Article 26
Extracted standards
28 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Maximum design heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for collocation extensions250 ft
To permit collocation, the tower shall be designed and constructed to permit extensions to a maximum height of 250 feet.
- Neutral color or galvanized steel finish required
Towers shall either maintain a galvanized steel finish or, subject to any applicable standards of the FAA, be painted a neutral color, so as to reduce visual obtrusiveness.
- Screening and landscaping to blend with natural setting
At a facility 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 facilities to the natural setting and surrounding structures.
Lighting
- Artificial lighting prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. unless required by FAA or other authority
Towers shall not be artificially lighted, unless required by the FAA or other applicable authority.
- Red beacon safety lighting required if lighting is required
In addition, all antennas and towers shall utilize red beacon type safety lighting, if such lighting is required by any regulation of the U.S. government.
- Strobe lighting prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. unless required by federal regulations
Strobe lighting or similar lighting mechanisms shall not be permitted unless specifically required by regulations of the U.S. government.
Noise
- Maximum noise level at lease area boundaries65 dB
The noise level of supporting equipment and facilities shall not exceed 65 decibels at the lease area boundaries.
Other
- Abandonment period before removal required12 months
Any antenna or tower that is not operated for a continuous period of 12 months shall be considered abandoned.
- AccessoryAccessory useA secondary activity customarily incidental to the main use of the lot — a garage, a home office. facilities restrictions
Accessory facilities or buildings associated with the communication tower or antennas shall not include offices, vehicle storage or outside storage.
- HeightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. threshold for applicability50 ft
The requirements set forth in this ordinance shall govern the location of towers that exceed, and antennas that are installed at greater than, 50 feet in height.
- Compliance with building codes required
To ensure the structural integrity of towers, the owner of a tower shall verify in writing that it is maintained in compliance with standards contained in applicable federal, state and local building codes and regulations.
- Tower must be designed to collapse within lease area
Towers shall be designed to collapse within the lease area in case of structural failure.
- Compliance with FAA, FCC and other federal regulations required
All towers must meet or exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, the FCC, and any other agency of the federal government with the authority to regulate towers and antennas.
- Five-year site location plan required
The tower owner shall submit to the county a five-year proposed site location plan.
- Inventory of existing facilities required
Each applicant for an antenna and or tower shall provide to the Brunswick County Planning Director an inventory of its existing facilities that are either within the locality or within five miles of the border thereof.
- Local government collocation access required
Owners of towers shall provide the county collocation opportunities as a community benefit to improve radio communication for county departments and emergency services.
- Minimum number of collocation users3 users
An engineering report, certifying that the proposed tower is compatible for collocation with the minimum of three users including the primary user, must be submitted by the applicant.
- Minimum security fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.8 ft
Towers and all accessory structures shall be enclosed by security fencing not less than eight feet in height.
- Minimum landscaped buffer width4 ft
The standard buffer shall consist of a landscaped strip at least four feet wide outside the perimeter of the facilities.
- Days of notice to adjoining property owners14 days
The applicant shall notify adjoining property owners by certified letter concerning the project 14 days prior to public hearings before the planning commission and board of supervisors.
- Performance bond required for removal
Prior to the issuance of zoning and building permits for towers or antennas, the owner shall provide a performance bond with approved surety in an amount equal to the cost to demolish the tower.
- Days to remove abandoned tower after notice90 days
The owner of each such antenna or tower shall remove same within 90 days of receipt of notice from Brunswick County.
- Applicant pays review fees
Any out of pocket costs incurred by Brunswick County for review by a licensed engineer of any of the above required information shall be paid by the applicant within 30 days of the receipt of such invoice from the county.
- Radio frequency interference study required
The applicant shall perform an engineering study to determine the possibility of radio frequency interference with the county system.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. requirements for accessoryAccessory useA secondary activity customarily incidental to the main use of the lot — a garage, a home office. facilities and lease areas
Accessory facilities must satisfy the minimum zoning district setback requirements for primary structures; lease area boundaries must meet minimum distances as required by the underlying zoning district.
- Tree protection distance from tower200 ft
Existing trees within 200 feet of the tower shall not be removed except as may be authorized to permit construction of the tower and installation of access for vehicle utilities.
- Yearly report required
The owner of each such antenna or tower shall submit a report to the director of planning once a year, no later than July 1.
Signage
- Advertising prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. on tower and facilities
No advertising of any type may be placed on the tower or accompanying facility, or any associated support buildings or structures.
From the ordinance
The requirements set forth in this ordinance shall govern the location of towers that exceed, and antennas that are installed at greater than, 50 feet in height.