(a) Prohibited on certain structures. No wireless telecommunications antenna shall be located on single-family detached residences, single-family attached residences or any residential accessory structure.
(b) Conditional use required. Any WCF applicant proposing the construction of a new wireless telecommunications antenna, or the modification of an existing wireless telecommunications antenna, shall first obtain a conditional use from the township. New constructions, modifications and replacements that do fall under the WBCA shall not be subject to the conditional use process. The conditional use application shall demonstrate that the proposed facility complies with all applicable provisions in the Zoning Code.
(c) Historic buildings. No wireless telecommunications antenna may be located upon any property, or on a building or structure that is listed on either the National or Pennsylvania Registers of Historic Places, or is listed on the official historic structures and/or historic districts list maintained by the township.
(d) Retention of experts. The township may hire any consultant(s) and/or expert(s) necessary to assist the township in reviewing and evaluating the application for approval of the WCF and, once approved, in reviewing and evaluating any potential violations of the terms and conditions of these WCF provisions. The WCF applicant and/or owner of the WCF shall reimburse the township for all costs of the township’s consultant(s) in providing expert evaluation and consultation in connection with these activities.
(e) Permit fees. The township may assess appropriate and reasonable permit fees directly related to the township’s actual costs in reviewing and processing the application for approval of a wireless telecommunications antenna, as well as related inspection, monitoring and related costs. Fees shall be set by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
(f) Development regulations. Wireless telecommunications antennas shall be co-located on existing wireless support structures, such as existing buildings or wireless telecommunications towers, subject to the following conditions.
(1) The total height of any wireless support structure and mounted WCF shall not exceed 20 feet above the maximum height permitted in the underlying zoning district, unless the WCF applicant applies for, and subsequently obtains, a variance.
(2) In accordance with industry standards, all wireless telecommunications antenna applicants must submit documentation to the township justifying the total height of the wireless telecommunications antenna. Such documentation shall be analyzed in the context of such justification on an individual basis.
(3) If the WCF applicant proposes to locate the related equipment in a separate building, the building shall comply with the minimum requirements for the applicable zoning district, and landscaping shall be required to screen as much of the equipment building as possible. An evergreen screen shall surround the site. The evergreen screen shall be a minimum height of six feet at planting.
(g) Security fence. A security fence with a minimum height of eight feet shall surround any separate communications equipment building. Vehicular access to the communications equipment building shall not interfere with the parking or vehicular circulations on the site for the principal use.
(h) Noncommercial usage exemption. Township residents utilizing satellite dishes and/or antennas for the purpose of maintaining television, phone and/or internet connections at their respective residences shall be exempt from the regulations enumerated in this section of the Zoning Code.
(i) Design regulations. Wireless telecommunications antennas shall employ stealth technology and be treated to match the wireless support structure in order to minimize aesthetic impact. The application of the stealth technology chosen by the WCF applicant shall be subject to the approval of the township.
(j) Removal, replacement and modification.
(1) The removal and replacement of wireless telecommunications antennas and/or accessory equipment for the purpose of upgrading or repairing the WCF is permitted, so long as such repair or upgrade does not substantially change the overall size of the underlying wireless support structure.
(2) Any material modification to a WCF shall require notice to be provided to the township, and possible supplemental permit approval to the original permit or authorization.
(k) Inspection. The township reserves the right to inspect any WCF to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Zoning Code and any other provisions found within the Township Code or state or federal law. The township and/or its agents shall have the authority to enter the property upon which a WCF is located at any time, upon reasonable notice to the operator, to ensure such compliance.
(Ord. 984, passed 11-20-2018)