This chapter, governing wireless telecommunication facilities, is established to provide for the construction, erection, maintenance, extension and removal of such facilities only when such facilities are either specifically permitted in the zoning district in which they are to be located or by permission of the City Planning Commission through the granting of a variance or other special permit as may be authorized by the Zoning Code. The purpose of this chapter is to balance the competing interests created by the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104) and the interests of the City in regulating wireless telecommunication towers and related facilities for the following reasons:
(a) To provide for orderly development within the City,
(b) To protect property values;
(c) To maintain the aesthetic appearance of the City, including its residential character and unobstructed open spaces;
(d) To provide for and protect the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the City.
(e) To protect residential properties, parks, open spaces and the nonintensive commercial zoning districts which are characteristic of the City from the adverse effects of towers and related facilities; and
(f) To promote collocation of wireless telecommunication facilities in order to decrease the total number of towers and related facilities in the City.
(Ord. 1997-18. Passed 7-16-97.)