La Palma Municipal Code Div. 16 Batch Broadband Permits

The purpose of this division is to define the parameters of batched broadband permits. This division is intended to ensure that broadband permit applications are processed in a manner to allow consistent and careful consideration for the purpose of promoting broadband throughout the City and maintaining the quality of residential and commercial areas of the City.

(Ord. No. 2024-02, § 4, 3-5-2024)

(a) Batch broadband permit processing means the simultaneous processing of multiple broadband permit applications for substantially similar broadband project sites under a single permit.

(b) Broadband permit application means an application or other documents submitted for review by a local agency to permit the construction of a broadband project.

(c) Broadband project means the proposed facility, including the support structure and any supporting equipment necessary for operation of the proposed facility. A broadband project may be comprised of one or more components, including, but not limited to, a wireless facility, a fiber optic connection, and other supporting equipment, each of which may require separate permits or authorizations by the City.

(d) Presumptively reasonable time for the purposes of this section shall mean the timeframe, if any specified by applicable law, and in the absence of such law, whatever time the Planning Division deems reasonable to process the broadband permit applications.

(e) Simultaneous for the purposes of this section means broadband permit applications which are submitted at the same time.

(f) Substantially similar broadband project sites means broadband project sites that are nearly identical in terms of equipment and general design but not location.

(Ord. No. 2024-02, § 4, 3-5-2024)

Requests for permits for any broadband project shall require that a City application form be filled out in its entirety and submitted to the Community Development Director. In addition, other materials, reports, dimensions, plans, or other information required to take an action on the application as identified in this division and the application guidelines, shall be submitted with the application. The Application guidelines, which include a list of required items for each type of application, are available as a handout in the Community Development Department. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required information is provided.

(Ord. No. 2024-02, § 4, 3-5-2024)

At any given time, the City shall limit the number of permits in a batch broadband permit processing to 25 simultaneous permits. For each permit over one, the applicant shall file a separate amendment to the permit defining the location of the broadband project and what differences in design or construction exist between the additional broadband project and the original broadband project.

(Ord. No. 2024-02, § 4, 3-5-2024)

A completed application shall include the following information at a minimum, subject to additional requirements as imposed by the Planning Manager:

(1) The application form with all applicable information included on, or attached to, the form.

(2) Other information or forms required for implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq.) in compliance with City and State guidelines for the implementation of CEQA.

(3) An addendum for each permit over one that is applied for simultaneously, which describes the location of each additional broadband project, and describes how the broadband project is substantially similar to the original broadband project applied for.

(4) Payment in full of the required fees and/or deposit for processing the application, in compliance with the City Council's fee resolution (application fees).

(5) Address and legal description of the property under consideration.

(6) Other information required by the Planning Manager or his/her designee.

(Ord. No. 2024-02, § 4, 3-5-2024)

Applicant shall be notified of approval within a presumptively reasonable time or in a time mutually agreed upon by the City and the applicant, whichever is later.

(Ord. No. 2024-02, § 4, 3-5-2024)

The City Council shall establish by resolution, and from time to time amend by resolution, a schedule of fees and costs for applications for permits, licenses, appeals, amendments, and approvals required or allowed by this chapter to reimburse the City for all costs reasonably and necessarily incurred as the result of processing the application, as allowed by law.

(Ord. No. 2024-02, § 4, 3-5-2024)