HomeMy WebLinkAbout1490RESOLUTION NO. j_}JjQ
A RESOLUTION of the City of Kent, Washington,
establishing a policy that recognizes the need for regional
involvment on wireless telecommunications issues and
authorizing staff to meet with other South County
jurisdictions to develop a regional coordinated effort to
address the development and construction of wireless
telecommunications facilities.
WHEREAS, recent changes in wireless communications technology have
created a new competitive private business market aimed at providing various forms of
wireless telephone, data and other services to the citizens of Kent and the greater South
County region; and
WHEREAS, businesses that want to deploy this new technology and the
market forces that the technology is affecting have been and continue to result in the
submission of an unprecedented number of land use and development applications to
establish wireless telecommunications facilities within the City's corporate limits; and
WHEREAS, many of these facilities involve the construction of towers
ranging from sixty to one hundred fifty feet in height; and
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WHEREAS, the exact location of these tower facilities is determined in part
by the number and location of other telecommunications facilities in the area that are linked
to the system each antenna is established to serve; and
WHEREAS, in order to provide absolute coverage, without any blackout
areas, some of these tower and other telecommunications facilities may need to be erected
in residential neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, in order to preserve the existing character of neighborhood
residential communities, the City must take all legally permissible and appropriate steps to
reduce the impacts caused by these wireless telecommunication facilities on those residential
neighborhoods, by means such as use of existing facilities, co-location on towers, reduced
tower heights or height limitations, etc.; and
WHEREAS, because of their height and location, these towers and other
telecommunications facilities, without appropriate land use and development controls, can
impact the character, nature, and aesthetics of local neighborhoods and communities; and
WHEREAS, because of the unprecedented number of development permit
applications that the City has received, it is appropriate that the City review, analyze, and
determine the appropriate land use and development regulations for the siting of these
wireless telecommunications facilities; and
WHEREAS, it is additionally appropriate that City staff coordinate its efforts
with the efforts being taken by other communities in the South County region so that these
cities, working together, can develop a coordinated, regional effort for the siting,
development, and construction of these wireless telecommunications facilities so as to
provide a predictable framework for the cities, their residents, and the various
telecommunications providers.
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THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT, WASHINGTON, DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals and findings are incorporated into the
body ofthis resolution as if fully stated herein.
SECTION 2: New technology developments m the wireless
telecommunications industry present new challenges to the City of Kent. It is appropriate
that the City review and understand the impact of this technology on our community and our
citizens.
SECTION 3: Without appropriate land use and development controls, the
siting of wireless telecommunications facilities, specifically including towers, poses a serious
impact to the public health, safety and welfare, particularly within residential areas.
Accordingly, it is appropriate to consider all legally permissible means and methods
available that would achieve the goal of reducing impacts on residential neighborhoods, such
as using existing facilities, co-locating facilities, and establishing height limitations.
SECTION 4: Because the telecommunications business providers
constructing these facilities site their communication facilities on a regional rather than
individual city basis, it is appropriate that the City of Kent coordinate its efforts with other
South County cities to develop an effective regional approach that provides consistent and
thorough regulation of these facilities throughout the South County region. This coordinated
effort is intended to provide consistency and predictability both for municipalities and for
the telecommunications industry in order to encourage and expedite deployment of wireless
telecommunications facilities and services.
SECTION 5: City staff are hereby directed to assist with the development
of a regional South County planning group including, without limitation, the cities of Kent,
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Tukwila, Auburn, Federal Way, Renton, SeaTac and Des Moines. The purpose of this
regional planning group shall be to keep fully informed of the various wireless
telecommunications developments that occur in each city. Finally, the Mayor is hereby
directed to designate appropriate staff, as deemed advisable, to coordinate and develop this
plan.
Passed at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington this
_£_day of VL4-<.j= '1997.
Concurred m by the Mayor of the City of Kent, this __J_ day of
--1.~'---L--.>o""'-""¥~--' 1997
ATTEST:
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy ofResolution No. ltffD , passed
by the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, the _(p_ day of
)11 "1 ' 1997.
P:\LA W\RESOLUTI\CJTY RES
~(SEAL)
___ ____,~--+-' CITY CLERK
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