(a) Landscaping. All towers and related wireless telecommunications facilities shall be located in a landscaped setting. A landscaped buffer area of not less than ten feet in depth shall be placed between the wireless telecommunications facility and the public right-of-way, residential zoning district, and any adjacent residential use, regardless of the underlying zoning district thereof. Such buffer area shall, at a minimum, consist of dense foliage and vegetation, of at least partially evergreen species, not less than six feet in height. Landscaping shall be continuously maintained and promptly reconditioned, if necessary. Other landscaping may be required by the City. The arrangement of landscaping and the overall design thereof within a zoning lot on which a wireless telecommunications tower and related facility is placed may be considered by the City.
(b) Fencing. Fencing shall be provided for appearance, public safety, and personal security, according to the following requirements:
Minimum (in ft.) | Maximum (in ft.) | |
(1) Height. Any residential zoning district
| 6 | 8 |
Any commercial zoning district | 6 | 8 |
Any industrial zoning district | 6 | 8 |
(2) Type. In any zoning district, the fencing shall consist of a chain link fence. Fencing in an industrial zoning district may be capped with barbed wire a maximum of twelve inches. The barbed wire portion, if any, shall be included in the measurement of the total height of such fencing.
(3) Color. Fencing may be unpainted or painted to blend into the surrounding area.
(4) Security. Access to the tower and related wireless telecommunications facilities shall only be through a locked gate, properly maintained and secured twenty-four hours per day. The City of Coshocton shall not be responsible for any damage to the tower or other auxiliary structures, and shall be held harmless from any liability of any kind relating to damage, destruction, misfeasance of the tower or auxiliary structures, and from any personal injury to any party.
(c) Illumination. Lighting shall be required for that part of towers in excess of 100 feet, or as otherwise required by the FAA. When such lighting is required by the FAA or other governmental authority, and the zoning lot on which a tower is located abuts any residential zoning district, it shall be oriented inward of the zoning lot and shall not project, or be cast, onto any or all abutting zoning lots within residential zoning districts. Except as previously detailed or as required by law or safety factors as determined by the City of Coshocton, an antenna or tower shall not be illuminated, and lighting fixtures or signs, other than those sanctioned by this section, shall not be attached to an antenna or tower. Security lighting shall be permitted for the wireless telecommunications equipment building and other auxiliary structures. Any permitted lighting shall be situated and directed so as not to emit light directly or indirectly onto any adjoining residential property, and, in any zoning district, such lighting shall be designed, placed, and directed to minimize its emission and glare onto any adjoining property.
(d) Signs, symbols/logos, advertising, identification. Identification of towers and related wireless telecommunications facilities shall be permitted if required by the FCC, the FAA, the Federal or State EPA, OSHA, or other governmental agency for regulation or identification purposes, as necessary, pursuant to the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, as may from time to time be amended, or other applicable law. The City of Coshocton shall be permitted to require identification signs. A tower or related wireless telecommunications facility shall contain no symbols/logos. The fencing surrounding the wireless telecommunications equipment building shall contain the appropriate number of signs to warn the public of danger and, also, at least two signs stating "NO TRESPASSING", and a sign identifying the wireless telecommunications service provider, of a type, size, and color as approved by the City. No advertising whatever shall be permitted on towers or related wireless telecommunications facilities, unless required by law. All such signs shall be permanently attached to the tower or other wireless telecommunications structure and shall be placed at least four feet above grade. The only colors permitted shall be black, white, red, yellow, orange, or any combination of these colors. Signs shall not be illuminated in any manner. Luminous paint may be used on signs, if approved by the City.
(e) Camouflaging.
(1) The City may require additional landscaping as part of a camouflage plan. Camouflaging of towers is especially encouraged in all zoning districts, but shall be required using the most advanced techniques possible in all residential zoning districts.
(2) Camouflaging may take the form of erecting a tower which resembles or mimics another object, such as a tree or flag pole. Camouflaging may also consist of placing antennas on existing structures such as water towers or buildings in such a way that they are not easily detected and cannot be seen by the naked eye from a long distance.
(3) A building or other structure may be a prop only, that is, unused and unusable as anything but a device to camouflage an antenna. It shall be aesthetically pleasing and maintained continuously.
(4) Camouflaging, whatever variety and however employed, shall be of a type compatible with the immediate surrounding area and the City at large in color, design, material, appearance, and its method of mimicry. For example, an artificial oak tree, 100 feet in height would satisfy this requirement. An artificial palm tree would not.
(5) Antennas may be placed on facades of buildings if colored and designed to match the color, texture, and style of the building to which it is attached, and shall be attached at least twenty-five feet above grade.
(6) Wireless telecommunications towers and related facilities shall not be located in the district known as "the Old Town Coshocton or Roscoe Village" or any other district which shall become so designated as a historically and/or architecturally significant district, or as a special district recognized and set apart as significant to the community's heritage or traditions, unless it is proven that in order to provide wireless telecommunications service, such towers or facilities may not be located elsewhere within the City of Coshocton.
(7) Colors of towers. All towers of any type shall be of a color which blends into the natural color of the immediate area or skyline, but shall not be painted at all, if by coloring the tower, it would be more visible to the naked eye from a long distance than if it were erected in the ordinary tone of its construction materials, such as the grayish color of galvanized steel. If towers are painted, they shall be maintained within the requirements of the City's property maintenance codes.
(8) A non-refundable fee of $1,000.00 shall be paid to the City of Coshocton for review of the application for a telecommunication tower by the Planning Commission. In addition, applicant shall be responsible for fees incurred to hire an outside contractor to review plans. All other permits & fees must be obtained and paid prior to erection, if the tower is approved.
(9) No person shall construct, erect, maintain, extend or remove a wireless telecommunication facility in the City without compliance with the provisions of this Code.
(Ord. 21-16. Passed 6-27-16.)