These provisions allow exceptions to the height limit of any zoning district in certain situations.
1. Vertical Projections. Chimneys, cooling towers, building mechanical equipment, elevator bulkheads, fire towers, grain elevators, non-parabolic receiving antennas, tanks, solariums, steeples, penthouses not exceeding 25 percent of total roof area, flag poles, stage towers or scenery lofts, and water towers may be built to any height in accordance with existing and future ordinances. Such structures shall not extend into the approach zones, clear zones, or other restricted air space required for the protection of any public airport.
2. Amateur Radio Towers and FCC Pronouncements.
A. Radio towers, antennas and other appurtenances operated by licensed amateur radio operators, where permitted and when, may not exceed 75 feet in height. This height has been determined by the City to reasonably accommodate amateur service communications, and further represents the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish legitimate municipal land use regulation purpose, as recognized under published guidelines of the Federal Communications Commission.
B. Special instances may require that amateur radio tower heights exceed 75 feet to achieve effective and reliable communications. In such cases, the Council may grant a special use permit to a licensed amateur radio operator for a specific tower height that exceeds 75 feet. In determining whether to grant such permission, the Council shall consider the federal guidelines contained in PRB-1 (Amateur Radio Preemption, 101 FCC 2d (1985), codified at C.F.R. Section 97.15(e).
C. Such radio towers shall not be located within any front yard of the primary use.
3. Broadcast Towers. Broadcast towers, when operated by a federally licensed commercial or nonprofit organization, may be built to any height in accordance with existing and future ordinances, subject to approval of a conditional use permit. This exception does not apply to radio towers, antennas and other appurtenances operated by licensed amateur radio operators.
4. Civic Buildings. Buildings housing civic use types may be built to a maximum height of 60 feet. Such buildings located in residential districts shall be set back one foot in addition to required setbacks from each property line for each foot of height over the maximum height of the zoning district.
5. Wind Energy Conservation Systems (WECS).
A. The distance from all lot lines or any building or power line to any tower support base of a WECS shall be equal to the sum of the tower height and the diameter of the rotor. A reduction of this requirement may be granted as part of a special permit approval if the Planning Commission finds that the reduction is consistent with public health, safety, and welfare.
B. The distance between the tower support bases of any two WECS shall be the minimum of five rotor lengths, determined by the size of the largest rotor. A reduction of this requirement may be granted as part of a special permit approval if the Planning Commission finds that the reduction does not impede the operation of either WECS.
C. The WECS operation shall not interfere with radio, television, computer, or other electronic operations on adjacent properties.
D. A fence six feet high with a locking gate shall be placed around any WECS tower base; or the tower climbing apparatus shall begin no lower than 12 feet above ground.
E. The WECS is exempt from the height restrictions of the base district.
6. Conditional Permit Uses. The Board of Adjustment may grant an exception from the height limit for a zoning district for a conditional use, as part of its approval of that use. The limit or extent of this exception shall be a specific part of the conditional use permit.
7. Federal Aviation Administration Rules. No structure may be built in any zoning district which exceeds the maximum height permitted under the rules of the Federal Aviation Administration. These rules describe the glide angles and operational patterns for any airport within the planning jurisdiction of the City.