Hall County is considering the adoption of an ordinance that will establish guidelines for small wireless facilities in the County right-of-way. The ordinance is in conjunction with SB 66, approved this year in the Georgia General Assembly to streamline the deployment of wireless broadband in public rights-of-way.
A small wireless facility includes electronic equipment such as radio transceivers, antennas, etc. that serve as means of communication. To qualify as a small wireless facility, the structure's antenna must be able to fit within an enclosure of six cubic feet or smaller, and - when accounting for all other wireless equipment at the facility - take up no more than 28 cubic feet.
"Hall County understands the valuable tools these types of facilities can be, but we want to ensure that they don't interfere with vital equipment, like traffic signals, that citizens rely on for safety," said Srikanth Yamala, Hall County Planning and Development Director.
Under the new code, any new, modified or replacement pole installed on a right-of-way zoned for residential use will not exceed 50 feet above ground level. In non-residential zonings, poles must be within 50 feet of ground level, or 10 feet in height of the highest pole within a 500-foot radius - whichever is higher.
The Hall County Planning Commission will consider the matter at its meeting June 3. The Hall County Board of Commissioners is tentatively scheduled to hold two public hearings on the ordinance change June 13 and 25, with formal adoption tentatively scheduled for June 25.