(A) Preferred locations. In order to minimize their visual, noise and other impacts on the surrounding community, wireless telecommunications facilities and wireless telecommunications collocation facilities are encouraged to locate in certain districts, zones, areas and locations, and on existing buildings and structures, in the following order of preference (“preferred locations”):
(1) Within NC, CRS, RCC, RCM, O/RD/LM, BE, M or P/QP zones if:
(a) Collocated with existing facilities;
(b) Building-mounted or roof-mounted to an existing or new building;
(c) Mounted to an existing pole or a new pole used to replace an existing pole;
(d) Mounted to a new telecommunications tower.
(B) Discouraged locations. Wireless telecommunications facilities and wireless telecommunications collocation facilities shall only locate in any of the following districts, zones, lots, areas or locations with the approval of a major conditional use permit in accordance with Chapter 17.52 and an exception by the Planning Commission and any other permit required by this code (“discouraged locations”):
(1) Zoning districts RF, RE, RL, RM, RM/RH, RH, HWP, HR, HCD, or ANF;
(2) Any lot zoned for single family residential use;
(3) Any lot occupied with a single family home;
(4) Public property in or abutting residential zones or residential neighborhoods which is not located within a public right-of-way (provided that the use of any city-owned or leased public property shall also require approval of an agreement pursuant to § 17.46.100);
(5) On any parcel of real property in a non-residential zone which contains a lawful residential use; and any location within 100 feet, as measured from the exterior boundaries of the property, of a residential zone or a permitted residential use;
(6) Planned development and specific plan zones, if the zone or plan prohibits such facilities;
(7) Planned development and specific plan zones that are exclusively residential, unless the zone or plan specifically provides otherwise;
(8) In planned development and specific plan zones that include a mix of residential and non-residential uses, those areas of a planned development or specific plan zone that are designated as residential, unless the zone or plan specifically provides otherwise;
(9) Public property (excluding any public right-of-way) within or directly adjacent to RF, RE, RL, RM, RM/RH, RH, HWP, HR, HCD, or ANF zones;
(10) Public property (excluding any public right-of-way) within any district, zone, area or location if mounted to a new pole that is not replacing an existing pole; or
(11) Any public property (excluding any public right-of-way) that abuts the property line of a structure recognized as a local, state or national historic landmark, historic district or on the register of historic places.
(C) Planned development and specific plan zones. Except as otherwise required regarding discouraged locations under division (B) the following provisions apply to new or proposed facilities in a planned development or specific plan zone:
(1) In addition to any other permit required pursuant to this code, the installation of a new major wireless telecommunications facility or new major wireless telecommunications collocation facility, or the modification to an existing major wireless telecommunications facility or major wireless telecommunications collocation facility in a planned development or specific plan zone that specifically permits such facilities shall require a conditional use permit unless the zone or plan specifies a different permitting requirement.
(2) In addition to any other permit required pursuant to this code, the installation of a new major wireless telecommunications facility or major wireless telecommunications collocation facility, or the modification to an existing major wireless telecommunications facility or major wireless telecommunications collocation facility in a planned development or specific plan zone that is silent or defers to the code in regards to such facilities, and is not a discouraged location, shall require a conditional use permit.
(3) If an application for the proposed facility is submitted as an eligible facility, then the provisions governing eligible facilities requests apply and no CUP is required, unless the proposal constitutes a substantial change.
(D) Accessory equipment. In order of preference, accessory equipment for wireless telecommunication facilities and wireless telecommunications collocation facilities shall be located underground, within a building or structure, on a screened roof top area or structure, or in a rear yard if not readily visible from surrounding properties and the roadway, unless the reviewing authority finds that another location is more technically feasible or more compatible with the city’s aesthetic, design and development standards under the circumstances of the application and the facility in the alternative location contains screening or other stealth elements which eliminate the visibility of the facility from surrounding properties.
(Ord. 2021-10 § 6 (part), 2021)