Chapter 18.85
LOW POWER RADIO AND CELLULAR TOWERS
Sections:
18.85.030 Types of low power radio tower or cellular or PCS facilities.
18.85.040 Criteria for conditions.
18.85.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide standards and regulations for the height, location and general design of low power communication towers. These requirements apply to both commercial and private low power radio systems such as cellular or personal communication systems (PCS) and paging systems. Each facility shall be considered as a separate use and an annual business license shall be required for each such facility. The Planning Commission will review each application for approval to ensure that the proposed facility is compatible with the height and mass of existing buildings and utility structures; that co-location of antennas or other structures is possible without significantly altering the existing facility; that the facility blends with existing vegetation, topography and buildings; and that location of a facility will not create a detrimental impact to adjoining property owners. (Ord. 2016-09 § 1, 2016; Ord. 66 § 3.14, 1993.)
18.85.020 Definitions.
The following list of definitions is provided to add clarification to this chapter. If further clarification of this chapter is required, it will be given by the Board of Adjustment.
“Antenna” means a transmitting or receiving device used in telecommunications that radiates or captures radio signals.
“Guyed wire tower” means an open steel frame supported by guyed wires which extend 80 percent of the height of the structure away from the structure.
“Lattice tower” means a self-supporting, multiple sided, open steel frame structure used to support telecommunications equipment.
“Low power radio services facility” means an unmanned structure which consists of equipment used primarily for the transmission, reception or transfer of voice or data through radio wave or wireless transmissions. Such sites typically require the construction of transmission support structures to which antenna equipment is attached.
“Monopole” means a single cylindrical steel or wood pole that acts as the support structure for antennas.
“Roof-mounted antenna” means an antenna or series of antennas mounted on an existing roof, mechanical room or penthouse of a building.
“Wall-mounted antenna” means an antenna or series of antennas mounted against the vertical wall of a building or structure.
“Whip antenna” means an antenna that is cylindrical in shape that can be directional or omnidirectional and vary in size depending upon the frequency and gain for which it is designed.
All applications for approval of a low power radio tower or cellular or PCS facility shall be approved in writing by the Planning Commission. (Ord. 2016-09 § 1, 2016; Ord. 66 § 3.14.1, 1993.)
18.85.030 Types of low power radio tower or cellular or PCS facilities.
Low power radio tower or cellular or PCS facilities are characterized by the type or location of the antenna structure. The five general types of such antenna structures include wall-mounted, roof-mounted, monopoles less than two feet in diameter, monopoles greater than two feet in diameter, and lattice towers. Standards for installation and construction of each type of structure are listed below:
1. Wall-Mounted Antenna. An antenna or series of antennas mounted against the vertical wall of a building or structure including, but not limited to, buildings, smokestacks, water tanks, and grain elevators. Wall-mounted antennas are a permitted use in all industrial zones and on City-owned property, and a conditional use in the commercial, agricultural and manufacturing zones. Any wall-mounted antenna shall comply with the following standards:
a. Wall-mounted antennas shall not extend above the wall line of the structure more than four feet, nor shall they protrude more than four feet from the wall.
b. Wall-mounted antennas and associated equipment shall be painted to match the color of the predominant background against which they are most commonly seen. All support structures and antennas should be architecturally compatible with the building or structure. Whip antennas are not allowed on a wall-mounted antenna structure.
c. If any associated equipment is located on the ground, it shall be enclosed by a sight-obscuring fence and landscaped to match the surrounding landscaping or to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission.
d. The owner of any structure on which a wall-mounted antenna is located must, in person or in writing, agree to all conditions of approval including the removal of a vacated antenna.
2. Roof-Mounted Antenna. An antenna or series of antennas mounted on the roof, mechanical room, or penthouse of a building or structure is a permitted use in all industrial zones and on City-owned property, and a conditional use in the commercial and manufacturing zones. Any roof-mounted antenna shall comply with the following standards:
a. Roof-mounted antennas may only be erected on buildings or structures with a flat roof and shall be screened, constructed and/or colored to match the structure on which they are located.
b. Antennas must be set back from the edge of the structure no less than one foot for every one foot of vertical antenna height to a maximum height of 10 feet. In no case shall a roof-mounted antenna be located closer than five feet from the edge of the structure on which it is erected.
c. If any associated equipment is located on the ground, it shall be enclosed by a sight-obscuring fence and landscaped to match the surrounding landscaping or to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission.
d. The owner of any structure on which a roof-mounted antenna is located must, in person or in writing, agree to all conditions of approval including the removal of a vacated antenna.
3. Monopole Structures Less Than Two Feet in Width. A single cylindrical steel or wooden pole that acts as the support structure for an antenna or series of antennas less than two feet in width is a permitted use in all industrial zones and on City-owned property, and a conditional use in the commercial, agriculture and manufacturing zones. These types of structures are intended to be placed on light poles, light standards, flag poles and other existing or planned vertical structures. The following requirements must be satisfied prior to construction of a monopole less than two feet in width.
a. The total antenna structure mounted on a monopole shall not exceed two feet in width or diameter nor exceed 10 feet in height. The monopole itself shall not exceed more than 60 feet in height.
b. No monopole antenna shall be placed in or within 200 feet of a residential zone.
4. Monopole Structures Greater Than Two Feet in Width. A single cylindrical steel or wooden pole that acts as the support structure for an antenna or series of antennas greater than two feet in width is a permitted use in all industrial zones and on City-owned property, and a conditional use in the commercial, agriculture and manufacturing zones. The following requirements must be satisfied prior to construction of a monopole greater than two feet in width:
a. The actual antennas and antenna support structure on a monopole shall not exceed 13 feet in width and eight feet in height.
b. No monopole shall be erected within 200 feet of a residential zone or a one-half mile radius to another monopole tower unless grid documentation is supplied by an independent consultant stating that co-location will create an unreasonable hardship.
c. All monopoles shall be less than 60 feet in height unless the tower is designed for co-location of antenna structures. In the case of co-location, the height of the tower may be increased by 20 feet for each potential co-location not to exceed three potential co-locations or 100 feet in total monopole height.
d. Co-location of more than one antenna structure is a permitted use on all approved monopoles and is approved administratively by the City staff.
e. The applicant must supply the City with a letter indicating that if technology renders the tower obsolete or the tower is vacated, the applicant will remove the tower and all associated equipment, and restore the site to its original condition within 90 days of the vacation of the tower.
f. Monopole towers may not be constructed in the required front setback, front landscape buffer area, or required parking area of any zone.
g. All associated equipment located on the ground shall be enclosed by a sight-obscuring fence and landscaped to match the surrounding landscaping or to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission.
h. The owner of any property on which a monopole tower-mounted antenna is located must, in person or in writing, agree to all conditions of approval including the removal of a vacated antenna. (Ord. 2016-09 § 1, 2016; Ord. 66 § 3.14.2, 1993.)
18.85.040 Criteria for conditions.
The Planning Commission may use the following criteria for determining necessary conditions to ensure:
1. The proposed facility is compatible with the height and mass of existing buildings and utility structures.
2. That co-location of antennas or other structures is possible without significantly altering the existing facility.
3. That the facility blends with existing vegetation, topography and buildings.
4. That location of a facility will not create a detrimental impact to adjoining property owners. (Ord. 2016-09 § 1, 2016; Ord. 66 § 3.14.3, 1993.)