Adjacent valley floor. The adjacent valley floor is the valley (refer to the N.C. Ridge Law) nearest by air distance to the major mountain ridge or peak.
Antenna. A conductor by which electromagnetic waves are transmitted or received.
Balloon test. A test conducted by allowing a large colored balloon to rise to the same height as the proposed tower. The balloon is viewed from different locations and distances to mark the range of visibility to surrounding properties and any adjacent viewsheds.
Construction. Any new construction, reconstruction, alteration or expansion requiring a building permit in accordance to the N.C. Building Code.
Crest. The uppermost line of a mountain or chain of mountains from which the land falls away on at least two (2) sides to a lower elevation or elevations.
Existing vegetative canopy. The existing vegetative plants, trees or shrubs at the site specific location of the proposed communication tower site, that will provide natural camouflage, concealment, or otherwise hide the communication tower after its construction. This vegetative canopy will also be used to determine the allowable height of the proposed communication tower.
Fall area. A circle whose center is the base of a telecommunications tower and whose radius is equal to the tower's height.
Person. Any individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, public or private institution, utility, cooperative, interstate body, the State of North Carolina, and its agencies and political subdivision, or other legal entity.
Protected mountain ridges. All mountain ridges in the city whose elevation is one thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) feet or more and whose elevation is three hundred (300) or more feet above the elevation of an adjacent valley floor. The mountain ridge identified as Grant Mountain on the USGS 7.5 minute East Marion, N.C. topographic map is exempt from this definition and shall not be considered a protected mountain ridge.
Resident. Any person residing, doing business or maintaining an office within the city.
Ridge. The elongated crest or series of crests at the apex or uppermost point of intersection between two (2) opposite slopes or sides of a mountain, and includes all land within one hundred (100) feet below the elevation of any portion of such line or surface along the crest.
Structure. Anything constructed or erected, including but not limited to buildings, that requires location on the land or attachment to something having permanent location on the land.
Telecommunications tower (hereinafter known as "tower"). Any tower or structure erected for the purpose of supporting one (1) or more antennas designed to transmit or receive signals (e.g., telephonic, radio, television or microwave).
Tower height. The vertical distance measured from ground to the upper most point of the telecommunications tower and any antenna affixed thereto.
Viewshed. An unobstructed sight of, or the range of one's sight while traveling, visiting, driving or otherwise using the natural or manmade resources of the Robert C. Hunter Expressway, a designated scenic corridor. For the purpose of the UDO, the viewshed distance is one (1) air mile from the outermost boundary of the city adjoining the Robert C. Hunter Expressway.
(Ord. No. O-23-07-18-4, § 9, 7-18-23)