A. Purpose: The purpose of this section is to address planning issues brought on by the rapid growth in demand for low power wireless telecommunications services. This section establishes provisions that deal with issues of demand, visual mitigation, engineering, residential impacts, health, safety, and facility siting.
B. Application: The requirements of this section apply to commercial and private wireless telecommunication facilities. For the purpose of this section and application wireless telecommunication facilities or telecommunication facilities shall include but not be limited to small wireless facilities, monopoles, whip antennas, utility pole antennas, and roof and wall mounted equipment. All telecommunication facilities shall comply with the following regulations and all other ordinances of the City and any pertinent regulations of the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration. (Ord. 18-17, 8-1-2018; amd. Ord. 18-26, 10-17-2018)
C. Franchise Agreement; Bond:
1. Franchise Agreement: A wireless telecommunication facility provider shall enter into a Franchise Agreement with the City prior to installation of facilities if the facility will be: a) located within the public right-of-way; b) collocated on public infrastructure; or c) collocated upon another franchisee's infrastructure. This agreement may not be assigned to any third party, contractor, or subsidiary under any circumstances without the written consent of the City.
a. As part of the Franchise Agreement, a wireless telecommunication facility provider will be required to provide sufficient documentation to prove that it has the financial solvency to complete its proposed facilities installation and to operate and maintain its facilities. The City, at the City's sole discretion, will make a final determination as to whether provided documentation is sufficient to prove such financial solvency. Financial solvency may be proved by: 1) providing financial statements for the wireless telecommunication facility provider; 2) providing an opinion letter from a certified public accountant or other financial advisor attesting to the wireless telecommunication facility provider's financial solvency; or 3) providing any other documentation in accordance to generally accepted practices of the local industry to prove financial solvency.
b. As part of the Franchise Agreement, a wireless telecommunication facility provider will be required to provide a list of provider-approved, licensed contractors and sub- contractors the wireless telecommunication facility provider intends to use to install, operate and maintain its wireless telecommunication facilities. The wireless telecommunication facility provider shall have a continuing obligation to keep an updated list of contractors and subcontractors on file with the City at all times. The City shall not issue any permit to an applicant who is not listed on the approved contractor and sub- contractor list.
2. Bond: The City shall require a wireless telecommunications facility provider to post a bond in accordance with applicable State and local law. The bond and applicable documentation must be submitted prior to issuance of permits.
D. Telecommunication Facility Master Plan Required: A Master Plan shall be submitted for each type of telecommunication facility proposed by the applicant and shall include the entire above and below ground network. The network could consist of but is not limited to fiber, cable, conduits, vaults, boxes, pedestals, H-frames, poles, nodes, and wireless telecommunication facilities as well as supporting electrical and other utility connections. The Master Plan shall show proposed locations of future telecommunication facilities for the next five (5) years. The Master Plan shall include the rationale for each potential facility. Maps shall be utilized to graphically illustrate the coverage radius of each potential telecommunication facility. The Master Plan shall be submitted, along with a complete application, to the Community Development Department for preliminary review. The Development Review Committee shall make a recommendation regarding the Master Plan to the Community Development Director. Permits will not be granted without approval of the entire Master Plan network. (Ord. 19-03, 4-3-2019)
E. Telecommunication Facility Master Plan Requirements: A telecommunication facility Master Plan shall be completed for each type of telecommunication facility. The Master Plan shall include:
1. Rationale: The rationale for the selection of the proposed telecommunication facility and a review of any feasible alternative sites for the proposed facilities. The Master Plan shall include: a) technical reasons for the design of each proposed wireless telecommunication facility and efforts made to minimize impacts on the surrounding land uses, b) a listing of other telecommunication facilities within the search ring which were evaluated, and c) a statement of reasons why the final location for each wireless telecommunication facility was chosen. Staff may request the search ring and propagation information for the proposed telecommunication facilities. The applicant shall justify that the telecommunication facilities comply with the City's general plan, as well as applicable Design Standards.
2. Collocation: The Master Plan shall also examine the potential for collocation at an existing or the proposed telecommunication facility. If collocation is not possible at an existing telecommunication facility or if the proposed new telecommunication facility is not available for collocation, then the applicant shall include a written explanation why collocation is not possible.
3. Height: The height of the antennas and antenna support structures shall be justified through a detailed written analysis that explains in nontechnical terms the reasons why service cannot be effectively provided unless at the requested height. If the proposed telecommunication facility is a roof mount or wall mount, the City may request that the study verify that the existing or proposed screening will screen from view all telecommunication facilities.
4. Equipment Facilities: The Master Plan must include a detailed written explanation and analysis, not limited to fiscal reasons alone, of the potential for the equipment facilities to be either:
a. Located in an existing building; or
b. Designed using stealth design technology or other visual screening is utilized that readily conceals the appearance of the equipment facilities.
5. Visual Analysis: The applicant shall submit a visual analysis which may include photo simulation, field mock up, or other techniques which identify the potential for visual impacts of the proposed telecommunications facility. The analysis shall consider views from public areas (streets, parks, etc.) and from private residences. The analysis shall assess the cumulative impacts of the proposed telecommunications facility and other existing or approved telecommunications facilities in the areas as provided by City staff and shall identify all mitigation measures consistent with the technical aspects and requirements of the proposed telecommunications facility. Proposed color and design shall be included in the analysis including pole attachments, wiring, conduit, pedestals and any other structures associated with the proposed telecommunication. All costs associated with this requirement are to be borne by the applicant.
6. Independent Review: The City may, if it deems necessary, cause each telecommunications facility to be reviewed by a qualified radio frequency engineer. The purpose of the review is to determine if other locations are available to achieve an equivalent signal distribution and not significantly affect the operation of the telecommunications facility. Such a review may be required when an applicant indicates that no other acceptable location exists. The costs of any such review shall be borne by the applicant.
F. Application Process: A complete application shall include an accurately scaled site plan showing the right-of-way; easements; authorization from property owners or applicable reviewing agencies; elevations including height justification; design and color; structural calculations; photo simulations; and other documents as deemed necessary by the City to assess compliance with this title. The applicant shall be required to sign an affidavit acknowledging that the approval of the wireless telecommunication facility is valid for one year and that the equipment shall be installed within one year from when the building permit was issued. If the applicant fails to install equipment within one year the applicant will need to re-apply to the City per the requirements set forth in this section.
G. Permitted Uses: The following telecommunications facilities are classified as permitted uses. Any request for telecommunications facilities differing from the standards as allowed in this section shall require a technical necessity exception from the Planning Commission. All telecommunications facilities must comply with the City's general plan as well as the Design Standards. All permitted use equipment facilities listed in this section shall be located in an existing building, shall be designed using stealth technology, or shall utilize visual concealment measures to screen the appearance of the wireless telecommunication facility.
1. City Property: Telecommunications facilities located on City owned property are allowed as a permitted use provided the facilities meet the standards as specified for each type of facility as contained in this section, are compliant with the Design Standards, and the facility owner has entered into a Franchise Agreement with the City.
2. Wall Mounted Antenna: Wall mounted antennas which comply with the following standards are allowed as a permitted use:
a. Locations: Located on a structure in a Commercial, Industrial, or Professional Office District.
b. Mounting Method: Wall mounted antennas shall not extend above the wall line of the building or extend more than four feet (4') horizontally from the face of the building.
c. Stealth Design: Antennas, equipment facilities, and the antenna support structure shall be constructed with stealth design to match the color of the building or structure and to be architecturally compatible with the building or to match the color of the background against which they are most commonly seen.
3. Roof Mounted Antenna: Roof mounted antennas which comply with the following standards are permitted uses:
a. Locations: Located on a structure in a Commercial, Industrial, or Professional Office District.
(1) Roof mounted antennas may be located on top of existing penthouses or mechanical equipment rooms provided the telecommunications facilities are enclosed by a structure that creates a visual screen. The screening structure and telecommunications facilities shall not extend more than eight feet (8') above the existing roofline of the penthouse or mechanical equipment room.
(2) For roof mounted antennas not mounted on a penthouse or mechanical equipment room, the telecommunications facilities shall be mounted at least five feet (5') from the exterior wall of a building. For antennas mounted between five feet (5') and ten feet (10') from the exterior wall, the maximum height of a roof mounted antenna is directly proportional to the distance the antenna is set back from the exterior wall up to a maximum height of ten feet (10') above the roofline of the building to which the antenna is attached.
(3) Telecommunications facilities shall be mounted at least five feet (5') behind any parapet wall. For antennas mounted between five feet (5') and ten feet (10') behind a parapet wall, the maximum height of the antenna is directly proportional to the distance the antenna is set back from the wall up to a maximum of ten feet (10') as measured from the top of the parapet wall.
c. Screening: Roof mounted telecommunications facilities shall be located only on a flat roof and shall be screened, constructed, and/or colored to match the structure to which they are attached. Roof mounted telecommunications facilities for pitched roofs must receive a technical necessity exception.
d. Area Limitations For Wall And Roof Mounted Antennas: A combination of both roof and wall mounted antennas are allowed on a building. The total area for all wall and roof mounted antennas and antenna support structures combined shall not exceed forty (40) square feet for each exterior wall of the building or a total of one hundred sixty (160) square feet per building per carrier. A maximum of four (4) walls shall be occupied by antennas. The total area is the sum of the area of each individual antenna face, the visible portion of the antenna support structure, and the equipment facility as viewed when looking directly at the face of the building. The total area for a roof mounted antenna shall apply to the closest exterior wall. Up to three (3) carriers may utilize each building side for a maximum of four (4) sides as a permitted use.
e. Stealth Design: Antennas, equipment facilities, and the antenna support structure shall be constructed with stealth design to match the color of the building or structure and to be architecturally compatible with the building or to match the color of the background against which they are most commonly seen.
4. Collocation: Collocation of wireless telecommunication facilities is a permitted use provided the equipment does not extend more than twelve inches (12") from the existing structure and meets all the provisions as stated in the Design Standards.
5. Stealth Design: Telecommunications facilities that incorporate stealth design technology and are located on a parcel in a Commercial, Industrial, or Professional Office District are a permitted use.
6. Conversion: Conversion of existing flagpoles, light standards, athletic field lights, or other similar structures provided the structure's height is not increased more than ten feet (10') or unless approved by the Community Development Director as provided for in modified site plan review as described in this title are a permitted use.
7. Agreement: All wireless telecommunication facility providers shall be required to enter into a Franchise Agreement prior to installing a telecommunication or small wireless facility in the City's rights-of-way. The Community Development Director shall review the provider's Master Plan prior to execution of any such franchise agreement.
8. Utility Pole Antennas: Utility pole antennas which comply with the following standards are permitted uses. Equipment shall be designed and installed by the provider according to City Design Standards and the utility pole owner's specifications. Equipment may be located on existing utility poles within the right-of-way, provided prior written authorization from the utility pole owner has been provided. Mounted equipment shall have wiring contained within the pole or conduit. Concealment measures such as color, material or design shall be used to minimize visual impact.
9. New Small Wireless Facilities: Small wireless facilities which comply with the following standards are permitted uses:
a. Location: New nodes may be located within the public right-of- way provided the nodes comply with the Design Standards and Design District and Historic Resources Overlay Zone requirements.
H. Technical Necessity Exception: If an applicant cannot meet the standards for telecommunications facilities as provided for in subsection G, "Permitted Uses", of this section for technical reasons, an applicant may request a technical necessity exception from the Planning Commission. If an applicant cannot or will not meet those standards for reasons other than technical reasons, the use is not allowed. The burden of proof for obtaining a technical necessity exception shall be placed upon the applicant. Telecommunications facilities which meet the following standards as determined by the Planning Commission may be granted a technical necessity exception:
1. General Plan And Ordinance Compliance: Comply with the general plan, Design Standards and Design District and Historic Resources Overlay Zone requirements, if applicable.
2. Antennas In Multi-Family Zones: Wall mount antennas, roof mount antennas, and stealth applications on structures containing ten (10) or more dwelling units and conversions shall require a technical necessity exception. Antennas on structures containing less than ten (10) units are not allowed. The antennas and their related antenna support structures and equipment facilities must meet the design standards for each respective telecommunications facility as referenced in subsection G, "Permitted Uses", of this section.
3. Monopoles: Monopoles are not allowed in any zone within the City without a technical necessity exception being granted by the Planning Commission. Following are the minimum standards for a monopole to qualify for a technical necessity exception. The Planning Commission may impose additional requirements pursuant to the review standards in this title.
a. Independent Review: All applications requesting a monopole under the technical necessity exception provision shall complete an independent radio frequency engineering review of the proposed monopole telecommunications facility in relation to the requested height, alternative locations, other proposed telecommunications facilities, and existing telecommunications facilities. The cost of the independent review shall be borne by the applicant.
b. Antenna Sizing: The maximum visible width of antennas and antenna support structures on a monopole shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height or three feet (3') in width as viewed looking directly at the monopole at the same elevation as the antennas and antenna support structure. Top hat design is not permitted.
c. Location And Minimum Setbacks: Monopoles shall be allowed only in the rear yard area of any commercial or industrial lot which contains a commercial or industrial use or on City property. These structures shall not be located in a required landscaped area, buffer area or required parking area. No such antenna shall be located within one hundred sixty five feet (165') of a residential property line. However, the Planning Commission may reduce the required setback from a residential property line if practical difficulties are demonstrated by the applicant, (e.g., City park location, public buildings, etc.).
d. Height Limit: Monopoles shall not project higher than ten feet (10') above the average building height to a maximum of eighty feet (80') or, if there are no buildings within three hundred feet (300'), these monopoles shall not project higher than ten feet (10') above the average tree canopy height to a maximum of eighty feet (80'), measured from ground level.
e. Landscaping, Fencing, And Safety: Monopoles shall, at minimum, be landscaped as per the requirements of the zoning district in which they are located. If there are no buildings immediately adjacent to the monopole and equipment facilities, all monopoles and equipment facilities shall be surrounded by dense tree growth to screen view of the facility in all directions. The Planning Commission may require additional landscaping or fencing as part of the site plan approval. The climbing pegs shall be removed from the lower twenty feet (20') of the monopole.
f. Exception: Monopoles may be allowed in PUD zones without requiring a technical necessity exception if the following conditions are met:
(1) The PUD consists of at least one hundred (100) acres.
(2) The monopole and equipment facility are placed in an open space or common area within the PUD.
(3) The location must be in a mature landscape area to provide a screen and buffer. Alternatively, new landscaping must be provided around the proposed monopole or other types of screening that may be approved by the Community Development Director.
(4) Any proposed location, including all leased area for the wireless facility, will no longer be considered open space. Therefore, any proposed location must not reduce the open space below the minimum acreage for the development.
(5) The monopole and equipment facility must utilize stealth technology.
(6) The monopole shall not project higher than ten feet (10') above the average building height or average tree canopy up to a maximum of forty five feet (45'). The Community Development Director may increase the height beyond ten feet (10') above the tree canopy if it is determined that this will aid on compliance with stealth requirements. To provide for additional carriers, clustering of multiple poles of varying heights is encouraged.
(7) No antenna shall be located within one hundred sixty five feet (165') of a residential property line or residence. However, the Community Development Director may reduce the required setback from a residential property line or residence if the applicant demonstrates that the proposed facility would follow the City's standards for stealth applications more closely or if they can demonstrate other practical difficulties.
(8) The applicant must demonstrate a technical need (explained in simple terms) for the proposed monopole.
4. Wireless Telecommunication Facilities On Private Property: A technical necessity exception review by the Planning Commission may be required for wireless telecommunication facilities located on private property.
5. Additional Information: Information concerning the following shall be submitted by the applicant and considered by the Planning Commission for all technical necessity exception requests:
a. Compatibility of the proposed telecommunications facilities with the height, color and mass of existing buildings and utility structures.
b. Whether it is possible to locate the antenna on other existing structures with less aesthetic impact in the same vicinity such as other monopoles, small wireless facilities, buildings, utility poles, athletic field lights, parking lot lights, etc., without significantly impacting transmission or reception.
c. The location of the telecommunications facilities in relation to existing vegetation, topography, and buildings to obtain the best visual screening.
d. Whether the spacing between the proposed and existing telecommunications facilities creates detrimental impacts to adjoining properties or streetscapes.
e. Substantial existing or proposed landscaping, including tree cover, to reduce visibility of telecommunications facilities.
f. Whether the telecommunications facility complies with the City's general plan and the Design Standards.
I. Equipment Facilities: All equipment facilities shall be located in an existing building or designed whereby the incorporation of stealth design technology or other screening is utilized that readily conceals the appearance of the equipment facility. Small wireless facility H-frame pedestals are not considered equipment facilities. All power lines on the lot leading to the telecommunication facility shall be underground. If the Community Development Director does not require the applicant to place the equipment facility underground or utilize stealth design technology, then the telecommunications facility shall be fenced with a six foot (6') vinyl coated chainlink fence or other fencing and landscaping as approved or required by the Planning Commission.
J. Design Districts And Historic Resources Overlay Zone: Any telecommunications facility proposed within a Design District or Historic Resources Overlay Zone must meet the requirements of the overlay zone and the Design Standards. Telecommunication facilities proposed in these districts must be reviewed by the Director.
K. Prohibited: The following telecommunications facilities are not allowed in any zone district:
2. Whip antennas on wall mounted support structures.
3. Any telecommunications facility not specifically listed in the permitted use subsection or not in compliance with the requirements for a technical necessity exception.
L. Nonmaintained Or Abandoned Facilities: The Community Development Director may require each nonmaintained or abandoned telecommunications facility to be removed when such a telecommunications facility has not been repaired or put into use by the owner, person having control, or person receiving benefit of such structure within thirty (30) calendar days after notice of nonmaintenance or abandonment is given to the owner, person having control, or person receiving the benefit of such structure.
If the structure upon which an antenna is placed, including, but not limited to, a utility pole, water tank, light pole, or building is no longer used or is proposed by the owner or operator of that structure to be removed or replaced, the antenna must be removed within ninety (90) calendar days after notice from the City. Any replacement telecommunications facility, if necessary, is required to comply with the requirements herein or any subsequent amendment hereto.
M. Provider Requirements: It shall be the provider's sole responsibility to remove, relocate and maintain wireless telecommunication facilities. The following shall be included in this provision:
1. The provider shall, at its own expense, remove a wireless telecommunication facility and associated equipment that is no longer needed by the provider.
2. If the provider abandons a wireless telecommunication facility or damages the right-of-way the provider shall, at its own expense, restore the right-of-way to reasonable standards as determined by the City.
3. The provider shall, at its own expense, be responsible for the removal and relocation of equipment in areas that interfere with a City improvement project. The City shall provide written notice including a reasonable timeframe to remove or relocate the equipment.
4. The City shall provide written notice to the provider regarding removal, relocation, maintenance, damage or repair of a wireless telecommunication facility; if the provider fails to take the required action within the time frame stated on the written notice the City shall take the required action. The City shall provide documentation to the provider for the cost of the required action, and it shall be the responsibility of the provider to pay for costs associated with the required action.
N. Building Permits: Prior to the construction of any telecommunications facility, the applicant shall obtain building permits, road cut permits, and other permits as required by the City.
O. Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Illustrations: The following illustrations are referred to in this section. They are meant to demonstrate graphically the intent of this section.
(Ord. 18-17, 8-1-2018; amd. Ord. 18-26, 10-17-2018)