CHAPTER 12
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
SECTION:
9-12-1: Purpose
9-12-2: Definitions
9-12-3: Permit Required
9-12-4: Approval Process
9-12-5: Permit Conditions
9-12-6: Collocation Requirements
9-12-7: Facility Standards
9-12-8: Alternative Structures Standards
9-12-9: Specific Standards
9-12-10: Zoning Requirements
The purpose of these regulations for telecommunications facilities are:
A. To facilitate the provision of telecommunications services throughout the city;
B. To enhance the ability to provide telecommunications services to the community quickly, effectively and efficiently;
C. To encourage the location of towers in nonresidential zoned districts;
D. To minimize the total number of towers in the community;
E. To encourage the joint use of new and existing tower locations;
F. To ensure that towers are located in areas that minimize adverse impacts;
G. To ensure towers and antennas are configured in a way that minimizes adverse visual impacts by careful design, appropriate siting and landscape screening;
H. To encourage the attachment of antennas on existing structures;
I. To consider public health and safety effects of telecommunications facilities;
J. To avoid damage to adjacent properties from tower failure through careful engineering and locating of tower structures; and
K. To protect residential areas and lands by minimizing adverse impacts of towers. (Ord. 699, 8-22-2000)
As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
ACCESSORY SUPPORT FACILITIES: Support buildings, structures and equipment cabinets for telecommunications facilities containing electrical and mechanical equipment and devices used for the reception of or transmission of voice, data, image, graphic and video programming information between or among points by wire, cable, fiber optic, laser, microwave, radio, satellite or similar facilities.
ALTERNATIVE TOWER STRUCTURE: Clock towers, bell steeples, building structures or building equipment normally maintained above the roof line of a structure, light poles and similar alternative design mounting structures. An alternative tower structure must be compatible with the natural setting and surrounding structures, must camouflage or conceal the presence of antennas and/or towers and be a minimum of thirty feet (30') in height. This term also includes any antenna or antenna array attached to the alternative tower structure.
ANTENNA: Any exterior transmitting or receiving device mounted on a tower, building or structure and used in communications that radiate or capture electromagnetic waves, digital signals, analog signals, radio frequencies (excluding radar signals), wireless telecommunications signals or other communication signals.
BACKHAUL NETWORK: The lines that connect a provider's cell sites to one or more cellular telephone switching offices, and/or long distance providers, or the public switched telephone network.
COLLOCATION: The use of a single mount or tower on the ground by more than one carrier or several antennas on an existing building or structure by more than one carrier.
FCC: Federal communications commission.
FFA: Federal aviation administration
FALL ZONE: The area of ground within a prescribed radius from the base of a telecommunications tower and antenna. The fall zone is the area within which there is a potential hazard of falling debris or collapsing material.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES: The plant, equipment and property, including, but not limited to, cables, wires, conduits, ducts, pedestals, antennas, towers, alternative tower structures, electronic and other appurtenances used to transmit, receive, distribute, provide or offer telecommunications services.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE: The providing or offering for rent, sale or lease, or in exchange for other value received, of the transmittal of voice, data, image, graphic and video programming information between or among points by wire, cable, fiber optic, laser, microwave, radio, satellite or similar facilities, with or without benefits or any closed transmission medium.
TOWER: Any structure designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas, including self- supporting lattice towers, guy towers or monopole towers. The term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, and other similar structures. This term also includes any antenna or antenna array attached to the tower structure.
TOWER HEIGHT: When referring to a tower or other alternative tower structure, the distance measured from the lowest point within ten feet (10') of the structure to the highest point on the tower or other alternative tower structure, including the base pad and any antenna. (Ord. 699, 8-22-2000; amd. 2002 Code)
A. Conditions: Telecommunications facilities shall be regulated and permitted pursuant to this chapter and the zoning ordinances of the city.
B. Permit Required: A telecommunications facility shall obtain a building permit as a condition for the siting, construction or operation of the telecommunications facility.
C. Applicability; Exceptions: These regulations shall apply to all towers and antennas as defined, except:
1. Any tower or antenna not more than seventy feet (70') in height, owned and operated by a federally licensed amateur radio station operator if it is used exclusively as a receive only facility.
2. Any antenna collocated on an existing telecommunications facility, except as expressly provided in this chapter.
3. A telecommunications facility located or collocated on property which is owned by the city and designated by the city as a site suitable for location of a telecommunications facility.
D. Violation Declared Nuisance: Any violation of this chapter is hereby declared to be a nuisance. In addition to any other relief or penalty provided by law, the city may apply to district court for an injunction to prohibit the continuation of any violation of this chapter. (Ord. 699, 8-22-2000)
Loading...