(a) Antenna/Tower Height. The applicant shall demonstrate that the antenna/tower is the minimum height required to function satisfactorily. No antenna that is taller than the minimum height shall be approved. The City encourages co-location of cellular and wireless communications antenna/tower(s). "Minimal height" in this section shall mean the height of the antenna/tower to service the applicant satisfactorily, plus use of the antenna/tower by one or two more cellular or wireless carriers. By no means shall an antenna/tower be 200 feet in height or greater.
(b) Setbacks from the Base of the Antenna/Tower.
(1) If a new cellular or wireless communications tower is to be constructed in a R-3 or CO-1 zoning district, the minimum distance between the base of the tower or any guy wire anchors shall be no closer to an R-1 or R-2 zoning district than as follows:
A. Cellular or wireless communications antenna/tower equal to or less than 100 feet in height shall be located no closer than 125 feet to any residential R-1 or R-2 zoning district;
B. Cellular or wireless communications antenna/tower greater than 100 feet and less than 150 feet in height shall be located no closer than 150 feet to any residential R-1 or R-2 zoning district;
C. Cellular or wireless communications antenna/tower equal to or greater than 150 feet in height shall be located no closer than 200 feet to any residential R-1 or R-2 zoning district.
(2) If a new cellular or wireless communications antenna/tower is to be constructed in a R-3 or CO-1 zoning district, the minimum distance between the base of the tower or any guy wire anchors to any residential R-3 zoning district and any property line in a commercial zoning district shall be the greater of the following:
A. Forty (40) percent of the tower height;
B. The minimum setback in the underlying zoning district; or
C. Fifty (50) feet.
(3) If a new cellular or wireless communications antenna/tower is to be constructed in a R-1 or R-2 zoning district, the minimum distance between the base of the tower or any guy wire anchors to any R-l or R-2 property line shall be no closer than the setbacks required in 1174.05(b) (1) A., B. and C.
(4) If a new cellular or wireless communications antenna/tower is to be constructed in a R-1 or R-2 zoning district, the minimum distance between the base of the tower or any guy wire anchors to any R-3 zoning district shall be the greater of the following:
A. Sixty (60) percent of the tower height;
B. Fifty (50) feet.
(5) All cellular or wireless communications sites shall not be located any closer than 200 feet from any public right-of-way.
(c) Cellular or Wireless Communications Tower Safety. The applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed cellular or wireless communications tower and its antenna are safe and that the surrounding properties will not be negatively affected by tower failure, falling ice or other debris. The applicant shall also demonstrate that the proposed cellular or wireless communications tower and its antenna comply with all applicable Federal Communications Commission standards, rules and regulations governing radio frequency emissions. Furthermore, all cellular or wireless communications towers shall be fitted with anti-climbing devices as approved by the manufacturers.
(d) Fencing. A fence shall be required around the cellular or wireless communications tower and any support structures, unless the antenna is mounted on an existing structure. The fence shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet in height and shall be erected to prevent access to non-authorized personnel. The use of razor or barbed wire shall be prohibited. Spaces between any screening devices and landscaping material shall be maintained in good condition.
(e) Landscaping.
(1) The following landscaping shall be required to screen as much of the support structures as possible, the fence surrounding the cellular or wireless communications tower, support structure(s) and any other ground level features and, in general, soften the appearance of the cellular or wireless communications site. The City may permit any combination of existing vegetation, topography, walls, decorative fences, or other features instead of landscaping, if such combination achieves the same degree of screening as the required landscaping. If the antenna is mounted on an existing structure, and other equipment is housed inside of the existing structure, landscaping shall not be required.
(2) Any freestanding cellular or wireless communications tower shall incorporate landscaping which includes trees, shrubs and other landscaping vegetation that is subject to review and is approved by the Planning Commission. In addition, existing vegetation on and around the site shall be preserved to the greatest extent possible.
(f) Limiting the Number of Cellular or Wireless Communications Towers, In order to reduce the number of antenna support structures needed in the City in the future, the proposed cellular or wireless communications tower shall be required to accommodate other uses, including other cellular or wireless communications companies, and the local police, fire, and ambulance departments.
(g) Licensing. The communications company must demonstrate to the City that it is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
(h) Required Parking. If the cellular or wireless communications site is fully automated, adequate parking shall be required for maintenance workers. If the site is not fully automated, the number of required parking spaces shall be 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 Code.
(i) Appearance. Cellular or wireless communications towers under 200 feet in height shall be painted silver, grey, 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 shall contain any signage containing a commercial message.
(j) Site Plan Required. A full site plan shall be required for all proposed cellular or wireless communications sites, at a scale of 1 inch to 100 feet (1" = 100'), indicating as a minimum, the following:
(1) The total area of the site.
(2) The existing zoning of the property in question and all adjacent properties.
(3) All public and private right-of-way and easement lines located on or adjacent to the property which is proposed to be continued, created, relocated or abandoned.
(4) Existing topography with a maximum of five (5) foot contours intervals.
(5) The proposed finished grade of the development shown by contours not exceeding five (5) foot intervals.
(6) The location of all existing buildings and structures and the proposed location of the cellular or wireless communications tower and all cellular or wireless communications support structures including dimension, height, and where applicable, the gross floor area of the buildings.
(7) The locations and dimensions of all curb cuts, driving lanes, off-street parking and loading areas including the number of spaces, grades, surfacing materials, drainage plans and illumination of the facility.
(8) All existing and proposed sidewalks and open areas on the site.
(9) The location of all proposed fences, screening and walls.
(10) The location of all existing and proposed streets.
(11) All existing and proposed utilities including types and grades.
(12) The schedule of any phasing of the project.
(13) A written statement by the cellular or wireless communications company as to the visual and aesthetic impacts of the proposed cellular communications tower on all adjacent residential zoning districts.
(14) Any other information as may be required by the Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, or Building Official to determine conformance with the City's Zoning Code.
Upon submission of a complete application for site plan review to the Zoning Administrator, the application shall be transmitted to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall review the site plan to determine if it meets the purpose and requirements as established in this section, of the zoning district where the proposed cellular or wireless communications site is located and of any other applicable section of the Zoning Code. Approval of plans shall be consistent with the plan approval process of the Planning Commission as outlined in Chapter 1149 of the Zoning Code.
(Ord. 6-1997. Passed 4-7-97.)