(a) If the City Planning Commission determines that the applicant has met the criteria set forth in this chapter, it may grant the application. In making its determination of whether or not to recommend approval of the application, the City Planning Commission shall consider the following criteria:
(1) Whether the requested use is essential or desirable to the public convenience or welfare.
(2) Whether the proposed antenna tower or pole is of such location, size and character as to be compatible with the orderly development of the zoning district in which it is situated, and shall not be detrimental to the orderly development, property values, environment or use of adjacent properties and/or zoning districts.
(3) Whether or not the applicant has provided an adequate schedule for maintenance, inspection of safety items, inspection of maintenance items, and personal needs with said application.
(b) In addition:
(1) In order to maximize the efficiency of the provision of telecommunication services, while also minimizing the impact of such facilities on the City, co-location, or the provision of more than one facility at a single location, shall be encouraged by the City Planning Commission. In this regard, the applicant may be required to provide information regarding the feasibility of co-location at proposed sites. Further, the applicant may be required to provide a letter of intent to lease excess space on a facility and commit itself to:
A. Respond to any requests for information from another potential shared use applicant;
B. Negotiate in good faith and allow for leased shared use if an applicant demonstrates that it is technically practicable; and
C. Make no more than a reasonable charge for a shared use lease.
(2) A forty percent fall zone shall be required for any antenna tower or pole. As used in this paragraph, "fall zone percentage" means the distance relative of the height of the tower or pole, as measured from the surrounding grade to the uppermost element of the antenna, by which the tower or pole must be set back from all adjacent property lines.
(3) All transmission lines related to and serving any antenna tower or pole shall be placed underground.
(4) Antenna towers or poles may be on owned or leased premises, on top of or adjacent to existing buildings, steeples or towers, subject to setback standards, as measured from the surrounding grade for free-standing towers and poles.
(5) Antenna towers, poles and related equipment shelter buildings shall be subject to site plan review, as provided in this chapter. Equipment shelter buildings shall be constructed of face brick on all sides with a gable roof.
(6) Equipment shelter buildings shall be considered as accessory buildings to the principal use (i.e. antenna tower or pole) and shall comply with building setback and height standards provided in these Codified Ordinances.
(7) Antenna towers shall not exceed 150 feet in height, as measured from the surrounding grade.
(Ord. 1996-23. Passed 10-15-96; Ord. 2004-03. Passed 6-15-04.)