This subchapter is intended to regulate the construction, placement and modification of telecommunication facilities; to preserve the aesthetic character of the county and surrounding jurisdiction and to minimize the land use impact of the facilities while providing the community with the benefit of new technological advances in telecommunications; to promote long-range planning between the county, city and towns and the providers of telecommunications and among the providers of communications; and to protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the community and to further the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan, by:
(A) Encouraging the location of new towers in non-residential areas;
(B) Avoiding damage to the adjacent properties from tower failure by requiring structural standards and setback distances;
(C) Minimizing the adverse visual effects of towers through careful design and site standards;
(D) Maintaining and enhancing the aesthetic environment of the county;
(E) Reducing the proliferation of towers through tower-share requirements for all new construction and those existing towers that are physically capable of sharing;
(F) Encouraging the use of already existing structures, whether publicly or privately owned, such as water towers, silos, steeples and other tall structures as prime sites for new antenna sites;
(G) Discouraging the site of telecommunication facilities in residential and agricultural areas;
(H) Providing for the site of telecommunication facilities which may deviate from the regulations of this section upon approval of the Commission or Board, as appropriate; and
(I) Providing for the administration and enforcement of this subchapter.
(Ord. 2006-13, passed 4-3-2006; Ord. 2012-9, passed 7-2-2012)