For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings ascribed to them below, regardless of capitalization.
ANTENNA
Any apparatus designed for the purpose of the transmission
and/or reception of radio frequency ("RF") radiation, to be operated
or operating from a fixed location to facilitate wireless communications
services, including, but not limited to, the transmission of writings,
signs, signals, data, images, pictures, and sounds of all kinds.
APPLICANT
Any person that submits an application to the Borough to
site, install, construct, collocate, modify, and/or operate a wireless
communications facility in the public right-of-way.
COLLOCATION
The mounting or installation of a wireless communications
facility on an existing Support Structur efor the purpose of transmitting
and/or receiving RF signals for communications purposes.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW)
Real property for or devoted to public transportation purposes;
or the placement of the Borough's municipal utility easements and
other traditional uses along a transportation route, whether by dedication,
prescription, or otherwise, as well as the spaces above and below.
In addition to the foregoing, the definition of public right-of-way
includes, without limitation, public highways, streets, avenues, alleys,
sidewalks, bridges, aqueducts, and viaducts within the Borough.
SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE
A collocation or modification that:
A.
Increases the overall height of an existing support structure
more than 10% or 10 feet;
B.
Increases the width more than six feet from the edge of an existing
support structure;
C.
Involves the installation of any equipment cabinet on the ground
when there are no existing ground-mounted equipment cabinets;
D.
Involves the installation of any ground-mounted equipment cabinet
that is 10% larger in height or volume than any existing ground-mounted
equipment cabinets;
E.
Involves excavation or deployment of equipment outside the area
in proximity to the support structure and other transmission equipment
already deployed on the ground; or
F.
Would defeat the existing concealment elements of the support
structure as determined by the Borough.
SUPPORT STRUCTURE
A pole or other structure that is or may be used, in whole
or in part, by or for telecommunications, electric distribution, lighting,
traffic control, signage or a similar function for collocation. This
term includes vertical support structures for traffic lights but does
not include horizontal structures to which signal lights or other
traffic control devices are attached.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY ("WCF")
The equipment and network components, including antennas,
transmitters and receivers and associated ancillary equipment installed
and operated for the transmission of wireless communications service.
The term does not include support structure.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE
Any FCC-licensed or authorized wireless communication service
including, without limitation, any personal wireless services, as
defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7).
An application for a wireless communications facility is subject
to the following regulations:
A. Approvals required.
(1) Wireless communications facility in the public right-of-way permit
("WCF ROW permit"). Any applicant wishing to place or modify a WCF
in the public right-of-way must apply for and obtain from the Borough
a WCF ROW permit granting the applicant permission to construct the
proposed WCF and occupy the public ROW at the proposed site, subject
to satisfaction of the standard conditions listed in this article;
and any additional conditions required by the Borough to carry out
the purposes and intent of this article and the Crafton Code. A WCF
ROW permit shall not convey title, equitable or legal, in the ROW.
(2) Zoning. Applicants seeking to construct a WCF outside of the public ROW or a WCF greater than 50 feet in height must obtain all approvals required by Chapter
225 of the Crafton Code, Zoning.
(3) Other approvals. The applicant must obtain all other required permits under the Borough of Crafton Code of Ordinances, including, but not limited to, permits required under Chapter
90, Code Enforcement, and Chapter
125, Grading.
B. Contents of the application. An applicant for a WCF ROW permit shall
submit an application to the Borough Building Inspector and/or his
or her agent ("Inspector"), which includes the following:
(1) Application fee. The applicant must provide a permit application
fee as determined by the Borough.
(2) Regulatory authorization. To the extent that the applicant claims
any regulatory authorization or other right to use the public right-of-way,
the applicant must provide a true and correct copy of the certificate,
license, notice to proceed or other regulatory authorization that
supports the applicant's claim. If an applicant has given valid authorization
in connection with prior applications, the Inspector may rely on the
prior documentation when accepting additional applications.
(3) Operator's authorization. The applicant must submit the name of the
operator of the WCF and evidence sufficient to show that either the
applicant is the operator or the applicant has obtained the operator's
written authorization to perform the specific work for which consent
has been requested on behalf of the operator.
(4) Site plans and structural calculations. The applicant must submit
fully dimensioned site plans, elevation drawings and structural calculations
prepared, sealed, stamped and signed by a professional engineer licensed
and registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Drawings must
depict any existing WCF and all existing transmission equipment and
other improvements, the proposed facility with all proposed transmission
equipment and other improvements, and the legal boundaries of the
leased or owned area surrounding the proposed facility and any associated
access or utility easements.
(5) Structural integrity. The applicant must show that the proposed WCF
and/or associated equipment does not negatively impact the structural
integrity of the support structure and that it complies with all applicable
local, state, and federal codes and regulations.
(6) Permission to occupy. If an applicant proposes collocation on an
existing privately owned support structure, the applicant must provide
documentation of its permission to occupy the support structure.
(7) Supplemental information. The Inspector may request the applicant
provide supplemental information as necessary to evaluate a proposed
site or to help identify readily available and technically feasible
alternative sites. To the extent that any such information request
relates to applicant business decisions, technical information, justification
statements, or other information, the provision of such information
shall not be a condition for approval of the application.
C. Application process.
(1) Optional pre-application meeting. Pre-submittal conferences are strongly
encouraged, particularly for applications involving substantial changes
to existing support structures or installation of new support structures.
An applicant may request an appointment for a pre-submittal conference
with the Inspector to discuss possible projects. The conference is
intended to identify the correct application type and content requirements
for any given project, and to create an informal forum in which applicants
and the Inspector can discuss any aesthetic, historic preservation
or other concerns that should be addressed as soon as possible to
avoid any unnecessary delays in the processing of an application and
deployment of wireless facilities in the Borough. Each conference
is generally limited to discussion of a single potential project,
but applicants may request to discuss multiple projects provided that
the additional time required does not prejudice other applicants'
ability to obtain an appointment.
(2) Shot clocks. Within 30 calendar days of the receipt of an application
for a WCF ROW permit, the Inspector shall notify the applicant in
writing of any information that may be required to complete the application.
(a)
Upon receipt of a complete application that does not propose
a substantial change to an existing support structure, the Inspector
shall make a final decision to approve or deny the application. The
Inspector shall advise the applicant in writing of the decision within
60 calendar days of receipt of a complete application.
(b)
Upon receipt of a complete application that requires a substantial
change to the existing support structure or installation of a new
support structure, the Inspector shall make the final decision to
approve or deny the application. The Inspector shall advise the applicant
in writing of the decision within 90 calendar days of receipt of a
complete application.
(3) Denial. An application may be denied if any one of the following
conditions exist:
(a)
The applicant has not demonstrated that its application conforms
to the provisions of this article and the Crafton Code.
(b)
The applicant is not authorized to conduct business in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
(c)
The applicant is in default of its obligation to pay to the
Borough fees imposed by this article.
(d)
The design or location does not comply with the relevant standards
promulgated by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for construction
in the right-of-way.
(e)
The design or location does not comply with current or proposed
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) promulgated
by the United States Access Board.
(4) Appeal of decision. The decision of the Inspector regarding the issuance
of a WCF ROW permit may be appealed to Borough Council by the applicant
or a person aggrieved. The appeal must be in writing and delivered
to the Borough's business office no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST) on
the 10th business day after written notification by the Borough of
the decision. An appeal must provide a detailed explanation, in writing,
of the basis for the appeal. The appeal should include supporting
documentation. Within 30 days of receipt of the appeal, Borough Council
shall hold a public hearing to review the application de novo. The
public hearing shall be advertised at least seven days in advance
in a newspaper of general circulation and will include a stenographer,
the fees for which will be paid by the appellant. The Borough Council
shall review the written appeal together with any evidence in the
record and grant the permit if it determines that, based on substantial
evidence, the permit complies with the requirements of this article
and all other requirements under the law. The Borough Council shall
issue a written decision within 15 days of the decision. Failure to
appeal under this section shall constitute a failure to exhaust administrative
remedies for purposes of any subsequent appeal in a court of law.
The Inspector may, in its sole discretion, grant a minor technical
exception from strict compliance with any design and location requirements
when the Inspector finds that:
A. The applicant has requested an exception in writing;
B. The need for the exception arises from an external factor outside
the applicant's control that impacts public health, safety or welfare,
including without limitation soil compaction, existing congestion
or clutter within the right-of-way or other location-specific phenomenon;
C. The proposed deviation from the applicable requirement is less than
10% larger than the generally applicable standard; and
D. The granting of a minor technical exception would not create any
obvious hazard or unreasonable obstruction in the public ROW.