Chapter 25.85 -T TELECOMMUNICATION TOWER OVERLAY ZONE


Section 25.85.050 Standards for telecommunication towers.

    1. Bulk regulations.
        a . Height.  The maximum height that may be approved for a telecommunication tower as part of a –T Telecommunication Tower Overlay Zone is 200 feet, except that a tower up to 250 feet in height may be approved by the city council if they determine that the increased height of the tower:
            (1) Will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare.
            (2) Will not have a substantial negative effect upon neighboring properties.
            (3) Is in conformity with the intent and purpose of the zoning ordinance and the general plan of the community.
            (4) Does not alter the obligation to comply with other applicable laws or regulations.
        b. Setbacks.  
            (1) Telecommunication towers shall be set back the greater distance of:
                (a) The setback requirements of the underlying zone;
                (b) 200 feet from any residentially zoned or used property;
                (c) 25 percent of the height of the tower; or
                (d) The distance specified as a potential hazard area by the designer of the structure.
            (2) Guy wire anchors and accessory structures shall not encroach into the required setbacks for principal structures in the underlying zoning district/
    2. Parking requirements.
        a. One parking/loading space shall be required to serve a telecommunication tower site.  
        b. If the site is more than 100 feet from a paved road, hard-surfacing of parking/loading spaces and driveways shall not be required for those portions of the site lying more than 100 feet from any paved road.
    3. Tower design.
        a. All telecommunication towers shall meet or exceed current published EIA/TIA structural standards and shall have adequate load bearing capacity to carry the antennas of three similar providers.
        b. Lattice-work trussed or guy-wired towers may be allowed in the MA, ML and MH zones.  Free-standing, monopole tower structures shall be allowed in any base zoning district, but lattice work or guy-wired tower may be approved by the city council as part of the development plan required for approval of a -T overlay zone if they determine that the type of tower construction:
            (1) Will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare.
            (2) Will not have a substantial negative effect upon neighboring properties.
            (3) Is in conformity with the intent and purpose of the zoning ordinance and the general plan of the community.
            (4) Does not alter the obligation to comply with other applicable laws or regulations.
        c. Stealth and/or camouflage design of towers and antennas may be required to reduce the visual impact of the structure.
    4. Lighting.  Telecommunication towers shall only be illuminated as required by FCC and/or FAA. Security lighting around the base of a tower must be shielded so that no light is directed towards adjacent properties or rights-of-way.
    5. Screening.  An opaque screen at least 8 feet in height must surround the base of a telecommunication tower.  The screening should also include landscaping provisions for any portions of the development visible from adjacent residentially zoned or used property or public rights-of-way.  The use of barbed wire or other security measure shall be allowed only as specifically approved in the development plan. Screening requirements may be waived if the design of the tower is found to be compatible with the adjacent land uses.  
    6. Removal of abandoned towers.  A tower that is not used for a period of twelve consecutive months, or that has not been inspected pursuant to subsection 7 below, shall be considered abandoned, and the owner shall remove the tower from the property within 90 days of receipt of notice from the zoning administrator. An abandoned tower that is not removed within the 90 day period is a public nuisance, and the city shall take actions to abate the nuisance by removal and assess the costs thereof to the property.
    7. Inspections.  Telecommunication towers shall be inspected by a qualified tower inspection service once every 36 months by the owner, operator, or his representative to assess the structural condition of the tower and support equipment.  An inspection report shall be prepared and filed with the Inspection Services Division.  Said report shall certify that the tower continues to meet or exceed the current published EIA/TIA structural standards and is in sound and safe operating condition. (Ord. 2001-0364; 2001-0219)