware connections, and a restriction of horizontal flat spaces greater than one and one-half inches (1 1/2") to prevent cups, trash, and other objects from being placed on the monopole components.
l. The freestanding single or multi-carrier monopole shall not exceed twenty feet (20') in height above finished grade or the maximum permissible height of the given zone district, whichever is more restrictive.
m. No freestanding monopoles are allowed in the right-of-way along the property frontage adjacent to any street facing facade for any structures that are defined as a rated structure under Section 2-333.
n. No freestanding monopoles are allowed in the right-of-way adjacent to any parcel designated in the Land Use Code for open space or open space conservation easement.
o. Freestanding monopoles shall be sited in a manner that evaluates the proximity of the facility to residential structures. Any monopole in the right-of-way in a residential area shall be placed adjacent to the common side yard property line between adjoining residential properties, such that the visual impacts are minimized equitably among adjacent properties. In the case of a corner lot, the monopole may be placed adjacent to the common side yard property line between adjoining residential properties, or on the corner formed by two (2) intersecting streets.
p. The minimum distance between small cell wireless facilities is three hundred feet (300').
q. When located adjacent to a commercial establishment, such as a shop or restaurant, care shall be taken to locate the monopole such that it does not negatively impact the business. Monopoles shall not be located in front of storefront windows, primary walkways, primary entrances or exits, or in such a way that it would impede a delivery to the building. Monopoles should be located between properties as much as possible.
r. Freestanding monopoles shall not impede visibility; vehicular circulation or parking; vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian access; stormwater, water, or electric infrastructure; or other infrastructure in the right-of-way.
s. For all new pole installations, the Town reserves the right to require a second applicant for the same general space to install a new pole capable of collocating both applicants internally in the pole. The first applicant is required to allow the subsequent applicant to replace the pole with a multi-cell pole at the cost of the subsequent applicant. The original pole shall be made available to the first applicant to salvage. If not retrieved in thirty (30) days, the pole shall be declared abandoned and disposed of at the cost of the first applicant.
t. Freestanding poles shall be designed, placed, and constructed in a manner that meets the standards and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not obstruct, impede or hinder the standard bike, pedestrian or vehicular path of travel.