Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/05/2015

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incorporated into the approved design of the tower, light fixtures used to illuminate ball fields, parking lots, or similar areas may be attached to the tower. (k) Signs and advertising. The use of any portion of a tower for signs other than warning or equipment information signs is prohibited. (I) Accessory utility buildings. All utility buildings and structures accessory to a tower shall be architecturally designed to blend in with the surrounding environment and shall meet the minimum setback requirements of the underlying zoning district. Ground -mounted equipment shall be screened from view by suitable vegetation, except where a design of non -vegetative screening better reflects and complements the architectural character of the surrounding neighborhood, as determined by the city council. Abandoned or unused towers or portions of towers. Abandoned or unused towers or portions of towers shall be removed as follows: (m) (1) All abandoned or unused towers and associated facilities shall be removed within 12 months of the cessation of operations at the site unless a time extension is approved by the city council. A copy of the relevant portions of a signed lease which requires the applicant to remove the tower and associated facilities upon cessation of operations at the site shall be submitted at the time of application. (2) Unused portions of towers above a manufactured connection shall be removed within 12 months of the time of antenna relocation. The replacement of portions of a tower previously removed requires the issuance of a new conditional use permit. (n) Antennas on roofs, walls and existing towers. (1) The placement of wireless telecommunication antennas on roofs, walls, and existing towers, utility poles and structures is permitted in any district, regardless of parcel size, provided the antenna does not extend more than 20 feet above the highest point of the structure or tower. The placement of wireless telecommunications antennas on roofs, walls, and existing towers or structures may be approved by the city engineer, provided the antennas meet the requirements of this Code, after submittal of a final site and building plan as specified by chapter 105, Buildings and Building Regulations, and a report prepared by a qualified and licensed professional engineer indicating the existing structure or tower's suitability to accept the antenna, and the proposed method of affixing the antenna to the structure. Complete details of all fixtures and couplings, and the precise point of attachment shall be indicated. (2) The replacement of an existing light pole or lighting standard in order to accommodate the placement of an antenna thereon shall be approved by issuance of a building permit based upon administrative review. (o) Interference with public safety telecommunications. No new or existing telecommunications service shall interfere with public safety telecommunications, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission. Before the introduction of new service or changes in existing service, telecommunication providers shall notify the city at least ten calendar days in advance of such changes and allow the city to monitor interference levels during the testing process. Additional submittal requirements. In addition to the information required elsewhere in this Code, development applications for towers shall include the following supplemental information: (1) A report from a qualified and licensed professional engineer which: a. Describes the tower height and design including a cross section and elevation; b. Documents the height above grade for all potential mounting positions for collocated antennas and the minimum separation distances between antennas; c. Describes the tower's capacity, including the number and type of antennas that it can accommodate; and d. Includes other information necessary to evaluate the request. (P) Page 5