The purpose of this subchapter is to establish predictable and balanced regulations for the siting and screening of wireless telecommunication equipment in order to accommodate the growth of wireless communication systems within the city, while protecting the public against any adverse impacts on the city's aesthetic resources and the public welfare. This subchapter creates two categories of support structures for antennas. The first category consists of existing towers, water towers, and high-density residential and non-residential buildings, which the subchapter favors in order to minimize the number of freestanding towers needed to serve the community. The second category consists of all other support structures. The structures in this second category are all classified as freestanding telecommunications towers even if they are intended to replace existing light poles, utility poles, or similar structures. Freestanding towers are subject to increased standards to minimize their visual impact. One such standard is that towers in residential and commercial zoning districts must use state-of-the-art stealth design techniques to disguise the towers and soften their views. A telecommunications company that does not currently use stealth technology will need to develop this capability in order to place freestanding towers in this city. This subchapter allows minimal use of the public right-of-way for telecommunication antennas because that space should be reserved for public utilities and should be free of safety hazards. In addition, telecommunications facilities located in the right-of-way have the potential of being very visible to the traveling public. In order to locate in a public right-of-way, telecommunications companies must use improved technology to reduce the size and visibility of their facilities.
(Ord. 212, 3rd Series, passed 11-15-2016)