As provided for in §
190-9, the filling, grading, excavation, removal and/or processing of soil, stone, sand and gravel, peat moss and other similar materials may be permitted provided the specific requirements and criteria of this section are met and, unless exempted as per Subsection
B, the special permit provisions of §
190-74 are met.
A. Statement of purpose. This section is designed to provide,) through
careful site analysis and design review and through appropriate mitigation
control and regulation), the filling, grading, excavation, removal
and/or processing of soil, stone, sand and gravel, peat moss or other
similar materials while protecting the public's health, welfare and
safety. More specifically, this regulation has been developed in order
to:
(1) Protect Mansfield's natural resources, including existing and potential
surface and ground drinking water supplies, from potential adverse
impacts including erosion and sedimentation problems and water contamination;
(2) Protect residential properties from potential adverse impacts including
noise, dust, visual impacts and other nuisance problems and the lowering
of property values;
(3) Protect citizens from potential vehicular or pedestrian traffic hazards;
(4) Promote safe site conditions;
(5) Promote appropriate site restoration and provide for appropriate
future uses of the subject property;
(6) Promote Plan of Development goals, objectives and recommendations.
B. Exemptions to special permit application requirements. Subject to compliance with applicable special approval criteria of Subsections
E and
F, the activities listed below, unless located in a designated Flood Hazard zone, are exempted from obtaining separate special permit approval. All proposed filling, grading, excavation, removal or processing activities in a Flood Hazard zone require special permit approval in accordance with §
190-74 and this section. In those cases where proposed filling, grading, excavation, removal or processing of materials is associated with a proposed use necessitating subdivision, site plan or special permit approval, the application requirements (Subsection
C) and approval criteria (Subsections
E and
F) of this regulation shall be considered in conjunction with the pending subdivision, site plan or special permit application.
(1) Filling, grading or removal of less than 100 cubic yards of material
over a period of 12 months on a lot;
(2) Filling, grading or removal of material associated with agricultural,
horticultural or landscaping activity on one part of a property to
another part of the same property;
(3) Filling, grading or removal of material associated with the construction
of a new building, the addition to an existing building, the installation
or improvement of site features accessory to such building or other
site activity for which site plan or special permit approval (or site
modifications thereof) has been granted by the Commission and a Zoning
Permit has been issued;
(4) Filling, grading or removal of material associated with the construction
of a road, public improvements or recreational improvements as shown
on a subdivision map approved by the Commission;
(5) Filling, grading or removal of material on land in public use [pursuant
to Section 7-148(c)(8)(C) CGS];
(6) Filling, grading or removal of material associated with the repair
of an existing septic system pursuant to State Health Code requirements;
(7) Filling, grading or removal of material associated with the installation
of a new septic system on an existing lot or a proposed subdivision
lot, provided no more than 350 cubic yards of material are deposited
or removed from each lot;
(8) Filling, grading or removal of material associated with the construction
or alteration of a building, wall, fence, utility line, driveway,
swimming pool, patio, lawn, garden or other site improvement for which
a Zoning Permit has been issued, provided that application demonstrates
that no more than 500 cubic yards of material are to be deposited
or removed from the lot. This exemption shall only apply during the
period between the issuance of a Zoning Permit and the issuance of
the associated Certificate of Zoning Compliance.
(9) Filling, grading or removal of material associated with activities
located in an SC-SDD zone district for which a zoning permit has been
issued.
C. Application requirements. In addition to the submission requirements (site plan, erosion and sediment control plan, neighborhood notification, etc.) contained or cited in §
190-74 (or, where applicable, Mansfield's Subdivision Regulations), all proposed filling, grading, excavation, removal or processing activities subject to this regulation shall, unless waived pursuant to Subsection
D, contain the following supplemental information:
(1) A statement of use describing the proposal in sufficient detail to determine compliance with all applicable approval criteria of §
190-74 and the approval criteria of Subsection
E and
F of this regulation. At a minimum, the following information shall be provided:
(a)
Proposed days and hours of operation for both on-site activities and off-site hauling activity [see subsection
F(1)]: normally between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday;
(b)
Amount of material involved in the proposal and estimate of
the length of time necessary to complete each designated phase of
the proposed activity;
(c)
Proposed truck routes to and from the subject site and, as appropriate,
proposed traffic controls, such as signage and use of traffic control
persons;
(d)
Estimate of the number of truckloads of material to be deposited
or removed from the site;
(e)
Listing of the number and type of portable machinery to be used
on the site;
(f)
Description of any processing (screening, sorting, crushing,
etc.) activity that will take place on site;
(g)
Description of any proposed vehicle maintenance and refueling
that will take place on site, including information regarding the
storage of fuels, oil or other chemicals;
(h)
Description of any existing or proposed buildings or construction
trailers;
(i)
Description of any proposed rock or stump burial areas;
(j)
Description of any proposed stockpiling, including maximum height
of stockpiles and actions to be taken to prevent wind erosion and
dust problems, particularly from stockpiles, interior haul roads or
other unvegetated areas;
(k)
Description of any proposed drainage work and any related drainage
structures;
(l)
As applicable, a description of the proposed depth of excavation
with respect to phasing, cut faces and potential steep slope problems.
The proposal shall detail the actions that will be taken on a daily
basis to help prevent the occurrence of an unsafe situation.
(m)
Description of proposal with respect to maximum groundwater
elevation as determined by test pits, borings or other means;
(n)
Description of restoration plans, including information about
the amount and nature of topsoil to be used, the amount of reusable
topsoil on site and fertilizer and chemical application;
(o)
Description of anticipated future uses.
(2) A data accumulation plan, with Class D and TD certification, prepared
by a licensed professional land surveyor, showing the following off-site
information:
(a)
Existing contours of all areas within 500 feet of the boundaries
of the subject property. A ten-foot contour interval will usually
be acceptable, provided existing and proposed off-site drainage patterns
are indicated clearly. However, depending on the size and nature of
the proposed activity and the specific physical characteristics of
the area, the Commission shall have the right to require off-site
contour information to be at a five-foot contour interval;
(b)
Plan of Development-designated inland wetland areas, watercourses
and stratified drift aquifer areas within 1,000 feet of the subject
property;
(c)
Property lines of the subject site and all properties within
1,000 feet of the site;
(d)
Location of all streets and dwelling units within 1,000 feet
of the site;
(e)
Names and addresses of property owners within 1,000 feet of
the site (based on current Assessor's records).
(3) For proposed excavation activities, particularly those involving
the removal of more than 5,000 cubic yards of material from a site
(including all cumulative phases), the Commission shall have the right
to require a comprehensive analysis (by a hydro-geologist, licensed
Professional Engineer or other qualified professional) of test pit
and soil boring information adequate to determine ground water elevations,
direction of ground water flows, depth of bedrock and grain size distribution
(i.e., percent gravel, percent sand, etc.). The analysis shall address
the proposed depth of excavation with respect to the maximum water
table, potential ground water and environmental impacts and how the
nature of the material will influence its potential for dust problems
and site restoration efforts.
(4) Depending on the size and nature of the proposed activity and the
specific physical characteristics of the area, the Commission shall
have the right to require additional detailed information if it finds
the information is necessary to review the application and determine
compliance with applicable regulations and approval criteria. Such
information may include, but shall not be limited to: drainage calculations
and analysis prepared by a licensed professional engineer, environmental
and neighborhood impact analysis by qualified professionals and property
value analysis by a licensed professional appraiser.
D. Waiver provisions. Depending on the nature of the proposal, the Planning and Zoning Commission may, by majority vote, waive the submission of all or part of the information required in preceding Subsections
C(1) and
C(2). These requirements may be waived only in situations where the information clearly is not needed to determine compliance with these Regulations. Reasons for any waivers shall be cited by the Commission. In general, these waiver provisions are most applicable to minor filling and excavation activities associated with existing agricultural or horticultural uses, existing residential or governmental land uses, or minor subdivision grading, filling or removal activities.
E. Approval criteria. In addition to the approval criteria contained or cited in §
190-74 (or, where applicable, Mansfield's Subdivision Regulations), all proposed filling, grading, excavation or removal applications subject to this regulation shall comply with the requirements listed below (See Subsection
F for special approval criteria for proposals involving the processing of materials):
(1) Except as noted below, to protect the health, welfare and safety
of Mansfield residents, all approved work shall be performed between
the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally,
sales and deliveries may be made from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Depending on specific site and neighborhood characteristics, the Commission
shall have the right to modify these time restrictions, including
the imposition of more restrictive work hours and restrictions on
trucks arriving at a site prior to authorized hours of operation.
(2) Truck access roads to and within the permit premises shall be arranged
to minimize danger to vehicular and pedestrian traffic and to minimize
nuisance to surrounding property owners. When required by the Commission,
such access roads shall have a dustless surface, which is to be maintained
in good condition at all times.
(3) Provisions shall have been made for appropriate traffic controls,
including barricades or fencing, highway warning signs and traffic
control persons as deemed necessary by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(4) In considering any proposed activity, the Commission shall determine
that appropriate measures shall be taken to protect nearby property
owners from visual impacts, drainage impacts, noise impacts, dust
impacts and potential property value impacts. Such measures, in addition
to others required by the Commission, may include:
(a)
Limitation on the location and height of stockpiles; (unless
approved by the Commission, stockpiles shall not exceed a height of
20 feet and no stockpile shall be located within 50 feet of a property
line);
(b)
Provisions for the wetting, chemical treatment and/or revegetation
of stockpiles and other exposed areas;
(c)
Erection of fences, berms and/or planting of evergreen screening;
(d)
Covering of all truck loads, both within the site and off site;
(e)
Limitation on the size of project phases;
(f)
Limitations on the term or length of time authorized to complete
the project or a particular phase.
As a condition of approval, the Commission shall have the right
to require the submission of professional monitoring reports including,
but not limited to, information on noise levels and compliance with
approved plans, including contour elevations.
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(5) If any excavation shall take place within 50 feet from a property
line, the applicant shall give notice of the application to the owner(s)
of property from which such 50 feet is measured within seven days
following the Commission's receipt of the application. Said notification,
which shall be sent by Certificate of Mailing, shall include the date
and time of the scheduled Public Hearing, the applicant's Statement
of Use and mapping that depicts areas of proposed activity. The notice
shall also reference that the complete application is available for
review in the Mansfield Planning Office.
(6) Where an excavation has a depth of more than 10 feet and a slope
of more than three to one, suitable safety precautions as determined
by the Commission shall be taken to prevent conditions detrimental
to the public safety, health and welfare. Such precautions may include
fencing, terracing, berms, control of the entrances and exits to the
site and requirements for daily regrading of cut faces.
(7) In considering any proposed activity, the Commission shall determine that appropriate measures shall be taken to protect on-site as well as off-site natural resource features, including surface and ground water quality. In addition to requiring strict adherence to the site development principles and sediment and erosion control plan provisions of §
190-75D(18) and
(19), the Commission shall have the right to require undisturbed buffer areas (see §
190-75D(17)(b), the right to limit the size of project phases, and the right to restrict on-site vehicle maintenance and on-site storage of fuels, oils or other chemicals. Additionally, as a condition of approval, the Commission shall have the right to require periodic environmental testing and the submission of professional monitoring reports, including, but not limited to, information on ground water elevations and ground water and surface water quality.
(8) To help protect ground water quality and assure the suitability of
the site for future uses, including on-site septic systems, all excavations
(except as noted below) shall retain an undisturbed area at least
five feet thick above the maximum ground water elevation. For excavations
directly associated with a proposed subdivision or specific construction
project or for exceptional situations within sewered areas or commercial
zones, the Commission shall have the right to reduce this distance
above maximum ground water elevation, provided the applicant demonstrates
with detailed documentation that a reduction on all or part of the
subject site will not detrimentally affect potential permitted uses
of the site or ground water quality.
(9) Topsoil stripped from the site shall be stockpiled on the premises
and shall not be sold or removed from the premises without prior Commission
approval. Upon completion of site work within each approved project
phase, the site shall be restored in accordance with the approved
erosion and sedimentation control plan and in a manner compatible
with anticipated future uses. At a minimum, all revegetated areas
shall have a uniform depth of at least four inches of topsoil, of
a quality acceptable for the subject restoration plan. In situations
where subsoil is excessively drained, more than four inches of topsoil
can be required. The Commission also shall have the right to restrict
the on-site burial of trees, stumps or rocks, and no trash, refuse
or other materials shall be buried on site.
(10)
To help ensure compliance with proposed contours and other approval
requirements, the Commission shall have the right to require the setting
and maintenance of vertical and horizontal control points around the
perimeter of the site or individual phases.
F. Special approval criteria for on-site processing activity. There
shall be no on-site processing of soil, stone, sand and gravel, topsoil,
peat moss or other materials except where specifically authorized
by the Commission in association with a permit approval. In considering
any on-site processing, the following special approval criteria shall
be met:
(1) Depending on site and neighborhood characteristics, the Commission
may authorize, on a temporary basis, the on-site use of portable screening
or sorting devices and/or portable crushing devices. Restrictions,
including limits on the number of days or hours of operation for use
of the devices, the location and storage of the devices, may be imposed
by the Commission.
(2) No permanent or ongoing commercial processing of materials and no
fixed machinery shall be allowed.
(3) All proposed temporary processing activities shall be subject to the approval criteria cited in Subsection
E of this regulation.
(4) Depending on site and neighborhood characteristics, the Commission
may require the enclosure or wetting of materials at various processing
steps.
G. Bonding. Before the issuance of any permit under these Regulations, the Commission may require the filing of a performance bond in accordance with the provisions of §
190-76 of the Zoning Regulations, in an amount and with terms and conditions satisfactory to the Commission securing to the Town the actual cost of site restoration, erosion and sedimentation control, construction and installation of screening and other site improvements and repairs and restoration of any damage to Town roadways used in association with the proposed activity. The period within which required improvements shall be constructed shall be specified by the Commission and expressed in the bond. The bond agreement may require, prior to release, the submission of a professional "as-built" certification that all site work was completed in accordance with approved plans and that the required depth of topsoil has been deposited. Said bond shall be satisfactory to the Town Attorney as to form, sufficiency and manner of execution.
H. Renewal requirements/revocation/site visitation.
(1) All permits or renewals for the filling, grading, excavation, removal or processing of materials approved pursuant to this regulation (does not include exempt activities as described in Subsection
B) shall expire on July 1 of the year following the date of issuance. The Commission may renew such permits, or renewals thereof, for additional periods of up to one year each. In considering any renewal, the Commission may require supplemental information and updated mapping in order to verify continued compliance with these regulations and conditions of approval. Renewal applications shall be submitted to the Commission at least 45 days and no more than 90 days prior to the expiration of the existing permit. Failure to comply with the approved application or these regulations shall be grounds for revocation of the permit.
(2) Upon notice to the applicant, the Commission and its staff shall
have the right to enter the permit property at reasonable times in
order to determine compliance with the approved application and these
regulations. Denial of such permission by the permit holder is cause
for revocation of any permit issued hereunder.
I. Enforcement. If it is determined by the Commission at any time after
the issuance of a permit hereunder, and prior to the completion of
the work authorized therein, that such work is not in accordance with
the approved application and these Regulations, the Commission may,
after due notice, revoke such permit, cash in the performance bond
and/or take other appropriate enforcement action against the applicant.
As provided for in the applicable use tables, churches and other places of worship may be permitted provided the provisions of §
190-74 are complied with and the following specific criteria are met:
A. The subject site shall be located on or within 300 feet of an arterial
or collector street as defined in these Regulations.
B. The subject site shall be a minimum of three acres.
C. No off-street parking shall be allowed within 50 feet of any property
line and all parking areas shall be permanently screened and buffered
from the neighboring properties by walls, fences, plantings or other
devices that may be specified by the Commission. This fifty-foot setback
requirement may be reduced by the Commission if an alternate design
utilizes the site's topography and existing vegetation to reduce visual
and auditory impacts on neighboring properties.
D. With the exception of storage sheds that comply with the provisions
of related zoning dimensional requirements, all buildings and structures
shall be located 100 feet from all property lines. This 100-foot setback
requirement may be reduced by the Commission if an alternative design
utilizes the site's topography and existing vegetation to reduce visual
and auditory impacts on neighboring properties.
E. Accessory buildings and uses not specifically authorized by a special
permit approval shall not be constructed or initiated until Planning
and Zoning Commission approval is granted. Depending on the nature
of the proposed accessory building or use, special permit approval
may be required by the Commission.
As provided for in §
190-9A(17), wireless telecommunication sites, facilities and services may be permitted provided the provisions of §
190-74 are complied with and provided the specific requirements and criteria of this section are met.
A. Statement of purpose. This section is designed to provide for the
establishment and/or expansion of wireless telecommunication services
within the Town of Mansfield while protecting neighborhoods and minimizing
the adverse visual and operational effects of wireless telecommunications
facilities through careful design, siting and screening. More specifically,
this regulation has been developed in order to:
(1) Maximize use of existing and approved towers and other structures
to accommodate new antennas and transmitters in order to reduce the
number of communication towers needed to serve the community;
(2) Encourage providers to co-locate their facilities on a single tower,
or single site;
(3) Site facilities below visually prominent ridge lines;
(4) Minimize the location of facilities in visually or environmentally
sensitive areas;
(5) Encourage creative design measures to camouflage facilities;
(6) Protect historic and residential areas from potential adverse impacts
of communication towers;
(7) Avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from tower failure
through engineering and careful siting of tower structures.
B. Definitions. For the purpose of applying the provisions of this section,
the terms below shall be defined as follows:
ANTENNA
A device used to receive or transmit electromagnetic waves.
Examples include, but are not limited to whip antennas, panel antennas
and dish antennas.
CO-LOCATION
Locating wireless communication facilities from more than
one provider on a single site.
FALL ZONE
The area or location within which a tower or mounted antenna
would drop, slide or settle in the event the tower or antenna is blown
from its support structure, collapses or is otherwise dislodged from
its foundation or its mounting.
HEIGHT OF TOWER
The vertical distance measured in feet from the average existing
level of the ground surrounding the tower and within 10 feet thereof
to the topmost point of the tower including any antenna or other appurtenances.
The existing elevation shall mean the actual or approved elevations
of the property at the time of application.
TOWER
A structure that is intended to support equipment used to
receive and/or transmit electromagnetic waves. Design examples of
towers include:
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES
Licensed wireless telecommunication services including, but
not necessarily limited to, cellular, personal communication services
(PCS), specialized mobilized radio (SMR), enhanced specialized mobilized
radio (ESMR), paging and similar services that are marketed to the
general public.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SITE
A facility operated by a licensed wireless telecommunication
service provider which consists of the equipment and structures involved
in receiving or transmitting electromagnetic waves associated with
wireless telecommunication services.
C. Application requirements. In addition to the submission requirements contained or cited in §
190-74, all proposals for a wireless communication site and facilities shall contain the following supplemental information:
(1) A plan showing where and how the proposed antenna will be affixed
to a particular building or structure;
(2) Details of all proposed antenna and mounting equipment including
size and color;
(3) Elevations of all proposed shielding and details of materials including
color;
(4) An elevation of all proposed equipment buildings or boxes. Details
of all proposed fencing including color;
(5) A design drawing including cross section and elevation of all proposed
towers. A description of the tower's structural integrity and load
capacity including the number and type of antennas it can accommodate
as well as the proposed location of all mounting positions for co-located
antennas and the minimum separation distances between antennas. Where
a monopole is proposed, the design shall illustrate how the tower
will collapse upon itself without encroaching upon any adjoining property
line;
(6) A geotechnical report of soil borings by a licensed professional
engineer demonstrating the appropriateness of proposed design specifications
for any tower foundation, support structures, anchors, etc.;
(7) A report from a licensed professional engineer indicating that the proposed wireless telecommunication site will comply with the emission standards found in Subsection
D of this regulation. Such report shall also certify that the installation of such site will not interfere with public safety communications, radio or television transmissions or other existing communication systems;
(8) An analysis of the fall zone for the proposed tower prepared by a
licensed professional engineer;
(9) All applications shall include proof that either the applicant or
co-applicant holds bona fide license from the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) to provide the telecommunication services that the
proposed tower is designed to support;
(10)
A report or letter from the Federal Aviation Administration
that the proposed tower complies with all airport safety requirements
for Windham and other airports;
(11)
A map depicting the extent of the provider's planned coverage
within the Town of Mansfield and nearby towns, approved or proposed
locations in nearby towns and the service area of the proposed wireless
telecommunication site;
(12)
A landscape/buffering plan and a lighting plan designed to address the provisions of this section of the Regulations, the provisions of §
190-73C(4)(o) and
(p) and §
190-75D(7) and
(17);
(13)
A map indicating the search radius for the proposed wireless
telecommunication site and a description of the process that eliminated
other potential sites;
(14)
A viewshed analysis showing all areas from which the tower would
be visible. The analysis also shall describe efforts that have been
made to avoid prominent ridgelines and plans that have been made to
screen the proposed site, camouflage proposed facilities and otherwise
minimize adverse visual impacts;
(15)
Upon request of the Commission, the applicant shall provide
a simulation of the proposed wireless telecommunication site in order
to help the Commission ascertain the visual impacts associated with
such proposal;
(16)
All applications shall include information on the status of
any application filed or to be filed with the Connecticut Siting Council.
D. Approval criteria. In addition to the approval criteria contained or cited in §
190-74, all proposals for a wireless communication site and facilities shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) General requirements:
(a)
No wireless telecommunication site shall be located within 200
feet of a residence; this setback shall not apply to any telecommunications
facility proposed in the SC-SDD and PB-2 zoning districts.
(b)
No tower exceeding 60 feet in height shall be located within
1,000 feet of the boundary of an historic district under the jurisdiction
of Mansfield's Historic District Commission. It shall be demonstrated
that any proposed tower 60 feet or under within this area will preserve
the architecture of the existing structure and maintain the existing
pattern of development on the surrounding landscape.
(c)
No lights shall be mounted on proposed towers unless otherwise
required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) or the Connecticut Siting Council.
All strobe lighting shall be avoided if possible. When lighting is
required and said lighting is permitted by the FAA or other Federal
or State authority, it shall be oriented inward so as to project as
little as possible onto surrounding residential property.
(d)
Towers not requiring special FAA painting or markings shall
be painted a color that minimizes visual impact for the specific site.
(e)
Except as required by other governmental licensing agencies,
towers shall not be used to exhibit any signage or other advertising.
(f)
Any proposed tower shall be designed in all respects to accommodate
both the applicant's antennas and comparable antennas for at least
two additional users if the tower is over 100 feet in height or for
at least one additional comparable antenna if the tower is over 50
feet in height. The Commission may require the tower to be of such
design as to allow for future rearrangement of antennas upon the tower
and to accommodate antennas mounted at varying heights. Applicants
may be required as a condition of approval to submit an affidavit
or other documentation stating that space on the proposed tower will
be made available to future users when technically possible.
(g)
Antennas or equipment buildings/boxes mounted to or on buildings
or structures shall to the greatest degree possible blend with the
color and design of such building.
(h)
Any proposed wireless telecommunication site shall be designed,
located or operated in compliance with State and Federal requirements
regarding interference with existing or proposed public safety communications,
radio or television transmissions or other existing communication
systems.
(i)
All applications for wireless telecommunication sites within the Flood Hazard Zone shall comply with the standards found in Article
10 of these Regulations.
(j)
Any proposed wireless telecommunication site shall be in compliance
with State and Federal requirements regarding non-ionizing electromagnetic
emissions.
(k)
All utilities proposed to serve a wireless telecommunication
site shall be installed underground unless otherwise approved by the
Commission.
(l)
All generators installed in conjunction with any wireless telecommunication
site shall comply with all State and local noise regulations.
(m)
In a case where a wireless telecommunications site is proposed
to be located on or within 1,000 feet of a property designated in
the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Register program, it
shall be demonstrated that it will preserve the architecture of the
existing structure and maintain the existing pattern of development
on the surrounding landscape.
(n)
All wireless telecommunication sites shall have security fencing
or other measures to prevent unauthorized access.
(2) Lot size, height and setback requirements.
(a)
Lot size. All new wireless communication sites shall meet the
minimum lot size requirements for the subject zone as per the provisions
of the zoning district.
(b)
Height. All wireless communication towers or rooftop-mounted
equipment or structures shall be the minimum height necessary to provide
the proposed service and address the co-location provisions of these
Regulations.
(c)
Setbacks.
[1]
Freestanding monopole towers shall comply with the following
minimum setbacks:
[a] Front yard: A distance equal to 3/4 the height
of the tower or the setback required for the underlying zone, whichever
is greater.
[b] Side or rear yards:
[i] In residential zones, 50 feet for towers less than
60 feet in height and 100 feet for towers equal to or greater than
60 feet;
[ii] In commercial or industrial zones, 25 feet for
towers less than 60 feet in height and 50 feet for towers equal to
or greater than 60 feet. However, where a side or rear lot line is
contiguous to a residential zone, the setback for that particular
yard shall be as required for such a tower in a residential zone.
[2]
All other towers shall comply with the following minimum setbacks:
[a] In commercial or industrial zones, all other freestanding
towers shall be located a minimum distance from any property line
at least 100 feet or a distance equal to the height of the tower,
whichever is greater.
[b] In residential zones, all other freestanding towers
shall be located a minimum distance from any property line equal to
125% of the proposed tower height.
[3]
All other structures, equipment buildings, boxes or storage
areas shall comply with all applicable setback provisions of the applicable
zoning district in these Regulations.
(3) Additional locational approval criteria.
(a)
Locational preferences. The locations for siting the equipment
involved in receiving or transmitting electromagnetic waves associated
with wireless telecommunication services are listed below, in order
of preference:
[1]
On existing towers or on existing structures such as buildings,
water towers, utility poles, etc., in Mansfield or nearby towns;
[2]
On towers or structures approved but not yet constructed in
Mansfield or nearby towns;
[3]
On new towers located at existing telecommunications sites;
[4]
On new towers located in institutional, commercial or industrial
zones;
[5]
On new towers located in residential zones.
(b)
In the case where an application for the proposed location of
a wireless telecommunications site is not a preference "a" or "b"
location as noted above, the applicant shall adequately describe the
efforts and measures taken to pursue those preferences and why a higher
preference location was not technologically, legally or economically
feasible. The supplied documentation shall evaluate the following
factors:
[1]
The planned equipment would cause unacceptable interference
with the operation of other existing or planned equipment on an existing
or approved tower or structure as documented by a qualified licensed
professional engineer and that the interference cannot be prevented
or eliminated at a reasonable cost.
[2]
The planned equipment cannot be accommodated on existing or
approved towers or structures due to structural deficiencies as documented
by a qualified licensed professional engineer and that such deficiencies
cannot be eliminated at a reasonable cost.
[3]
The existing or planned equipment on an existing or approved
tower or structure would cause unacceptable interference with the
equipment proposed by the applicant as documented by a qualified professional
licensed engineer and that the interference cannot be prevented or
eliminated at a reasonable cost.
[4]
Any restriction or limitation imposed by the FCC, FAA or Connecticut
Siting Council.
(4) Landscaping/screening criteria. In addition to meeting the landscaping and screening provisions of §
190-75D(17), all applications for a wireless telecommunications site shall demonstrate to the degree technologically, legally or economically feasible, that the proposed site and design has minimized adverse visual effects, has avoided prominent ridge lines and has been screened and designed to camouflage the facilities.
(5) Monitoring. As a condition of approval, the Commission shall have
the right to require periodic environmental testing and the submission
of environmental monitoring reports, including, but not limited to
information on electromagnetic emissions and noise levels. The Commission
shall have the right to require the establishment of an escrow account
or cash bond fund to help ensure compliance with this provision.
E. Abandonment. As a condition of approval, the Commission shall have the right to require a wireless telecommunication site not in use for 12 consecutive months to be removed by the service facility-owner. Wherever removal is required, the site shall be restored to its previous appearance and, where appropriate, revegetated to blend with the surrounding area. The Commission may require that an appropriate bond as per the provisions of §
190-76, be submitted to help address this provision.