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Planning commission recommends council adopt wireless communications ordinance updates
Summary
The commission unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt code amendments and a new Chapter 8 of the Piedmont design standards to regulate wireless communication facilities, including streamlined review for compliant designs, a 10-year permit term, and an increase in batch-processing flexibility from 20% to 50%.
Associate Planner Gopika Nair summarized staff’s proposal to amend the zoning ordinance and add Chapter 8 to the Piedmont design standards to address wireless communication facilities. Staff emphasized limits imposed by state and federal law but said the city retains authority over aesthetic and design elements and can encourage “stealth” and concealment techniques.
Key provisions presented included aligning definitions with state and federal regulations, prioritizing nonresidential areas for facilities, strengthened visual-impact mitigation and screening, a 10-year permit term, and a ministerial streamlined review option for applications meeting strict design standards. Staff also described batch-processing provisions (staff increased the allowable withdrawn sites in a batch from 20% to 50% after public feedback) and noted a tentative City Council hearing and first reading scheduled for Feb. 3, 2025. Commissioners asked about color and public notification; staff said equipment should match adjacent colors and that ministerial approvals will be reported monthly to the commission. The commission voted unanimously to recommend council adoption.
