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Agenda Number D.1 <br />CITY OF HUGO <br />COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT <br />DEPARTMENT <br />Memorandum <br />TO: Hugo Planning Commission <br />FROM: Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant <br />SUBJECT: Right of Way Ordinance Amendment — To Regulate Small Wireless <br />Facilities. <br />DATE: February 21, 2019 for the Planning Commission meeting of February 28, 2019 <br />1. BACKGROUND: <br />As cellular technology becomes increasingly <br />important in our everyday lives, the demand for cell <br />providers, better coverage, and data has spurred <br />requests for new cellular towers and equipment. <br />Although traditional technologies, which consists of <br />large, bulky antennas bolted to tops of towers, are <br />still highly relevant, there are a variety of smaller, <br />more sophisticated options in use today. A small <br />wireless facility, also known as a small cell, is a <br />newer technology that is a complimentary piece of <br />equipment to traditional cell towers and provides <br />additional cellular data coverage. The antenna and all <br />exposed elements of the small wireless facility can fit <br />within an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet. <br />These facilities are small enough to be mounted on <br />existing structures such as light poles and power <br />lines, which are often found in the public right-of- <br />way (ROW). The image to the right is a standard <br />small wireless facility and supporting equipment. <br />Small cell providers have met barriers when attempting to deploy new equipment in the ROW <br />due to outdated regulations. As a result providers pushed for an amendment to Minnesota's <br />Telecommunications Right -of -Way User statutes that became effective in May of 2017. The <br />amendment has streamlined the permitting process for placement or collocation of small wireless <br />facilities on city -owned structures in public ROW by allowing permitted use in all zoning <br />