Sec. 23-7A
Dimensional standards
Extracted standards
34 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Camouflage for roof mounted base station
Antennas, equipment, and feedlines must be designed and located to not be readily visible from public rights-of-way or residential units through the use of camouflage or screening including but not limited to paint, parapet walls, cupolas, enclosures or other compatible architectural treatments.
- Eligible facilities request requirement
Eligible facilities requests will be approved provided the modification of the tower or base station does not substantially change the physical dimensions of such.
- Wall mounted antenna type
Only flush mounted panel style or small cell antennas will be permitted.
Height
- Maximum extension for colocation20 ft
The addition will not extend more than 20 feet from the tower or base station.
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. increase for colocation10 pct
The maximum height increase permitted is 10 percent of the approved height of the communication tower or base station, individual zoning district maximum height requirements notwithstanding.
- Maximum extension above transmission/water tower15 ft
The facility must not extend more than fifteen (15) feet above the existing structure, individual zoning district maximum height requirements notwithstanding.
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for amateur radio tower75 ft
The tower must not exceed seventy-five (75) feet in height, individual zoning district maximum height requirements notwithstanding.
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for base station not otherwise covered
The height of the facility must not exceed the uppermost point of the existing structure.
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for new wireless support structure50 ft
It must not exceed fifty (50) feet in height, individual zoning district maximum height requirements notwithstanding.
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for roof mounted base station15 ft
The facility must not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height, individual zoning district maximum height requirements notwithstanding.
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for temporary wireless facility130 ft
The tower must not exceed 130 feet in height, individual zoning district maximum height requirements notwithstanding.
- Wall mounted antenna heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.
The top of the antenna must not extend above the uppermost point of the principal structure.
Historic
- Small cell in HistoricHistoric districtAn area where exterior changes need design review to protect its character. Overlay DistrictOverlay districtA second set of rules laid over the base district, adding requirements without replacing it.
Any small cell facility proposed within a Historic Overlay District will require a Certificate of Appropriateness approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Lighting
- Lighting for equipment area
Only timed or motion activated lighting must be used.
Other
- Landscape buffer width for new wireless support structure15 ft
The standard buffer must consist of a mix of native trees and shrubs planted in a landscaped area at least fifteen (15) feet wide outside the perimeter of the equipment area.
- Landscape buffer width for equipment area15 ft
A required landscape buffer must be maintained at least fifteen (15) feet wide surrounding the equipment area, measured from the exterior security enclosure, exclusive of breaks necessary for access.
- Fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for equipment area6 ft
Equipment areas must be enclosed by security fencing not less than six (6) feet in height, equipped with an appropriate anti-climbing device.
- Location of amateur radio tower
The tower must only be located in the rear or side yard of a property.
- Reasons for disapproval of small cell facility
The County may disapprove a proposed location or installation of a small cell or micro-wireless facility only for the following reasons: material potential interference with other pre-existing communications facilities; public safety or other critical public service needs; aesthetic impact on publicly owned property; or conflict with an applicable local ordinance on a historic property.
- Special useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. standard: adjacent development
That the proposed use will not hinder or discourage the appropriate development and use of adjacent land and buildings or impair the value thereof.
- Special useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. standard: comprehensive planComprehensive planThe long-range policy document zoning is meant to implement; it is not itself binding law.
That the proposed use is in accord with the comprehensive plan and other official plans adopted by the County.
- Special useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. standard: environmental impact
That the proposed use will have no unduly adverse impact on environmental or natural resources.
- Special useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. standard: appropriate location
That the proposed use is appropriately located with respect to transportation facilities, water supply, wastewater treatment, fire and police protection, waste disposal, and similar facilities.
- Special useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. standard: harmony with area
That the proposed use or development of the land will be in harmony with the scale, bulk, coverage, density, and character of the area or neighborhood in which it is located.
- Special useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. standard: health and safety
That the proposed use will not adversely affect the health or safety of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the proposed use.
- Special useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. standard: public welfare
That the proposed use will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property or improvements within the neighborhood.
- Special useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. standard: traffic
That the proposed use will not cause undue traffic congestion or create a traffic hazard.
- Removal period for temporary wireless facility90 days
The tower must be removed within ninety (90) days of its erection.
Setback
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. for equipment area
The equipment area must be setback from the property line at a distance equal to or greater than the minimum yard required of primary structures in the zoning district of the parcel on which the equipment area is to be constructed.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. for amateur radio tower
The minimum setback must equal or exceed the height of the tower.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. for new wireless support structure
It must be set back from the property line at a distance equal to or greater than the minimum yard required of primary structures in the zoning district of the parcel on which the structure is to be constructed.
Signage
- Signs for equipment area
No signs will be allowed apart from security, safety, and identification signage.
- Signs for new wireless support structure
No signs are to be placed on the property except those signs required by other applicable law or regulation related to the construction or maintenance of the facility.
- Signs for temporary wireless facility
No signs will be allowed on the tower apart from security, safety, and identification signage.
From the ordinance
Administrative applications must meet the applicable development standards set forth below. (Sec. 23-7A.4.3)