HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190731_Project NarrativeExhibit B
New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC d/b/a AT&T Mobility
AT&T Site ID: HBNPB_037 and FA#14807237
In the Public Right-of-Way near 531 [CS] Harbor Island Road (SLC4607), Newport Beach
Project Narrative
New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC d/b/a AT&T Mobility (“AT&T”) is proposing to install new small cell wireless
telecommunications facility to serve residents and businesses in this portion of the community. Small cells
are low-power, low-profile wireless communications facilities that improve signal quality and capacity within
AT&T’s existing wireless network. The proposed small cell facility will help AT&T provide and improve critical
wireless services in this area.
AT&T estimates that since introduction of the iPhone in 2007, mobile data usage has increased 470,000% on
its network. AT&T forecasts its customers’ growing demand for mobile data services to continue. Customer
needs require AT&T to design and maintain its network to provide and improve wireless signal quality and to
increase data rates sufficient to stream video. Areas that do not meet this minimal standard, or where
wireless service is otherwise compromised, represent service issues that must be addressed.
Specifically, this proposed small cell facility will help improve AT&T’s wireless services by offloading network
traffic carried by existing macro facilities in the area. In addition, faster data rates allow customers to get on
and off the network quickly, which produces more efficient use of AT&T’s limited spectrum. By placing the
small cell facility in areas where AT&T’s existing wireless telecommunications facilities are constrained and
where AT&T experiences especially high network traffic, AT&T can address the existing and forecasted
demand and support 5G speeds in the near future.
Improving signal quality and Increasing data speed is critical to providing the mobile experience customers
demand and to manage the unprecedented increase in mobile data usage on AT&T’s network. The Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks the rates at which American households are shifting from
landlines to wireless telecommunications. According to the CDC’s latest Wireless Substitution Report, more
than 70 percent of Americans rely exclusively or primarily on wireless communications in their homes.1 In
addition, the FCC estimates that 70 percent of all 911 calls are made from wireless devices.2 And with AT&T’s
selection by FirstNet as the wireless service provider to build and manage the nationwide first responder
wireless network, each new or modified facility will help strengthen first responder communications.
AT&T selected the proposed facility as the best available means to address its service objectives in this
portion of the city. The overall site location and design will comply with applicable code provisions, General
Plan, and other published siting guidelines. The proposed small cell facility will be located in the public right-
of-way, where AT&T has a right to place its equipment pursuant to Section 7901 of the California Public
Utilities Code. The proposed node is a Pico cell site and will provide 4G services to the surrounding area. The
project will involve the placement of a small antenna and associated small cell equipment on a replacement
streetlight. For this small cell, AT&T proposes to install a 10-inch diameter omni-directional antenna and
radios at the top of a replacement streetlight, fully concealed within a 12-inch diameter shroud. The
concealment will be painted to match the final color of the aggregate concrete light pole. The facility will not
obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic. It will not adversely affect the surrounding properties and will have a
minimal physical and aesthetic footprint in this area. In addition, the proposed facility fully complies with
1 See Wireless Substitution: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, January-June 2018, available
at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/wireless201812.pdf.
2 See 911 Wireless Services, available at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/911-wireless-services.
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Exhibit B
Page 2 of 3
applicable design criteria. Therefore, the City can easily make the necessary findings for approval for this
small cell facility.
The project scope will consist of the following:
• Removal and replacement of a streetlight.
• Installation of a single omni-directional antenna.
• Installation of four remote radio units and raycap disconnect switch within a shroud.
• Installation of below grade power and fiber handholds.
Project Code Compliance
The subject project complies with the City of Newport Beach’s Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
Ordinance in the Public Right-of-Way, Chapter 21.49 in the following ways:
1. The proposed wireless facility is a small cell installation to be installed on a replaced streetlight in the
public right-of-way to match the existing pole.
2. The project is allowed subject to the city’s approval of a Minor Use Permit. The proposed installation
will not interfere with the use of the existing right-of-way.
3. The proposed facility is a low powered antenna designed to work in conjunction with other small cell
sites in the area and to off-load capacity from an existing macro facility. The installation will comply
with applicable regulations of the Federal Communications Commission as demonstrated in the
enclosed FCC Local Official Guide to RF – Appendix A.
4. The replacement streetlight is consistent with the size, shape, style, and design of the existing pole,
including the attached light arm.
5. The replacement streetlight, placed within the public right-of-way, does not exceed thirty-five (35)
feet in height above the finished grade.
6. No above ground mounted equipment is proposed, and the support equipment is proposed to be
placed in underground handholes.
7. All transmission equipment, including remote radio units and the raycap disconnect switch, are fully
concealed within the shroud.
8. Signage displayed on the wireless facility will be in the smallest permissible size. There will be no
advertising signage.
9. The applicant will conform to all City of Newport Beach requirements.
Conformance with FCC Regulations
The proposed low powered antenna installation attached to the utility pole is considered categorical
excluded by the FCC based on the analysis included in the FCC Optional Checklist for Determination of the
Local Official’s Guide to RF (attached). Installation that are categorically excluded are considered to meet or
exceed the FCC standards for RF Emissions.
Construction, Maintenance and Monitoring
Construction of the proposed project will take approximately 30-days. All construction will be done in a
manner that minimizes impact to residents and/or businesses in the area. Existing underground or overhead
power and fiber connections will be used with minimal trenching. Directional boring will be used when
deemed appropriate for each specific location.
Maintenance of the subject facility is minimal. The telecom operator will be responsible for maintenance of
the telecom facility including, but not limited to, any missing, discolored or damaged screening, all graffiti
removed promptly, and the facility kept clean and free of litter. Monitoring is typically done from AT&T’s
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Exhibit B
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switching offices. If needed, a site visit to change any radio equipment will be coordinated with the city
through the appropriate process.
Site Preferred Location and Alternative Analysis
Per the Newport Beach Municipal Code (NBMC) section 20.49.050 General Development and Design
Standards, installations in the public right-of-way (Class 3) are the third preferred location for telecom
facilities in the City. Collocation onto existing street infrastructure is the most preferred alternative design.
AT&T is committed to providing wireless telecommunications services and faster data rates throughout the
City of Newport Beach and is doing so by installing the least intrusive technology, with the least intrusive
design at the least intrusive locations in the service coverage gap. Rather than construct traditional tower
facilities in or near residential neighborhoods, AT&T is choosing to deploy very small facilities, called “small
cells,” that can be installed on utility infrastructure in the public right-of-way.
A small cell is a low-powered cell site, which, when grouped with other small cells, can provide coverage in
areas where traditional macro wireless facilities are discouraged. Although the signal from each small cell
antenna covers a shorter range than a conventional tower site, small cells can be effective tools to help close
significant gaps in service coverage with a minimal environmental and aesthetic footprint. Node HBNPB_037
will help AT&T close a significant gap in service coverage in this area of the City by the least intrusive means.
The proposed Node is located near the intersection of Harbor Island Drive and Harbor Island Road within a
single-family residential area. AT&T proposes to use existing street infrastructure for the installation of a
telecommunication “small cell” facility. The alternative locations consist of similar streetlight infrastructure
located north and south of the subject site. Alternative location #1 would be a pole on the east side of Harbor
Island Road approximately 97 feet northeast of the subject node. This streetlight appears to be inside private
property within a landscaped area. This is not a viable site because of its location within the landscaped area
and limited ground space. Alternative #2 would be another existing streetlight located 220 feet southwest of
the proposed location. This alternative is within the parkway portion of the right-of-way. This is a shorter
pole and does not meet AT&T design criteria. The signal will be impacted by nearby existing two-story
residential buildings.
Node HBNPB_037 is the best available means to help AT&T provide and improve critical wireless services in
the surrounding areas, adding low-power, low-profile equipment to utility infrastructure in the public right-
of-way. The antenna and equipment will be nicely concealed above the replaced streetlight pole.
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