[Added 12-7-2011 by Ord. No. 84]
B.Â
COMMUNICATION ANTENNA
COMMUNICATION TOWER
HEIGHT OF A COMMUNICATION TOWER
STRUCTURE
Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
Any device used for the transmission or reception of radio,
television, wireless telephone, pager, commercial mobile radio service
or any other wireless communications signals including, without limitation,
omnidirectional or whip antennas and directional or panel antennas,
owned or operated by any person or entity licensed by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to operate such device. This definition
shall not include private residence-mounted satellite dishes or television
antennas, or amateur radio equipment including, without limitation,
ham or citizen band radio antennas.
A structure other than a building, such as a monopole or
self-supporting metal-lattice tower, designed and used to support
communication antennas.
The vertical distance measured from the ground level to the
highest point on a communication tower, including communication antennas
mounted on the communication tower.
Anything built, constructed or erected which requires location
on the ground or attachment to something located on the ground.
C.Â
Application.
(1)Â
New communication antennas or communication towers. All new communication
antennas and communication towers in the Township shall be subject
to these regulations, except as otherwise provided herein.
(2)Â
Preexisting communication antennas and communication towers. All
preexisting communication antennas and communication towers shall
not be required to meet the requirements of this article.
D.Â
General requirements. All communication towers shall be subject to
the following general requirements:
(1)Â
Communication towers shall be set back from lot lines a minimum of
100% of the height of the communication tower or the distance between
the communication tower base and guide wire anchors or the minimum
yard or perimeter setback requirement, whichever is greater.
(2)Â
A buffer area shall be provided at the site perimeter. The buffer
area shall include evergreen trees at a minimum of six feet in height
with a sufficient density to provide a substantially opaque visual
screen.
(3)Â
The maximum height of a communication tower shall be 200 feet.
(4)Â
The applicant shall demonstrate that the communication tower height
is a minimum height required to function satisfactorily. No communication
tower that is taller than the minimum height necessary to function
satisfactorily shall be approved.
(5)Â
All communication towers shall be painted silver or have a galvanized
finish retained in order to reduce a visual impact. Structures may
be painted green up to the height of nearby trees. Communication towers
and all structures near airports shall meet all Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation, Bureau of Aviation and Federal Aviation Administration
Regulations. No communication tower may be artificially lighted except
as provided for and required by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Bureau of Aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration.
(6)Â
Existing on-site vegetation shall be preserved to the maximum extent
possible.
(7)Â
All communication towers shall be securely anchored in a fixed location
on the ground and the applicant shall provide qualified evidence by
a registered engineer that the proposed structure will withstand wind
and other forces known to affect such installations.
(8)Â
All communication towers shall be fitted with anticlimbing devices
as approved by the manufacturers.
(9)Â
A security chain-link-style fence shall be erected around the communication
tower and all structures and/or ancillary equipment. The fence shall
be a minimum of six feet in height with a one-foot barbed wire extension.
(10)Â
In order to reduce the number of communication towers needed
in the community, the support structure shall be required to accommodate
other uses, including other communication companies, and local police,
fire, ambulance services, municipal authority and road departments.
In addition, a linear two mile separation shall be maintained between
communication towers, measured from the base of the support structure.
(11)Â
Access shall be provided to the communication tower and structures
by means of a public street or recorded easement to a public street.
Any easement shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width.
(12)Â
The applicant shall demonstrate, using technological evidence
that the communication tower and communication antenna must go where
it is proposed in order to satisfy its function.
(13)Â
If a communication tower is not used for one year, then the
communication tower must be removed by the lessee or landowner.
(14)Â
The communication tower and proposed use shall comply with all
applicable federal and state regulations governing the construction
of such structures, including but not limited to, painting and lighting
standards.
E.Â
Approval process.
(1)Â
A land development plan shall be required for all communication towers.
The land development plan shall fully comply with this chapter and
show the communication towers, communication antennas, buildings,
fences, buffering, access to public rights-of-way and all other required
items. The land development plan shall not be required if the communication
antenna is mounted to an existing structure.
(2)Â
The applicant must also submit a statement on the land development
plan stating that:
(3)Â
In approving the land development plan, the Township may attach reasonable
conditions warranted to protect the public health, safety and welfare,
including but not limited to, location, fencing, screening, increased
setbacks and right to use the proposed facilities for public purposes.
