Section
152.01 Purpose
152.02 Definitions
152.03 General requirements
152.04 Special use permits
152.05 Processing special use applications
152.06 Factors considered in granting special permits for towers or antennas
152.07 Availability of suitable existing towers, antennas or other structures or alternative technology
152.08 Setbacks
152.09 Removal of abandoned antennas and towers
152.10 Non-conforming uses
152.11 Effective date
(A) The purpose of this chapter is to establish general guidelines for the setting of wireless communications towers and antennas.
(B) The goals of this chapter are to:
(1) Protect residential areas and land uses from potential adverse impacts of towers and antennas;
(2) Encourage the location of towers in non-residential areas;
(3) Minimize the total number of towers throughout the township;
(4) Strongly encourage the joint use of new and existing tower sites as a primary option rather than construction of additional single-use towers;
(5) Encourage users of towers and antennas to locate them to the extent possible, in areas where the adverse impact on the township is minimal;
(6) Encourage users of towers and antennas to configure them in a way that minimizes their adverse visual impact through careful design, siting, landscape screening and innovative camouflaging techniques;
(7) Enhance the ability of the providers of telecommunications services to provide such services to the township quickly, effectively and efficiently;
(8) Consider public health and safety of the township and its residents; and
(9) Avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from tower failure through engineering and careful siting of tower structures.
(C) In furtherance of these goals, the township shall give due consideration to its Master Land Use Plan, zoning map, existing land uses and environmentally sensitive areas in approving sites for the location of towers and antennas.
(Prior Code, Ch. XXI, § 21.000) (Ord. 2000-4, passed 8-29-2000)
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALTERNATIVE TOWER STRUCTURE. Human-made truss, clock towers, bell steeples, light poles and similar alternative-design mounting structures that camouflage or conceal the presence of antennas or towers.
ANTENNA. Any exterior transmitting or receiving device mounted on a tower, building or structure and used in communications that radiate or capture electromagnetic waves, digital signals, analog signals, radio frequencies (excluding radar signals), wireless communications signals or other communication signals.
BACKHAUL NETWORK. The lines that connect the provider’s towers/cell sites to one or more cellular telephone switching offices and/or long distance providers or the public switched telephone network.
CO-LOCATION. The use of a common structure, tower or building by two or more wireless communications providers at a single location, with the view toward reducing the number of overall structures required in the township.
FAA. The Federal Aviation Administration.
FCC. The Federal Communications Commission.
HEIGHT. When referring to a tower or other building or structure upon which an antenna is mounted, the distance measured from the finished grade of the parcel at the center of the front of the building or structure to the highest point on the tower or other building or structure, including the base pad and any antenna.
LATTICE TOWER. A support structure constructed of vertical metal struts and cross-braces, forming a triangular or square structure which often tapers from the foundation to the top.
PRE-EXISTING TOWERS and PRE-EXISTING ANTENNAS. Any tower or antenna for which a building permit or special use permit has been properly issued prior to the effective date of the amendment adding these sections, or any tower or antenna for which no building and/or special use permit was required, including permitted towers or antennas that have not yet been constructed so long as such approval is current and not expired.
TOWER. Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas for telephone, radio and similar communication purposes, including self-supporting (i.e., without guy wires or other external means of support) lattice towers or monopole towers. The term includes radio and television transmission towers, micro-wave towers, common-carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, alternative tower structures and the like. The term includes the structure and support thereto.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY. Includes all structures noted in the definition of “tower” above and all accessory equipment and buildings relating to the transmission and reception of radio signals.
(Prior Code, Ch. XXI, § 21.001) (Ord. 2000-4, passed 8-29-2000)
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