The purpose of this article is to indicate the standards and
minimum requirements for exterior site and building design, access,
visibility, off-street parking and traffic circulation, off-street
loading, exterior lighting, exterior storage, fencing, private residential
swimming pools, vibration, noise, air pollution, odor, signal-receiving
antennas, glare and heat, fire and explosions, toxic or noxious materials,
waste materials, exterior construction material, hazardous materials,
and group and large developments within the jurisdiction of this chapter.
[Amended 4-17-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-02]
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to regulate the placement
and maintenance of communication towers in order to prevent the creation
of nuisances and promote the health, safety and general welfare of
the public.
B. Applicability. The requirements of this section apply to all communication towers as described in §
390-0311E of this chapter.
C. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
ANTENNA
Communications equipment that transmits and receives electromagnetic
radio signals and is used in the provision of mobile services.
CLASS 1 CO-LOCATION
The placement of a new mobile service facility on an existing
support structure such that the owner of the facility does not need
to construct a freestanding support structure for the facility but
does need to engage in substantial modification.
CLASS 2 CO-LOCATION
The placement of a new mobile service facility on an existing
support structure such that the owner of the facility does not need
to construct a freestanding support structure for the facility or
engage in substantial modification.
EQUIPMENT COMPOUND
An area surrounding or adjacent to the base of an existing
support structure within which are located mobile service facilities.
EXISTING STRUCTURE
A support structure that exists at the time a request for
permission to place mobile service facilities on a support structure
is filed with the Village.
MOBILE SERVICE FACILITY
The set of equipment and network components, including antennas,
transmitters, receivers, base stations, power supplies, cabling, and
associated equipment, that is necessary to provide mobile service
to a discrete geographic area but does not include the underlying
support structure.
SEARCH RING
A shape drawn on a map to indicate the general area in which
a mobile service support structure should be located to meet radio
frequency engineering requirements, taking into account other factors,
including topography and the demographics of the service area.
SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION
The modification of a mobile service support structure, including
the mounting of an antenna on such a structure, that does any of the
following:
(1)
For structures with an overall height of 200 feet or less, increases
the overall height of the structure by more than 20 feet.
(2)
For structures with an overall height of more than 200 feet,
increases the overall height of the structure by 10% or more.
(3)
Measured at the level of the appurtenance added to the structure
as a result of the modification, increases the width of the support
structure by 20 feet or more, unless a larger area is necessary for
co-location.
(4)
Increases the square footage of an existing equipment compound
to a total area of more than 2,500 square feet.
SUPPORT STRUCTURE
An existing or new structure that supports or can support
a mobile service facility, including a mobile service support structure,
utility pole, water tower, building or other structure.
D. Review and Approval. Through both the site plan review process (§
390-1206) and the conditional use process (§
390-1207), the Plan Commission shall be responsible to have authority to hear, review and act upon all proposed new communication towers and all Class 1 co-locations.
E. Class 2 co-location.
(1)
Application. If an applicant submits to the Village Clerk an
application for a permit to engage in a Class 2 co-location, the application
shall contain the following: the name and business address of, and
the contact individual for, the applicant; the location of the affected
support structure; and the location of the proposed mobile service
facility. A fee as set by resolution of the Village Board but not
to exceed $500 or other monetary amount as set by § 66.0404(4)(d),
Wis. Stats. shall also be submitted with the application. After such
information is obtained, the application shall be considered complete.
If any of the required information is not in the application, the
Zoning Administrator shall notify the applicant, in writing, within
five days of receiving the application, that the application is not
complete. The written notification shall specify in detail the required
information that was incomplete. An applicant may resubmit an application
as often as necessary until it is complete.
(2)
Determination. Within 45 days of its receipt of a complete application,
the Zoning Administrator shall complete all of the following or the
applicant may consider the application approved, except that the applicant
and the Zoning Administrator may agree, in writing, to an extension
of the forty-five-day period:
(a)
Make a final decision whether to approve or disapprove the application.
(b)
Notify the applicant, in writing, of its final decision.
(c)
If the application is approved, issue the applicant the relevant
permit.
(d)
If the decision is to disapprove the application, include with
the written notification substantial evidence which supports the decision.
(3)
A party who is aggrieved by the final decision of the Zoning
Administrator may bring an action in the Circuit Court of Walworth
County.
F. Class 1 co-location and new construction.
(1)
Conditional use permit. A conditional use shall be allowed only after approval by the Plan Commission and issuance of a conditional use permit in accordance with the procedures listed in Subsection
F(2) through
(6).
(2)
application. An applicant shall submit to the Village Clerk
a conditional use permit application along with the following information:
(a)
The name and business address of, and the contact individual
for, the applicant.
(b)
The location of the proposed or affected support structure.
(c)
The location of the proposed mobile service facility.
(d)
A plan for Walworth County-wide coverage of the provider's antenna
locations for existing and proposed towers, containing all of the
following information: tower height and design, including a cross
section and elevation; location of tower and support structure(s),
equipment buildings, security structures, vegetation, lot lines, access
road(s) and other significant features; and height above grade for
all potential mounting positions and collocated antennas and minimum
separation distances between antennas;
(e)
A site plan containing all of the following information: tower
capacity, including the number and type of antennas it can accommodate;
steps the applicant will take to avoid interference with established
public safety telecommunications; proof the proposed tower/antenna
complies with the regulations set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC); proof provided
by a qualified and licensed professional engineer that the tower/antenna
meets all applicable structural and electrical standards and requirements;
and engineer's stamp and registration number.
(f)
If the application is to substantially modify an existing support
structure, a construction plan which describes the proposed modifications
to the support structure and the equipment and network components,
including antennas, transmitters, receivers, base stations, power
supplies, cabling, and related equipment associated with the proposed
modifications.
(g)
If the application is to construct a mobile service support
structure, a construction plan which describes the proposed mobile
service support structure and the equipment and network components,
including antennas, transmitters, receivers, base stations, power
supplies, cabling and related equipment to be placed on or around
the new mobile service support structure.
(h)
If the application is to construct a new mobile service support
structure, an explanation as to why the applicant chose the proposed
location and why the applicant did not choose co-location, including
a sworn statement from an individual who has responsibility over the
placement of the mobile service support structure attesting that co-location
within the applicant's search ring would not result in the same mobile
service functionality, coverage, and capacity, is technically infeasible,
or is economically burdensome to the mobile service provider.
(i)
An application fee as set by resolution of the Village Board
but not to exceed $3,000, or other monetary amount as set by § 66.0404(4)(d),
Wis. Stats.
(3)
Application complete. The Zoning Administrator shall provide
written notice to the applicant as to the completeness of the application
within ten (10) days of receipt of said application by the Village.
If the application is deemed incomplete by the Zoning Administrator,
said notice shall specifically describe additional application materials
required by the Village.
(4)
Application review.
(a)
Upon receipt of the conditional use permit application from
the applicant, the Clerk shall provide notification, by postal mail,
to the parties of interest and all landowners and the clerk of any
local government unit within 1,000 feet of the lot identified for
the conditional use in the application, and shall publish a Class
2 Legal Notice, in accordance with § 985, Wis. Stats, listing
the time and place of a public hearing at which the conditional use
permit application will be reviewed by the Plan Commission and the
proposed conditional use and its location, with said postal mail notification
post marked 14 days prior to said hearing.
(b)
The Plan Commission shall review a conditional use permit application for compliance with this section at a public hearing within 90 days of receipt of a complete application, in accordance with Subsection
F(3) above, to ensure said application is in accordance with the following requirements:
[1] Siting and construction of towers and antennas,
and necessary associated buildings, structures, and equipment (hereafter,
collectively "appurtenances") shall balance the federal interest (Sec.
704 Telecommunications Act of 1996) regarding telecommunications towers
and antennas with the Village interest in regulating land uses within
its borders;
[2] Siting and construction of towers, antennas, and
appurtenances shall be done in a manner so as to protect other uses
from the potential adverse impacts of said antennas, towers, and appurtenances,
encourage co-location, minimize adverse visual impact through design,
landscaping, visual screening and camouflaging techniques, consider
the health and safety of antennas, towers, and appurtenances, and
avoid potential damage to property or individuals due to tower/antenna
mechanical failure;
[3] Siting and construction of towers, antennas, and
appurtenances shall comply with all applicable Walworth County, state,
and federal building codes, as well as applicable standards for towers
and antennas published by the Electronic Industries Association;
[4] Siting and construction of towers, antennas, and
appurtenances shall be in a manner so as to blend in, to the fullest
extent possible, with the character of adjacent and proximate lands
and not be readily visible, except as may be required by the Federal
Aeronautics Administration or Federal Communications Commission;
[5] Towers shall be monopole design unless recommended
otherwise by the Village Engineer. Options for alternate designs shall
be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Towers utilizing guy wires
are not allowed;
[6] Towers shall be designed structurally, electronically,
and in all respects to accommodate the applicant's antenna and comparable
antenna for up to two additional uses, to allow for future rearrangement
of antennas upon the tower and to accept antennas mounted at varying
heights;
[7] Towers shall not be artificially lighted unless
required by the Federal Aeronautics Administration or other applicable
authority and, if lighting is required, it shall be designed in a
manner so as to cause the least amount of disturbance as possible
to any affected viewshed or property owners;
[8] Towers shall comply with the obstruction and marking
requirements of the Federal Aeronautics Administration in cooperation
with the Federal Communications Commission and if dual lighting systems
are proposed for use, white strobe lighting only shall be used during
daylight hours and red strobe lighting only shall be utilized during
night hours;
[9] No signs, other than warning or equipment information
signs, shall be located on a tower;
[10] Towers shall be set back from lot lines, easements,
and streets (roads) a minimum of 105% of the tower's height, including
antennas and lights, except as modified by § 66.0404(2)(g),
Wis. Stats. If any portion of a lot is being leased for the tower,
the boundary of the leased area shall be considered the lot line.
Appurtenances shall comply with the requirements of the zoning district
in which they are located;
[11] A tower's minimum and maximum height shall be
as follows:
[a] Monopole: 200 feet or more;
[b] Monopole and self-support: 201 feet to 300 feet;
[c] Monopole and guy wire: 301 feet or greater;
[12] A tower shall be sited not less than 5,280 feet
from another, whether located in the Village or an adjacent local
government unit, unless for reasons beyond the applicant's control,
such as unusual or unique topography, with distances between towers
measured by a straight line between the base of the towers;
[13] Towers and antennas shall be shielded, filtered,
and grounded in a manner consistent with Federal Communications Commission
and the Electronic Industries Association guidelines so as to minimize
the possibility of interference with locally received transmissions;
[14] Appurtenances shall be placed underground if feasible
given site conditions and screened from view by suitable vegetation,
except where a design of nonvegetative screening better reflects and
complements the character of the surrounding area. The tower base
and appurtenances shall be fenced with materials impervious to sight
and secured so as to make the site inaccessible to the general public.
Fencing shall not exceed six feet in height and shall be painted or
coated in nonreflective material;
[15] The applicant shall demonstrate that the equipment
planned for the proposed tower cannot be accommodated on an existing
tower. The Village may determine that it is necessary to consult with
a third party considering the feasibility of accommodating said equipment
on an existing tower, with all reasonable costs and expenses associated
with such consultation borne by the applicant. The applicant may provide
names to the Village of qualified third-party consultants. The consultant
shall undertake due diligence and provide a report with sufficient
data to substantiate all of the following:
[a] No existing towers are located within the geographic
region required to meet the applicant's engineering requirements;
[b] Existing towers are not of sufficient height to
meet the engineering requirements;
[c] Existing towers do not have the structural capacity
to support the applicant's proposed equipment, and the existing tower
cannot be reinforced, modified, or replaced to accommodate said equipment
at a reasonable cost;
[d] Locating new equipment on an existing tower would
cause interference affecting the usability of the other existing or
planned equipment at the tower, or the existing equipment would cause
interference with the applicant's proposed equipment and the interference
cannot be prevented at a reasonable cost; and
[e] The fees, cost, or contractual provisions required
to share an existing tower are cost prohibitive;
[16] Antennas mounted on buildings or structures not
built specifically for the purpose of mounting said antennas shall
meet all of the following:
[a] No antenna, including all mounting structures,
lights, and any additional equipment, shall exceed 10 feet above the
roof surface upon which it is mounted;
[b] No more than four nonreflective panel antennas
shall be installed, with the total area of antennas per provider not
to exceed 1,440 square inches, and no single antenna to exceed 480
square inches;
[c] All antennas and support buildings/structures shall
be screened from view and architecturally compatible with the building
or structure on which it is mounted; and
[d] All equipment enclosures shall be located underground,
if site conditions permit, or located within the building/structure
on which the antenna is mounted, and said equipment shall be architecturally
compatible with the building/structure;
[17] The tower owner shall offer space for additional
antennas at current market rates, if co-location is undertaken; and
[18] The application shall comply with all applicable
aspects of the Village's Building Code and Zoning Ordinances.
(5)
Recommendation and action. After review and public hearing,
the Plan Commission shall take action no later than 90 days from the
date which the applicant was notified that the application was complete
to approve, approve with conditions, or deny with substantial evidence
the conditional use permit application.
(6)
Issuance or denial notification.
(a)
The applicant shall be notified, in writing, of the final decision
within 10 days of the Plan Commission's action. If the Plan Commission's
decision is to disapprove the application, a written notification
with substantial evidence which supports such decision shall be sent
to the applicant.
(b)
If the conditional use permit application is approved, it shall
be subject to all of the following:
[1] A performance bond in the amount of $20,000 to
guarantee that the tower/antenna and appurtenances will be removed
when no longer in operation. The Village will be named as obligee
in the bond and must approve the bonding company; and
[2] Stipulation of submittal of a "Tower/Antenna Annual
Information Review Report" (hereafter, "report"), on a form provided
by the Village, on or before January 31 of each year. The purpose
of the report is to provide the Village with accurate current information
concerning the tower/antenna owner(s) and provider(s) offering or
providing wireless communication services within the Village and information
on the wireless communication tower facilities so operated or utilized
so as to assist the Village in administration and enforcement of this
section and ensure Village compliance with Village, Walworth County,
state and federal standards and requirements. The report shall include
all of the following: tower/antenna owner and operator name(s), address(es),
phone number(s), and relevant contact person(s); proof of bond and
proof of insurance; and number of co-location positions designated,
occupied, or vacant in the Village and evidence of compliance with
this section.
(c)
The Plan Commission may disapprove an application if an applicant refuses to evaluate the feasibility of co-location within the applicant's search ring and provide the sworn statement described in Subsection
F(2)(h).
(d)
A party who is aggrieved by the final decision of the Plan Commission
may bring an action in the Circuit Court of Walworth County.
G. Abandonment. Any tower or antenna not in operation for a continuous
period of 12 months shall be deemed abandoned. The Village shall provide
said tower and antenna owner written notice requiring removal of the
tower, antenna, and associated buildings and structures (hereafter,
collectively "appurtenances") within 90 days of receipt by the owner
of said notice. If the owner wishes to resume tower or antenna use
after the tower or antenna has been deemed abandoned, the owner shall
apply for a new conditional use permit in accordance with the application
process identified in this section. If a new tower and antenna conditional
use permit is denied in accordance with said application process,
the tower or antenna owner shall remove the tower, antenna, and appurtenances
within 90 days of denial action, with the owner restoring the area
on which the tower, antenna, and appurtenances were located to the
manner existing prior to installation. If the tower, antenna, and
appurtenances are not removed within said ninety-day period, they
shall be removed by the Village at the owner's expense. If a single
tower is utilized by two or more entities, this provision shall not
become effective until all said entities cease operation.
H. Inspection. All towers or antennas issued a conditional use permit
in accordance with this section may be inspected annually by the Zoning
Administrator to determine compliance with this section and any other
applicable laws or regulations. Deviation from original construction
parameters for which the conditional use permit was issued shall constitute
a violation.
[Added 1-15-2024 by Ord. No. 2023-14]
In addition to any other applicable use, site, or sanitary regulation,
the following restrictions and regulations shall apply to all shore
yard, defined as all land lying within 150 feet of the ordinary high-water
mark of any lake and all lands lying within 75 feet of the ordinary
high-water mark of navigable rivers or streams, or the landward side
of the floodplain, whichever is greater. Rivers and streams shall
be presumed to be navigable if they are designated as either continuous
or intermittent waterways on the United States Geological Survey quadrangle
maps or other zoning base maps. If evidence to the contrary is presented,
the Village Zoning Administrator shall make the initial determination
whether or not the river or stream in question is navigable under
laws of this state. The Village Zoning Administrator shall contact
the appropriate district DNR office for a determination of navigability
or ordinary high-water mark. Flood Hazard Boundary Maps, or Flood
Insurance Study Maps (or soil maps or other existing county maps used
to delineate floodplain areas which have been adopted by Walworth
County) shall be used to determine the extent of the floodplain of
rivers or streams.
A. Tree cutting, shrubbery clearing, and earth movements shall require
a zoning permit and a conservation plan. In addition, tree cutting
and shrubbery removal shall require a tree removal permit issued by
the Tree Commissioner. The Zoning Administrator may, where appropriate,
require an applicant to furnish a surety to enable the Village carry
out an approved land conservation plan. The amount of such surety
shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator and the form and type
of all sureties shall be approved by the Village Board. The Zoning
Administrator may, as appropriate, request a review of the proposed
cutting, clearing, or earth movement activity by the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service, or other appropriate agency, and await their comments and
recommendations before issuing a zoning permit but not to exceed 30
days. All cutting, clearing, and earth movement activities shall be
so conducted as to prevent erosion and sedimentation and preserve
the natural beauty of the shore yard. Paths and trails shall not exceed
10 feet in width and shall be so designed and constructed as to result
in the least removal and disruption of natural ground cover and the
minimum impairment of natural beauty. In the strip of land 35 feet
wide inland from the ordinary high-water mark, no more than 30 feet
in any 100 or the same proportion of a smaller lot shall be clear-cut.
(1)
Tree cutting and shrubbery clearing shall be subject to and governed by the provisions of §
331-2.
(2)
Beyond the thirty-five-foot strip, a zoning permit shall be
required with conservation plans for projects within 300 feet of the
OHWM (ordinary high-water mark) and which are either:
(b)
Larger than 1,000 square feet on slopes of 12% to 20%; or
(c)
Larger than 2,000 square feet on slopes less than 12%.
B. Required setbacks. Except as otherwise specified in this chapter,
all structures, shall require a setback of at least 150 feet from
the ordinary high-water mark, although a greater setback may be required
where otherwise regulated by more restrictive ordinances.
(1)
Structures which require authorization or permits from the DNR
pursuant to Chapters 30 and 31, Wis. Stats., or which are to be located
below the ordinary high-water mark, namely bridges, dams, culverts,
piers, wharves, shoreland riprap, navigational aids, and waterway
crossings of transmission lines, shall comply with all applicable
federal, state, county and local regulations.
C. Permitted intrusions into required shore yards. Intrusions into shore yards are permitted only in compliance with the requirements of §
390-0505C.
D. Stairway, walkway, lift, piers, and wharves. Stairway, lift and walkway
and that portion of piers and wharves landward of the ordinary high-water
mark are exempted from the shore yard setback requirements, provided
that the structure is necessary to access the shoreline because of
steep slopes or wet, unstable soils. Further, the structure shall
be located so as to minimize earth-disturbing activities and shoreland
vegetation removal during construction. The structure shall be no
more than 48 inches wide; open railings are permitted only where required
by safety concerns; canopies, roofs, and closed railings/walls on
such structures are prohibited; landings for stairways or docks are
permitted only where required by safety concerns and shall not exceed
25 feet in area.
E. Retaining walls. Retaining walls and terracing may only be allowed
as a conditional use in the shore yard setback area where the applicant
can successfully prove that there is a current erosion problem that
cannot be remedied by resloping and revegetation of the area or other
means consistent with natural shoreline aesthetics. Walls and terracing
may only be allowed to the extent that they resolve a continuing erosion
problem and shall not be used to provide level outdoor living space
in the near-shore area.
F. Earth movements involving stream course changing, waterway construction or enlargement, channel clearing, or removal of stream or lake bed materials are conditional uses requiring review, public hearing, and approval by the Village Board in accordance with §
390-1207. However, such earth movements having a DNR permit under Chapter 30 of the Wisconsin Statutes are exempt from this provision.
G. No waste materials such as garbage, rubbish, gasoline, fuel oil,
flammables, soils, tars, chemicals, greases, industrial or agricultural
waste, or any other material of such nature, quantity, obnoxiousness,
toxicity or temperature so as to contaminate, pollute or harm the
waters shall be so located, stored, or discharged in a way that would
be likely to run off, seep, or wash into surface or ground waters.