Chapter 18.105
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES (WCF)
Sections:
18.105.040 Criteria for review.
18.105.050 Conditions of approval.
18.105.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to facilitate the provision of personal wireless service facilities (PWSF) to the residents and businesses of the city and impact area while protecting the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community; to minimize adverse visual effects of spires, poles, antennas, towers, and other such structures through design and site standards; to avoid potential damage to adjacent properties; and to maximize the use of existing and approved towers and buildings to accommodate new wireless telecommunication antennas in order to reduce the number of towers needed to serve the community. [Ord. 230, 2016.]
18.105.020 General.
A. Towers supporting amateur radio antennas of less than 35 feet in height are permitted in any zone district; provided, that they shall not be placed in a front or side yard, and they meet or exceed the setback requirements of the zone.
B. Freestanding PWSF towers in excess of 35 feet are prohibited in residential districts and the open space district. [Ord. 230, 2016.]
18.105.030 Application.
A. In districts where PWSF are permitted by conditional use, the applicant shall submit the following information in addition to the submittal requirements of DCC 18.110.020.
1. A statement of compliance with regulations administered and enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
2. Documentation from a licensed engineer showing that the proposed facility will be in compliance with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.
3. A report by a licensed structural engineer which describes the tower in height and design. The report shall include a description of the tower’s capacity regarding the number and types of antennas it can accommodate and what precautions the applicant will take to avoid interference with public safety telecommunication. The report must be stamped by a structural engineer.
4. A letter of intent committing the tower owner and any successors to allow the shared use of the tower, if an additional user agrees in writing to meet reasonable terms and conditions for shared use.
5. A written analysis demonstrating that the proposed site is the most appropriate site within the immediate area. The analysis shall include but is not limited to the following:
a. Description of the surrounding area, including topography.
b. Natural and manmade impediments, if any, that would obstruct adequate cellular telephone transmissions.
c. Physical site constraints, if any, that would preclude construction of a PWSF at another location.
d. Technical limitations of the system that limit site options. [Ord. 230, 2016.]
18.105.040 Criteria for review.
In all zoning districts where PWSF are allowed by conditional use, the following review criteria shall apply in addition to the review criteria of DCC 18.110.040:
A. A site drawing of all equipment on existing street poles or buildings is encouraged.
B. Towers and antennas shall be required to blend into the surrounding environment through the use of color and camouflaging architectural treatment, except in instances where the color is dictated by federal or state authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
C. The equipment shall not cause interference with any public service or emergency telecommunication.
1. No part of any antenna, disk, array, or other such attached item shall overhang a right-of-way or property line.
2. Lighting of, or on, the tower is prohibited unless required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
D. Towers must be designed to allow for future rearrangement of antennas upon the tower and to accept antennas mounted at varying heights.
E. Personal wireless facility towers shall be of a monopole design unless a determination is made that an alternative design would better blend into the surrounding environment.
F. Every tower affixed to the ground shall be protected to discourage climbing of the tower by unauthorized persons. The climbing pegs within the bottom 20 feet of the tower shall be removed and shall only be used when the tower is being serviced.
G. Metal towers shall be constructed of, or treated with, corrosive-resistant material.
H. Wood poles shall be impregnated with rot-resistant substances.
I. Towers shall be constructed to the Telecommunications Industry Association/Electronic Industries Association (TIA/EIA) 222 revision F standards entitled “Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Supporting Structures” or as hereinafter may be amended.
J. Freestanding towers shall be located a minimum of one foot for each 10 feet of height from all property lines (the fall zone). No storage or structures other than the accessory utility buildings are permitted in the fall zone, except as may be specifically permitted through the conditional use process.
K. Towers shall not be located between a principal structure and a public street.
L. No antenna or tower shall have affixed or attached to it in any way, except during time of repair or installation, any stationary lights, strobe lights, reflectors, flashers, or other illuminating device, except as specifically required by the Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Communications Commission, or other federal or state authority.
M. When incorporated into the approved design of the tower, light fixtures used to illuminate ball fields, parking lots, or similar areas may be attached to the tower.
N. The use of any portion of a tower for signs, other than warning or equipment information signs, is prohibited.
O. No tower shall have constructed thereon, or attached thereto, in any way, any platform, catwalk, crow’s nest, or like structure, except during periods of construction or repair. [Ord. 230, 2016.]
18.105.050 Conditions of approval.
The commission may impose conditions to the approval of the PWSF which they deem necessary to secure the purpose of city regulation and give effect to the comprehensive plan. In addition to the conditions listed in DCC 18.110.050, the following conditions may be included but are not limited to:
A. Require all abandoned or unused towers and associated facilities to be removed within 60 days of cessation of use as a personal wireless facility unless a time extension is granted by the city. A copy of the relevant portions of a signed lease, which requires the applicant to remove the tower and associated facilities upon cessation of the use as a personal wireless facility, shall be submitted for commission approval. Landowner shall be responsible for removing an abandoned or unused tower and associated facilities if the applicant fails to do so within 60 days of cessation.
B. In the event that the tower and associated facilities are not removed within the 60 days, the tower and associated facilities may be removed by the city and the costs of removal assessed against the property.
C. Freestanding towers shall be located a minimum of one foot for each 10 feet of height from all property lines (the fall zone). [Ord. 230, 2016.]