The Village Board of Trustees of the Incorporated
Village of Farmingdale has become concerned about the appearance,
health and safety of satellite antennas, commonly referred to as "disc
antennas." The Board finds that, unless regulated, such antennas can
be installed in an aesthetically unpleasant manner with an adverse
impact on surrounding properties. The intent and purpose of this article
is to establish a procedure and criteria to avoid the adverse impacts
of the installation of such antennas and to preserve the character,
beauty and general welfare of the Village.
No person shall cause, suffer or permit the
erection, construction, installation, relocation and/or maintenance
of any parabolic or hemispheric disc, tower or other similar antenna
or device, except as set forth herein.
All applications for permits shall be filed
with the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Farmingdale.
The application to the Zoning Board of Appeals shall describe the
present use of the premises. In addition, the application shall be
accompanied by the following: a location survey showing existing structures
upon the premises, their location and distance from the proposed disc
or antenna, the dimensions of the parabolic disc or antenna, the setbacks
of the parabolic disc or antenna from each property line and all properties
and structures within a two-hundred-foot radius of the premises, showing
the names and street addresses of the record owners of such property.
No application for a special use permit for
the erection, construction, installation, relocation or maintenance
of a parabolic disc or similar antenna shall be granted by the Board
of Zoning Appeals unless the following requirements are met:
A. Any parabolic disc or antenna shall be located at
ground level in the rear yard of any lot. If the applicant can show
an obstruction of the reception window for such disc or antenna, then
such installation shall be on a pedestal in the rear yard, the overall
height of which, including the height of the disc, shall not exceed
20 feet.
B. If the lot on which the applicant seeks to install
such device does not possess an adequate rear yard, only then may
such device be mounted on the roof of the building located on the
property. Such roof installation may require suitable screening of
opaque material to shield the device from public view from the nearest
public street if required by the Board of Zoning Appeals and shall
be located at the rear roof and not extend above the ridge of the
roof on a ridge roof building and not extend more than 10 feet above
a flat roof. When roof installation is permitted, such screening by
opaque materials shall be so constituted as not to obstruct the reception
window of such device.
C. Such installation shall at all times maintain a setback
from all property lines of at least 15 feet.
D. The diameter or width of any parabolic disc or antenna
shall not exceed 10 feet.
E. A landscape plan, illustrating adequate screening
of the parabolic disc or antenna which will be provided to screen
the parabolic disc or antenna from the roadway and adjoining property
owners, shall be required. All screening required shall be by coniferous
trees and shall be of sufficient height and density to screen 100%
of the parabolic disc or antenna from sight at ground level from the
roadway and from properties located within a two-hundred-foot radius
of the premises during the entire year; such screening shall be placed
to avoid interference with the reception window.
F. The term "reception window" shall mean the area within
the direct line between the land-based antenna and the orbiting satellites,
necessary for effective reception.
G. All connections shall be made so that wiring and supporting
cables will not be visible from the street.
H. No more than one parabolic, hemispheric or similar
antenna shall be erected, constructed, installed or maintained on
a single lot or premises.
I. The applicant shall, in writing, agree to maintain
and/or replace the screening as shown on the landscape plan. In the
event that the applicant fails or refuses to properly maintain the
screening, after notice to the applicant and a hearing before the
Board of Trustees, the Village may maintain or replace the screening,
or parts thereof, at the cost and expense of the property owner. Any
unreimbursed costs incurred by the Village will become assessed against
the property.
J. The applicant shall, in writing, agree to remove the
parabolic disc or antenna at its own expense if the applicant moves,
if the premises are sold or, in the case of a corporation, if there
is a transfer of 10% or more of the stock of the corporation, and
the applicant shall post a performance bond in an amount sufficient
to cover the cost of such removal.
K. A detailed plan showing the material from which the
parabolic disc or antenna is to be constructed and the proposed color
of the parabolic disc or antenna shall be required. Such color shall
be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals to provide harmonious blending
with existing building color.
L. A certification from an architect or professional
engineer that such installation is structurally sound, possessing
adequate structural integrity and will be permanently and effectively
grounded shall be required.
M. The parabolic disc or antenna shall not be illuminated.
N. The application fee shall be in an amount as shall
be set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees, with
a schedule of such fees to be maintained by the Village Clerk-Treasurer.
O. Such other information or data as may be required
by the Zoning Board of Appeals shall be included.
Prior to the public hearing held by the Zoning
Board of Appeals, the applicant shall file certification of notice
showing that all property owners within 200 feet of the applicant's
property were notified, in writing, by the applicant of his application,
by registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested, at
least 10 days and no more than 21 days before the date scheduled for
the public hearing.