A. Standards:
1. Color: The infrastructure shall be designed to blend into the architectural detail and coloring of the host structure or surrounding area. Structures shall be painted a color that best allows it to blend into the surroundings. The use of grays, blues, greens, dark bronze, browns or other site specific colors may be appropriate; however, each case should be evaluated individually.
2. Lighting: For water storage structures or other tall infrastructure, only such lighting as is necessary to satisfy FAA requirements is permitted. White strobe lighting will not be allowed, unless specifically required by the FAA. Security lighting for the equipment shelters or cabinets and other on the ground ancillary equipment is also permitted, as long as it is appropriately down shielded to keep light within the boundaries of the site. All such lighting shall be fully shielded, and all lighting shall be contained on the lot. When lighting is proposed a photometric plan shall be submitted which demonstrates compliance with these standards. "Fully shielded" lighting shall meet the definition of subsection 11-4-5 of this Code.
3. Site Development Permit: All utility infrastructures shall be required to obtain a permit and shall be subject to the site development standards prescribed herein. Site development shall include the following information:
a. Construction drawings showing the proposed method of installation;
b. The manufacturer's recommended installations, if any;
c. A site plan meeting the requirements of section 11-4-7 of this Code; and
d. The setback distance between the proposed infrastructure and the nearest residential unit and Residentially zoned properties.
4. Building Codes; Safety Standards: To ensure the structural integrity of utility structure(s), the owner of a utility structure(s) shall ensure that it is maintained in compliance with standards contained in applicable State or local Building Codes and the applicable industry standards for utility structure(s), as amended from time to time. If, upon inspection, the City concludes that a utility structure(s) fails to comply with such codes and standards and constitutes a danger to persons or property, then upon written notice being provided to the owner of the utility structure(s), the owner shall have thirty (30) days to bring such utility structure(s) into compliance with such standards and/or identify a plan to bring the infrastructure into compliance that is acceptable to the City. Should the City determine that imminent failure or public safety is in jeopardy, the City shall remove the utility structure(s) at the owner's expense. Failure to bring such utility structure(s) into compliance within said thirty (30) days shall constitute grounds for the removal of the utility structure(s) at the owner's expense. Compliance with this subsection is also subject to the City's Code enforcement pursuant to the International Building Code, regarding unsafe building and related provisions.
5. Signs: No facilities may bear any signage or advertisement(s) other than signage required by law or expressly permitted or required by the City.
6. Visual Impact: All above-ground utility in Residential Zones and within two hundred feet (200') of Residential Zones shall be sited and designed to minimize adverse visual impacts on surrounding properties and the traveling public to the greatest extent reasonably possible, consistent with the proper functioning of the above ground aerial and/or utility structure. Such structures and ancillary equipment enclosures shall be integrated through location and design to blend in with the existing characteristics of the site. These structures shall also be designed to either resemble the surrounding landscape and other natural features where located in proximity to natural surroundings, or be compatible with the built environment, through matching and complementary existing structures and specific design considerations such as architectural designs, height, scale, color and texture or be consistent with other uses and improvements permitted in the relevant zone.
7. Use Of Camouflage Design/Technology: Aesthetic requirements shall be: a) reasonable and b) no more burdensome than those applied to other types of infrastructure deployments. The applicant shall provide justification why it is not employing camouflage technology for all above ground utility infrastructure. Camouflage design is required for facilities in Residential Zones, and to the extent shown in subsection A8, table 1 of this section and elsewhere as provided in this chapter. Concealment techniques must be appropriate given the proposed location, design, visual environment, and nearby uses, structures, and natural features. Camouflage design shall be designed and constructed to substantially conform to surrounding building designs or natural settings, so as to be visually unobtrusive. Camouflage techniques do not include incorporating faux-tree designs of a kind that are not native to the North Idaho region.
8. Height Of Proposed Infrastructure (i.e., Water Storage, High Voltage, Etc.):
TABLE 1
NEW MAJOR UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE CRITERIA
With Camouflage Design | With Approved Minor Modification | ||
Zone Category | Maximum Height | Maximum Height | Maximum Height With Exception5 |
R-1, R-S, R-M/F | 75' 1 | 75' | 90' |
C | 90' 2 | 110' | 132' |
CBD | 90' 2,3 | 110' | 132' |
L-I, A | 120' 4 | 150' | 180' |
Notes:
1. If an applicant wants to construct major utility infrastructure in a Residential Zone or within 200 feet of a Residential Zone, then camouflage design shall be required.
2. An additional 20 feet in height is allowed if applicant uses camouflage design.
3. CBD Zone shall require camouflage design. Preferred location shall be on top of existing structure.
4. An additional 30 feet in height is allowed if applicant uses camouflage design.
9. Setbacks: When a residential structure is located within a 1:1 ratio of the height of the structure on adjacent or nearby property, the structure(s) shall meet the required setback for the primary structure of the zone as established in this title or a minimum of one foot (1') for every foot of height, whichever produces the greater setback, unless:
a. The setback is waived by the owner(s) of the residence(s) within the setback area and this waiver is recorded with the property; or
b. The infrastructure is constructed in such a manner to reduce the fall area. The issuance of building permits shall be conditioned upon approval of the major utility infrastructure design by a structural engineer.
10. Accessory Equipment: In Residential Zones, all accessory equipment shall be located or placed (at the applicant's choice) in an existing building, underground, or in an equipment shelter or cabinet that is: a) designed to blend in with existing surroundings, using architecturally compatible construction and colors; and b) located so as to be as unobtrusive as possible consistent with the proper functioning of the equipment.
11. Site Design Flexibility: Individual sites vary in the location of adjacent buildings, existing trees, topography and other local variables. Therefore, the utility infrastructure and supporting equipment shall be installed so as to best camouflage, disguise, or conceal them, to be more closely compatible with and blend into the setting or host structure, as determined by the City.
12. General Standards And Construction Provisions:
a. Building Code: Structures shall be permitted and constructed to meet current, adopted Building Code requirements.
b. FAA Regulations: All structures shall conform to FAA regulations, if applicable. A description of compliance with all applicable Federal, State and local laws may be required.
c. Distance: If any setback or buffer yard as prescribed within this Code requires a greater distance than required of this title, the greater distance shall apply.
d. Landscaping, Screening And Fencing: In all zoning districts, the following shall be required for the zone in which it is located:
(1) Equipment shelters and cabinets and other on the ground ancillary equipment shall be screened with buffer yard and street tree landscaping as required for the zone in which the infrastructure is located or with another design acceptable to the City.
(2) Artwork may also be used to screen ground equipment. At the City's discretion, as an alternative to general landscaping and screening requirements, the applicant, at its expense, may apply an artistic wrap around the equipment cabinets. Alternatively, where technically feasible, the applicant shall incorporate the cabinet and other equipment into the base of a new pole provided there is adequate space in the right-of-way and that ADA sidewalk accessibility requirements can be met. All provisions of the ADA (including, but not limited to, clear space requirements) shall be met by the applicant. All setbacks are to be measured from the property line.
(4) Except for locations in the right-of-way, a site-obscuring fence no less than six feet (6') in height from the finished grade shall be constructed around the major and/or minor utility infrastructure. Access shall only be through a locked gate. The fence must include neutral colored slats. Any fence shall comply with section 11-4-3 of this Code and shall comply with visibility standards identified in section 6-1-4 of this Code related to the site triangle.
e. New Poles: To the extent technically feasible, new poles must be designed to match the existing street furniture, light fixtures and other poles, and they shall serve a dual purpose (for example, a new light fixture, flag pole or banner clips) where applicable.
f. Other Published Materials: As reasonably required by the City from time to time, all other information or materials shall be made publicly available and shall be designated as part of the application requirements. (Ord. 596, 5-24-2019; amd. Ord. 619, 4-13-2021))