HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1094Chairman Tice declared the meeting to be in a public hearing.
Proposed Text Amendment; SR50, Wireless Telecommunication Towers,
Requested by the Berkley Group: Planning Supervisor Steve Warren said the
planning board and staff recommended approval of this amendment that would revise
ordinance text by adding a provision regarding cell towers. Warren said the revision
would allow a decreased setback upon an engineer's certification of the fall zone
surrounding the tower. He said the current text required a one-to-one ratio (one foot
setback per one foot in vertical height), plus 25 feet, and the proposed text would
eliminate the additional 25 -foot requirement. Warren said the amendment would aid
cell tower companies in finding site locations while at the same time providing
protection for the public.
In addition, Warren read the following consistency statement:
This Amendment is consistent with the Land -Use Plan's purpose of serving as a
policy guide in making future recommendations dealing with the growth and
development of the County; specifically, this Amendment recognizes the changing
patterns of available land for infrastructure while balancing this need with the public
health, safety, and welfare.
Ron Smith, a representative for the Berkley Group, said the proposal primarily
came about by interest in southern Iredell County. He said it was difficult to locate
sites in this area, and the amendment would offer more options. Smith said there
would still be a 500 separation from any residential ground structures. He said several
adjoining counties were already using the option.
No one else desired to speak, and Chairman Tice adjourned the hearing.
OTION by Commissioner Norman to approve the text amendment for SR50,
Wireless Telecommunication Towers, as presented.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
The revisions are as follows:
SR 50. Wireless Telecommunication Towers and Facilities
A. A site plan shall be submitted containing the name of the tower owner,
property owner, scale, north arrow, and latitude/longitude coordinates. Existing site
conditions, including contours, any unique natural or man-made features such as
vegetation and ground cover. Exact boundary lines of the property containing the
proposed tower construction, fall radius and any associated guide wires. Description
of adjacent land use and all property owners(s) and their addresses. A front and side
elevation profile, drawn to scale, of all existing and proposed towers and their
antennas to be located on the property.
B. Towers shall be sited to contain all ice -fall or debris from tower failure within the
setback oreo The minimum distance from the towers base to the Property line shall be one
foot to each vertical foot of the tower's height However a lesser setback shall be Permitted
upon certification by o NC Registered Professional Engineer which ensures that the fall area of
the tower and any appurtenances will be within the setback area proposed.
C. Towers shall not be located within a one-half (1/2) mile radius of any other
wireless telecommunication tower, unless concealed in a church steeple, farm silo, or
other architecturally designed encasement. Furthermore, towers located beyond a
one-half (1/2) mile radius and not exceeding three (3) mile radius from any other
wireless telecommunication tower shall not be permitted, unless the applicant can
prove that collocation is not a viable option and no stealth location is possible.
D. Towers shall be no closer than five hundred (500) feet from any existing
residential dwelling, excluding any dwellings located on the same parcel of land as
the tower.