(A) Considerations. Cellular phone, radio and other transmission towers pose a special risk to villages of unique rural and scenic location such as the village. Within the village, any transmission tower planned to be constructed shall be located where it shall not interfere with or compromise in any way the views into the valleys surrounding the village, regardless of where the view is taken from (indoors or outdoors) unless such interference or compromise is minimal in the view of the Commission.
(B) Conditional use. The use of any property in any district for the purpose of erecting a transmission tower is always a conditional use, and requires an application for a permit for such construction, which may be denied on reasonable grounds after due consideration. Because of the existence of multiple spires and steeple towers in the area, antenna may be attached to these parts of structures only if they are mounted and camouflaged sufficiently to minimize their obvious existence. Transmission towers under no circumstances shall be visible in any season from Middle Path, Peirce Hall or Bexley Hall.
(C) Application. Any application for a permit to install a transmission tower shall be filed by a public utility or telecommunications corporation (for commercial use) or an individual (for noncommercial, personal use) only. If a firm, corporation or individual who has erected any such transmission tower applies for another permit to erect an additional transmission tower, the application shall provide for, in detail, the removal of the first transmission tower and/or consolidation of the towers’ functions.
(D) Screening and design requirements. All transmission towers shall be screened on all sides. The screening shall include landscaping at a minimum height of 15 feet at the time of planting and at a buffer depth of ten feet. All trees shall be a minimum of two-inch caliper when planted. Native trees and shrubs shall be used. All transmission towers and related equipment shall be made of, painted and/or maintained in a color scheme of natural, “earth-toned”, neutral tan or gray shades which avoid extremes of light and dark within those shades. The Commission may give special deference to such entities providing transmission towers and related equipment which are integrated into/on buildings or which are sufficiently camouflaged to blend in with the natural surrounding landscape.
(Ord. 1999-03, passed 3- -1999; Ord. 2013-04, passed 2-4-2013)