A 2018 order from the Federal Communications Commission on dealing with small cell, or small wireless facility, installations requires local jurisdictions to comply with various mandates. These included recommendations on how to ensure they are compatible with local public design, public works elements and zoning, among others. The City of Carroll was required to approve and publish the regulations by mid-April 2019, which they did. However, City Manager, Mike Pogge-Weaver, says staff members are now working with cell providers on concerns with the initial regulations. These have been adapted as more and more of the small cell facilities are being put into use.
The changes are consistent with federal and state regulations and do not endanger public health, safety or welfare. The revision will also include some design and aesthetic requirements.
Pogge-Weaver says one of the biggest concerns of the city is the management of those right-of-ways.
He adds each city has different right-of-way size requirements, and Carroll’s are small in comparison to some others. This means the more they see of this type of technology wanting to go into these areas, the more difficult it is to work around existing utilities. The code does specify if the city or state widens any streets, the utility provider will be responsible for moving it. The policy is meant to also ensure the lines do not run outside of the allocated area because if work is being done by a private or commercial property owner and the lines or poles were on private property the expense would fall to that owner.
