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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: September 3, 2002 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. <br /> SUBJECT:. Master Telecommunications Plan (MTP) (Wireless Facilities) <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Summary of Telecommunications: Craig N. Benedict, ext. 2592 <br /> Planning for the Future. TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Excerpt from Telco Ordinance Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Criteria for Master Telecommunications Plan Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Inclusion and Examples Durham 688-7331 <br /> Resolution to Create a Master Telecommunications Mebane (336) 337-2031 <br /> Plan <br /> Example of a Telecommunications Plan <br /> Excerpts from Strategic Plan for Wireless <br /> Telecommunication Facilities—Appendix A <br /> Map & Table of Parcels (Under Separate Cover) <br /> PURPOSE: To hear a report and discuss the creation of a Master Telecommunications Plan <br /> (MTP) (Wireless Element). <br /> BACKGROUND: The Federal 1996 Telecommunications Act set forth a new regulatory <br /> framework for the deployment of telecommunication facilities. In essence, the federal <br /> government wanted to limit the authority of local government regulation that created a "barrier <br /> to entry" of new "telco"facilities that would create the public interest"information highway". <br /> Since then, all local governments have grappled with the limits of their authority in this field to <br /> protect their local interests through zoning. As a result, local regulations have been pushed to <br /> a somewhat uncharted limit of authority that has led to hundreds of lawsuits that sought to <br /> resolve the balance intended in the 1996 Telco Act. <br /> Accordingly, Orange County has recommended changes to its telecommunication tower <br /> ordinance to stay up-to-date with the law, technology and consultant technical expertise <br /> opportunities. As an overreaching plan to address many telecommunication issues and <br /> programs, an MTP is often used to organize and create a game plan for implementation. <br /> An MTP can have various elements related to the different application of telecommunication <br /> facilities. From towers to underground to technological advancement of computer/intemet <br /> services, the MTP can offer a mechanism to promote a policy to plan for the future. <br />