(A) For the purpose of these regulations, certain abbreviations, terms and words shall be used, interpreted, and defined as set forth in this subchapter. Unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, words used in the present tense include the future tense and words used in the plural indicate the singular.
(B) For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACT. The Communications Act of 1934, as it has been amended from time to time, including the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and shall include future amendments to the Communications Act of 1934.
ALTERNATIVE TOWER STRUCTURE. Human-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, light poles and similar alternative-design mounting structures that camouflage or conceal the presence of antennas or towers. (See also STEALTH FACILITY.)
ANALOG TECHNOLOGY. Replicates and amplifies voice messages as they are carried from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.
ANTENNA. Any exterior apparatus designed for telephonic, radio or television communications through sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves.
ANTENNA HEIGHT. The vertical distance measured from the base of the antenna support structure at grade to the highest point of the structure. If the support structure is on a sloped grade, then the average between the highest and lowest grades shall be used in calculating the ANTENNA HEIGHT.
CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS. A commercial low power mobile radio service licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to providers in a specific geographical area in which the radio frequency spectrum is divided into discrete channels which are assigned in groups to geographic cells within a service area and which are capable of being reused in different cells within the service area.
CELLULAR/WIRELESS/PERSONAL COMMUNICATION TOWER. A guyed, monopole or self-supporting tower, constricted as a freestanding structure or in association with a building, other permanent structure or equipment, containing one or more antennas intended for transmitting and/or receiving television, AM/FM radio, digital, microwave, cellular, telephone or similar forms of electronic communication.
CELLULAR/WIRELESS/PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY. A land use facility supporting antennas and/or microwave dishes that send and/or receive radio frequency signals. COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES include structures or towers, supporting equipment and accessory buildings.
COUNTY. Ripley County, Indiana
CO-LOCATION. Locating wireless communication equipment from more than one provider on a single site.
COMMON CARRIER. An entity licensed by the FCC or a state agency to supply local and/or distance telecommunications services to the general public at established and stated prices.
COMPREHENSIVE OR MASTER PLAN. The current adopted Comprehensive/Master Plan of the county.
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY. Technology that converts voice and data messages into digits that represent sound intensities at specific points of time and data content.
FAA. The Federal Aviation Administration.
FCC. The Federal Communications Commission.
FREQUENCY. The number of cycles completed each second by a sound wave; measured in hertz (Hz).
GOVERNING AUTHORITY. The Board of Zoning Appeals of Ripley County, Indiana.
GRADE. The lowest point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground, paving or sidewalk within the area between the structure and the property line or, when the property line is more than five feet from the structure, between the structure and a line five feet from the structure.
GUYED TOWER. A communication tower that is supported, in whole or in part, by guy wires and ground anchors.
LATTICE TOWER. A guyed or self-supporting three or four sided, open, steel frame structure used to support telecommunications equipment.
MONOPOLE TOWER. A communication tower consisting of a single pole, constructed without guy wires and ground anchors.
OWNER. The owner of the title to real property or the contract purchaser of real property of record, as shown on the latest assessment records in the County Assessor’s office. OWNER also includes a deed holder or contract purchaser whose name does not appear in the latest assessment records, but who presents to the County Board of Zoning Appeals a copy of a deed or contract of sale showing date, book and page of recording.
PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES or PCS. Digital wireless telephone technology such as portable phones, pagers, faxes and computers. Such mobile technology promises to allow each consumer the same telephone number wherever he or she goes. Also known as PERSONAL COMMUNICATION NETWORK (PCN).
PRE-EXISTING TOWERS AND ANTENNAS. Any tower or antenna for which a permit has been issued prior to the effective date of these regulations and is exempt from the requirements of these regulations so long as the tower and antennas are not modified or changed.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. Any real property, easement, air-space or other interest in real estate, including a street, owned or controlled by the county or any other government unit.
SELF-SUPPORT TOWER. A communication tower that is constructed without guy wires and ground anchors.
TEMPORARY WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY. Any tower, pole, antenna and the like designed for use while a permanent wireless facility is under construction, or for a special event or conference where a majority of people attending are wireless users.
TOWER.
(a) Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas, including self-supporting lattice towers, guy towers or monopole towers.
(b) The term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common-carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, alternative tower structures and the like.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION. An all encompassing definition; any towers, poles, antennas or other structures intended for use in connection with transmission or receipt of radio or television signals, or any other spectrum-based transmission/receptions.
(Ord. passed - -2006, § 80.49(B))