(A) Applications For Facilities: Wireless telecommunication facilities, hereinafter referred to as "facilities", as defined by section 6-1-19, "Definitions", of this title, are permitted subject to the following:
1. Tier Review: Applications for facilities are subject to a two (2) tier review process as provided in this section. Applications for facilities are subject to either: a) site plan review reviewed by the project assistance team (PAT) approval; or b) a conditional use permit, hereinafter referred to as "CUP", subject to planning commission approval.
(a) Tier 1; Site Plan Review: The PAT shall approve facilities only if it finds as follows:
(1) Facilities are located in a commercial, industrial, or natural resource zone district.
(2) Facilities that meet the height requirement of the applicable zone district.
(3) Building or roof mounted facilities that do not exceed fifteen feet (15') in height and are architecturally screened from view.
(4) Facilities have a stealth design in connection with a building or structure so as not to be recognized as a communications antenna.
(5) Support equipment is located within a completely enclosed structure or otherwise completely screened from view.
(6) New antennas will be, if reasonably possible, collocated on an existing approved facility in an industrial or commercial zone.
(b) Tier 2; Planning Commission Review: Facilities which do not qualify or cannot be approved by the PAT, in accordance with the Tier 1 criteria, are subject to CUP procedures, as outlined in section 6-2-5 of this title. The following are also subject to a CUP:
(1) Ground mounted facilities.
(2) Facilities that exceed the height requirement of the applicable zone up to seventy-five feet (75') in height. Facilities that exceed seventy five feet (75') in height shall require a variance application in addition to the CUP application. The variance request must meet the applicable findings outlined in section 6-2-6 of this title.
(3) Proposed facilities that create more than a minimal visual impact on surroundings, as determined by the PAT. In determining where more than a minimal visual impact exists, the following factors should be considered: location of facility, size and view of facility from adjacent properties, and contrast between the facility and other external structural equipment attached to the property.
(4) Facilities located adjacent to a residential zone (RS, R-1, R-2, R-3); provided, that the property has multiple-family grouped units and the facility is: a) stealth design; b) building or roof mounted and integrated into the architecture of the building; or c) collocated.
(5) Facilities located within the line of sight of any scenic corridor.
(B) Submittal Requirements: In addition to the submittal requirements as outlined in site plan review and CUP applications, applications for facilities must contain the following additional information:
1. The applicant shall supply verification of the proposed facilities' compliance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) by providing a copy of its FCC license agreement for review by staff.
2. The applicant shall supply verification of compliance with the federal aviation administration (FAA), particularly regarding height limitations.
3. At the time of submittal of a site plan review or a CUP application for facilities, the applicant shall submit information indicating the type of facilities, its height above ground level and its cell coverage.
(C) Location Guidelines: All applications for facilities are subject to the following location guidelines:
1. The preferred order of placement of facilities is as follows:
(a) Industrial zones;
(b) Natural resource zones;
(c) Agricultural zones;
(d) Commercial zones; and then
(e) Community facilities zones.
2. Facilities should:
(a) Be collocated with or on an existing facility, where appropriate;
(b) Be utilized as stealth designs;
(c) Be roof or wall mounted as an integral architectural element on an existing structure; and
(d) Utilize state of the art wireless technology.
3. The applicant is to investigate the feasibility of collocating additional antennas on the rooftops of buildings, on existing monopoles and/or clustering facilities. If collocation or clustering is not possible in the case of a particular proposal, the applicant shall submit such evidence at the time of submittal. With the submittal of a CUP application, the applicant is to submit a copy of the appropriate portions of the tentative lease agreement indicating that no exclusive agreements have been made to prevent future carriers to locate on the same site or facilities, as well as submit a design plan which does not preclude potential additional users.
4. Monopoles shall be separated a minimum of five hundred feet (500') from any other existing monopole.
(D) Development And Design Guidelines: All applications for facilities shall be submitted to the planning department and shall contain the information required by this section. The applicant shall submit plans that will be reviewed for all applicable zoning codes and standards. The following are intended to provide high quality guidelines to ensure compatibility with the community for the placement of facilities:
1. Freestanding facility support structures shall be screened from view by siting them next to tall buildings or structures, or placed near existing tall trees. Where applicable, the support structures are to be screened from public view with dense landscaping.
2. Facilities must meet all applicable zoning setback and height regulations of the underlying zone district. All proposed facilities that exceed the maximum height established by the underlying zone district are subject to FAA approval, per subsection (B)2.
3. Facilities may be designed as or within a piece of public art, such as a clock tower or historical monument for public benefit.
4. The height of the freestanding facility support structures must be the minimum necessary to provide the required coverage.
5. Safety lighting or colors, if prescribed by the city or other approving agency (i.e., FAA), may be required for support structures.
6. Support structures shall be integrated into a stealth design or painted an unobtrusive color to neutralize and blend with surroundings. Where an equipment building or enclosure accompanies the support structure, it shall be designed, colored and textured to match adjacent architecture or blend in with surrounding development.
7. Proposed facilities shall not create any nonconforming situations to the site, such as a reduction in parking, landscaping, loading zones and/or elimination of loading zones. Facilities are to be installed and maintained in compliance with the requirements of the California Building Code, California Electrical Code, noise standards and all other applicable codes and regulations.
8. The planning commission may condition the approval of facilities of up to a five (5) year term or other review process.
9. Whip and microwave dish antennas are permitted only if integrated into the design of the structure and/or fully screened from public view.
10. All utilities associated with facilities shall be placed underground.
11. Chain link fencing is not permitted for containment of facilities, unless such fencing is located in the rear portion of property not visible from a public right of way and is installed with full-width screening slats on all facades of the fence.
12. Lattice towers shall not be permitted within the city boundaries, except when located within industrial or natural resource zone districts not adjacent to residential zone districts, subject to planning commission approval.
13. The operator or property owner is responsible for maintaining the facilities in an appropriate manner consistent with the adopted conditions of approval. Should the use be replaced or discontinued for a period of six (6) months, the approvals will lapse, the facility demolished, and facility site returned to match adjacent site conditions. (Ord. 843-21, 9-7-2021)