For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANTENNA. Any system of wires, rods, discs, panels, flat panels, dishes, whips or other similar devices used for the transmission or reception of wireless signals. An ANTENNA may include an omni- directional antenna (rod), directional antenna (panel), parabolic antenna (disc) or any other wireless antenna. An ANTENNA shall not include wireless telecommunications towers as defined below.
CO-LOCATION. The mounting of one or more WCFs, including antennas, on an existing wireless telecommunications tower, or on any structure that already supports at least one wireless telecommunications antenna.
DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEMS (DAS). Network of spatially separated antenna sites connected to a common source that provides wireless service within a geographic area or structure.
EMERGENCY. A condition that:
(1) Constitutes a clear and immediate danger to the health, welfare or safety of the public; or
(2) Has caused or is likely to cause facilities in the rights-of-way to be unusable and result in loss of the services provided.
FCC. Federal Communications Commission.
HEIGHT OF A WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER. The vertical distance measured from the ground level, including any base pad, to the highest point on a wireless telecommunications tower, including antennas mounted on the tower and any other appurtenances.
MONOPOLE. A WCF or site which consists of a single pole structure, designed and erected on the ground or on top of a structure, to support communications antennas and connecting appurtenances.
RELATED EQUIPMENT. Any piece of equipment related to, incidental to, or necessary for, the operation of a wireless telecommunications tower or wireless telecommunications antenna. By way of illustration, not limitation, RELATED EQUIPMENT includes generators and base stations.
STEALTH TECHNOLOGY. Camouflaging methods applied to wireless communications towers, antennas and other facilities which render them more visually appealing or blend the proposed facility into the existing structure or visual backdrop in such a manner as to render it minimally visible to the casual observer. Such methods include, but are not limited to, architecturally screened roof-mounted antennas, building-mounted antennas painted to match the existing structure and facilities constructed to resemble trees, shrubs and light poles.
SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGE or SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE. A modification to an existing wireless communications facility SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGES the physical dimensions of a tower or base station if it meets any of the following criteria:
(1) For telecommunications tower outside the public rights-of-way, it increases the height of the facility by more than 10%, or by the height of one additional antenna array with separation from the nearest existing antenna, not to exceed 20 feet, whichever is greater; for telecommunications tower in the rights-of-way, it increases the height of the facility by more than 10% or ten feet, whichever is greater;
(2) For telecommunications tower outside the public rights-of-way, it protrudes from the edge of the WCF by more than 20 feet, or more than the width of the tower structures are the level off the appurtenance, whichever is greater; for those telecommunications tower in the public rights-of-way, it protrudes from the edge of the structure by more than six feet;
(3) It involves installation of more than the standard number of new equipment cabinets for the technology involved, but not to exceed four cabinets;
(4) It entails any excavation of deployment outside the current site of the telecommunications tower; or
(5) It does not comply with conditions associated with prior approval of construction or modification of the telecommunications tower unless the noncompliance is due to an increase in height, increase in width or addition of cabinets.
WBCA. Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation Act (53 P.S. §§ 11702.1 et seq.).
WIRELESS. Transmissions through the airwaves including, but not limited to, infrared line of sight, cellular, PCS, microwave, satellite or radio signals.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY (WCF). The antennas, nodes, control boxes, towers, poles, conduits, ducts, pedestals, electronics and other equipment used for the purpose of transmitting, receiving, distributing, providing or accommodating wireless communications services. WCF include both wireless telecommunications towers and wireless telecommunications antennas.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY APPLICANT (WCF APPLICANT). Any person that applies for a wireless communication facility building permit, zoning approval and/or permission to use the public right-of-way (ROW) or other township owned land or property.
WIRELESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE. A freestanding structure, such as a wireless telecommunications tower or any other support structure that could support the placement or installation of a wireless communications facility if approved by the township.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA. All non-tower wireless communications facilities, including but not limited to, antennas and related equipment. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNAS shall not include support structures for antennas or any related equipment that is mounted to the ground or at ground-level.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER. Any structure that is used for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas, including, but not limited to, self-supporting lattice towers, guy towers and monopoles, utility poles and light poles. DAS hub facilities are considered to be WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWERS.
(Ord. 984, passed 11-20-2018)