(A) Principal or accessory use. Antennas and towers may be considered either principal or accessory uses. A different existing use of an existing structure on the same lot shall not preclude the installation of an antenna or tower on such lot.
(Prior Code, § 49.515)
(B) Lot size. For purposes of determining whether the installation of a tower or antenna complies with district development regulations, including, but not limited to, setback requirements, lot coverage requirements and other such requirements, the dimensions of the entire lot shall control, even though the antennas or towers may be located on leased parcels within such lot.
(Prior Code, § 49.516)
(C) Inventory of existing sites. Each applicant for an antenna and/or tower shall provide to the Zoning Administrator an inventory of any existing towers, antennas or sites approved for towers or antennas, that are either within the jurisdiction of the township or within one mile of the border thereof, including specific information about the location, height and design of each tower. The Zoning Administrator may share such information with other applicants applying for administrative approvals or special use permits under this chapter or other organizations seeking to locate antennas within the jurisdiction of the township. However, the Zoning Administrator is not, by sharing such information, in any way representing or warranting that such sites are available or suitable.
(Prior Code, § 49.517)
(D) Aesthetics. Towers and antennas shall meet the following requirements.
(1) Finish and color of towers. Towers shall either maintain a galvanized steel finish or, subject to any applicable standards of the FAA, be painted a neutral color so as to reduce visual obtrusiveness.
(2) Blend with setting. At a tower site, the design of the buildings and related structures shall, to the extent possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping that will blend them into the natural setting and surrounding buildings.
(3) Color of antenna. If an antenna is installed on a structure other than a tower, the antenna and supporting electrical and mechanical equipment must be of a neutral color that is identical to, or closely compatible with, the color of the supporting structure so as to make the antenna and related equipment as visually unobtrusive as possible.
(4) Lighting. Towers shall not be artificially lighted, unless required by the FAA or other applicable authority. If lighting is required, the lighting alternatives and design chosen must cause the least disturbance to the surrounding views.
(Prior Code, § 49.518)
(E) State or federal requirements. All towers must meet or exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, the FCC and any other agency of the state or federal government with the authority to regulate towers and antennas. If the standards and regulations are changed, the owners of the towers and antennas so governed by this chapter shall bring the towers and antennas into compliance with the revised standards and regulations within six months of the effective date of the revised standards and regulations, unless a different compliance schedule is mandated by the controlling state or federal agency. Failure to bring towers and antennas into compliance with the revised standards and regulations shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower or antenna at the owner’s expense.
(Prior Code, § 49.519)
(F) Building Codes; safety standards. To ensure the structural integrity of towers, the owner of a tower shall ensure that it is maintained in compliance with the applicable state and local building codes and the applicable standards for towers that are published by the Electronic Industries Association, as amended from time to time.
(1) If, upon inspection, the township concludes that a tower fails to comply with such codes and standards and constitutes a danger to persons or property, then upon notice being provided to the owner of the tower, the owner shall have 30 days to bring such tower into compliance with such standards.
(2) Failure to bring such tower into compliance within the 30 days shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower or antenna at the owner’s expense.
(Prior Code, § 49.520)
(G) Measurement. For purposes of measurement, tower setbacks and separation distances shall be calculated and applied to facilities located in the township irrespective of municipal and county jurisdictional boundaries.
(Prior Code, § 49.521)
(H) Not essential services. Towers and antennas shall be regulated and permitted pursuant to this chapter and shall not be regulated or permitted as essential services, public utilities or private utilities.
(Prior Code, § 49.522)
(I) Franchises. Owners and/or operators of towers or antennas shall certify that all franchises required by law for the construction and/or operation of a wireless communication system in the township have been obtained and shall file a copy of all required franchises with the Zoning Administrator.
(Prior Code, § 49.523)
(J) Public notice. For purposes of this chapter, any special use request, variance request or appeal of an administratively approved use or special use shall require public notice to all abutting property owners and all property owners of properties that are located within the corresponding separation distance listed in § 154.07(H), Table 2, in addition to any aotice otherwise required by the zoning ordinance.
(Prior Code, § 49.524)
(K) Signs. No signs shall be allowed on an antenna or tower.
(Prior Code, § 49.525)
(L) Buildings and support equipment. Buildings and support equipment associated with antennas or towers shall comply with the requirements of § 154.08.
(Prior Code, § 49.526)
(M) Multiple antenna/tower plan.
(1) The township encourages the users of towers and antennas to submit a single application for approval of multiple towers and/or antenna sites.
(2) Applications for approval of multiple sites shall be given priority in the review process.
(Prior Code, § 49.527)
(Ord. 121800, eff. 1-18-2001)