For purposes of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDON. Occurs when an owner of a support structure intends to permanently and completely cease all business activity associated therewith.
ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT. Any equipment serving or being used in conjunction with a telecommunications facility or support structure. This equipment includes, but is not limited to antenna, utility or transmission equipment, power supplies, generators, batteries, cables, equipment buildings, cabinets and storage sheds, shelters or other structures.
ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL. Zoning approval that the Zoning Administrator or designee is authorized to grant after administrative review, issued in the form of an improvement location permit ("ILP").
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW. Process of evaluation of an application by the Zoning Administrator or designee. Except as otherwise specified in this chapter, this process is the same process as issuing an improvement location permit ("ILP") as set forth in the Zoning Code. In addition to other material requested for an ILP, the Zoning Administrator may request such other documentation as is necessary to establish that the standards set forth in this chapter have been met prior to granting administrative approval.
ANTENNA. Any structure or device used to collect or radiate electromagnetic waves for the provision of services including, but not limited to, cellular, paging, personal communications services (PCS) and microwave communications. Such structures and devices include, but are not limited to, directional antennas, such as panels, microwave dishes and satellite dishes, and omnidirectional antennas, such as whips. This definition does not apply to broadcast antennas, antennas designed for amateur radio use, or satellite dishes designed for residential or household purposes.
CARRIER ON WHEELS OR CELL ON WHEELS ("COW"). A portable self-contained telecommunications facility that can be moved to a location and set up to provide wireless services on a temporary or emergency basis. A COW is normally vehicle-mounted and contains a telescoping boom as the antenna support structure.
COLLOCATION. The act of siting telecommunications facilities on an existing structure without the need to construct a new support structure and without a substantial increase in the size of the existing structure.
COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS TOWER. A structure on which one or more antenna will be located that is intended for transmitting and/or receiving radio, television, telephone, wireless or microwave communications for an FCC licensed carrier, excluding those used exclusively for private radio and television reception and private citizen's bands, amateur radio and other similar private/residential communications.
CONCEALED TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY. Any telecommunications facility that is integrated as an architectural feature of an existing structure or any new support structure designed so that the purpose of the facility or support structure for providing wireless services is not readily apparent to a casual observer.
EXISTING STRUCTURE. Previously erected support structure or any other structure, including but not limited to, buildings and water tanks, to which telecommunications facilities can be attached.
MAJOR MODIFICATIONS. Improvements to existing telecommunications facilities or support structures that result in a substantial increase to the existing structure. Collocation of new telecommunications facilities to an existing support structure without replacement of the structure shall not constitute a major modification unless such collocation would result in a substantial increase to an existing structure.
MINOR MODIFICATIONS. Improvements to existing structures that result in some material change to the facility or support structure but of a level, quality or intensity that is less than a substantial increase. MINOR MODIFICATIONS include the replacement of the structure with a structure of the same type, height, size, location and general appearance. Any replacement structure will be subject to the same conditions and restrictions that were applied to approval for the original structure.
MONOPOLE. A single, freestanding pole-type structure supporting one or more antenna.
ORDINARY MAINTENANCE. Ensuring that telecommunications facilities and support structures are kept in good operating condition. ORDINARY MAINTENANCE includes inspections, testing and modifications that maintain functional capacity, aesthetic and structural integrity; for example, the strengthening of a support structure's foundation or of the support structure itself. ORDINARY MAINTENANCE includes replacing antennas of a similar size, weight, shape and color and accessory equipment within an existing telecommunications facility and relocating the antennas of approved telecommunications facilities to different height levels on an existing monopole or tower upon which they are currently located. ORDINARY MAINTENANCE does not include minor and major modifications unless such maintenance work would result in a substantial increase to an existing structure.
REPLACEMENT. Constructing a new support structure of proportions and of equal height or such other height that would not constitute a substantial increase to a pre-existing support structure in order to support a telecommunications facility or to accommodate collocation and removing the pre-existing support structure.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE. Occurs when:
(1) The mounting of the proposed antenna or other accessory equipment on an existing structure would increase the existing height of the existing structure by more than 10%; or
(2) The mounting of the proposed antenna or other accessory equipment would involve the installation of more than the standard number of new equipment cabinets for the technology involved, as documented by a qualified and licensed Indiana professional engineer, not to exceed four, or more than one new equipment shelter; or
(3) The mounting of the proposed antenna or other accessory equipment would involve adding an appmienance to the body of the existing structure that would protrude from the edge of the existing structure more than 15 feet; or
(4) The mounting of the proposed antenna or accessory equipment would involve excavation outside the current existing structure site, defined as the current boundaries of the leased or owned property surrounding the existing structure and any access or utility easements currently related to the site.
SUPPORT STRUCTURE(S). A structure designed to support telecommunications facilities including, but not limited to, monopoles, towers, and other freestanding self-supporting structures.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY(IES). Any unmanned facility established for the purpose of providing wireless transmission of voice, data, images or other information including, but not limited to, cellular telephone service, personal communications service (PCS), and paging service. A TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY can consist of one or more antennas and accessory equipment or one base station.
TOWER. A lattice-type structure, guyed or freestanding, that suppmis one or more antennas.
(Ord. 2020-02, passed 6-2-2020)