(A) Free standing towers will be prohibited in the CBD, RE, R-15, R-10, and R-6 Districts or within 1,000 feet of Broad Street or Dekalb Street. However, antennas may be installed on existing towers, buildings, etc. in these areas.
(B) Communication towers and antennas shall adhere to the following regulations.
(1) All new towers shall be designed to accommodate additional antennas equal in number to the applicant's present and future requirements or anticipated co-location requirements.
(2) All applicable safety code requirements shall be met.
(3) The tower or antenna shall not be painted or illuminated unless otherwise required by state or federal regulations. Warning lights on the tower shall be red when illuminated.
(4) No tower or antenna shall be located within 1,000 feet of an existing tower antenna, except where the applicant certifies that the existing tower does not meet the applicant's structural specifications and applicant's technical design requirements, or that a co-location agreement could not be obtained.
(5) Communication towers and antennas and water tanks shall be separated from any adjoining property line of a single-family residential zoning district or existing single-family use by a distance equal to one foot for each one foot in height, measured from the nearest residential property line. Maximum height for a communications tower or antenna shall be 300 feet in the CMU Zoning District and 200 feet in the other zoning districts that allow such uses.
(6) Landscaping. A vegetative screen expected to reach a minimum of eight feet in height at maturity shall be planted around the perimeter of the area occupied by the tower, security fencing, and auxiliary uses such as parking. Such screen shall be planted so as to be largely opaque. In addition, existing onsite trees and other vegetation shall be preserved to the extent practicable to maintain the entire site of the tower (including any anchoring devices) in its pre-construction appearance. Such landscaping shall meet the requirements of § 157.137
-Landscaping Standards.
(7) Security fencing. There shall be a minimum eight foot high fence installed and maintained by the owner of the telecommunications tower around the perimeter of the tower compound, except that security fencing shall not be required for accessory communication facilities
(8) Permit applications for the erection or placement of a tower or antenna shall be accompanied by the following:
(a) Processing fee as provided in the city's adopted fee schedule.
(b) One copy of typical specifications for proposed structures and antenna including description of design characteristics and material.
(c) A site plan drawn to scale showing property boundaries, tower location, tower height, guy wires and anchors, existing structures, photographs, elevation drawings depicting typical design of proposed structures, parking, fences, landscape plan, and existing land uses on adjacent property; however a site plan is not required if antenna is to be co-located on an approved existing structure.
(d) A current map or update of an existing map on file, showing locations of applicant's antenna, facilities, existing towers, and proposed towers which are reflected in public records, serving any property.
(e) A report from a structural engineer registered in South Carolina showing the tower antenna capacity by type and number, and a certification that the tower is designed to withstand winds in accordance with ANSI/EIA/TIA 222 (latest revision) standards.
(f) Identification of the owners of all antennae and equipment to be located on the site.
(g) Written authorization from the site owner for the application.
(h) Evidence that a valid FCC license for the proposed activity has been issued.
(i) A line of sight analysis showing the potential visual and aesthetic impacts on adjacent residential districts.
(j) A written agreement to provide notification of abandonment within 30 days after cessation of use and to remove the tower and/or antenna within 180 days after cessation of use.
(k) Applicant must show by certificate from a registered engineer that the proposed facility will contain only equipment meeting FCC rules, and must file annually a written indemnification of the city and proof of liability insurance or financial ability to respond to claims up to $1,000,000 in the aggregate which may arise from operation of the facility during its life, at no cost to the city, in form approved by the City Attorney.
(l) Applicant will supply additional information to determine if other zoning requirements are satisfied.
(Ord. 15-002, passed 2-24-15)