This article is designed and intended to balance the interests of the residents of the city, telecommunications providers, and telecommunications customers in the siting of telecommunications facilities within the city so as to protect the health, safety and integrity of residential neighborhoods and foster, through appropriate zoning and land use controls, a competitive environment for telecommunications carriers that does not discriminate against equivalent personal wireless services and shall not prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the provision of personal wireless services, and so as to promote the city as a proactive city in the availability of personal wireless telecommunications services. To that end, this article shall:
(a) Provide for the appropriate location and development of telecommunications facilities in the city;
(b) Protect the city’s built and natural environment by promoting compatible design standards for telecommunications facilities;
(c) Minimize adverse visual impacts of telecommunications facilities through careful design, siting, landscape screening and innovative camouflaging techniques;
(d) Avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from tower or antennae failure through engineering and careful siting of telecommunications tower structures and antennae;
(e) Maximize use of any new and existing telecommunications towers so as to minimize the need to construct new towers and minimize the total number of towers throughout the city;
(f) Maximize and encourage use of alternative telecommunications tower structures as a primary option rather than construction of additional single-use towers; and
(g) Encourage and promote the location of new telecommunications facilities in areas which are not zoned for residential use.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.010; Ord. 787, § 1, 2000; Ord. 795, § 1, 2001; Code 2018, 8-100)
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Antenna means any exterior apparatus designed for the sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves for telephonic, radio, television, or personal wireless services. For the purposes of this article, the term “antenna” does not include any tower and antenna under 70 feet in total height which is owned and operated by an amateur radio operator licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, any device designed for the over-the-air reception of radio or television broadcast signals, multichannel multipoint distribution service or direct broadcast satellite service, or any cable television headend or hub towers and antennae used solely for cable television services.
Macro telecommunications facilities are those which are located on existing buildings, poles or other existing support structures and which project more than three feet above the top of the structure but no more than ten feet above the roof line, parapet or top of the structure. Macro telecommunications facilities may exceed the height limitation specified for the zoning district.
Micro telecommunications facilities are those which are located on existing buildings, poles or other existing support structures where antennae do not project more than three feet above the top of the structure and there are no more than six antennae per site.
Monopole tower means a telecommunications tower consisting of a single pole, constructed without guy wires or ground anchors.
Tower means a structure, such as a lattice tower, guy tower, or monopole tower, constructed as a freestanding structure or in association with a building, other permanent structure or equipment, on which is located one or more antennae intended for transmitting or receiving analog, digital, microwave, cellular, telephone, personal wireless service or similar forms of electronic communication. The term “tower” includes microwave towers, common carrier towers, and cellular telephone towers.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.040; Ord. 787, § 2, 2000; Code 2018, 8-101)
(a) Any tower and antenna under 70 feet in total height which is owned and operated by an amateur radio operator licensed by the Federal Communications Commission;
(b) Any device designed for over-the-air reception of television broadcast signals, multichannel multipoint distribution service or direct broadcast satellite service;
(c) Any telecommunications facilities located on property owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the city, provided a license or lease authorizing the telecommunications facility has been approved by the city council; or
(d) Any cable television headend or hub towers and antennae used solely for cable television services.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.060; Ord. 787, § 3, 2000; Code 2018, 8-102)
(1) In industrial (I) zoning districts, micro and macro telecommunications facilities shall require a use permit in accordance with the zoning ordinance for the city and shall meet one of the following specifications:
(2) A building permit will not be issued without application and approval of a use permit and shall meet one of the following specifications:
(1) In commercial (C1 and C2) zoning districts, micro and macro telecommunications facilities shall require a use permit and shall meet one of the following specifications:
(c) Agricultural (AG) zoning districts. In agricultural (AG) zoning districts, micro and macro telecommunications facilities shall require a use permit and shall be a monopole tower up to a height of 50 feet accommodating one user. A building permit will not be issued without application and approval of a use permit.
(d) Facilities outside the guidelines. Telecommunications listed above may only be built after approval of a variance in accordance with the zoning ordinance for the city as well as the receipt of a building permit.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.100; Ord. 787, § 4, 2000; Ord. 900, § 1, 2008; Code 2018, 8-103)
(a) Co-location sites. Any existing telecommunications towers currently being used for transmitting or receiving analog, digital, microwave, cellular, telephone, personal wireless service or similar forms of electronic communication shall be a preferred location site regardless of the underlying zoning designation of the site; provided, however, that locations which meet this criteria shall be subject to the design and siting components of this article and co-location sites shall not become an “antenna farm” or otherwise be deemed by the director or the city council to be visually obtrusive.
(b) Publicly-used structures. Publicly-used structures are preferred locations throughout the city because they appear in virtually all neighborhoods, are dispersed throughout the city, and due to their institutional or infrastructure uses are generally similar in appearance to or readily adaptable for telecommunications facilities. Therefore, telecommunications facilities should be less noticeable when placed on publicly-used structures than when placed on commercial or residential structures. Publicly-used structures include, but are not limited to, facilities such as police or fire stations, libraries, community centers, civic centers, city hall, utility structures, water towers, elevated roadways, bridges, flag poles, schools, light poles and churches.
(c) Industrial and commercial structures. Wholly industrial and commercial structures such as warehouses, factories, retail outlets, supermarkets, banks, garages, or service stations shall be preferred locations particularly where existing visual obstructions or clutter on the roof or along a roofline can and will be removed as part of the installation of the telecommunications facility.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.120; Ord. 787, § 5, 2000; Code 2018, 8-104)
Any single-family residential structure or site or multifamily structure shall be a disfavored site for the location of telecommunications facilities.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.125; Ord. 787, § 6, 2000; Code 2018, 8-105)
The requirements set forth in this section shall govern the location and construction of all telecommunications facilities governed by this article.
(a) Building codes and safety standards. To ensure the structural integrity of telecommunications facilities, the owner of a telecommunications facility shall ensure that it is maintained in compliance with standards contained in applicable local building codes and the applicable standards for such telecommunications facilities, as amended from time to time. Owners of telecommunications facilities shall conduct periodic inspections of such facilities at least once every year to ensure structural integrity. Inspections shall be conducted by a qualified, independent engineer licensed to practice in the county. The results of such inspection shall be provided to the director.
a. All telecommunications facilities must meet or exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, the FCC and any other agency of the state or federal government with the authority to regulate telecommunications facilities. If such standards and regulations are changed, then the owners of the telecommunications facilities governed by this article shall bring such telecommunications facilities into compliance with such revised standards and regulations within the date established by the agency promulgating the standards or regulations.
b. Owners of telecommunications facilities shall provide documentation showing that each telecommunications facility is in compliance with all applicable federal and state requirements. Evidence of compliance must be submitted to the city clerk every 12 months.
(c) Security. All telecommunications facilities shall be equipped with an appropriate anti-climbing device or other similar protective device to prevent unauthorized access to the telecommunications facility.
(d) Lighting. No illumination is permitted on telecommunications facilities unless required by the FCC, FAA, or other state or federal agency of competent jurisdiction or unless necessary for air traffic safety. If lighting is required or necessary, the director may review the available lighting alternatives and approve the design that would cause the least disturbance to the surrounding uses and views.
(e) Advertising. No advertising is permitted on telecommunications facilities. However, a whip antenna may be allowed on any legally permitted permanent billboard or outdoor advertising sign as long as the other requirements of this article are met.
(1) Telecommunications facilities shall either maintain a galvanized steel finish or, subject to any applicable standards of the FAA or other applicable federal or state agency, be painted a neutral color or painted and/or textured to match the existing structure so as to reduce visual obtrusiveness.
(2) If an antenna is installed on a structure other than a tower, the antenna and associated electrical and mechanical equipment must be of a neutral color that is identical to, or closely compatible with, the color of the supporting structure so as to make the antenna and related equipment as visually unobtrusive as possible. Roof-mounted antennae shall be made visually unobtrusive by screening to match existing air conditioning units, stairs, elevator towers or other background.
(3) Where feasible, telecommunications facilities should be placed directly above, below, or incorporated with vertical design elements of a building to help in camouflaging.
(4) Telecommunications facilities shall not be placed in a direct line of sight with historic or scenic view corridors as designated by the city council or by any state or federal law or agency.
(5) Any equipment shelter or cabinet that supports telecommunications facilities must be concealed from public view or made compatible with the architecture of the surrounding structures or placed underground. Equipment shelters or cabinets shall be screened from public view by using landscaping or materials and colors consistent with the surrounding backdrop. The shelter or cabinet must be regularly maintained.
(1) Landscaping shall be used to effectively screen the view of the telecommunications facility from adjacent public ways, public property and residential property.
(2) Native vegetation on the site shall be preserved to the greatest practical extent. The applicant shall provide a site plan showing existing significant vegetation to be removed and vegetation to be replanted to replace that lost.
(3) The planning commission may waive or modify the landscaping requirement where lesser requirements are desirable for adequate visibility for security purposes, for continued operation of existing bona fide agricultural or forest uses such as farms, nurseries and tree farms or where an antenna is placed on an existing structure. In certain locations where the visual impact of the tower would be minimal, such as rural locations or developed heavy industrial areas, the landscaping requirement may be modified or waived by the planning commission.
(h) Maintenance impacts. Equipment at a telecommunications facility shall be automated to the greatest extent possible to reduce traffic and congestion. Where the site abuts or has access to a collector or local street, access for maintenance vehicles shall be exclusively by means of the collector or local street.
(1) Accessory structures used in direct support of a telecommunications facility shall be allowed but not be used for offices, vehicle storage or other outdoor storage. Mobile or immobile equipment not used in direct support of a telecommunications facility shall not be stored or parked on the site of the telecommunications facility.
(2) Telecommunications facilities may be located on sites containing another principal use in the same buildable area.
(j) Lot size and setbacks. The following setback requirements shall apply to all telecommunications facilities; provided, however, that the planning commission may reduce the standard setback requirements of this section if the goals of this article would be better served thereby.
(1) Telecommunications towers must be set back a distance equal to the height of the tower from any off-site residential structure.
(2) Towers, guy wires and accessory facilities must satisfy the minimum zoning district setback requirements.
(3) Telecommunications facilities must be setback from any property line a sufficient distance to protect adjoining property from the potential impact of telecommunications facility failure by being large enough to accommodate such failure on the site, based on the engineer’s analysis required herein.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.130; Ord. 787, § 7, 2000; Code 2018, 8-106)
(a) Site location and development shall preserve the pre-existing character of the surrounding buildings and land uses and the zone district as much as possible. Personal wireless telecommunication towers shall be integrated through location and design to blend in with existing characteristics of the site to the extent practical.
(b) Existing on-site vegetation shall be preserved or improved, and disturbance of the existing topography shall be minimized, unless such disturbance would result in less visual impact of the site to the surrounding area.
(c) At a tower site, the design of the buildings and related structures shall, to the extent possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening, and landscaping that will blend the tower and related facilities to the natural setting and built environment.
(d) Towers shall not be located any closer than 1,500 feet from an existing tower unless technologically required or visually preferable.
(e) When a tower is adjacent to a residential use, it must be set back from the nearest residential lot line a distance at least equal to its total height.
(f) In no case shall a tower be located in the required front yard, back yard, or side yard easement in a residential district.
(g) Towers shall not be sited where they will negatively affect historic or scenic view corridors as designated by the city council or any state or federal law or agency or where they will create visual clutter.
(h) Towers shall be enclosed by decay-resistant security fencing not less than six feet in height and shall be equipped with an appropriate anti-climbing device or other similar protective device designed to prevent tower access.
(i) Placement of more than one tower on a lot shall be permitted, provided all setback, design and landscape requirements are met as to each tower. Structures may be located as close to each other as technically feasible, provided tower failure characteristics of the towers on the site will not lead to multiple failures in the event that one fails.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.140; Ord. 787, § 8, 2000; Code 2018, 8-107)
Application for a building, use permit, or variance for any telecommunications facility shall be made to the director by the person, company or organization that will own and operate the telecommunications facility. An application will not be considered until it is complete. The following information shall be submitted when applying for any building permit, use permit or other permit or variance included in this article and must be submitted for an application to be considered complete:
(1) Site plan or plans to scale specifying the location of telecommunications facilities, transmission building and/or accessory uses, access, parking, fences, landscaped areas, and adjacent land uses. Applicants shall submit a location map;
(2) Landscape plan to scale indicating size, spacing and type of plantings required by this chapter;
(3) A full description of the environment surrounding the proposed telecommunications facility, including any adjacent residential structures and districts, structures and sites of historic significance, streetscapes or scenic view corridors;
(4) A description of anticipated maintenance needs for the telecommunications facility, including frequency of service, personnel needs, equipment needs, and traffic, noise or safety impacts of such maintenance;
(5) Report from a qualified, independent engineer licensed in the county, documenting the following:
(A) Telecommunications facility height and design, including technical, engineering, economic and other pertinent factors governing selections of the proposed design;
(B) Total anticipated capacity of the telecommunications facility, including number and types of antennae which can be accommodated;
(D) Structural failure characteristics of the telecommunications facility and demonstration that site and setbacks are of adequate size to contain debris;
(6) A definition of the area of service to be served by the antenna or tower and whether such antenna or tower is needed for coverage or capacity;
(8) The identity of a community liaison officer appointed by the applicant to resolve issues of concern to neighbors and residents relating to the construction and operation of the facility. Include name, address, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address, if applicable;
(9) Identification of the geographic service area for the subject installation, including a map showing the site and the nearest or associated telecommunications facility sites within the network. Describe the distance between the telecommunications facility sites. Describe how this service area fits into and is necessary for the service network;
(10) Designation of which location preference, identified herein, the proposed facility is meeting. If the proposed location is not a preferred location # 1 through 4 or is a disfavored site, describe:
(A) What publicly-used building, co-location site or other preferred location sites are located within the geographic service area. Provide a list (by address with lot and block number noted) and a map to scale showing all such buildings within the service area;
(B) What good faith efforts and measures were taken to secure each of these preferred location sites;
(C) Why each such site was not technologically, legally or economically feasible and why such efforts were unsuccessful; and
(D) How and why the proposed site is essential to meet service demands for the geographic service area and citywide network.
(b) Five-year plan and site inventory. Each application shall include a five-year facilities plan and site inventory, including the following:
(1) A list of all existing, existing to be upgraded or replaced, and proposed telecommunications facility sites within the city limits and within one mile of the city limits and a map showing these sites. The list must include the following information for each site:
(E) The number of antennas and base transceiver stations per site and the location and type of antenna installation (stand-alone rooftop, building facade, etc.) and location of the base transceiver station installation;
(G) The radio frequency range in megahertz, the wattage output of the equipment and effective radiated power.
(2) If the applicant does not know specific future tower and antenna site locations but does know of areas where telecommunications facilities will be needed within the next five years to provide service, the applicant shall list the assessors blocks contained within the anticipated geographic service and identify each geographic service area with a number that will correspond to the future telecommunications facility site.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.150; Ord. 787, § 9, 2000; Code 2018, 8-108)
(a) If the proposed site is zoned residential and there are alternative sites in agricultural, commercial, or industrial zones, applicants for a variance must not only meet the requirements of the zoning ordinance for the city pertaining to variances but must also justify why those alternate sites have not been proposed. The planning commission shall review with special care justifications that appeal only to undue expense and/or to undue difficulties in entering into a lease agreement. The planning commission shall weigh carefully such claims, and the evidence presented in favor of them, against a project’s negative impacts at the proposed site.
(b) Applicants must identify all existing towers and all towers for which there are applications currently on file with the director. Applicants must provide evidence of the lack of space on all suitable existing towers to locate the proposed antenna and of the lack of space on existing tower sites to construct a tower for the proposed antenna. If co-location on any such towers would result in less visual impact than the visual impact of the proposed tower, applicants must justify why such co-location is not being proposed. If co-location on any such tower would increase negative visual impact, then the applicant must so state and demonstrate. The director will review with special care justifications that appeal only to undue expense and/or to undue difficulties in entering into a lease agreement. The director shall carefully weigh such claims, and the evidence presented in favor of them, against a project’s negative impacts at the proposed site.
(c) In all zones, applicants must demonstrate that they cannot provide personal wireless communication service without the use of a telecommunications tower.
(d) The applicant shall quantify the additional tower capacity anticipated, including the approximate number and the types of antennae. The applicant shall provide a drawing for each tower showing existing and proposed antennae locations. The applicant shall also describe any limitations on the ability of the tower to accommodate other uses, e.g., radio frequency interference, mass, height, frequency or other characteristics. The applicant shall describe the technical options available to overcome those limitations and reasons why the technical options considered were not chosen to be incorporated. The director shall approve those limitations if they cannot be overcome by reasonable technical means.
(e) The applicant must provide a utilities inventory showing the locations of all water, sewage, drainage and power lines impacting the proposed tower site.
(f) The applicant must provide any other information which may be requested by the director to fully evaluate and review the application and the potential impact of a proposed telecommunications facility.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.155; Ord. 900, § 2, 2008; Ord. 787, § 10, 2000; Code 2018, 8-109)
(a) A request for a use permit shall be initiated by application to the director and handled in accordance with the use permit provision of the zoning ordinance for the city. The planning commission may issue a use permit under this section, provided it shall have determined that all of the requirements of this article have been satisfied and, further, that the benefits of and the need for the proposed tower are greater than any possible depreciating effects and damage to the neighboring properties.
(b) In granting a use permit, the planning commission may impose additional zoning conditions to the extent determined necessary to buffer or otherwise minimize adverse effects of the proposed tower or antenna on surrounding properties.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.160; Ord. 900, § 3, 2008; Ord. 787, § 11, 2000; Code 2018, 8-110)
(a) A request for a variance shall be initiated by application to the director and handled in accordance with the variance provision of the zoning ordinance for the city. The planning commission may issue a variance under this section, provided it shall have determined that all of the requirements of this article have been satisfied and, further, that the benefits of and the need for the proposed tower are greater than any possible depreciating effects and damage to the neighboring properties.
(b) In granting a variance, the planning commission may impose additional zoning conditions to the extent determined necessary to buffer or otherwise minimize adverse effects of the proposed tower or antenna on surrounding properties.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.165; Ord. 787, § 12, 2000; Ord. 900, § 4, 2008; Code 2018, 8-111)
Applicant and owner shall allow other future personal wireless service companies, including public and quasi-public agencies, using functionally equivalent personal wireless technology to co-locate antennae, equipment and facilities on a telecommunications facility unless specific technical constraints prohibit such co-location. The applicant and other personal wireless carriers shall provide a mechanism for the construction and maintenance of shared facilities and infrastructure and shall provide for equitable sharing of cost in accordance with industry standards.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.170; Ord. 787, § 13, 2000; Code 2018, 8-112)
Appeals from any decision of the planning commission may be taken by any person aggrieved or any official of the city affected by the decision of the planning commission. Such appeal shall be to the city council pursuant to the zoning ordinance for the city for appeals from applications for use permits or pursuant to the zoning ordinance for the city for appeals from applications for variances.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.175; Ord. 787, § 14, 2000; Ord. 900, § 5, 2008; Code 2018, 8-113
Telecommunications facilities, including, without limitation, power source, ventilation and cooling, shall not be operated within the limits of the city so as to cause the generation of heat that adversely affects a building occupant and shall not be maintained or operated in such a manner as to be a nuisance.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.180; Ord. 787, § 15, 2000; Code 2018, 8-114)
All telecommunications facilities shall be maintained in compliance with standards contained in applicable building and technical codes so as to ensure the structural integrity of such facilities. If, upon inspection by the city, any such telecommunications facility is determined not to comply with the code standards or to constitute a danger to person or property, then upon notice being provided to the owner of the facility and the owner of the property if such owner is different, such owners shall have 30 days to bring such facility into compliance. In the event such telecommunications facility is not brought into compliance within 30 days of receipt of such notice, the city may remove such facility and place a lien upon the property for the costs of removal. Delay by the city in taking action shall not in any way waive the city’s right to take action. The city may pursue all legal remedies available to it to ensure that telecommunications facilities not in compliance with the code standards or which constitute a danger to persons or property are brought into compliance or removed. The city may seek to have the telecommunications facility removed regardless of the owners or operators intent to operate the tower or antenna and regardless of any permits, federal, state or otherwise, which may have been granted.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.190; Ord. 787, § 16, 2000; Code 2018, 8-115)
(a) Any telecommunications facility that is not operated for a continuous period of 12 months shall be considered abandoned, whether or not the owner or operator intends to make use of it or any part of it. The owner of a telecommunications facility and the owner of the property where the facility is located shall be under a duty to remove the abandoned telecommunications facility. If such antenna and/or antenna is not removed within 60 days of receipt of notice from the city notifying the owner of such abandonment, the city may remove such tower and/or antenna and place a lien upon the property for the costs of removal. The city may pursue all legal remedies available to it to ensure that abandoned telecommunications facilities are removed. Delay by the city in taking action shall not in any way waive the city’s right to take action. The city may seek to have the telecommunications facility removed regardless of the owners or operators intent to operate the tower or antenna and regardless of any permits, federal, state or otherwise, which may have been granted.
(b) If the owner of an abandoned tower or antenna wishes to use such abandoned tower or antenna, the owner first must apply for and receive all applicable permits and meet all of the conditions of this article as if such tower or antenna were a new tower or antenna.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.195; Ord. 787, § 17, 2000; Code 2018, 8-116)
(a) All telecommunications facilities operative on the date of adoption of the ordinance from which this article is derived shall be allowed to continue their present usage as a nonconforming use and shall be treated as a nonconforming use in accordance with the zoning ordinance for the city. Routine maintenance, including replacement with a new tower or antenna of like construction and height, shall be permitted on such existing telecommunications facilities. New construction other than routine maintenance shall comply with the requirements of this article.
(b) A telecommunications facility that has received city approval as of the date of adoption of the ordinance from which this article is derived in the form of a use permit, but has not yet been constructed or placed in operation shall be considered an existing telecommunications facility so long as such approval is current and not expired.
(c) Placement of an antenna on a nonconforming structure shall not be considered an expansion of the nonconforming structure.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.200; Ord. 787, § 18, 2000; Ord. 900, § 6, 2008; Code 2018, 8-117)
(a) Any person who attempts to erect or erects a telecommunications facility covered by this article without having first obtained the necessary building permit, use permit, or variance in the manner provided herein, shall be deemed in violation of this article. Any responsible party or other persons convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of violating any provision of this article shall be guilty of a violation of a city ordinance and shall be punished either by a fine not to exceed $500.00, or by imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, or both.
(b) If any structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained in violation of this article or without obtaining the required permits, or if any building, structure or land is used in violation of this article, the city attorney, in addition to any other remedies, may institute proceedings to enjoin such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, maintenance or use or to correct or abate such violations. Each and every day such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, maintenance or use continues may be deemed a separate offense.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.210; Ord. 787, § 19, 2000; Code 2018, 8-118)
Whenever the city council finds that the application of this article would unreasonably discriminate among providers of functionally equivalent personal wireless services or prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the provision of personal wireless services, a conditional use permit waiving any or all of the provisions of this article may be granted.
(Code 1974, § 15.09.220; Ord. 787, § 20, 2000; Code 2018, 8-119)