(A) Height.
(1) Maximum height. The maximum height for telecom facilities and small cell wireless facilities (SCWFs) is as follows:
(a) Telecom facilities (SCWFs). Fifty feet for antennas on streetlights, traffic control standards, utility distribution poles, or other similar structures within the public ROW (total height including pole and antenna). Antennas exceeding 50 feet in height at water tank sites may be approved provided they are found to be camouflaged or otherwise screened from view. Antennas may be placed on existing utility poles that exceed 50 feet where the purpose of the existing utility pole is only to carry electricity, provided that the top of the antenna shall not exceed six feet above the top of the pole and shall not exceed the height of the pole where primary or secondary electrical lines are attached to the pole. For existing legal non-conforming structures that exceed maximum building heights, telecom facilities may be installed so long as the addition does not increase the overall height and the project complies with this chapter in all other respects. For all other telecom facilities, the maximum height of antennas shall be the upper maximum building height allowed in the San Joaquin Municipal Code.
(b) Small cell wireless facilities. SCWFs must meet the following mounting conditions:
1. Are mounted on structures 50 feet or less in height including their antennas;
2. Are mounted on structures no more than 10% taller than other adjacent structures; and
3. Do not extend existing structures on which they are located to a height more than 50 feet or by more than 10%, whichever is greater.
(2) Over-height antennas. The City Manager or designee may approve antennas up to 15 feet above the preceding maximum building height limitations provided it makes findings that are required for special approvals pursuant to division (B)(2) below.
(3) Camouflaged telecommunication installations within structures. Camouflaged facilities may be installed within structures that are permitted to exceed the above stated height limits by a conditional use permit.
(B) Location.
(1) Location or design categories and location priorities. When reviewing proposed locations for telecom facilities the reviewing authority shall utilize the following priority order:
(a) Existing colocation structure or site (site of an existing wireless facility);
(b) Existing pole, light standard, or utility tower in the ROW;
(c) Proposed pole, light standard, or utility tower in the ROW;
(d) Private property in the Manufacturing Zoning District;
(e) Private property in the Commercial or Main Street Commercial Zoning Districts;
(f) Sign or architectural feature in a manufacturing or commercial zone;
(g) New false tree in a manufacturing or commercial zone; and
(h) Public property in a quasi-public zone.
(2) Locations requiring special approval. Telecom facilities are prohibited in the following locations unless given special approval by the reviewing authority under the provisions of this chapter, after making all the findings contained in division (B)(3) below:
(a) On common area lots, other non-residential lots, and public ROW within residential districts;
(b) Within any required setback established in the San Joaquin Municipal Code;
(c) On multi-family structures; and
(d) On public ROW where any portion of the proposed telecom facility lies adjacent to the property line or within 250 feet of a residential structure.
(3) Special approval findings. In making the following special approval findings the City Manager or designee shall determine that the applicant has demonstrated that:
(a) There are no other feasible locations that meet the coverage or data capacity needs of the applicant;
(b) Establishment of the facility at the requested location is necessary to provide service;
(c) Lack of such a facility would result in a significant gap of coverage or data capacity;
(d) The proposed site is the least intrusive location which can close that gap; and
(e) If within 250 feet of a residential structure, the wireless facility is as far as possible from the residential structure.
(4) Prohibited locations. Telecom facilities are prohibited on undeveloped residential lots or residential lots containing single-family residences.
(C) Colocation requirements.
(1) Colocation required. To limit the adverse visual effects of a proliferation of telecom sites in the city, a new telecom facility proposed within 1,000 feet of an existing facility shall be required to collocate on the same site as the existing facility unless the reviewing authority determines, based on evidence submitted by the applicant, that such colocation is not feasible. For SCWFs, the relevant colocation distance to be utilized is 250 feet.
(2) Colocation limitations. No more than three telecom facilities may collocate at a single site unless the City Manager or designee finds that:
(a) The net visual effect of locating an additional facility at a colocation site will be less than establishing a new location; or
(b) Based on evidence submitted by the applicant, there is no available feasible alternate location for a proposed new facility.
(3) Future colocation. In approving a telecom facility, the City Manager or designee may impose a condition of approval allowing future colocation of telecom facilities by other carriers at the same site, subject to numerical limits it deems to be appropriate that are necessary in order to be consistent with the required finding that the design be the least intrusive.
(Ord. 2021-03, passed 12-7-2021)