(A) The tower application must include a site plan containing the following information and must be made by the landowner, a lessee or person holding an option or contract to purchase or lease the land, or an authorized agent of the landowner (see G.S. §160D-403(a)):
(1) Property. The name and contact information for the property owner of the proposed site location, the parcel ID number of the location, and a copy of the section of the 1:24,000 USGS quadrangle showing the proposed site.
(2) Copy of lease agreement. Non-owner applicants must provide a copy of lease or letter of authorization from the property owner evidencing applicant’s authority to pursue the application. Such submissions need not disclose financial lease terms.
(3) Fall zone statement. A statement and description of sufficient land area surrounding the tower to contain any ice debris or debris that happens to fall from the tower, antenna, or guy wires.
(4) Collocation of towers.
(a) Collocation is a highly desirable feature of a tower, potentially reducing the number of towers needed in the county. Collocation on an existing tower shall not increase the height, width, or exceed the structural capacity of the existing tower.
(b) If unable to collocate on existing tower, provide:
1. A statement of reasons the applicant cannot utilize existing towers (by collocation) to achieve the results desired;
2. A statement of reasons the applicant has rejected lease of county-owned property upon which the county could collocate antennas for emergency communications;
(c) Any statements concerning the structural integrity of the existing tower being unable to collocate an additional antenna, shall be from a professional engineer licensed by the State of North Carolina.
(5) Blue Ridge Parkway view shed. A description of the distance of the proposed site from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and if within its view shed, a copy of all communication with the Community Planner for the Blue Ridge Parkway regarding the proposed tower site.
(6) Right-of-way access. Proof of authority to use the tower site and any necessary right-of-way approval to the tower site, describing how the tower site and right-of-way will be accessed and maintained.
(7) Tower company identification.
(a) Name and contact information of the company owning the tower and the company responsible for maintaining the tower;
(b) Names and contact information for the professional who prepared the site design;
(c) Location of a four foot by four foot sign, clearly visible, identifying the owner and operator of the tower site and a local emergency phone number for each.
(8) Proof of insurance. The tower owner shall provide proof of general liability insurance in at least the amount of $500,000. This requirement for proof of insurance shall be required as part of the permit application process, upon any policy changes or renewals or upon request by the Ashe County Planning Department.
(B) The tower application must include a design plan containing the following information:
(1) Engineer certification. Tower design plans must be signed and certified by a professional engineer licensed by the State of North Carolina;
(2) Location of the base of the tower and the foundations for all guy-line anchors and support structures, all proposed wireless facility buildings and any other proposed improvements, including the utilities connections within and to the proposed site;
(3) A description of engineering or construction methods that will allow for additional antennas to be located on the proposed tower for future collocation or additional expansion of services;
(4) Certification that the tower is designed to meet the standards of Table 1606.1 of the North Carolina State Building Code for wind velocities;
(5) Certification that the tower meets the ANSI/EIA/TIA-222 standards of a minimum 100 year return wind speed and a minimum one-half inch of solid radial ice;
(6) A tower shall not be located on a major mountain ridge without consideration of concealment technology, and shall be designed to utilize the minimum height for its intended purpose, but shall not be greater in height than 200 feet, which includes any attached antenna, beacon, light or other structure(s);
(7) A tower shall be constructed according to the North Carolina Utilities Commission construction standards;
(8) A chain link fence with a minimum height of eight feet, topped with one or two feet of razor wire, and with a minimum of a 15 feet radius from the tower center, shall be constructed to improve safety and discourage vandalism;
(9) Tower lighting. Any necessary communications tower lighting shall meet, but not exceed, the minimum standards of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a lighting system;
(10) All existing facilities and infrastructure, to include all overhead and underground power lines; federal, state, and local roads; any water courses, to include perennial streams; and any existing communications equipment on the property.
(C) Submittal and review process. A tower permit application submitted to the Ashe County Planning Department will be reviewed by the County Planner for conformity with this chapter. When deemed complete, the tower permit application will be presented to the Ashe County Board of Adjustment at its next regularly scheduled meeting for consideration of approval. The Board of Adjustment shall review the tower permit application and consider the necessity of the proposed tower to accomplish the objectives of this chapter, the effect of the proposed tower on neighboring properties, the effect on views of any Major Mountain Ridge, and the effect of the proposed tower on financial concerns for the county such as tourism and development.
(Ord. passed 6-2-97; Am. Ord. passed 4-20-15; Am. Ord. passed 10-19-20; Am. Ord. passed 8-21-23)