G-1117 - 11/14/2017 - PUBLIC WORKS - Ordinances Supporting Documents ITEM 6.C.6)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
VILLAGE OF SAMUEL E. DEAN BOARD ROOM
OAK B RBUTLER GOVERNMENT CENTER
1200 OAK BROOK ROAD
OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS
630-368-5000
AGENDA ITEM
Regular Board of Trustees Meeting
of
November 14, 2017
SUBJECT: Text Amendment- Construction of Utility Facilities in the Right-of-Way
FROM: Tony Budzikowski, AICP, Development Services Director b
BUDGET SOURCE/BUDGET IMPACT: NA
RECOMMENDED MOTION: I move to approve Ordinance 2017-ROW-TLY-
G-1117, An Ordinance Amending Title 8 of the Village Code in Relation to
Construction of Utility Facilities in the Rights-of-Way
Background/History:
Staff has been working with the Village Attorney since early 2017 to prepare a new
Chapter that will be added to Title 8, Public Works Regulations. The new Chapter 6
would establish policies and procedures for constructing utilities and telecommunication
facilities in Village rights-of-way. The ordinance amendment would apply to all utility
and telecommunication facilities on, over, above, along, upon, under, across or within
the rights-of-way within the Village's jurisdiction. A facility established before the
effective date of this Chapter may continue to be maintained, repaired and operated as
presently constructed, except as may be otherwise provided in any applicable franchise,
license or similar agreement.
The proposed ordinance was initially intended to regulate utilities in Village rights-of-
way but more recently Staff and the Village Attorney determined that these new
regulations should also include telecommunications facilities because of the new
infrastructure that is being required to support the increased demand and capacity for
larger amounts of data and voice communications. The industry focus on new
infrastructure is being seen in a series of small individual antenna locations called "small
cells" or "microcells" that are connected to a large hub site, typically an existing
telecommunications tower, either by fiber optic cable or radio transmission. Small cells
have less coverage area than cellular towers and these facilities are typically located on
either new utility-sized poles or existing Village or Utility-owned poles and have
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equipment that includes a three foot (3') or four foot (4') tall antenna at the top of the
pole, an electric meter, compact transmitters, receivers and other components that are
also attached to the pole.
Since this new technology is becoming more prevalent, staff believes it is appropriate to
be proactive and incorporate both utility and telecommunication facilities in these new
ordinance provisions in order to regulate construction in Village rights-of-way. Specific
provisions that have been included in this ordinance are as follows:
• Annual licensing provisions;
• Permit applications and permit reviews;
• Required insurance coverage and limits;
• Location and size requirements;
• Appearance standards;
• Height limitations; and
• Construction standards
Many of the topics in this ordinance are currently being discussed at the State General
Assembly which could potentially require some revisions or modifications to this
ordinance in the future. That being said, staff does believe it is important to adopt
reasonable policies and procedures right now because there are currently no
comprehensive regulations in the Village Code to regulate and permit utility and
telecommunication infrastructure in the Village's rights-of-way.
Recommendation:
Approve Ordinance G-1117.
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