Planning commission reviews wireless-facilities ordinance; item continued to Nov. 21 after stakeholders request more coordination

The Rolling Hills Planning Commission on Oct. 17 reviewed a proposed update to the city’s wireless-facilities ordinance and continued the item to the commission’s Nov. 21 meeting to allow more coordination with the Rolling Hills Community Association and carrier representatives.

Bennett, the city’s wireless attorney with BBK, briefed the commission on federal and state constraints — including FCC shot clocks, federal case law and state statutory limits — that restrict some kinds of local regulation. He said the city cannot adopt regulations that have the effect of prohibiting wireless service, cannot deny an application on the basis of compliance with FCC RF-emission standards, and faces strict timelines (the so-called shot clocks) after which an application may be deemed approved if not timely processed. Bennett described proposed code changes that would create three permit types…