The following site design and appearance regulations apply to telecommunications towers that are installed on the ground. Where the provisions of the underlying zoning district differ from the following provisions, the following provisions apply:

(a)

Location. All telecommunications towers shall be located in a manner that minimizes the effect on environmental resources.

(b)

Collocation. A new telecommunications tower shall be permissible only if the applicant demonstrates that collocation is not available.

(c)

Lot size. The minimum area devoted to the telecommunications tower lot and the equipment essential to the operation of one telecommunications tower shall be 50 feet by 50 feet. The maximum area shall be 100 feet by 100 feet.

(d)

Measurement of required setbacks. Setbacks required by this section shall be measured from the base of tower to the property line of the parent parcel on which it is located.

(e)

Setbacks from property lines. Telecommunications towers shall be setback a minimum of 50 feet from front, side, and rear property lines of the parent parcel.

(f)

Separation. A new telecommunications tower shall be located a minimum of 1,500 feet from any existing telecommunications tower.

(g)

Height Limitations. The maximum height of telecommunications towers shall not exceed 150 feet. The measurement of telecommunications tower height shall include the tower, antennas, and base pad, and shall be measured from the finished grade at the tower location (also, see subsection 7.10.06(2), above).

(h)

Illumination. Telecommunications tower shall not be artificially lighted except to assure human safety as required by the Federal Aviation Administration and/or Eglin AFB.

(i)

Structural design.

1.

Telecommunication towers shall be monopole structures.

2.

Telecommunications towers shall be designed to accommodate collocators. The number of collocators shall be included in the design specifications.

3.

Telecommunications towers shall include one emergency generator of sufficient size to accommodate the needs of all collocated antennas. The application for the tower shall include documentation to ensure that future collocators shall be required to use the existing generator.

4.

Telecommunications towers shall be constructed in accordance with the standards in the latest edition of the following publications:

i.

Construction standards for telecommunications towers, published by the Electronic Industries Association.

ii.

"Minimum Design Load for Buildings and Structures," published by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

iii.

"Guide to the Use of Wind Load Provisions," published by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

iv.

Florida Building Code.

(j)

Fences. A fence, not to exceed eight feet in height, shall be installed on the perimeter of the telecommunications tower lot. The fence may be installed inside the perimeter of the telecommunications tower lot in order to accommodate landscaping located at the perimeter of the telecommunications tower lot. The fence may be wood, masonry, or vinyl. Wood or masonry fences shall be painted to blend with the surrounding environment. Vinyl fences shall be of a color to blend with the surrounding environment. Barbed wire or other materials shall be installed at the top of the fence to prevent unauthorized access to the tower. Such materials shall not exceed two feet in height above the fence.

(k)

Vegetation protection. Existing vegetation shall be retained to the maximum extent possible, except for exotic invasive vegetation. Exotic invasive vegetation shall be removed and replaced with landscape materials that comply with subsection (l), below.

(l)

Landscaping required.

1.

Telecommunications towers shall be required to provide landscaping outside the fence inclosing the tower and at the property line of the parent parcel. Perimeter landscaping shall be required only on property lines that are within 150 feet of the telecommunications tower lot line. Where landscaping is provided at the property line of the parent parcel, a recorded easement shall be provided to ensure the continued provision and maintenance of the landscaping so long as the telecommunications tower is in operation.

2.

Plants shall be selected in consideration of the site soils, moisture, and salt conditions. All plant materials shall be evergreen.

3.

Trees for perimeter landscaping shall be selected from the following list: Southern Red Cedar; Live Oak; Laurel Oak; Dahoon Holly; East Palatka Holly; and American Holly. Six trees per 100 linear feet are required. At least two species of trees shall be used.

4.

Perimeter landscaping is intended to provide an opaque screen between adjacent properties and the telecommunications tower. Trees shall be planted in a double staggered row and placed in an irregular pattern so as to appear more natural. Tree spacing may vary, but shall not exceed an average of 15 feet, center to center.

5.

The minimum tree size shall be 12 feet high at the time of installation. Tree trunk caliper shall be appropriate to the species natural growth habits.

6.

Shrubs shall be required outside the fence. Shrubs shall be selected from the following list: Wax Myrtle; Thorny Elaeagnus; or Saw Palmetto.

7.

The minimum shrub size shall be 36 inches high at the time of installation.

8.

Shrubs shall be planted in irregular groups. Staggered rows of shrubs are encouraged to produce a more natural appearance. There shall be a minimum of 25 shrubs planted per 100 linear feet of fence.

9.

Existing on-site vegetation may be counted toward meeting the minimum requirements for vegetation.

10.

All landscape materials shall meet Florida No. 1 standards, as defined in "Grades and Standards for Nursery Plants," published by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

11.

There shall be no irrigation system installed. However, a watering plan shall be provided to ensure that all installed vegetation will thrive and will be well established one year after installation. Any materials that die shall be replaced within six months.

(m)

Access. An access driveway shall meet the following standards:

1.

A recorded easement shall be provided to ensure continuing availability of access.

2.

The access driveway may be either paved or unpaved. The driveway shall be stabilized and have a structural value of two or greater.

3.

The access drive shall be a maximum width of 12 feet in width.

4.

The access drive shall be designed to provide adequate turn-around space, and may be designed as a hammerhead or T-type turn-around.

(n)

Parking. One parking space shall be provided.

1.

The space may be paved or unpaved, shall be stabilized, and shall have a structural value of two or greater.

2.

The space shall be a minimum of ten feet wide and 18 feet long.

3.

The space may be located on the parent parcel. An easement or recorded agreement shall be required to ensure that the parking space is provided and maintained as long as the telecommunications tower is in operation.

4.

Where parking for other purposes exists on the parent parcel, one space may be dedicated to use by the telecommunications tower. The availability of this parking space shall be ensured through a recorded agreement.

(o)

Stealth techniques required. The telecommunications tower shall be designed and painted to resemble natural objects, such as trees that are typical of the surrounding area.

(LDC Ord. of 1-9-2014)