1. Infrastructure: Property and Tower Challenges
Joe Noce
City of Mesa (AZ) Police Department
Don Pfohl
Oregon State Police

2. Topics Identifying and obtaining sites for radio infrastructure
Navigating zoning regulations, environmental reviews and building permits
Obtaining FAA permits
Public opposition to towers and other facilities

3. Identifying and Obtaining Sites
Who makes the choice of sites?
Hire a consultant to do a system design
Let the infrastructure supplier do the design
Handle the system design in-house
Design a system around existing sites

4. Identifying and Obtaining Sites
What are the requirements for sites?
Coverage
Security
Reliability
Availability
Maintenance and operation
Collocation
Cost

5. Identifying and Obtaining Sites
Collocation
Share cost
Ease of permitting for someone
Share infrastructure
Generate revenue

6. Navigating Zoning Regulations, Environmental Reviews and Building Permits
Honor all zoning processes
Be honest with the need for the site and with the impacts of the site
Enlist the aid of entity management and of the political body
Have someone constantly monitor and work with the bureaucrats

7. Obtaining FAA Permits FAA rules call for permitting of towers
Over 200 feet tall
Within the 1:100 slope to airports
Look at the FCC registration system
It’s a good idea to apply to the FAA for most towers
Get rid of the uncertainty
Know when added costs will be a factor
Allow sufficient time to complete the FAA process

8. Obtaining FAA Permits
Form , Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration
Available from the FAA on www2.faa.gov
Includes
Instructions
Form
Addresses where to file

9. The FCC Tower Process
The FCC requires proof of a determination of “no hazard” from the FAA before registering with the FCC
Check the FCC Towair system by lat/long to see if the tower is already registered with the FCC
The FCC uses the FAA determination in antenna structure registration to assign painting and lighting requirements

10. The FCC Tower Process
Restudy: If the structure’s height changes by more than one foot (.3M), or if its coordinates change by more than one second, a new FAA determination is needed before filing with the FCC

11. Public Opposition to Towers and Other Facilities
Follow the local zoning and special use permit process
A good idea is to collocate or share with the local entity
Do whatever you can to meet their concerns
Remember the purpose for the site, and do not give away the farm

12. Critical Attributes of Sites
Construction commensurate with the location
Sized to have at least twice the initial capacity
Secure location
Limit access
Capture access history

13. Critical Attributes of Sites
Provide alternate routing to critical sites
Install to R56 standards
Provide battery or UPS backup power for specific reasons
Sites require maintenance