Much like other cities in the world, Sedona, AZ, is planning for the future of wireless. Increase in cell ownership and data demand are forcing cities to take a look at their wireless infrastructure strategy and planning. The Sedona City Council met on July 13, welcoming CityScape Consultants, a firm that helps with wireless master planning.
Sedona Red Rock News reported that Sedona’s plans on taking a “comprehensive approach to wireless development” that “will help align the needs of wireless broadband service providers with government and community objectives.” This includes infrastructure planning and development.
The CityScape consultants shared a few predictions at the meeting, stating that by the year 2020 airtime minutes will increase; emerging technologies of wireless internet and mobile commerce will compete and coexist with traditional wireless telecommunications services; and more wireless infrastructure will be necessary to meet demands on existing networks. Consultant Susan Rabold told the council that Sedona should be “proactive in its development of long-range goals and objectives for wireless telecommunications,” according to Red Rock News.
CityScape intends on developing a master plan for both current and future needs that will best fit Sedona’s wireless growth and goals and that will comply with regulatory laws while hopefully growing revenue for the city.
While the city can’t prevent cell towers from coming into Sedona, it can offer up the location of the tower as long as the decisions do not undermine federal jurisdiction. They also must treat providers equally and “enable the federal government to use federal property, rights-of-way and easements for leasing for new telecommunications infrastructure.” Rabold also pointed out at the meeting that the city does have a say in public health, safety and welfare, and also can give input “when it comes to development standards such as landscaping, height, infrastructure type, siting strategies, setbacks, location, fencing and signage,” according to Red Rock News.
CityScape will return in two months to give recommendations on future tower placement.
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