(A) The following standards shall apply to all antennas and antenna support structures:
(1) All obsolete and unused antennas and antenna support structures shall be removed within 12 months of cessation of operation at the site, unless an exemption is granted by the Zoning Administrator. After the facilities are removed, the site shall be restored to its original or an improved condition. The city may require that a letter of credit be posted with the city to guarantee compliance with this provision.
(2) All antennas shall be constructed in compliance with city building and electrical codes.
(3) Structural design, mounting, and installation of the antenna shall be in compliance with manufacturer's specifications. The plans shall be approved and certified by a registered professional engineer at the owner's expense.
(4) When applicable, written authorization for antenna erection shall be provided by the property owner.
(5) No advertising message shall be affixed to the antenna structure.
(6) The height of the antenna shall be the minimum necessary to function satisfactorily, as verified by a registered electrical engineer.
(7) Antennas shall not be artificially illuminated and must not display strobe lights unless required by law or by a governmental agency to protect the public's health and safety. When incorporated into the approved design, the tower may support light fixtures used to illuminate ballfields, parking lots, or other similar areas.
(8) When applicable, proposals to erect new antennas shall be accompanied by any required federal, state, or local agency licenses.
(9) No new antenna support structures shall be constructed if it is feasible to locate the proposed new antenna(s) on existing support structures. Feasibility shall be determined according to generally accepted engineering principles. If a new antenna support structure is to be constructed, it shall be designed structurally and electrically to accommodate both the applicant's antennas and comparable antennas for at least 2 additional users, if the antenna support structure is over 100 feet in height, or for at least 1 additional user, if the tower is over 60 feet in height. Any antenna support structure must also be designed to allow for future rearrangement of antennas upon the tower and to accept antennas mounted at different heights. Other users shall include but not be limited to other cellular communication companies, personal communication systems companies, local police, fire, and ambulance companies.
(10) Antenna support structures shall be constructed and painted to reduce visual impact and according to all applicable F.A.A. requirements.
(11) The use of guyed towers is prohibited. Towers must be self-supporting without the use of wires, cables, beams, or other means. The design should utilize an open framework or monopole design. Permanent platforms or structures, exclusive of antennas, are prohibited.
(12) The base of any tower shall occupy no more than 500 square feet and the top of the tower shall be no larger than the base.
(13) Antennas and antenna support structures must be designed to blend into the surrounding environment through use of color and camouflaging architectural treatment, except in instances where the color is dictated by federal or state authorities. All locations should provide the maximum amount of screening from off-site views as is feasible. Existing on-site vegetation shall be preserved to the maximum extent practicable.
(14) The base of all antenna support structures shall be landscaped according to a plan approved by the City Engineer. Accessory structures shall be designed to be architecturally compatible with the principal antenna support structure.
(15) Antennas shall be subject to state and federal regulations pertaining to non-ionizing radiation and other health hazards related to the facilities. If new, more restrictive standards are adopted, antennas shall be brought into compliance with the new standards by the owner and operator. The cost of verification of compliance shall be borne by the owner and operator of the antenna.
(16) Except as approved by the city as to public utilities, no part of any antenna or support structure, nor any lines, cable, equipment, wires, or braces shall at any time extend across or over any part of any right-of-way, public street, highway, sidewalk, or property line.
(17) All metal towers (and all necessary components) shall be constructed of, or treated with, corrosion-resistant material.
(18) All antennas and support structures shall be adequately insured for injury and property damage caused by collapse or other catastrophic failure.
(19) All new antenna support structures shall be constructed to provide space for the installation of a city emergency/fire siren in such a fashion that it will not interfere with any antennas. The space shall be available for that use by the city at no cost to the city.
(B) The following regulations shall apply to all antennas and antenna support structures for which a special use permit, administrative permit, or site plan is required under this subchapter:
(1) The applicant shall demonstrate by providing a coverage/interference analysis and capacity analysis prepared by a registered professional engineer that location of the antennas as proposed is necessary to meet the frequency reuse and spacing needs and to provide adequate coverage and capacity to areas which cannot be adequately served by locating the antennas in a less restrictive district. The analysis shall also demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the city that the proposed use will not interfere with the radio, television, telephone, and other similar services enjoyed by the properties in the area.
(2) Transmitting, receiving, and switching equipment shall be housed within an existing structure whenever possible. If a new equipment building is necessary for transmitting, receiving and switching equipment, it shall be situated in the rear yard of the principal use and shall be screened from view by landscaping.
(3) (a) Unless the antenna is mounted on an existing structure, at the discretion of the city, a security fence not greater than 8 feet in height with a maximum capacity of 50% shall be provided around the support structure.
(b) All antenna support structures shall be reasonably protected against climbing.
(4) At least annually, and at each time a new user is added to an antenna support structure, the owner or operator shall provide to the city a report from a registered engineer that the antenna(s) comply with all applicable regulations regarding emission of radiation and electromagnetic waves.
(5) The base of all antenna support structures shall be posted with signs stating "Danger–High Voltage" on all sides.
(Prior Code, § 600.060) (Ord. 7477, passed 11-18-1997) Penalty, see § 10.99