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DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR
WIRELESS FACILITIES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
The following Design and Development Standards are subject to change at any time.
When preparing and submitting permit applications, applicants are responsible for ensuring that they refer to and use the most-current version of these standards, available on Culver City’s website
at the sole discretion of the City of Culver City (City)
Chapter 11.20.065.D.1 of the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) governs the permitting, installation, and regulation of personal wireless s ervices facilities in the City’s public rights-of-way (PROW). Chapter 11.20.065.D.1 als o authorizes the Public Works Director/City Engineer to develop and publish stan dards governing the placement and modification of wireless facilities, including re gulations governing collocation, resolution of conflicting applications for placeme nt of wireless facilities, and creating acceptable design and development standards for wi reless facilities located in the PROW that protect and preserve community aesthet ics and zoning districts.
DEFINITIONS. The definitions set forth in Chapter 11.20.065.B of the CCMC are incorporated herein by reference. The following additional definitions apply to these Design and Development Standards:
A. “Technically Infeasible” means a circumstance in which the a pplicant has demonstrated that compliance with a specific requirement of the se Design and Development Standards is impossible and not merely more difficult or expensive than a non-compliant alternative.
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS. The intent of this
section is: to require that wireless facilities and antennas are installed in a manner that will not create adverse aesthetic impacts on abutting and nearby properties; to protect scenic, historic, natural , or cultural resources of the City; to assure land use compatibility with properties adjacent to such wireless facilit ies; to minimize negative visual, noise and aesthetic impacts; and to protect the general safety, welfare, and quality of life of the community. The following design and development standards shall apply to all wireless facilities in the PROW
A. Visual Criteria
1. Undergrounding of all wireless facilities, except for antenn as (and antennas with radios that are manufactured together as one piece of equipment), radios enclosed in a shroud, and structures (e.g. poles, towers and conduit) needed to physically support or connect the antennas, is required in Underground Districts and strongly preferred everywhere else. Where above-ground facilities will be install ed,
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utilization of equipment mounting base plates and equipment enclosures that are no wider than the greater of 18 inches or the width of the existing pole, and therefore less likely to detract from views of scenic streetscapes, are preferred. Camouflaging and integrating above-ground wireless facilities by using non-refle ctive materials and colors that blend in with their surroundings is required.
When placed above-ground, wireless equipment shall either be completely contained and concealed within the interior of an integrated streetlight, be contained within an above ground pedestal, or when technically feasible attached within a shroud at the top of an existing street light or utility pole in a manner where their p rotrusion is minimized. Above ground pedestal cabinets in the Transit Oriented Development District and Downtown District require photo- wrapping to camouflage them. New pole installations shall be substantially similar in type, height, color and texture as the o t h e r poles in the immediate area.
B. Location and Design
1. Traffic Signals: Attaching wireless facilities to City-owne d traffic signal poles is permitted under the following conditions:
a. Installations on all traffic signal structures must not interfere with the integrity of the facility in any way that may compromise the safety of the public. The
installation must not interfere with other existing uses on the pole such as traffic signals, traffic signs, traffic signal preemption devices, cameras, street light
luminaries, hanging flower planters, flags, and/or
banners. Installation of small cell facilities on any traffic signal structure shall
(i) not obstruct the safe oper ation of traffic control; and
(ii) be encased in a separate conduit than the traffic
signal electronics; and
(iii) have an electric power connection, that is fully contained within the pole, that is separate from the
traffic signal’s electric power connection; and
(iv) have a separate pull box from the traffic signal; and
(v) not interfere with driver or pedestrian sight lines for vehicles or pedestrians.
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2. Undergrounding: Except for antennas, antennas and radios that are manufactured together as one piece of equipment, radios enclosed in a shroud, and structures (e.g. poles, towers and conduit) needed to physically support or connect the antennas, undergrounding of wireless facilities in
Underground Districts is required.
3. Sharing: Sharing of equipment location by wir eless infrastructure providers is preferred within underground vaults, in above-ground pedestal cabinets, integrated streetlights and within integrated Stand-Alone poles. However, to avoid
excessive visual clutter, sharing is undesirable on utility- owned poles, except for utility-owned poles located in alleys.
4. Traffic Sign Posts: Attachments to stop sign or other traff ic sign posts are prohibited. However, wireless infrastructure providers may propose their removal and replacement with a Stand-Alone Pole pursuant to Section 2.B.5.e of these Design and Development Standards, provided that the new Stand- Alone Pole has the capability of attaching one or more traffic signs or banners to it.
5. Design/Styling Guidelines:
a. Pedestal Cabinets: Pedestal Cabinets are prohibited in Underground Districts.
When wireless facilities cannot be placed underground
or be integrated into a pole, the radios, meter, batteries, fiber optic cable connections and other equipment shall be contained within the smallest pedestal cabinet
available that will accommodate the equipment. In the Transit Oriented Development District and in those City Business Improvement Districts that require it, pedestal cabinets will be camouflaged. This may be in the form of photo- wrapping or other method as established for
each Business Improvement District by the City. In
those Business Improvement Districts that require
photo- wraps such as in Downtown, they shall use
photographs of the adjacent physical surroundings to
create photo-wraps that mini mize the cabinets’ visual
impact in a manner consistent with Section A.1 of these Design and Development Standards.
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Below are examples of appropriately wrapped pedestal
cabinets:
b. Utility-Owned Pole and Aerial Mounts:
(i) Antennas installed on utility-owned poles or on
aerial cables:
(A) Antennas shall be attached to the very top of
the pole unless an applicant can demonstrate
that it is: the proposed facility is exempt from
this requirement to top-mount the antenna
pursuant to the provisions of Section 3
(Exemptions).
(1) infeasible to attach their antenna and radio
to the top of a utility pole; and
(2) infeasible to strand mount; and
(3) infeasible to attach to an existing nearby
streetlight; and
(4) infeasible to replace a nearby streetlight in
order to install the antenna.
(B) Shall be contained within a shroud of the
same color as the pole. When it is technically
infeasible to shroud the antennas, they must
simulate the same material and color as the
existing utility pole and be stacked vertically.
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(C) Must use conduit, concealing all cables
leading to the antenna, which is the same color
as the pole their being attached to.
(D) Antennas and radios may also be
strand- m o u n t e d, w h i c h i s preferred in
non-residential zones, residential backyard
easements and in alleys.
(E) Antennas and/or radios may also be mounted
on a cross-arm, with each antenna unit
separated at the minim um required by G.O.
95. (ii) Radios must either be:
(A) Enclosed within a shroud that matches the
color of the utility pole and be mounted at the
very top of the utility pole in a manner that
minimizes their protrusion;
(B) Placed on the side of the pole and enclosed
within a vertical shroud the minimum width to
safely accommodate radios and cables; or,
(CB) Strand-mounted on aerial fiber optic cables,
which are encouraged in non-residential
zones, residential backyard easements and in
alleys.
(1) When it is technically infeasible to shroud
the radios, they must simulate the same
material and color as the existing utility
pole and be stacked vertically.
(iii) Following are examples of the wireless installations described in subsection 2.B.5.b above:
(A) Below is an example of an acceptable antenna
and radio enclosed within a shroud that is
attached to the very top of the pole that matches
its color:
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(B) Below is an example of an acceptable radio
and antenna strand-mounted on aerial fiber
optic cable:
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When an applicant can demonst rate that it is i)
infeasible to attach their antenna and radio to the top of a utility pole; and ii) it is infeasible to attach to or replace a nearby streetlight, then the antenna and
radio may be placed mid-pole on the utility pole. If an applicant cannot place their antenna and radio to the
top of a utility pole, streetli ght or mid-pole, then they may be strand mounted.
(C) Below is an example of an acceptable
radio and antenna that are mounted mid-
pole on a utility pole containing electric
transmission lines:
c. City-owned streetlights: R adios and antennas may be attached to a City streetlight under the following
conditions:
(i) All equipment shall be attached to the very top
of the pole.
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(ii) All cables, radios a n d antennas shall be contained within a shroud where technically
feasible that simulates the same material and
color as the existing pole, with cut-outs required
for signal propagation.
(A) When it is technically infeasible to shroud
the radio and/or antenna, they must
simulate the same material and color as
the existing streetlight pole and be
stacked vertically.
(iii) The following is an example of an acceptable
cable, radio and antenna installation s contained
within a shroud that simulate s the material and
color of the existing streetlight pole:
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d. Replacement Streetlights: Subject to City’s approval and execution of a separate agreement, wireless
infrastructure providers may remove existing City-
owned streetlights and replace them with integrated
streetlight poles that contain all of the wireless
infrastructure provider’s eq uipment concealed within
their interior, so long as the replacement streetlight and pole is substantially similar in type, taper, height, color and texture to the City streetlight being replaced.
(i) Examples ofSamples of Acceptable
Integrated Streetlight Replacement Poles .
Though other integrated streetlights may be
acceptable to the City, the following are
examples samples of facilities whichthat the City
finds to be acceptable:
(A) Cobra Head: An exampleSamples of an
acceptable cobra head Integrated
Streetlight Replacement Pole is the
Smart Fusion Line manufactured by
American Tower and others ,are depicted
below:
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(B) Davit Streetlight: An exampleSamples of an
acceptable Davit Integrated Streetlight
Replacement Pole is the one manufactured by
Conceal Fab and others are, depicted below:
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(C) Single Acorn: An example of an acceptable
single acorn Integrated Streetlight
Replacement Pole is the Smart Fusion Line
manufactured by American Tower, depicted
below:
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(D) Double Acorn: An example of an acceptable
double acorn Integrated Streetlight
Replacement Pole is the Concealment Pole
Line manufactured by Conceal Fab, depicted
below:
(The photograph above is intended to depict the whole
pole from top to bottom however, it includes a single acorn luminaire instead of double.)
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e. New Stand-Alone Poles: A Stand-Alone Pole is one that is owned and maintained by the Wireless Infrastructure
Provider and does not contain any City- owned facilities within or upon them . Pursuant to CCMC Section
11.20.065.D.k all applications proposing the installation of a Stand-Alone Pole may be referred to the City Council for review and decision, which review is triggered when the Public Works Director / City Engineer determines that the Wireless Infrastructure Provider has failed to adequately demonstrate that all other options are technically infeasible to implement. Stand-Alone Poles must contain all of the wireless infrastructure provi der’s equipment concealed within their interior and be substantially similar in type, height, color and texture as the other poles located in the immediate area. Any of the integrated streetlight poles identified in Section
2.B.5.d of these Design Standards are available from their manufacturers without their luminaires and may be
proposed for use as Stand-Alone Poles. Stand- Alone
Poles are not required to be equipped with a luminaire.
Provided the Wireless Infrastructure Provider agrees to permit the City to do so at no cost to the City, the City may affix traffic, parking, directional or other non-electrified signs upon Stand Alone Poles, provided doing so does not interfere with their operation.
C. Placement
Placement preferences are listed below for zones (in Sect. 2.C. 1), roadways (in Sect. 2.C.2) and locations (in Sect. 2.C.3). An applicant may use a less-preferred zone, roadway or location only if no preferred option is available and technically feasible.
1. Wireless facilities in the PROW shall be installed in the fo llowing order or preference, listed from the most-preferred zone to the least preferred zone:
i) Non-residential zones, e.g . Industrial, c ommercial; ii) Residential zones, including m ixed-use commercial zones tha t permit residential uses.
The City’s Zoning Map adopted by City Council Resolution shall be used to determine the applicable zone for PROW locations and CCMC Secti on
17.120.010 applies to resolve any uncertainty about the zone ap plicable for a particular site.
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2. Within any particular zone, wireless facilities in the PROW shall be installed on the various roadw ay types in the following orde r of preference, listed from the most-preferred roadway type to the least preferred roadway type:
i) Primary arterials;
ii) Secondary arterials;
iii) Neighborhood feeders;
iv) Collector roads;
viv ) Local streets;
3. Within any particular roadw ay, wireless facilities shall be installed in the following order of preference, listed from mos t to least preferred location:
i) At intersections provided it is not directly in front of a w indow; ii) As close as feasible to shared property lines between two adjacent lots;
iii) At other locations not directly in front of the windows of residences, businesses or occupiable buildings;
iv) At other locations.
4. In any residential zoning district, no wireless facilities s hall be located in the “front yard” or “back yard” meaning locations directly in front of the front side or the ba ck side of residential buildin gs.
Placements shall be as close as feasible to shared property lin es between two adjacent lots.
5. Wireless facilities shall not be placed within 600 feet of i) a public or private school that minors attend, ii) a public playground, iii) a public park, and iv) a licensed childcare facility.
6. Wireless facilities shall not be placed at locations that ob struct scenic views within City-desig nated view preser vation zones.
7. No wireless facility may encroach onto or over any private o r other property outside the PROW w ithout the property owner’s ex press written consent.
D. General Requirements
1 . C o n fl i c t i n g A p p l i c a t i o n s : Wh e r e a p p l i c a t i o n s t o install wireless facilities conflict, colocation is encouraged. If colocation is not feasible, the site will be made available to the first applicant.
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2. Permitting: An application must be submitted to obtain an Encroachment Permit to install any wireless facility in the PRO W pursuant to Chapter 11.20.065.F of the CCMC.
3. Conditions of Approval: All the conditions of approval adopt ed by Resolution of the City Co uncil pursuant to Chapter
11.20.065.H.1 of the CCMC are incorporated herein by
reference.
4. Generators: E l e c t r i c generators that support w i r e l e s s facilities are prohibited in the PROW.
5. Electric Service: Above ground electric meter facilities a re prohibited in Southern California Edison (SCE) territory. Wirel ess Infrastructure Providers shall execute a contract with SCE for service under their Wireless Technology Rate (WTR) Schedule.
WTR equipment shall be installed below grade. To minimize the amount of above-ground equipment placed in the PROW,
installation of electric meters is discouraged in Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) territory. When
necessary, the City will provide applicants a letter to submit to the LADWP stating that in every case, above- ground meter
pedestals are visually intrusive, constrain the space, and are summarily rejected. However, where flat rate service is not offered in LADWP service areas and meters are required, use of the smallest available meter equipment, including smart meters, is desired. A smart meter is a meter that may be read wirelessly, a l l o w i n g i t t o b e p l a c e d a t a h i g h e r l o c a t i o n o n t h e p o l e . I f contained within an above-ground pedestal cabinet, the meter equipment placement shall conform to the requirements
contained in Section 2.B.5.a of these Design and Development Standards.
6. Security: Installation des igns s hall pr e v e nt c r e a t i n g an attractive nuisance and shall deter incidents of graffiti, vand alism and unauthorized access such as climbing.
7. Safety: Wireless facilities cannot endanger public/property , impede the flow of vehicle or pedestrian traffic, obstruct clear sight lines for vehicle or non-vehicular traffic, impair the use of p oles, traffic signs, traffic signals, outdoor dining areas, emergency facilities or result in a failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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local law, installation of signs, including but not limited to advertising signs, is prohibited.
9. Landscaping: Wireless infrastructure providers are required to replace, in a manner consistent with surrounding landscaping or vegetation, any existing landscaping that is adversely impacted by installation of the providers’ wireless facilities.
10. Modifications: Modifications to existing wireless facilitie s such as equipment replacements and collocations cannot have the effect of defeating the camouflaging and aesthetic objectives of the existing installation.
1 1 . N o i s e : O p e r a t i o n o f w i r e l e s s f a c i l i t i e s s h a l l n o t c r e a t e a nuisance as defined by Chapter 9.04 of the CCMC and shall comply with all noise regulations established in Chapter 9.07 o f the CCMC.
12. Lighting:
a . N o facility may be illuminated unless
s p e c i f i c a l l y required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other government agency.
Beacon lights are not permitted unless required by the
Federal Aviation Administration or other government
agency.
b. Legally-required lightning arresters and beacons shall be included when calculating the height of facilities.
c. Any required lighting shall be shielded to eliminate, to the maximum extent possible, impacts on the
surrounding neighborhood.
d. Unless otherwise required under FAA or FCC regulations, applicants may install only timed or motion- sensitive light controllers and must deflect lights so as to avoid illumination impacts to adjacent properties to the maximum extent feasible. The City may, in its
discretion, exempt an applicant from the foregoing
requirement when the applicant demonstrates a
substantial public safety need.
SECTION 3. Exemptions:
Any request to be exempted from any of these Design and Develop ment Standards must be made at the time an application is submitted, or when the need for the exemption is fir st determined after submittal, and must Version: 1-10-20-2-289-22 Page 20 of 20
include both the specific provisi on(s) from which the exemption is sought and the basis of the request, inc luding all supporting evidence on which the applicant relies.
1. Exemptions to these Ddesign and dDevelopment Sstandards may will be granted only:
a. If a wireless infrastructure provider demonstrates that adherence to these standards is technically infeasible or would violate General Order No. 95 of the California Public Utilities Commission or some other pole owner
requirement; or
b. If a wireless infrastructure provider establishes that a denial of its application would, within the meaning of federal law, prohibit or effectively prohibit the provision of personal wireless services or otherwise violate applicable laws or regulations; provided, however, that these standards are then waived only to the minimum extent required to avoid the involved prohibition or violation.