(A) Applicants for wireless telecommunications facilities shall locate, site and erect said wireless telecommunications facilities in accordance with the following priorities, (1) being the highest priority and (4) being the lowest priority.
(1) On existing telecommunications towers or other tall structures;
(2) Co-location on a site with existing wireless telecommunications facilities or structures;
(3) On properties that are political subdivisions of the city;
(4) On other property in the city in the following order of Zoning District.
(a) Manufacturing;
(b) Agricultural;
(c) B-2 Community Business District;
(d) B-1 Neighborhood Business District;
(e) R-3 Multi-Family Residence District;
(f) R-2 One- and Two-Family Residence District; or
(g) R-1 One Family Residence District.
(B) If the proposed property site is not the highest priority listed above, then a detailed explanation must be provided as to why a site of a higher priority was not selected. The person seeking such an exception must satisfactorily demonstrate the reason or reasons why such a permit should be granted for the proposed site, and the hardship that would be incurred by the applicant if the permit were not granted for the proposed site.
(C) An applicant may not by-pass sites of higher priority by stating the site presented is the only site leased or selected. An application shall address co-location as an option and if such option is not proposed, the applicant must explain why co-location is commercially or otherwise impracticable. Agreements between providers limiting or prohibiting co-location, shall not be a valid basis for any claim of commercial impracticability or hardship.
(D) Notwithstanding the above, the Council may approve any site located within an area in the above list of priorities, provided that the Council finds that the proposed site is in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the city and its inhabitants.
(E) The applicant shall submit a written report demonstrating the applicant's review of the above locations in order of priority, demonstrating the technological reason for the site selection. If the site selected is not the highest priority, then a detailed written explanation as to why sites of a higher priority were not selected shall be included with the application.
(F) The applicant shall, in writing, identify and disclose the number and locations of any additional sites that the applicant has been, is, or will be considering, reviewing or planning for wireless telecommunications facilities in the city, and all municipalities adjoining the city, for a two-year period following the date of the application.
(Ord. 2002-01, passed 2-13-02)