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Planning Department
Staff Report and Business Impact Statement
rersunal Wireless ServlLes racilties
Purpose:
The proposed updated standards support the investment in and deployment of personal
wireless technologies and services, while also protecting neighborhood character and
minimizing impacts on adjacent properties. The amendments clarify and streamline the
entitlement process in alignment with State and Federal Regulations and update design
standards relating to Personal Wireless Service Facilities (PWSF) including towers and
monopoles. Additional by Right opportunities are available when specified criteria are satisfied.
Estimated Direct Economic Impact:
• There will be no additional municipal regulatory costs for businesses.
• The expanded by -right opportunities eliminate entitlement requirements and reduce
regulatory costs when specified criteria are satisfied.
• The proposal supports the deployment of new technologies, generating a positive
economic impact for local businesses and enhancing services for residents and visitors.
Estimated Number of Businesses to be Impacted:
A PWSF provider is any business that offers personal wireless services to the public. These
services include commercial cellphone services, unlicensed wireless services, wireless
broadband, and paging services. There is no avialable data on the exact number of PWSF
providers but includes major carriers, smaller regional providers, and utility companies.
Additional Information:
Personal Wireless Service Facilities refer to infrastructure used for wireless telecommunications,
such as cell towers, antennas, and related equipment. The growing demand for wireless
services is driving the need for more of these facilities.
Key factors contributing to this demand include:
• The widespread use of connected devices and increased reliance on wireless connectivity
by both residents and businesses
• The expansion of 5G networks, which requires a denser network of antennas and
transmitters
• Large-scale sporting and recreational events that attract high concentrations of users
To manage this growth while minimizing visual impact, the City of Miami is proposing updated
zoning regulations for PWSFs. These regulations encourage collocation of antennas on existing
structures and use of concealed installations that help to reduce visual clutter.
Recommendation: Approval