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CC SR 20230815 01 - Antenna Moratorium Extension PUBLIC HEARING Date: August 15, 2023 Subject: Consideration and possible action to adopt an Urgency Ordinance extending the moratorium period for Urgency Ordinance No. 665U on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas governed pursuant to § 17.76.020 (Antennas) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code. Recommendation: (1) Adopt Ordinance No. ___U, by a four-fifths vote of the entire City Council, AN URGENCY ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM PERIOD ENACTED BY INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 665U AND URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 670U BY AN ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR, TO ALLOW STAFF ADEQUATE TIME TO RESEARCH AND PREPARE CODE AMENDMENT PROCEEDINGS TO AMEND RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE § 17.76.020 (ANTENNAS). 1. Report of Notice Given: City Clerk 2. Declare Public Hearing Open: Mayor Ferraro 3. Request for Staff Report: Mayor Ferraro 4. Staff Report & Recommendation: Whitney Berry, Associate Planner 5. Council Questions of Staff (factual and without bias): 6. Testimony from members of the public: The normal time limit for each speaker is three (3) minutes. The Presiding Officer may grant additional time to a representative speaking for an entire group. The Mayor also may adjust the time limit for individual speakers depending upon the number of speakers who intend to speak. 7. Declare Hearing Closed/or Continue the Public Hearing to a later date: Mayor Ferraro 8. Council Deliberation: The Council may ask staff to address questions raised by the testimony, or to clarify matters. Staff and/or Council may also answer questions posed by speakers during their testimony. The Council will then debate and/or make motions on the matter. 9. Council Action: The Council may: vote on the item; offer amendments or substitute motions to decide the matter; reopen the hearing for additional testimony; continue the matter to a later date for a decision. RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 08/15/2023 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Public Hearing AGENDA TITLE: Consideration and possible action to adopt an Urgency Ordinance extending the moratorium period for Urgency Ordinance No. 665U on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas governed pursuant to § 17.76.020 (Antennas) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Adopt Ordinance No. ___U, by a four-fifths vote of the entire City Council, AN URGENCY ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM PERIOD ENACTED BY INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 665U AND URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 670U BY AN ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR, TO ALLOW STAFF ADEQUATE TIME TO RESEARCH AND PREPARE CODE AMENDMENT PROCEEDINGS TO AMEND RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE § 17.76.020 (ANTENNAS). FISCAL IMPACT: None Amount Budgeted: N/A Additional Appropriation: N/A Account Number(s): N/A ORIGINATED BY: Whitney Berry, Associate Planner for REVIEWED BY: Octavio Silva, Interim Director of Community Development APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. Urgency Ordinance No. ___U (page A-1) B. Ordinance No. 665U (page B-1) C. Ordinance No. 670U (page C-1) D. 10-Day Report (page D-1) E. October 4, 2022 staff report F. November 15, 2022 staff report 1 RANCHO PALOS VERDES BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: On October 4, 2022, the City Council unanimously adopted Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 665U (Attachment B) which imposed a temporary, 45-day moratorium on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas governed pursuant to § 17.76.020 (Antennas) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC). In addition, that same evening, the City Council initiated code amendment proceedings to amend the aforementioned RPVMC section with new regulations governing antennas on private property based on current federal telecommunication laws (Attachment E). On November 15, 2022, pursuant to Government Code § 65858, which allows an initial 45-day moratorium to be extended for up to 10 months and 15 days after a duly noticed public hearing is held, the City Council unanimously adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 670U, which extended the moratorium period for Urgency Ordinance No. 665U for an additional 10 months and 15 days (Attachment F). Urgency Ordinance No. 665U is set to expire on September 30, 2023. Tonight’s request is to extend the moratorium period for an additional year, which is the maximum extension permitted by state law, setting the new expiration date to August 15, 2024. Urgency Ordinance Government Code §§ 36937 and 65858 provide that an urgency ordinance becomes effective immediately if the City Council finds, by a four-fifths vote, that an urgency ordinance is needed for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, and contains a declaration of the facts constituting the urgency. The urgency of the moratorium extension is to preclude a current and immediate threat to public safety, health, and welfare posed by allowing the moratorium to expire before adopting an ordinance amending RPVMC § 17.76.020 (Antennas), that has the potential to present aesthetic impacts on a citywide level. The conditions which necessitated the adoption of Urgency Ordinance No. 665U continue to exist at this time, and the code amendment process requires public outreach, additional study, and public hearings before the City Council and Planning Commission, which tasks cannot be completed within the initial moratorium extension period. Extending the moratorium for an additional year will provide City Staff with the necessary time to complete its analysis and research to develop appropriate regulations and ensure the protection of public health, safety, and welfare. To that end, Staff will continue to further assess federal and state regulations related to commercial and noncommercial antennas to bring the RPVMC provisions into compliance with best industry practices and current law during the moratorium period. Once the ordinance is drafted, Staff will proceed to present the proposed code language before the Planning Commission at a duly noticed public hearing for consideration at its earliest opportunity. Upon its review and consideration of the staff report and public input, 2 the Planning Commission will then forward its recommendation to the City Council for further consideration. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 10-Day Report Government Code § 65858(d) requires that the legislative body issue a report, 10 days before extending a moratorium, describing the measures taken to alleviate the condition which led to the adoption of the ordinance establishing a moratorium. On August 4, 2023, the 10-day report (Attachment D) was issued and published on the City’s website, summarizing the measures taken to alleviate the conditions that led to the adoption of Ordinance No. 665U as follows: 1. City Staff has been working on a community engagement plan to receive input from stakeholders, including neighborhood homeowners associations, residents, and service providers, on the appropriate amendment(s) to RPVMC § 17.76.020 (Antennas) with consideration to both commercial and noncommercial antennas, aesthetic and view impacts on neighboring properties, compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, and other federal and state requirements. 2. The City continues to build the technical and legal team needed to analyze and develop appropriate amendment(s) to RPVMC § 17.76.020. 3. City Staff has commenced the process to amend RPVMC § 17.76.020, including researching the potential impacts of the same on residential and commercial properties, taking into consideration the requirements of state and federal law and the needs of the wireless industry. 4. City Staff continues to research and analyze the various antennas, antenna configurations, related equipment, and FCC licensing and rules to establish an ordinance carefully crafted to comply with all laws and regulations while recognizing the City’s unique coastal aesthetic quality. 5. City Staff has coordinated two meetings of the Planning Commission’s Zoning Subcommittee to obtain feedback on developing the code amendment(s). 6. The City has notified applicants of pending or potential applications regarding the enacted moratorium on antennas on private properties, as the City will temporarily suspend or not accept new applications during the moratorium period except to the extent required by law as provided for in the moratorium. 7. The adoption of a comprehensive update to RPVMC § 17.76.020 continues to take time with careful consideration as well as input from various interested parties. Thus far, there has been insufficient time since enacting Ordinance No. 665U to complete the necessary updates. 3 Environmental Assessment Pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code §§ 2100 et. seq. (“CEQA”), the state’s CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 150000 et. seq., the City’s Local CEQA Guidelines, and Government Code § 65962.5(f) (Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement), it has been determined that the proposed Urgency Ordinance is exempt from CEQA because (a) This ordinance is not a project within the meaning of CEQA § 15378 because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, either directly or indirectly; (b) This ordinance is also exempt pursuant to CEQA § 15061(b)(3) since the proposal involves an urgency ordinance extending the moratorium on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas and does not have the potential to significantly impact the environment; and (c) as the Ordinance is an administrative procedure related to uses, facilities, and regulations identified in the RPVMC and General Plan, and given that the proposed Ordinance is not related to a specific project (i) by virtue of the location of affected improvements, will not impact a sensitive environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern; (ii) will not have a cumulative impact on the environment through successive projects of the same type, in the same place, over time; (iii) does not have any unusual circumstances that will have a significant effect on the environment; (iv) does not impact a scenic highway; (v) is not located on a hazardous waste site; and (vi) will not adversely impact a historical resource. CONCLUSION: Based on the discussion above, Staff recommends the City Council adopt the attached urgency ordinance extending the moratorium period for an additional year (August 15, 2024) to allow Staff adequate time to research and prepare code amendment proceedings to amend RPVMC § 17.76.020 (Antennas). ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for the City Council’s consideration: 1. Do not adopt the Urgency Ordinance extending the moratorium beyond its current September 30, 2023 expiration, thereby directing Staff to continue processing the code amendment to RPVMC § 17.76.020 (Antennas) and allowing existing applications or potential new applications to proceed through the current entitlement process. 2. Extend the moratorium for a period of less than the one year allowed by state law. 4 Ordinance No. ___U Page 1 of 5 ORDINANCE NO. ___U AN URGENCY ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM PERIOD ENACTED BY INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 665U AND URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 670U BY AN ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR, TO ALLOW STAFF ADEQUATE TIME TO RESEARCH AND PREPARE CODE AMENDMENT PROCEEDINGS TO AMEND RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE § 17.76.020 (ANTENNAS). WHEREAS, §17.76.020 (Antennas) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) regulates the placement of commercial and noncommercial antennas on private property within the City; and WHEREAS, on October 4, 2022, the City Council adopted Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 665U, which imposed a temporary 45-day moratorium on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas governed pursuant to § 17.76.020 (Antennas) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the RPVMC in order to proceed with code amendments to the aforementioned section with new regulations governing antennas on private property based on current federal telecommunication laws; and WHEREAS, on November 15, 2022, the City adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 670U extending the moratorium for 10 months and 15 days and is set to expire on September 30, 2023; and WHEREAS, in part due to the significant legal and technical nuances related to regulations of commercial and non-commercial antennas, in addition to protecting and preserving the City’s unique coastal aesthetic quality, staff requires additional time to adequately prepare and complete the code amendment process ; and WHEREAS, Government Code §§ 36937 and 65858 expressly authorizes the City Council to adopt an Urgency Ordinance for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, if the ordinance is approved by four-fifths of the entire City Council. To that end, this Urgency Ordinance is adopted for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code §§ 2100 et. seq. (“CEQA”), the State’s CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, §15000 et. seq., the City’s Local CEQA Guidelines, and Government § 65962.5(f) (Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement), it has been determined that the proposed interim Urgency Ordinance is exempt from CEQA because (a) this Ordinance is not a project within the meaning of CEQA § 15378 as it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, either directly or indirectly; (b) this Ordinance is also exempt pursuant to CEQA § 15061(b)(3) since the proposal involves an urgency ordinance extending the moratorium A-1 Ordinance No. ___U Page 2 of 5 on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas and does not have the potential to significantly impact the environment; and (c) as the Ordinance is an administrative procedure related to uses, facilities, and regulations identified in the RPVMC and General Plan, and given that the proposed Ordinance is not related to a specific project (i) by virtue of the location of affected improvements, will not impact a sensitive environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern; (ii) will not have a cumulative impact on the environment through successive projects of the same type, in the same place, over time; (iii) does not have any unusual circumstances that will have a significant effect on the environment; (iv) does not impact a scenic highway; (v) is not located on a hazardous waste site; and (vi) will not adversely impact a historical resource; and WHEREAS, Government Code § 65858(d) requires that the legislative body issue a report, 10 days before extending a moratorium, describing the measures taken to alleviate the condition which led to the adoption of the ordinance establis hing a moratorium. As such, a 10-Day Report was prepared and published in a timely manner on the City’s website on August 4, 2023; and WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of the interim Urgency Ordinance have been satisfied in the manner required by law. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference. Section 2. The moratorium on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas governed pursuant to § 17.76.020 (Antennas) of the RPVMC, which was enacted by interim Urgency Ordinance No. 665U on October 4, 2022 (and extended by Urgence Ordinance No. 670U on November 15, 2022), is hereby again extended pursuant to Government Code § 65858 for an additional year, setting the expiration date as August 15, 2024. All terms shall have the same meaning as defined in Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 665U, and all provisions of interim Urgency Ordinance No. 665U and Urgency Ordinance No. 670U are incorporated herein by reference, and shall be in full force and effect for the duration of this extension. Section 3. Government Code § 65858 expressly authorizes the City, in order to protect public safety, health, and welfare, to adopt an interim Urgency Ordinance prohibiting a use that is in conflict with a contemplated general plan, specific plan, or zoning proposal that the legislative body, planning commission, or the planning department is considering or studying or intends to study within a reasonable time, provided that the urgency measure shall require a four-fifths vote of the legislative body for adoption. A-2 Ordinance No. ___U Page 3 of 5 Section 4. On August 4, 2023, the City issued a 10-Day Report describing the measures taken to alleviate the condition(s) which led to the adoption of Urgency Ordinance No. 665U, which are summarized as follows: 1. City Staff has been working on a community engagement plan to receive input from stakeholders, including neighborhood Homeowners Associations, residents, and service providers, on appropriate amendment(s) to RPVMC § 17.76.020 (Antennas) with consideration to both commercial and noncommercial antennas, aesthetic and view impacts on neighboring properties, compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, and other federal and state requirements. 2. The City continues to build the technical and legal team needed to analyze and develop appropriate amendment(s) to RPVMC § 17.76.020 . 3. City Staff has commenced the process to amend RPVMC § 17.76.020, including researching the potential impacts of the same on residential and commercial properties taking into consideration the requirements of state and federal law and the needs of the wireless industry. 4. City Staff continues to research and analyze the various antennas, antenna configurations, related equipment and FCC licensing and rules to establish an ordinance carefully crafted to comply with all laws and regulations while recognizing the City’s unique coastal and semi-rural aesthetic quality. 5. City Staff has coordinated two meetings of the Planning Commission’s Zoning Subcommittee to obtain feedback on developing the code amendment(s). 6. The City has notified applicants of pending or potential applications regarding the enacted moratorium on antennas on private properties as the City will temporarily suspend or not accept new applications during the moratorium period except to the extent required by law as provided for in the moratorium. 7. The adoption of a comprehensive update to RPVMC § 17.76.020 continues to take time with careful consideration as well as input from various interested parties. Thus far, there has been insufficient time since enacting Ordinance No. 665U to complete the necessary updates. Section 5. The moratorium extension is necessary for the City to have the necessary time to adopt an ordinance amending RPVMC § 17.76.020 (Antennas), which has the potential to present aesthetic impacts on a citywide level . The code amendment process requires public outreach, additional analysis, and public hearings before the City Council and Planning Commission. Hence, extending the moratorium will provide City Staff with the necessary time to complete its analysis and research to develop appropriate regulations and ensure the protection of public health, safety, and welfare. Wherein said A-3 Ordinance No. ___U Page 4 of 5 regulations are within the parameters set by state and federal law while protecting the unique and refined character of the City. Section 6. Moratorium. A. During the effective period of this Ordinance, no application for a permit will be accepted, no consideration of any application for permit will be made, and no permit will be issued by the City for the establishment, expansion, or modification of any antenna or antenna assembly within the City until this Ordinance has expired or has been repealed according to applicable law. Further, all processing of existing applications for permits shall be suspended immediately. B. Notwithstanding, any provisions herein, in the event an applicant can establish that they are entitled to a permit or other approval or authorization under federal or state law to install, modify or expand an antenna or antenna assembly, they shall be entitled to submit legal support for the same. In the event the applicant sufficiently supports that they are legally entitled to install, operate or modif y the antenna, the City shall accept and process the application pursuant to RPVMC §17.76.020 (Antennas) as it is presently codified. Section 7. Severability. The City Council hereby declares, if any provision, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, phrase or word of this ordinance is rendered or declared invalid or unconstitutional by any final action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of any preemptive legislation, then the City Council would have independently adopted the remaining provisions, sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, phrases or words of this ordinance and as such they shall remain in full force and effect. Section 8. Certification and Publication. The City Clerk shall certify as to the passage and adoption of this interim Urgency Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published in a manner prescribed by law. Section 9. Effectiveness of Ordinance. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately, pursuant to the authority conferred upon the City Counc il by Government Code § 36937. A-4 Ordinance No. ___U Page 5 of 5 PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 15th day of August, by a four-fifths vote of the entire City Council. ________________________________ Barbara Ferraro, Mayor Attest: Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ) I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; and that the foregoing Ordinance No. ___-U was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting thereof held on August 15, 2023 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAINED: __________________________ Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk A-5 B-1 I I I ORDINANCE NO. 665U AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY 45-DAY MORATORIUM ON THE ENTITLEMENT, ESTABLISHMENT, EXPANSION, OR MODIFICATION OF ANTENNAS GOVERNED PURSUANT TO §17.76.020 (ANTENNAS) OF CHAPTER 17.76 (MISCELLANEOUS PERMITS AND STANDARDS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE. WHEREAS, §17.76.020 (Antennas) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) regulates the placement of commercial and noncommercial antennas within the City. WHEREAS, on April 11, 1983, Ordinance No. 166 was adopted to establish the City's first antenna ordinance, codified as Chapter 17.41 of the RPVMC, to regulate the development, design, and l.ocation of commercial antennas. WHEREAS, on April 5, 1988, Ordinance No. 226 was adopted to amend the relevant code section to incorporate additional regulations consistent with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and to govern satellite dish antennas. WHEREAS, on April, 15, 1997, Ordinance No. 320 was adopted to amend and reorganize numerous sections of Title 16 (Subdivision) and Title 17 (Zoning), which included provisions for commercial, satellite, ham radio, and television antennas. WHEREAS, on March 22, 1999, Ordinance No. 345 amended RPVMC §17.76.020 to include provisions for regulating noncommercial amateur radio antennas. WHEREAS, on March 11, 2002, Ordinance No. 374U was adopted to amend RPVMC §17.76.020(C)(3)(c)(ii) to limit the number of building-mounted noncommercial amateur radio antennas and support structures which can be erected without a permit from the City. The Urgency Ordinance was intended to prohibit exempt antennas from being misused by individuals seeking to make commercial use of noncommercial antennas. WHEREAS, on November 15, 2011, Ordinance No. 529 was adopted to amend RPVMC §17.76.020(A)(11) to add two new requirements for commercial antenna applications, including the submittal of photographic simulations and the installation of mock-ups. WHEREAS, on October 20, 2020, Ordinance No. 638 was adopted to amend RPVMC §17.76.020(C) and (D) to update the development standards for noncommercial amateur radio antennas. Ordinance No. 665U Page 1 of 7 B-2 WHEREAS, Government Code §36937 and §65858 expressly authorize the City I Council to adopt an Urgency Ordinance for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, if the ordinance is approved by four-fifths of the City Council. To this end, this interim Urgency Ordinance is adopted for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, given the potential impacts associated with antennas on private property throughout the City. WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code §§ 2100 et. seq. ("CEQA"), the State's CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, §15000 et. seq., the City's Local CEQA Guidelines, and Government § 65962.5(f) (Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement), it has been determined that the proposed interim Urgency Ordinance is exempt from CEQA because (a) this ordinance is not a project within the meaning of CEQA §15378 because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, either directly or indirectly; (b) this ordinance is also exempt pursuant to CEQA §15061(b)(3) since the proposal involves an urgency ordinance establishing a 45- day temporary moratorium on the establishment, expansion, or modification of amateur radio antennas and does not have the potential to significantly impact the environment; and (c) as the interim Urgency Ordinance is an administrative procedure related to uses, facilities, and regulations identified in the RPVMC and General Plan, and given that the proposed interim Urgency Ordinance is not related to a specific project (i) by virtue of the location of affected improvements, will not impact a sensitive environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern; (ii) will not have a cumulative impact on the environment I through successive projects of the same type, in the same place, over time; (iii) does not have any unusual circumstances that will have a significant effect on the environment; (iv) does not impact a scenic highway; (v) is not located on a hazardous waste site; and (vi) will not adversely impact a historical resource. WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of the interim Urgency Ordinance have been satisfied in the manner required by law. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Authority and Effect A. The State Planning and Zoning Law, Government Code §§ 65000 et seq., broadly empowers the City to plan for and regulate the use of land in order to provide for orderly development, the public safety, health, and welfare, and a balancing of property rights and the desires of the community and how its citizens envisions their city. B. Government Code §36937 and §65858 expressly authorize the City, in order to protect public safety, health, and welfare, to adopt an interim Urgency Ordinance prohibiting a use that is in conflict with a contemplated general plan, specific plan, or I zoning proposal that the legislative body, planning commission, or the planning Ordinance No. 665U Page 2 of 7 B-3 I I I department is considering or studying or intends to study within a reasonable time, provided that the urgency measure shall require a four-fifths vote of the legislative body for adoption, and shall be of no further force and effect 45 days from its date of adoption, unless duly extended for an additional 10 months and 15 days. Section 2. Definitions. "Antenna" as referred to in §17.96.085 of the RPVMC, means a structure consisting of elements that may either receive or transmit electromagnetic energy. "Antenna assembly" as referred to in §17.96.087 of the RPVMC, means the totality of equipment used to support reception by or transmission from an antenna. It includes the antenna(s), including antennas used in connection with amateur repeaters, antenna support structure(s), and any radiating elements, cables, parabolic dishes and mechanical rotators. "Director" means the Director of Community Development, and his/her designee. "Establishment" means to bring into existence (a new facility). "Expansion" means: 1. An increase in the height or width (of the antenna and/or the supporting structure) by 10% or more of an existing antenna. 2. Construction of any new amateur radio antenna on private property. "Modification" means making any changes or upgrades to an existing antenna. Routine repair or replacement of parts that does not increase the size or visibility of the antenna from nearby properties or from the public right-of-way shall not be considered a modification. "Permit" means any City planning land use approvals, any new business license tax permit (including the transfer of a business license from one owner to another), and any building, grading, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permit, whether the approval or issuance is discretionary or ministerial. "RPVMC" means the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code. Section 3. Findings The City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby finds, determines, and declares that: A. §17.76.020 (Antennas) of the RPVMC governs the' installation, use and permitting of all antennas on private property. These provisions were originally adopted in 1983 pursuant to Ordinance No. 166, with a series of piecemeal updates that need a major overhaul to reflect current state and/or federal law pertaining to antennas. Ordinance No. 665U Page 3 of 7 B-4 B. The provisions governing the installation, use, and permitting of antennas I are outdated and inconsistent with the following Goals and Policies of the City's General Plan: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 Circulation Element Goal No. 1.1: "Ensure adequate public utilities and communication services to all residents, while considering environmental, aesthetic, and view impacts." Circulation Element, pg. C-5. "One of the founding principles of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is to maintain its rural character, a large component of which is its expanse of open land." Conservation and Open Space Element, pg. COS-36. Land Use Element Goal No. 1.10: "Preserve the rural and open character of the City through zoning, cooperation with other jurisdictions, and acquisition of open space land." Land Use Element, pg. L-7. "With urban design, the City is concerned with ensuring that the development of each parcel or additions to existing structures occurs in a manner that is harmonious with the land and also maintains an architectural aesthetic and character representative of the neighborhood and the City." Visual Resources Element, pg. V-4. "Neighborhood compatibility is an urban design concept that attempts to balance new residential development with the preservation of the rural and semi-rural character of the City." Visual Resources Element, pg. V-13. Circulation Element Policy No. 52: "Balance the need to accommodate wireless communications coverage in the community with the need to protect and maintain the quality of the environment for residents. All new proposals to construct wireless communication facilities shall be reviewed using g,uidelines adopted and kept current by the Planning Commission and, where applicable, considering covenants, conditions, and restrictions. These guidelines shall balance public and private costs and benefits to the greatest reasonable extent, and encourage colocation of facilities and the use of evolving wireless communication technologies to minimize impacts." Circulation Element, pg. C-8. C. The City Council acknowledges that certain antennas may be protected under state and federal law and said laws limit local authority with respect to regulations that limit or hinder installation, maintenance, and operation of certain antennas. As such, this ordinance will not apply to those antennas protected by state and/or federal law. The City will accept and process all applications for antennas in the timeline required by state and federal law. D. The City has received an application for five Ultra High Frequency (UHF) antennas to be installed on the roof of an existing residential structure that are proposed to be 9.5 feet tall as measured from the roof line to the top of the antenna assembly. The antennas would result in an overall structure as tall as a three-story building, and would be severely detrimental to the visual character of the neighborhood. Ordinance No. 665U Page 4 of 7 I I B-5 I I I E. The City Council wishes to expeditiously update the RPVMC's provisions relating to antennas so as to be compatible with the neighborhoods where they will be erected. F. The City Council further finds and determines that §17.76.020 (Antennas) of the RPVMC needs to be repealed and hereby directs Staff to draft and return with a new Chapter 17.77 (Antennas), which shall include, but not be limited to, consideration of the following elements: • Commercial and noncommercial antennas • Aesthetic impacts of antennas on neighboring properties and the community • View preservation and height limitations • Parameters of federal and state law, including FCC regulations and guidance • Bring the municipal code provisions regarding antennas into compliance with best industry practices and current law, including federal and state requirements G. The City Council hereby directs Staff to expeditiously proceed with a code amendment process by presenting a new Chapter 17.77 (Antennas) before the Planning Commission for their input on the proposed code amendment for recommendation to the City Council. Section 4. Moratorium A. During the effective period of this Ordinance, no application for a permit will be accepted, no consideration of any application for permit will be made, and no permit will be issued by the City for the establishment, expansion, or modification of any antenna or antenna assembly within the City until this Ordinance has expired or has been repealed according to applicable law. Further, all processing of existing applications for permits shall be suspended immediately. B. Notwithstanding, any provIsIons herein, in the event an applicant can establish that they are entitled to a permit or other approval or authorization under federal or state law to install, modify or expand an antenna or antenna assembly, they shall be entitled to submit legal support for the same. In the event the applicant sufficiently supports they are legally entitled to install, operate or modify, the City shall accept and process the application pursuant to RPVMC §17.76.020 (Antennas) as it is presently codified. Section 5. Review and Study A. City Staff, the Planning Commission, and the City Council, each requires a reasonable period of time to study the existing antenna regulations to determine the potential adverse impacts on the aesthetics of properties within the City, and to make recommendations on appropriate updated regulations for antennas on private property. Ordinance No. 665U Page 5 of 7 B-6 B. The City Council desires to establish, on an urgency basis, a temporary moratorium on the establishment, expansion, or modification of noncommercial amateur I radio antennas within the City through the adoption of this Ordinanc~ to further the purposes stated herein. Section 6. City Actions During the period of this Moratorium, and any extension thereof, the Director shall: (1) review and consider options for the regulation of antennas on private property, (2) issue a written report describing the measures which the City has taken to address the conditions which led to the adoption of this ordinance with the City Council 1 O days prior to the expiration of this Moratorium, or any extension thereof, and (3) make the report available to the public. Section 7. Urgency Measure The City Council finds that there is a current and immediate threat to public safety, health, and welfare posed by the existing antenna regulations, in that allowing antennas without appropriate regulations in place, including permitting antennas in single-family residential neighborhoods, would be permanently and irreversibly detrimental to the visual character of those neighborhoods. Section 8. Severability The City Council hereby declares, if any provision, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, phrase or word of this ordinance is rendered or declared invalid or unconstitutional by any final action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of any preemptive legislation, then the City Council would have independently adopted the remaining provisions, sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, phrases or words of this ordinance and as such they shall remain in full force and effect. Section 9. Posting The City Clerk shall further certify to the adoption and posting of this Ordinance, and shall cause this Ordinance and its certification, together with proof of posting, to be entered in the Book of Ordinances of the Council of this City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Section 10. Effectiveness of Ordinance This Ordinance shall take effect immediately, pursuant to the authority conferred upon the City Council by Government Code §36937. This Ordinance shall be of no further force and effect 45 days following the date of its adoption unless extende:d in accordance with the provisions set forth in Government Code §65858. Not later than 10 days prior to the expiration of this interim urgency ordinance, the City Council shall issue a written report as required by applicable state law. Ordinance No. 665U Page 6 of 7 I I B-7 I I I PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 4th day of October, 2022, by a four- fifths vote of the entire City Council. Attest: ~ .... ,., ..... ~•ok-=a=,-C-it_y_C-le-·r_k __ STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ) I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; and that the foregoing Ordinance No. 665U was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting thereof held on October 4, 2022 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Alegria, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro and Mayor Bradley None None None ~Tf\,Clerk Ordinance No. 665U Page 7 of 7 B-8 I I I Cn-YOF RANCHO PALOS VERDES STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES) The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and says: That at all times herein mentioned, she was and now is the City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes; That on October 4, 2022, she caused to be posted the following document entitled: ORDINANCE NO .. 665U, AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY 45-DA Y MORATORIUM ON THE ENTITLEMENT, ESTABLISHMENT, EXPANSION, OR MODIFICATION OF ANTENNAS GOVERNED PURSUANT TO §17.76.020 (ANTENNAS) OF CHAPTER 17.76 (MISCELLANEOUS PERMITS AND STANDARDS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE, a copy of which is attached hereto, in the following locations: City Hall 30940 Hawthorne Blvd. Rancho Palos Verdes Hess.e Park 29301 Hawthorne Blvd. Rancho Palos Verdes Abalone Cove Shoreline Park 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South Rancho Palos Verdes I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is a true and correct affidavit of posting. ~9&t=, ity Clerk C-1 I I I ORDINANCE NO. 670U AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM PERIOD ENACTED BY INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 665U BY AN ADDITIONAL 10 MONTHS AND 15 DAYS, TO ALLOW STAFF ADEQUATE TIME TO RESEARCH AND PREPARE CODE AMENDMENT PROCEEDINGS TO AMEND RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE § 17.76.020 (ANTENNAS). WHEREAS, §17.76.020 (Antennas) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) regulates the placement of commercial and noncommercial antennas on private property within the City; and WHEREAS, on October 4, 2022, the City Council adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 665U, which imposed a temporary 45-day moratorium on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas governed pursuant to§ 17.76.020 (Antennas) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the RPVMC in order to proceed with code amendments to the aforementioned section with new regulations governing antennas on private property based on current federal telecommunication laws; and WHEREAS, on November 18, 2022, the 45-day moratorium period imposed by Urgency Ordinance No. 665U is set to expire unless the City Council extends the moratorium period for an additional 10 months and 15 days, which is the maximum extension permitted by State law; and WHEREAS, Government Code§§ 36937 and 65858 expressly authorize the City Council to adopt an Urgency Ordinance for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, if the ordinance is approved by four-fifths of the City Council. To that end, this interim Urgency Ordinance is adopted for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, given the potential aesthetic impacts associated with antennas on private property throughout the City. Given the time constraints of the 45- day moratorium, which will expire prior to adopting an ordinance amending RPVMC § 17.76.020, staff requires additional time to adequately prepare and complete the code amendment process; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code §§ 2100 et. seq. ("CEQA"), the State's CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, §15000 et. seq., the City's Local CEQA Guidelines, and Government § 65962.5(f) (Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement), it has been determined that the proposed interim Urgency Ordinance is exempt from CEQA because (a) this Ordinance is not a project within the meaning of CEQA § 15378 as it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, either directly or indirectly; (b) this Ordinance is also exempt pursuant to CEQA § C-2 15061(b)(3) since the proposal involves an urgency ordinance extending the moratorium on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas and does not have the potential to significantly impact the environment; and (c) as the Ordinance is an administrative procedure related to uses, facilities, and regulations identified in the RPVMC and General Plan, and given that the proposed Ordinance is not related to a specific project (i) by virtue of the location of affected improvements, will not impact a sensitive environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern; (ii) will not have a cumulative impact on the environment through successive projects of the same type, in the same place, over time; (iii) does not have any unusual circumstances that will have a significant effect on the environment; (iv) does not impact a scenic highway; (v) is not located on a hazardous waste site; and (vi) will not adversely impact a historical resource; and WHEREAS, Government Code § 65858(d) requires that the legislative body issue a report, 10 days before extending a moratorium, describing the measures taken to alleviate the condition which led to the adoption of the ordinance establishing a moratorium. As such, a 10-Day Report was prepared and published in a timely manner on the City's website on October 31, 2022; and WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of the interim Urgency Ordinance have been satisfied in the manner required by law. I NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS I VERDES, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference. Section 2. The moratorium on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas governed pursuant to§ 17.76.020 (Antennas) of the RPVMC, which was enacted by interim Urgency Ordinance No. 665U on October 4, 2022, is hereby extended pursuant to Government Code § 65858 for .an additional period of 10 months and fifteen days, setting the expiration date as September 30, 2023. All terms shall have the same meaning as defined in interim Urgency Ordinance No. 665U, and all provisions of interim Urgency Ordinance 665U are incorporated herein by reference, and shall be in full force and effect for the duration of this extension. Section 3. Government Code§ 65858 expressly authorizes the City, in order to protect public safety, health, and welfare, to adopt an interim Urgency Ordinance prohibiting a use that is in conflict with a contemplated general plan, specific plan, or zoning proposal that the legislative body, planning commission, or the planning department is considering or studying or intends to study within a reasonable time, provided that the urgency measure shall require a four-fifths vote of the legislative body for adoption. Ordinance No. 670U Page 2 of 5 I C-3 I I I Section 4. On October 27, 2022, the City issued a 10-Day Report describing the measures taken to alleviate the condition(s) which led to the adoption of Urgency Ordinance No. 665U, which are summarized as follows: A. City Staff has been working on a community engagement plan to receive input from stakeholders, including neighborhood Homeowners Associations, residents, and service providers, on appropriate amendment(s) to RPVMC § 17.76.020 (Antennas) with consideration to both commercial and noncommercial antennas, aesthetic and view impacts on neighboring properties, compliance with Federal Communications Commission regulations, and other federal and state requirements. B. The City is assembling a technical and legal team that will be needed to analyze and develop appropriate amendment(s) to RPVMC § 17.76.020. C. City Staff has commenced the process to amend RPVMC § 17.76.020, including researching the potential impacts of the same on residential and commercial properties taking into consideration the requirements of law and the needs of the industry. D. A draft code amendment will then need to be presented to the Planning Commission at a duly noticed Planning Commission meeting at the earliest opportunity. E. The City has notified applicants of pending or potential applications regarding the enacted moratorium on antennas on private properties as the City will temporarily suspend or not accept new applications during the moratorium period. F. The adoption of a comprehensive update to RPVMC § 17.76.020 will take time and careful consideration as well as input from various interested parties. Thus far, there has been insufficient time since enacting Ordinance No. 665U to complete this process in a timely manner to amend the code language. Section 5. The moratorium extension is necessary to adopt an ordinance amending RPVMC § 17.76.020 (Antennas), and wherein said ordinance will b·e crafted to address any health and safety standards, site conditions relevant to different zoning designations and address or mitigate any potential negative impacts to the City's unique and high-quality aesthetic standards implemented citywide. The code amendment process requires public outreach, additional analysis, and public hearings before the City Council and Planning Commission. These tasks cannot be completed within the initial 45- day moratorium period. Hence, extending the moratorium will provide City Staff with the necessary time to complete its analysis and research to develop appropriate regulations and ensure the protection of public health, safety, and welfare. Ordinance No. 670U Page 3 of 5 C-4 Section 6. Moratorium. A. During the effective period of this Ordinance, no application for a permit will be accepted, no consideration of any application for permit will be made, and no permit will be issued by the City for the establishment, expansion, or modification of any antenna or antenna assembly within the City until this Ordinance has expired or has been repealed according to applicable law. Further, all processing of existing applications for permits shall be suspended immediately. B. Notwithstanding, any provisions herein, in the event an applicant can establish that they are entitled to a permit or other approval or authorization under federal or state law to install, modify or expand an antenna or antenna assembly, they shall be entitled to submit legal support for the same. In the event the applicant sufficiently supports they are legally entitled to install, operate or modify, the City shall accept and process the application pursuant to RPVMC §17.76.020 (Antennas) as it is presently codified. Section 7. Severability. The City Council hereby declares, if any provIsIon, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, phrase or word of this ordinance is rendered I or declared invalid or unconstitutional by any final action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of any preemptive legislation, then the City Council would have independently adopted the remaining provisions, sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, phrases or words of this ordinance and as such they shall remain in full force I and effect. Section 8. Certification and Publication. The City Clerk shall certify as to the passage and adoption of this interim Urgency Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published in a manner prescribed by law. Section 9. Effectiveness of Ordinance. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately, pursuant to the authority conferred upon the City Council by Government Code § 36937. Ordinance No. 670U Page 4 of 5 I C-5 I I I PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 15th day of November 2022, by a four- fifths vote of the entire City Council. Attest: ~Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ) I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; and that the foregoing Ordinance No. 670U was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting thereof held on November 15, 2022, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAINED: Alegria, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro and Mayor Bradley None None None Ordinance No. 670U Page 5 of 5 C-6 I I I CfTYOF RANCHO PALOS VERDES STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES) The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and says,: That at all times herein mentioned, she was and now is the City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes; That on November 16, 2022, she caused to be posted the following document entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 670U, AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM PERIOD ENACTED BY INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 665U BY AN ADDITIONAL 10 MONTHS AND 15 DAYS, TO ALLOW STAFF ADEQUATE TIME TO RESEARCH AND PREPARE CODE AMENDMENT PROCEEDINGS TO AMEND RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE § 17.76.020 (ANTENNAS), a copy of which is attached hereto, in the following locations: City Hall 30940 Hawthorne Blvd. Rancho Palos Verdes Hesse Park 29301 Hawthorne Blvd. Rancho Palos Verdes Abalone Cove Shoreline Park 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South Rancho Palos Verdes I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is a true and correct affidavit of posting. 01203.0015/912011.1 MEMORANDUM TO: OCTAVIO SILVA, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FROM: WHITNEY BERRY, ASSOCIATE PLANNER C DATE: AUGUST 4, 2023 SUBJECT: 10-DAY REPORT ON THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES MORATORIUM ON THE ENTITLEMENT, ESTABLISHMENT, EXPANSION, OR MODIFICATION OF ANTENNAS GOVERNED PURSUANT TO §17.76.020 (ANTENNAS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE AS REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT CODE §65858(d). BACKGROUND On October 4, 2022, pursuant to Government Code §§ 65858 and 36937, the City Council adopted Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 665U, which imposed a temporary 45-day moratorium on the entitlement, establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas governed pursuant to § 17.76.020 (Antennas) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) in order to proceed with a comprehensive code update to the aforementioned section with new regulations governing antennas on private property based on current federal telecommunication laws. Please click here for the Staff Report. On November 15, 2022, pursuant to Government Code § 65858 which allows an initial 45-day moratorium to be extended for up to 10 months and 15 days after a duly noticed public hearing is held, the City Council adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 670U, which extended the moratorium period for Urgency Ordinance No. 665U for an additional 10 months and 15 days. Please click here for the Staff Report. Government Code § 65858 allows the moratorium to be subsequently extended for one additional year. As required by Government Code § 65858(d), the City must also produce a report 10 days prior to the City Council’s public consideration whether to extend the moratorium that describes the measures taken since enacting the urgency ordinance. D-1 c,~ ~ CITY OF ~ ~ RANCHO PALOS VERDES MEASURES TAKEN TO ALLEVIATE THE CONDITIONS THAT LED TO THE ADOPTION OF THE URGENCY ORDINANCE 1. City Staff has been working on a community engagement plan to receive input from stakeholders, including neighborhood Homeowners Associations, residents, and service providers, on appropriate amendment(s) to RPVMC § 17.76.020 (Antennas) with consideration to both commercial and noncommercial antennas, aesthetic and view impacts on neighboring properties, compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, and other federal and state requirements. 2. The City continues to build the technical and legal team needed to analyze and develop appropriate amendment(s) to RPVMC § 17.76.020 . 3. City Staff has commenced the process to amend RPVMC § 17.76.020, including researching the potential impacts of the same on residential and commercial properties taking into consideration the requirements of state and federal law and the needs of the wireless industry. 4. City Staff continues to research and analyze the various antennas, antenna configurations, related equipment and FCC licensing and rules to establish an ordinance carefully crafted to comply with all laws and regulations while recognizing the City’s unique coastal aesthetic quality. 5. City Staff has coordinated two meetings of the Planning Commission’s Zoning Subcommittee to obtain feedback on developing the code amendment(s). 6. The City has notified applicants of pending or potential applications regarding the enacted moratorium on antennas on private properties as the City will temporarily suspend or not accept new applications during the moratorium period except to the extent required by law as provided for in the moratorium. 7. The adoption of a comprehensive update to RPVMC § 17.76.020 continues to take time with careful consideration as well as input from various interested parties. Thus far, there has been insufficient time since enacting Ordinance No. 665U to complete the necessary updates. CONTINUED NEED FOR THE MORATORIUM Despite Staffs’ efforts, the conditions which necessitated adoption of the moratorium continue to exist at the present time and the moratorium is set to expire on September 30, 2023. Extending the moratorium will provide Staff with the necessary time to complete its analysis and research, to develop appropriate regulations and ensure the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. Therefore, a request to extend the moratorium period by an additional year, will be presented before the City Council at its August 15, 2023 meeting. D-2