(a) The purpose of this subchapter (Sections 1272.36 through 1272.41) is to establish uniform standards for the siting, design, permitting, maintenance, and use of wireless communications facilities in the Borough of Ellwood City (referred to herein as the “Borough”). While the Borough recognizes the importance of wireless communications facilities in providing high quality communications service to its residents and businesses, the Borough also recognizes that it has an obligation to protect public safety and to minimize the adverse visual effects of such facilities through the standards set forth in the following provisions.
(b) By enacting these provisions, the Borough intends to:
(1) Accommodate the need for wireless communications facilities while regulating their location and number so as to ensure the provision for necessary services;
(2) Provide for the managed development of wireless communications facilities in a manner that enhances the benefits of wireless communication and accommodates the needs of both Borough residents and wireless carriers in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations;
(3) Establish procedures for the design, siting, construction, installation, maintenance and removal of both tower-based and non-tower based wireless communications facilities in the Borough, including facilities both inside and outside the public rights-of-way;
(4) Address new wireless technologies, including but not limited to, distributed antenna systems, data collection units, cable Wi-Fi and other wireless communications facilities;
(5) Minimize the adverse visual effects and the number of such facilities through proper design, siting, screening, material, color and finish and by requiring that competing providers of wireless communications services co-locate their commercial communications antennas and related facilities on existing towers;
(6) Promote the health, safety and welfare of the Borough’s residents.
(Ord. 2523. Passed 8-15-16.)