Small Cell Wireless Facilities Ordinance

Town Attorney Cindy Reid and Public Works Director Doug Wright

Summary: The General Assembly passed House Bill 310, “An Act to Reform Collocation of Small Wireless Communications Infrastructure to Aid Deployment of New Technologies” in June 2017, and it became effective in July 2017.  The legislation significantly limits municipal authority regarding the siting of small cell installations and opens up the public right of way for installation of these facilities.

An overview of the both federal and state legislation as well as a very general description of how the town may regulate small cell wireless use of town ROW was presented at the December 4 meeting. The Municipal Code amendments will be presented at the December 11 meeting and the Board of Commissioners will be asked to approve the amendments at the January 8 meeting.  Neither a planning board recommendation or public hearing are required for amendments to the Municipal Code.