CHAPTER 15
1510 Definitions
1520
SECTION 1510 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them as follows:
1. The term “telecommunications tower” means a structure more than ten feet tall, built primarily to support one or more telecommunications antennas.
2. The term “telecommunications” means the transmission, between or among points specified by the user, or information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content or information as sent and received.
3. The term “telecommunications service” means the offering of telecommunications for a fee directly to the public, or to such classes of users as to be effectively available directly to the public, regardless of the facilities used.
4. The term “antenna” means any structure or device used to collect or radiate electromagnetic waves, including both directional antennas, such as panels or dishes, and omni-directional antennas, such as whips, but not including satellite earth stations.
5. The term “telecommunications antenna” means an antenna used to provide a telecommunications service.
6. The term “antenna array” means a structure attached to a telecommunication tower that supports telecommunication antennas.
7. The term “whip antenna” means an omni-directional dipole antenna of cylindrical shape that is no more than six inches in diameter.
8. The term “non whip antenna” means an antenna that is not a whip antenna, such as dish antennas, panel antennas, etc.
9.
The term “EIA-222” means Electronic Industries
Association Standard 222, “Structural Standards for
10. The term “historically significant landscapes” and “architecturally significant structures” shall apply to those areas identified as such within the National Register of Historic Places.
SECTION 1520
(A) NO SPECIAL EXCEPTION REQUIRED
(1)
Permitted By Right – Telecommunication towers are a permitted use
in all CG, CH, IL, IM, and IH if proposed towers satisfy the following
requirements. Telecommunication towers
permitted under this subsection may exceed compatibility and base district
height restrictions.
(a)
Aesthetic Protection
Telecommunication facilities shall
be so located to ensure that historically significant landscapes are
protected. The views of vistas from
architecturally and/or historically significant structures should not be
impaired or diminished by the placement of telecommunication facilities.
(b)
Setback
Tower shall be a minimum of 200’
from any RS-3 or more restrictive district.
(c)
Height
Tower
height, excluding antenna array, does not exceed:
(1)
75 feet, if the tower is at least 200 feet but less than 250 feet,
from any RS-3 or more restrictive district.
(2)
100 feet, if the tower is at least 250 feet but less than 350
feet, from any RS-3 or more restrictive district.
(3)
120 feet if the tower is 350’ or greater, from any RS-3 or more
restrictive district.
(d)
Antenna Array Height
The antenna array does not exceed the tower height by more
than 10 feet.
(e)
Setback of Guy Wires
All guy wires and guy anchors are setback a minimum of 20
feet from any property line.
(f)
Tower Type
The tower is of monopole design, or one of equal or lesser
impact, if located within 350’ of any RS-3 or more restrictive district.
(g)
Co-Location
A telecommunication tower must be designed and built so as
to be capable of use by at least three wireless communication providers such as
cellular or
(h)
Security Fencing
The base of tower is enclosed by security fencing.
(i)
Compliance with Applicable Regulations
The tower is constructed and operated in compliance with
current Federal Communication Commission and other applicable federal and state
standards.
(j)
Neighborhood Impact
The proposed tower location will not cause a negative
impact on any residential neighborhood.
In determining neighborhood impact, the Director shall consider the
opinion of record property owners within 300’, but the Director shall not be
bound by such opinions expressed.
(k)
Removal of Tower
Upon the discontinuance of use of any such tower for a
period of thirty (30) days, said tower is to be removed by the applicant/owner.
(2)
Replacement of Existing Poles – Telecommunication towers erected
to replace existing poles are permitted in all zoning districts, provided that:
(a)
The pole replaced is a functioning utility pole or light standard
within an established utility easement or public right-of-way, recreational
facility light pole, or telecommunication tower.
(b)
Replacement tower height, including antenna array does not exceed:
(1)
The height of the original utility, light standard, or
recreational facility light pole by more than 10 feet; or
(2)
The height of the original telecommunication tower and antenna
array.
(c)
The pole replaced does not obstruct a public sidewalk, public
alley, or other public right-of-way, and
(d)
Pole appearance and function, except for antenna, are not
significantly altered.
(3)
Placement on Existing Poles – permitted in all zoning districts,
provided that:
(a)
Telecommunication antennas are permitted on existing utility,
lighting, telecommunication towers, and sign structures at or exceeding 50 feet
in height.
(b)
Provided that the antenna does not exceed the height of the
structure by more than ten (10) feet if a non-whip type or fifteen (15) feet if
a whip type.
(c)
Telecommunication antennas located on existing structures are not
subject to the 5,000 feet separation requirement.
(d)
If any additions, changes, or modifications are to be made to the
monopole, the Director of Community Development shall have the authority to
require proof, through the submission of engineering and structural data, that
the addition, change, or modification conforms to structural wind load and all
other requirements of the current Building Code adopted by the City of
(4)
Roof Mounted Telecommunication Antennas – allowed on
non-residential buildings in all districts, provided that:
(a)
Non-whip antennas do not exceed the height of the building by more
than ten (10) feet and is screened from view from any adjacent public roadway.
(b)
Whip antennas do not exceed the height of the building by more
than fifteen (15) feet and are located no closer than fifteen (15) feet to the
perimeter of the building.
Prior to the installation of a roof mounted antenna, the
Community Development Department shall be provided with an engineer’s
certification that the roof will support the proposed antenna and associated
roof-mounted antennas and equipment.
Roof mounted antennas and associated equipment may either
be screened with enclosures or facades having an appearance that blends with
the building on which they are located or by locating them so they are not
visible from an adjacent public roadway.
(5)
Building Mounted Telecommunication Antennas of the nonwhip type
are allowed on non-residential buildings in all zoning districts, provided
that:
(a)
The antenna is mounted flush with the exterior of the building so
that it projects no more than 30 inches from the surface of the building to
which it is attached.
(b)
The antenna’s appearance is such as to blend with the surrounding
surface of the building.
(c)
Associated equipment shall be place either within same building or
in a separate building that matches the existing building in character and
materials or blends with landscaping and other surrounding material adjacent to
the separate building housing the equipment.
Associated equipment for roof mounted antennas may be located on the
roof of the building if it is screened from view from any adjacent public
roadway.
(6)
When an application for a building permit to locate a
telecommunication antenna on an existing building or other structure is made,
the Community Development Department shall be provided with color photo
simulations showing the site of the existing structure with a photo-realistic
representation of the proposed antenna and the existing structure as it would
appear viewed from the closest residential property. The applicant shall also submit photographs
of the same views showing current appearance of the site without the proposed
antenna.
(7)
Distance Measurement – distances in this section shall be measured
along a single straight line between the center of the tower base and the
nearest point on any property line of identified historic property or RS_3 or
more restrictive district or use. For
the purposes of applying restrictions set forth in this section, “RS-3 or more
restrictive zoning district or use” excludes property that is:
(a)
Used as public or private primary or secondary educational
facility;
(b)
Used as a college or university educational facility;
Owned by the
Used primarily for religious assembly;
Used as a cemetery;
Occupied by non-residential, non-conforming uses; or
Any other site similar to those listed above and determined
by the Director of Community Development to be consistent with the purposes of
this section.
(8)
Exceptions and Exemptions
(a)
A telecommunication tower that fails to meet the requirements of
this section may be authorized by obtaining a Special Exception through the
Owasso Board of Adjustment.
(b)
Towers erected by a public agency for police, fire,
(B) SPECIAL EXCEPTION REQUIRED
(1)
This section is designed to encourage placement of
telecommunication towers in permitted areas.
If a proposed telecommunication tower is not to be located in a
permitted by right district, a Special Exception is required.
(2)
All Special Exception requests for telecommunication towers may be
so authorized by the Owasso Board of Adjustment, subject to the following
additional requirements:
(a)
Setback from Historical Property
The tower shall not be on, or within 300 feet, or property
recognized as a historical property or a property of historical significance.
(b)
Setbacks General
The telecommunication tower must be a minimum of 200 feet,
or 3 to 1 distance to height ratio, whichever is greater, from structures used
for residential purposes.
(c)
Height
Tower height, excluding antenna array, shall not exceed:
(1) 75 feet if the tower is at least 75 feet, but less than 100
feet, from any RS-3 or more restrictive zoning district.
(2) 100 feet if the tower is at least 100 feet, but less than 200
feet, from any RS-3 or more restrictive district or use.
(3) 120 feet if the tower is at least 200 feet, but less than 300
feet, from any RS-3 or more restrictive district or use.
(4) Maximum height shall be an appropriate height set by the
Board of Adjustment, if the tower is in excess of 300 feet from any RS-3 or
more restrictive zoning district or use.
(d)
Array Height
The antenna array shall not exceed the tower height by more
than 10 feet.
(e)
Guy Wires
All guy and guy wires shall be set back a minimum of 20
feet from any property line.
(f)
Monopole Required
Any tower within 200 feet of any RS-3 or more restrictive
district shall be of a monopole design, or one of equal or lesser impact.
(g)
Security Fencing
The base of the tower shall be enclosed by security fencing
at a height of 8 feet.
(h)
Compliance with Applicable Regulations
The tower is constructed and operated in compliance with
the current Federal Communications Commission and other applicable federal and
state standards.
(i)
Distance from Other Towers
New telecommunication towers must be a minimum distance of
5,000 feet from any other telecommunication tower, unless in a by right
district.
(j)
Removal of Tower
Upon the discontinuance of use of any such tower for a period of thirty (30) days, said tower is to be removed by the applicant/owner.