The purpose of this chapter is to establish
general guidelines for the siting of wireless communications towers
and antennas. The goals of this chapter are to protect residential
areas and land uses from potential adverse impacts of towers and antennas;
encourage the location of towers in nonresidential areas; minimize
the total number of towers throughout the community; strongly encourage
the joint use of new and existing tower sites as a primary option
rather than construction of additional single-use towers; encourage
users of towers and antennas to locate them, to the extent possible,
in areas where the adverse impact on the community is minimal; encourage
users of towers and antennas through careful design, siting, landscape
screening, and innovative camouflaging techniques; enhance the ability
of the providers of telecommunications services to provide such services
to the community quickly, effectively and efficiently; consider the
public health and safety of communication towers; and avoid potential
damage to adjacent properties from tower failure through engineering
and careful siting of tower structures. In furtherance of the goals,
the Planning Board/Zoning Board shall give due consideration to the
Borough of Leonia's Master Plan, Zoning Map, existing land uses, and environmentally sensitive areas
in approving sites for location of towers and antennas.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
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
Exterior transmitting or receiving device mounted on a tower,
building or structure and used in communications that radiate or capture
electromagnetic waves, digital analogue signals, radio frequencies
(excluding radar signals), wireless telecommunications signals or
other communication signals.
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 lines.
CARRIER
A company that provides wireless services.
COLLOCATION
When two or more receiving and/or transmitting facilities
are placed together in the same location or on the same antenna structure.
FAA
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
Federal Communications Commission.
FREESTANDING TOWER
Any tower not attached to a building but which is mounted
from the ground and rises above or next to the buildings in the area.
FUNCTIONALLY EQUIVALENT SITES
Cellular, radio personal communications service (PCS), enhanced
specialized mobile radio, specialized mobile radio, and paging, commercial
and 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 or 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
side of the building.
B.
GROUND MOUNTED—Antenna support (tower)
mounted on the ground.
C.
STRUCTURE MOUNTED—Mounted on or in a structure
other than a building.
RADIO FREQUENCY RADITION (RFR)
For the purpose of this chapter shall mean the emissions
from personal wireless service facilities or any electromagnetic energy
within the frequency range from 0.003MHZ to 3,000MHZ.
STEALTH DESIGN
A telecommunications 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 chapter, 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 chapter, amateur radio
transmission facilities and facilities used exclusively for the transmission
of television and radio signals are not transmission towers.
TOWER
Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily
for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas for telephone,
radio and similar communications purposes, including self-supporting
lattice towers, guyed towers or monopole towers, common-carrier towers,
cellular telephone towers, alternative tower structures and any support
thereof.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
Any personal wireless services, as defined in the Federal
Communications Act of 1996, which includes FCC-licensed commercial
wireless telecommunications services, including cellular, personal
communications services (PCS), 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.
Prior to the issuance of a building permit for
the construction of wireless communications towers or for the installation
of an antenna, the applicant for such permit shall file in the Office
of the Construction Code Official, with a copy to be filed in the
office of the Borough Engineer, a written report confirming that the
structural integrity of the tower meets the applicable safety standards
of the latest Building Official's and Code Administrator's International
Incorporated (BOCA) design specifications as well as those of the
Telecommunications Industry Association/Electric Industry Association
(TIA/EIA).
The construction, erection, maintenance or outdoor
storage of any antenna and structural support is prohibited except
as specifically set forth herein.
All towers, antennas or other such equipment
shall require site plan approval. In addition to the site plan submission
requirements of the development regulations, the following information
shall be submitted with site plan approval for all wireless communications
facilities:
A. Comprehensive service plan. In order to provide evidence
that any proposed location of wireless communications antenna (and
any supporting tower and/or ancillary building enclosing related electronic
equipment) has been planned to result in the fewest number of antennas
and freestanding towers within the Borough of Leonia, at the time
full 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
service within the Borough of Leonia. The comprehensive plan shall
include the following:
(1) Whether the applicant's subscribers can receive adequate
service from antennas located outside the borders of the Borough of
Leonia. A vital gap in service must be clearly demonstrated.
(2) How the proposed location of antennas relates to the
location of antennas or any existing towers within and/or near the
Borough of Leonia.
(3) How the proposed location of the antennas relates
to the anticipated need for additional antennas and supporting towers
within the Borough of Leonia by both the applicant and by other providers
of telecommunication services within the Borough of Leonia.
(4) How the proposed location of the antennas relates
to the objective of collocating 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 Leonia while, at the same time, limiting the
number of towers to the fewest possible.
(6) Demonstration of need and minimal negative impact.
The applicant shall be required to demonstrate that the development
is the minimal necessary to provide adequate communications as may
be authorized by the Federal Communications Commission. The applicant
shall also demonstrate that the development results in the minimal
negative impact to the community and surrounding neighborhood. As
part of this requirement, the applicant shall demonstrate at least,
but not necessarily limited to, the following:
(a)
That the area to be served by the antenna(s)
does not presently have adequate cellular communications available
from the provider as required by Federal Communications Commission
and that the proposed antenna(s) will remedy such deficiency.
(b)
That the applicant is a licensed provider of
cellular telecommunications serviced by the Federal Communications
Commission and that all requisite franchise including, but not limited
to, franchises from other communications carriers, have been obtained
for provision of such services.
(c)
That collocation of the antenna on other existing
or pending structures, either within or outside the Borough of Leonia,
is either not practical in order to provide adequate communication
or that the visual impact to the community from the proposed tower
and/or antenna on the site is less than would exist at such alternative
locations. The applicant shall submit an inventory of all existing
antenna, towers, building-mounted antennas or sites approved or pending
approval, as well as all other tall buildings, water towers, utility
towers, and similar structures that could theoretically serve as an
alternative location for the proposed antenna. The applicant shall
also identify the various cellular telecommunications service providers
within such distance and the type and location of the antennas of
such providers with the aforesaid area.
(d)
That the design and technology proposed is the
least visually intrusive of various suitable designs and technologies.
Evaluation of alternative technologies shall include, but not necessarily
be limited to, the use of digital technologies, the use of a cable
microcell network using multiple low-power transmitters and receivers
attached to a wire line and the use of more numerous, but lower-in-height,
antennas.
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 chapter.
C. Legal description of the entire tract and lease parcel
(if applicable).
D. The setback distance between the proposed tower and
the nearest residential unit and residentially zoned properties and
public and private schools.
E. The separation distance from other towers and antennas.
F. A landscape plan showing specific landscape materials
including, but not limited to, species, size 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 and local laws.
I. A notarized statement by the applicant as to whether
construction of the tower will accommodate collocation 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 and 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 Borough
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 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 collocated radio transmitting
antennas and/or nearby antennas that could contribute to RFR levels
at the facility.
(2) Be performed by an RF engineer, health physicist or
similarly knowledgeable individual.
(3) Follow current methods recommended by the FCC for
performing such analyses.
[Amended 12-21-2009 by Ord. No. 21-09]
A. Freestanding
towers. Freestanding cellular communications tower monopoles on a
P Zone District abutting an OB Office Building Zone District and at
the Leonia DPW facility located on Block 103, Lots 2 and 3. Any freestanding
tower or antenna structure shall be set back from any residential
property line a distance equal to or greater than the height of the
tower and antenna. Any buildings or equipment accessory to or servicing
the cellular communications tower or antenna shall conform to the
setback requirements otherwise applicable in the zone district.
B. No freestanding
tower or antenna structure shall exceed 150 feet above the normal
grade at the base of such tower or structure. Any buildings or equipment
necessary to or servicing the cellular communications tower or antenna
shall conform to the height requirements otherwise applicable in the
zone district.
(1) Tower
facilities shall be landscaped with a buffer of plant materials that
effectively screen the view of the tower compound from property used
for 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
C. Ancillary
buildings. Any proposed ancillary building enclosing electronic equipment
shall not be more than 15 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 requirement for accessory structures.
The antenna facilities shall be installed on
the premises in a good and workmanlike manner. The municipality reserves
the right to require the applicant to paint the antenna facilities
in a manner consistent with the property maintenance code of the municipality and consistent with the color of the
building or otherwise shield the antenna from view.
A. The applicant shall, at his own expense, maintain
any equipment on or attached to the premises in a safe condition,
in good repair and in a manner suitable to the municipality so as
not to conflict with the use of or other leasing of the tower by the
municipality. The applicant shall not interfere with the use of the
tower, the owned premises, related facilities or other equipment of
other applicants.
B. The applicant shall have sole responsibility for the
maintenance, repair and security of his equipment, personal property,
antenna facilities, and leasehold improvements and shall keep same
in good repair and condition during the lease term.
C. The applicant shall keep the premises free of debris
and anything of dangerous, noxious or offensive nature or which would
create a hazard or undue vibration, heat, noise or interference.
D. In the event the municipality or any other applicant
undertakes painting, construction or other alterations on the tower,
the applicant shall take reasonable measures at the applicant's cost
to cover the applicant's equipment, personal property or antenna facilities
and protect such from paint and debris fallout which may occur during
the painting, construction or alteration process.
E. Periodic inspection/proof of need. The applicant shall
be required to submit to the Zoning Officer annual certifications
that the installed equipment has been inspected and that it continues
to meet all applicable safety standards and continues to comply with
all the requirements of approval. In the event that safety standards
and requirements are no longer complied with, the applicant shall
be required to correct such deficiencies or to remove the antennas
and related structures as applicable.
F. Removal upon termination of use. All cellular telecommunications
antennas and related structures and equipment shall be removed when
same are unused or abandoned. Such removal shall take place within
three months of such lack of use or abandonment. A copy of the relevant
portions of a signed lease or deed restriction, as applicable, which
requires removal of the antenna and related structures and equipment
as required shall be provided to the Board. Failure to remove the
antennas and related structures and equipment shall be deemed to be
a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to the penalties
and remedies set forth by this chapter.
G. The applicant shall be required to post a bond with
the Borough of Leonia to cover the cost of removal of any cellular
communications antenna and/or tower.
The Construction Code Official of the Borough
of Leonia is hereby designated as the public officer charged with
enforcement of the terms for this chapter. All complaints for alleged
violation of any of the terms of this chapter shall be submitted in
writing to said Construction Official.
The applicant may not assign the lease or sublet
the premises without prior written consent of the municipality. Any
assignment or sublease shall require site plan review and will require
an application before the Planning Board.
The applicant shall pay any real estate taxes
or payments in lieu of taxes required or contributed to as a result
of a lease agreement between the applicant and municipality. In addition,
the applicant shall reimburse the municipality for its reasonable
cost and expenses, including legal fees incurred by the municipality
in connection with the negotiation of any lease agreement.