The Commission shall consider, and the applicant shall demonstrate, compliance with the following standards in determining whether to approve an application for a personal wireless service facility:
(a) Height.
(1) Height, existing structures and utility poles. Carriers that locate new personal wireless service facilities on water towers, electric transmission and distribution towers, utility poles and similar existing utility structures, guyed towers, lattice towers, masts, and monopoles may be permitted to increase the height of these structures no more than twenty feet, such height to include the uppermost portion of the facility. This increase in height shall only be permitted once for each structure.
(2) Height, other existing structures. The height of a personal wireless service facility shall not increase the height of a structure by more than ten feet unless the facility is completely camouflaged; for example a facility completely within a flagpole, steeple, or chimney. The increase in height of the structure shall be scaled and proportioned to the structure as originally configured.
(3) Height, ground-mounted facilities. Ground-mounted Personal Wireless Service Facilities shall not project higher than ten feet above the average tree canopy height within a 150 foot perimeter of the mount, security barrier, or designated clear area for access to equipment, whichever is greater.
(b) Visibility.
(1) Visual impacts are measured on the basis of:
A. Change in community scale, as exhibited in relative height, mass or proportion of the personal wireless service facilities within its proposed surroundings.
B. New visible elements proposed on a contrasting background.
C. Different colors and textures proposed against a contrasting background.
D. Use of materials that are foreign to the existing built environment.
(2) Enhancements are measured on the basis of:
A. Conservation of opportunities to maintain community scale, e.g., open space areas and low-lying buildings should not be compromised so as to start a trend away from existing community scale.
B. Amount and type of landscaping and/or natural vegetation.
C. Preservation of view corridors, vistas, and view sheds.
D. Continuation of existing colors, textures, and materials.
(3) Visibility focuses on:
A. Eliminating or mitigating visual impact.
B. Protecting, continuing, and enhancing the existing environment.
(c) Equipment Shelters. Equipment shelters for personal wireless service facilities shall be designed consistent with one of the following design standards:
(1) Equipment shelters shall be located in underground vaults; or
(2) Equipment shelters shall be designed so that the shelters are architecturally consistent, with respect to materials and appearance, to the buildings in the area of the personal wireless service facility; or
(3) Equipment shelters shall be camouflaged behind an effective year-round landscape buffer, equal to the height of the proposed building, and/or wooden fence. The Village of Waite Hill shall determine the type of fencing and/or landscape buffer that is compatible with the neighborhood; or
(4) If mounted on a rooftop, the equipment shelter shall be concealed or camouflaged so that the shelter either is not visible at grade or appears to be part of the original structure.
(d) Antenna Types. Any antenna array placed upon an existing or proposed ground mount, utility pole, or transmission line mount shall have a diameter of no more than four feet, exclusive of the diameter of the mount. A larger diameter antenna array may be permitted after a finding by the Village of Waite Hill that the visual impacts of a larger antenna array are negligible.
(e) Ground and Roof Mounts. All ground mounts shall be of a mast type mount. Lattice personal wireless service facilities, guyed personal wireless service facilities, and roof mounted monopoles are expressly prohibited.
(f) Collocation. Applicant must prove that there is no technically suitable space reasonably available on an existing Personal Wireless Service Facilities or structure within the geographic area to be served. In all cases, the Village shall use its best efforts to encourage collocation.
(g) Screening. Screen fencing shall be provided for aesthetic and public safety reasons. A fence at least six feet in height will be erected completely around the communication personal wireless service facility and any related support facilities. Barbed wire at the top of the fence is permitted.
(h) Wind Load. Personal wireless service facilities and antenna shall be designed to withstand wind gusts of at least 100 miles an hour.
(i) Landscaping. A landscaped buffer area of not less than ten feet in depth shall be placed between the personal wireless service facilities and the public rights-of way, residential zoning districts and any adjacent residential uses. The ten-foot landscape buffer shall consist of a tight screen fence of hardy evergreen shrubbery not less than six feet in height. The landscaping shall be continuously maintained and promptly restored, if necessary.
(j) Storage. Outdoor storage of any supplies, vehicles or equipment related to the use of the facility is prohibited.
(k) Lighting. Except as required by law, an antenna or a personal wireless service facility shall not be illuminated and lighting fixtures or signs shall not be attached to the antenna or personal wireless service facility. If lighting is required by FAA regulations, white strobe lights shall not be permitted at night unless no other less bothersome, annoying and disturbing alternative is permitted by the FAA. Lighting for security purposes shall be permitted at the personal wireless service facility with a prior approval of the Commission and Council.
(l) Compliance with Federal Law. The applicant must provide written certification from an engineer that the antenna and/or personal wireless service facility is to be constructed in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations pertaining to the construction.
(m) Separation. There shall be a separation of at least one quarter mile between personal wireless service facilities. The Commission may waive this requirement for personal wireless service facilities associated with or within existing structures such as electrical high tension towers.
(n) Advertising. No advertising shall be permitted on the personal wireless service facility. (Ord. 1998-9. Passed 3-9-98.)