All wireless telecommunication towers and facilities shall comply with the following standards and conditions:
(a) Towers should be of monopole design with no guy wires. A lattice-type structure may be approved when the applicant demonstrates that such a structure provides greater ability to collocate additional antenna. Towers and antennas shall be designed to meet all applicable building code requirements.
(b) All wireless telecommunication towers should be constructed with "stealth" design technology. Examples of stealth technology include architecturally screened roof mounted antennas, antennas integrated into architectural elements, the design of the tower to look like a light pole, power pole and trees, or other structures that may blend into the surrounding area.
(c) Unless otherwise provided for in this Chapter, a wireless telecommunication facility shall comply with the setback and yard requirements applicable to buildings in the underlying zone in which it is located. A wireless telecommunication tower shall be placed upon the lot in such a way as to minimize the visual impact on adjoining roads and properties. In no event shall any portion of a wireless telecommunication facility be located in front of the principal use or building on the lot.
(d) Recognizing that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may impose greater restrictions, a wireless telecommunication tower shall in no event be more than 200 feet in height as measured from the average ground level at the base of the tower. The applicant of a proposed tower shall demonstrate that the proposed tower is the minimum height necessary to accommodate the antenna and is no higher than existing towers housing similar antenna.
(e) Any accessory structure related to the wireless telecommunication facility shall comply with the district regulations in which the tower is located.
(f) The base of the tower and all related facilities shall be completely enclosed with a solid secure fence having a minimum height of eight (8) feet. Such fence shall be equipped with a locked gate.
(g) A landscaped buffer area of not less than fifteen (15) feet in depth shall be located around the required fence. The buffer area shall be continuously maintained and promptly restored when necessary and shall consist of at least one of the following:
(1) A row of hardy evergreen trees tightly spaced and deciduous trees planted twelve (12) feet on center with a 2.5-inch caliper. The initial evergreen plantings shall be no less than six (6) feet tall and planted a maximum of five (5) feet on center.
(2) Existing vegetation, inclusive of trees and shrubs, shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible.
(3) Other appropriate landscaping that achieves the screening objective, as approved by the Planning Commission.
(h) The tower shall be painted a non-contrasting gray or similar color minimizing its visibility, unless otherwise required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the FAA.
(i) The tower shall be equipped with an appropriate anti-climbing device or shall have all climbing pegs from the lower twenty (20) feet of the tower removed and separately secured from the public.
(j) All towers above 100 feet shall be artificially lighted. In addition, all FAA regulations addressing safety marking and obstruction lighting shall be followed when necessary. Lighting for security purposes shall be permitted at the base of the wireless telecommunication tower.
(k) "No Trespassing" signs and a warning sign shall be posted on the required fence in clearly visible locations. The warning sign shall include phone numbers for the police, fire and county emergency management facilities, and a local or toll-free telephone number of whom to contact in the event of an emergency. The warning sign shall be twelve (12) inches by twelve (12) inches. No other signs or advertising shall be located anywhere on the facility or site.
(l) After issuance of a building permit to construct a Wireless Telecommunication Facility, the applicant shall commence construction within six (6) months and shall complete construction within one (1) year or the permit shall expire.
(m) All utility lines from the utility source to the Wireless Telecommunication Facility shall be underground.
(Ord. 8-13. Passed 5-14-13.)