The following development standards shall apply to cellular or wireless communications antennas and towers:
(a) Location.
(1) Every attempt shall be made to mount a cellular or wireless communications antenna to an existing structure, such as a communications tower (whether the tower is for cellular or wireless purposes or not), smoke stack, water tower or other tall structure in any zoning district. Cellular or wireless communications antennas may only be placed on the top of buildings that are no less than 35 feet in height, for so long as the structure or building remains. Cellular or wireless communications antenna mounted on existing structures may be approved according to § 1135.04.
(2) If an existing structure is not available, every attempt shall be made to place cellular or wireless communications systems in I-1 and I-2 zoning districts. If a cellular or wireless communications company can demonstrate that there are no suitable sites under industry or engineering standards for its cellular or wireless communications sites within an I-1 or I-2 zoning district, the company may apply for a permit to place the tower or antenna in a B-3, B-4 or HT-1 District.
(3) Micro antennas not exceeding five feet in height may be placed on any existing building in any zoning district. The micro antenna shall not be subject to the setback requirements of other cellular or wireless communications towers, provided it is placed on the roof of an existing building.
(4) All other uses accessory to the cellular or wireless communications antennas and towers, including, but not limited to, business offices, maintenance depots, and materials and vehicles storage, are prohibited from the site unless otherwise permitted in the zoning district in which the cellular or wireless communications antenna and/or tower is located.
(b) Setback. The minimum distance between the base of a tower or any support structures, including guy wire anchors, shall be as follows:
Table 1188 - Setbacks for Cellular or Wireless Comm. Towers and Support Structures | |
Minimum Setback from | |
Any property used for residential purposes or zoned for use as residential property | A distance equal to the height of the tower; or 100 feet (whichever is the greatest distance) |
Adjacent nonresidential property | 40% of the tower height; or the minimum setback in the adjacent zoning district; or 50 feet (whichever is the greatest distance) |
Any right-of-way adjacent to a B-4 district | A distance equal to the height of the tower; or 1,000 feet (whichever is the greatest distance) |
Any property adjacent to a B-4 district | A distance equal to the height of the tower; or 100 feet (whichever is the greatest distance) |
(Ord. 99-132, passed 10-11-1999; Ord. 2014-2, passed 2-10-2014)
(c) Fencing. A fence shall be required around the cellular or wireless communications tower and its support or accessory structure(s), unless the antenna is mounted on an existing structure. The fence shall be a minimum of ten feet in height, and shall be erected to prevent access to non-authorized personnel.
(d) Screen/landscaping. Screening/landscaping shall be required to completely screen, up to six feet from ground-level, the support structure(s) and any other ground-level equipment, in order to soften the appearance of the cellular or wireless communications site. The screening may be comprised of any combination of existing vegetation, topography, walls, decorative fences or other landscape features, provided they achieve 100% opacity year-round. A wall or fence without natural vegetation is not an acceptable screen. If the antenna is mounted on an existing structure and other equipment is housed inside an existing structure, additional landscaping shall not be required.
(e) Parking. If the cellular or wireless communications site is fully automated, adequate parking shall not be required for maintenance workers. If the site is not fully automated, the number of required parking spaces shall equal the number of employees working on the largest shift. All parking specifications and requirements shall be consistent with the applicable parking requirements as established in the Zoning Ordinance.
(f) Appearance. Cellular or wireless communications towers under 200 feet in height shall be painted silver or have a galvanized finish retained in order to reduce visual impact. Cellular or wireless communications towers shall meet all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. No cellular or wireless communications towers may be artificially lighted, except when required by the FAA. Furthermore, no cellular or wireless communications tower or antenna and accessory buildings and structures shall contain any signage. All utility lines serving the towers shall be underground.
(Ord. 98-104, passed 9-14-1998)