Applicants proposing to construct wireless telecommunications antennas
shall present documentary evidence regarding the need for wireless
antennas within the Borough of Keansburg. This information shall identify
the wireless network layout and coverage areas to demonstrate the
need for such equipment within the Borough.
Applicants proposing to construct wireless telecommunications antennas
shall document the locations of all existing communications towers
within Keansburg Borough and surrounding area with coverage in the
Borough and shall provide competent testimony by a radio frequency
engineer regarding the suitability of such tower locations in light
of the design of the wireless telecommunications network. Wireless
telecommunications antennas shall be located and approved in accordance
with the following prioritized locations:
The first priority shall be existing wireless communications towers,
including those owned by Keansburg Borough, within any nonresidential
district in the municipality.
An applicant proposing to erect a new wireless telecommunications
tower shall provide documentary evidence that a legitimate attempt
has been made to locate the antennas on existing buildings or structures.
Such evidence shall include a radio frequency engineering analysis
of the potential suitability of existing buildings or structures in
the search for such antennas. Efforts to secure such locations shall
be documented through correspondence between the wireless telecommunications
provider and the property owner of any suitable existing buildings
or structures. The Borough reserves the right to engage such professionals
as it may be required at the applicant's expense.
Wireless telecommunications antennas may be erected on existing towers,
buildings or structures in accordance with the requirements established
herein an equipment compound may be constructed in support of such
antennas consistent with the following requirements:
Antenna arrays may be mounted on existing buildings or structures
but shall not extend beyond the overall height of any such building
or structure by more than 10 feet.
When a location out of public view is not possible, a landscape buffer
of 10 feet in width shall be provided around the compound to shield
the facility from public view. Landscaping shall include native evergreen
trees at least eight feet high at the time of planting and planted
in staggered double rows at 15 feet on center, or equivalent and shall
be reviewed by the Planning Board Engineer.
The equipment building shall be situated within a fence at least
seven feet high as approved by the Borough Engineer which shall not
be a chain link and shall include a locking security gate.
Antennas installed according to these provisions shall be suitably
finished and/or painted so as to minimize their visual impact on the
landscape. Depending on the placement of this equipment color should
be selected to be consistent with the color scheme of the building
or structure on which they are mounted, in order to blend with their
surroundings. When this is not possible, color selection shall be
designed to minimize the visual impact of the antenna arrays.
When an applicant to construct a wireless telecommunications tower
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the reviewing agency that suitable
locations on the existing towers, buildings or structures either do
not exist or are not available, the applicant may erect a new communications
tower, according to the following requirements:
Public buildings such as municipal buildings, public, and private
schools, libraries, senior citizens centers, public parks and playgrounds
and houses of worship.
Wireless telecommunications towers shall not be erected within 2,500
feet of any historic district or any historic site as designated or
eligible for listing on the National and/or State Register of Historic
Places.
Site plan details for wireless telecommunications towers shall include
the site boundaries, tower location; existing and proposed structures,
including accessory structures; existing and proposed ground-mounted
equipment; vehicular parking and access; and uses, structures, and
land use designations on the site and abutting parcels.
A landscape plan shall be submitted which is drawn to scale generally
showing proposed landscaping, including species type, spacing, other
landscape features, and existing vegetation to be retained, removed
or replaced.
Documentation to establish that the tower has sufficient structural
integrity for the proposed uses at the proposed location and meets
the minimum safety requirements and margins according to FCC requirements
in their current adopted revision.
A letter of commitment by the applicant to lease excess space on
the tower to other potential users at the prevailing rates and standard
terms shall be submitted. The letter of commitment shall be recorded
prior to issuance of the building permit. The letter shall commit
the tower owner and successors in interest.
Elevations of the proposed tower and accessory building shall be
submitted which generally depicts all proposed antennas, platforms,
finish materials and all other accessory equipment.
Annual Report. Operators of wireless telecommunications towers shall
provide to the Keansburg Borough Manager an annual report from a licensed
professional engineer certifying the structural integrity of the tower,
together with all antennas mounted thereon, and that they meet applicable
minimum safety requirements. Such report shall also be provided prior
to the modification of antenna arrays, and shall include a detailed
listing of all antennas and equipment so certified. Vendors shall
also be required to notify the Keansburg Borough Manager when the
use of such antennas and equipment is discontinued.
Removed. Wireless telecommunications towers which are not in use
for wireless telecommunications purposes for six months shall be removed
by the facility owner at its cost. This removal shall occur within
90 days of the end of such six-month period. Upon removal, the site
shall be cleaned, restored and revegetated to blend with the existing
surrounding vegetation at the time of abandonment. The facility owner
shall post a bond prior to final approval to cover the costs of tower
removal and site restoration. The size of the bond shall be calculated
to account for cost escalations.
Collocation Required. Authorization for the construction of a new
wireless telecommunications tower shall be conditioned on agreement
with the tower owner that other wireless service providers will be
permitted to collocate on the proposed tower within the limits of
structural and radio frequency engineering requirements and at prevailing
rates and standard terms which reflect the fair market price for such
service within Monmouth County. As part of the application for tower
approval, the applicant shall document the extent to which additional
equipment could be mounted on the tower and the types of equipment
which could be accommodated.