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Project Description:
Verizon Wireless is proposing to install a new wireless communication facility in the Hicl<man
Parl< area of Edmonds. The proposed -facility will consist of antennas located on a utility pole
and ground equipment located in a fully fenced and landscaped enclosure. The utility pole will
be replaced with a new round pole, for purposes of structural integrity and maintaining the
clearances from the electrical wires as required by Snohomish PUD. Verizon proposes to ins -tall
three (3) flush -mount antennas and appurtenances at the top of the replacement utility pole.
The associated radio equipment will be located in cabinets placed on slab, and secured behind
a nine -foot solid wood fence with landscaping around the exterior. The equipment enclosure
will be placed on private property owned by Klahaya Swim and Tennis Club.
Responses to the applicable section of ECC 20.50, governing the placement of wireless
communication facilities, are outlined in the following sections.
VED
2�a�
.50.5General siting criteria and rgs
esiconsiderations.
......................... .............................. ................................... ... ..................... ...........sitATheity of Edmonds encourages wielescornmunication providers to use existing - "Q$p "
more frequent, less noticeable sites instead of attempting to provide coverage through use of
taller -towers. To that end, applicants shall consider -the following priority of preferred locations
for wireless communication facilities:
1. Co -location, without an increase in the height of -the building, pole or structure
upon which the facility would be located;
2. Co -location, where additional height is necessary above existing building, pole,
or structure;
3. A replacement pole or structure for an existing one;
4. A new pole or structure altogether.
Response: Verizon is proposing to attach antennas to a utility pole (attachment to existing
structure is collocation); however, due to engineering requirements by the public utility that
owns the pole, the structure will need to be replaced. Verizon also needs to install antennas
above the power lines instead of below in order to achieve adequate antenna height to meet
coverage objectives.
Priority 1, collocation on a building, pole or structure without an increase in height, is
infeasible in the area Verizon seeks to cover.
1. Building. The area is largely single-family residential, where the only non-residential
buildings are the clubhouse at the subject property, and a church across the road.
Neither location would provide adequate height for the proper functioning of the WCF
due to the building height limit at 25 feet, which even with the additional nine feet
over structure height allowed for wireless equipment would not provide enough
elevation for effective signal propagation in an area where vegetation and other
inter Terence -causing obstacles are 50 feet and higher.
2. Poles. The existing utility poles in the area are all of similar existing height and
configuration. The utility poles are about 39' in height, with the power lines set on a
"T" cross -arm at the top of the pole, with cable and secondary users below the lines in
the area outside of the safety clearance. Due to the clearance requirements and other
existing equipment, the space below the lines is unavailable for collocation. Any utility
pole use in this area would require structure replacement at increased height for
clearance purposes, and thus the option of using an existing structure with no changes
is not available in this area. Within the search area, there are no existing monopoles.
The closest monopole is outside of the search area, over 500' from the subject location,
and would require an increase in structure height to provide the equivalent elevation
that would be available for a utility pole collocation.
3. Structures. Due to the residential character of the area, there are no other structures
besides the above mentioned buildings and utility poles that would be candidates for
collocation.
Priority 2, Co -location, where additional height is necessary above existing building, pole, or
structure. isriso uwampilixide for tj�, e, . absent a structure revlacement
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collar -and -pipe configurations such as those pictured in ""unacceptable structure -mounted
WCF" shown at the end of ECC 20.50.100. The collocation that Verizon is proposing will
require structure replacement.
Priority 3, A replacement pole or structure for an existing one. Verizon is proposing to replace
an existing utility pole in order to provide for collocation. As discussed above, due to the
configuration of the existing utility poles, and SnoPUD clearance rules, utility pole collocations
in this area will require pole replacement. The aesthetics of the site are also better served by
pole replacements which allow additional pole space forflush-mountingequipment to the
utility pole surface where it can better blend with the support structure.
Priority 4 — does not apply, and is not an allowed use. The zoning of the search area is
v�142'
MF zones (see ECC 20.50.40. B. 1).
B. Co -location shall be encouraged for all wireless communication facility applications and is
implemented through less complex permit procedures.
1. To the greatest extent technically feasible, applicants for new monopole
facilities shall be required to build mounts capable of accommodating at least one
other carrier.
2. Any wireless communication facility that requires a conditional use permit (CUP)
under the provisions of this chapter shall be separated by a minimum of 500 feet
from any other facility requiring a CUP, unless the submitted engineering
information clearly indicates that the requested site is needed in order to provide
coverage for the particular provider and other siting options have been analyzed
and proven infeasible.
Response: Verizon is proposing a facility collocated on a utility pole structure, and it is located
more than 500'from any other existing facility. New monopoles are prohibited within the
area Verizon is seeking to install a new WCF, as it is all zoned RS® (see ECC 20.50.040.B.1).
This utility pole collocation is one of the few site types allowed in RS -8 under current code.
C. Noise. Any facility that requires a generator or other device which will create noise audible
beyond the boundaries of the site must demonstrate compliance with Chapter 5, 30 ECC, Noise
Abatement and Control. A noise report, prepared by an acoustical engineer, shall be submitted
with any application to construct and operate a wireless communication facility that will have a
generator or similar device. The city may require that the report be reviewed by a third party
expert at the expense of the applicant.
Response: A Noise Report by SSA Acoustics dated 911012014 was completed for this site and is
included in the application. The report contained mitigation requirements, which have been
integrated into the proposed site plan and include a 9 -foot tall solid wood fence with noise -
reducing material installed on the interior.
D. Business License Requirement. Any person, corporation or entity that operates a wireless
communication facility within the city shall have a valid business license issued annually by the
city. Any person, corporation or other business entity which owns a monopole also is required
to obtain a business license on an annual basis.
Response: Verizon Wireless has existing sites within the City of Edmonds and this requirement
is universal to all WCF facility types. If the existing license does not covet, installation of this
facility, a new license will be acquired prior to building permit issuance.
E. Signage. Only safety signs or those mandated by a government entity with jurisdiction may
be located on wireless communication facilities. No other types of signs are permitted on
wireless communication facilities.
Response: No signage other than FCC signage is proposed for this site. The sign will contain
FCC license information, a site 11), and emergency contact information.
F. Any application must demonstrate that there is sufficient space For temporary parking -for
regular maintenance of the proposed facility.
Response. The facility is proposed adjacent to an existing parking lot area for the swim and
tennis club. The existing parking can be utilized for site maintenance; in addition, a gravel
area near the entry for the ground equipment is proposed for additional access space.
G. Finish. A monopole may be constructed of laminated wood, fiberglass, steel, or similar
material. The pole shall be a neutral color so as to reduce its visual obtrusiveness, subject to
any applicable standards of the FAA or FCC.
Response: proposed i wood utility pole, - I monopole.
natural
II • f I brown otheradjacent utility
poles.
H. Design. The design of all buildings and ancillary structures shall use materials, colors,
textures, screening and landscaping that will blend the facilities with the natural setting and
built environment.
Response: The ground equipment enclosure will be a solid wood fence, screened with a five-
foot perimeter of native landscaping that includes dogwood, mooseberry, myrtle, and
ornamental grass. The landscaping is consistent with the existing natural environment, which
includes deciduous trees and large evergreens, as well as landscape plants suitable to the
Pacific NW such as rhododendrons and salal. The wood exterior of the enclosed facility will
fade and blend into the portion of the property where it is located, and will be largely shaded
and surrounded by existing mature trees to further allow it to fade from view.
I. Color. All antennas and ancillary facilities located on buildings or structures other than
monopoles shall be of a neutral color that is identical to or closely compatible with the color of
the supporting structure so as to make the antenna and ancillary facilities as visually
unobtrusive as possible.
� ' :.I I � � I .. I • I R I .,. I . ^ I I / I I .. I ' I I " I � ♦ ! I / '.
J. Lighting. Monopoles shall not be artificially lighted unless required by the FAA, FCC or other
government entity with jurisdiction. If lighting is required and alternative lighting options are
permitted, the city shall review the lighting alternatives and approve the design that would
cause the least disturbance to the surrounding area. No strobe lighting of any type is permitted
on any monopole. If FAA guidelines would require a strobe, the location shall be denied unless
no other site or combination of sites would provide adequate coverage in accord with FCC
requirements.
Response: No lighting is proposed for this facility, and will not be required.
K. Advertising. No advertising is permitted at wireless communication facility sites or on any
ancillary structure or facilities equipment enclosure.
Wr
identification information.
L. Equipment Enclosure. Each applicant shall use the smallest equipment enclosure practical to
contain the required equipment and a reserve for required co -location.
Response: The equipment enclosure size is only large enough to contain the equipment
EAV
access
M. Radio Frequency Emissions Compliance. The applicant shall demonstrate that the project
will not result in levels of radio frequency emissions that exceed FCC standards, including FCC
Office of Engineering Technology (OET) Bulletin 65, Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines
for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, as amended. Additionally, if
the director determines the wireless communication facility, as constructed, may emit radio
frequency emissions that are likely to exceed Federal Communications Commission
uncontrolled/general population standards in the FCC Office of Engineering Technology (OET)
Bulletin 65, Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency
Electromagnetic Fields, as amended, in areas accessible by the general population, the director
may require post -installation testing to determine whether to require further mitigation of
radio frequency emissions. The cost of any such testing and mitigation shall be borne by the
applicant.
Response: The emissions from the facility will be well within the FCC limits for exposure. A
Non -Ionizing Electromagnetic Exposure Analysis & Engineering Certification (/VIER study)
performed by Morrison Hershfield, dated October 20, 2014, is included in this application to
demonstrate compliance with the FCC standard.
N. Landscaping and Screening.
1. The visual impacts of wireless communication facilities should be mitigated and
softened through landscaping or other screening materials at the base of a
monopole, facility equipment compound, equipment enclosures and ancillary
structures. If the antenna is mounted flush on an existing building, or camouflaged
as part of the building and other equipment is housed inside an existing structure,
no landscaping is required. The director or his designee may reduce or waive the
standards for those sides of the wireless communication facility that are not in
public view, when a combination of existing vegetation, topography, walls,
decorative fences or other features achieve the same degree of screening as the
required landscaping; in locations where the visual impact of the facility would be
minimal; and in those locations where large wooded lots not capable of
subdivision and natural growth around the property perimeter provide a sufficient
buffer.
approximately 0feet from the front property line, and 62feet from the nearest neighboring
residential property. The area where the cabinets will be placed is obscured from the road
and neighboring property by some existing, mature evergreen trees, a perimeter fence, and
some evergreen shrubs. The proposed landscaping around the fence will be native shrubs and
grosses that will blend with the existing landscaping and reach a mature height of around six
feet. The distance from both the road and the neighboring property will further reduce
visibility from the public right-of-way and any receiving properties.
2. Landscaping shall be installed on the outside of fences in accordance with
Chapter 20.13 ECDC. Existing vegetation shall be preserved to the maximum
extent practicable and may be used as a substitute for or as a supplement to
landscaping or screening requirements. The following requirements apply:
a. Type I landscaping shall be placed around the perimeter of the equipment
cabinet enclosure, except that a maximum 10 -foot portion of the fence may
remain without landscaping in order to provide access to the enclosure.
b. Landscaping area shall be a minimum of five -feet in width around -the
perimeter of the enclosure.
c. Vegetation selected should be native and drought tolerant.
d. Landscaping shall be located so as not to create sight distance hazards or
conflicts with other Surrounding utilities.
Response: A landscape plan that complies with the above requirements is included in the
plans submitted for this wireless facility.
3. When landscaping is used, the applicant shall submit a landscaping bond
pursuant to ECDC 20J, .L0.49.
Response: A landscape bond will be submitted prior to issuance of the building permit, should
the facility receive approval.
4. The use of chain link, plastic, vinyl or wire fencing is prohibited. Ornamental
metal or wood fencing materials are preferred. [Ord. 3961 § 1, 2014; Ord. 3845 § 2
(Att. A), 2011].
Response. A solid wood fence is proposed.
20.50.060 Permit requirements.
............. -1 ................ --.-11-1111.1.11 ................ ........... .............................
A. No person may place, construct, reconstruct or modify a wireless communication facility
subject to this chapter without first having in place a permit issued in accordance with this
chapter. Except as otherwise provided herein, the requirements of this chap -ter are in addition
to -the applicable requirements of this title and ECDC Title 11.8.
Response. Verizon is applying for a land use permit, per the table below.
B. Applications will be reviewed based onthe type Ofwireless communication facilities
requested to be permitted. Each wireless communication facility requires the approp/iatetype
ofproject permit review, as shown in Table 20.50.060(B)(1). In the event ofuncertainty on the
type ofawireless facility, the director shall have the authority todetermine what permits are
required for the proposed facility. The conditional use permit types referenced are described in
Ch@pte[20/)1ECDC.
Table 2O.5[.O6O(B)(1)—Permit Requirements for Wireless Communication Facilities
Response: The facility type is a new structure -mounted facilities involviny structure
replacement to obtain additional height and will require aType I/ CUP, building permit, and
right-of-way permit.
C.Any application submitted pursuanttothis chapter for projects |ucatedonpub|icorprivate
property shall be reviewed and evaluated by the director, or his designee. The director of public
works or his/her designee shall review all proposed wireless communication facilities that are
located partially or fully within -the city rights-of-way. Regardless of whether the director or the
directorofpubUcvvorkaortheirrespeCtivedesigneesmrenevievvingtheapp|\cabon,all
applications will bereviewed and evaluated pursuant tothe provisions wf-this chapter.
Response. The facility has portions located both on private property and in the right-of-way.
Q.All applications for wireless communication facilities shall bereviewed for compliance with
the applicable design standards bythe director orhis designee.
Permits Required
Conditional
Right -of -Way
Building Permit
Use Permit
Permit
Type of Wireless Communication Facility
(CUP)
Building -mounted facilities or facilities co-
X (as
located on an existing structure or monopole
X
applicable)
New structure -mounted facilities involving
X (as
structure replacement to obtain additional
X (as applicable)
X (Typ e 11)
applicable)
height
New monopole facilities (pole complies with
X (as
height requir ernent of the underlying zone in
X
applicable)
ECDC Title V9
New monopole facilities (pole exceeds
X
X (Type III -B)
X (as
maximum height of zone in ECDC Title 16)
applicable)
Response: The facility type is a new structure -mounted facilities involviny structure
replacement to obtain additional height and will require aType I/ CUP, building permit, and
right-of-way permit.
C.Any application submitted pursuanttothis chapter for projects |ucatedonpub|icorprivate
property shall be reviewed and evaluated by the director, or his designee. The director of public
works or his/her designee shall review all proposed wireless communication facilities that are
located partially or fully within -the city rights-of-way. Regardless of whether the director or the
directorofpubUcvvorkaortheirrespeCtivedesigneesmrenevievvingtheapp|\cabon,all
applications will bereviewed and evaluated pursuant tothe provisions wf-this chapter.
Response. The facility has portions located both on private property and in the right-of-way.
Q.All applications for wireless communication facilities shall bereviewed for compliance with
the applicable design standards bythe director orhis designee.
Response: This application includes analysis of how the proposedfacility is compliant with
ECDC design standards, for evaluation by the City.
E. The applicant is responsible for obtaining all other permits from any other appropriate
governing body with jurisdiction (i.e., Washington State Department of Labor and Indus -tries,
Federal Aviation Administration, etc.).
Response: Applicant will obtain additional permits as necessary.
F. No provision of this chapter shall be interpreted to allow -the installation of a wireless
communication facility which minimizes parking, landscaping or other site development
standards established by the Edmonds Community Development Code.
Response: The proposal will not minimize ECDC site development standards.
G. Wireless communication facilities that are governed under this chapter shall not be eligible
for variances under Chapter 2().85 ECDC. Any request to deviate from this chapter shall be
based solely on -the exceptions set -forth in this chap -ter.
Fl. Third Party Review. [text omittedfor clarity]
Response: The City may retain a third party to review the application at its discretion.
fl -K omittedfor clarity]
20.50.070 Application requirements.
................... ........ . .. ............... ........................ .................... ...................... ............ .......... ................... ...........
In addition to the requirements of ECDC.20.92.002, and -those associated with the permit types
referenced in ECDC '20.50,060, the following information must be submitted as part of a
complete application for a wireless communication facility permit in the city of Edmonds:
A. Project description including a design narrative, technology description, and co -location
analysis indicating the alternative locations and -technologies considered;
Included in the application as code analysis under 20.50. 050 and in the Project Description.
B. Existing wireless coverage map overlaid on a current aerial photo showing provider's existing
facilities and wireless coverage in the area;
Included in the application in the "'SEA Hickman RF Documentation" along with a description
of the technology to be deployed.
C. Proposed wireless coverage map overlaid on a current aerial photo showing provider's
wireless coverage with -the proposed facility;
Included in the application in the ",SEA Hickman RF Documentation" along with a description
of the technology to be deployed.
D. Site information on scaled plans, including:
L Site plan;
2. Elevation drawings;
3. Undergrounding details, as applicable;
4. Screening, camouflaging or landscaping plan and cost estimate (produced in
accordance with Chapter 20.1.3 ECDC), as appropriate;
A set of zoning drawings produced by Morrison Hershfield (architect) that includes the above
information has been included in the application.
E. Photos and photo simulations showing the existing appearance of -the site and appearance of
the proposed installation from nearby public viewpoints;
A set of photo simulations that includes both "before" and "after" views is included it) the
application.
F. Noise report (per ECDC '20.501050(Q, if applicable;
Verizon will be installing radio cabinets and an emergency backup generator. A noise report is
required, and is included in the application.
G. Radio frequency emissions report for the proposed -facility, which shall not be reviewed
further by the city;
A NIER report detailing RF emissions and the applicable standards is included with the
application.
1-1. Any other documentation deemed necessary by the director in order to issue a decision.
[Ord. 3961. § 1, 2014; Ord. 3845 § 2 (Att. A), 2011.].
Additional information needed by the department to make a determination will be provided
upon request.
20.50.080 Review time frames.
.......... -1 ................ _ .' ..." .................. I .................... ................. ................ .............. ............
[text omitted. Installation of antennas on a replacement utility pole is a type of collocation
subject to the 90 -day review cycle rather than the.120 day review for new monopoles. The
project is also subject to SEPA.
20.50.090 New building. -mounted wireless COMVIlUnication facility Standards.
........... ................ ............... ............................. ............
Response: Does not apply; a building -mounted WFC is not proposed.
20.50.100 New structure -mounted wireless communication facilities standards.
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
A. Generally. Wireless communication facilities located on structures other than buildings, such
as utility poles, light poles, flag poles, transformers, and/or tanks, shall be designed to blend
with these structures and be mounted on them in an inconspicuous manner.
Verizon is proposing to install the facility on a utility pole, as listed above.
1. Wireless communication facilities located on structures within unzoned city rights-of-
way adjacent to single-family residential (RS) zones shall satisfy the following
requirement:
a. No metal pole or tower shall be used within the right-of-way adjacent to a
single-family zoned neighborhood unless required in order to comply with the
provisions of the State Electrical Code. Wooden poles of height and type generally in use
in the surrounding residential neighborhood shall be used unless prohibited by the State
Electrical Code.
ereplacementpole be C roundwood pole, typical of
the
. .^ types of
poles
already in the neighborhood. The pole height increase is due to the line clearances required
to the pole •
2. Wireless communication facilities located on structures shall be painted with
nonreflective colors in a scheme that blends with the underlying structure.
color ofthe wood utility pole.
B. Height.
1. The maximum height of structure -mounted wireless communication facilities
shall not exceed the maximum height specified for each structure or zoning district
(rights-of-way are unzoned); provided the wireless communication facility may
extend up to six feet above the top of the structure on which the wireless
communication facility is installed. Antennas and related equipment shall be
mounted as close as practicable to the structure.
The proposed facility type is a utility pole collocation in the right-of-way. The right-of-way is
unzoned and therefore does not have a zone height limit; utility pole height is limited by
subsection B.3 of this section.
2. Only one extension is permitted per structure.
3. if installed on an electrical transmission or distribution pole, a maximum 15 -foot
vertical separation is required from the height of the existing power lines at -the
site (prior to any pole replacement) to the bottom of the antenna. This vertical
separation is intended to allow wireless carriers to comply with the electrical
utility's requirements for separation between their -transmission lines and the
carrier's antennas.
Verizon is proposing slightly less than the allowed maximum clearance, said clearance has
been preliminarily reviewed and approved by Snopud, the utility pole owner.
C. Equipment Enclosure. Equipment enclosures shall first be located underground. If the
enclosure is within the right-of-way, the enclosure shall be underground. If there is no other
feasible option but to locate the equipment enclosure above ground on private property, the
equipment must be enclosed within an accessory structure which meets the setbacl(s of the
underlying zone and be screened in accordance with ECDC 20�5.0....050(1\1).
Verizon is proposing to locate the equipment above -ground in a fenced lease area on private
property. A vault at this location is infeasible due to the use of the right-of-way for parking
during swim club events, which could block access to the facility for significant amounts of
time. The equipment location meets the setbacks of the zone (equipment is 61"from the road
and 62" from the nearest side, and RS -8 setbacks are 5® from the road and 7.5., from the side).
The equipment will be enclosed inside of a structure (secured fence over 6® forming solid
enclosure). Landscaping has been proposed that meets the screening requirements in
20.50.050(N), and visibility is further mitigated by distance from receiving properties and
existing trees.
D. Feed Lines and Coaxial Cable. Feed lines and cables must be painted to closely match the
color scheme of the structure which supports the antennas.
All feed lines on the utility pole will be enclosed in painted conduit for the majority of their
lengths. Some lines will be exposed adjacent to the antennas, and those lines will either be
painted brown if required, or left the original black, which will blend against the dark exterior
of the wood pole.
E. Only wireless communication providers with a valid right-of-way use agreement shall he
eligible -to apply for a right-of-way construction permit, which shall be required prior -to
installation of facilities within 'the city right -of -may and be in addition -to other permits specified
in this chapter.
Should the project installation design receive land use approval, Verizon will obtain the
necessary right. -of -way use agreement prior to application for a right-of-way construction
permit.
20.50.110 New monopole facility standards.
...
.............................................
...............................................................................................................................
Does not apply., facility is a structure -mounted WCF.
20.50.120 Temporary facilities.
....................................................................................................................................................
Does not apply; facility is a permanent WCF.
20.50.130 Modification.
.....................................................................................................................
Does not apply; facility is new WCF.
A. At such time that a licensed carrier plans to abandon or discontinue operation of a wireless
communication facility, such carrier will notify the director by certified U.S. Mail of the
proposed date of abandonment or discontinuation of operations. Such notice shall be given no
less than 30 days prior to abandonment or discontinuation of operations.
B. In the event that a licensed carrier fails to give such notice, the wireless communication
facility shall be considered abandoned upon the discovery of such discontinuation of
operations.
C. Within 90 days from the date of abandonment or discontinuation of use, the carrier shall
physically remove the wireless communication facility. "Physically remove" shall include, but
not be limited to:
1. Removal of antennas, mounts or racks, the equipment enclosure, screening,
cabling and the like from the subject property.
2. Transportation of the materials removed to a repository outside of the city.
3. Restoration of the wireless communication facility site to its pre -permit
condition, except that any landscaping provided by the wireless communication
facility operator may remain in place.
4. If a carrier fails to remove a wireless communication facility in accordance with
this section, the city shall have the authority to enter the subject property and
physically remove the facility. Costs for removal of the wireless communication
facility shall be charged to the wireless communication facility owner or operator
in the event the city removes the facility. [Ord. 3961 § 1, 2014; Ord. 3845 § 2 (Att.
A), 2011].
A. The applicant shall maintain the WCF to standards that may be imposed by the city at the
time of granting a permit. Such maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, painting,
structural integrity, and landscaping.
B. In the event the applicant fails to maintain the facility, the city of Edmonds may undertake
enforcement action as allowed by existing codes and regulations. [Ord. 3961 § 1, 2014; Ord.
3845 § 2 (Att. A), 2011].
.�_
Network Engineering - /j0���� Verizon Wireless
33Oo168thAve. SE
M/S 231
Bellevue, WA 98008
SEA Hickman Park RE Documentation
Overview:
Verizon Wireless strives to provide excellent wireless service for our customers with e network of cell
sites that allows our customers to na|iob|y place and receive mobile phone calls. In this particular case, we
are trying to provide and enhance coverage in the residential onaam in the town of Edmonds. in
Snohomish County, within an area roughly located east to 100th Ave. VV. west toTimber Ln., north to
Nottingham Rd. and south to NW 205th St.. Development of the proposed site entails placing three
antennas at the replaced utility pole. Providing coverage to our residential cumtomene, along with
continued growth in our custorner base and call traffic in this area has dictated the need for the proposed
Coverage:
In order to provide excellent service, which Verizon Wireless defines as —80 dBm, the antenna height and
site location need to provide a line ofsight to the roads, offices, and homes where our customers work
and reside. Atoto| of three antennas are being proposed to be installed on 62' replaced utility pole, in
order to provide the necessary radio frequencies supporting all of Verizon VVina|eaa voice and data
services.
One key feature of the new cell site will be providing strong in -building coverage to the surrounding
business and residential areas. Strong in -building coverage is often the most difficult goal to attain
because of the degradation of the Radio Frequency (RF) signal through the building itself. 8 RF signal
will quickly drop off when it must travel through solid obstacles such as tree foliage or buildings. For this
reason atower height that is greater than the existing tree and building clutter is required to provide a
better. less obstructed view of the intended coverage area. Early cellular designs placed cell sites with
tall towers on top of hills. This provided cellular companies the ability to cover the most area possible
with very few cell sites. As cellular subscriber numbers have increased this has meant that these high
cell sites have been forced to provide service to a |eq]e number of subscribers in o large area. Cellular
design has evolved so that mu|tip|e, shorter cell sites, located near high treMio, high population areas are
now favored. This allows for a single cell site to provide service for more oubeoribern in a smaller area.
This ultimately results in fewer dropped calls and access failures for the user because the serving cell site
is located closer providing a stronger RF signal.
Because of surrounding vegetation and the rolling terrain features of the proposed coverage area, a taller
height would be pnafexsb|e, as an obstruction before antennas degrades or block signal levels to our
customers, While a taller height is desired, 62 feet is the minimum height necessary for the proposed site
to provide adequate |eva|e of coverage to the surrounding area, as vegetation around or other obstacles
otthe proposed site location are mtorabove 5Ufeet. There ieachance that our customers will riot have
a line ofsight to antennas on the tower utthe proposed location due to obatao|ee, so this is o reason to
install RRU and TIVIA at antennas in order to amplify signal levels at the antennas or) the tower and hence
improve the quality service for Our customers due to degradation of signals due to obstacles between
customers and antennas onthe tower. Verizon Wireless has afrequency licenses in 700 MHz, 850MHz'
PCS and AWS frequency bands. In order to provide excellent service, Verizon Wireless would need to
install a separate antenna for each frequency bond in three directions that would require a total of 12
antennas, However, Verizon Wireless plans to install only three antennas at the replaced utility pole in
order tominimize mvisual impact for the new site.
Propagation Maps:
'['here are several methods for determining where coverage gaps exist within a given network of wireless
sites. One of these is through the use of propagation maps. The propagation map is a computer
Simulation of the strength of Verizon Wireless signals at o given height and location in the context of the
network. Propagation maps are one tool for determining whether a proposed site will meet the coverage
objective and what antenna height is needed to provide robust service for Verizon Wireless customers.
The radio propagation tool is designed to take factors such as terrain and tree coverage into account, and
is calibrated with drive test data so that it depicts a reliable estimate of coverage that would be provided
by a proposed site.
The propagation maps that follow show three levels of service, designated as the following colors:
Green = -80 dBm, a level of service adequate for providing reliable coverage inside a building
Yellow= -90 dBm, a level of service adequate for providing reliable coverage outdoors or
inside a car
White= > -90 dBm, unreliable signal strength, not capable of reliably making and holding a
call
RE Documentation for SEA HICKMAN PARK
Page 2 of 6
Exhibit 1A is a propagation map that shows the existing level of coverage in the proposed service
area in the context of surroundina Verizon Wireless sites.
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RF Documentation for SEA HICKMAN PARK
Page 2 of 6
Exhibit 1 B shows the level of service that would be provided with the proposed site.
RFDocumentation for SEA H|CKMANPARK
Exhibit 1C shows location of the existing Verizon Wireless sites in the area (shown as red polygons
onthe below map)
RFDocumentatinnfor SEA H|CKMANPARK
Page2ofG
An additional function of some wireless sites is to provide additional capacity in an area. The capacity of
wireless networks is limited by the number of available antennas and the radios associated with those
antennas. When a mobile user attempts to make a call on a wireless network where capacity is limited by
these factors, the resulting busy signal can be very frustrating. To remedy capacity issues, additional
antenna sites are added to an area to provide additional calling capacity for Verizon Wireless customers.
Antenna Diversity:
Antenna diversity, also known as space diversity, is one method of enhancing wireless signal to improve
the quality and reliability of a wireless link. Often, in cluttered environments such as the environment
surrounding the subject site, there is not a clear line of sight between the antennas and customers'
handsets. In these cases, the signal may be reflected along multiple paths before it finally reaches the
receiver. These deflections can result in phase shifts, time delays, attenuations, and signal distortion that
the customer may experience as an echo or warbling in the signal, or the signal dropping altogether.
Antenna diversity is especially effective at remedying these types of issues because multiple antennas
provide several "observations" of the same signal. Each antenna will experience a different interference
environment. So, for example, if one antenna is experiencing a deep fade, it is likely that another antenna
in the same sector will have sufficient signal. Providing signal diversity then, is absolutely necessary for
providing robust signal at the proposed location.
Wireless E- 911
Approximately 230,000 Wireless 911 calls are made every day nationwide, and this number continues to
increase. (source: CTIA, the Wireless Association) Wireless E-911 service depends on reliable signal
strength and a fairly dense network of antenna sites in order to function effectively. Because of our
federally -mandated obligation to provide wireless E-911 service, ssignal reliability is paramount. Using
multiple antennas with spatial diversity is an effective way to decrease the number of drop -outs and lost
connections to ensure that coverage in this area is robust and reliable.
Summary:
In summary, the proposed site at a height of 62 feet would barely meet the coverage objective of the
subject site. The height of the proposed antenna and the three antenna array is the minimum required for
the effective functioning of the proposed wireless communication facility, as vegetation around the
proposed site location is at or above 60 feet. Verizon Wireless plans to install only three antennas at the
replaced utility pole in order to minimize a visual impact for the new site.
Sincerely,
Renald Gasparovic
Verizon Wireless
RF Documentation for SEA HICKMAN PARK
Page 2 of 6