Laserfiche WebLink
BACKGROUND <br /> The Hacienda Business Park Owners Association ("Hacienda") owns and maintains all <br /> of the streetlight poles located in the public right-of-way throughout Hacienda. About a <br /> year ago, Hacienda was approached by Philips Lighting North America Corporation <br /> ("Philips") with a proposal to improve cellular coverage and capacity throughout <br /> Hacienda by introducing small-cell technology within the streetlights in the public right- <br /> of-way. Philips and Hacienda subsequently entered into an agreement whereby Philips <br /> has agreed to replace up to one hundred of the existing streetlight poles with new <br /> "smart poles." Like the existing poles, the new smart poles will utilize LED lighting but <br /> with the added benefit of concealing "small cell" wireless systems within the smart <br /> poles. The primary purpose of small cell facilities is to supplement the broader macro <br /> cell facilities by filling gaps in cellular coverage and also providing increased network <br /> capacity where coverage already exists. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> "Small cell" facilities are commonly placed in the public right-of-way on light poles, traffic <br /> signals, or on new poles. Small cell facilities typically provide a coverage radius of <br /> approximately 500 to 1,000 feet (or one to two city blocks.) Small cell facilities <br /> complement and supplement the broader macro cell facilities' in that they can fills gaps <br /> in coverage and also provide increased network capacity where coverage already <br /> exists. Whereas network coverage refers to whether a user's device can locate a signal <br /> from an antenna, network capacity refers to whether the located signal can perform to <br /> the level demanded by the device (allowing cellular customers near a small cell site to <br /> experience an increase in speed and reliability especially when uploading and <br /> streaming content.) <br /> Philips Lighting North America recently entered into a Lease Agreement with the <br /> Hacienda Business Park Owners Association for the right to replace up to one hundred <br /> existing streetlight poles with "smart poles." Per the agreement, Philips has the right to <br /> replace existing light poles with smart poles and to lease the space within those smart <br /> poles to wireless providers such as AT&T, Verizon, Tmobile and Sprint. Once the smart <br /> pole is installed, title to the pole reverts back to Hacienda but Philips acquires leasing <br /> rights to the interior of the pole. (Through a separate agreement between the City and <br /> Hacienda, the lease revenue paid to Hacienda by Philips will be equally split between <br /> the City and Hacienda. This agreement is before the Council as item 3b.) <br /> Planning staff has reviewed various design options for placing small cells within the <br /> public right-of-way in Hacienda and believes that the "smart pole" designed by Philips is <br /> an appropriate design for the Hacienda Business Park. Typically, wireless carriers <br /> I A "macro cell" is a free standing tower that is used for large coverage radius of up to two or <br /> three miles. In Pleasanton, there are approximately thirty macro cell sites. Two sites are <br /> located on towers (e.g., the tower at 3830 Old Santa Rita Road), other sites are concealed or <br /> camouflaged on tall buildings, on water tanks, or with the use of faux trees. There are <br /> approximately a half dozen macro-cell facilities on city-owned property but the majority of <br /> facilities are located on private property. <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br />