GTE MobilNet of California Limited Partnership (dba Verizon Wireless) has filed applications for wireless access permits to construct wireless telecommunication facilities within the public right-of-way as follows: Near 3160 Walnut Blvd. (Walnut Creek area)(WA17-0004), near 2372 Hagen Oaks Drive (Alamo area)(WA17-0005), near 20 Francesca Way (Alamo area)(WA17-0008), near 1951 Green Valley Road (Alamo area)(WA17-0009), near Vernal Drive and Livorna Rd. (Alamo area)(WA17-0011), near 2501 Danville Blvd. (Alamo area)(WA17-0012) and near 184 Creekdale Road (Alamo area)(WA17-0013). The wireless access permit application #WA17-0004 was filed with the County on October 18, 2017, and the remainder of the wireless access permit applications were filed on October 19, 2017.
Under a ruling of the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), a wireless service provider whose application has been pending for a period of 90 days for collocation applications, and 150 days for all other applications, is authorized to seek judicial review within 30 days on the basis that a state or local permitting authority did not act on the application within "a reasonable time". (In Re: Petition for Declaratory Ruling to Clarify Provisions of Section 332(c)(7)(B) to Ensure Timely Siting Review, Etc., FCC 09-99 (FCC November 18, 2009) (the "Ruling"), 45.) The Ruling also permits the period for a local jurisdiction's review of an application to be extended by mutual consent. (Ruling, 49.)
The proposed tolling agreements would extend through November 30, 2018, the time for the Zoning Administrator and the County Planning Commission to act on all of the applications. The proposed tolling agreements would also prohibit Verizon Wireless from seeking a court order before November 30, 2018, that would direct the County to act on the applications. In addition, the proposed tolling agreements would toll the time for Verizon Wireless to seek a court order alleging a violation of the Permit Streamlining Act to after November 30, 2018.
This Board order also authorizes the Director of Conservation and Development, or designee, to execute extensions of the above time period if necessary.
If the tolling agreement is not approved, the Federal Communications Commission “shot clock” requirements would require the County to act on the applications within the time prescribed by the FCC.