The requirements of this section apply to all wireless telecommunications facilities erected, constructed, placed, modified, or replaced in the City of Maumee. All wireless telecommunication facilities shall be designed and situated to be visually unobtrusive to minimize the impact upon neighboring uses and shall conform to the following design and siting criteria:
(a) Setbacks:
(1) If a site in any open space, commercial, or industrial zoning district does not abut a residential district or lot, the minimum setback from any public right of way or off site building, including accessory buildings, to a wireless telecommunication tower shall be equal to two-hundred percent (200%) of the height of the tower. The minimum setback in any site in or abutting any residential zoning district or lot from any public right of way or off site building, including accessory buildings, for a wireless telecommunication tower shall be equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the height of the tower, plus fifty (50) feet. Distances shall be measured from the center of the base of the telecommunication tower to the right of way line or building. Setbacks for accessory buildings and equipment structures associated with wireless telecommunication towers and antennas shall comply with the zoning district in which the facility is located.
(2) No new wireless telecommunications facilities may be located on or within two hundred fifty (250) feet of the property line of any property designated as HP Historic Preservation District, on or within two hundred fifty (250) feet of the property line of any property within the Old Maumee Architectural District, and on or within two hundred fifty (250) feet of the of the property lines of Fort Miamis Park or the Fallen Timbers Battle site.
(b) Accessory Equipment Structures. All accessory equipment structures adjacent to an antenna system and/or tower shall be screened or architecturally designed to blend in with the surrounding environment and shall meet the minimum setback requirements of the applicable zoning district. The accessory equipment structure, or accessory equipment land parcel, shall have the capacity to house the equipment of a minimum of three (3) additional co locators.
(c) Screening. A wall not less than eight (8) feet nor more than ten (10) feet in height from finished grade shall be provided around the perimeter of all wireless telecommunication tower sites for ground mounted communications towers. The wall shall have a brick base of a minimum of six (6) feet in height, and may be topped with brick, wood, or vinyl fencing. Access to the wireless telecommunication tower site shall be through a locked gate.
(d) Landscaping and Screening. The following landscaping and buffering shall be required around the perimeter of wireless telecommunication tower sites, as follows:
(1) Landscaping shall be installed on the outside of the wall. Further, existing vegetation shall be preserved to the maximum extent practicable and may be used as a substitute for or in supplement towards meeting the landscaping requirements.
(2) A row of shade trees a minimum of eight (8) feet tall and a maximum of ten (10) feet apart shall be planted around the perimeter of the wall.
(3) A continuous hedge at least thirty (30) inches in height at planting and capable of growing to at least thirty six (36) inches in height within eighteen (18) months shall be planted on the outside of the perimeter wall and tree line referenced above.
(4) All landscaping shall be of the evergreen variety.
(5) All landscaping shall be xeriscape tolerant or irrigated, and properly maintained to ensure good health and viability.
(e) Construction and maintenance. All new towers shall be of monopole construction and no guy wires shall be utilized. Towers and/or antenna systems shall be constructed of or treated with corrosive resistant material. A regular maintenance schedule shall be followed.
(f) Roof Mounted Wireless Communication Antennas. Roof mounted wireless telecommunication antennas shall not be permitted on buildings with pitched roofs unless they are stealth antennas incorporated into upward thrusting architectural elements such as a church steeple, spire, bell tower, smokestack, or radio tower. On flat roofs, the height of the antenna and mounting hardware may not be more than fifteen (15) feet above the highest point of the roof to which the antenna is attached.
(g) Structurally Mounted Wireless Communication Antennas. Telecommunication antennas mounted on the sides of buildings shall be attached flush with the side of the building and shall not protrude more than three (3) feet from the side of the building. Structurally mounted antennas not affixed to towers shall be made to blend into the design and contours of the structure.
(h) Lights. No antenna or tower shall have affixed or attached to it in any way any lights, reflectors, flashers, daytime strobes, or steady nighttime light or other illuminating devices except as may be required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
(i) Signs and Advertising. No signs and/or advertising messages shall be affixed to the antenna, tower structure, screening, or accessory equipment structure, except that one identification sign not exceeding six square feet designating the name of and contact information for the owner of the tower structure shall be attached to the perimeter wall.
(j) Other Attachments. No antenna or tower shall have constructed thereon or attached thereto any platform, catwalk, crow's nest, or like structure for the purpose of human support except during periods of construction and repair.
(k) Color. The wireless telecommunication tower and antenna shall be painted a dull sky blue or gray finish except as dictated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and shall be designed to minimize visibility and to blend into the surrounding environment.
(l) Equipment storage. No equipment, mobile or immobile, other than an emergency backup generator, shall be stored or parked on the site outside the accessory equipment structure except when maintenance or repairs to the facility are being made and such equipment is actively being utilized in the maintenance or repairs.