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CITY OF PASADENA Wi-Fi Experience Project Initial Study November 28, 2006 Page 1



CITY OF PASADENA

PLANNING DIVISION
HALE BUILDING
175 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
PASADENA, CA 91101-1704


INITIAL STUDY


In accordance with the Environmental Policy Guidelines of the City of Pasadena, this analysis, the
associated Master Application Form, and/or Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) and supporting data
constitute the Initial Study for the subject project. This Initial Study provides the assessment for a
determination whether the project may have a significant effect on the environment.

SECTION I PROJECT INFORMATION


1.
Project
Title:
Citywide
Wi-Fi
Experience
Project


2. Lead Agency Name and Address:

City of Pasadena

Finance
Department


117
E.
Colorado
Boulevard


Pasadena,
CA

91109


3. Contact Person and Phone Number:
Lori Sandoval, IT Planning

(626)
744-4710



4.
Project
Location:
Citywide

5. Project Applicants Name and Address:
Earthlink, Inc.

1375
Peachtree
Street

Atlanta,
GA
30309

6. General Plan Designation:


Citywide

7.
Zoning: Citywide

8. Description of the Project:

In 2005, the City of Pasadena sought an application from qualified internet service providers to
blanket as much of the City as possible with wireless internet service. Earthlink was the most
qualified applicant, and an agreement for development, operation, and maintenance of the Citywide
Wi-Fi Mesh Network has been proposed between the City of Pasadena and Earthlink, a private
internet service provider. This initial study reviews the potential environmental impacts the project
may have on the City of Pasadena.

EarthLink would install up to 1,100 facilities throughout the City on both public and private lands for a
wireless network to be accessible Citywide. Each individual facility is small in size and could be
classified exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. However, the
potential cumulative effect of installation of up to 1,100 facilities disqualifies use of an exemption
under CEQA, and has triggered the requirement to complete an Initial Study. Wi-Fi Experience Project Initial Study November 28, 2006 Page 2


Proposed facilities on public lands: Co-locating up to 1,100 antenna nodes to be placed on existing public street light standards
and utility poles. Up to 30 of the nodes would be located in public parks. These nodes
would measure thirteen inches long by eight inches wide by five inches high and would be
mounted on the cobra-head portion of the light standard and would be 25 to 35 feet (were
confirming this height w/ planning right now) above the street grade. Co-locating up to 350 secondary equipment pieces to be placed on one-third of the street
light standards and utility poles that have antenna nodes installed on them. These pieces
include a twelve inch square radio antenna and a two foot high pole antennas extension.
These pieces would be attached perpendicular to the main antenna node or mounted parallel
to the light standard pole or utility pole; and Co-locating various antennas on the 80 foot high El Mirador Tower. Equipment will also be
placed within existing buildings and enclosures. The existing tower was approved through
the Conditional Use Permit process in 2000. The tower is located on City owned property,
and was constructed by a private company under contract with the City. The City performs
all maintenance of the facility.


Proposed facilities on private lands: Co-locating up to 18 foot high pole antennas and 2-foot diameter dishes on the roof of up to
five multi-story buildings in the City. Equipment will also be placed within existing roof and
ground mounted enclosures. A total of nine potential building sites have been identified. All
of the potential buildings are privately owned and maintained They include:
1. 3452 E. Foothill Boulevard;
2. 300 N. Lake Avenue;
3. 301 N. Lake Avenue (Lake Corson Building);
4. 1200 E. California (Millikin Library, Caltech);
5. 2947 Bradley Street;
6. 251 S. Lake Avenue;
7. 275 Cordova Street;
8. 225 S. Lake Avenue; and
9. 1575 E. Washington Boulevard.

The project would require several entitlement approvals before the facilities could be installed. This
includes approval of an agreement between the City of Pasadena and EarthLink, a Zoning Code
Amendment to permit minor wireless facilities in Open Space zones if those facilities are to be
installed, a Master Minor Conditional Use Permit (MCUP) to permit the specific location of all of the
facilities and to co-locate antennas on the El Mirador Tower and Design Review to permit roof
mounted pole antennas.

The installation phase to install the facilities would take approximately six months. EarthLink would
be responsible to install and maintain all of the facilities.

9. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting:

Pasadena has an area of 23 square miles and a population of 134,000. The majority of the City is
flat with hillside and canyon areas located along the western and northern edges of the City. The
facilities will be located throughout the City in a variety of zoning districts and neighborhoods.

10. Other public agencies whose approval is required (e.g. permits, financing approval, or participation
agreement): City of Pasadena City Council for the Franchise Agreement with EarthLink; City of Pasadena City Council for a Code Amendment to permit minor wireless facilities in Open
Space zones, if those facilities are to be installed; Wi-Fi Experience Project Initial Study November 28, 2006 Page 3
City of Pasadena Hearing Officer for the Master Minor Conditional Use Permit (MCUP) for the co-
location of the facilities; and City of Pasadena Design Commission for roof mounted pole antennas over 15 feet in height on up
to five of the buildings identified in this study.
Wi-Fi Experience Project Initial Study November 28, 2006 Page 4



ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:

The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at
least one impact that is a Potentially Significant Impact as indicated by the checklist on the following
pages:

Aesthetics
Geology and Soils
Population and
Housing
Agricultural Resources
Hazards and
Hazardous Materials
Public Services
Air Quality
Hydrology and Water
Quality
Recreation
Biological Resources
Land Use and
Planning
Transportation/Traffic
Cultural Resources
Mineral Resources
Utilities and Service
Systems
Energy
Noise
Mandatory Findings of
Significance

DETERMINATION:

On the basis of this initial evaluation:

I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE
DECLARATION will be prepared.


I find that, although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not
be a significant effect in this case because the mitigation measures described on an attached sheet have
been added to the project. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.


I find that the proposed MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT REPORT is required.

I find that the proposed project MAY have a potentially significant impact or potentially significant unless
mitigated impact on the environment., but at least effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier
document pursuant to applicable legal standards , and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures
based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.


I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all
potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE
DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that
earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed
upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.


_________________________________ __________________________________
Prepared
By/Date
Reviewed
By/Date

____________________________________ __________________________ ___________
Printed Name



Printed Name

Negative Declaration/Mitigated Negative Declaration adopted on: ___________________

Adoption attested to by: __________________________________________________________



Printed name/Signature Date Wi-Fi Experience Project Initial