In addition to the wireless telecommunications antenna provisions listed, the following regulations shall apply to wireless telecommunications antennas located in the public rights-of-way.
(a) Co-location. Wireless telecommunications antennas in the ROW shall be co-located on existing poles, such as existing utility poles or light poles. If co-location is not technologically feasible, the WCF applicant, with the township’s approval, shall locate its wireless telecommunications antennas on existing poles or freestanding structures that do not already act as wireless support structures.
(b) Design requirements.
(1) WCF installations located above the surface grade in the public ROW including, but not limited to, those on streetlights and joint utility poles, shall consist of equipment components that are no more than six feet in height and that are compatible in scale and proportion to the structures upon which they are mounted. All equipment shall be the smallest and least visibly intrusive equipment feasible.
(2) Antenna and related equipment shall be treated to match the supporting structure and may be required to be painted, or otherwise coated, to be visually compatible with the support structure upon which they are mounted.
(c) Time, place and manner. The township shall determine the time, place and manner of construction, maintenance, repair and/or removal of all wireless telecommunications antennas in the row based on public safety, traffic management, physical burden on the ROW and related considerations. For public utilities, the time, place and manner requirements shall be consistent with the police powers of the township and the requirements of the Public Utility Code.
(d) Equipment location. Wireless telecommunications antennas and related equipment shall be located so as not to cause any physical or visual obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or to otherwise create safety hazards to pedestrians and/or motorists or to otherwise inconvenience public use of the ROW as determined by the township. In addition:
(1) In no case shall ground-mounted related equipment, walls or landscaping be located within 18 inches of the face of the curb or within an easement extending onto a privately-owned lot
(2) Ground-mounted related equipment that cannot be placed underground shall be screened, to the fullest extent possible, through the use of landscaping or other decorative features to the satisfaction of the township;
(3) Required electrical meter cabinets shall the screened to blend in with the surrounding area to the satisfaction of the township;
(4) Any graffiti on any wireless support structures or any related equipment shall be removed at the sole expense of the owner; and
(5) Any proposed underground vault related to wireless telecommunications antennas shall be reviewed and approved by the township.
(e) Relocation or removal of facilities. Within two months following written notice from the township, or such longer period as the township determines is reasonably necessary or such shorter period in the case of an emergency, an owner of a WCF in the ROW shall, at its own expense, temporarily or permanently remove, relocate, change or alter the position of any WCF when the township, consistent with its police powers and applicable Public Utility Commission regulations, shall have determined that such removal, relocation, change or alteration is reasonably necessary under the following circumstances:
(1) The construction, repair, maintenance or installation of any township or other public improvement in the right-of-way;
(2) The operations of the township or other governmental entity in the right-of-way;
(3) Vacation of a street or road or the release of a utility easement; or
(4) An emergency as determined by the township.
(Ord. 984, passed 11-20-2018)