1) Andrew Mulnar from Ithica, New York shared some fantastic news regarding Ithica's City Council updating its telecommunications codes to be more protective. You can see the highlights listed below:
*A 1500 foot setback between antennas (old code: 0 feet)
* A 250 foot setback between antennas and homes/schools (old code: 8 feet)
* Requiring proof of a significant gap in service coverage for any antenna, proven by 'in-kind' testing (such as drive-by tests and dropped calls)
* Clarifying that an applicant’s claim that it needs the proposed tower for “future capacity” or to “improve coverage” is not sufficient to establish that it suffers from a significant gap in coverage
* Requiring the least intrusive methods to fill any coverage gap for antennas
* Requiring that a visual impact analysis be submitted for any new proposed antennas
* Requiring General Liability Insurance without a pollution exclusion
* Allowing for random, unannounced radiation testing for all towers done by the City at the expense of the applicant
* Including fall-zone requirements that wireless facilities are maintained at a sufficient distance from other structures and the general public
* Allowing for revocability (a clause allowing the voiding of any contract requiring its modification in the event of a regulatory change)
* Mandating certified mail notices of any proposed tower be sent to people living near a proposed site before approval, paid for by the applicant.
* Establishing a procedure for any disabled persons suffering from EHS to submit requests/grievances in accordance with the ADA
* Establishing that the codes apply to all wireless transmitting antennas, including any on private homes (aimed at the OTARD challenge)
* Deputizing any citizen to test for RF emissions
* Protecting against reductions in property values of properties situated near wireless facilities
* Requiring that everything submitted by the applicant is done so under oath and penalty of perjury
And as if that wasn't enough, Andrew shared a link to some of the resources he and his wife used over the year-and-a-half process working to get these codes updated: