As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below:
ANTENNA
Any exterior transmitting or receiving device mounted on
a tower, building or structure and used in communications that radiate
or capture electromagnetic waves, digital signals, analog signals,
radio frequencies (excluding radar signals), wireless telecommunications
signals or other communications signals.
APPROVING AUTHORITY
The Land Use Board in accordance with applicable Township
Code provisions and applicable state and federal law.
BACKHAUL NETWORK
The lines that connect a provider's towers/cell sites to
one or more cellular telephone switching offices and/or long distance
providers or the public switched telephone network.
FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission.
GUYED
A tower which is supported or braced through the use of cables
(guy wires) which are permanently anchored.
HEIGHT
When referring to a tower or other antenna structure, the
distance measured from the lowest finished grade of the base of the
tower or other antenna structure to the highest point on the tower
or other antenna structure (excluding a lightening rod), including
the base pad and any antenna.
PREEXISTING TOWERS AND PREEXISTING ANTENNAS
Any tower or antenna for which a construction permit or other
permit has been properly issued prior to the effective date of this
article, including permitted towers or antennas that have not yet
been constructed so long as such approval is current and not expired.
[Amended 8-11-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-17]
STEALTH DESIGN
The use of man-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, light
poles and other similar alternative-design mounting structures to
camouflage and/or conceal the presence of antennas or towers.
TOWER
Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily
for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas for telephone,
radio and similar communication purposes, including self-supporting
lattice towers, guyed towers or monopole towers. Guyed towers are
not permitted within the Township. The term includes, but is not limited
to, radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common-carrier
towers, cellular telephone towers, alternative tower structures and
the like. The term also includes the structure and any support thereto.
The following provisions shall govern the issuance
of approvals for towers or antennas by the approving authority:
A. Any information of an engineering nature that the
applicant submits, whether civil, mechanical or electrical, shall
be certified by a licensed professional engineer.
B. An applicant for approvals for towers or antennas
shall submit a nonrefundable application fee and an escrow deposit
as follows:
C. The application fee and escrows shall be paid as required in Chapter
225, Fees, of the Code of the Township of Franklin.
Nonconforming towers or antennas that are damaged
or destroyed to the extent that the preexisting, nonconforming use
or structure protections no longer apply under law may not be rebuilt
except in compliance with the provisions of this article, including
separation provisions.
Any antenna or tower that is not operated for
a continuous period of six months shall be considered abandoned, and
the owner of such antenna or tower shall remove same within 90 calendar
days of receipt of notice from the Township of Franklin notifying
the owner of such abandonment. Failure to remove an abandoned antenna
or tower within such 90 calendar days shall be grounds for the Township
to require removal of the tower or antenna at the owner's expense.
If there are two or more users of a single tower, then this provision
shall not become effective until all users cease using the tower.