As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AMATEUR RADIO ANTENNA
An antenna used for the transmission or reception of wireless
signals by amateur radio operators.
ANTENNA
Any system of wires, rods, discs, panels, flat panels, dishes,
whips, or other similar devices used for the transmission or reception
of wireless signals. An antenna may include an omnidirectional antenna
(rod), directional antenna (panel), parabolic antenna (disc) or any
other wireless antenna. An antenna shall not include tower-based wireless
communications facilities as defined below.
CO-LOCATION
The mounting of one or more WCFs, including antennas, on
an existing tower-based WCF, or on any structure that already supports
at least one non-tower WCF.
DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEMS (DAS)
A network of spatially separated antenna sites connected
to a common source that provides wireless service within a geographic
area or structure.
EMERGENCY
A condition that:
A.
Constitutes a clear and immediate danger to the health, welfare,
or safety of the public; or
B.
Has caused or is likely to cause facilities in the rights-of-way
to be unusable and result in loss of the services provided.
FCC
Federal Communications Commission.
HEIGHT OF A TOWER-BASED WCF
The vertical distance measured from the ground level, including
any base pad, to the highest point on a tower-based WCF, including
antennas mounted on the tower and any other appurtenances.
MONOPOLE
A WCF or site which consists of a single pole structure,
designed and erected on the ground or on top of a structure, to support
communications antennas and connecting appurtenances.
NON-TOWER WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY (NON-TOWER WCF)
All non-tower wireless communications facilities, including,
but not limited to, antennas and related equipment. Non-tower WCFs
shall not include support structures for antennas or any related equipment
that is mounted to the ground or at ground level.
RELATED EQUIPMENT
Any piece of equipment related to, incidental to, or necessary
for the operation of a tower-based WCF or non-tower WCF. By way of
illustration, not limitation, related equipment includes generators
and base stations.
STEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Camouflaging methods applied to wireless communications towers,
antennas and other facilities which render them more visually appealing
or blend the proposed facility into the existing structure or visual
backdrop in such a manner as to render it minimally visible to the
casual observer. Such methods include, but are not limited to, architecturally
screened roof-mounted antennas, building-mounted antennas painted
to match the existing structure, and facilities constructed to resemble
trees, shrubs, and light poles.
SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGE or SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE
A modification to an existing wireless communications facility
substantially changes the physical dimensions of a tower or base station
if it meets any of the following criteria:
A.
For tower-based WCFs in the rights-of-way, it increases the
height of the facility by more than 10% or 10 feet, whichever is less;
B.
For those tower-based WCFs in the public rights-of-way, it protrudes
from the edge of the structure by more than six feet;
C.
It involves installation of more than the standard number of
new equipment cabinets for the technology involved, but not to exceed
four cabinets;
D.
It entails any excavation of deployment outside the current
site of the tower-based WCF; or
E.
It does not comply with conditions associated with prior approval
of construction or modification of the tower-based WCF unless the
noncompliance is due to an increase in height, increase in width,
or addition of cabinets.
TOWER
A structure that is intended for transmitting or receiving
television, radio, or telephone communications, excluding those used
exclusively for dispatch communications. This definition shall not
include tower-based wireless communications facilities.
TOWER-BASED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY (TOWER-BASED WCF)
Any structure that is used for the purpose of supporting
one or more antennas, including, but not limited to, self-supporting
lattice towers, guy towers and monopoles, utility poles and light
poles. DAS hub facilities are considered to be tower-based WCFs.
WBCA
The Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation Act (53 P.S.
§ 11702.1 et seq.).
WIRELESS
Transmissions through the airwaves, including, but not limited
to, infrared line-of-sight, cellular, PCS, microwave, satellite, or
radio signals.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY (WCF)
The antennas, nodes, control boxes, towers, poles, conduits,
ducts, pedestals, electronics and other equipment used for the purpose
of transmitting, receiving, distributing, providing, or accommodating
wireless communications services.
WIRELESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE
A freestanding structure, such as a tower-based wireless
communications facility or any other support structure that is constructed
primarily to support the placement or installation of a wireless communications
facility if approved by the City.