As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ANTENNA
Any system of wires, rods, discs, panels, flat panels, dishes,
whips, or other similar devices used for the transmission or reception
of wireless signals. An antenna may include an omnidirectional antenna
(rod) directional antenna (panel), parabolic antenna (disc) or any
other wireless antenna. An antenna does not include tower-based wireless
communications facilities as defined below.
CO-LOCATION or CO-LOCATED
The mounting of one or more wireless communication facilities,
including antennas, on an existing tower-based wireless communications
facility, or on any structure that already supports at least one nontower
wireless communication facility.
DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEMS (DAS)
A network of spatially separated antenna sites connected
to a common source that provides wireless service within a geographic
area or structure.
FCC
Federal Communications Commission.
HEIGHT OF A TOWER-BASED WCF
The vertical distance measured from the ground level, including
any base pad, to the highest point on a tower-based wireless communication
facility, including antennas mounted on the tower and any other appurtenances.
MONOPOLE
A wireless communication facility that consists of a single
pole structure, designed and erected on the ground or on top of a
structure, to support communications antennas and connecting appurtenances.
NONTOWER WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY (NONTOWER WCF)
All nontower wireless communications facilities, including,
but not limited to, antennas and related equipment. Nontower wireless
communication facilities shall not include support structures for
antennas or any related equipment that is mounted to the ground or
at ground level.
RELATED EQUIPMENT
Any piece of equipment related to, incidental to, or necessary
for, the operation of tower-based wireless communication facilities
or nontower wireless communication facilities, including, but not
limited to, generators and base stations.
RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW)
The surface of and space above and below any real property
in which the federal, state or Township government has a regulatory
interest, or interest as a trustee for the public, as such interests
now or hereafter exist, including, but not limited to, all streets,
highways, avenues, roads, alleys, sidewalks, tunnels, viaducts, bridges,
skyways, and any unrestricted public or utility easements established,
dedicated, platted, improved or devoted for utility purposes, but
excluding lands other than streets. The phrase "in the rights-of-way"
means in, on, over, along, above and/or under the rights-of-way.
STEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Camouflaging methods applied to wireless communication facilities,
antennas and other facilities which render them more visually appealing
or blend the proposed facility into the existing structure or visual
backdrop in such a manner as to render it minimally visible to the
casual observer. Such methods include, but are not limited to, architecturally
screened roof-mounted antennas, building-mounted antennas painted
to match the existing structure and facilities constructed to resemble
trees, shrubs, and light poles.
SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGE or SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE
A.
Any increase in the height of a wireless support structure by
more than 10%, or by the height of one additional antenna array with
separation from the nearest existing antenna not to exceed 20 feet,
whichever is greater, except that the mounting of the proposed wireless
communications facility may exceed the size limits set forth in the
Township Code or in the Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation
Act if necessary to avoid interference with existing antennas;
or
B.
Any further increase in the height of a wireless support structure
which has already been extended by more than 10% of its originally
approved height or by the height of one additional antenna array.
Substantial change may also include a certain size increase as defined
by the Federal Communications Commission with regard to related equipment.
TOWER-BASED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY (TOWER-BASED WCF)
Any structure that is used for the purpose of supporting
one or more antennas, including, but not limited to, self-supporting
lattice towers, guy towers, monopoles, utility poles and ground-based
distributed antenna systems facility structures. Distributed antenna
systems' hub facilities are also considered to be tower-based
wireless communications facilities.
WBCA
Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation Act (53 P.S.
§ 11702.1 et seq.)
WIRELESS
Transmissions through the airwaves, including, but not limited
to, infrared line of sight, cellular, PCS, microwave, satellite, or
radio signals.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY (WCF)
The antennas, nodes, control boxes, towers, poles, conduits,
ducts, pedestals, electronics and other equipment used for the purpose
of transmitting, receiving, distributing, providing, or accommodating
wireless communications services.
WIRELESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE
A freestanding structure, such as a tower-based wireless
communications facility, utility pole, or any other structure that
could support the placement or installation of a wireless communications
facility, if approved by the Township.