§ 94-333. Review criteria.

(a)

Wireless communication permit level I and level II. Applications for wireless communication permits for level I and level II shall be evaluated based on the specific permit level requirements in this article and the following additional criteria:

(1)

The placement of antennas on buildings and other structures is encouraged and preferred over the installation of towers or monopoles. Where feasible, co-location of facilities and minimum number of antennas shall be evaluated to determine the proposed facility has been designed carefully.

(2)

If a facility is to be installed in or on a historic building or structure, a certificate of appropriateness is required pursuant to section 94-49. Additional measures shall be required so as to not alter the historic significance of the building or structure

(3)

Antennas should be screened or hidden from the public view by the following methods: designed as architectural elements, screened with enclosures or landscaping. Screening materials shall consist of materials and colors consistent with the surrounding backdrop, structure, and local character and/or textured to match the existing structure.

(4)

Where feasible, antennas can be placed directly above, below or incorporated with vertical design elements of a building to help in camouflaging. Antennas mounted on architecturally significant structures or architecturally significant details of the building should be covered with appropriate casings, which are manufactured to match existing architectural features found on the building.

(5)

All exposed cables, conduits and/or surface mounted wires shall be concealed or painted out to match the building.

(6)

Equipment shelters or cabinets shall be consistent with the general character of the neighborhood and historic character, if applicable.

(7)

Equipment shelters or cabinets shall be screened from the public view by using landscaping, or materials and colors consistent with the surrounding backdrop, or wrapping cabinets with site appropriate graphics.

(8)

Screening enclosures shall be allowed when the design is architecturally compatible with the building.

(9)

Lighting. Lighting of these facilities is not allowed.

(b)

Wireless communication permit level III and level IV. Applications for wireless communication permits for level III and level IV shall be evaluated based on: (i) the specific permit level requirements in this article; (ii) the standards for the applicable special use permit; and (iii) the following criteria:

(1)

Where feasible, co-location of facilities and minimum number of antennas shall be evaluated to determine whether and to the extent that the proposed facility has been designed carefully.

(2)

If the approving authority determines that the proposed additional service of non-broadcast facilities, coverage, or capacity to be achieved by the location of the proposed new wireless communications facility can be achieved by use of one or more alternative existing wireless communications facilities, it may disapprove the proposed antenna support facility application.

(3)

All exposed cables, conduits and/or surface mounted wires shall be concealed or painted out to match the building.

(4)

Equipment shelters or cabinets shall be consistent with the general character of the neighborhood and historic character if applicable.

(5)

Equipment shelters or cabinets shall be screened from the public view by using landscaping, or materials and colors consistent with the surrounding backdrop, structure and local character and/or wrapping cabinets with site appropriate graphics.

(6)

Screening enclosures shall be allowed when the design is architecturally compatible with the building.

(7)

The approving bodies in determining whether a wireless communications facility is in harmony with the area or the effects and general compatibility of a wireless communications facility with adjacent properties may consider the aesthetic effects of the tower as well as mitigating factors concerning aesthetics.

(8)

The approving bodies may disapprove an application on the grounds that the wireless communications facility's aesthetic effects are unacceptable, or may condition approval on changes in tower height, design, style, buffers, or other features of the wireless communications facility or its surrounding area. Such changes in non-broadcast installations need not result in performance identical to that of the original application.

(9)

Factors relevant to aesthetic effects are: the protection of the view in sensitive or particularly scenic areas and areas specially designated in adopted plans such as unique natural features, scenic roadways and historic sites; the concentration of towers in the proposed area; and whether the height, design, placement or other characteristics of the proposed tower could be modified to have a less intrusive visual impact.

(Ord. No. 4549-15, § 2(94-343), 6-8-2015)