Wireless Telecommunication Facility€¦ · 4/25/2013 · Overview of Site Design/Location Criteria . The network of AT&T cell sites throughout the region is “location dependent,”

January 6, 1998

Wireless Telecommunication Facility

Site Id: CN4988 – University Avenue & McGee Avenue

APN# 056-2004-024

Address:

1632 University Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94703

REPRESENTATIVE: Valerie Tallerico

Trillium Telecom Services

7901 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 503

Pleasanton, CA 94588

Phone: 714-414-5618

[email protected]

ATTACHMENT 3 ZAB 04-25-13 Page 1 of 16


Page 2 January 6, 1998

Introduction New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC, d/b/a AT&T Mobility (“AT&T”) is a registered

public utility, licensed and regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission and

the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). As a public utility, AT&T Mobility

is mandated by the FCC to provide wireless communication services throughout

California. AT&T is dedicated to providing customers with wireless technology

designed to enrich their lives as their mobility is increasing. AT&T’s vision is to simplify

the wireless experience for its consumer and business customers by offering easy-to-

understand, affordable rate plans and excellent customer service. AT&T is bringing next-

generation wireless data products - from corporate e-mail to downloadable ringtones - to

customers nationwide through its advanced networks. The network performance goals

include providing the best quality, lowest level of blocking, easy access to the network

and continuous drop-free connections.

AT&T's wireless network is based on GSM and UMTS technologies. These technologies

are a wireless communication standard that require reusing specific frequencies across

defined frequency bands. Due to the need for frequency reuse, GSM and UMTS require

numerous sites to provide customers with suitable signal strength to deliver services.

These sites are typically built on existing buildings, lattice towers and freestanding poles

in order to provide a network of sites that provide seamless coverage over an area.

Preference is given to co-locating with another carrier on an existing structure.

In addition to these 3G wireless service gap issues, AT&T is in the process of deploying

its 4G LTE service in Berkeley with the goal of providing the most advanced personal

wireless experience available to residents of the City. AT&T holds a license with the

FCC and has a responsibility to utilize this spectrum to provide personal wireless services

in the City. 4G LTE is capable of delivering speeds up to 10 times faster than industry-

average 3G speeds. LTE technology also offers lower latency, or the processing time it

takes to move data through a network, such as how long it takes to start downloading a

webpage or file once you’ve sent the request. Lower latency helps to improve the quality

of personal wireless services. What's more, LTE uses spectrum more efficiently than

other technologies, creating more space to carry data traffic and services and to deliver a

better overall network experience. This is particularly important in Berkeley because of

the likely high penetration of the new 4G LTE iPad and other LTE devices.

Efforts are currently underway in Berkeley to establish the required infrastructure. AT&T

has retained the services of Trillium to facilitate the land use entitlement process. AT&T

is currently seeking the review and approval of a Conditional Use Permit and Design

Review to allow the construction, operation, and maintenance of an unmanned wireless

telecommunications facility in the General Commercial District C-1 zoning district

located at 1632 University Avenue in Berkeley (“Proposed Facility”).

Background

AT&T serves millions of voice and data customers across the United States. Wireless

communications continue to change the future of telecommunications with easy-to-use,

lightweight and highly mobile communications devices including: smartphones, tablets,

e-readers, and notebook computers. Wireless communications provide voice, e-mail,




texting and high-speed Internet access capabilities for customer’s communications needs

virtually anywhere and at any time.

The wireless network being developed by AT&T uses state of the art digital technology.

The benefits include call privacy and security, improved voice quality, high-speed data,

texting, video conferencing, visual voicemail, and an expanded menu of affordable

products and services for personal and professional communications needs.

The Proposed Facility will enhance the area’s public safety infrastructure by providing

wireless communication services to the surrounding neighborhood and local community.

The general public, police, fire fighters, and other emergency personnel rely heavily on

wireless communications for fast and dependable communications at all times, but

especially during natural disasters or other emergencies, such as earthquakes and fires.

Like other carriers in the industry, AT&T is working diligently to respond to the

customer demand for mobile services, by expanding services to its customers from where

they have historically used mobile phones, while traveling in the vehicle at their offices

to where they are demanding more and more service in the residential communities, in-

building coverage in their homes.

AT&T is requesting the review and the approval of a permit to allow the construction,

operation, and maintenance of an unmanned wireless telecommunications facility

(“WTF”). The project is proposed to close a significant service coverage gap and

enhance personal wireless services in the area surrounding the site. AT&T's service

coverage area in the city must be improved to handle the growing number of voice calls

and wireless data usage. To remain competitive, AT&T must improve services in the

areas where consumers are increasingly using their phones and data services.

The project consists of:

Installation of twelve (12) panel antennas which will be located on poles

on the building roof top and concealed within two new stealth screen

enclosures. The screen enclosures will be textured and painted to match

the finish of the existing building. One enclosure will be located on the

existing elevator room on the roof, which will contain eight (8) antennas

and have an overall height of 56 feet The second enclosure will contain

four (4) antennas and have an overall height of 47 feet 10 inches. Also

proposed are fifteen (15) remote radio units (RRUs), three (3) surge

suppressors, and a GPS antenna.

Additionally, AT&T proposes to install radio cabinets and supporting

electrical, telecommunications, and cooling units housed inside the

basement of the building. These enclosures will not be visible from the

street or have any effect on parking.

Once constructed and operational, the Proposed Facility will provide 24-hour service to

customers seven (7) days a week. Apart from initial construction activity, an AT&T




technician will service the facility on a periodic basis. It is reasonable to expect that

routine maintenance/inspection of the facility will occur about once a month during

normal working hours. Beyond this intermittent service, AT&T requires 24-hour access

to the Proposed Facility to ensure that technical support is immediately available if and

when warranted.

Overview of Site Design/Location Criteria

The network of AT&T cell sites throughout the region is “location dependent,” meaning

that there is a necessary and logical interrelationship between each proposed site.

Eliminating or relocating a single cell site can lead to gaps in the system and prohibit

AT&T from providing uninterrupted or reliable service to customers in a defined

coverage area. Further, the elimination or relocation of a cell site will most often have a

“domino” effect on other cell site locations and necessitate significant design changes or

modifications to the network.

In identifying the proposed location, AT&T network deployment personnel have selected

the Proposed Facility because it meets the technical objectives of RF engineering and

provides the best site option with regard to other key criteria, including , but not limited

to, accessibility, utility connections, zoning compatibility, minimal or no visual impact,

liability and risk assessment, site acquisition, maintenance and construction costs. Further

discussion of the site selection process is detailed in the Alternatives Analysis provided

with this submittal.

Description of Coverage Area

AT&T’s objective in locating a WTF at this site is to provide improved in-building and

in-transit wireless coverage. The Proposed Facility is needed to close a significant service

coverage gap in personal wireless service and provide improved coverage in an area

roughly bounded by Cedar Street to the north, Channing Way to the south, Acton Street to

the west and Milvia Street (near UC Berkeley) to the east. The Proposed Facility will

improve coverage to the surrounding residential and commercial areas, including dozens of

residentially-zoned city neighborhoods with hundreds of residences, key commercial zones,

including C-1 districts along and near principal commercial thoroughfares of University

Avenue and Sacramento Street, as well as the Berkeley Police Department, public transit

stations, numerous restaurants and cafes, several places of worship, Civic Center Park,

Ohlone Park, schools and many other commercial and cultural points of interest in Berkeley.

Please see the RF statement and Coverage Maps provided with the submittal package.

Land Use Analysis

The site is located in the C-1 zoning district and the current use of the property is

commercial store fronts at the ground level with the apartments above (California

Apartments). AT&T proposes to install a roof-mounted WTF that will include stealthing

of the proposed antenna equipment. The proposed project meets the intent of the

Berkeley Municipal Code, including compliance with the Wireless Ordinance, Chapter

23C.17 of the Municipal Code. The Proposed Facility meets the locational requirements

in Section 23C.17.050 of the Wireless Ordinance because it will be a roof-mounted,

screened WTF. The Proposed Facility also meets the height requirements under Section

23C.17.060 of the Wireless Ordinance as the property is mixed use and the proposed




wireless installation does not exceed 15 feet above the current height limit of the district.

Additionally, the proposed roof-mounted equipment will be screened from public view in

a design that is architecturally integrated into the existing building. The Proposed Facility

will be further screened by the existing billboard located on the roof top. The application

also proposes equipment cabinets to be located in the basement of the building. This is

the preferred siting for ancillary equipment per Section 23C.17.060.K of the Wireless

Ordinance.

Site Development Standards and General Plan

The location, size, design, and operating characteristics of the Proposed Facility will not

create unusual noise, traffic or other conditions or situations that may be objectionable,

detrimental or incompatible with the surrounding land uses. The proposed use is

consistent with this finding in that:

1. The proposed equipment associated with the telecommunication structure

operates quietly or virtually noise free.

2. The equipment does not emit fumes, smoke, or odors that could be considered

objectionable.

3. The Proposed Facility will be unmanned and only requires periodic

maintenance, which equates to approximately one trip per month. The

Proposed Facility will not result in conditions or circumstances contrary to the

public health, safety and the general welfare. The proposed use is consistent

with this finding in that:

Unlike other land uses, which can be spatially determined through the General Plan or

other land use plans, the location of WTFs are based on technical requirements such as

network design criteria, service area, elevations, topography, heights of nearby structures,

alignment with neighboring sites and customer demand.

The Proposed Facility will be unmanned, have no impact on circulation systems, and

generate no noise, odor, smoke, or any other adverse impacts to adjacent land uses. The

proposed facility will allow commuters and residents within the coverage area wireless

access to the rapidly expanding communications infrastructure by providing voice and

data transmission services not currently available. The installation of antenna sectors and

transmission equipment will not result in any material changes to the character of the

local community. The Proposed Facility will operate in full compliance with applicable

state and federal laws, including the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Regulating Agencies

AT&T is regulated by the FCC and is authorized to operate in the frequencies established

for PCS operators. AT&T’s WTFs operate at the lowest possible power levels and are

well below established standards used by the FCC for safe human exposure to radio

frequency electromagnetic fields. These standards have been tested and proved safe by

the American National standards Institute (ANSI) and the Institute of Electrical and

Electronics Engineers (IEEE). As explained in the RF engineering analysis provided by




Hammett & Edison, Inc., Consulting Engineers, submitted with this Application, the

Proposed Facility will operate well within (and actually far below) all applicable FCC

public exposure limits.

Potential for Future Collocation

The lease agreement between AT&T and the property owner does not preclude

collocation of other WTFs on the building.

Statement Related to Need

The Proposed Facility is necessary to fill a significant gap in the AT&T's service

coverage; particularly in-building and in-transit coverage. As explained and illustrated in

the RF statement submitted with this Application, the installation of this site will close a

significant service coverage gap and improve the quality of service provided to AT&T

customers within the city.

Please see Alternatives Analysis attached for discussion of alternative sites considered.

Description of Services

The Proposed Facility will provide in-building and in-transit coverage for 3G and 4G

LTE services to the residents and visitors to the City of Berkeley.

Visibility

The proposed twelve (12) new panel antennas are located on roof-mounted poles behind

screening material that will be painted and textured to match the existing building. Eight

(8) of the antennas are proposed to be located on the existing elevator room on the roof.

The proposed antennas will be located on top of the elevator room and will have

screening material extended above the elevator room to screen the equipment from view.

The four (4) remaining antennas will be mounted to the existing staircase and concealed

with screening material.

Third Party Evaluation Statement

AT&T has provided a deposit with the application package for reasonable, actual cost

and administrative fees for the hiring of an independent qualified engineering consultant

to evaluate any technical aspect of the proposed site. AT&T will provide the engineer

necessary information to perform the evaluation.

Noise Data

A deposit has been included with the submittal package for preparation of an acoustic

report by the City appointed consultant.

Assurance of Removal

Prior to issuance of a building permit to erect or install the proposed facility, AT&T shall

secure a bond or provide financial assurances, in a form acceptable to the City Manager,

for the removal of the facility in the event it is abandoned or the approval is otherwise

terminated.


Alternatives Analysis

AT&T Mobility

Wireless Telecommunications Facility

at

1632 University Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94703

CN4988


2

AT&T Mobility has identified a significant gap in its service coverage in Berkeley. AT&T Mobility

proposes to install a wireless communications facility (“WCF”) at 1632 University Avenue

(“Proposed Facility”) as a means to fill this gap in service coverage. The facility consists of twelve

panel antennas (four antennas for each of three sectors) concealed from view by screening materials

which match the color and texture of the building. Equipment cabinets are also proposed to be

located in the basement of the building. The antennas will be located in two places on the roof. Four

(4) antennas will be mounted on poles on the existing stairwell penthouse at approximately 45 feet

with the proposed screening extending to 47 feet, 10 inches and eight (8) antennas will be located on

poles on the existing elevator room penthouse with the proposed screening extending to 56 feet in

height. The Proposed Facility is the least intrusive means to fill the significant gap of the alternatives

investigated by AT&T Mobility as set forth below.

Objective AT&T Mobility has identified a significant gap in its in-building and in-transit coverage in the City

of Berkeley, in an area roughly bounded by Cedar Street in the north, Channing Way to the south,

Acton Street to the west and Milvia Street (near UC Berkeley) to the east. The Proposed Facility will

improve coverage to the surrounding residential and commercial areas, including dozens of

residentially-zoned city neighborhoods with hundreds of residences, key commercial zones,

including C-1 districts along and near principal commercial thoroughfares of University Avenue and

Sacramento Street, as well as the Berkeley Police Department, public transit stations, numerous

restaurants and cafes, several places of worship, Civic Center Park, Ohlone Park, schools and many

other commercial and cultural points of interest in Berkeley. The following map shows the current

coverage in this area of Berkeley.


3

In-Building Coverage (Green): AT&T customers can make and receive calls on 3G service and transmit 3G data

reliably indoors.

In Transit Coverage (Yellow): AT&T customers can make or receive calls and transmit data reliably on 3G service in a

bus, train, vehicle or other above ground transportation, and unreliably indoors.

Outdoor Coverage (Blue): AT&T customers can make and receive calls on 3G service and transmit 3G data outdoors

but not inside of a vehicle, on public transportation or indoors reliably.

Existing AT&T Wireless communications facilities are marked with black circle.


4

Methodology and Zoning Criteria The location of a WCF to fill a significant gap in coverage is dependent upon topography, zoning,

existing structures, collocations opportunities, available utilities, access and a willing landlord.

Wireless communications is line-of-sight technology which requires WCFs to be in relatively close

proximity to the wireless handsets to be served. The gently sloping urban topography of the service

coverage gap to be filled in Berkeley requires elevation to serve a broader coverage area.

AT&T Mobility seeks to fill any significant gap in service coverage using the least intrusive means

under the values expressed in Chapter 23C.17, Wireless Telecommunication Facilities provisions of

the Berkeley Municipal Code (“Wireless Ordinance”). The Wireless Ordinance sets forth the

preferences for the locations of WCFs in Berkeley. Per Section 23C.17.070 of the Wireless

Ordinance, the order of preference for facility type is: microcell, façade-mounted, roof-mounted,

ground-mounted, and freestanding tower. The Wireless Ordinance also encourages screening of

façade and roof-mounted antennas.

Based on these parameters, AT&T investigated available site locations that could provide service

coverage to close the significant gap. The result of AT&T Mobility’s analysis is set forth below.

AT&T Search Ring Area

The following map was generated by AT&T Radio Frequency Engineers to show the area where a

new facility will best serve the service coverage objective.


5

Analysis AT&T Mobility investigated potential alternatives for facilities to fill the identified significant gap in

Berkeley. The following map shows the alternatives that are discussed below.

Location of Candidate Sites

1. 1632 University Avenue -- Proposed Facility

Conclusion: Based upon the superior coverage as shown in the proposed coverage map, which is

included in AT&T's Radio Frequency Statement, the camouflage design shown in the photo

simulation and compliance with the Wireless Ordinance described above, the proposed facility is the

least intrusive means for AT&T Mobility to meet its service coverage objective.


6

The facility will be located on an existing commercial/residential mixed-use building zoned

Commercial (C-1). This site has a willing landlord. It is feasible from a construction standpoint with

the antennas being located on poles on the rooftop and there is sufficient space to locate the

equipment cabinets inside the basement. As designed, as shown in the photo simulations provided

with the use permit application and on the cover of this report, the Proposed Facility will be

architecturally integrated into the existing commercial building to minimize visual impact to the

surrounding neighborhood.

The Proposed Facility satisfies the Wireless Ordinance:

Locating equipment cabinets inside the building is preferred per Section 23C.17.070.K of the

Wireless Ordinance.

Roof-mounted facilities are listed as a preferred design type per Section 23C.17.070.A of the

Wireless Ordinance.

Antennas and radio equipment on the facility will be camouflaged and screened from view in

compliance with Section 23C.17.070.C.1 of the Wireless Ordinance.

The screen enclosures will be painted and textured to match the existing building in

compliance with Section 23C.17.070.D of the Wireless Ordinance.

The Wireless Ordinance specifies in Section 23C.17.070.C.1 that “Roof-mounted antennas

shall be located in an area of the roof where the visual impact is minimized.” The roof top at

1632 University Avenue offers a unique opportunity to provide additional screening the

antennas because of the existing billboard on the rooftop. This billboard will completely

screen the antennas from view looking east.

A roof-mounted WCF at this location is ideal among the alternatives because of existing screening

from the potential visual impact of the facility along with the building’s central location in the search

ring and coverage objective area.

2. 1728 University Avenue

Conclusion: More intrusive means; greater visual impact due to needed height for WCF.

This building is a two-story mixed use building zoned C-1. In order for a facility at this location to

provide equitable coverage to that of the proposed site, the facility would need to be 45-50 feet tall.

In order to meet the needed height, an approximately 20 foot extension to the roof top would be

needed. This would be create a significant visual impact to the surrounding area. Unlike the

Proposed Facility, this property has no existing element to aid in screening. The Proposed Facility

location will be better screened and architecturally integrated. A WCF at this alternative site would

be more intrusive than the Proposed Facility.


7


Conclusion: Landlord declined lease negotiations with AT&T; no roof space for WCF installation.

The property is residential apartment building on property zoned C-1. T-Mobile has an existing

facility installed on this property. The landlord declined to enter into negotiations with AT&T.

Additionally, there are solar panels installed throughout the rooftop and there is no space for an

antenna installation.



In order to meet the service coverage objective from this location, antennas would need to be located

higher than the existing billboard. This would require the antennas to be at a height of approximately

10 feet above the sign, which already extends many feet above the rooftop. The necessary height for

a signal to clear the billboard would be far more visually impactful than the Proposed Facility as the

installation would not be architecturally integrated or screened by existing elements on the building,

and it would be very tall. A WCF at this alternative site would be more intrusive than the Proposed

Facility.


8

5. 1701 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94703

Conclusion: Inadequate roof space for a WCF.

This property is a mixed use building. Due to the pitched roof of this building, there is not adequate

space for antenna equipment or a stealth enclosure and architectural integration into the existing

structure would be difficult. There are no existing visual elements to screen a roof top installation to

reduce visual impacts of a new roof-mounted facility. A WCF at this alternative site would be more

intrusive than the Proposed Facility.


Conclusion: Inadequate roof space for a WCF.

This property use is an apartment building. There is inadequate space for a wireless facility due to the

roof pitch on the portions of the building closest to University Avenue. There are also numerous solar

panels on the roof which take up available space. Due to the space constraints and the lack of existing


9

roof elements to either locate a facility on or screen a potential roof-mounted facility, a WCF at this

alternative site would be more intrusive than the Proposed Facility.



This property is a mixed use building. This building is lower in height than the site for the Proposed

Facility, which would necessitate installing very tall roof top elements. In order to meet the service

coverage objective, the antennas would need to be 45-50 feet high. To achieve this height, roof

elements of 10-15 feet would need to be added to the top of the building. This building also lacks

adequate architectural features to screen and reduce the visual impacts of a WCF. A WCF at this

alternative site would be more intrusive than the Proposed Facility.

8. 1640 Addison Street – St. Joseph’s Church

Conclusion: Infeasible; would not meet service coverage objective.

A WCF at this property would not provide adequate coverage for the objective area. The adjacent

buildings would block the antenna signal to University Avenue, thus making it infeasible to meet the

service coverage objective from this site.


10

Conclusion

Based on the above analysis, the Proposed Facility is the least intrusive means to fill the significant

gap in AT&T's service coverage based upon the values expressed in the Wireless Ordinance. In

compliance with those values, the Proposed Facility will be a visually-screened roof-mounted design

with the equipment cabinets located in the basement of this mixed use building in the C-1

Commercial District. No other alternative reviewed provided comparable signal coverage while

complying with the requirements and values of the Wireless Ordinance and General Plan.


Documents

Wireless Telecommunication Facility€¦ · 4/25/2013 · Overview of Site Design/Location Criteria . The network of AT&T cell sites throughout the region is “location dependent,”