[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of East Goshen 12-7-2021 by Ord. No. 129-J-2021. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures and standards, consistent with all applicable federal and state laws, for the consideration, permitting, siting, construction, installation, co-location, modification, operation, regulation and removal of small wireless facilities (SWF) in the public right-of-way of streets and roads. The intent of this chapter is to:
A. 
Establish basic criteria for applications to install and/or co-locate SWF in the public right-of-way;
B. 
Ensure that SWF are appropriately designed, constructed, modified, maintained, and removed when no longer in use in conformance with all applicable health and safety regulations;
C. 
Preserve the character of the Township by minimizing the potentially adverse visual impact of SWF through careful design, siting, landscaping and camouflaging techniques to blend these facilities into their environment to the maximum extent practicable;
D. 
Establish an application process and structure for payment of fees and charges to be uniformly applied to all applicants, operators and owners of SWF for such facilities;
E. 
Comply with, and not conflict with or preempt, all applicable state and federal laws, as may be amended or superseded, and all FCC rules and regulations to interpret and implement applicable federal statutes.
A. 
Subject to the provisions of this chapter and granting of the required permits, an applicant may locate and/or co-locate a SWF and construct, maintain, modify, operate, or replace wireless support structures in, along, across, upon, and under a public right-of-way.
B. 
An applicant and/or operator shall comply with this chapter and any rules, regulations, and design guidelines adopted by the Township that are consistent with this chapter for the installation and/or co-location of a SWF and construction, maintenance, modification, operation, or replacement of wireless support structures in, along, across, upon, and under the public rights-of-way, unless otherwise prohibited by state or federal law.
C. 
All SWF shall be constructed and maintained so as not to impede or impair public safety or the legal use of the public right-of-way by the Township, the traveling public, or other public utilities.
D. 
Nothing in this chapter precludes the Township from applying its generally applicable health, safety, and welfare regulations when acting on an application for a permit for a SWF in the public right-of-way.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CO-LOCATION or CO-LOCATE
The mounting or installing of an antenna facility on a preexisting structure, and/or modifying a structure for the purpose of mounting or installing an antenna facility on that structure.
DECORATIVE POLE OR STRUCTURE
A pole, arch, or structure placed in the public right-of-way specifically designed and placed for aesthetic purposes and on which no appurtenances or attachments have been placed or are permitted to be placed in accordance with nondiscriminatory Township practices except for any of the following:
A. 
Electric lighting;
B. 
Specially designed information or directional signage;
C. 
Temporary holiday or special event attachments;
D. 
Small wireless facilities.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Those detailed design guidelines, specifications and examples promulgated by resolution that address, on a nondiscriminatory basis, the design and installation of facilities in the public rights-of-way, insofar as they do not conflict with any federal or state law, rule and regulation, including this chapter.
LOCATE
To install, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or replace SWF.
OWNER
A provider, operator or owner of SWF (who may also be the applicant).
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
The surface of and the space above and below the paved or unpaved portions of any public street, public road, public highway, public way, public alley, public sidewalk, and any other land dedicated or otherwise designated for the same now or hereafter held by the Township or other governmental entity.
SMALL WIRELESS FACILITY SWF
A type of wireless communications facility (WCF) as specifically defined by the Federal Communications Commission in Part 1 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows, or as hereinafter amended. "Small wireless facility" means a facility that meets each of the following conditions:
A. 
The structure on which antenna facilities are mounted:
(1) 
Is 50 feet or less in height; or
(2) 
Is no more than 10% taller than other adjacent structures; or
(3) 
Is not extended to a height of more than 10% above its preexisting height as a result of the co-location of new antenna facilities; and
B. 
Each antenna (excluding associated antenna equipment) is accumulatively no more than three cubic feet in volume; and
C. 
All antenna equipment associated with the facility (excluding antennas) are cumulatively no more than 28 cubic feet in volume; and
D. 
The facility does not require antenna structure registration under 47 CFR Part 17; and
E. 
The facility is not located on tribal lands, as defined under 36 CFR 800.16(x); and
F. 
The facility does not result in human exposure to radio-frequency radiation in excess of the applicable safety standards specified in 47 CFR 1.1307(b).
TOWN CENTER/HISTORIC DISTRICT
An area that is zoned or otherwise designated as the Town Center and/or Historic District, or is otherwise subject to historic preservation regulations, under municipal, state or federal law and for which the Township maintains and enforces in a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis with regard to all users of the public right-of-way pursuant to this chapter.
TOWNSHIP-OWNED POLE
A. 
A utility pole owned or operated by the Township, including a utility pole that provides lighting or traffic control functions, or other law enforcement functions, including light poles, traffic signals, and structures for signage; and
B. 
A pole or similar structure owned or operated by the Township, such as a decorative pole.
TRANSMISSION POLE
A pole or similar structure that is used in whole or in part to carry electric transmission (as opposed to distribution) lines.
UTILITY POLE
A pole or similar structure that is designed for, or used for, carrying electric distribution lines or for carrying cables or wires for electric, cable, or telecommunications service or for lighting, traffic control, or directional signage.
WIRELESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE
A freestanding structure, including a monopole, decorative pole, Township-owned pole, transmission pole, and utility pole, or other existing or proposed structure designed to support or capable of supporting SWF.
A. 
Application required. An applicant must apply to the Township to locate a new SWF and/or co-locate any portion of a SWF on an existing wireless support structure or to construct, maintain, modify, operate, or replace wireless support structures in, along, across, upon, and under the public right-of-way. Anyone seeking to perform any of these actions shall first duly file a permit application with the Township, in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and additional requirements as set forth in the small wireless facilities design guidelines as adopted by resolution and which may be modified from time to time by further resolution.
B. 
Permit required. No person shall occupy or use the public right-of-way without first obtaining, under this chapter, the required permit from the Township. Before placing SWF in the public right-of-way, an owner must apply for and receive a permit. This provision shall not be construed to waive any application fees or any other construction or work permit necessary for work in the Township. While notice to the Township is required, a permit from the Township shall not be required for routine maintenance or same-size and -type replacement of small wireless facilities that do not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
C. 
Required application materials. Unless otherwise required by state or federal law, all applicants shall submit to the Township all materials and information associated with each application as outlined below for the application to be considered complete:
(1) 
The applicant's name, address, telephone number and email address;
(2) 
The facility owner's name, address, telephone number and email address, if different from the applicant;
(3) 
The names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of all consultants, if any, acting on behalf of the applicant with respect to the filing of the application and, if warranted, written authorization for those consultants to speak on behalf of the applicant;
(4) 
A description of the small wireless facilities being proposed in order for the Township to verify that the proposed facilities are small wireless facilities as specifically defined by the FCC;
(5) 
A mapping showing the exact location of the proposed small wireless facilities in the case of multisite applications and photo simulations/depictions of the type and style of the proposed small wireless facilities (which should be in compliance with the Township's small wireless facility design guidelines);
(6) 
A description of the proposed scope of work for the location or co-location of the SWF. The scope and detail of such description shall be appropriate to the nature and character of the work to be performed, with special emphasis on those matters, including but not limited to subsurface utilities, likely to be affected or impacted by the work proposed;
(7) 
Verification that the SWF shall comply with this chapter, including all applicable small wireless facilities design guidelines;
(8) 
Verification of payment of the application fees, annual municipal consent or administrative fee for use of public rights-of-way and acknowledgment of its continuing annual obligation;
(9) 
Evidence the applicant has received any necessary certificate of public convenience and necessity or other required authority from the Federal Communications Commission, or a statement that it is not required;
(10) 
A copy of an approved Pennsylvania Department of Transportation permit and all documents required by PennDOT as part of the encroachment permit application, if the proposed location is within a PennDOT right-of-way; and
(11) 
The applicant must provide a statement that the applicant has a lease, attachment agreement or other authorization from the owner of the wireless support structure proposed for co-location.
A. 
Rights-of-way access fees. Each individual applicant will be subject to an annual rights-of-way access fee if locating within a Township-owned public right-of-way. Such fees shall not be in excess of those amounts deemed reasonable by the Federal Communications Commission.
B. 
Application processing costs. Unless otherwise provided by law, all applications for permits pursuant to this chapter shall be accompanied by an application processing cost as follows:
(1) 
Application costs for small wireless facilities addressed in a consolidated application shall be $500, which may include up to five small wireless facilities, and an additional $100 for each small wireless facility beyond five, up to and including 30 total small wireless facilities per one application; and
(2) 
Application costs of $1,000 for a new pole (not a co-location) intended to support one or more small wireless facilities.
(3) 
Such costs may be altered by resolution but only in compliance with state and/or federal limits upon such costs.
C. 
Compensation. In addition to the applicable fee as specified above, every permit shall include as a condition the applicant's agreement to pay a right-of-way access fee of $200 per small wireless facility per year, and/or other taxes and fees as may now or hereafter be lawfully imposed on other businesses within the Township. Additionally, if the small wireless facilities are proposed to be located upon a Township-owned pole within a right-of-way, and the Township consents to such co-location, an additional annual fee of $70 per small wireless facility shall be payable to the Township for such placement. Such fees may be altered by resolution but only in compliance with state and/or federal limits upon such costs.
D. 
Small wireless facilities co-located on Township-owned utility poles or structures outside the Township rights-of-way are not subject to the rate limitations in this chapter. Additionally, if the rate limitation imposed by the Federal Communications Commission is altered in the future, the Township may alter its fees by resolution to be consistent with the Federal Communications Commission's determinations or as might be otherwise altered by the state or federal government.
E. 
Cease payment. Upon 30 days' written notice to the Township, an owner is authorized to remove its small wireless facility from a Township-owned pole and cease paying the annual fee to the Township as of the next due date for payment following the removal; provided, however, the owner shall pay its pro rata share of the remaining term and expenses, if any.
F. 
Make-ready. For Township-owned poles, the applicant shall reimburse the Township for expenses for any reasonable make-ready work, if any are required. The Township shall provide a good faith estimate for any make-ready work necessary to enable the pole to support the requested SWF, including pole replacement if necessary, within 30 days after receipt of a completed request.
Permit application review.
A. 
Co-location of SWF. Absent a written agreement to the contrary between the Township and the applicant, the Township shall grant or deny an application to co-locate, or to replace or modify any portion of a SWF on, or associated with, an existing wireless support structure not later than 60 days after the date of filing by an entity of a completed application.
B. 
Installation of new SWF. Absent a written agreement to the contrary between the Township and the applicant, the Township shall grant or deny an application for a SWF within the public right-of-way not later than 90 days after the date of filing by an entity of a completed application.
C. 
Removal of SWF. The Township shall act on requests to remove wireless support structures associated with SWF from the public right-of-way typical to the review time frames for the public right-of-way permit required for this activity.
D. 
Completeness. Within 10 business days of receiving an application, the Township will determine and notify the applicant whether the application is complete; or if an application is incomplete, the Township must specifically identify the missing information.
E. 
Application denials.
(1) 
The Township shall not unreasonably withhold or deny an application for a permit to place a SWF within the public right-of-way.
(2) 
If an application is denied, the Township will provide, in writing, its reasons for denying the request, including, if applicable, specific references to any applicable law supporting the denial.
(3) 
Notwithstanding an initial denial, the applicant may cure the deficiencies identified by the Township and resubmit the application within 30 days of the denial, and the Township will approve or deny the revised application within 30 days of receipt of it, unless additional deficiencies are discovered.
Applicants seeking to construct, modify, co-locate, or replace more than one SWF may file, at the applicant's discretion, a consolidated application for up to 30 requests in a single application and receive a single permit for the construction, modification, co-location, or replacement of the SWF subject to the following:
A. 
This single application may be filed for multiple SWF only if they are of substantially the same type.
B. 
The Township must separately address SWF for which incomplete information has been received or which are denied, and it must grant a permit for any and all sites in a single application that it does not deny subject to the requirements of this chapter.
A. 
Maximum height. The maximum height of a new pole for the installation of a SWF is limited to a maximum height of 50 feet, subject to any restrictions imposed by the small wireless facility design guidelines. The applicant may co-locate on existing wireless support structures provided the small wireless facility's height still qualifies as a small wireless facility as defined by this chapter and as by the Federal Communications Commission.
B. 
Alternate locations. If an applicant is seeking to install a new wireless support structure as part of its application, the Township may propose that the small wireless facility be located on an existing utility pole or existing wireless support structure within 100 feet of the proposed location. The applicant shall accept the proposed alternate location so long as it has the right to use the location on reasonable terms and conditions, unless the alternate location imposes technical limits, acts as an effective prohibition under federal law, or additional unreasonable costs will be incurred as determined by the applicant. If the applicant refuses an alternate location based on the foregoing, the applicant shall provide legally competent evidence in the form of a written certification describing the property rights, technical limits or cost reasons that prevent the alternate location from being utilized.
C. 
The Township may reserve space on Township-owned poles for future public safety uses or for Township electric utility uses. Such reservation may preclude co-location of small wireless facilities if the Township reasonably determines that the Township's poles cannot accommodate both uses, or if the co-location cannot be accommodated due to physical limitations of the Township-owned poles.
D. 
In certain circumstances, co-location may not be feasible, and a new pole needs to be installed by the applicant. In such cases, a small wireless facility located on a new pole shall be separated by 150 feet from any other small wireless facility located upon a pole with that singular purpose (meaning it is not a co-location but another stand-alone SWF pole).
A. 
The Township has, or shall, adopt small wireless facility design guidelines with objective, technically feasible criteria applied in a nondiscriminatory manner that reasonably match the aesthetics and character of the immediate area.
B. 
The small wireless facility design guidelines may include examples of SWF preferences including visual depictions (if readily available and identified by the Township).
C. 
The provisions in this chapter shall not limit or prohibit the Township's discretion to promulgate and make publicly available other information, materials or requirements in addition to, and separate from, small wireless facility design guidelines so long as the information, materials, or requirements do not conflict with state or federal law.
D. 
All small wireless facilities and associated equipment located within the public right-of-way shall be located such that they meet ADA requirements and do not hinder, obstruct or impede usual pedestrian and vehicular travel.
E. 
The Township shall have authority to update or supplement the small wireless facility design guidelines to address relevant changes in law, technology, or administrative processes.
F. 
Wireless support structure design standards. General guidance:
(1) 
SWF equipment must be indistinguishable from the support pole or structure to the greatest degree possible using matching colors, textures, and materials. The antennas and related equipment shall be in a color that will provide the most camouflage and blend in with the existing environment.
(2) 
All wires, antennas, and other small wireless facility equipment shall be enclosed and not visible.
(3) 
Screening and equipment enclosures shall blend with or enhance the surrounding context in terms of scale, form, texture, materials, and color. Equipment shall be concealed as much as possible by blending into the natural and/or physical environment.
(4) 
Casing to enclose all wires, antennas, and other small wireless facility equipment may be mounted on top of existing and new poles in a cylinder shape to look like an extension of the pole.
(5) 
Brand logos and other signage are prohibited on all SWF, except contact information to be used by workers on or near the SWF and as otherwise required by federal or state law. Signage will be no larger than required to be legible from street level.
A. 
This chapter may not be construed to limit the Township's authority to enforce historic preservation zoning regulations consistent with the local, state or federal law, including the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. § 300101 et seq.), and the regulations adopted to implement those laws.
B. 
As a condition for approval of new small wireless facilities or new wireless support structures in a Town Center/Historic District (existing or as established in the future), the applicant shall comply, to the greatest extent possible, with the design and aesthetic standards of the Town Center/Historic District, or historic preservation standards in place, to minimize the negative impact to the aesthetics in these districts or areas.
C. 
New districts. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit or otherwise limit the Township from establishing subsequent new Town Center or Historic Districts, provided, however, that facilities and structures for which a permit was approved or deemed approved pursuant to this chapter prior to the establishment of the new district remain subject to the provisions of this chapter, including routine maintenance and replacement of those facilities and structures. If a wireless services provider or a wireless infrastructure provider replaces such facilities in a manner that does not comply with this chapter, or if a wireless services provider or a wireless infrastructure provider relocates such facilities, such replacement or relocation is subject to the then-existing provisions and requirements of the newly established district.
A. 
Permit effect and duration. The Township's approval term for co-location or a new pole shall be for a period of nine months. If construction, installation or co-location is not begun within such nine-month period, a new application must be submitted for review including any required fee. A permit from the Township authorizes an applicant to undertake only certain activities in accordance with the chapter and does not create a property right or grant any authority whatsoever to the applicant to impinge upon the rights of others.
B. 
Compliance with all applicable laws and Township Code. The owner/permittee shall always maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, ordinances, or other rules. If state or federal standards and regulations are amended, the owners of any portion of SWF governed by this chapter shall bring any facilities and/or structures into compliance with the revised standards and regulations within the time mandated by such amendment or, if no time is mandated, as soon as practicable under the circumstances, but no longer than 90 days. The Township is not required to provide notice of any amendments in order to trigger this responsibility. Failure to bring SWF into compliance with any revised standards and regulations shall constitute grounds for removal at the owner's expense.
C. 
Inspections; emergencies. The Township or its designee may inspect any portion of SWF in the right-of-way upon reasonable notice to the owner. The owner shall cooperate with all inspections. The Township reserves the right to support, repair, disable, or remove any elements of the facility in emergencies or when the facility threatens imminent harm to persons or property. If circumstances permit, the Township shall notify the owner and provide the opportunity to move such facilities, poles, or support structures prior to the Township doing so, and the Township shall notify the owner after doing so.
D. 
Relocation or adjustment as requested by Township. If requested by the Township, in order to accomplish construction and maintenance activities directly related to improvements for the health, safety, and welfare of the public, an owner shall relocate or adjust its facilities within the public right-of-way at no cost to the Township, as long as such request similarly binds all users in or on such public way. Such relocation or adjustment shall be completed in accordance with law.
E. 
Contact information for responsible parties. Within 10 days of any changes to any of the contact information provided in the application, the applicant shall provide notice of the change to the Township.
F. 
Indemnification. Any entity who owns or operates SWF in the public right-of-way shall indemnify, protect, defend, and hold the Township and its elected officials, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers harmless against any and all claims, lawsuits, judgments, costs, liens, losses, expenses, fees to include reasonable attorney fees and costs of defense, proceedings, actions, demands, causes of action, liability and suits of any kind and nature, including personal or bodily injury or death, property damage or other harm for which recovery of damages is sought, to the extent that it is caused by the negligence of the entity who owns or operates the SWF and wireless service in the right-of-way, any agent, officer, director, representative, employee, affiliate, or subcontractor of the operator, or their respective officers, agents, employees, directors, or representatives while installing, repairing, or maintaining facilities in the right-of-way.
G. 
Good condition required. SWF shall at all times be kept and maintained in good condition, order, and repair by qualified maintenance and construction personnel, so that the same shall not menace or endanger the health, safety or welfare of any person or property. All SWF shall be subject to generally applicable property maintenance requirements and to visual inspection by code enforcement officers.
H. 
Relocation for public improvement projects. To the extent that the Township requires it to do so in the reasonable exercise of its police powers, the owner shall remove and relocate the permitted SWF at the owner's sole expense to accommodate construction of a public improvement project by the Township.
A. 
If a SWF is discontinued for a period of 120 days or is abandoned without notice from the owner, it shall be considered abandoned and the Township may remove it at the owner's expense if the Township provides written notice of its intent to remove under this section and, within 30 days after receipt of such written notice, the owner of the SWF does not reply to the Township, in writing, that the SWF continues to be in operation. Costs for such removal shall be collectible as allowed by law.
B. 
The Township reserves the right to inspect and to request information from the owner, which the owner shall provide following such request, as to the continued use of the operator's SWF(s) within the right-of-way.
C. 
The Township reserves the right (unless prohibited by law) to require the owner of SWF(s) to provide financial security to the Township sufficient to cover the costs of removal of SWF(s) if such use is discontinued or abandoned. The applicant shall submit an estimate of such removal costs to the Township Engineer for review and approval of same. Said financial security shall remain in place until said facility is removed.
A. 
Prevention of failures and accidents. Any person who owns or operates a portion of a SWF sited in the public right-of-way shall always employ ordinary and reasonable care and install and maintain it using industry standard technology for preventing failures and accidents which are likely to cause damage, injury, or nuisance to the public.
B. 
Compliance with firesafety and FCC regulations. All SWF, including, but not limited to, wires, cables, fixtures, and other equipment, shall be installed and maintained in compliance with the requirements of any applicable provisions of the National Electric Code and building codes, and in such manner that will not interfere with the use of other property or any existing public/private utilities or public safety systems.
C. 
Each attachment of wireless facilities should bear a marker or insignia legible at street level identifying the owner of the SWF and contact information.
Nothing in this chapter authorizes the co-location of small wireless facilities on:
A. 
Property owned by a private party without the written consent of the property owner;
B. 
Property owned or controlled by a unit of local government that is not located within public rights-of-way without the written consent of the unit of local government. (Local governments are, however, required to authorize the co-location of small wireless facilities on utility poles owned or controlled by the local government or located within rights-of-way to the same extent the local government permits access to utility poles for other commercial projects or uses.);
C. 
A privately owned utility pole or wireless support structure, without the consent of the property owner; or
D. 
Property owned, leased or controlled by a park district, forest preserve district, or conservation district for public park, recreation or conservation purposes, without the consent of the affected district.
The appeals process shall be as provided and set forth by state and federal laws, including any rulings issued by the Federal Communications Commission. The provisions contained herein regulating small wireless facilities are intended to comply with federal and state laws and regulations in effect as of the date of adoption of this chapter. To the extent that any of the provisions in this chapter conflict with any federal or state statute or regulations, the federal or state statutes or regulations shall control unless the applicable federal or state statutes or regulations allow for more stringent provisions in local ordinances, in which case the more stringent provisions of local ordinances shall remain in effect and shall control in such instances.
The provisions of this chapter are severable. If any provision or subsection, or the application of any provision or subsection to any person or circumstances, is held invalid, the remaining provisions, subsection, and applications of such chapter to other persons or circumstances shall not be made invalid as well. It is declared to be the intent of this section that the remaining provisions would have been adopted had such invalid provisions not been included in this chapter when originally adopted by the Board.
Any person, firm or corporation who violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. Nothing herein shall prevent the Township from taking any other lawful action, including civil actions at law or equity, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violations.