As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below:
ANTENNA
Any exterior transmitting or receiving device mounted in
or on a tower, building or structure and used in communications that
radiate or capture electromagnetic waves, digital signals, analog
signals, radio frequencies (excluding radar signals), wireless telecommunications
signals or other communication signals.
FAA
Federal Aviation Administration.
FCC
Federal Communications Commission.
HEIGHT
When referring to a tower or other structure, the distance
measured from the finished grade of the parcel to the highest point
on the tower or other structure, including the base pad and any antenna.
PREEXISTING TOWERS AND PREEXISTING ANTENNAS
Any tower or antenna for which a building permit or special
use permit has been properly issued prior to the effective date of
this article, including permitted towers or antennas that have not
yet been constructed so long as such approval is current and not expired.
TOWER
Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily
for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas for telephone,
radio and other communication purposes, including self-supporting
lattice towers, guyed towers, or monopole towers. The term includes
radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common-carrier
towers, cellular telephone towers, and the like. The term includes
the structure and any support thereto.
The following standards shall apply to all applications:
A. A reasonable effort shall be made to utilize existing
structures for telecommunications antennas. Should an existing structure
not be utilized, evidence as to why an existing structure is not to
be utilized shall be submitted.
B. Town-owned sites that are located in the prospective
development area and which could potentially accommodate the proposed
antennas and communication towers shall be identified.
C. Communication towers shall be set back from all property
lines a minimum of one foot for each one foot of tower height. When
the property abuts a residential district or historic district, the
setback distance shall be 1 1/2 feet for each one foot of tower
height. All guy wires and guyed towers shall be clearly marked so
as to be visible at all times, and all guy wires shall be set back
from all property boundaries the minimum of the zoning district in
which they are located.
D. All communication tower supports and peripheral anchors
shall be located entirely within the boundaries of the development
site and shall be set back from all property boundaries the minimum
of the zoning district in which the communication tower is located,
but no less than 25 feet. When located in or abutting a residential
district or historic district, the minimum setback distance shall
be 35 feet. Supports and/or peripheral anchors shall not encroach
upon the minimum landscaped screening requirement. All supports and
anchors shall have, at a minimum, a ten-foot horizontal setback from
any overhead utility line.
E. Communication equipment buildings and structures shall
be considered accessory uses and comply with the following setbacks:
(1) One hundred square feet or less, shall be set back
from all property boundaries a minimum of 15 feet, unless located
within or abutting a residential district or historic district, which
shall require a minimum of 25 feet;
(2) Greater than 100 square feet, shall be set back from
all property boundaries a minimum of 25 feet, unless located within
or abutting a residential district or historic district, which shall
require a minimum of 35 feet.
F. Communication towers shall be constructed and situated to fit in with the topography and features of the surrounding environment. Towers shall be completely screened from all adjacent properties and streets, and appropriately camouflaged if required. Plantings shall be of a height and density to ensure complete screening. Screening shall consist of plants and/or trees accepted by the Chapter
A263, Development and Subdivision Review Regulations, or as accepted by the Director of Planning. Screening shall comprise 10% of the minimum established setback requirement, but shall not be less than five feet in width unless located in or abutting a residential district or historic district, which will require that it not be less than 10 feet in width. Screenings may be waived by the Zoning Board of Review on those sides or sections that are adjacent to undevelopable land or land not in public view. Existing vegetation shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible and may be used as a substitute for or supplement towards meeting the landscaped screening requirement. The owner of the property shall be responsible for all maintenance and shall replace any dead plantings within 30 days.
G. Communication towers shall be enclosed by a fence
no less than eight feet in height or more than 10 feet in height from
finished grade. Access shall be through a locked gate. Communication
towers in or abutting a residential district or historic district
shall have opaque fencing made of wood or stone. The Town of East
Greenwich reserves the right to choose the color of the tower.
H. Communication towers shall not be artificially lighted
except as required for public safety purposes, by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), or by the Town.
I. No signs shall be allowed on any communication tower
except as required for public safety purposes, by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), or by the Town.
J. Separation distance between towers.
(1) Communication towers shall be located so as to comply
with the following standards for the minimum separation distance from
existing communication towers and/or communication towers that have
received a valid special use permit:
|
Minimum Separation Between Towers
(by tower type)
|
---|
|
Proposed Tower Type
|
Self-Supporting
|
Guyed
|
Monopole - 75 Feet in Height or Greater
|
Monopole - Less than 75 Feet in Height
|
---|
|
Self-supporting
|
3 miles
|
3 miles
|
1.5 miles
|
2,500 feet
|
|
Guyed
|
3 miles
|
3 miles
|
1.5 miles
|
2,500 feet
|
|
Monopole - 75 feet in height or greater
|
1.5 miles
|
1.5 miles
|
1.5 miles
|
2,500 feet
|
|
Monopole - less than 75 feet in height
|
2,500 feet
|
2,500 feet
|
2,500 feet
|
2,500 feet
|
(2) Separation distances shall be calculated and applied
respective of jurisdictional boundaries.
This article shall take effect August 25, 2003.