HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Ordinance 1997-02CITY OF PLYMOUTH
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 97 - 2
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 96-33, THE PLYMOUTH CITY
CODE, BY AMENDING CHAPER 21 (DEFINITIONS AND ANTENNA
REGULATIONS) (97009)
THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH ORDAINS:
Section 1. Section 21005.02 of the Plymouth City Code (Definitions) is
hereby amended to add the following definitions:
Tower, Temporary Mobile: Any mobile tower, pole, or structure located on a
trailer, vehicle, or temporary platform intended primarily for the purpose of mounting
an antenna or similar apparatus for personal wireless services, also commonly referred
to as Cellular on Wheels (COW).
Tower: Any ground mounted pole, spire, structure, or combination thereof,
including supporting lines, cables, wires, braces, masts, intended primarily for the
purpose of mounting an antenna or similar apparatus above grade.
Section 2. Section 21175 of the Plymouth City Code (Antennas) is hereby
amended to read as follows:
SECTION 21175 - ANTENNAS
21175.01. PURPOSE AND INTENT: The purpose of this Chapter is to establish
predicable and balanced regulations for the siting and screening of wireless
communications equipment in order to accommodate the growth of wireless
communication systems within the City of Plymouth while protecting the public against
any adverse impacts on the City's aesthetic resources and the public welfare.
The provisions of the Chapter are intended to maximize the use of existing towers,
structures, and buildings to accommodate new wireless telecommunication antennas in
order to minimize the number of towers needed to serve the community.
21175.02. GENERAL STANDARDS: The following standards shall apply to all
cellular telephone, public utility, microwave, radio and television broadcast
transmitting, radio and television receiving, satellite dish and short-wave radio
transmitting and receiving antenna.
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Subd. 1. All obsolete and unused antennas shall be removed within twelve
(12) months of cessation of operation at the site, unless an exemption is granted by the
Zoning Administrator.
Subd. 2. All antennas shall be in compliance with all City building and
electrical code requirements and as applicable shall require related permits.
Subd. 3. Structural design, mounting and installation of the antenna shall
be in compliance with manufacturer's specifications and as may be necessary, as
determined by the Zoning Administrator, shall be verified and approved by a
professional engineer.
Subd. 4. When applicable, written authorization for antenna erection shall
be provided by the property owner.
Subd. 5. No advertising message shall be affixed to the antenna structure
or tower.
Subd. 6. The height of the antenna shall be the minimum necessary to
function satisfactorily, as verified by an electrical engineer or other appropriate
professional.
Subd. 7. Antennas shall not be artificially illuminated unless required by
law or by a governmental agency to protect the public's health and safety.
Subd. 8. When applicable, proposals to erect new antennas shall be
accompanied by any required federal, state, or local agency licenses.
Subd. 9. If a new tower is to be constructed, it shall be designed
structurally, electrically, and in all respects, to accommodate both the applicant's
antennas and comparable antennas for at least one additional user, including but not
limited to other cellular communication companies, local police, fire and ambulance
companies. Towers must be designed to allow for future rearrangement of antennas
upon the tower and to accept antennas mounted at varying heights.
Subd. 10. Towers under two hundred (200) feet in height shall be painted a
non -contrasting color consistent with the surrounding area such as: blue, gray, brown,
or silver, or have a galvanized finish to reduce visual impact.
Subd. 11. Except as may be applicable in cases where a conditional use
permit is required, antennas and support structures for federally licensed amateur radio
stations and used in the amateur radio service are exempt from Subd. 3, 6, and 9 above
and Section 21175.03, and must comply with Subd. 12 below.
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Subd. 12. Amateur radio towers must be installed in accordance with the
instructions furnished by the manufacturer of that tower model. Because of the
experimental nature of amateur radio service, antennas mounted on such a tower may
be modified or changed at any time so long as the published allowable load on the
tower is not exceeded and the structure of the tower remains in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications.
21175.03 TOWER DESIGN: Wireless communication towers shall be of a
monopole design unless the City Council determines that an alternative design
requested by the applicant would better blend into the surrounding environment. This
provision does not apply to amateur radio towers or commercial and public radio or
television towers.
21175.04. CO -LOCATION REQUIREMENT: A proposal for a new tower shall
not be approved unless the Zoning Administrator finds that the antennas cannot be
accommodated on an existing or approved tower, building, or structure within a one
mile search radius (one-half mile search radius for towers under one hundred 100 feet
in height) of the proposed tower due to one or more of the following reasons:
Subd. 1. The planned equipment would exceed the structural capacity of
the existing or approved tower, building, or structure as documented by a qualified and
licensed professional engineer, and the existing or approved tower cannot be
reinforced, modified, or replaced to accommodate planned or equivalent equipment at a
reasonable cost.
Subd. 2. The planned equipment would cause interference materially
impacting the usability of other existing or planned equipment at the tower or building
as documented by a qualified engineer and interference cannot be prevented at a
reasonable cost.
Subd. 3. Existing or approved towers, buildings, or structures within the
search radius cannot accommodate the planned equipment at a height necessary to
function reasonably as documented by a qualified and licensed professional engineer.
Subd. 4. Other unforeseen reasons that make it unfeasible to locate the
antennas upon an existing or approved tower or structure.
Subd. 5. Existing or approved towers, buildings, or other structures do not
exist in the service area, or do not meet the needs of the user. Documentation shall be
provided at the time of application clearly demonstrating why existing structures do not
meet the needs of the users.
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Subd. 6. The applicant shall demonstrate that a good faith effort to co -
locate on existing towers or structures was made, but an agreement could not be
reached.
21175.05. SETBACKS: All towers shall comply with each of the minimum
setback requirements:
Subd. 1. Towers shall meet the setbacks of the underlying zoning district
with the exception of industrial zoning districts, where the tower may encroach into the
rear setback area, provided that the rear property line abuts another industrial zoning
district and the tower does not encroach upon any easements.
Subd. 2. A tower's setback may be reduced or its location in relation to a
public street varied, at the discretion of the City Council, to allow the integration of
the structure into an existing or proposed structure, such as a light standard, power line
support device, or similar structure.
21175.06. ACCESSORY AND SECONDARY USE ANTENNAS: The following
standards shall apply to all accessory and secondary use antennas including radio and
television receiving antennas, satellite dishes, TVROs two (2) meters or less in
diameter, short-wave radio dispatching antennas, or those necessary for the operation
of electronic equipment including radio receivers, ham radio transmitters and television
receivers.
Subd. 1. Accessory or secondary use antennas shall not be erected in any
required yard (except a rear yard) or within public or private utility and drainage
easements, and shall be set back a minimum of three (3) feet from all lot lines.
Subd. 2. Guy wires or guy wire anchors shall not be erected within public
or private utility and drainage easements, and shall be set back a minimum of one (1)
foot from all lot lines.
Subd. 3. Accessory or secondary use antennas and necessary support
structures or towers may extend a maximum of fifteen (15) feet above the normal
height restriction for the affected zoning district, except support structures and antennas
used in amateur radio service may extend a maximum of two (2) times the normal
height restriction for the affected zoning district.
Subd. 4. The installation of more .than one (1) tower per property shall
require the approval of a conditional use permit.
21175.07. PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE ANTENNAS:
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Subd. 1. Residential District and Public/Institutional District Standards.
(a) Antennas Located Upon A Public Structure Or Existing Tower:
Personal wireless service antennas located upon public structures or existing
towers shall require the processing of an administrative permit and shall comply
with the following standards:
(1) The applicant shall demonstrate by providing a
coverage/interference analysis and capacity analysis prepared by a
professional engineer that location of the antennas as proposed is
necessary to meet the frequency reuse and spacing needs of the personal
wireless service system and to provide adequate -wireless coverage and
capacity to areas which cannot be adequately served by locating the
antennas in a less restrictive district.
(2) Transmitting, receiving and switching equipment shall be housed
within an existing structure whenever possible. If a new equipment
building is necessary for transmitting, receiving and switching
equipment, it shall be situated in the rear yard of the principal use and
shall be screened from view by landscaping where appropriate.
(3) An administrative permit is issued in compliance with the
provisions of Section 21025 of this Chapter.
(b) Antennas Not Located Upon A Public Structure Or Existing Tower:
Personal Wireless Service antennas not located upon a public structure or
existing tower -shall require the processing of a conditional use permit and
shall comply with the following standards:
(1) The applicant shall demonstrate by providing a
coverage/interference analysis prepared by a professional engineer and
capacity analysis that location of the antennas as proposed is necessary to
meet the frequency reuse and spacing needs of the wireless system and
to provide adequate coverage and capacity to areas which cannot be
adequately served by locating the antennas in a less restrictive district.
(2) If no existing structure which meets the height requirements for
the antennas is available for mounting purposes, the antennas may be
mounted on a monopole tower provided that:
a. The pole not exceed seventy-five (75) feet in height.
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b. The setback of the pole from the nearest residential
structure is not less than the height of the antenna. Exceptions to
such setback may be granted if a qualified structural engineer
specifies in writing that any collapse of the pole will occur within
a lesser distance under all foreseeable circumstances.
(3) Transmitting, receiving and switching equipment shall be housed
within an existing structure whenever possible. If a new equipment
building is necessary for transmitting, receiving and switching
equipment, it shall be situated in the rear yard of the principal use and
shall be screened from view by landscaping where appropriate.
(4) At the discretion of the City, a security fence not greater than
eight (8) feet in height with a maximum opacity of fifty (50) percent
shall be provided around the support structure.
(5) The conditional use permit provisions of Section 21015 of this
Chapter are considered and determined to be satisfied.
(c) Temporary Mobile Towers: Personal wireless service antennas in
Public/Institutional Districts located upon a temporary mobile tower used on an
interim basis shall require the processing of an Administrative Permit and shall
comply with the following standards:
1. Temporary mobile towers are
permanent tower structure design
21175.02. Subd. 9 and Subd. 10,
21175.10.
exempt from co -location and
standards contained in Section
Section 21175.03, and Section
2. The termination date of the permit shall not exceed one hundred and
twenty (120) days. Temporary mobile towers located on a site
longer than one hundred and twenty (120) days shall require the
processing of an Interim Use Permit subject to the standards
contained in Sections 21020 and 21175.
3. Guyed towers are prohibited.
4. Mobile units shall have a minimum tower design windload of eighty
(80) miles -per -hour, or be setback from all structures a distance
equal to the height of the tower.
5. All towers shall be protected against unauthorized climbing.
6. The height of the tower shall not exceed ninety (90) feet.
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7. Temporary towers shall be prohibited in residential zoning districts.
Subd. 2. Commercial Or Business District Standards:
(a) Antennas Located Upon An Existing Structure or Tower: Personal
wireless service antennas located upon an existing structure or co -located on an
existing tower shall require the processing of an administrative permit.
(1) Transmitting, receiving and switching equipment shall be housed
within an existing structure whenever possible. If a new equipment
building is necessary for transmitting, receiving and switching
equipment, it shall be situated in the rear yard of the principal use and
shall be screened from view by landscaping where appropriate.
(2) An administrative permit is issued in compliance with the
provisions of Section 21025 of this Chapter and the following standards.
a. Antennas mounted on public structures shall not extend more
than fifteen (15) feet above the structural height of the
structure to which they are attached.
b. Building -mounted antennas shall not extend more than ten
(10) feet above the roof, and shall be setback at least five (5)
feet from the roof edge.
c. Wall or facade mounted antennas may not extend more than
five (5) feet above the cornice line and must be constructed of
a material or color which matches the exterior of the
building..
(b) Antennas Not Located Upon An Existing Structure or Existing Tower:
Personal Wireless service antennas not located upon an existing structure shall
require the processing of a conditional use permit and shall comply with the
following standards:
(1) The applicant shall demonstrate by providing a coverage/
interference analysis and capacity analysis prepared by a professional
engineer that location of the antennas as proposed is necessary to meet
the frequency reuse and spacing needs of the cellular system and to
provide adequate portable cellular telephone coverage and capacity to
areas which cannot be adequately served by locating the antennas in a
less restrictive district.
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(2) If no existing structure which meets the height requirements for the
antennas is available for mounting purposes, the antennas may be
mounted on a monopole tower provided that:
a. The pole not exceed seventy-five (75) feet in height.
b. The setback of the pole from the nearest residential
structure is not less than the height of the antenna. Exceptions to
such setback may be granted if a qualified structural engineer
specifies in writing that any collapse of the pole will occur within
a lesser distance under all foreseeable circumstances.
(3) Transmitting, receiving and switching equipment shall be housed
within an existing structure whenever possible. If a new equipment
building is necessary for transmitting, receiving and switching
equipment, it shall be situated in the rear yard of the principal use and
shall be screened from view by landscaping where appropriate.
(4) At the discretion of the City, a security fence not greater than
eight (8) feet in height with a maximum opacity of fifty (50) percent
shall be provided around the support structure.
(5) The conditional use permit provisions of Section 21015 of this
Chapter are considered and determined to be satisfied.
(c) Temporary Mobile Towers: Personal wireless service antennas located
upon a temporary mobile tower used on an interim basis until a permanent site
is constructed shall require the processing of an Administrative Permit and shall
comply with the following standards:
1. Temporary mobile towers are exempt from co -location and
permanent tower structure design standards contained in Section
21175.02. Subd. 9 and Subd. 10, Section 21175.03, and Section
21175.10.
2. The termination date of the permit shall not exceed one hundred and
twenty (120) days. Temporary mobile towers located on a site
longer than one hundred and twenty (120) days shall require the
processing of an Interim Use Permit subject to the standards
contained in Sections 21020 and 21175.
3. Guyed towers are prohibited.
K,
4. Mobile units shall have a minimum tower design windload of eighty
(80) miles -per -hour, or be setback from all structures a distance
equal to the height of the tower.
5. All towers shall be protected against unauthorized climbing.
6. The height of the tower shall not exceed ninety (90) feet.
Subd. 3. Industrial District Standards.
(a) Antennas Located Upon An Existing Structure Or Existing Tower:
Personal Wireless Service antennas located upon an existing structure or co -
located on an existing tower shall require the processing of an administrative
permit and shall comply with the following standards:
1. An administrative permit is issued in compliance with the provisions
of Section 21025 of this Chapter.
2. Building -mounted antennas shall not extend more than ten (10) feet
above the roof, and shall be setback at least five (5) feet from the
roof edge.
3. Wall or facade mounted antennas may not extend more than five (5)
feet above the cornice line and must be constructed of a material or
color which matches the exterior of the building.
(b) Antennas Not Located Upon An Existing Structure Or Existing Tower:
Personal Wireless Service antennas not located upon an existing structure or
tower shall require the processing of an administrative permit and shall comply
with the following standards:
(1) If there is no existing structure which meets the height
requirements for mounting the antennas, the antennas may be mounted
upon a monopole tower not exceeding one hundred fifty (150) feet in
height. The tower shall be located on a parcel having a dimension equal
to the height of the tower measured between the base of the tower
located nearest the property line and said property line, unless a
qualified structural engineer specifies in writing that the collapse of the
tower will occur within a lesser distance under all foreseeable
circumstances.
(2) An administrative permit is issued in compliance with the
provisions of this Section and Section 21025 of this Chapter.
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(c) Temporary Mobile Towers: Personal wireless service antennas located
upon a temporary mobile tower used on an interim basis until a permanent site
is constructed shall require the processing of an Administrative Permit and shall
comply with the following standards:
1. Temporary mobile towers are
permanent tower structure design
21175.02. Subd. 9 and Subd. 10,
21175.10.
exempt from co -location and
standards contained in Section
Section 21175.03, and Section
2. The termination date of the permit shall not exceed one hundred and
twenty (120) days. Temporary mobile towers located on a site
longer than one hundred and twenty (120) days shall require the
processing of an Interim Use Permit subject to the standards
contained in Sections 21020 and 21175.
3. Guyed towers are prohibited.
4. Mobile units shall have a minimum tower design windload of eighty
(80) miles -per -hour, or be setback from all structures a distance
equal to the height of the tower.
5. All towers shall be protected against unauthorized climbing.
6. The height of the tower shall not exceed ninety (90) feet.
21175.08. SATELLITE DISHES:
Subd. 1. Residential District and Public/Institutional District Standards.
Single satellite dish TVROs greater than one (1) meter in diameter may be allowed as a
conditional use within the residential zoning districts of the City and shall comply with
the following standards:
(a) All accessory and secondary use provisions of Sections 21175.02 and
21175.06 of this Chapter are satisfactorily met.
(b) The lot on which the satellite dish antenna is located shall be of
sufficient size to assure that an obstruction -free receive window can be
maintained within the limits of the property ownership.
(c) Except where the antenna is screened by a structure exceeding the
antenna height, landscape buffering and screening shall be maintained on all
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sides of the satellite dish antenna in a manner in which growth of the landscape
elements will not interfere with the receive window.
(d) The satellite dish antenna is not greater than three (3) meters in
diameter.
(e) The conditional use permit provisions of Section 21015 of this Chapter
are considered and determined to be satisfied.
Subd. 2. Business District Standards. Satellite dish antennas within
business districts of the City shall be limited to those listed as permitted accessory and
secondary uses in the applicable zoning district subject to the provisions of Sections
21175.02 and 21175.06 of this Chapter.
Subd. 3. Industrial District Standards. Commercial, private and public
satellite dish transmitting or receiving antennas in excess of two (2) meters may be
allowed as a conditional use within industrial districts of the City and shall comply with
the following standards:
(a) All accessory and secondary use provisions of Sections 21175.02 and
21175.06 of this Chapter are satisfactorily met.
(b) The lot on which the satellite dish antenna is located shall be of
sufficient size to assure that an obstruction free transmit -receive window or
windows can be maintained within the limits of the property ownership.
(c) Except where the antenna is screened by a structure exceeding the
antenna height, landscape buffering and screening shall be maintained on all
sides of the satellite dish antenna in a manner in which growth of the landscape
elements will not interfere with the transmit -receive window.
(d). The conditional use permit provisions of Section 21015 of this Chapter
are considered and determined to be satisfied.
21175.09. COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC RADIO AND TELEVISION
TRANSMITTING ANTENNAS, AND PUBLIC UTILITY MICROWAVE
ANTENNAS: Commercial and public radio and television transmitting and public
utility microwave antennas shall comply with the following standards:
Subd. 1. Such antenna shall be considered an allowed conditional use
within an Industrial District of the City and shall be subject to the regulations and
requirements of Section 21015 of this Chapter.
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Subd. 2. The antennas, transmitting towers, or array of towers shall be
located on a continuous parcel having a dimension equal to the height of the antenna,
transmitting tower, or array of towers measured between the base of the antenna or
tower located nearest a property line and said property line, unless a qualified
structural engineer specifies in writing that the collapse of any antenna or tower will
occur within a lesser distance under all foreseeable circumstances.
Subd. 3. Unless the antenna is mounted on an existing structure, at the
discretion of the City, a fence not greater than eight (8) feet in height with a maximum
opacity of fifty (50) percent shall be provided around the support structure and other
equipment.
21175.10. ADDITIONAL SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENT: In addition to the
information required elsewhere in this Code, development applications for towers,
excluding amateur radio towers, shall include the following supplemental information:
Subd. 1. A letter of intent committing the tower owner and his or her
successors to allow the shared use of the tower if an additional user agrees in writing to
meet reasonable terms and conditions for shared use.
Subd. 2. A copy of the relevant portions of a signed lease which requires
the applicant to remove the tower and associate facilities when they are abandoned,
unused or become hazardous shall be submitted to the City.
Section 3. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage.
ADOPTED by the City Council this 2nd day of April, 1997.
ATTEST:
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Laurie F. Ahrens, City Clerk
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y yn A,,- Tierney, Mayor,-'