Arroyo Grande council introduces updated telecom rules, removes public notice requirement for some director-level approvals

The Arroyo Grande City Council introduced an ordinance Jan. 28 to update Title 16 of the municipal code with new standards and permit processes for wireless telecommunications facilities and voted to direct staff to remove a proposed public‑mailing notice requirement for certain director‑level approvals.

Community Development Director Brian Pedratti presented the proposed revisions, saying they were drafted to reflect legal developments since the city last updated its telecommunications rules in 2017. “The proposed ordinance will establish a new section of the code with standards for applicants proposing these facilities and regulations for staff to evaluate those proposals,” Pedratti said. He described the objective as minimizing impacts to the public “within the confines of state and federal law pertaining to these facilities.”

Key changes in the draft ordinance include tiered location preferences (residential and village mixed‑use zones are least compatible), clarified…