Rumson City Zoning Code
§ 22-6.11
Wireless Telecommunications Towers, Antennas, and Transmission Facilities on Non-Municipal Property.
[Ord. 12/18/97, § IV; Ord. 2/18/99, § 1; Ord. No. 17-009D]
Wireless telecommunications antennas and towers may be allowed as a conditional use on property which is not owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the Borough of Rumson, in accordance with the minimum standards of the zone district and the standards, regulations, and requirements set forth in this subsection, in those zones where public utilities are permitted as a principal or conditional use. Site plan approval shall be required prior to the installation of wireless telecommunications towers, antennas, and transmission facilities on non-Borough owned property and in Borough or County right-of-ways.
a.
General. Wireless telecommunications towers, antennas, and transmission facilities shall only be permitted on non-Borough property where the municipal approving authority has determined the following:
1.
There is substantial evidence that there is a significant gap in the telecommunications grid within the Borough which the proposed facility will correct.
2.
There is no Borough owned property available or no Borough wireless telecommunications towers, antennas, or transmission facilities available where the proposed facility could locate or co-locate that would correct the telecommunications gap.
3.
There are no non-Borough wireless telecommunications towers, antennas, or transmission facilities available on which the proposed facility could locate or co-locate that would correct the telecommunications gap.
4.
There is no residential use, school use, or health-care use on the lot on which the proposed facility is located and that the different use of an existing structure on the same lot does not preclude the installation of an antenna or tower.
5.
The application for the proposed facility is the joint application of two or more wireless communications carriers licensed to provide service within the area and the application provides for the co-location of two or more carriers at the site.
6.
The dimensions of the entire lot on which the facility is located are used for the purpose of determining whether the installation of a tower or antenna complies with district 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.
7.
A plan is submitted for the periodic testing of the facility to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable Federal and/or State standards. The plan is subject to the review and approval of the Municipal Agency.
b.
Inventory of Existing Sites. Each applicant for an antenna and/or tower shall provide to the Borough as part of the application an inventory of its existing towers, antennas, or sites approved for towers or antennas, that are either within the jurisdiction of the Borough or within two miles of the border thereof, including specific information about the location, height, and design of each tower. The Borough may share such information with other applicants applying for approvals under this section or other organizations seeking to locate antennas within the jurisdiction of the Borough, provided, however that the Borough is not, by sharing such information, in any way representing or warranting that such sites are available or suitable.
c.
Aesthetics. Towers, antennas and associated equipment and controls shall meet the following requirements:
1.
Towers shall either maintain a finish or be painted a color approved by the Municipal Agency, so as to reduce visual obtrusiveness, subject to any applicable standards of the FAA.
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 supporting electrical and mechanical equipment must be of a neutral color 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.
d.
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.
e.
State or Federal Requirements. All towers must meet or exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, the FCC, and any other agency of the State or Federal government with the authority to regulate towers and antennas. If such standards and regulations are changed, then the owners of the towers and antennas governed by this subsection shall bring such towers and antennas in compliance with such revised standards and regulations within six months of the effective date of such standards and regulations, unless a different compliance schedule is mandated by the controlling State or Federal agency. Failure to bring towers and antennas into compliance with such revised standards and regulations shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower or antenna at the owner's expense.
f.
Building Codes; Safety Standards. To ensure the structural integrity of towers, the owner of a tower shall ensure that it is maintained in compliance with standards contained in applicable State or local building codes and the applicable standards for towers that are published by the Electronic Industries Association, as amended from time to time. If, upon inspection, the Borough concludes that a tower fails to comply with such codes and standards and constitutes a danger to persons or property, then upon notice being provided to the owner of the tower, the owner shall have 30 days to bring such tower into compliance with such standards. Failure to bring such tower into compliance within said 30 days shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower or antenna at the owner's expense.
g.
Measurement. For purposes of measurement, tower setbacks and separation distances shall be calculated and applied to facilities located in the Borough irrespective of municipal and County jurisdictional boundaries.
h.
Franchises. Owners and/or operators of towers or antennas shall certify that all franchises required by law for the construction and/or operation of a wireless communication system in the Borough have been obtained and shall file a copy of all required franchises with the Borough.
i.
Signs. No signs shall be allowed on an antenna or tower.
j.
Buildings and Support Equipment. Buildings and support equipment associated with antennas or towers shall comply with the requirements of subsection 22-6.11t.
k.
Maximum Height. The tower shall meet the following height and usage criteria:
One hundred twenty-five (125') feet in height. A licensed New Jersey professional engineer must certify that the tower can structurally accommodate the number of shared users proposed by the applicant.
l.
Information Required. In addition to any information required for applications for site plan review pursuant to this chapter, applicants for approval for a tower shall submit the following information:
1.
A location plan drawn to scale and clearly indicating the location, type and height of the proposed tower, on-site land uses and zoning, adjacent land uses and zoning (including when adjacent to other municipalities), master plan classification of the site and all properties within the applicable separation distances set forth in subsection 22-6.11p, 2, adjacent roadways, proposed means of access, setbacks from property lines, elevation drawings of the proposed tower and any other structures, topography, and parking.
2.
Legal description of the parent tract and leased parcel (if applicable).
3.
The setback distance between the proposed tower and the nearest residential unit, platted residentially zoned properties, and unplatted residentially zoned properties.
4.
The separation distance from other towers described in the inventory of existing sites submitted pursuant to subsection 22-6.11b shall be shown on an updated site plan or map. The applicant shall also identify the type of construction of the existing tower(s) and the owner/operator of the existing tower(s), if known.
6.
Method of fencing and finished color as required by subsection 22-6.11q, and, if applicable, the method of camouflage and illumination.
8.
A statement by the applicant as to the number of users construction of the tower will accommodate for co-location.
9.
Identification of the entities providing the backhaul network for the tower(s) described in the application and other cellular or personal communication service sites owned or operated by the applicant in the municipality.
10.
A description of the suitability of the use of existing towers, other structures or alternative technology not requiring the use of towers or structures to provide the services to be provided through the use of the proposed tower.
11.
A description of the feasible location(s) of future towers or antennas within the Borough based upon existing physical, engineering, technological or geographical limitations in the event the proposed tower is erected.
m.
Factors Considered in Granting Approval for Towers. In addition to any standards for consideration of site plans pursuant to this chapter, the municipal agency shall consider the following factors in determining whether to issue an approval:
1.
Availability of suitable existing towers, other structures, or alternative technologies not requiring the use of towers or structures, as discussed in subsection 22-6.11n of this subsection;
2.
Height of the proposed tower;
3.
Proximity of the tower to residential structures and residential district boundaries;
4.
Nature of uses on adjacent and nearby properties;
5.
Surrounding topography;
6.
Surrounding tree coverage and foliage;
7.
Design of the tower, with particular reference to design characteristics that have the effect of reducing or eliminating visual obtrusiveness;
8.
Proposed ingress and egress.
n.
Availability of Suitable Existing Towers, Other Structures, or Alternative Technology. No new tower shall be permitted unless the applicant demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of the Municipal Agency that no existing tower, structure or alternative technology that does not require the use of towers or structures can accommodate the applicant's proposed antenna. An applicant shall submit information requested by the Municipal Agency related to the availability of suitable existing towers, other structures or alternative technology. Evidence submitted to demonstrate that no existing tower, structure or alternative technology can accommodate the applicant's proposed antenna may consist of any of the following:
1.
No existing towers or structures are located within the geographic area which meet applicant's engineering requirements.
2.
Existing towers or structures are not of sufficient height to meet applicant's engineering requirements.
3.
Existing towers or structures do not have sufficient structural strength to support applicant's proposed antenna and related equipment.
4.
The applicant's proposed antenna would cause electromagnetic interference with the antenna on the existing towers or structures, or the antenna on the existing towers or structures would cause interference with the applicant's proposed antenna.
5.
The fees, costs, or contractual provisions required by the owner in order to share an existing tower or structure or to adapt an existing tower or structure for sharing are unreasonable. Costs not exceeding new tower development are presumed to be reasonable.
6.
The applicant demonstrates that there are other limiting factors that render existing towers and structures unsuitable.
7.
The applicant demonstrates that an alternative technology that does not require the use of towers or structures, such as a cable microcell network using multiple low-powered transmitters/receivers attached to a wireline system, is unsuitable. Costs of alternative technology that exceed new tower or antenna development shall not be presumed to render the technology unsuitable.
o.
Minimum Required Setback. The following minimum setback requirements shall apply to all towers for which site plan approval is required:
1.
Towers must be set back a distance equal to at least 100% of the height of the tower from any adjoining lot line, but in no event shall the tower be located in the minimum required yard area or buffer area of the zone district.
2.
Guys and accessory buildings and structures must satisfy the minimum zoning district setback and buffer requirements.
p.
Minimum Separation Requirement Between Uses. The following separation requirements shall apply to all towers and antennas for which approval is required under this section:
1.
Separation from Off-Site Uses/Designated Areas.
(a)
Tower separation shall be measured from the base of the tower to the lot line of the off-site uses and/or designated areas as specified in paragraph (b), below, except as otherwise provided.
(b)
Towers shall maintain a separation distance of two hundred (200') feet or 300% of the tower height, whichever is greater, from residential dwelling units.
2.
Separation Distances Between Towers. Separation distances between towers shall be applicable for and measured between the proposed tower and preexisting towers or other proposed towers. The separation distances shall be measured by drawing or following a straight line between the base of the existing tower and the proposed base, pursuant to a site plan, of the proposed tower. The separation distances (listed in linear feet) shall be as shown below in the table of required separation distances between towers.
Table of Required Separation Distances between Towers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lattice | Guyed | Monopole 75 Ft. in Height or Greater | Monopole Less Than 75 Ft. in Height | |
Lattice | 5,000 | 5,000 | 1,500 | 750 |
Guyed | 5,000 | 5,000 | 1,500 | 750 |
Monopole 75 Ft. in Height or Greater | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 750 |
Monopole Less than 75 Ft. in Height | 750 | 750 | 750 | 750 |
q.
Security Fencing. Towers shall be enclosed by security fencing not less than six (6') feet in height and shall also be equipped with an appropriate anti-climbing device; provided however, that the Municipal Agency may waive such requirements, as it deems appropriate.
r.
Landscaping. The following requirements shall govern the landscaping surrounding towers for which site plan approval is required; provided, however, that the Municipal Agency may waive such requirements if the goals of this subsection would be better served thereby.
1.
Tower facilities shall be landscaped with a buffer of plant materials that effectively screens the view of the tower compound from property used for residences.
2.
In locations where the visual impact of the tower would be minimal, the landscaping requirement may be reduced.
3.
Existing mature tree growth and natural land forms 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 sufficient buffer.
s.
Conditions and Alternative Tower Structure. In approving the tower the Municipal Agency may impose conditions, including the use of an alternative tower structure, to the extent the Municipal Agency concludes such conditions are necessary to minimize any adverse effect of the proposed tower on adjoining properties or the neighborhood in which it is located.
t.
Buildings or Other Equipment Storage.
1.
Antennas Mounted on Structures or Rooftops. Antennas mounted on buildings or existing elevated structures shall not extend beyond the permitted building height for the applicable zone. The equipment cabinet or structure used in association with antennas shall comply with the following:
(a)
The cabinet or structure shall not contain more than 200 square feet of gross floor area or be more than ten (10') feet in height. In addition, for buildings and structures which are less than sixty-five (65') feet in height, the related unmanned equipment structure, if over 200 square feet of gross floor area or ten (10') feet in height, shall be located on the ground and shall not be located on the roof of the structure.
(b)
If the equipment structure is located on the roof of a building, the area of the equipment structure and other equipment and structures shall not occupy more than 10% of the roof area.
(c)
Equipment storage buildings or cabinets shall comply with all applicable building codes.
u.
Antennas Located on Towers, Utility Poles, or Light Poles. Antennas shall not be located on towers, utility poles, or light poles within a Borough street or right-of-way unless such facilities are approved by the Borough Council. Antennas proposed on towers, utility poles, or light poles within a street or right-of-way not owned by the Borough shall require approval as a conditional use. The related unmanned equipment structure shall not contain more than 200 square feet of gross floor area or be more than ten (10') feet in height, and shall be located in accordance with the minimum yard and buffer requirements of the zoning district in which located and shall be screened from view of all residential properties.
v.
Removal of Abandoned Antennas and Towers. Any antenna or tower that is not operated for a continuous period of 12 months shall be considered abandoned, and the owner of such antenna or tower shall remove the same within 90 days of receipt of notice from the Borough of Rumson notifying the owner of such abandonment. Failure to remove an abandoned antenna or tower within said 90 days shall be grounds to remove the tower or antenna at the owner's expense. If there are two or more users of a single tower, then this provision shall not become effective until all users cease using the tower.