Extracted standards
18 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Monopole design required
Broadcasting or communication towers shall be of a monopole design unless the Town Council determines that an alternative design would be more compatible with the surrounding environment.
- Tower must collapse within lot lines
Towers shall be designed to collapse fully within the lot lines of the subject property in case of structural failure.
Height
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. as condition of special use permitConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote.
The maximum height of any broadcasting and communication tower shall be made a condition of the special use permit.
Lighting
- Lighting restrictions
Towers shall be illuminated as required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but no lighting shall be incorporated if not required by the FCC, other than essential security lighting. Site lighting shall be full cutoff and directed downward.
Other
- AccessoryAccessory useA secondary activity customarily incidental to the main use of the lot — a garage, a home office. structures comply with districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2. yards
Tower guys and accessory structures shall satisfy the minimum yard requirements of the underlying zoning district.
- Balloon test required
A balloon test shall be required for new towers prior to the public hearing with the Planning Commission.
- Bond required for removal
A bond, whose amount shall be approved by the Administrator shall be required to assure the removal of an abandoned telecommunication facility.
- Buffer yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. required
A buffer yard shall be provided surrounding the facility. The special use permit application shall include a landscape plan showing the locations, species, and size at planting for the landscaping proposed.
- Review timeframe for co-location application90 days
Unless some other timeframe is mutually agreed upon, an application for co-location shall be reviewed by the Town and a written decision shall be issued within 90 days of a completed submission.
- Community meeting required
A community meeting shall be held by the applicant prior to the public hearing with the Planning Commission.
- Minimum yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. equal to tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.
Towers shall have a minimum front, side, and rear yard equal to the height of the tower.
- No new tower unless no existing structure can accommodate
No new tower shall be permitted unless the applicant demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of Town Council that no existing tower or structure can accommodate the applicant's proposed antenna.
- No outdoor storage
There shall be no outdoor storage associated with the facility.
- Preferred order of tower locations
The following sites shall be considered by applicants as the preferred order of location of proposed broadcasting or communication facilities: a. Existing broadcasting or communication towers. b. Public structures, such as water towers, utility structures, fire stations, bridges, steeples and other public buildings not utilized primarily for residential uses. c. Property zoned agricultural.
- Removal within months of cessation6 months
All towers and associated facilities shall be removed within six months of the cessation of operations at the site unless a time extension is approved by the Administrator.
- Review timeframe for tower application150 days
Unless some other timeframe is mutually agreed upon, an application for a tower shall be reviewed by the Town and a written decision shall be issued within 150 days of a completed submission.
The standards of this section apply whenever a special use permit is sought for a broadcasting or communications tower, as this use is defined in the definitions of this chapter.
Signage
- Signage restrictions
Signage on site shall be limited to company name with contact information, no trespassing or safety signs to be positioned on the fence surrounding the facility. The use of any portion of a tower for signs other than warning or equipment information signs is prohibited.
From the ordinance
The standards of this section apply whenever a special use permit is sought for a broadcasting or communications tower, as this use is defined in the definitions of this chapter.