Wood Ridge City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIV
Satellite Earth Stations and Communication Towers
§ 530-95 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Includes all antennas and towers which are used for commercial purposes to receive and transmit radio signals along with all other associated structures.
[Added 6-16-1997 by Ord. No. 97-14]
Any apparatus, building or structure which is designed for the purpose of receiving and/or transmitting television, radio, microwave, satellite or similar signals in connection with what are commonly referred to as "dish-type antennas."
§ 530-96 Administration.
The provisions of this article shall be administered by the Construction Code Official of the Borough of Wood-Ridge.
§ 530-97 Submission of plan required; review and decision.
A.
Any property owner or person or entity in possession of property shall submit to the Construction Code Official, prior to the placement of a satellite earth station or communication tower, a plan showing the size of the satellite earth station or communication tower, the proposed location of the same on the subject premises and such other information as may be required herein.
[Amended 6-16-1997 by Ord. No. 97-14]
B.
The Construction Code Official shall review said plan and render a decision within 20 days of the submission of said plan or within such further time as may be consented to by the property owner or person in possession of property.
§ 530-98 Contents of plan.
The plan shall be drawn on a map to a scale not smaller than one inch equals 40 feet and not larger than one inch equals 10 feet and shall include and show the following information:
A.
The name and address of the applicant and the owner and the name, address and the title of the person or entity preparing the plan and accompanying data, the date of preparation and the dates of each revision, where applicable.
B.
An appropriate place for the signature of the Construction Code Official.
C.
The lot(s) and block number of the lot(s) from the Borough Tax Map and the length and bearings of the lot lines of the proposed project.
D.
The location, names and pavement and right-of-way width of all existing and proposed streets abutting the lot or lots in question, the property lines of all abutting properties, together with the names and addresses as disclosed on the Borough Tax Map and the tax rolls as of the date of the application, and the location of existing buildings within 200 feet of the site in question.
E.
All existing buildings and structures and all accessory buildings and structures on the lot, if any, with dimensions showing present and finished grade elevations at all corners.
F.
All existing and proposed setback dimensions and landscape areas.
G.
Existing and proposed plantings to provide screening as required by this article.
H.
Any and all other information necessary to meet any of the requirements of this article not listed above.
§ 530-99 Satellite earth station design standards.
A.
The diameter of satellite earth station antennas (parabolic dishes) shall not be greater than 13 feet 1 1/2 inches.
B.
The maximum height of antennas and mounting structure, measured vertically from the highest point of the antennas when positioned for operation, shall not be greater than 14 feet above the ground.
C.
In R-1, R-2 and R-3 Zoning Districts, satellite earth stations shall only be installed on ground level.
D.
A ground-level satellite earth station shall be no closer at any point than 13 feet to any side property line and no closer at any point than 20 feet to any rear property line.
E.
Ground-level satellite earth stations shall be located in the rear yard only.
F.
Satellite earth stations that are installed other than in R-1, R-2 and R-3 Zoning Districts shall be so installed as to not exceed the district height limitation, and any such installation shall be completed with appropriate architectural screening.
G.
Every satellite earth station shall be effectively screened by a special planting screen or fence (in accordance with § 530-32, Walls and fences), as approved by the Construction Code Official, which shall be maintained in good condition so that said satellite earth station shall not be readily visible from ground level of any adjacent property or public street.
H.
Power control and signal cables from or to the satellite earth station shall be underground and installed in accordance with the appropriate building code, if any.
§ 530-100 Communication tower design standards.
[Added 6-16-1997 by Ord. No. 97-14]
A.
Area, bulk and yard requirements.
(1)
The minimum front-yard setback shall be 50 feet or the height of the structure, whichever is greater.
(2)
The minimum rear-yard setback shall be 50 feet or the height of the structure, whichever is greater.
(3)
The minimum side-yard setback shall be 50 feet or the height of the structure, whichever is greater.
(4)
The maximum height of a structure shall be 90 feet, except that where more than one set of commercial transmitting/receiving antennas is co-located on a tower, the total height of the tower shall be not greater than 120 feet. This shall be measured as the overall height, including antennas.
B.
Locations permitted.
(1)
Communication towers are permitted only on property owned or leased by the Borough of Wood-Ridge.
(2)
The Borough of Wood-Ridge must consent to property being used for communications facilities.
(3)
No such facility shall be located within 300 feet of a residential zone or within 500 feet of a hospital, school or public recreation facility.
C.
Additional requirements.
(1)
All facilities shall be suitably secured. Chain fencing shall be required.
(2)
Site plan approval by the Wood-Ridge Planning Board shall be required.
(3)
In the event that such communication towers are abandoned or not operated for a period of one year, the same shall be removed, at the option of the Borough, at the sole expense of the operator.
(4)
Noise levels at any property line shall be not more than 50 decibels.
(5)
Site lighting shall be oriented inward toward the site to ward off side impact.
(7)
Any generator located on the site shall be within an equipment structure. All fuel shall be contained in accordance with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requirements.
(8)
Site clearing shall be minimized to preclude the removal of vegetation beyond that necessary to install and maintain the facility.
§ 530-101 Application fee; deposit.
The application fee for a permit to install a satellite earth station shall be in accordance with § 530-81B. In addition, the Construction Code Official may, in his discretion, require the deposit of a sum not to exceed $500 to cover the cost of review by sources deemed necessary by the Construction Code Official, such as the Borough Engineer, Borough Attorney or other Borough personnel. The Treasurer shall place the deposit in a trust account and shall charge all disbursements for said review services. Any unused portion of the deposit shall be returned to the applicant. If the cost of review services exceeds the amount of deposit, sufficient additional funds shall be deposited before any permit shall be issued.
§ 530-102 Violations and penalties. [1]
§ 530-103 Enforcement.
The Construction Code Official of the Borough of Wood-Ridge is hereby designated as the public officer charged with the enforcement of the terms of this article. All complaints for alleged violation of any of the terms of this article shall be submitted, in writing, to said Construction Code Official.