(a)

New wireless tower or antenna—No collocation. An application for a new wireless tower or antenna shall be processed as a major development. The applicant shall comply with the following requirements:

(1)

The applicant shall schedule a pre-application conference with the town manager/clerk. The pre-application conference shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of section 3.04.00.

(2)

The applicant shall comply with the submittal requirements set forth in sections 3.11.00 and 7.10.10.

(3)

The town manager/clerk shall notify the applicant within seven working days after the date on which the applicant submits an application whether the application is properly completed and has been properly submitted. Such notification shall indicate, with specificity, any deficiencies which, if cured, would make the application properly completed.

(4)

The determination of completeness is not a determination of compliance with the substantive standards and criteria.

(5)

Once an application is deemed complete, the town manager/clerk shall schedule the application for a technical review (see section 3.05.00).

(6)

Within five days of the completeness determination, the applicant shall submit a complete application for a building permit to the county and to the town. The applicant shall provide written verification to the town manager/clerk of such submittal to the county within five days thereafter.

(7)

Those conducting the technical review shall receive copies or otherwise obtain information pertinent to their functional areas prior to the scheduled review meeting.

(8)

The technical review shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of section 3.05.00.

(9)

The planning and zoning board (LPA) shall review and consider the application at an advertised public meeting. The town manager/clerk shall prepare a summary of the planning and zoning board's recommendation.

(10)

The town council shall conduct a quasi-judicial hearing in accordance with the requirements of section 7.10.11. At the conclusion of the quasi-judicial hearing, the town council shall approve or deny the application.

(11)

The town council shall render its decision within 80 working days after the date on which the applicant submits a properly completed application to the town.

(12)

Within five working days of the town council's approval of an application for a final development order, the town manager shall issue a final development order and a letter of authorization to the county to issue the necessary construction permits.

(13)

If the town council fails to act within the time frame mandated by subsection (11), above, the application shall be deemed automatically approved, and the applicant may proceed with placement of the facility without interference or penalty by the town.

(14)

The applicant may voluntarily waive the time-frames set forth in this section.

(15)

The town may require a one-time waiver in the case of a declared local, state, or federal emergency that directly affects the administration of all of the town's permitting activities. Other than this one-time waiver, the town may request, but not require, an applicant to waive the time-frames set forth in this section.

(b)

Collocation of wireless communications facility—Height increase. An application for the collocation of a wireless communications facility, which increases the height of the existing structure, shall be processed as a major development, and the applicant shall comply with the following requirements:

(1)

The requirements of section 7.10.09 (a), above.

(2)

The application shall include the verification and communication from Eglin AFB required by section 7.01.06(2), above.

(c)

Collocation of wireless communications antenna—No height increase. An applicant who seeks approval to collocate a wireless communications antenna on an above-ground structure, and any related equipment to service antenna, is not required to obtain a development order, provided the height of the existing structure is not increased. Rather, the applicant shall apply for a building permit, with all required drawings, specifications and assurances required for such permit together with a letter from the town manager authorizing Okaloosa County to issue the necessary permits. The town manager shall issue the letter after reviewing and approving the submittals and shall retain a copy of all documents associated with the complete application in the records of the town. Nothing herein shall be interpreted to preclude the town manager from subjecting the complete application to a technical review.

(LDC Ord. of 1-9-2014)