Bayonne City Zoning Code
§ 35-26.9
Development Standards and Requirements.
[Ord. No. O-01-34 § 9; Ord. No. O-03-37 § 9]
a.
Lot Size. For purpose of determining whether the installation of a tower or antenna complies with zone development regulations, including, but not limited to, setback requirements, lot coverage requirements and other such requirements, the dimensions of the entire lot shall control, even though the antennas or towers may be located on leased parcels within such lot.
b.
Separation. The following separation requirements shall apply to all towers.
1.
Towers. Tower separation shall be measured from the base of the tower to the lot line of the off-site uses and/or designated areas.
c.
Setbacks. The following setback requirements shall apply to all towers.
1.
Towers must be set back a distance equal to at least 100% of the height of the tower from any adjoining lot line and all nonappurtenant buildings.
2.
All facilities must comply with the minimum setback requirements for the applicable zoning district. In addition, antennas that are roof mounted may not extend beyond the edge of the roofline or exterior walls of the subject building. Flush mounted antennas may extend up to two feet out from the face of the building.
3.
Accessory buildings must satisfy the minimum zoning district setback requirements as set forth in this chapter.
4.
No tower of or antenna shall exist within required buffer areas if adjacent to residential zones and as prescribed under Local Ordinance.
e.
Design Criteria. Towers and antennas shall meet the following requirements:
1.
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. Stealth type towers, designed to resemble flagpoles, wherein the antennas are screened from view by a RF penetrable material are greatly preferred.
2.
At a tower site, the design of the buildings and related structures shall, to the extent possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping that will blend them into the natural setting and surrounding buildings.
3.
If an antenna is installed on a structure other than a tower, the antenna and related electrical and mechanical equipment must be of a neutral color, or covered with a siding material, that is identical to, or closely compatible with the color of the supporting structure so as to make the antenna and related equipment as visually unobtrusive as possible.
4.
To the greatest extent possible, any antennas located on an existing building shall be surfaced mounted on the building facade at the roofline or along the exterior parapet wall, so as to reasonably blend in with the architectural features of the building.
5.
Any antennas located on existing buildings that cannot be flush mounted as specified in paragraph 4 above, and when deemed necessary by the governmental agency with jurisdiction over the application, shall be screened from view with RF penetrable screening. The screening shall be located and designed so as to blend with the architectural character of the building.
6.
To the extent reasonably necessary, any public utility lines and/or cables deemed necessary for the operation of the proposed facility shall be located on the ground and/or inside the tower structure or building to which the antennas are attached.
f.
Landscaping. The following requirements shall govern the landscaping surrounding towers.
1.
Tower facilities shall be landscaped with a buffer of plant materials that effectively screens the view of the tower compound from any adjacent streets, property used for residences or planned residences.
2.
In locations where the visual impact of the tower would be minimal, the landscaping requirement may be reduced at the sole discretion of the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment.
3.
Existing mature tree growth and natural landforms on the site shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible. In some cases, such as towers sited on large, wooded lots, natural growth around the property perimeter may be a sufficient buffer.
4.
Additional street trees may be required by the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment to be planted along the streets in the vicinity of any proposed wireless telecommunications facility to provide additional screening and/or aesthetic improvements to mitigate any detrimental visual impacts on the surrounding area.
5.
The Planning Board or Board of Adjustment may require that additional decorative landscaping be provided on the site of proposed towers and/or antennas to offset and compensate for the negative visual impact of the proposed towers and/or antennas.
g.
Lighting. Towers shall not be artificially lighted unless required by the FAA or other applicable authority. If lighting is required, the lighting alternatives and design chosen must cause the least disturbance to the surrounding views.
h.
Signs. No signs or advertisements of any kind, other than appropriate warning signs shall be allowed on an antenna or tower.
i.
Fencing. Towers shall be enclosed by decorative security fencing not less than six feet in height and shall also be equipped with an appropriate anti-climbing device. Acceptable fencing types include tubular steel, wrought iron or other similar fencing as approved by the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment. Galvanized chain link fencing, barbed wire and razor wire are expressly prohibited.
j.
Accessory Buildings and Other Equipment Storage. The unmanned equipment structures shall not contained more than 360 square feet of gross floor area or be more than 12 feet in height and shall be located in accordance with the minimum yard requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.