All wireless telecommunication towers and facilities shall comply with the following standards and conditions:
(a) All towers shall be of monopole design with no guy wires. Towers and antennas shall be designed to meet all applicable City building requirements.
(Ord. 75-2005. Passed 10-11-05.)
(b) Unless otherwise provided for in this section, a wireless telecommunication facility must comply with the setback and yard requirements applicable to buildings in the underlying zone in which it is located. When such facility is located on property adjoining the electric high tension power line easement, this setback requirement shall not apply to the boundary line of the electric high tension power line utility easement. A wireless telecommunication tower must be placed upon the lot in such a way as to minimize the visual impact on adjoining roads and properties. In no event shall any portion of a wireless telecommunication facility be located in front of the principal use or building on the lot, if any.
(c) Recognizing that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may impose greater restrictions, a wireless telecommunication tower shall in no event be more than 200 feet in height as measured from the average ground level at the base of the tower. The applicant for a proposed tower shall demonstrate that the proposed tower is the minimum height necessary to accommodate the antennas and is no higher than existing towers housing similar antennas in the City and the surrounding communities. For a new tower with a 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. Prior to the Planning Commission's consideration of the application, the applicant shall submit documentation that includes consideration of alternative sites and the operational implications of such alternatives with respect, but not limited, to: height, opportunities for co-location, impact on residents, and impact on service levels. The City may retain consultant(s) to review the information, with all reasonable costs for such consultation being borne by the applicant(s).
(d) Any accessory structure related to the wireless telecommunication facility shall not exceed a height of fifteen feet and shall not exceed 825 square feet in area, either above or below ground.
(e) A wireless telecommunication tower facility may be located on a lot with another use.
(f) The base of the tower and all related facilities shall be completely enclosed with a secure fence having a minimum height of six feet but not greater than eight feet. Such fence shall be equipped with a locked gate.
(g) A landscaped buffer area of not less than fifteen feet in depth shall be placed between the wireless telecommunication facilities and the public rights-of-way and any adjacent properties from which a direct view can be had of the facilities, other than the tower itself. The buffer area shall consist of at least one of the following: (1) A row of hardy evergreen trees tightly spaced. The initial plantings shall be no less than six feet tall.
(2) Existing vegetation, inclusive of trees and shrubs, shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible.
(3) Other appropriate landscaping that achieves the screening objective, as approved by the Planning Commission.
(h) The tower shall be painted a non-contrasting gray or similar color minimizing its visibility, unless otherwise required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the FAA.
(I) Overnight outdoor storage of any supplies, vehicles, or equipment related to the use of the facility is prohibited except during the facility construction period and to supply emergency power to the facility only during a power outage.
(j) The tower shall be equipped with an appropriate anti-climbing device or shall have all climbing pegs from the lower twenty feet of the tower removed and separately secured from the public.
(k) Except as required by law, an antenna or a tower shall not be illuminated and lighting fixtures or signs shall not be attached to the antenna or tower. If lighting is required by FAA regulations, white strobe lights shall not be permitted at night unless no other alternative is permitted by the FAA. Lighting for security purposes shall be permitted at the wireless telecommunication facility with a prior approval of the Planning Commission pursuant to a conditional use certificate issued in compliance with Chapter 1232.
(l) “No Trespassing” signs and a warning sign shall be posted on the required fence in clearly visible locations. The warning sign shall include phone numbers for the police, fire, and county emergency management facilities, and a local or toll free telephone number of whom to contact in the event of an emergency. The warning sign shall be twelve inches by twelve inches. No other signs or advertising shall be located anywhere on the facility.
(m) Prior to issuance of a building permit, a performance bond shall be posted, the amount of which shall be determined by City Council.
(n) A key, key card, remote control device, or other similar device shall be submitted to the Fire Department for its use in gaining access to the secured area in case of emergency. (Ord. 89-99. Passed 12-14-99.)