(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.
(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.
(c) Inventory of Existing Sites. Each applicant for an antenna and/or tower shall provide to the Chief Building Official an inventory of its existing towers, antennas, or sites approved for towers or antennas that are either within the City of Twinsburg or within one mile of the border thereof, including specific information about the location, height, and design of each tower. The Chief Building Official may share such information with other applicants applying for administrative approvals or permits under this chapter or other organizations seeking to locate antennas within the City of Twinsburg provided, however, that the Chief Building Official is not, by sharing such information, in any way representing or warranting that such sites are available or suitable.
(d) Aesthetics. Towers and antennas shall meet the following requirements:
(1) 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) 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) If an antenna is installed on a structure other than a tower, then 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) All towers above one hundred feet (100') shall be artificially lighted. In addition, all FAA regulations addressing safety marking and obstruction lighting shall be followed when necessary. Security lighting around the equipment shelter is permitted; however, such lighting shall not cause glare or disturbances to adjacent properties.
(e) 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 standards contained in applicable state or local building codes and the applicable standards for towers that are published by the Electronic Industries Association, as amended from time to time. If, upon inspection, the Chief Building Official 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 thirty (30) days to bring such tower into compliance within said thirty (30) days shall constitute grounds for the removal of the owner or antenna at the owner's expense.
(f) Franchise 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 City of Twinsburg have been obtained and shall file a copy of all required franchises including Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Licensor with the Clerk of Council which shall be acknowledged in writing annually to the Clerk of Council.
(g) Signs. No signs shall be allowed on all antennas or towers.
(Ord. 173-2000. Passed 12-17-00.)