§ 155.318 WIRELESS COMMUNICATION.
   (A)   General. Changing technology in the field of communications has resulted in a reliance upon more versatile convenient forms of communication. Businesses, individuals and government have all developed a strong dependence upon the ability to quickly contact others. The use of radios and cellular phones have proven themselves over and over again in emergency situations.
   (B)   Qualifying conditions.
      (1)   Requirements. The following site and developmental requirements shall apply.
         (a)   Communication towers shall be restricted to self-supporting structures. The use of guy wires is prohibited.
         (b)   The base of the tower and accessory structures shall be enclosed with a minimum six-foot high fence.
      (2)   Special performance standards:
         (a)   The tower must be setback from all property lines a distance equal to its height, unless engineering plans and specifications have been verified by a report from a structural engineer registered in the state showing the tower antenna capacity by type and number, and a certification that the tower is designed to withstand winds in accordance with ANSI/EIA/TIA 222 (latest revision) standards, which tower shall be a self-supporting lattice tower or a self-supporting monopole. The applicant shall incur all costs associated with the review of a report.
         (b)   Towers shall be setback from property lines a minimum distance equal to its height when erected on a parcel that abuts other A-1 or residentially zoned or used parcels. This requirement is independent hereof.
         (c)   Accessory structures are limited to uses associated with the operation of the tower and may not be located any closer to any property line than 30 feet.
         (d)   Accessory structures shall be designed to be aesthetically compatible with the adjoining properties. This may include the construction of a brick facade and a pitched roof.
         (e)   Accessory structures shall not exceed 400 square feet of gross building area per structure.
         (f)   All bufferyard requirements within this chapter shall be met.
         (g)   All towers shall be equipped with an anti-climbing device to prevent unauthorized access.
         (h)   The plans of the tower construction shall be certified by a state registered structural engineer.
         (i)   The applicant shall provide verification that the antenna mount and structure have been reviewed and approved by a professional engineer and that the installation is in compliance with all applicable codes.
         (j)   All towers must meet the standards of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission and the Tri-City Area Joint Aviation Committee.
         (k)   Communication towers in excess of 175 feet in height above grade level shall be prohibited within two miles of a public airport property boundary or one-half-mile radius of a helipad.
         (l)   Metal towers shall be constructed of, or treated with, corrosive-resistant material and shall be painted white or off-white. Applicant shall submit a maintenance program acceptable to the township. The antenna shall be painted to match the exterior treatment of the tower.
         (m)   Antenna and metal towers shall be grounded for protection against a direct strike by lightning and shall comply as to electrical wiring and connections with all applicable local statutes, regulations and standards.
         (n)   Towers with antenna shall be designed to withstand a uniform wind loading as prescribed in the current Township Building Code.
         (o)   All signals and remote control conductors of low energy extending substantially horizontally above the ground between a tower or antenna and or structure, or between tower, shall be at least eight feet above the ground at all points, unless buried underground.
         (p)   Towers shall be located so that they do not interfere with reception in nearby residential areas.
         (q)   All signals and remote control conductors of low energy extending substantially horizontally above the ground between a tower or antenna and a structure, or between towers, shall be at least eight feet above the ground at all points, unless buried underground.
         (r)   Towers shall be located so there is room for vehicles doing maintenance to maneuver on the property owned and or leased by the applicant.
         (s)   The base of the tower shall occupy no more than 500 square feet.
         (t)   Minimum spacing between tower locations shall not be less than one and one-half mile radius to prevent a concentration of towers in one area. This shall include a distance of neighboring township towers.
         (u)   Height of the tower shall not exceed 175 feet from grade within all applicable districts.
         (v)   Towers shall not be artificially lit unless required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
         (w)   Existing on-site vegetation shall be preserved to the maximum extent practical.
         (x)   There shall not be displayed advertising or identification of any kind intended to be visible from the ground or other structures, except as required for emergency purposes.
         (y)   The antenna shall be painted to match the exterior treatment of the tower.
         (z)   All parking and drive areas must be paved as provided in this chapter.
         (aa)   The developer shall plant two alternating rows of evergreen trees with a minimum height of five feet on 20-foot centers along the entire perimeter of the tower and related structures. In no case shall the evergreens be any closer than ten feet to any structure.
         (bb)   The tower and site compound shall be removed by the property owner or lessee within six months of being abandoned. The township will require an irrevocable $10,000 performance bond to ensure its removal.
         (cc)   A conceptual plan must be submitted by the applicant which indicates the contemplated are less within the township that the communication provider may construct other towers.
         (dd)   Towers shall be designed to provide for co-location. If the applicant demonstrates that he, she or they cannot co-locate on an existing tower, the applicant must provide documentation satisfactory to the township that co-location is not possible.
         (ee)   Subject to the conditions in this section the township may permit the location of personal wireless communication facilities on any township owned and occupied land.
         (ff)   The applicant shall submit a copy of a valid FCC license for the proposed activity or proof that the applicant or carrier is the successful bidder for an FCC license at auction and that the final issuance of the FCC license purchased at auction is pending.
         (gg)   This chapter and section shall apply to land owned by Saginaw Valley State University.
(Ord. 06-14-Z, passed 10-3-2006; Ord. 06-14, passed 10-17-2006)