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• <br /> • <br /> the FCC also has required providers to establish their service networks as fast as possible, require <br /> the licensee, as a condition of the license, to provide service to a particular geographical area or toW <br /> minimum number of people within a limited period of time. <br /> Local Permitting Process <br /> • <br /> Most local jurisdictions require some type of discretionary permit in order to establish a wireless <br /> communications facility. Providers must fulfill certain requirements,such as compliance with local <br /> zoning regulations and public noticing, before they are allowed to erect a facility in a particular <br /> community. Because of the competitive nature of the industry, expediting the permitting process is <br /> important to providers. In general,providers seek the easiest and fastest way to gain local approval, <br /> and should work with planners and decision-makers to address local issues and avoid rendering a <br /> site technically infeasible or cost prohibitive. <br /> Another way in which some members of the wireless communications industry have approached <br /> the local permitting process is by attempting to have local control over wireless communications <br /> facilities preempted on the federal level, thereby avoiding the local process altogether. For <br /> example, in December 1994, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) filed a <br /> petition with the FCC asking for federal preemption of local zoning powers over cellular <br /> transmission facilities. The petition is currently under consideration by the FCC. <br /> Technical Feasibility <br /> • <br /> Wireless communications providers consider various technical site selection criteria when siting <br /> new facilities. A general area is identified by a system's engineer based on engineering constraints <br /> and the desired area of service. Specific sites within that general area are then evaluated using the <br /> selection criteria, which may include: surrounding topography and its relation to line of sight <br /> transmission for optimum efficiency in service; availability of road access, availability of electric <br /> power, availability of land based telephone lines and/or microwave link capability; leasibility of the <br /> site; radiofrequency interference; mechanical and electrical compatibility; structural capacity of the <br /> supporting structure; and maximizing coverage of the desired area with the least number of sites. <br /> How to Balance the Needs of Local Governments and Industry Providers <br /> There is a clear need to balance local governmental issues with those of the industry providers. The <br /> following section attempts to balance the needs of both parties in three primary areas: (1) visual <br /> impacts; (2) health and safety issues; and (3) the local permitting process. Based on discussions <br /> and information exchanged between local governments and the wireless communication industry as <br /> part of the Communications Facilities Subcommittee, the following guidelines are recommended to <br /> local governments in the San Diego region. <br /> 1. Establish clear, reasonable development standards and/or mitigation measures to minimize <br /> the visual impacts of wireless communications facilities. <br /> 4 <br />