The overall purpose of this subchapter is to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare while accommodating the telecommunication needs of residents and business. Specifically, this subchapter seeks to:
(A) Facilitate the provisions of wireless telecommunication services to the residents and businesses of the municipality in full compliance with the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996;
(B) Minimize adverse visual effects of communication towers by requiring them to have minimal visual impact and by setting minimum standards for their design (including innovative camouflaging techniques), siting, screening and landscaping;
(C) Designate the appropriate zoning districts for wireless telecommunication facilities;
(D) Avoid potential danger to adjacent properties from tower failure through structural standards and setback requirements;
(E) Mitigate tower proliferation through tower sharing requirements (co-locations) for all new tower applicants and those existing towers that are physically capable of sharing;
(F) Establish the standards and criteria for evaluation of application for wireless telecommunications facilities and fair and reasonable procedures to process applications; and
(G) Provide for the removal of abandoned and unsafe wireless telecommunications towers and antennas.
(Ord. passed 10-30-06)