§ 27-65. Objective design standards for compatibility with surrounding neighborhood.

(a)

In general. Small wireless communications facilities and wireless support structures shall be designed in such a manner that the facilities and structures are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and to minimize any negative visual impact on the surrounding neighborhood. In order to achieve compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood and to minimize the negative visual impact on the surrounding neighborhood, the following design standards shall apply, unless waived pursuant to section 27-12.

(b)

Stealth design. Stealth design for small wireless communications facilities and wireless support structures shall be utilized in order to minimize the visual impact of small wireless communications facilities and wireless support structures, and to preserve compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods. Exposed wiring is prohibited. Stealth design features shall include the following:

(1)

For new wireless support structures, as well as existing structures in the public rights-of-way, top mounted antennas within enclosures shall not extend the diameter of the supporting wireless support structure, existing structure or other support structure at the level of antenna attachment. Side mounted enclosures with antennas within shall not extend more than two feet beyond the exterior dimensions of the supporting structure at the level of antenna attachment. For purposes of calculating the above, the dimensions of the supporting wireless support structure, existing structure or other support structure do not include any platform, rack, mount or other hardware used to attach an antenna or antenna enclosure to the supporting structure. The new wireless support structure shall not interfere with maintenance access to existing facilities in the public rights-of-way.

(2)

A repurposed structure shall be of substantially similar design, material, and color of the existing structure being replaced by the repurposed structure. The diameter of a repurposed structure shall not be greater than 50 percent greater than the existing structure being replaced by the repurposed structure. If the county has a plan to replace utility poles in the subject public right-of-way, the repurposed structure shall conform to the county's updated design, material, and color. A new wireless support structure shall be of substantially similar design, material and color of other utility poles in the surrounding neighborhood. If the county has a plan to replace utility poles in the subject public right-of-way, the wireless support structure shall conform to the county's updated design, material, and color.

(c)

Other stealth design. Stealth design features proposed by an applicant and approved by the county based on unique circumstances applicable to the small wireless communications facility or the wireless support structure may be utilized. Additional stealth design features may include, without limitation, the following:

(1)

Shrouds;

(2)

The use of foliage and vegetation based on conditions of the specific area where the facility is to be located. Any proposed landscaping shall be approved by the development review division;

(3)

Flag poles;

(4)

Street light fixtures;

(5)

Equipment wraps; or

(6)

Fencing.

(d)

No signage. Registrants shall not place or maintain signage on communications facilities in public rights-of-way, unless otherwise required by federal or state law, provided; however, that existing structures that lawfully supported signage before being repurposed may continue to support signage as otherwise permitted by law or county code, as amended.

(e)

Lighting. A small wireless communications facility and wireless support structure shall not have any type of lighted signal, lights, or illuminations unless required by an applicable federal, state, or local rule, regulation, the FAA or law; provided, however, the county may require an LED street light on a repurposed structure or a wireless support structure.

(f)

Maximum height restrictions. A small wireless communications facility, including any attached antennas, shall not exceed ten feet above the existing structure upon which the small wireless facility is to be collocated. Unless waived pursuant to section 27-12, a newly installed wireless support structure is limited to the tallest existing utility pole as of July 1, 2017, located in the county public right-of-way, other than a utility pole for which a waiver has previously been granted, measured from grade in place within 500 feet of the proposed location of the new wireless support structure. If there is no 500 feet, the new wireless support structure, not including the accompanying small wireless communications facility, shall be limited to 50 feet. The small wireless communications facility, including any attached antennas, shall not exceed ten feet above the new wireless support structure.

(g)

Prohibition against placement where the county has plans for sidewalks; preference for arterial or collector roadways. No newly installed wireless support structure shall be placed or maintained where the county has plans to install a sidewalk or multi-purpose trail or within two feet of the planned sidewalk, nor shall such wireless support structure be located in such a manner that would preclude a pathway for the planned sidewalk or multi-purpose trail. Collocations to an existing structure are exempt from this requirement but shall be subject to any future relocation of the existing structure to accommodate sidewalks. Wireless support structure shall be placed in arterial or collector roadways public rights-of-way.

(h)

Minimum distance separation from existing sidewalk and/or multi-purpose trail. No newly installed wireless support structure shall be placed or maintained in the public rights-of-way within two feet of an existing sidewalk or multi-purpose trail. Collocations to an existing structure are exempt from this requirement. The registrant may include a proposed re-routing of the sidewalk or multi-purpose trail at the registrant's own expense to meet the requirements of this subsection.

(i)

Installation at outermost boundary of public rights-of-way. Wireless support structures are to be placed at the farthest distance practicable from the edge of pavement.

(j)

Placement abutting a protected place. No wireless support structure or collocation of small wireless facilities shall be placed in the public rights-of-way abutting a protected place.

(k)

Distance separation between ground-mounted equipment associated with a small wireless communications facility. Ground-mounted equipment associated with a small wireless facility in the public rights-of-way must be spaced a minimum of 350 linear feet apart from ground-mounted equipment associated with another small wireless communications facility, along the line of general vehicular travel.

(l)

Prohibition against placement within a location subject to homeowner association restrictions. No wireless support structures or collocation of small wireless facilities shall be placed within a location directly adjacent to an area subject to covenants, restrictions, chapters of incorporation, or bylaws of a homeowners' association.

(m)

Prohibition against placement in a front yard within residential blocks. No wireless support structure or collocation of small wireless facilities shall be placed within a public right-of-way that abuts any front yard in residential blocks.

(n)

Limitation on placement in corner yards within residential blocks. A wireless support structure within the public rights-of-way abutting a corner yard of a corner lot within a residential block shall not be placed any closer than ten feet from the side property line of the lot abutting and adjacent to the corner lot. Collocations to an existing structure are exempt from this requirement.

(o)

Prohibition against placement that significantly impairs view from principal structures within residential blocks. All wireless support structures shall be located such that views from principal structures within residential blocks are not significantly impaired. Where possible, newly installed wireless support structures should be located in areas with existing foliage or other aesthetic features in order to obscure the view of the wireless support structure within residential blocks. Collocations to an existing structure are exempt from this requirement.

(p)

Prohibition against placement in location where facilities are placed underground. A wireless service provider shall, in relation to a small wireless facility, utility pole or wireless support structure in the public rights-of-way, comply with nondiscriminatory undergrounding requirements of the county that prohibit aboveground structures in the public rights-of-way.

(Ord. No. 17-51, § 3, 12-12-17)