All wireless telecommunication towers and facilities shall comply with the following standards and conditions:
(A) Before a new wireless telecommunication tower and facility may be considered for approval in the O, OC, L-B, G-B, or residential zoning districts, the applicant must demonstrate that:
(1) A technically suitable location is not available on an existing tower or on an existing structure, as permitted in § 151.3603. The applicant shall list the location of every tower, building or structure that could support the proposed antenna(s) so as to allow it to serve its intended function, and the reasons why such tower, building or structure has been determined not to be technically suitable; or
(2) If other towers, buildings or structures are technically suitable, the applicant must show that it has requested to collocate on all existing towers, buildings or structures and the collocation requests were denied by the owners of the towers, buildings or structures.
(B) The owner/operator of a new telecommunication tower shall agree to allow collocation when technologically feasible and/or until said tower has reached full antenna capacity, but in no event shall the owner/operator agree to allow fewer than three additional antenna platforms for three additional providers unrelated to the owner/operator. Applicants are required to bear an equitable share of capital operating and other expenses in connection with such shared use. Agreement to this provision must be included in the applicant's lease with the landowner, if different from the owner/operator of the tower. Written documentation shall be presented to the Zoning Administrator evidencing that the owner of the property on which the tower is to be located has agreed to the terms of this division as well as all other applicable requirements, regulations and standards set forth in this section.
(C) All towers shall be of monopole design. Lattice-type towers are prohibited.
(D) The applicant shall demonstrate that the antenna and/or tower must be placed as proposed in order to satisfy a necessary function in the company's grid system.
(E) The applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed tower and related facilities are safe and shall be located, to the extent possible, to minimize any adverse impacts on surrounding properties including, but not limited to tower failure, falling ice or other debris, electromagnetic fields or radio frequency interference.
(F) The applicant shall agree to accommodate the telecommunications of the local police, fire, ambulance and other city departments at no charge.
(G) The minimum distance between the base of the tower and the property lines shall be as follows:
(1) The distance required from any residential lot shall be equal to 110% of the height of the tower.
(2) The distance required from any nonresidential lot shall be equal to 40% of the height of the tower, the minimum setback required in the underlying zoning district or 50 feet, whichever is greater.
(H) The applicant of a proposed tower shall demonstrate that the tower is the minimum height necessary to accommodate the antennae and is no higher than existing towers housing similar antennae.
(I) Prior to approving a new tower with a tower height greater than those prevailing in the area, or a tower in a location not in compliance with these regulations, the applicant shall demonstrate to the city that such new tower or additional height is needed to meet the reasonable service requirements of the applicant. This assessment shall include consideration of alternative sites and the operational implications of such alternatives with respect, but not limited, to: height, opportunities for collocation, impact on residents, impact on service levels, etc. The city may retain consultant(s) to review the information with the reasonable costs for such consultation being borne by the applicant(s).
(J) Unless otherwise permitted in the zoning district in which the wireless telecommunication tower or facility is located, all other accessory uses to the wireless telecommunication tower or facility including, but not limited to, business office use, maintenance depot use, and materials and vehicle storage are prohibited from the site.
(K) The base of the tower and its support structures, shall be completely enclosed with a secure fence having a minimum height of 8 feet and shall be erected to prevent access by nonauthorized personnel.
(L) Landscaping shall be required to screen the fence and should soften the appearance of the wireless telecommunication facility. At least one row of evergreens planted five feet on center maximum and a minimum height of 6 feet at planting shall be required to completely screen the fence from view. Existing vegetation surrounding the fenced area shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible. The city may permit a combination of existing vegetation, topography, walls, decorative fences or other features instead of landscaping, if they achieve the same degree of screening as the required landscaping.
(M) The tower shall be painted a non- contrasting gray or similar color to reduce visual impact, unless otherwise required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). All accessory buildings and structures shall be aesthetically and architecturally compatible with the surrounding environment and adjacent buildings and structures.
(N) “No Trespassing” signs may be posted on the required fence in a clearly visible location with a telephone number of who to contact in the event of an emergency. No other signs or advertising shall be located anywhere on the facility.
(O) If the wireless telecommunication site is completely automated, adequate parking shall 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 this Zoning Code.
(P) Unless required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), no artificial lighting shall be permitted on any wireless telecommunication tower or related facility.
(Ord. 5-2005, passed 3-23-05; Am. Ord. 2-2014, passed 3-5-14)