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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY <br /> <br /> Work Session: Small Cell Technology in the Right-of-Way Meeting Date: October 9, 2019 Agenda Item Number: 2 Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Scott Milovich <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-4813 <br />ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council requested a work session to better understand how small cell technology is installed and regulated in the right-of-way. This presentation will include an overview of the existing program to regulate and permit small cell installations in City right-of-way as well as a description of current and pending installations. <br />BACKGROUND In accordance with City Code, Eugene Public Works permits telecommunications equipment in the City’s right-of-way, including equipment classified as “small cell.” “Small cell” is an umbrella term for low-powered radio access nodes, including Distribution Antenna Systems, designed to complement the larger macro cell network. They have shorter range and use smaller equipment and antennas than traditional macro cell sites. The permitting process for “small cell” equipment follows established standards and guidelines developed for public and operator safety including maintaining adequate sightlines and traffic control, aesthetics, efficient working conditions, and effective management of the public rights-of-way. These guidelines and standards are based on adopted administrative rules, council’s adopted Telecommunications Vision and Policy, Eugene Code, council’s adopted findings in telecommunications-related land use and right-of-way ordinances, and Federal Communication Commission rules. In addition, small cell equipment installed on City-owned poles is subject to requirements of City lease agreements. The City’s aesthetic standards and application requirements are related to undergrounding, stealth technology, total volume of equipment, ornamental and architectural poles, and traffic signal poles. City staff also follow guidelines that establish general parameters under which requests for telecommunications facilities may be allowed within the public right-of-way. The primary objective of the guidelines is to provide telecommunications providers with a better sense of what the City, Eugene Water & Electric Board, and other right-of-way facility owners will accept related to telecommunications facilities in the right-of-way. Staff first created the guidelines in 2014 and have since updated them three times, the latest in 2018.