A. Purpose: The purpose of this section is to address planning issues resulting from the rapid growth and demand for low power radio services. This section distinguishes low power radio from other broadcasting type telecommunication technologies and establishes provisions relating to demand, visual mitigation, noise, engineering, residential impact, health, safety and facility siting.
B. Definitions: As used in this section, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection:
ABANDONMENT (ABANDON): The discontinued use of a telecommunications tower facility or site.
ANTENNA: A transmitting device used in telecommunications that radiates or captures radio signals.
BUSINESS USER: A user of wireless telecommunications transmissions as a direct communications use for their business purpose and not profiting from the use of their telecommunications equipment or service.
COLLOCATION: The reasonable sharing of tower space by more than one user or provider of wireless telecommunications services.
COMMERCIAL PROVIDER: A company or individual who provides equipment used primarily for the transmission, reception or transfer of voice or data through radio wave or wireless transmissions, who receives remuneration for such service.
GOVERNMENTAL USER: A political entity or any division or subdivision of any level of official government who uses wireless telecommunications for transmission, reception or transfer of either data or voice communications.
HEIGHT: The vertical distance from ground level of the object being measured.
LATTICE TOWER: A self-supporting multiple sided, open steel framed structure used to support telecommunications equipment.
LOW POWER RADIO SERVICE FACILITY: An unmanned structure which consists of equipment used primarily for the transmission, reception or transfer of voice or data through radio wave or wireless transmissions. Such sites typically require the construction of transmission support structures to which antenna equipment is attached.
MONOPOLE: A single cylindrical steel or wood pole that acts as the support structure for antennas.
MULTILOCATION: Shall mean and have the same requirements as collocation.
NONCOMMERCIAL USER: A company or individual who legally uses wireless telecommunications for services or communications purposes that receive no remuneration for such services.
NONMAINTAINED: The physical, technical, aesthetic or structural deterioration of the site, to include any tower, antenna, apparatus, building, grounds or equipment that is in disrepair or in need of maintenance.
ROOF MOUNTED ANTENNA: An antenna or series of individual antennas mounted on a roof, mechanical room or penthouse of a building.
SITE: See definition of Telecommunications Lot.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOT: A telecommunications lot is that area set aside for construction and placement of telecommunications equipment, including any buildings, towers, antennas or other apparatus not housed in a residential or business building. A lot set aside for telecommunications equipment and tower may differ from the official recorded piece of property and will include any required equipment, accessories or fenced area.
WALL MOUNTED ANTENNA: An antenna or series of individual antennas mounted against the vertical wall of a building.
WHIP ANTENNA (FLEXIBLE): An antenna that is cylindrical in shape and flexible in vertical construction.
WHIP ANTENNA (VERTICAL): An antenna that is cylindrical in shape and rigid in vertical construction.
WIDTH: Horizontal measurement of the object being measured, whether by side, circumference or diameter. (Ord. 96-18, 9-10-1996)
Lattice towers and monopole towers shall be permitted uses in the M-1 manufacturing zone and PF public facilities zone.
Roof mounted antennas, wall mounted antennas, and whip antennas shall be permitted uses in the M-1 manufacturing zone, PF public facilities zone, B-1 buffer zone, C-1 and C-2 commercial zones, C-R commercial residential zone, and the D-R downtown redevelopment zone.
Telecommunications lots shall be permitted uses in the M-1 manufacturing zone and PF public facilities zone.
Lattice towers shall be a conditional use in the C-1 and C-2 commercial zones.
Monopole towers shall be a conditional use in the A-1 agriculture zone, B-1 buffer zone, C-1 and C-2 commercial zones, C-R commercial residential zone, and D-R downtown redevelopment zone.
Telecommunications lots shall be conditional uses in the C-1 and C-2 commercial zones. (Ord. 2010-13, 7-27-2010)
1. All telecommunication towers shall be located on the lot so that the distance from the base of the tower to any adjoining residential zone or any residential structure is a minimum of one hundred percent (100%) of the proposed tower height with an additional ten foot (10') buffer. The total distance of the tower base from the residential zone or structure shall be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the tower height, plus ten feet (10'). Towers that use generators shall at no time have an acoustic reading that exceeds sixty five (65) decibels. (Reference: US EPA [1974] 11.4 and 24 CFR 51 housing and urban development.)
2. No towers shall be permitted in the required front yard in any zoning district and shall not be located in a required landscaped area or required parking area. Towers located on vacant lots shall have a minimum front yard setback of twenty five feet (25') in all zoning districts.
F. Wall Mounted Antennas: Wall mounted antennas may not extend above the wall line of the building or extend more than four feet (4') horizontally from the face of the building. Equipment and the supporting structure shall be painted to match the color of the building or structure or the background against which they are most commonly seen. Antennas and the supporting structures on buildings shall be architecturally compatible with the building.
G. Roof Mounted Antennas: Roof mounted antennas may not extend more than fifteen feet (15') above the highest point of the roof. Antennas must be mounted at least five feet (5') from the exterior wall of a building and must be screened, constructed and/or colored to match the structure to which they are attached.
H. Whip Antennas: Flexible whip antennas are not allowed in any zone.
I. Additional Conditional Use Requirements: In addition to conditional use standards outlined in chapter 4 of this title, the following shall be considered by the planning commission:
1. Compatibility: Whether the proposed structure is compatible with the height and mass of existing buildings and utility structures. Height of the tower structure should be reasonable, dependent upon the surrounding structures or buildings and compatible to the surrounding neighborhood.
2. Collocation: Whether collocation of the antenna on other existing structures in the same vicinity such as other towers, buildings, water towers, utility poles, etc., is possible without significantly impacting antenna transmission or reception.
3. Screening: The location in relation to existing vegetation, topography and buildings to obtain the best visual screening.
4. Spacing: Whether the spacing between monopoles and lattice towers creates detrimental impacts to adjoining properties.
5. Negative Impacts: Whether there are any negative impacts associated with the use that must be mitigated through screening, landscaping, height limits or specifying construction materials and colors, etc.
J. Lighting And Security: Any lighting on towers must meet FAA and FCC requirements. When lighting is required and permitted by the FAA or any other federal or state authority, it shall be oriented inward so as not to project onto surrounding property. All towers must be enclosed by a six foot (6') chainlink or opaque fence, all monopoles must have the climbing pegs removed from the lower twenty feet (20') of the monopole.
1. Accessory buildings to antenna structures must comply with the required setback, height and landscaping requirements of the zoning district in which they are located. They shall be compatible in design, structure and color with buildings in the surrounding neighborhood. All storage of equipment and materials must be inside of an enclosed building, storage in open areas is not permitted.
2. Any business user or telecommunications provider that uses the site or lot as an office or place of business where employees are required to work on premises or customers are required to visit the premises, are subject to all other zoning and building requirements of the city.
L. Structural Integrity And Inspections: All new towers and any modifications to existing towers shall be certified by a licensed engineer according to structural standards for antenna towers of the Electronic Industries Association. The city may require periodic inspections of telecommunication towers to ensure structural integrity. The inspections shall be conducted by a licensed engineer and based upon the results of an inspection, the city may require repair or removal of a telecommunication tower. The expense of the inspection and/or removal of the tower shall be the responsibility of the tower owner.
M. Nonmaintained Or Abandoned Facilities:
1. When an antenna has not been repaired or used by the owner, person having control of, or person receiving benefit of the structure for a period of thirty (30) days, it will be considered abandoned. Within sixty (60) days after notice of abandonment is given to the owner, person having control or person receiving benefit of the structure, the antenna, the tower, all support structures and no less than the top three feet (3') of footing must be removed by the owner of the tower.
2. If the tower is not removed after the conclusion of the sixty (60) day notice of abandonment period, the zoning administrator is hereby authorized to cause the tower and accompanying structures deemed abandoned, to be removed forthwith at the expense of the owner, agent or person owning the building or land that the tower is located upon. The city shall have the right to collect such costs as provided for in Utah Code Annotated title 10, chapter 11, as amended. (Ord. 96-18, 9-10-1996)
N. Amateur Radio Facilities; Towers And Equipment:
1. Amateur radio facilities are primarily governed by restrictions provided by the federal communications commission and this section shall defer to federal provisions for amateur radio operation with the exception of the following conditional uses: to comply with reasonable standards of federal law for the permitting of amateur radio tower equipment and facilities, a conditional use permit will be required if any of the following structures, buildings, facilities or equipment are to be constructed. Applicants must present evidence of ability to operate radio equipment by exhausting all other means of operation which shall be verified by the leadership of a reputable radio group as to be determined by the planning commission, before the following conditional uses may be permitted: (Ord. 96-18, 9-10-1996; amd. 2000 Code)
a. Height of support structure over seventy five feet (75') from ground level.
b. Equipment, tower or any accompanying structure or equipment placed in the front yard of any lot. (Ord. 96-18, 9-10-1996)
2. Amateur radio facilities and equipment in M-1 zones do not require conditional use permits. (Ord. 96-18, 9-10-1996; amd. Ord. 99-6, 3-9-1999)
1. All commercial telecommunications providers are required to collocate on existing telecommunications towers. Any commercial provider applicant who applies for a new tower structure site must provide the planning commission with extensive evidence that they have exhausted all means possible to collocate on existing towers or provide substantiated evidence that collocation on existing towers is contrary to engineering design and would create a substantial hardship for their business if located on any available existing towers.
2. Commercial telecommunications providers will be required to provide tower space, as well as ground space where possible, or allow access through existing ground space for necessary equipment and accessories to subsequent telecommunications providers on existing towers and telecommunications lot areas. If ground space is not available, subsequent providers may have to acquire additional space from the adjacent landowner. The landowner, the present tower owner/occupant and the applicant to the tower must bargain in good faith for the use of the tower and all must respect reasonable rates for the area and the industry.
P. Access To Site: All telecommunications tower facilities must have reasonable access and fulfill all easement requirements necessary for construction, repair or necessary access to site.
Q. Building Permits: A building permit shall be required for the construction or siting of all commercial or business use towers.
R. Denial Of Request To Install Or Construct: Any application for construction of a wireless communications tower that is denied by any official of the city, the planning commission or the city council, must be in writing and must be based on evidence with a written record of proceedings. Denial may not be based upon the grounds that radio frequency emissions from the facilities will be harmful to the environment or health of residents. FCC standards govern this application. (Ord. 96-18, 9-10-1996)