§ 156.528 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES OR COMPLEXES.

(1) The Telecommunications Act of 1996 affirmed the Town of Wilkesboro's authority concerning the placement, construction and modification of wireless telecommunications facilities or complexes. This section provides for the safe and efficient integration of wireless facilities or complexes necessary for the provision of advanced wireless telecommunications services throughout the community and to ensure the availability of reliable wireless services to the public, government agencies, the economy and associated businesses and first responders, with the intention of furthering the public's safety and citizen's general welfare.

(2) The Town of Wilkesboro (town) finds that wireless telecommunications facilities (facilities) and complexes may pose significant concerns to the health, safety, public welfare, character and environment of the town and its inhabitants. The town also recognizes that facilitating the development of wireless service technology can be an economic development asset to the community and a significant benefit to the economy, guests and/or residents. In order to assure that the placement, construction or modification of a facility or complex is consistent with the town's land use policies, the town hereby adopts a single, comprehensive, wireless telecommunications facility or complex application and permitting process.

(3) The intent of this section is to:

(a) Minimize the physical impact of wireless telecommunications facilities on the community, protect the character of the community to the extent reasonably possible;

(b) Establish a fair and efficient process for review and approval of applications;

(d) Protect the health, safety and welfare of the town.

(B) Severability.

(1) If any word, phrase, sentence, part, division, or other portion of this section or any application thereof to any person or circumstance is declared void, unconstitutional, or invalid for any reason, then such word, phrase, sentence, part, division, or other portion, or the proscribed application thereof, shall be severable and the remaining provisions of this section, and all applications thereof, not having been declared void, unconstitutional, or invalid, shall remain in full force and effect.

(2) Any special use permit issued pursuant to this section shall be comprehensive and not severable. If part of a permit is deemed or ruled to be invalid or unenforceable in any material respect, by a competent authority, or is overturned by a competent authority, the permit shall be void in total, upon determination by the town.

(C) Definitions. For purposes of this section, and where not inconsistent with the context of a particular section, the defined terms, phrases, words, abbreviations, and their derivations shall have the meaning given in this section. When not inconsistent with the context, words in the present tense include the future tense, words used in the plural number include words in the singular number and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word “shall” is always mandatory, and not merely directory.

ACCESSORY FACILITY or STRUCTURE. An accessory facility or structure serving or being used in conjunction with wireless telecommunications facilities or complexes, including but not limited to utility or transmission equipment storage sheds or cabinets.

AMEND, AMENDMENT and AMENDED. Any change, addition, correction, deletion, replacement or substitution, other than typographical changes of no effect.

APPLICANT. Any wireless service provider submitting an application for a special use permit for wireless telecommunications facilities.

APPLICATION. All necessary and required documentation that an applicant submits in order to receive a special use permit or a building permit for wireless telecommunications facilities.

ANTENNA. A system of electrical conductors that transmit or receive electromagnetic waves or radio frequency or other wireless signals.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION or COC. A required document issued by the town that confirms that all work represented in the application:

(a) Was properly permitted;

(b) Was done in compliance with and fulfilled all conditions of all permits, including any final completion deadline;

(d) A final inspection was requested, conducted and the facility or complex passed the final inspection.

CO-LOCATION. The use of an approved telecommunications structure to support antenna for the provision of wireless services.

COMMERCIAL IMPRACTICABILITY or COMMERCIALLY IMPRACTICABLE. The inability to perform an act on terms that are reasonable in commerce, the cause or occurrence of which could not have been reasonably anticipated or foreseen and that jeopardizes the financial efficacy of the project. The inability to achieve a satisfactory financial return on investment or profit, standing alone and for a single site, shall not deem a situation to be “commercially impracticable” and shall not render an act or the terms of an agreement “commercially impracticable”.

COMPLETED APPLICATION. An application that contains all necessary and required information and/or data as set forth in this section and that is necessary to enable an informed decision to be made with respect to an application and action on the application.

COMPLEX. The entire site or facility, including all structures and equipment located at the site.

DAS or DISTRIBUTIVE ACCESS SYSTEM. A technology using antenna combining technology allowing for multiple carriers or wireless service providers to use the same set of antennas, cabling or fiber optics.

ELIGIBLE FACILITY. An existing wireless tower or base station that involves collocation of new transmission equipment or the replacement of transmission equipment that does not constitute a substantial modification. An eligible facility application shall be acted upon administratively and shall not require a special use permit, but shall require staff administrative approval.

FAA. The Federal Aviation Administration, or its duly designated and authorized successor agency.

FACILITY. A set of wireless transmitting and/or receiving equipment, including any associated electronics and electronics shelter or cabinet and generator.

FCC. Means the Federal Communications Commission, or its duly designated and authorized successor agency.

HEIGHT. The distance measured from the pre-existing grade level to the highest point on the tower or support structure, even if said highest point is an antenna or lightening protection device. As regards increasing the height of an existing structure, height means the height above the top of the structure prior to any work related to a wireless facility.

IN-KIND REPLACEMENT. Replacing a component(s) that is malfunctioning with a properly functioning component of the same weight and dimensions and that does not enable an increase in revenue for the service provider or increase the compensation paid to the owner or manager of the support structure.

MAINTENANCE. Plumbing, electrical, carpentry or mechanical work that may or may not require a building permit, but that does not constitute a modification of the WTF.

MODIFICATION or MODIFY. The addition, removal or change of any of the physical and visually discernable components or aspects of a wireless facility or complex with identical components, including but not limited to antennas, cabling, equipment shelters, landscaping, fencing, utility feeds, changing the color or materials of any visually discernable components, vehicular access, parking and/or an upgrade or change-out of equipment for better or more modern equipment. Adding a new wireless carrier or service provider to an existing support structure or tower as a co-location is a modification, unless the height, profile or size of the compound is increased, in which case it is not a modification.

NECESSARY or NECESSITY or NEED. What is technologically required for the equipment to function as designed by the manufacturer and that anything less will result in the effect of prohibiting the provision of service as intended and described in the narrative of the application. Necessary, necessity or need does not mean what may be desired, preferred or the most cost-efficient approach and is not related to an applicant’s specific chosen design standards.

NIER. Non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation.

PERSON. Any individual, corporation, estate, trust, partnership, joint stock company, association of two or more persons having a joint common interest, or any other entity.

PERSONAL WIRELESS FACILITY. See WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY.

PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICES or PWS or PERSONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE or PTS. Shall have the same meaning as defined and used in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

REPAIRS and MAINTENANCE. The replacement or repair of any components of a wireless facility or complex where the replacement is identical to the component being replaced, or for any matters that involve the normal repair and maintenance of a wireless facility or complex without the addition, removal or change of any of the physical or visually discernable components or aspects of a wireless facility or complex that will impose new visible burdens of the facility or complex as originally permitted. Any work that changes the services provided to or from the facility, or the equipment, is not repairs or maintenance.

SPECIAL USE PERMIT. The official document or permit by which an applicant is allowed to file for a building permit to construct and use a facility or complex as granted or issued by the town.

STEALTH or STEALTH SITING TECHNIQUE. A design or treatment that minimizes adverse aesthetic and visual impacts on the land, property, buildings, and other facilities adjacent to, surrounding, and in generally the same area as the requested location of such wireless telecommunications facilities, which shall mean building the least visually and physically intrusive facility and complex that is not technologically or commercially impracticable under the facts and circumstances. Stealth technique includes such techniques as:

(a) DAS or its functional equivalent; or

(b) Camouflage where the tower is disguised to make it less visually obtrusive and not recognizable to the average person as a wireless facility or complex.

STATE. The State of North Carolina.

STRUCTURAL CAPABILITY or STRUCTURAL CAPACITY or STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other standard, code, regulation or law, up to and not exceeding a literal 100% of the designed loading and stress capability of the support structure.

SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION. A change or modification that:

(a) Increases the existing vertical height of the structure by the greater of:

1. More than 10%; or

2. The height of one additional antenna array with separation from the nearest existing antenna not to exceed 20 feet; or

(b) Except where necessary to shelter the antenna from inclement weather or to connect the antenna to the tower via cable, adding an appurtenance to the body of a wireless support structure that protrudes horizontally from the edge of the wireless support structure the greater of:

1. More than 20 feet; or

2. More than the width of the wireless support structure at the level of the appurtenance; or

TELECOMMUNICATIONS. The transmission and/or reception of audio, video, data, and other information by wire, radio frequency, light, and other electronic or electromagnetic systems.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SITE. See definition for wireless telecommunications facility.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS STRUCTURE. A structure used primarily to support equipment used to provide wireless communications or was originally constructed primarily for such purpose.

TEMPORARY. Not permanent in relation to all aspects and components of this section and that will exist for fewer than 90 calendar days.

TOWER. Any structure designed primarily to support an antenna and/or other equipment for receiving and/or transmitting a wireless signal and is the lesser of:

(a) More than ten feet taller than the adjacent buildings or trees; or

(b) Taller than 40 feet.

TOWN. The Town of Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY or FACILITIES (WTF OR WTFS), FACILITY, SITE, COMPLEX, TELECOMMUNICATIONS SITE and PERSONAL WIRELESS FACILITY SITE. A specific location at which a structure that is designed or intended to be used to house, support or accommodate antennas or other transmitting or receiving equipment is located. This includes without limit, towers and support structures of all types and kinds, including but not limited to buildings, church steeples, silos, water towers, signs or any other structure that is used or is proposed to be used as a support structure for antennas or the functional equivalent of such. It expressly includes all related facilities and equipment such as cabling, radios and other electronic equipment, equipment shelters and enclosures, cabinets and other structures associated with the complex used to provide, though not limited to, radio, television, cellular, SMR, paging, 911, personal communications services (PCS), commercial satellite services, microwave services, internet access service and any commercial wireless telecommunication service whether or not licensed by the FCC.

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. The Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Town of Wilkesboro.

(D) General policies and procedures for applications under this section. In order to ensure that the location, placement, construction and modification of a facility or the components of a complex do not endanger or jeopardize the town’s health, safety, public welfare, environmental features, the nature and character of the community or neighborhood and other aspects of the quality of life specifically listed elsewhere in this section, the town hereby adopts an overall policy and related procedures with respect to the submittal, review, approval and issuance of permits or administrative approval granted authority for wireless facilities for the express purpose of achieving the following outcomes:

(1) Requiring a special use permit for any new complex, facility or any substantial modification of a facility, complex or for a co-located facility;

(2) Requiring administrative approval and a properly issued building permit for any co-location or modification of a facility or complex that is not a substantial modification or substantial co-location;

(3) Implementing an application process and requirements;

(4) Establishing procedures for examining an application and issuing a special use permit or administrative approval that are fair and consistent;

(5) Promoting, and requiring wherever possible, the sharing and/or co-location of support structures among service providers;

(6) Requiring, promoting and encouraging, wherever possible, the placement, height and quantity of attachments to a facility or complex in such a manner as to minimize the physical and visual impact on the community, including but not limited to the use of stealth siting techniques;

(7) Requiring that the facility and complex shall be the least visually intrusive among those options that are not technologically impracticable given the facts and circumstances;

(8) The Zoning Board of Adjustment is officially the designated agency or body of the town to whom applications for a special use permit for a facility or complex must be made, and that is authorized to make decisions with respect to granting or not granting or revoking special use permits applied for under this section;

(9) The Wilkesboro Town Council hereby designates the Planning & Community Development Director or designee as the authority for requests for anything other than a substantial modification or special use permit, i.e. for all administrative approvals;

(10) (a) Prior to the submission of an application there shall be a pre-application meeting for all intended applications. The pre-application meeting may be held either on site or telephonically as deemed appropriate by the Planning & Community Development Director or designee. The purpose of the pre-application meeting will be to address:

(1) Issues that will help to expedite the review and permitting process; and

(2) Specific issues or concerns the town or the applicant may have.

(b) Costs of the town’s permitting process and to prepare for and attend the pre-application meeting will be borne by the applicant and paid for out of a fee set forth in the town’s Schedule of Fees, which shall have been paid to the town prior to any site visit or pre-application meeting or any work related to an intended application preceding the site visit or pre-application meeting.

(11) If there has not been a prior site visit for the requested facility or complex within the previous six months a site visit shall be conducted;

(12) An applicant shall submit to the town the number of completed applications determined to be needed at the pre-application meeting. If Zoning Board of Adjustment action is required, applications will not be transmitted for consideration until the application is deemed complete;

(13) The owner(s) of the support structure to which antennas or related equipment are to be attached must be an official applicant of record, unless the owner is the town, in which case, to prevent a conflict of interest, the town shall not be a party to the application;

(14) All applicants shall closely follow the instructions for preparing an application. Not following the instructions without permission to deviate from such shall result in the application being deemed incomplete and a tolling of the time allowed for action on an application until a complete application is received;

(15) Within 30 days of the date of submission of an application the applicant shall be notified in writing of any deficiencies related to the completeness of the application. Remediation of deficiencies in an application shall be deemed an amendment of the application that was received;

(16) The town may deny applications not meeting the requirements stated herein or which are otherwise not complete after proper notice and a reasonable opportunity to make the application complete has been afforded. Applications will be deemed abandoned if left incomplete for more than 90 days after the date of notice of incompleteness;

(17) No work of any kind on or at a facility or complex shall be started until the application is reviewed and approved and the special use permit or administrative approval, as applicable, has been issued, and a building permit has been issued in accordance with the Town’s Code;

(18) Any and all representations made by the applicant or that are made in support of the application shall be deemed to be on the record, whether written or verbal, and shall be deemed to have been relied upon in good faith by the town. Any verbal representation shall be treated as if it were made in writing;

(19) Other than to remediate non-compliant situations related to matters of safety or the conditions of a permit, no permits for work at a facility or complex shall be issued where the facility or complex is not in full compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws, rules, regulations and orders. A facility or complex not in full compliance with this section shall be required to be brought into full compliance before any permit of any kind will be issued;

(20) An application shall be signed on behalf of the applicant(s) by a person vested with the authority to bind and commit the applicant attesting to the truthfulness, completeness and accuracy of the information presented;

(21) The applicant must provide documentation to substantiate that it has the right to proceed as proposed on the site or at the complex in the form of an executed copy of the lease with the landowner or landlord or a signed letter of agency granting authorization. If the applicant owns the site or complex, a copy of the ownership record is required;

(22) Applications shall include written commitment statements to the effect that:

(a) The applicant’s facility or complex shall at all times and without exception be maintained in a safe manner, and in compliance with all conditions of all permits, as well as all applicable and permissible local codes, ordinances, and regulations and all applicable town, state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, unless specifically granted relief by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in writing; and

(b) The construction of the facility or complex is legally permissible, including, but not limited to the fact that the applicant is licensed to do business in the state.

(23) Where a certification is called for in this section, such certification shall bear the signature and seal of a professional engineer licensed in the state;

(24) A support structure and any and all accessory or associated structures shall maximize the use of building materials, colors and textures designed to blend with the structure to which it may be affixed and to harmonize with the natural surroundings. This shall include the utilization of stealth or camouflage or concealment technique as may be required by the town;

(25) All utilities at a complex or site shall be installed underground and in compliance with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of the town, including specifically, but not limited to applicable electrical codes;

(26) At a facility or complex needing vehicular access, an access road, parking and turn around space for emergency vehicles shall be provided to assure adequate emergency and service access. Maximum use of existing roads, whether public or private, shall be made to the extent practicable. Road construction shall at all times minimize ground disturbance and the cutting of vegetation. Road grades shall closely follow natural contours to assure minimal visual disturbance and reduce soil erosion. If the current access road or turn around space is deemed in disrepair or in need of remedial work to make it serviceable and safe and in compliance with any applicable regulations as determined at a site visit, the application shall contain a commitment to remedy or restore the road or turn around space so that it is serviceable and safe and in compliance with applicable regulations;

(27) All work at a facility or complex shall be done in strict compliance with all current applicable technical, safety and safety-related codes adopted by the town, state, or United States, including but not limited to the most recent edition of the TIA ANSI Code, National Electrical Safety Code, the National Electrical Code, the Occupational and Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, recommended practices of the National Association of Tower Erectors and accepted and responsible workmanlike industry practices. The codes referred to are codes that include, but are not limited to, construction, building, electrical, fire, safety, health, and land use codes. In the event of a conflict between or among any of the preceding the more stringent shall apply;

(28) A holder of a special use permit or administrative approval granted authority granted under this section shall obtain, at its own expense, all permits and licenses required by applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation or code, and must maintain the same, in full force and effect, for as long as required by the town or other governmental entity or agency having jurisdiction over the applicant;

(29) Unless such is proven to be technologically impracticable, the town requires the co-location of new antenna arrays on existing structures, as opposed to the construction of a new complex or support structure or increasing the height, footprint or profile of a facility or complex beyond the conditions of the approved special use permit for a existing facility or complex. In instances not qualifying as an eligible facility, the applicant shall submit a comprehensive report inventorying all existing structures more than 50 feet in height within one-half mile of the location of any proposed new facility or complex;

(30) An applicant intending to co-locate on or at an existing facility or complex shall be required to document the intent of the existing owner to permit its use by the applicant.

(31) Co-located equipment shall consist only of the minimum antenna array technologically needed to provide service primarily and essentially within the town, to the extent practicable, unless good cause is shown in the form of clear and convincing evidence;

(32) A DAS system that is owned or operated by a commercial carrier and is part of a commercial wireless system, or are used for commercial purposes, is expressly included in the context of this section, regardless of the location or whether the facility or any of its components is located inside or outside a structure or building;

(33) The existence of a lease or an option to lease shall not be deemed justification for not complying with the siting priorities set forth in this section, as well as other applicable land use and zoning regulations. An applicant may not by-pass sites of higher siting priority than the priority chosen solely because the site proposed is under lease or an option to lease exists. If a site other than the number one priority or attaching to an existing structure is proposed, the applicant must demonstrate and explain to the reasonable satisfaction of the town why co-location is technically or commercially impracticable. Contractual or build-to-suit agreements between carriers and a proposed tower owner shall not be a valid basis for any claim of exemption, exception or waiver from compliance with the siting priorities;

(34) Any technical information must be provided in such a manner, detail and form that the content and any conclusions are able to be verified by a third party using the information used and provided by the applicant;

(35) All costs associated with the preparation and submission of an application and/or necessitated by the requirements for obtaining and maintaining any and all town permits shall be borne by the applicant or permittee;

(36) Any new wireless facility shall be designed and constructed so as to be the least visually intrusive, create the least visual impact reasonably possible and have the least negative impact on nearby property values, provided that, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(B)(i)(II), compliance with this requirement does not prohibit or effectively serve to prohibit the provision of the intended service from one or more facilities;

(37) No new facility or antenna array shall be identifiable, recognizable or discernable as a wireless facility or antenna by a typical lay-person from a distance of 250 feet or more;

(38) The fact that a proposed use satisfies all specific requirements for a special use permit in a given type of zoning or land use district does not create a presumption that the use is compatible or in harmony with nearby properties within 1,000 feet and, in itself, is not sufficient to require the grant of a special use permit.

(E) Responsible party(s).

(1) With the exception of the town itself, the owner(s) of a facility or complex, any support structure used to accommodate wireless facilities, and of the land upon which a facility support structure or complex is located, shall at all times be jointly and individually responsible for:

(a) The clean, neat, non-littered and safe condition of the facility or complex, support structure and all components on the site related to the facility or complex;

(b) Assuring that all activities of owners, users, or lessees occurring on the site, and all components on the site related to the facility or complex, are at all times in compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, and permits related to the facility or complex; and

(c) Assuring the proper permitting as required by this section and other town regulations by all lessees and users of the facility or complex, including but not limited to any upgrades and/or modifications of equipment.

(2) Said owner(s) shall regularly and diligently monitor activities at the site to assure that the facility or complex is operated in compliance with this section, other town regulations and any special use permit.

(F) Fees. All fees and charges, including but not limited to application fees, expert assistance fees, and permit fees, shall be as set forth in the town’s Schedule of Fees. For new towers, support structures or substantial modifications, the expert assistance fee shall be as set forth in the town’s Schedule of Fees, and to prevent taxpayer subsidization of the Applicant shall be $8,000 for new towers, $2,500 for substantial modifications, and $1,500 for modifications.

(G) Existing facilities and complexes.

(1) Any legally permitted facility, tower or other support structure or complex that exists on the effective date of this section of the Town’s Codes shall be allowed to continue as it presently exists, provided that:

(a) All work was properly permitted;

(b) The facility or complex is in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws, rules regulations, orders and permit conditions;

(d) A certificate of completion (COC) was issued for the most recent work performed;

(2) Any work not properly previously permitted prior to the adoption of this section must be properly permitted within 90 days of the effective date of this section or prior to any modification of, on or at the site or facility.

(3) Any new co-location and/or modification of a facility, tower or other support structure or complex or a carrier’s equipment located on the tower or facility, must be permitted under this section and the entire facility or complex and any new co-location or modification shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including obtaining a valid COC.

(H) Certificate of completion.

(1) No work shall be allowed to be done at or on any facility or complex, excepting normal repair and maintenance work as defined in this section, for which the owner cannot produce the coc for the most recent work, until a final inspection has been conducted and a COC has been issued. The owner of the facility, tower or other support structure or complex shall pay for the actual cost of the required final inspection prior to the inspection being conducted. if the facility or complex does not pass the initial final inspection, the owner shall be required to pay for any subsequent re-inspection prior to the re-inspection being conducted. A passing final inspection is required prior to the issuance of a COC.

(2) If no COC can be produced for previously done work, at the discretion of the Planning & Community Development Director, per day per violation fines and other penalties as allowed by law may be imposed until the facility or complex is compliant and the required COC has been issued.

(I) Exclusions. The following shall be exempt from this section:

(1) Any facilities expressly exempt from the town’s zoning, land use, siting, building and permitting authority.

(2) Any reception or transmission devises expressly exempted under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

(3) A facility used exclusively for private, non-commercial radio and television reception and private citizen’s bands, licensed amateur radio and other similar non-commercial telecommunications that is less than 100 feet above ground level.

(4) Facilities used exclusively for providing wireless service(s) or technologies where:

(a) There is no charge for the use of the wireless service;

(b) The facility or complex does not require a new tower or increase the height or profile of the structure being attached to; and

(J) Application requirements for a new tower, support structure, or a substantial modification or co-location.

(1) All applicants for a special use permit for a new wireless facility or complex, including for a new tower or other new support structure or that constitutes a substantial modification, shall comply with the requirements set forth in this section. In addition to the required information set forth in this section, all applications for the construction or installation of new wireless facility or complex or substantial modification shall contain the information hereinafter set forth prior to the issuance of a special use permit. Any technical information must be provided in such a manner, form and with such content that it is able to be verified by a third party using the information used and provided by the applicant.

(2) Ownership and management.

(a) The name, address, phone number and e-mail address of the person preparing the application;

(b) The name, address, phone number and e-mail address of the property owner and the applicant, including the legal name of the applicant. If the owner of the structure is different than the applicant, the name, e-mail address and all necessary contact information shall be provided;

(d) A copy of the FCC license(s) applicable for the intended use(s) of the wireless telecommunications facilities, including all FCC licensed frequency bands to be used; and

(e) The applicant shall disclose in writing any agreement in existence that would limit or preclude the ability of the applicant to share any new telecommunication tower or support structure that it constructs or has constructed for it.

(3) Zoning and planning.

(a) The Zoning District or designation in which the property is situated;

(b) The size of the property footprint on which the structure to be built or attached is located, stated both in square feet and lot line dimensions, and a survey showing the location of all property lot lines;

(c) The location, size of the footprint and height of all existing and proposed structures, enclosures and cabinets on the property on which the structure is located and that are related to the subject of the application;

(d) A site plan to scale, not a hand drawn sketch, showing the footprint of the Support Structure and the type, location and dimensions of access drives, proposed landscaping and buffers in compliance with the Town’s Building or Development Code, including but not limited to fencing and any other requirements of site plans;

(e) Elevation drawings showing the profile or the vertical rendition of the tower or support structure at the facility or complex and identifying all existing and proposed attachments, including the height above the existing grade of each attachment and the owner or operator of each, as well as all lighting;

(f) The type of tower or support structure, the number of antenna arrays proposed to be able to be accommodated and the basis for the calculations of the tower’s or support structure’s capability to accommodate the required number of antenna arrays for which the structure must be designed;

(g) Disclosure in writing of any agreement in existence prior to the submission of the application that would limit or preclude the ability of the applicant to share any new telecommunication tower that it constructs; and

(h) A certified statement of:

1. The total cost of construction for the work associated with the application; and

2. The total cost of all equipment of the applicant at the facility.

To verify the accuracy of the information, the town reserves the right to require copies of applicable invoices or other clear and convincing corroborating evidence.

(4) Safety.

(a) The age of the tower or support structure and complex stated in years, including the date of the grant of the original permit;

(b) A description of the type of tower, e.g. guyed, self-supporting lattice or monopole, or other type of support structure;

(c) For a tower, the make, model, type and manufacturer of the tower and the structural design analysis and report, including the calculations, certified by a professional engineer licensed in the state, proving the tower or support structure’s capability to safely accommodate the facilities of the applicant without change or modification;

(d) If a substantial co-location, change or modification of a facility or complex is needed, a detailed narrative explaining what changes are needed and why they are needed;

(e) A complete, unredacted copy of the foundation design and report for the tower or other structure, including a geotechnical sub-surface soils investigation report and foundation design for the facility;

(f) If substantially modifying or co-locating on an existing tower or other support structure, a complete, unredacted and certified TIA ANSI 222 Report regarding the physical condition of the complex and all of its components done within the previous six months. If such report has not been done within the previous six months, one shall be done and submitted as part of the application. No building permit shall be issued for any wireless facility or related equipment where the structure being attached to is in need of remediation to comply with the requirements of this division and other adopted standards of the town regarding the physical condition and/or safety of the facility, unless and until all remediation work that is deemed needed has been completed, or a schedule for the remediation work has been approved by the Town Planning Department;

(g) In an instance involving a tower with only a single array of antennas, or for the first antenna array to be attached to a tower where the array will be 33 feet or more above ground level, and not within 100 feet of areas to which the public has or could reasonably have or gain access to, in lieu of a full RF emissions study, if deemed appropriate by the town, signed documentation in the form of the FCC’s “Checklist to Determine whether a Facility may be Categorically Excluded” may in certain cases be allowed to be used and shall be provided to verify that the facility and complex with the proposed installation will be in full compliance with the current FCC’s RF Emissions regulations;

(h) In certain instances the town may deem it appropriate to have a post-construction on-site RF survey of the facility or complex done after the construction or modification and activation of the facility or complex, such to be done under the direction of the town or its designee, and an un-redacted copy of the survey results provided, along with all calculations, prior to issuance of a certificate of compliance. Such study shall reflect the cumulative effects, readings or levels of all active RF equipment at the site;

(i) In the event the town deems it necessary to determine compliance with the FCC’s maximum permitted exposure (MPE) rules, and in lieu of the procedure contained in division (J)(4)(h) of this section, the town expressly reserves the right to request the involvement of the FCC and/or OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to determine or verify compliance with federal standards and guidelines that the town, itself, may be prohibited from determining; and

(j) If not submitted in a previous application, a signed statement that the applicant will expeditiously remedy any physical or RF interference with other telecommunications or wireless devices or services.

(5) A written copy of an analysis completed by a qualified individual or organization to determine if the proposed wireless telecommunications facility or complex is in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration Regulation Part 77, and if it requires lighting, including any facility or complex where the application proposes to increase the height of the existing tower or support structure.

(6) New towers shall be prohibited on private property in residential districts, historic districts and areas officially deemed to be visual or sensitive scenic areas within the town’s corporate limits.

(7) All applications for a proposed facility or complex applicable to this section shall contain clear and convincing evidence that the facility or complex is sited and designed so as to create the least visual intrusiveness reasonably possible given the facts and circumstances involved. To achieve this goal the town expressly reserves the right to require the use of stealth or camouflage siting techniques such as, but not limited to, DAS, a small cell facility or a functional equivalent as regards size, and such shall be subject to approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

(8) If proposing a new tower or support structure, or a substantial co-location or modification of an existing structure, the applicant shall be required to submit clear and convincing evidence that there is no alternative solution within the search ring of the proposed site that would be less visually intrusive and that not to permit the proposed new tower or support structure, or a substantial co-location or modification would result in the prohibition of service or the perpetuation of a significant gap in service.

(9) An applicant proposing a new tower or support structure shall use the largest search ring technically possible, and may be required to prove technically that the search ring used is the largest that could be used.

(10) In order to better inform the public, in the case of a new tower or support structure or substantial modification, the applicant shall hold a “balloon test” prior to the initial public hearing on the application. The applicant shall arrange to fly, or raise upon a temporary mast, a minimum of a ten feet in length brightly colored balloon with horizontal stabilizers, at the maximum height of the proposed new tower or support structure or substantial modification. Unless conditions at the time preclude it, for reasons of instability vis-à-vis wind speed, the use of spherical balloons shall not be permitted.

(11) At the option of the Planning & Community Development Director, a community meeting may be held concurrent with the balloon test, the notification of which shall be as set forth in division (J)(12)(d) of this section.

(12) At least 14 days prior to the conduct of the balloon test, a sign shall be erected so as to be clearly visible from the road nearest the proposed site and shall be removed no later than 14 days after the conduct of the balloon test. The sign shall be at least four feet by eight feet in size and shall be readable from the road by a person with 20/20 vision.

(a) Such sign shall be placed off, but as near to, the public right-of-way as is possible.

(b) Such sign shall contain the times and date(s) of the balloon test and contact information.

(c) The dates, (including a second date, in case of poor visibility or wind in excess of 15 mph on the initial date) times and location of this balloon test shall be advertised by the applicant seven and 14 days in advance of the first test date in a newspaper with a general circulation in the town and as agreed to by the town. The applicant shall inform the town in writing, of the dates and times of the test, at least 14 days in advance. The balloon shall be flown for at least four consecutive hours between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on the dates chosen. The primary date shall be on a weekend, but the second date, in case of poor visibility on the initial date, may be on a weekday. A report with pictures from various locations of the balloon shall be provided with the application.

(d) The applicant shall notify all property owners and residents located within 1,500 of the nearest property line of the subject property of the proposed construction of the tower and facility or complex and of the date(s) and time(s) of the balloon test. Such notice shall be provided at least 14 days prior to the conduct of the balloon test and shall be delivered by first-class mail. The Planning & Community Development Director shall be provided an attested copy of the list of addresses to which notification is provided. The wireless telecommunications facility or complex shall be structurally designed to accommodate at least four antenna arrays, with each array to be flush mounted or as close to flush-mounted as is reasonably possible.

(13) The applicant shall provide certified documentation in the form of a structural analysis and report, including all calculations, showing that the facility or complex will be constructed to meet all local, state and federal structural requirements for loads, including wind and ice loads and including, but not limited to all applicable TIA ANSI 222 guidelines. In the event of a conflict the more stringent shall apply.

(14) The applicant shall furnish a visual impact assessment, which may be required to include:

(a) A computer generated “Zone of Visibility Map” at a minimum of one mile radius from the proposed structure shall be provided to illustrate locations from which the proposed installation may be seen, with and without foliage; and

(b) To-scale pictorial representations (photo simulations) of “before and after” views from key viewpoints inside of the town as may be appropriate and required, including but not limited to state highways and other major roads, state and local parks, other public lands, historic districts, preserves and historic sites normally open to the public, and from any other location where the site is visible to a large number of visitors, travelers or residents. Guidance will be provided concerning the appropriate key viewpoints at the pre-application meeting. In addition to photographic simulations to scale showing the visual impact, the applicant shall provide a map showing the locations of where the pictures were taken and the distance(s) of each location from the proposed structure.

(15) The applicant shall provide a written description and a visual rendering demonstrating how it shall effectively screen from view the bottom 15 feet of the facility or complex and all related equipment and structures associated with the facility or complex.

(16) A building permit shall not be issued for the construction of a new tower or other support structure until:

(a) There is an application for or by a specific carrier that documents with verifiable technical evidence that the facility or complex is necessary for that carrier to serve the community and that co-location on an existing structure is not feasible; or

(b) That no owner of an existing structure within the applicant’s search ring will allow attachment to the owner’s building or other type of structure.

(17) Co-location on an existing structure is not reasonably feasible if such is technically or commercially impracticable or the owner of the structure is unwilling to enter into a contract for such use at a fair and reasonable price. If an applicant feels the price is unreasonable, sufficient documentation in the form of clear and convincing evidence to support such a claim shall be submitted to determine whether co-location on a given existing structure is commercially impracticable or otherwise unreasonable.

(K) Requirements for eligible facility co-locations or modifications.

(1) For the co-location, modification or upgrade of a wireless facility that qualifies as an eligible facilities request under applicable law, the following information shall be required to be contained in an application. Any technical information must be provided in such a manner, form and with such content that it is able to be verified by a third party using the information used and provided by the applicant.

(2) Safety.

(a) The age of the tower or other support structure in years, including the date of the grant of the original permit;

(b) A description of the type of tower, e.g. guyed, self-supporting lattice or monopole, or a description of another other type of support structure;

(c) Certified documentation in the form of a structural analysis and report done by a professional engineer licensed in the State of North Carolina. Said analysis and report shall include all supporting calculations, showing that the facility, as it exists, will meet all local, state and federal structural requirements for loads, including wind and ice loads and including, but not limited to, the North Carolina Building Code and all applicable TIA ANSI 222 guidelines. In the event of a conflict, the more stringent shall apply;

(d) A copy of:

1. The installed foundation design, including a geotechnical sub-surface soils investigation report; and, if necessary;

2. A foundation remediation design and recommendation for the tower or other structure.

(e) A certified, unredacted report and supporting documentation, including photographs, regarding the physical situation and physical condition of all equipment and facilities at the site in the form of a report based on an onsite inspection done pursuant to and in compliance with the latest version of TIA ANSI 222. The inspection shall be done by a qualified individual experienced in performing such inspections and the report shall be signed by an individual with authority to order any needed remediation or resolution of issues;

(f) A copy of the FCC licenses for each frequency band applicable for the intended use of the wireless telecommunications transmission and/or receive equipment;

(g) A list of all frequencies, to be used at the facility;

(h) The number, type and model of the antenna(s) proposed, along with a copy of the manufacturer’s specification sheet(s), i.e. cut sheet(s), for the antennas; and

(i) Certification from the owner of the facility certifying that the facility and all attachments thereto are currently in compliance with the conditions of the approved special use permit or administrative approval or identifying any non-compliant situation.

(3) Ownership and management.

(a) The name, address and phone number of the person preparing the application;

(b) The name, address, and phone number of the property owner and the applicant, including the legal name of the applicant. If the owner of the structure is different than the applicant, the name and all necessary contact information shall be provided;

(d) A copy of the FCC license applicable for the intended use of the wireless telecommunications facilities.

(4) Construction.

(a) The total cost of construction showing the cost of labor all new and/or replacement components and equipment.

(5) In certain instances the town may deem it appropriate to have an on-site RF survey of the facility performed after the construction or modification and activation of the facility, such to be done under the direction of the town or its designee, and an un-redacted copy of the survey results provided, along with all calculations, prior to issuance of a certificate of compliance. Such study shall reflect the cumulative effects, readings or levels of all active RF equipment at the site.

(6) In the event the town deems it necessary to determine compliance with the FCC’s maximum permitted exposure (MPE) rules, and in lieu of the procedure contained in division (K)(5) of this section, the town expressly reserves the right to seek the involvement of the FCC and/or OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to determine or verify compliance with federal standards and guidelines that the town, itself, may be prohibited from determining.

(7) Attachments to existing structures other than towers.

(a) Attachments to buildings: To preserve and protect the nature and character of the area and create the least visually intrusive impact reasonably possible under the facts and circumstances, any attachment to a building or other structure with a facie, the antennas shall be mounted on the facie without increasing the height of the building or other structure, unless it can be proven that such will prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the provision of service, and all such attachments and exposed cabling shall use camouflage or stealth techniques to match as closely as possible the color and texture of the structure.

(b) Utility poles and light standards: If attaching to a utility pole or light standard, no equipment may extend more than 10% of the existing height beyond the top of the structure and no equipment other than cabling shall be lower than 15 feet above the ground.

(c) Attachments to water tanks: If attaching to a water tank, in order to maintain the current profile and height, mounting on the top of the tank or the use of a corral shall only be permitted if the applicant can prove that to locate elsewhere less visually on the tank will prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the provision of service or that to do so would be technologically impracticable.

(d) Profile: So as to be the least visually intrusive and create the smallest profile reasonably possible under the facts and circumstances involved, and thereby have the least adverse visual effect, all antennas attached shall be flush mounted or as near to flush mounted as is possible, unless it can be proven that such would prohibit or serve to prohibit the provision of service or be technologically impracticable.

(L) Location of wireless telecommunications facilities.

(1) No tower or other new support structure taller than 35 feet shall be permitted in any existing or planned (i.e. platted) residential neighborhood, nor within one-half mile of any existing or planned (i.e. platted) residential neighborhood.

(2) If a new telecommunications support structure is proposed to be located within one-half mile of an existing or planned residential neighborhood and is proven by clear and convincing technical information to be a technical necessity for the applicant’s service to be provided in the intended service area of the proposed facility, irrespective of the type of zoning, the support structure shall not be taller than ten feet above the tallest obstruction between the proposed support structure and a residential neighborhood.

(3) Applicants shall locate, site and erect all facilities and associated equipment in accordance with the following priorities, in the following order:

(a) On existing structures without increasing the dimensions or size of the structure.

(b) On existing structures more than one thousand feet from the nearest boundary of the public right-of-way without increasing the height or size of the profile of the tower or structure by more than is allowed for an eligible facility.

(c) On existing structures without increasing the height of the structure by more than is needed, as such need can be proven by clear and convincing verifiable technical evidence.

(d) On properties in areas zoned for commercial use.

(e) In designated Renaissance or Historic Districts in the public right-of-way, but without increasing the height or size of the profile of the support structure, and only if camouflaged or stealthed to the satisfaction of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

(f) In areas zoned for residential use, in the public right-of-way, but without increasing the height of the size or dimensions of the support structure, and only if camouflaged or stealthed to the satisfaction of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

(4) If the applicant proposes and commits to locate on town-owned property or structures, the town reserves to right to waive the town application fee that would otherwise be paid to the town.

(5) If the proposed site is not proposed for the highest priority listed above, then a detailed narrative and technical explanation shall be provided as regards why a site from all higher priority designations was not selected. The person seeking such an exception must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Planning & Community Development Director and the Zoning Board of Adjustment the reason or reasons why a special use permit or administrative approval should be granted for the proposed facility.

(6) Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary, the town may approve any site located within an area in the above list of priorities, provided that the town finds that the proposed site is in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the town and its inhabitants and will not have a deleterious effect on the nature and character of the community and neighborhood. The town may also direct that the proposed location be changed to another location that is more in keeping with the goals of this section and the public interest as determined by the Zoning Board of Adjustment and that serves the intent of the applicant.

(7) Notwithstanding that a potential site may be situated in an area of highest priority or highest available priority, the town may disapprove an application for any of the following reasons:

(a) Conflict with safety and safety-related codes and requirements, including but not limited to setback and fall zone requirements;

(b) Non-compliance with zoning or land use regulations;

(c) The placement and location of a facility or complex would create an unacceptable risk, or the reasonable possibility of such, to any person or entity for physical or financial damage, or of trespass on private property;

(d) The placement and location of a facility or complex would result in a conflict with, compromise in or change in the nature or character of the adjacent and surrounding area, and expressly including but not limited to loss in value as measured over the 12 months preceding the application having been filed;

(e) Conflicts with the provisions of zoning or land use regulations; or

(f) failure to submit a complete application within 60 days after proper notice and opportunity to make the application complete.

(8) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, for good cause shown such as the ability to utilize one or more shorter, smaller or less intrusive facilities elsewhere and still accomplish the primary service objective, the town may require the relocation of a proposed site if relocation could result in a less intrusive facility or complex singly or in combination with other locations, including allowing for the fact that relocating the site chosen by the applicant may require the use of more than one facility to provide substantially the same service.

(M) Type and height of towers.

(1) No new towers of a lattice or guyed type shall be permitted, unless relief is otherwise expressly granted.

(2) Except in the public rights-of-way and in residentially zoned areas, the maximum permitted total height of a new tower or other proposed support structure, shall be 100 feet above pre-construction ground level, unless it can be shown by clear and convincing verifiable technical evidence from a carrier who has committed to use the tower that such height would prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the provision of service in the intended service area within the town. The maximum permitted height is permissive and is expressly not as-of-right.

(3) As the policy decision has been made that more facilities of a shorter and less intrusive height is in the public interest, as opposed to fewer but taller support structures, spacing or the distance between facilities shall be such that the service may be provided without exceeding the maximum permitted height.

(4) If proposed to be taller than the maximum permitted height, the applicant for a new tower or support structure shall submit clear and convincing technical evidence by a carrier or wireless service provider that has committed to use the tower or other support structure justifying the total height requested. If the applicant chooses to provide evidence in the form of propagation studies, to enable verification of the need for the requested height such must include all modeling information and support data used to produce the studies at the requested height and at a minimum of ten feet lower. The tower or its designee will provide the form that shall be used for providing the modeling information.

(5) The town reserves the right to require a drive test to be conducted under the supervision of the town or its designee to verify the technical need for what is requested.

(6) At no time shall a tower or other support structure be of a height that requires lighting by the FAA.

(7) Towers shall be structurally designed to support a minimum of four carriers using functionally equivalent equipment to that used by the first carrier attaching to a tower or other support structure, so that the height can be increased if needed.

(8) New structures within rights-of-ways – required design characteristics.

(a) Wireless installations shall be consistent throughout the town limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ);

(b) Wireless installations shall be on non-conductive poles;

(d) Wireless installations shall utilize a “concealed” design, including all cabling being inside a hollow pole;

(e) All radios, network equipment and batteries will be enclosed in a pedestal cabinet near the pole, or in a pole-mounted cabinet or under a pole-mounted shroud;

(f) Cabinets should be consistent in size and no larger than standard DOT streetlight signal cabinets;

(g) Unless proven unfeasible by clear and convincing evidence, in lieu of installing new poles, any wireless installation in the public right-of-way shall replace a pre-existing distribution pole, secondary pole or streetlight;

(h) Wireless installations shall be on poles that meet or exceed current National Electrical Safety Code standards and wind and ice loading requirements of TIA ANSI 222-G;

(i) Any new poles installed shall be “green” and not leach any volatile organic compounds or toxic materials into the ground; and

(j) To avoid unsightly rust and corrosion, any new pole installed shall be certified to be rust resistant and not reinforced concrete.

(N) Visibility and aesthetics.

(1) No tower or support structure that is not a building and is constructed after the effective date of this section shall not be tall enough to require lighting by the FAA.

(2) Stealth: All new facilities, including but not limited to towers, shall utilize stealth or camouflage siting techniques that are acceptable to the town, unless such can be shown to be either commercially or technologically impracticable.

(3) Finish/color: Towers shall be galvanized and/or painted with a rust-preventive paint of an appropriate color to harmonize with the surroundings and shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of this section.

(4) Lighting: Notwithstanding the prohibition of lighting, in the event lighting is subsequently required by the FAA, the applicant shall provide a detailed plan for sufficient lighting of as unobtrusive and inoffensive an effect as is permissible under state and federal regulations. For any facility or complex for which lighting is required under the FAA’s regulations, or that for any reason has lights attached, all such lighting shall be affixed with technology that enables the light to be seen as intended from the air, but that prevents the ground scatter effect so that it is not able to be seen from the ground to a height of at least 20 degrees vertical for a distance of at least one mile in a level terrain situation. Such device shall be compliant with or not expressly in conflict with FAA regulations. A physical shield may be used, as long as the light is able to be seen from the air, as intended by the FAA.

(5) Retrofitting: In the event a tower or other support structure that is lighted as of the effective date of this section is modified, at the time of the first modification of the facility the town reserves the right to require that the tower be retrofitted so as to comply with the lighting requirements of division (N)(4) of this section or be reduced to a height that does not require lighting.

(6) Flush mounting: Except for omni-directional antennas, all new or replacement antennas, shall be flush-mounted or as close to flush-mounted on the support structure as is functionally possible, unless it can be demonstrated by clear and convincing technical evidence that such has the effect of prohibiting the provision of service to the intended service area, alone or in combination with another site(s), or unless the applicant can prove that it is technologically impracticable.

(7) Placement on building: If attached to a building, all antennas shall be mounted on the fascia of the building and camouflaged so as to match the color and, if possible, the texture of the building, or in a manner so as to make the antennas as visually innocuous and undetectable as is reasonably possible given the facts and circumstances involved.

(O) Security. All facilities shall be located, fenced or otherwise secured in a manner that prevents unauthorized access. Specifically:

(1) All facilities, including antennas, towers and other supporting structures, such as guy anchor points and guy wires, shall be made inaccessible to unauthorized individuals and shall be constructed or shielded in such a manner that they cannot be easily climbed or collided with and shall expressly include removing the climbing steps for the first ten feet from the ground on a monopole; and

(2) Transmitters and telecommunications control points shall be installed so that they are readily accessible only to persons authorized to operate or service them.

(P) Signage. Facilities shall contain a sign no larger than four square feet and no smaller than two square feet in order to provide adequate warning to persons in the immediate area of the presence of RF radiation. A sign of the same size is also to be installed bearing the name(s) of the owner(s) and operator(s) of the antenna(s) as well as emergency phone number(s). The sign shall be on the equipment shelter or cabinet of the applicant and must be visible from the access point of the facility or complex and must identify the equipment owner of the shelter or cabinet. On tower sites, an FCC registration sign, as applicable, is also to be present. The signs shall not be lighted, unless applicable law, rule or regulation requires lighting. No other signage, including advertising, shall be permitted.

(Q) Setback and fall zone.

(1) All proposed towers and any other proposed Wireless support structures shall be set back from abutting parcels, recorded rights-of-way and roads and streets by the greater of the following distances:

(a) A distance equal to the height of the proposed Tower or support structure plus 10% of the height of the tower or other structure, otherwise known as the fall zone; or

(b) The existing setback requirement of the underlying zoning district, whichever is greater.

(2) For any facility located within a fenced compound, any accessory structure shall be located within the fenced compound as approved in the special use permit and so as to comply with the applicable minimum setback requirements for the property on which it is situated. The fall zone or setback shall be measured from the nearest portion of the tower to the nearest portion of the right-of-way of any public road or thoroughfare and any occupied building or domicile, as well as any property boundary lines.

(3) The nearest portion of any private access road leading to a facility shall be no less than ten feet from the nearest property line.

(4) There shall be no development of habitable buildings within the setback area or fall zone.

(R) Retention of expert assistance cost to be borne by applicant.

(1) To prevent the taxpayers from having to bear the cost related to the issue of permitting and regulating a commercially used wireless telecommunications facilities or negotiating agreements to lease or amend or modify a lease for any town-owned property or structure, an applicant shall pay to the town fees as set forth in the town’s Fee Schedule. The fees are intended to cover all reasonable costs of the expert assistance needed by the town in connection with the review of any application, including both the technical and non-technical review, and the permitting, inspection, construction or modification requested, any application pre-approval evaluation requested by the applicant and any lease negotiations. The payment of the expert assistance fees to the town shall precede any work being done that is related to the intended application or lease, including a pre-application meeting or site visit.

(2) The town may hire any consultant of its choice to assist the town in reviewing and evaluating applications and negotiating leases, provided the consultant has at least five years of experience working exclusively for the public sector regulating towers and wireless facilities and negotiating leases, and has not had a recommendation successfully legally challenged.

(3) The total amount of the funds needed for expert assistance as set forth in the town’s Fee schedule may vary with the scope and complexity of the application, the completeness of the Application and other information as may be needed to Complete the necessary technical and non-technical reviews, analysis and inspection of any construction or modification or the amount of time spent responding to an applicant’s arguments as regards its application or the requirements of this section.

(4) For a new tower or support structure or a substantial modification, to prevent taxpayer subsidization the expert assistance fee shall be no less than $8,000.

(5) The town will maintain an accounting record for the expenditure of all such funds.

(6) If an application is amended, or a waiver or relief is requested from any regulations at any time prior to the grant of the certificate of completion required under this section, the town reserves the right to require additional payment for the review and analysis equal to, but not exceeding, the cost created for the town by the applicant or its application. such amount shall be paid to the town prior to the issuance of the special use permit or administrative approval or the certificate of completion, whichever is procedurally needed next.

(S) Procedural requirements for a granting a special use permit.

(1) When a special use permit is requested, the following procedures shall apply.

(2) When deemed necessary or otherwise in the public interest, as part of the process for any new towers or telecommunications support structure, the town may require a neighborhood meeting with area residents, the applicant, a representative(s) from the town staff and the town’s consultant to discuss the proposed facility and the effects of such.

(3) The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall schedule any required public hearing(s) once it finds the application is complete and there are no issues of non-compliance or conflict with applicable law, rule or regulation. The town shall not be required to set a date for a hearing if the application is not complete or if there are unresolved issues of non-compliance by the applicant or a party to the application. The town may, at any stage prior to issuing a special use permit or administrative approval, require such additional information as it deems necessary and that is not expressly prohibited from being required by applicable law as relates to the issue of the siting, construction or modification of or at a wireless telecommunications facility or complex.

(4) Upon Zoning Board of Adjustment approval, a special use permit shall be issued for a new tower or substantially modified wireless support structure or substantial co-location. Notwithstanding the preceding, the building permit for a new tower or other proposed support structure shall not be issued until an applicant has provided clear and convincing substantiating documentation governing the placement of the first antenna array of a carrier who has committed to use the structure prior to its construction and that carrier has been properly permitted under this section.

(T) Action on an application.

(1) The town will undertake, or have undertaken, a review of an application pursuant to this section in a timely fashion, consistent with its responsibilities and applicable law, and shall act within the time required by applicable law.

(2) The town may refer any application or part thereof to any advisory committee or consultant for a non-binding recommendation.

(3) (a) Either after the public hearing if a hearing is required, or after administrative review for an eligible facility application, and after formally considering the application, the town may:

1. Approve;

2. Approve with conditions; or

3. Deny for cause a permit or administrative approval.

(b) The decision shall be in writing and shall be supported by substantial evidence contained in a written record, which record may be the minutes of any or all official meetings. Throughout the application and permitting process, the burden of proof for compliance with this section or the need for a waiver or relief shall always be upon the applicant.

(4) An applicant shall not be permitted to refuse to provide information needed to establish the substantial written record required under federal law and applicable case law. Refusal for more than 60 days without agreement by the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall result in denial of the application or the application shall be deemed abandoned.

(5) Approval notification: If the town approves the special use permit or administrative approval, then the applicant shall be notified of the approval of its application, including any conditions, within 30 calendar days of the town’s action. The special use permit or administrative authorization shall be issued within 30 days after such approval.

(6) Denial notification: If denied, the applicant shall be notified of the denial of its application at the Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting, and in writing within 30 calendar days of the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s action, which notice shall contain the reason or reasons for the denial.

(U) Transfer or assignment. The extent and parameters of a special use permit or administrative authorization for a facility or complex shall be as follows:

(1) Such special use permit or administrative authorization shall not be assigned, transferred or conveyed without the express prior written notification to the town, such notice to be not fewer than 30 business days prior to the intended assignment, transfer or conveyance.

(2) A transfer, assignment or other conveyance of the special use permit or administrative authorization shall require the written commitment of the proposed new holder of the special use permit or administrative authorization to abide by all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to this section.

(V) Violations.

(1) Following written notice of violation and an opportunity to cure, any permit or administrative approval granted under this section may be revoked, canceled, or terminated for a violation of the uncured conditions and provisions of the special use permit or other applicable law, rule, regulation or order, and if warranted the payment of a fine(s) as is permissible.

(2) If not cured within the time frame set forth in the notice of violation, a hearing shall be held upon 30 days prior notice to the applicant citing the violation and the date, time and place of the hearing, which shall be provided by registered mail to the last known address of the holder of the special use permit.

(3) Following the original notice and an opportunity to cure, subsequent or repeated violations of a substantially similar nature shall not require an opportunity to cure prior to the imposition of fines or penalties.

(W) Removal and performance security.

(1) Removal and performance: The applicant and the owner of record of any proposed new tower or other support structure or complex shall, at its sole cost and expense, be required to execute and file with the town a bond or other form of security that is acceptable to the town as to the type of security and the form and manner of execution, in an amount of at least $75,000 for a tower or other support structure and with such sureties as are deemed adequate by the town to assure the faithful performance of the terms and conditions of this section and the conditions of any special use permit issued pursuant to this section. The full amount of the bond or security shall remain in full force and effect throughout the term of the special use permit and/or, if abandoned, until any necessary site restoration is completed to restore the site to a condition comparable to that, which existed prior to the issuance of the original special use permit. The amount of the bond is, in part, determined by the current cost of demolition, removal and site restoration multiplied by the compounding or cumulative effect of a 3% annual cost escalator over a 30-year projected useful life of the structure.

(2) Performance: The owner of any equipment attached to a support structure or located in a complex shall be required to execute and file with the town a performance bond or other form of performance security that is acceptable to the town as to the type of security and the form and manner of execution, in the amount of $25,000.

(X) Reservation of authority to inspect wireless telecommunications facilities.

(1) In order to verify that the holder of a special use permit for a facility or complex and any and all lessees, renters, and/or licensees of wireless telecommunications facilities, places, constructs and maintains such facility in accordance with all applicable technical, safety, fire, building codes, zoning codes, laws, ordinances and regulations and conditions of any permit granted under this section, the town or its designee shall have the right to inspect all facets of said permit holder’s, renter’s, lessee’s or licensee’s placement, construction, modification and maintenance of such facilities, including, but not limited to, towers, antennas, buildings and equipment and connections contained therein, or other structures constructed or located on the permitted site.

(2) Refusal to allow or grant access to the town’s representative upon reasonable notice shall be deemed a violation of this section.

(Y) Liability insurance.

(1) A holder of a special use permit for a wireless telecommunications support structure shall secure and at all times maintain public liability insurance for personal injuries, death and property damage, and umbrella insurance coverage, for the duration of the special use permit in amounts as set forth below:

(a) Commercial general liability covering personal injuries, death and property damage: $2,000,000 per occurrence/$5,000,000 aggregate;

(b) Automobile coverage: $1,000,000.00 per occurrence/ $3,000,000 aggregate;

(d) Workers compensation and disability: Statutory amounts.

(2) For a facility or complex located on town property, the commercial general liability insurance policy shall specifically name the town and its officers, boards, employees, committee members, attorneys, agents and consultants as additional insureds.

(3) The insurance policies shall be issued by an agent or representative of an insurance company licensed to do business in the state and with an AM Best’s rating of at least A.

(4) The insurance policies shall contain an endorsement obligating the insurance company to furnish the town with at least 30 days prior written notice in advance of the cancellation of the insurance.

(5) Renewal or replacement policies or certificates shall be delivered to the town at least 15 days prior to the expiration of the insurance that such policies are intended to renew or replace.

(6) Before construction of a permitted wireless telecommunications facility or complex is initiated, but in no case later than 15 days prior to the grant of the building permit, the holder of the special use permit shall deliver to the town a copy of each of the policies or certificates representing the required insurance in the required amounts.

(7) A certificate of insurance that states that it is for informational purposes only and does not confer rights upon the town shall not be deemed to comply with this section.

(Z) Indemnification.

(1) Any application for wireless telecommunication facilities that is proposed to be located on town property shall contain a signed statement fully and completely indemnifying the town. Such provision shall require the applicant, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to at all times defend, indemnify, protect, save, hold harmless and exempt the town and its officers, boards, employees, committee members, attorneys, agents, and consultants from any and all penalties, damages, costs, or charges arising out of any and all claims, suits, demands, causes of action, or award of damages, whether compensatory or punitive, or expenses arising there from, either at law or in equity, which might arise out of, or are caused by, the placement, construction, erection, modification, location, products performance, use, operation, maintenance, repair, installation, replacement, removal, or restoration of said facility or complex. Notwithstanding the preceding, there shall be no claim of indemnification with respect to any act attributable to the negligent or intentional acts or omissions of the town, or its servants or agents. With respect to the penalties, damages or charges referenced herein, reasonable attorneys’ fees, consultants’ fees, and expert witness fees are included in those costs that are recoverable by the town.

(2) Notwithstanding the requirements noted in division (Z)(1) of this section, an indemnification provision will not be required in those instances where the town itself, or an agency or department of the town, applies for and secures a special use permit for a wireless telecommunications facility or complex.

(AA) Fines.

(1) In the event of a violation of this section, or any special use permit or administrative approval issued pursuant to this section, the town may impose and collect, and the holder of the special use permit or administrative approval for a wireless telecommunications facility or complex shall pay to the town, fines or penalties as set allowed by state law or as otherwise established by the town.

(2) Notwithstanding anything in this section, the holder of the special use permit or administrative approval for a facility or complex may not use the payment of fines, liquidated damages or other penalties, to evade or avoid compliance with this section or any section of this chapter. An attempt to do so shall subject the holder of the special use permit to termination and revocation of the special use permit in addition to the payment of fines. The town may also seek injunctive relief to prevent the continued violation of this section without limiting other remedies available to the town.

(BB) Default and/or revocation. If a support structure, facility or complex is repaired, rebuilt, placed, moved, relocated, modified or maintained in a way that is inconsistent or not in compliance with the provisions of this section or of the special use permit or administrative approval, then the town shall notify the holder of the special use permit or administrative approval in writing of such violation. A permit or administrative approval holder found to be in violation may be considered in default and subject to fines as permitted under applicable state law, and if a violation is not corrected to the satisfaction of the town in a reasonable period of time the special use permit or administrative approval shall be subject to revocation.

(CC) Moving or removal of co-located facilities and equipment.

(1) If attached to an existing tower or other support structure, unless the Zoning Board of Adjustment deems doing so to be in the public interest, it shall be impermissible for a wireless service provider’s or carrier’s equipment to be relocated from one structure to another without clear and convincing evidence that not to do so would, for technical reasons, prohibit or serve to prohibit the provision of service in the service area served by the existing wireless facility.

(2) (a) If the lease for the existing attachment and use expires and is not renewed, thereby forcing the facility to be moved, such move shall be allowed upon:

1. The provision of clear and convincing evidence satisfactory to the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the need to move or relocate the facility; and

2. Clear and convincing evidence satisfactory to the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the lack of impact on the neighborhood or area of the intended new location.

(b) Cancellation or abandonment of a lease by a lessee or refusal to agree to terms of a lease that are not commercially impracticable shall not be deemed a permissible reason for relocating.

(3) The owner of any facility or complex shall be required to provide a minimum of 30 days written notice to the Town Clerk prior to abandoning any facility or complex.

(4) Under the following circumstances, the town may determine that the health, safety, and welfare interests of the town warrant and require the removal of facilities:

(a) A facility or complex that has been abandoned (i.e. not used as wireless telecommunications facilities) for a period exceeding 90 consecutive days or a cumulative total of 180 non- consecutive days in any 365-day period, except for periods caused by force majeure or Acts of God, in which case, repair or removal shall be completed within 90 days of abandonment;

(b) A support structure, facility or complex falls into such a state of disrepair that it creates a health or safety hazard or is deemed an attractive nuisance or a visual blight;

(c) A support structure or facility or complex has been located, constructed, or modified without first obtaining, or in a manner not authorized by, the required special use permit, or administrative approval, and the special use permit or administrative approval may be revoked.

(5) If the town makes a determination as noted in division (CC)(4)(b) or (CC)(4)(c) of this section, then the town shall notify the holder of the permit or administrative approval for the facility or complex that said facility or complex is to be removed.

(6) The holder of the special use permit or administrative approval, or its successors or assigns, shall dismantle and remove the facility or complex and all associated structures and equipment from the site and restore the site to as close to its original condition as is reasonably possible, such restoration being limited only by physical or commercial Impracticability. Restoration shall be completed within 90 days of the receipt of a written notice from the town. However, if the owner of the property upon which the facility or complex is located wishes to retain any access roadway to the facility or complex, the owner may do so with the approval of the town.

(7) If a facility or complex has not been removed, or substantial progress has not been made to remove the facility or complex, within 90 days after the permit holder has received notice, then the town may order officials or representatives of the town to remove or have removed the facility or complex at the sole expense of the owner or special use permit holder.

(8) If the town removes, or causes a facility to be removed, and the owner of the facility or complex does not claim and remove it from the site to a lawful location within ten days, the town may take steps to declare the facility or complex abandoned, and sell all remaining equipment and materials.

(9) Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, the town may approve a temporary use permit/agreement for the facility or complex, but for no more than 90 days duration, during which time a suitable plan for removal, conversion, or re-location of the affected facility or complex shall be developed by the holder of the special use permit, subject to the approval of the town, and an agreement to such plan shall be executed by the holder of the special use permit or administrative approval and the town. if such a plan is not developed, approved and executed within the 90-day time period, then the town may take possession and dispose of the affected facility or complex in the manner provided in this section and may utilize the bond in division (W) of this section.

(DD) RF emissions.

(1) As may be deemed appropriate from time to time, to assure the protection of the public health and safety, the town expressly reserves the right under its police powers to require that a user of a facility or complex or the owner of the facility or complex, verify compliance with the FCC's regulations regarding cumulative RF emissions at the site under the observation of a qualified staff member or the town’s consultant, and that all users of the facility or complex cooperate with the party responsible for such testing or verification. Failure to cooperate shall be deemed a violation of this section and subject the non-cooperating party to all applicable and permissible fines and penalties.

(2) In the event the town deems it necessary to determine compliance with the FCC’s Maximum Permitted Exposure (MPE) rules, and in lieu of the procedure contained in division (DD)(1) of this section, the town expressly reserves the right to request the involvement of the FCC and/or OSHA to determine or verify compliance with federal standards and guidelines that the town, itself, may be prohibited from determining.

(3) With respect to support structures other than towers, if any section or portion of the structure attached to or to be attached to is not in compliance with the FCC’s regulations regarding RF radiation, that section or portion must be barricaded with a suitable barrier to discourage approaching into the area in excess of the FCC’s regulations, and be marked off with brightly colored plastic chain or striped warning tape, as appropriate, as well as placing RF Radiation signs as needed and appropriate to warn individuals of the potential danger. As deemed warranted by the town at any time, the right of the town is expressly reserved to do itself, or order done, an onsite RF emissions survey.

(EE) Relief.

(1) Any applicant desiring relief, waiver or exemption from any aspect or requirement of this section shall address and identify such at the pre-application meeting. The relief or exemption must be contained in the submitted application for either a special use permit or administrative approval, or in the case of an existing or previously granted special use permit or administrative approval, a request for modification of the facility or complex and/or equipment. Such relief may be temporary or permanent, partial or complete.

(2) The burden of proving the need for the requested relief, waiver or exemption shall be solely on the applicant to prove.

(3) The applicant shall bear all costs of the town in considering the request and the relief, waiver or exemption.

(4) No relief or exemption shall be approved unless the applicant demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that, if granted, the relief, waiver or exemption will have no significant effects on the health, safety and welfare of the town, its residents, guests and/or other service providers.

(FF) Adherence to state and/or federal rules and regulations.

(1) To the extent that the holder of a special use permit or administrative approval for a wireless telecommunications facility or complex has not received relief, or is otherwise exempt, from appropriate state and/or federal agency rules or regulations, then the holder of such a special use permit shall adhere to, and comply with, all applicable rules, regulations, standards, and provisions of any state or federal agency, including, but not limited to, the FAA and the FCC. Specifically included in this requirement are any rules and regulations regarding height, lighting, security, electrical and RF emission standards.

(2) To the extent that applicable rules, regulations, standards, and provisions of any state or federal agency, including but not limited to, the FAA and the FCC, and specifically including any rules and regulations regarding height, lighting, and security are changed and/or are modified during the duration of a special use permit or administrative approval for wireless telecommunications facilities, then the holder of such a special use permit or administrative approval shall conform the permitted facility or complex to the applicable changed and/or modified rule, regulation, standard, or provision within a maximum of 24 months of the effective date of the applicable changed and/or modified rule, regulation, standard, or provision, or sooner as may be required by the issuing entity.

(GG) Conflict with other laws. Where this section differs or conflicts with other local laws, rules and regulations, unless the right to do so is preempted or prohibited by the town, state or federal government, the more stringent shall apply.

(HH) Effective date. This section shall be effective immediately upon passage, pursuant to applicable legal and procedural requirements.

(II) Authority. This section is enacted pursuant to applicable authority granted by the state and federal government.

(Res. 2022-23, passed 8-1-2022)

Disclaimer: This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents varies from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken. For further information regarding the official version of any of this Code of Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588.

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