4/15/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Last summer, in response to an increase in requests for new towers, the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff initiated amendments to the county's existing communications tower LDRs. After input from the Professional Services Advisory Committee (PSAC), the Planning and Zoning Commission, on October 10, 1996, reviewed proposed changes to the county's existing communications tower LDRs and made recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. Soon after the Planning and Zoning Commission's review, the Board of County Commissioners enacted a 6 -month moratorium on applications for new towers. That moratorium expires on May 5, 1997. The Board also directed staff to perform additional research and conduct public workshops on tower issues. Board workshops were held on November 13, 1996; December 19, 1996; and February 20, 1997. At its February 20, 1997 workshop, the Board reviewed the "post 10/10/96 Planning and Zoning Commission" version of a communications tower LDR amendments proposal as well as 27 additional, specific alternatives. The Board "approved" in concept the LDR amendments proposal, and directed staff to incorporate 23 of the 27 alternatives in a revised tower LDR amendment proposal. The Board also indicated that some of the 23 "chosen" alternatives might not be approved during final review (see attachment #5). Staff has incorporated the alternatives into the attached, revised LDR amendment proposal (see attachment #6). These changes have been further refined based upon input from the March 14, 1997 PSAC workshop, meeting (see attachment #7) and from the March 27, 1997 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting (see attachment #8). The Board is now to review the proposed amendments, direct staff to make any necessary changes, invoke the pending ordinance doctrine for the revised proposal, and announce its intention to adopt the revised ordinance at its May 6, 1997 meeting. The specific alternatives that the Board, at its February 20th workshop, directed staff to incorporate into the proposed LDR amendments are as follows: eLimiting Proliferation of New Towers: Require applicants proposing certain towers to submit a written justification for not collocating on existing structures; justification to include: determination of service area for wireless service(s) proposed [San Francisco ordinance], specific search area based on determined service area and inventory of applicant's existing infrastructure [Cobb County ordinance], tentative "5 year plan" projections (San Francisco ordinance), and RF (radio frequency) pattern data based on field tests (suggested by Commissioner Macht). Require applicant's justification for not collocating to apply to requests for non -camouflaged and non -monopole towers under 150' in height. At applicant's expense, county will hire a third party. RF engineering consultant to independently evaluate an applicant's justification and to write-up and present findings/opinion to the county [Palm Beach ordinance]. *Promoting Collocation on Existing Structures At applicant's expense, county will hire third party RF consultant to evaluate applicant's justification report (same as third alternative above). (Incentive) Exempt antennas attached to utility transmission line poles (maximum height 150'). *Screening or Hiding Towers and Antennas Establish increased setbacks from property boundaries and/or existing residences and rights-of-way [Orange County, F1. ordinance]. Color towers to "blend -in" with surroundings [Hialeah ordinance]. Increase landscaping material quantity and/or height at time of planting. EDor _ 01 FA6E_ 12!' APRIL 159 1997 13