All wireless telecommunication towers and facilities shall comply with the following standards and conditions.
(a) Towers shall be of monopole design with no guy wires. The Planning and Zoning Commission may approve a lattice-type structure when the applicant demonstrates that such a structure provides greater ability to collocate additional antenna. Towers and antennas shall be designed to meet all applicable building code requirements.
(b) When reasonably possible, wireless telecommunication towers should be constructed with “stealth” design technology. Examples of stealth technology include architecturally screened roof mounted antennas, antennas integrated into architectural elements, the design of the tower to look like a light pole, power pole and trees, or other structures that may blend into the surrounding area.
(c) Unless otherwise provided for in this Chapter, a wireless telecommunication facility shall comply with the setback and yard requirements applicable to buildings in the underlying zone in which it is located. A wireless telecommunication tower shall be placed upon the lot in such a way as to minimize the visual impact on adjoining roads and properties. In no event shall any portion of a wireless telecommunication facility be located in front of the principal use or building on the lot, if any.
(d) Recognizing that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may impose greater restrictions, a wireless telecommunication tower shall in no event be more than two hundred (200) feet in height as measured from the average ground level at the base of the tower. The applicant of a proposed tower shall demonstrate that the proposed tower is the minimum height necessary to accommodate the antenna and is no higher than existing towers housing similar antenna.
(e) Any accessory structure related to the wireless telecommunication facility shall comply with the district regulations in which the tower is located.
(f) Underground equipment shelters are encouraged and may be requested by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(g) Outdoor storage of any supplies, vehicles, or equipment related to the use of the facility is prohibited.
(h) Existing vegetation, inclusive of trees and shrubs, shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible.
(i) A buffer area of two hundred (200) feet shall be placed between the wireless telecommunication facilities and the public right-of-way.
(j) The base of the tower and all related facilities shall be completely enclosed with a secure fence having a minimum height of eight (8) feet. Such fence shall be equipped with a locked gate.
(k) A landscaped buffer area of not less than fifteen (15) feet in depth shall be located around the required fence. The buffer area shall be continuously maintained and promptly restored when necessary and shall consist of at least one of the following:
(1) A row of hardy evergreen trees tightly spaced and deciduous trees planted twelve(12) feet on center with a 2.5-inch caliper. The initial evergreen plantings shall be no less than six (6) feet tall and planted a maximum of five (5) feet on center.
(2) Other appropriate landscaping that achieves the screening objective, as approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(l) The communication tower and equipment shelter shall comply with all natural resource protection standards established in the Planning and Zoning Code and/or other applicable sections in the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby Hills, including those for flood plains, wetlands and steep slopes.
(m) The tower shall be painted a non-contrasting gray or similar color as approved by the Architectural Board of Review minimizing its visibility, unless otherwise required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the FAA.
(n) The tower shall be equipped with an appropriate anti-climbing device or shall have all climbing pegs from the lower twenty (20) feet of the tower removed and separately secured from the public.
(o) Except as required by law, an antenna or a tower shall not be illuminated and lighting fixtures shall not be attached to the antenna or tower. Lighting for security purposes shall be permitted at the base of the wireless telecommunication tower with a prior approval of the Architectural Review Board and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(p) “No Trespassing” signs and a warning sign shall be posted on the required fence in clearly visible locations. The warning sign shall include phone numbers for the police, fire and county emergency management facilities, and a local or toll-free telephone number of whom to contact in the event of an emergency. The warning sign shall be twelve (12) inches by twelve (12) inches. No other signs or advertising shall be located anywhere on the facility or site.
(q) Signage, as required by the Federal Communications Commission or any other regulating agency, shall be displayed at the Wireless Telecommunications Facility.
(r) After issuance of a building permit to construct a Wireless Telecommunication Facility, the applicant shall commence construction within six (6) months and shall complete construction within one (1) year or the permit shall expire.
(s) All utility lines from the utility source to the Wireless Telecommunication Facility shall be underground.
(t) The owner of the antenna and/or tower shall annually file a declaration with the Zoning Administrator as to the continuing operation of every facility installed subject to this Chapter.
(u) As capacity permits, all Wireless Telecommunications Facilities shall be made available to the City, County, State, or Federal Government for antennas and equipment that serves the public interest. The owner of the facility may not levy unreasonable rental fees for said usage.
(Ord. 2006-35. Passed 5-25-06.)