Essential service facilities are permitted uses in all zoning districts except electrical substations and switching stations are prohibited in all residential (R) and public/institutional (P) districts. Essential service facilities shall be subject to all of the applicable district development standards as well as any overlay district standards with the following additional standards:
A. Every fenced enclosure is subject to the principal building setback or yard criteria of the district in which it is located.
B. Electrical substations and switching stations located on any lot or parcel which is adjacent to a lot or parcel in a residential (R), commercial (C), and/or public institutional (P) district or use must provide mechanical or vegetative screening in the yard adjacent to a public right of way or such lot or parcel in the R, C, or P district. Screening consisting of earthen berm, landscaping, and/or wall having ninety percent (90%) opacity to a height not less than six feet (6') in height shall be provided within the yard adjacent to a public right of way or such lot or parcel in the R, C, or P district. Screening shall not be required in yards that are adjacent to wastewater treatment facilities.
C. An application for transmission facilities shall be required to be submitted to the city, including information related to the proposed design, proposed siting, and alternative sites together with such application fee as may be approved from time to time by the city council. All transmission facilities shall be required to receive a permit from the city, except for those that are less than or equal to one-fourth (1/4) mile in length. No application shall be considered until a public hearing has been held by the planning commission. A notice of such hearing shall be published at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing, and notices shall be mailed to each property owner within three hundred fifty feet (350') of the affected property, except when located in agricultural (AG), agricultural preserve (AG-P) and rural residential (RR) districts which shall require mailed notice to each property owner within one-fourth (1/4) mile. The city council shall consider the recommendation of the planning commission and either approve or deny the application.
D. The application for transmission facilities must be approved based upon the following findings:
1. The proposed siting complies with the city's comprehensive guide plan.
2. To the extent possible, the proposed siting is within or adjacent to existing public rights of way, private utility easements or other designated corridors for transportation or transmission facilities.
3. The proposed siting is necessary based upon a need and locational analysis.
4. Impacts, including, but not limited to, noise and views, are identified and mitigated.
5. The proposed siting will not create hazards to the health, safety and general welfare of surrounding property owners or natural environment. (Ord. B-90, 7-15-1997)