[Added 7-16-2002 by Ord. No. 1396]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALTERNATIVE TOWER STRUCTURE
Man-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, flagpoles, and similar alternative-design mounting structures that camouflage or conceal the presence of antennas or towers.
ANCILLARY FACILITIES
The buildings, cabinets, vaults, closures and equipment required for operation of telecommunication systems including but not limited to repeaters, equipment housing, and ventilation and other mechanical equipment, and interconnect in the cabling runs and their support structures.
ANTENNA
Any exterior apparatus designed for telephonic, radio, or television communications through the sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves, digital signals, analog signals, radio frequencies (excluding radar signals), wireless telecommunications signals or other communication signals. Parabolic dish antennas used for satellite communications shall not be included within this definition.
BACKHAUL NETWORK
The lines that connect a provider's towers/cell sites to one or more cellular telephone switching offices, and/or long-distance providers, or the public switched telephone network.
BUFFER AREA
The area surrounding telecommunications towers and ancillary facilities which lies between the tower and adjacent lot lines and/or land uses.
CARRIER
A company that provides wireless services.
COLOCATION
When two or more receiving and/or transmitting facilities are placed together in the same location or on the same antenna support structure.
FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration.
FALL ZONE
The area on the ground within a prescribed radius from the base of a wireless telecommunications tower. The fall zone is the area within which there is a potential hazard from falling debris (such as ice) or collapsing material.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission.
FUNCTIONALLY EQUIVALENT SERVICES
Cellular radio, personal communication service (PCS), enhanced specialized mobile radio, specialized mobile radio and paging, commercial land mobile radio and additional emerging technologies.
GUYED TOWER
A tower which is supported or braced through the use of cables (guy wires) which are permanently anchored.
HEIGHT
When referring to a tower, the vertical distance measured from the lowest finished grade at the base of the tower to the highest point on the tower, even if said highest point is an antenna.
LATTICE TOWER
A type of mount that is self-supporting with multiple legs and cross bracing of structural steel.
MONOPOLE
The type of tower that is self-supporting with a single shaft of wood, steel or concrete and a platform (or racks) for panel antennas arrayed at the top.
MOUNT
The structure or surface upon which antennas are mounted, including the following three types of mounts:
A. 
Building-mounted. Mounted on the roof or the side of a building.
B. 
Ground-mounted. Antenna support (tower) mounted on the ground.
C. 
Structure-mounted. Mounted on or in a structure other than a building.
PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITY
A facility for the provision of personal wireless services, as defined by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
PREEXISTING TOWERS AND PREEXISTING ANTENNAS
Any tower or antenna which has been lawfully erected prior to the effective date of this article, including permitted towers or antennas that have been approved but have not yet been constructed so long as such approval is current and not expired.
RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ENGINEER
An engineer specializing in electrical or microwave engineering, especially the study of radio frequencies.
RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION (RFR)
For the purposes of this article shall mean the emissions from personal wireless service facilities or any electromagnetic energy within the frequency range from 0.003 MHZ to 300,000 MHZ.
STEALTH DESIGN
A telecommunication facility that is designed or located in such a way that the facility is not readily recognizable as telecommunications equipment (see "alternative tower structure").
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
A facility designed and used for the purpose of transmitting, receiving, and relaying voice and data signals from various wireless communication devices including transmission towers, antennas and ancillary facilities. For purposes of this article, amateur radio transmission facilities and facilities used exclusively for the transmission of television and radio broadcasts are not telecommunications facilities.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS or TRANSMISSION TOWER
The monopole or lattice framework designed to support transmitting and receiving antennas. For purposes of this article, amateur radio transmission facilities and facilities used exclusively for the transmission of television and radio signals are not "transmission towers."
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
Any personal wireless services as defined in the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 which includes FCC-licensed commercial wireless telecommunications services including cellular, personal communication services (PCS), specialized mobile radio (SMR), enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR), paging, and similar services that currently exist or that may in the future be developed. It does not include any amateur radio facility that is owned and operated by a federally licensed amateur radio station operator or is used exclusively for receive only antennas, nor does it include noncellular telephone service.
A. 
The purpose of this article is to establish guidelines for the siting of wireless telecommunications towers and antennas and ancillary facilities. The goals of this article are to:
(1) 
Protect residential areas and land uses from potential adverse impacts of towers and antennas;
(2) 
Encourage the location of towers on municipally owned property where appropriate or in other non-residential areas;
(3) 
Minimize the total number of towers throughout the community;
(4) 
Strongly encourage the joint use of new and existing tower sites as a primary option rather than construction of additional single-use towers;
(5) 
Encourage the use of existing buildings, telecommunications towers, light or utility poles and/or towers, or water towers as opposed to construction of new telecommunications towers;
(6) 
Encourage users of towers and antennas to locate them, to the extent possible, in areas where the adverse impact on the community is minimal;
(7) 
Ensure that all telecommunications facilities, including towers, antennas and ancillary facilities are located and designed to minimize the visual impact on the immediate surroundings and throughout the community by encouraging users of towers and antennas to configure them in a way that minimizes the adverse visual impact of the towers and antennas through careful design, siting, landscape screening, and innovative camouflaging techniques;
(8) 
Enhance the ability of the providers of telecommunications services to provide such services to the community quickly, effectively, and efficiently;
(9) 
Consider the public health and safety of telecommunication towers; and
(10) 
Avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from tower failure through engineering and careful siting of tower structures.
B. 
In furtherance of these purposes, the Borough of Palisades Park shall give due consideration to the Borough's Master Plan, Zoning Map, existing land uses, and environmentally sensitive areas in approving sites for the location of towers and antennas.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Master Plan and Zoning Map are on file in the Borough offices.
A. 
New towers and antennas. All new telecommunications towers or antennas in the Borough of Palisades Park shall be subject to these regulations.
B. 
Preexisting towers or antennas. Preexisting telecommunications towers and preexisting antennas shall not be required to meet the requirements of this article, other than the requirements of §§ 300-81 and 300-82 absent any enlargement or structural modification or the addition of any antennas.
C. 
District height limitations. The requirements set forth in this article shall govern the location of telecommunications towers that exceed, and antennas that are installed at a height in excess of the height limitations specified for each zoning district.
D. 
Public property. Antennas or towers located on property owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the governing authority shall be encouraged, provided a license or lease authorizing such antenna or tower has been approved by resolution by the governing authority. Said approved publicly owned sites utilized for the purpose of constructing towers and/or antennas shall be treated as engaging in a conditional use under this article.
E. 
Amateur radio station operators/receive-only antennas. This article shall not govern any tower, or the installation of any antenna, that is under 70 feet in height and is owned and operated by a federally licensed amateur radio station operator or is used exclusively for receive-only antennas.
F. 
Satellite dish antennas. This article shall not govern any parabolic dish antennas used for transmission or reception of radio signals associated with satellites.
A. 
Principal or accessory use. Notwithstanding any other land use regulation, a different existing structure on the same lot shall not preclude the installation of an antenna or tower on such lot. If a tower and its appurtenant structures constitute the sole use of the lot, the tower shall be deemed to be the principal use, otherwise the use shall be considered accessory.
B. 
Leased area. For purposes of determining whether the installation of a tower or antenna complies with zone regulations, including but not limited to setback requirements, lot-coverage requirements, and other such requirements, the dimensions of the entire lot shall control, even though the antennas or towers may be located on leased parcels within such lot.
C. 
State or federal requirements. All towers must meet or exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, the FCC, and any other agency of the state or federal government with the authority to regulate towers and antennas. If such standards and regulations are changed, then the owners of the towers and antennas governed by this article shall bring such towers and antennas into compliance with such revised standards and regulations within 90 days of the effective date of such standards and regulations, unless a different compliance schedule is mandated by the controlling state or federal agency. Failure to bring towers and antennas into compliance with such revised standards and regulations shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower or antenna at the owner's expense.
D. 
Building codes; safety standards. To ensure the structural integrity of towers, the owner of a tower shall ensure that it is maintained in compliance with standards contained in applicable state or local building codes and the applicable standards for towers that are published by the Electronic Industries Association and Telecommunications Industry Association, as amended from time to time. If, upon inspection, the Borough of Palisades Park concludes that a tower fails to comply with such codes and standards and constitutes a danger to persons or property, then upon notice being provided to the owner of the tower, the owner shall have 30 days to bring such tower into compliance with such standards. Failure to bring such tower into compliance within said 30 days shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower or antenna at the owner's expense.
E. 
Nonessential services. Telecommunications towers and antennas shall be regulated and permitted pursuant to this article and shall not be regulated or permitted as essential services, public utilities, or private utilities.
F. 
Inventory of existing structures. Each applicant for an antenna and/or tower shall provide to the Zoning Officer an inventory of all existing towers, antennas, or sites approved for towers or antennas that are either within the jurisdiction of the Borough of Palisades Park or within three rules of the border thereof, including specific information about the ownership, location, height, and design of each tower. The Zoning Officer may share such information with other applicants applying for approvals under this article or other organizations seeking to locate antennas within the jurisdiction of the Borough of Palisades Park; provided, however, that the Zoning Officer is not, by sharing such information, in any way representing or warranting that such sites are available or suitable.
G. 
Colocation required. The Borough of Palisades Park mandates that carriers colocate antennas on towers and other structures whenever possible. See § 300-78 for colocation requirements.
H. 
Conditional use. All telecommunications facilities in the Borough of Palisades Park shall be conditional uses in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-67.
I. 
Site plan required. Site plan approval shall be required for all new telecommunications facilities in the Borough of Palisades Park including modifications to or addition of new telecommunications facilities to preexisting towers, buildings or other structures.
A. 
Conditional use. Wireless telecommunications facilities are permitted as conditional uses:
(1) 
On lands owned by the Borough of Palisades Park.
(2) 
In the M-1 and M-C, Zones.
B. 
Conditional use standards. Wireless telecommunications facilities may be permitted on the above-referenced lands provided that:
(1) 
The minimum lot size on which the telecommunications facility is to be located is at least one acre in area.
(2) 
Lattice towers and any type of guyed tower are prohibited.
(3) 
Telecommunications towers shall be limited to monopoles without guys designed to ultimately accommodate at least three carriers and shall meet the following height and usage criteria:
(a) 
For a single carrier, up to 90 feet in height;
(b) 
For up to four carriers, up to 130 feet in height.
C. 
Factors considered in granting conditional use permits.
(1) 
In addition to the above standards, the Approving Board shall consider the following factors in determining whether to issue a conditional use permit:
(a) 
Proximity of the tower to residential structures and residential district boundaries;
(b) 
Nature of uses on adjacent and nearby properties;
(c) 
Surrounding topography;
(d) 
Surrounding tree coverage and foliage;
(e) 
Design of the tower, with particular reference to design characteristics that have the effect of reducing or eliminating visual obtrusiveness including stealth designs which are encouraged;
(f) 
Availability of suitable existing towers, alternative tower structures, other structures or alternative technologies not requiring the use of towers or structures;
(g) 
Availability of proposed tower to other potential carriers.
(2) 
This list is considered to be illustrative in nature and may not include all factors to be considered.
The following site design standards shall apply to wireless telecommunications facilities:
A. 
New towers.
(1) 
Telecommunications towers may not be located closer than 200 feet to any residential zone. Antennas located on preexisting buildings or structures are exempt from this requirement.
(2) 
Fall zone. A fall zone shall be established such that the tower is setback 75% of the height of the tower from any adjoining lot line or nonappurtenant building.
(3) 
Security fencing. Towers shall be enclosed by security fencing not less than six feet in height. Towers shall also be equipped with appropriate anticlimbing measures.
(4) 
Landscaping. The following requirements shall govern the landscaping surrounding towers:
(a) 
Tower facilities shall be landscaped with a buffer of plant materials that effectively screens the view of the tower compound from property used for residences or planned residences or any other area frequented by the public. The standard buffer shall consist of a landscaped strip at least 10 feet wide outside the perimeter of the compound. However, at a minimum, the facility should be shielded from public view by evergreen trees at least eight feet high at planting and planted in staggered double rows 15 feet on center.
(b) 
In locations where the visual impact of the tower would be minimal, the landscaping requirement may be reduced at the sole discretion of the approving authority.
(c) 
Existing mature tree growth and natural land forms on the site shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible. In some cases, such as towers sited on large, wooded lots, natural growth around the property perimeter may be a sufficient buffer.
(5) 
Ancillary buildings. Any proposed building enclosing related electronic equipment shall not be more than 10 feet in height nor more than 200 square feet in area, and only one such building shall be permitted on the lot for each provider of wireless telecommunications services located on the site. Such buildings must satisfy the minimum zoning district setback requirements for accessory structures.
(6) 
Aesthetics. Towers and antennas shall meet the following requirements:
(a) 
Towers shall either maintain a galvanized steel finish or, subject to any applicable standards of the FAA, be painted a neutral color so as to reduce visual obtrusiveness.
(b) 
At a tower site, the design of the buildings and related structures shall, to the extent possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening, and landscaping that will blend them into the natural setting and surrounding buildings.
(7) 
Lighting. No lighting is permitted except as follows, which shall be subject to review and approval by the approving board as part of the site plan application:
(a) 
The building enclosing electronic equipment may have one light at the entrance to the building, provided that the light is attached to the building, is focused downward and is switched so that the light is turned on only when workers are at the building; and
(b) 
No lighting is permitted on a tower except lighting that specifically is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and any such required lighting shall be focused and shielded to the greatest extent possible so as not to project towards adjacent and nearby properties.
(8) 
Signs. No signs are permitted except those required by the Federal Communications Commission, the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) and/or the Telecommunication Industry Association (TIA) or by law, such as warning and equipment information signs.
B. 
Antennas mounted on existing structures or roof tops.
(1) 
Antennas on existing structures. Any antenna which is not attached to a tower may be attached to any existing business, industrial, office, utility or institutional structure in the M-C and M-1 Zone Districts provided:
(a) 
Side- and roof-mounted personal wireless service facilities shall not project more than ten feet above the height of an existing building or structure nor project more than ten feet above the height limit of the zoning district within which the facility is located. Personal wireless service facilities may locate on a building or structure that is legally nonconforming with respect to height, provided that the facilities do not project above the existing building or structure height.
(b) 
The antenna complies with all applicable FCC and FAA regulations.
(c) 
The antenna complies with all applicable building codes.
(d) 
The equipment structure shall not contain more than 200 square feet of gross floor area or be more than 10 feet in height. In addition, for buildings and structures which are less than 48 feet in height, the related unmanned equipment structure shall be located on the ground and shall not be located on the roof of the structure. If the equipment structure is located on the roof of a building, the area of the equipment structure and other equipment and structures shall not occupy more than 10% of the roof area. Equipment storage buildings, structures or cabinets shall comply with all applicable building codes.
(2) 
Aesthetics. If an antenna is installed on a structure other than a tower, the antenna and supporting electrical and mechanical equipment must be of a neutral color that is identical to, or closely compatible with the color of the supporting structure so as to make the antenna and related equipment as visually unobtrusive as possible.
C. 
Antennas on existing towers. An antenna may be attached to a preexisting tower in a nonresidential zone and, to minimize adverse visual impacts associated with the proliferation and clustering of towers, colocation of antennas by more than one carrier on existing towers shall take precedence over the construction of new towers, provided such colocation is accomplished in a manner consistent with the following:
(1) 
A tower which is modified or reconstructed to accommodate the colocation of an additional antenna shall be of the same tower type as the existing tower, unless reconstruction as a monopole is proposed.
(2) 
An existing tower may be modified or rebuilt to a taller height, not to exceed the maximum tower height established by this article.
(3) 
On-site location.
(a) 
A tower which is being rebuilt to accommodate the colocation of an additional antenna may be moved on-site within 50 feet of its existing location.
(b) 
After the tower is rebuilt to accommodate colocation, only one tower may remain on the site.
A. 
The Borough of Palisades Park requires that licensed carriers share personal wireless service facilities and sites where feasible and appropriate, thereby reducing the number of personal wireless service facilities that are stand-alone facilities. All applicants for site plan approval for a personal wireless service facility shall demonstrate a good faith effort to colocate with other carriers. Such good faith effort includes:
(1) 
A survey of all existing structures that may be feasible sites for colocating personal wireless service facilities;
(2) 
Notification by certified mail of intent to seek site plan approval to all the other licensed carriers for commercial mobile radio services operating in the County;
(3) 
Sharing information necessary to determine if colocation is feasible under the design configuration most accommodating to colocation; and
(4) 
A copy of a proposed lease or affidavit of compliance with this section.
B. 
In the event that colocation is found to be not technically feasible, a written statement of the reasons for the unfeasibility shall be submitted to the Borough. The Borough may retain a technical expert in the field of RF engineering to verify if colocation at the site is not feasible or is feasible given the design configuration most accommodating to colocation. The cost for such a technical expert will be at the expense of the applicant. The Borough may deny approval to an applicant that has not demonstrated a good faith effort to provide for colocation.
C. 
If the applicant does intend to colocate or to permit colocation, plans and elevations, which show the ultimate appearance and operation of the personal wireless service facility at full build-out shall be submitted, must also include RF design data.
Wireless telecommunications facilities shall be located and approved in accordance with the following prioritized locations:
A. 
The first priority shall be an existing tower or an existing or proposed water tower or standpipe owned by either a public or private utility within or near the Borough of Palisades Park.
B. 
The second priority shall be new towers on lands owned by the Borough of Palisades Park.
C. 
The third priority shall be an existing building in the M-1 Zone District.
D. 
The fourth priority shall be new towers on lands not owned by the Borough of Palisades Park located within the M-1 and M-C Zone Districts.
In addition to the site plan submission requirements of the development regulations, the following information shall be submitted in conjunction with site plan approvals for all wireless telecommunications facilities:
A. 
Comprehensive service plan. In order to provide proper evidence that any proposed location of wireless telecommunications antennas (and any supporting tower and/or ancillary building enclosing related electronic equipment) has been planned to result in the fewest number of towers within the Borough of Palisades Park at the time fall service is provided by the applicant throughout the Borough, the applicant shall submit a comprehensive service plan. Said comprehensive service plan shall indicate how the applicant proposes to provide full service throughout the Borough and, to the greatest extent possible, said service plan shall also indicate how the applicant's plan is coordinated with the needs of all other providers of telecommunication services within the Borough of Palisades Park. The comprehensive service plan shall indicate the following:
(1) 
Whether the applicant's subscribers can receive adequate service from antennas located outside of the borders of the Borough of Palisades Park.
(2) 
How the proposed location of the antennas relates to the location of any existing towers within and/or near the Borough of Palisades Park.
(3) 
How the proposed location of the antennas relates to the anticipated need for additional antennas and supporting towers within and/or near the Borough of Palisades Park by both the applicant and by other providers of telecommunications services within the Borough of Palisades Park.
(4) 
How the proposed location of the antennas relates to the objective of colocating the antennas of different service carriers on the same tower.
(5) 
How the proposed location of the antennas relates to the overall objective of providing full telecommunications services within the Borough of Palisades Park while, at the same, limiting the number of towers to the fewest possible.
B. 
A scaled site plan clearly indicating the location, type and height of the proposed tower, on-site land uses and zoning, adjacent land uses and zoning (including when adjacent to other municipalities), and all properties within the applicable fall zone, adjacent roadways, proposed means of access, setbacks from property lines, elevation drawings of the proposed tower and any other structure, topography, parking and other information deemed by the approving authority to be necessary to assess compliance with this article.
C. 
Legal description of the entire tract and leased parcel (if applicable).
D. 
The setback distance between the proposed tower and the nearest residential unit and residentially zoned properties.
E. 
The separation distance from other towers and antennas.
F. 
A landscape plan showing specific landscape materials including, but not limited to, species type, size, spacing and existing vegetation to be removed or retained.
G. 
Method of fencing and finished color and, if applicable, the method of camouflage.
H. 
A description of compliance with all applicable federal, state or local laws.
I. 
A notarized statement by the applicant as to whether construction of the tower will accommodate colocation of additional antennas for future users.
J. 
Identification of the entities providing the backhaul network for the tower(s) described in the application and other telecommunication sites owned or operated by the applicant in the Borough.
K. 
A letter of commitment to lease excess space to other potential users at prevailing market rates and conditions. The letter of commitment shall be in form suitable for recording with the County Clerk prior to the issuance of any permit and shall commit the tower owner(s), property owner(s) and their successors in interest.
L. 
A visual impact study containing, at a minimum, a photographic simulation showing the appearance of the proposed tower, antennas, and ancillary facilities from at least five points within a three-mile radius. Such points shall be chosen by the carrier with review and approval by the approving board or designee to ensure that various potential views are represented.
M. 
An analysis of the RFR levels at the facility as a means of assessing compliance with the FCC RF safety criteria. This analysis shall:
(1) 
Take into consideration all colocated radio transmitting antennas and/or nearby antennas that could contribute to RFR levels at the facility.
(2) 
Be performed by a RF engineer, health physicist or similar knowledgeable individual.
(3) 
Follow current methods recommended by the FCC for performing such analyses.
A. 
After the wireless telecommunications facility is operational, the applicant shall submit, within 90 days of beginning operations, and at annual intervals from the date of issuance of the building permit, existing measurements of RFR from the wireless telecommunications facility. Such measurements shall be signed and certified by a RF engineer, stating that RFR measurements are accurate and meet FCC Guidelines as specified in the radio frequency standards section of this bylaw.
B. 
The applicant and coapplicant shall maintain the personal wireless service facility in good condition. Such maintenance shall include, but shall not be limited to, painting, structural integrity of the mount and security banner, and maintenance of the buffer areas and landscaping.
A. 
At such time that a licensed carrier plans to abandon or discontinue operation of a personal wireless service facility, such carrier shall notify the Municipal Clerk by certified U.S. Mail of the proposed date of abandonment or discontinuation of operations. Such notice shall be given no less than 30 days prior to abandonment or discontinuation of operations. In the event that a licensed carrier fails to give such notice, the wireless telecommunications facility shall be considered abandoned upon discontinuation of operations.
B. 
Upon abandonment or discontinuation of use, at the option of the Borough, the carrier shall physically remove the personal wireless service facility within 90 days from the date of abandonment or discontinuation of use. "Physically remove" shall include, but not limited to:
(1) 
Removal of monopoles, antennas, mount, equipment shelters and security barriers from the subject property
(2) 
Proper disposal of the waste materials from the site in accordance with local, county and state solid waste disposal regulations.
(3) 
Restoring the location of the personal wireless service facility to its natural condition, except that any landscaping and grading shall remain in the after-condition.
C. 
If a carrier fails to remove a personal wireless service facility in accordance with this section, the Borough shall have the authority to enter the subject property and physically remove the facility. The approving board will require the applicant to post a bond at the time of approval to cover costs for the removal of the personal wireless service facility in the event the Borough must remove the facility.
[Added 12-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-10]
A. 
All applications for wireless facilities shall be submitted to Hoplite for initial expert consultation and review on behalf of the Borough. Said application shall be accompanied by a $2,000 application fee.
B. 
Hoplite Communications, LLC, is the Palisades Park Borough expert consultant and point of contact for all wireless cell sites and matters in the Borough.