(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to ensure that buildings and structures shall not interfere with the city's communication network. Developments shall be modified to accommodate the needs of the city's communications network, to eliminate any interference a development would create or otherwise accommodate the needs of the city's communication network within the development proposal. Adequate provisions shall be made for a radio signal booster system which will correct for a reduction in the radio signal to a level below that required to assure the 95 percent area coverage reliability needed for public safety communications.
(b) Radio signal booster system required. Except as otherwise provided no person shall maintain, own, erect, or construct, any building or structure or any part thereof, or cause the same to be done which fails to support adequate radio coverage for public safety entities, including, but not limited to, firefighters, emergency medical services and police officers. The following structures are exempt from these requirements:
(1) Single-family residential buildings; any building constructed of wood frame; any building 25 feet high or less; as long as none of the aforementioned buildings make primary use of metal on concrete construction or contain below grade storage or parking areas. For purposes of this section, parking structures are included in the definition of buildings, and stair shafts are included in the definition of all parts of a building, but elevators may be excluded.
(2) Buildings constructed prior to the effective date of this section (February 12, 2008) shall be required to comply with public safety radio coverage provisions of this section. However, should exempted structures undergo renovation or modification where the cost of the renovation or modification exceeds 75 percent of the appraised value of the structure this exemption shall not apply.
(c) Easements. The city may require an easement to utilize the roof for communications infrastructure components to support current and future public safety communication needs. This includes, but is not limited to a 12 feet × 25 feet rooftop area for; antennas, base stations, UPS power supplies, and microwave dish antennas. The building owners shall provide a secure climate controlled environment, no less than ten feet × 20 feet × ten feet, suitable for sensitive electronic equipment. This room shall be located within the top floor of roof area to allow for less than 100-foot cable runs to the antenna locations. Power for the equipment in this room shall be fed from the building emergency generator. Additional construction specifications will be made available as required.
(d) Specifications. All emergency wireless communications shall be constructed in accordance with the standards set forth in the City of Asheville Standards and Specifications Manual.
(e) Alternative standards. Based on sound telecommunication engineering practices, the information technology director or his designee may approve alternative standards that are equal to or better than those set forth in this chapter and in the City of Asheville Standards and Specifications Manual.
(Ord. No. 3583, § 1(b), 2-12-08; Ord. No. 3791, § 1e, 9-22-09)