(A) Co-location.
(1) Co-location of communications antennas is desired to minimize adverse visual impacts associated with the proliferation and clustering of communications facilities. Co-location of communications facilities by more than one carrier on existing or new antenna support structures shall take precedence over the construction of new single use communication facilities. An applicant for a new antenna support structure shall demonstrate that a diligent effort has been made to locate the proposed communications facilities in accordance with the site selection and protocol requirements of this subchapter and that, due to valid considerations including physical restraints and economic or technological feasibility, no more appropriate location is available. The telecommunications company is required to demonstrate that it contacted, in writing, the owners of tall structures within a 1,500-foot radius of the site proposed, asked for permission to install the antenna on those structures, and was denied in writing, for reasons other than economic ones. The city may deny the application to construct a new facility if the applicant has not made a diligent effort, described in writing, to mount the antenna on an existing structure.
(2) In order to reduce the number of antenna support structures needed in the city in the future, any new proposed support structure shall be designed to accommodate antennas for more than one user, unless the applicant demonstrates in writing why such design is unfeasible for technical or physical reasons. Unless co-location has been demonstrated to be unfeasible, the site plan shall delineate an area near the base of the tower to be used for the placement of additional equipment/buildings for other users.
(B) Abandonment. In the event the use of any communications facility has been discontinued for a period of 180 consecutive days, the facility shall be deemed to be abandoned. Determination of the date of abandonment shall be made by the City Planning Director, who shall have the right to request documentation and/or affidavits from the communications facility owner/operator regarding the issue of facility usage. Upon such abandonment the owner/operator of the facility shall have 90 days to reactivate the use of the facility, transfer the tower to another owner/operator who makes actual use of the facility, or dismantle and remove the facility. If there are two or more users of a single facility, then this provision shall not become effective until all users cease using the facility. When a facility has been abandoned and removed the City Council will take necessary action to vacate any previous special use or planned unit development approval for the particular abandoned facility.
(1960 Code, § 60-7-36) (Ord. 6132, passed 5-1-2000)