1165.06 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Principal or Accessory Use. Antennas and towers may be considered either principal or accessory uses. A different existing use of an existing structure on the same lot shall not preclude the installation of an antenna or tower on such lot.
(b) Lot size. For purposes of determining whether the installation of a tower or antenna complies with district development regulations, including but not limited to setback requirements, lot coverage requirements, and other such requirements, the dimensions of the entire lot shall control, even though the antennas or towers may be located on leased parcels within such lot. The minimum lot size shall be five (5) acres except where an antenna is proposed for attachment to an existing building or structure.
(c) Inventory of Existing Sites. Each applicant for an antenna and/or tower shall provide to the Zoning Administrator an inventory of its existing towers, antennas, or sites approved for towers or antennas, that are either within the jurisdiction of the City of Aurora or within one mile of the border thereof, including specific information about the location, height, and design of each tower. The Zoning Administrator may share such information with other applicants applying for administrative approvals or Conditional Zoning Certificates under this chapter or other organizations seeking to locate antennas within the jurisdiction of the City of Aurora, provided, however, that the Zoning Administrator is not, by sharing such information, in any way representing or warranting that such sites are available or suitable.
(d) Aesthetics. Towers and antennas shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Towers shall either maintain a galvanized steel finish or, subject to any applicable standard of the FAA, be painted a neutral color so as to reduce visual obtrusiveness.
(2) At a tower site, the design of the building and related structures shall, to the extent possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening, and landscaping that will blend them into the natural setting and surrounding buildings. Such building design shall be approved by the Architectural Board of Review prior to issuance of a Building Permit.
(3) If an antenna is installed on a structure other than a tower, the antenna and supporting electrical and mechanical equipment must be of a neutral color that is identical to, or closely compatible with, the color of the supporting structure so as to make the antenna and related equipment as visually unobtrusive as possible.
(e) Lighting. Towers shall not be artificially lighted, unless required by the FAA or other applicable authority. If lighting is required, the lighting alternatives and design chosen must cause the least disturbance to the surrounding views. Advertising is prohibited. (White ) strobes shall operate during daylight hours only. A dual lighting system is required.
(f) State or Federal Requirements. All towers must meet or exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, the FCC, and any other agency of the state or federal government with the authority to regulate towers and antennas. If such standards and regulations are changed, then the owners of the towers and antennas governed this chapter shall bring such towers and antennas into compliance with such revised standards and regulations within six (6) months of the effective date of such standards and regulations, unless a different compliance schedule is mandated by the controlling state or federal agency. Failure to bring towers and antennas into compliance with such revised standards and regulations shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower or antenna at the owners’s expense.
(g) Building Codes: Safety Standards. To ensure the structural integrity of towers, the owner of a tower shall ensure that it is maintained in compliance with standards contained in applicable state or local building codes and the applicable standards for towers that are published by the Electronic Industries Association, as amended from time to time. If, upon inspection, the City of Aurora concludes that a tower fails to comply with such codes and standards and constitutes a danger to persons or property, then upon notice being provided to the owner of the tower, the owner shall have thirty (30) days to bring such tower into compliance with such standards. Failure to bring such tower into compliance within said thirty (30) days shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower or antenna at the owner’s expense.
(h) Measurement. For purposes of measurement, tower setbacks and separation distances shall be calculated and applied to facilities located in the City of Aurora irrespective of municipal and county jurisdictional boundaries.
(i) Not Essential Services. Towers and antennas shall be regulated and permitted pursuant to this chapter and shall not be regulated or permitted as essential services, public utilities, or private utilities.
(j) Franchises. Owners and/or operators of towers or antennas shall certify that all franchises required by law for the construction and/or operation of a wireless communication system in the City of Aurora have been obtained and shall file a copy of all required franchises with the Zoning Administrator.
(k) Public Notice. For purposes of this chapter, any Conditional Zoning Certificate request, shall require public notice to all abutting property owners and all property owners of properties that are located within 500 of the boundaries of the proposed site.
(l) Signs. No signs shall be allowed on an antenna or tower.
(m) Buildings and Support Equipment. Building and support equipment associated with antennas or towers shall comply with the requirements of this section.
(Ord. 2000-143. Passed 6-26-00.)