Wireless Telecommunication Master Plan

The City is currently scoping an effort to submit a 'bulk mobile challenge' to the Federal Communication Commission. This challenge will highlight the fact that over 1/2 of the city is currently deficient in wireless coverage and network capacity, and will hopefully encourage providers to invest in infrastructure improvements to better serve residents. You can help by downloading the Federal Communication Commission's Speed Test App on your iOS or Android device and submitting a speed test challenge.

The FCC Speed Test App provides information about the performance of your Wi-Fi or mobile wireless internet connection. The app also helps to verify the accuracy and reliability of the mobile broadband coverage data that providers report on the FCC’s National Broadband Map. Anyone can submit Challenge Speed Tests from the app to dispute inaccurate mobile coverage or speeds shown on the map. These challenges will be combined with other speed tests to create disputed areas subject to challenge. Once enough challenges have been collected, mobile providers must demonstrate that the challenged areas are covered by submitting their own supplemental data or remove the disputed areas from their coverage maps.

On February 7, 2023, City Council approved new Land Use Code standards for wireless communication facilities. These new regulations are in line with the Wireless Telecommunication Master Plan and aim to ensure consistency in decision timelines for development applications.

The key changes in regulations include:

• Alignment with Federal Communication Commission shot clock requirements
• Creation of new compatibility requirement for wireless towers
• Update to the City's policy to allow wireless towers and equipment on City-owned property
• Creation of process incentives when wall or roof mounted equipment is proposed to be installed on existing buildings

The new compatibility requirement for wireless towers establishes an area of adjacency around proposed facilities to ensure greater compatibility in design. This will help to reduce the visual impact of these facilities on the surrounding area.

In addition, the City's policy has been updated to allow wireless towers and equipment on City-owned property such as parks and golf courses. This will provide more options for wireless providers to expand their network coverage.

Finally, the creation of process incentives for wall or roof mounted equipment will encourage the installation of equipment on existing buildings rather than the construction of new towers.

More information about these standards can be found by visiting Ordinance No. 011,2023. With these new regulations in place, the City hopes to strike a balance between the needs of wireless providers and the concerns of residents.

On November 17th the Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Draft Wireless Code updates of the recently adopted Land Development Code. A copy of the Draft changes can be found HERE or in the documents library on this main project page.

The Wireless Telecommunication Master Plan is scheduled for First Reading at the City Council Regular Session on October 5th, 2021. A copy of the Adoption draft which has incorporated the Planning & Zoning Commission's recommended revisions can be viewed here.

At the September 16th Planning & Zoning Commission meeting the Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Wireless Telecommunications Master Plan with conditions regarding revisions to the Plan that will be made prior to the City Council First Reading scheduled for October 5th. Those proposed revisions can be found on pages 36-42 of the Planning & Zoning Commission packet here: https://citydocs.fcgov.com/?cmd=convert&vid=46&dt=AGENDA&docid=3524892&board=PLANNING+AND+ZONING+BOARD&docdate=SEP-16-2021

The revised draft of the Wireless Master Plan is available for public review and comment here. It is anticipated that this Plan draft will be presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission on September 16th to seek their recommendation of adoption to the City Council. If you have questions or comments on the draft plan please reach out to Will Lindsey, Project Manager at wlindsey@fcgov.com(External link).

The draft of the Wireless Master Plan is available for public review and comment here until Monday June 14th. Staff will then make edits, and repost an updated draft of the plan in July. It is anticipated that the Plan will be presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission on September 16th to seek their recommendation of adoption to the City Council. If you have questions or comments on the draft plan please reach out to Will Lindsey, Project Manager at wlindsey@fcgov.com.

Meeting ID Number: 936 2073 3540

Before the session:

• Find a private space without much background noise where you will not be interrupted.
• For best performance, limit the other programs open on your computer.
• Get connected 15 minutes before the start of the meeting to test audio settings.

To join the session:

• On your phone: Dial +1 669 900 9128 and enter Meeting ID: 936 2073 3540
• In the Zoom app: Enter Meeting ID 936 2073 3540
• In a browser: Visit https://zoom.us/join and enter 936 2073 3540

During the session:

• You will join the meeting and be automatically muted.
• Use the "raise hand" button (located in the "Participants" tab) or dial *9 on the phone to let us know you'd like to speak. City staff will call on you and unmute you when it is your turn.
• Please state your name when you speak.

The City of Fort Collins will hold a virtual meeting on March 22^nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to provide an update on Phase 3 of the project, and the ongoing development of the Wireless Master Plan.

A link to the Zoom meeting will be posted on the day of the meeting on this webpage.

A project survey is also posted (click the Survey tab above), and anyone interested in the project is encouraged to participate!

The Plan is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of existing wireless infrastructure within the Fort Collins Growth Management Area and help ensure that any future deployments do not create unnecessary or redundant wireless infrastructure. The effort is also expected to help guide updates to City policy and Land Use Code standards related to wireless telecommunication facilities.

The meeting will feature an overview of the analysis conducted since Fall 2020, and an update on the plan’s development. Staff and consultants will be available to discuss the planning process, existing conditions, and potential policy recommendations the City is exploring.

Meeting ID Number: 929 1111 4246

• Before the session:
  • Find a private space without much background noise where you will not be interrupted.
  • For best performance, limit the other programs open on your computer.
  • Get connected 15 minutes before the start of the meeting to test audio settings.
• To join the session:
  • On your phone: Dial +1 669 900 9128 and enter Meeting ID: 929 1111 4246
  • In the Zoom app: Enter Meeting ID 958 4758 0063.
  • In a browser: Visit https://zoom.us/join and enter 929 1111 4246
• During the session:
  • You will join the meeting and be automatically muted.
  • Use the "raise hand" button (located in the "Participants" tab) or dial *9 on the phone to let us know you'd like to speak. City staff will call on you and unmute you when it is your turn.
  • Please state your name when you speak.