[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Pleasantville
6-17-2002 by Ord. No. 18-2002. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning and land use — See Ch. 290.
A.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish guidelines
for the siting of wireless telecommunications towers and antennas and ancillary
facilities. The goals of this chapter are to: protect residential areas and
land uses from potential adverse impacts of towers and antennas; encourage
the location of towers on municipally owned property where appropriate or
in other nonresidential areas; minimize the total number of towers throughout
the community; strongly encourage the joint use of new and existing tower
sites as a primary option rather than construction of additional single-use
towers; encourage the use of existing buildings, telecommunications towers,
light or utility poles, or water towers as opposed to construction of new
telecommunications towers; encourage users of towers and antennas to locate
them, to the extent possible, in areas where the adverse impact on the community
is minimal; ensure that all telecommunications facilities, including towers,
antennas and ancillary facilities, are located and designed to minimize the
visual impact on the immediate surroundings and throughout the community by
encouraging users of towers and antennas to configure them in a way that minimizes
the adverse visual impact of the towers and antennas through careful design,
siting, landscape screening, and innovative camouflaging techniques; enhance
the ability of the providers of telecommunications services to provide such
services to the community quickly, effectively, and efficiently; consider
the public health and safety of telecommunications towers; and avoid potential
damage to adjacent properties from tower failure through engineering and careful
siting of tower structures.
B.
In furtherance of these purposes, the City of Pleasantville
shall give due consideration to the City's Master Plan, Zoning Map, existing
land uses and environmentally sensitive areas in approving sites for the location
of towers and antennas.
As used in this chapter the following items shall have the meanings
indicated:
Man-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, flagpoles and similar
alternative-design mounting structures that camouflage or conceal the presence
of antennas or towers.
The buildings, cabinets, vaults, closures and equipment required
for operation of telecommunications systems, including but not limited to
repeaters, equipment housing, and ventilation and other mechanical equipment.
Any exterior apparatus designed for telephonic, radio, or television
communications through the sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves,
digital signals, analog signals, radio frequencies (excluding radar signals),
wireless telecommunications signals or other communication signals. Parabolic
dish antennas used for satellite communications shall not be included within
this definition.
The Pleasantville Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as
applicable, which is statutorily authorized to hear land use applications
under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.)
The lines that connect a provider's towers/cell sites to one or more
cellular telephone switching offices and/or long distance providers or the
public switched telephone network.
The area surrounding a telecommunications tower and ancillary facilities
which lies between the tower and adjacent lot lines and/or land uses.
A company that provides wireless services.
The City of Pleasantville.
When two or more receiving and/or transmitting facilities are placed
together in the same location or on the same antenna support structure.
The Federal Aviation Administration.
The Federal Communications Commission.
The area on the ground within a prescribed radius from the base of
a wireless telecommunications tower. The "fall zone" is the area within which
there is a potential hazard from falling debris (such as ice) or collapsing
material.
Cellular radio, personal communication service (PCS), enhanced specialized
mobile radio, specialized mobile radio and paging, commercial land mobile
radio and additional emerging technologies.
A tower which is supported or braced through the use of cables (guy
wires) which are permanently anchored.
When referring to a tower, the vertical distance measured from the
lowest finished grade at the base of the tower to the highest point on the
tower, even if said highest point is an antenna.
A type of mount that is self-supporting with multiple legs and cross-bracing
of structural steel.
The type of tower that is self-supporting with a single shaft of
wood, steel or concrete and a platform (or racks) for panel antennas arrayed
at the top.
The structure or surface upon which antennas are mounted, including
the following four types of mounts:
A facility for the provision of personal wireless services, as defined
by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Any tower or antenna for which a building permit has been properly
issued prior to the effective date of this chapter, including permitted towers
or antennas that have been approved but have not yet been constructed so long
as such approval is current and not expired.
An engineer specializing in electrical or microwave engineering,
especially the study of radio frequencies.
For the purposes of this chapter, shall mean the emissions from personal
wireless service facilities or any electromagnetic energy within the frequency
range from 0.003 MHz to 300,000 MHz.
A telecommunications facility that is designed or located in such
a way that the facility is not readily recognizable as telecommunications
equipment (see alternative tower structure).
A facility designed and used for the purpose of transmitting, receiving,
and relaying voice and data signals from various wireless communication devices,
including transmission towers, antennas and ancillary facilities. For purposes
of this section, amateur radio transmission facilities and facilities used
exclusively for the transmission of television and radio broadcasts are not
telecommunications facilities.
The monopole or lattice framework designed to support transmitting
and receiving antennas. For purposes of this section, amateur radio transmission
facilities and facilities used exclusively for the transmission of television
and radio signals are not transmission towers.
Any personal wireless services as defined in the Federal Telecommunications
Act of 1996 which includes FCC licensed commercial wireless telecommunications
services, including cellular, personal communication services (PCS), specialized
mobile radio (SMR), enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR), paging, and
similar services that currently exist or that may in the future be developed.
It does not include any amateur radio facility that is owned and operated
by a federally licensed amateur radio station operator or is used exclusively
for receive-only antennas, nor does it include noncellular telephone service.
A.
New towers and antennas. All new telecommunications towers
or antennas in the City of Pleasantville shall be subject to these regulations.
C.
District height limitations. The requirements set forth
in this Chapter shall govern the location of telecommunications towers that
exceed, and antennas that are installed at a height in excess of, the height
limitations specified for each zoning district.
D.
Public property. Antennas or towers located on property
owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the City of Pleasantville shall be
encouraged, provided a license or lease authorizing such antenna or tower
has been approved by resolution by the City's governing body. Said approved
publicly owned sites utilized for the purpose of constructing towers and/or
antennas shall be treated as engaging in a conditional use under this Chapter.
E.
Amateur radio station operators/receive-only antennas.
This chapter shall not govern any tower, or the installation of any antenna,
that is under 70 feet in height and is owned and operated by a federally licensed
amateur radio station operator or is used exclusively for receive-only antennas.
F.
Satellite dish antennas. This Chapter shall not govern
any parabolic dish antennas used for transmission or reception of radio signals
associated with satellites.
A.
Principal or accessory use. Telecommunications antennas
and towers may be considered either principal or accessory uses. Notwithstanding
any other land use regulation, a different existing structure on the same
lot shall not preclude the installation of an antenna or tower on such lot.
If a tower and its appurtenant structures constitute the sole use of the lot,
the tower shall be deemed to be the principal use.
B.
Lot size. For purposes of determining whether the installation
of a tower or antenna complies with zone regulations, including but not limited
to setback requirements, lot coverage requirements, and other such requirements,
the dimensions of the entire lot shall control, even though the antennas or
towers may be located on leased parcels within such lot.
C.
State or federal requirements. All towers must meet or
exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, the FCC, and any other
agency of the state or federal government with the authority to regulate towers
and antennas. If such standards and regulations are changed, then the owners
of the towers and antennas governed by this Chapter shall bring such towers
and antennas into compliance with such revised standards and regulations within
90 days of the effective date of such standards and regulations, unless a
different compliance schedule is mandated by the controlling state or federal
agency. Failure to bring towers and antennas into compliance with such revised
standards and regulations shall constitute grounds for the removal of the
tower or antenna at the owner's expense.
D.
Building codes; safety standards. To ensure the structural
integrity of towers, the owner of a tower shall ensure that it is maintained
in compliance with standards contained in applicable state or local building
codes and the applicable standards for towers that are published by the Electronic
Industries Association and Telecommunications Industry Association, as amended
from time to time. If, upon inspection, the City of Pleasantville concludes
that a tower fails to comply with such codes and standards and constitutes
a danger to persons or property, then upon notice being provided to the owner
of the tower, the owner shall have 30 days to bring such tower into compliance
with such standards. Failure to bring such tower into compliance within said
30 days shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower or antenna at
the owner's expense.
E.
Not essential services. Telecommunications towers and
antennas shall be regulated and permitted pursuant to this Chapter and shall
not be regulated or permitted as essential services, public utilities, or
private utilities.
F.
Collocation required. The City of Pleasantville mandates that carriers collocate antennas on towers and other structures whenever possible. See § 266-7 for collocation requirements.
G.
Conditional use. Telecommunications facilities on public
land in the City of Pleasantville shall be principal uses. Telecommunications
facilities on nonpublic lands in the City of Pleasantville shall be conditional
uses in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-67.
H.
Site plan required. Site plan approval shall be required for all new telecommunications facilities in the City of Pleasantville, including modifications to or addition of new telecommunications facilities to preexisting towers, buildings or other structures. For the purposes of this Chapter, the City's Zoning Official may approve site plans for telecommunications facilities on public lands, provided that said permitted uses conform to the use regulations established in § 266-5, and site design standards established in § 266-6 herein. All other site plans for telecommunications facilities must be approved by an approving body pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
A.
Permitted use. Wireless telecommunications facilities
are permitted as permitted uses on all lands owned by the City of Pleasantville
regardless of zoning district.
B.
Conditional use. Wireless telecommunications facilities
are permitted as conditional uses in the Regional Shopping Center (RSC) and
Industrial (IND) Zoning Districts and in the Economic Redevelopment Area (EDA)
Zoning Overlay District.
C.
Conditional and permitted use standards. Wireless telecommunications
facilities may be permitted on the above-referenced lands, provided that:
(1)
The minimum lot size on which the telecommunications
facility is to be located is at least 30,000 square feet in area.
(2)
Lattice towers and any type of guyed tower are prohibited.
(3)
Telecommunications towers shall be limited to monopoles
without guys designed to ultimately accommodate at least three carriers and
shall meet the following height and usage criteria:
D.
Factors considered in granting use permits.
(1)
In addition to the above standards, the approving board
or Zoning Official, as appropriate, shall consider the following factors in
determining whether to issue a conditional use permit:
(a)
Proximity of the tower to residential structures and
residential district boundaries;
(b)
Nature of uses on adjacent and nearby properties;
(c)
Surrounding topography;
(d)
Surrounding tree coverage and foliage;
(e)
Design of the tower, with particular reference to design
characteristics that have the effect of reducing or eliminating visual obtrusiveness,
including stealth designs which are encouraged;
(f)
Availability of suitable existing towers, alternative
tower structures, other structures or alternative technologies not requiring
the use of towers or structures;
(g)
Availability of proposed tower to other potential carriers.
(2)
This list is considered to be illustrative in nature
and may not include all factors to be considered.
The following site design standards shall apply to wireless telecommunications
facilities:
A.
New towers.
(1)
Telecommunications towers may not be located closer than
300 feet to any residential zone. Antennas located on preexisting buildings
or structures are exempt from this requirement.
(2)
Fall zone.
(a)
A fall zone shall be established such that the tower
is set back 50% of the height of the tower from any adjoining lot line or
nonappurtenant building. This tower setback requirement may be adjusted higher
or lower by the approving board or Zoning Official, as appropriate, based
on the design of the antenna mount(s) on the top of the tower and the particular
geography of the subject site in relation to the features of the adjoining
lands or rights-of-way consistent with the intent of the definition of "fall
zone" of this Chapter.
(b)
The above notwithstanding, in no instance shall a fall
zone be less than 20 feet from the edge of the tower (measured at the base)
to the inside edge of the buffer area required for the site.
(c)
The fall zone setback may supercede the zoning district setback for a site for the tower and exposed ancillary facilities only. Ancillary facilities enclosed in an ancillary building pursuant to § 266-6A(5) of this Chapter must satisfy the minimum zoning district setback requirements for accessory structures.
(3)
Security fencing. Towers shall be enclosed by security
fencing not less than eight feet in height. Said towers shall be equipped
with appropriate anti-climbing measures.
(4)
Landscaping. The following requirements shall govern
the landscaping surrounding towers:
(a)
Tower facilities shall be landscaped with a buffer of
plant materials that effectively screens the view of the tower compound from
property used for residences or planned residences or any other area frequented
by the public. The standard buffer shall consist of a landscaped strip at
least 10 feet wide outside the perimeter of the compound. However, at a minimum,
the facility should be shielded from public view by evergreen trees at least
eight feet high (3 1/2 inch caliper) at planting and planted in staggered
double rows 15 feet on center.
(b)
In locations where the visual impact of the tower would
be minimal, the landscaping requirement may be reduced at the sole discretion
of the approving authority.
(c)
Existing mature tree growth and natural land forms on
the site shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible. In some cases,
such as towers sited on large, wooded lots, natural growth around the property
perimeter may be a sufficient buffer.
(5)
Ancillary buildings. Any proposed building enclosing
related electronic equipment shall not be more than 10 feet in height nor
more than 200 square feet in area, and only one such building shall be permitted
on the lot for each provider of wireless telecommunications services located
on the site. Such buildings must satisfy the minimum zoning district setback
requirements for accessory structures.
(6)
Aesthetics. Towers and antennas shall meet the following
requirements:
(a)
Towers shall either maintain a galvanized steel finish
or, subject to any applicable standards of the FAA, be painted a neutral color
so as to reduce visual obtrusiveness.
(b)
At a tower site, the design of the buildings and related
structures shall, to the extent possible, use materials, colors, textures,
screening, and landscaping that will blend them into the natural setting and
surrounding buildings.
(7)
Lighting. No lighting is permitted except as follows,
which shall be subject to review and approval by the approving board as part
of the site plan approval process:
(a)
The building enclosing electronic equipment may have
one light at the entrance to the building, provided that the light is attached
to the building, is focused downward and is switched so that the light is
turned on only when workers are at the building; and
(b)
No lighting is permitted on a tower except lighting that
specifically is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and
any such required lighting shall be focused and shielded to the greatest extent
possible so as not to project towards adjacent and nearby properties.
(8)
Signs. No signs are permitted except those required by
the Federal Communications Commission, the Electronic Industries Association
(EIA) and/or the Telecommunication Industry Association (TIA) or by law, such
as warning and equipment information signs.
B.
Antennas mounted on existing structures or roof tops.
(1)
Antennas on existing structures. Any antenna which is not attached to a tower may be attached to any existing business, industrial, office, utility or institutional structure owned by the City of Pleasantville or in the zoning districts enumerated in § 266-5B of this chapter.
(a)
Side- and roof-mounted personal wireless service facilities
shall not project more than 10 feet above the height of an existing building
or structure nor project more than 10 feet above the height limit of the zoning
district within which the facility is located. Personal wireless service facilities
may locate on a building or structure that is legally nonconforming with respect
to height, provided that the facilities do not project above the existing
building or structure height.
(b)
The antenna complies with all applicable FCC and FAA
regulations.
(c)
The antenna complies with all applicable building codes.
(d)
The equipment structure shall not contain more than 200
square feet of gross floor area or be more than 10 feet in height. In addition,
for buildings and structures which are less than 48 feet in height, the related
unmanned equipment structure shall be located on the ground and shall not
be located on the roof of the structure.
(e)
If the equipment structure is located on the roof of
a building, the area of the equipment structure and other equipment and structures
shall not occupy more than 10% of the roof area.
(f)
Equipment storage buildings, structures or cabinets shall
comply with all applicable building codes.
(2)
Aesthetics. If an antenna is installed on a structure
other than a tower, the antenna and supporting electrical and mechanical equipment
must be of a neutral color that is identical to or closely compatible with
the color of the supporting structure so as to make the antenna and related
equipment as visually unobtrusive as possible.
C.
Antennas on existing towers. An antenna may be attached
to a preexisting tower in a nonresidential zone and, to minimize adverse visual
impacts associated with the proliferation and clustering of towers, collocation
of antennas by more than one carrier on existing towers shall take precedence
over the construction of new towers, provided such collocation is accomplished
in a manner consistent with the following:
(1)
A tower which is modified or reconstructed to accommodate
the collocation of an additional antenna shall be of the same tower type as
the existing tower, unless reconstruction as a monopole is proposed.
(2)
An existing tower may be modified or rebuilt to a taller
height, not to exceed the maximum tower height established by this Chapter.
(3)
On-site location. A tower which is being rebuilt to accommodate
the collocation of an additional antenna may be moved on site, provided that
the new location is within 10 feet of its existing location and further provided
that said new location is no closer to any property line or nonappurtenant
building than the existing location.
(a)
After the tower is rebuilt to accommodate collocation,
only one tower may remain on the site.
A.
The City of Pleasantville requires that licensed carriers
share personal wireless service facilities and sites where feasible and appropriate,
thereby reducing the number of personal wireless service facilities that are
stand-alone facilities. All applicants for site plan approval for a personal
wireless service facility shall demonstrate a good faith effort to collocate
with other carriers. Such good faith effort includes:
(1)
A survey of all existing structures that may be feasible
sites for collocating personal wireless service facilities;
(2)
Notification by certified mail of intent to seek site
plan approval to all the other licensed carriers for commercial mobile radio
services operating in the county;
(3)
Sharing information necessary to determine if collocation
is feasible under the design configuration most accommodating to collocation;
and
(4)
A copy of a proposed lease or affidavit of compliance
with this section.
B.
In the event that collocation is found to be not technically
feasible, a written statement of the reasons for the unfeasibility shall be
submitted to the City. The City may retain a technical expert in the field
of RF engineering to verify if collocation at the site is not feasible or
is feasible given the design configuration most accommodating to collocation.
The cost for such a technical expert will be at the expense of the applicant.
The City may deny approval to an applicant that has not demonstrated a good
faith effort to provide for collocation.
C.
If the applicant does intend to collocate or to permit
collocation, plans and elevations, which show the ultimate appearance and
operation of the personal wireless service facility at full build-out, shall
be submitted.
Wireless telecommunications facilities shall be located and approved
in accordance with the following prioritized locations:
A.
The first priority shall be an existing tower or an existing
or proposed water tower or standpipe owned by either a public or private utility
within or near the City of Pleasantville.
B.
The second priority shall be new towers on lands owned
by the City of Pleasantville.
C.
The third priority shall be an existing building in the
Regional Shopping Center (RSC), Industrial (IND) and Economic Redevelopment
Area (EDA) Zoning Districts.
D.
The fourth priority shall be new towers on lands not
owned by the City of Pleasantville located within the Regional Shopping Center
(RSC), Industrial (IND) and Economic Redevelopment Area (EDA) Zoning Districts.
In addition to the site plan submission requirements contained in the
Zoning and Land Use Code for the City (Chapter 290 of the City Code), the
following information shall be submitted in conjunction with site plan approvals
for all wireless telecommunications facilities:
A.
Comprehensive service plan. In order to provide proper
evidence that any proposed location of wireless telecommunications antennas
(and any supporting tower and/or ancillary building enclosing related electronic
equipment) has been planned to result in the fewest number of towers within
the City of Pleasantville at the time full service is provided by the applicant
throughout the municipality, the applicant shall submit a comprehensive service
plan. Said comprehensive service plan shall indicate how the applicant proposes
to provide full service throughout the municipality and, to the greatest extent
possible, said service plan shall also indicate how the applicant's plan is
coordinated with the needs of all other providers of telecommunications services
within the City. The comprehensive service plan shall indicate the following:
(1)
Whether the applicant's subscribers can receive adequate
service from antennas located outside of the borders of the City of Pleasantville.
(2)
How the proposed location of the antennas relates to
the location of any existing towers within and/or near the City of Pleasantville.
(3)
How the proposed location of the antennas relates to
the anticipated need for additional antennas and supporting towers within
and/or near the City of Pleasantville by both the applicant and by other providers
of telecommunications services within the City.
(4)
How the proposed location of the antennas relates to
the objective of collocating the antennas of different service carriers on
the same tower.
(5)
How the proposed location of the antennas relates to
the overall objective of providing full telecommunications services within
the City of Pleasantville while, at the same, limiting the number of towers
to the fewest possible.
B.
A scaled site plan clearly indicating the location, type
and height of the proposed tower, on-site land uses and zoning, adjacent land
uses and zoning (including when adjacent to other municipalities), and all
properties within the applicable fall zone, adjacent roadways, proposed means
of access, setbacks from property lines, elevation drawings of the proposed
tower and any other structure, topography, parking and other information deemed
by the approving authority to be necessary to assess compliance with this
chapter.
C.
Legal description of the entire tract and leased parcel
(if applicable).
D.
The setback distance between the proposed tower and the
nearest residential unit and residentially zoned properties.
E.
The separation distance from other towers and antennas.
F.
A landscape plan showing specific landscape materials,
including, but not limited to, species type, size, spacing and existing vegetation
to be removed or retained.
G.
Method of fencing and finished color and, if applicable,
the method of camouflage.
H.
A description of compliance with all applicable federal,
state or local laws.
I.
A notarized statement by the applicant as to whether
construction of the tower will accommodate collocation of additional antennas
for future users.
J.
Identification of the entities providing the backhaul
network for the tower(s) described in the application and other telecommunications
sites owned or operated by the applicant in the municipality.
K.
A letter of commitment to lease excess space to other
potential users at prevailing market rates and conditions. The letter of commitment
shall be in form suitable for recording with the County Clerk prior to the
issuance of any permit and shall commit the tower owner(s), property owner(s)
and their successors in interest.
L.
A visual impact study containing, at a minimum, a photographic
simulation showing the appearance of the proposed tower, antennas and ancillary
facilities from at least five points within a three-mile radius. Such points
shall be chosen by the carrier with review and approval by the approving board
or designee to ensure that various potential views are represented.
M.
An analysis of the RFR levels at the facility as a means
of assessing compliance with the FCC RF safety criteria. This analysis shall:
(1)
Take into consideration all collocated radio transmitting
antennas and/or nearby antennas that could contribute to RFR levels at the
facility.
(2)
Be performed by an RF engineer, health physicist or similar
knowledgeable individual.
(3)
Follow current methods recommended by the FCC for performing
such analyses.
A.
After the wireless telecommunications facility is operational,
the applicant shall submit, within 90 days of beginning operations, and at
annual intervals from the date of issuance of the building permit, existing
measurements of RFR from the wireless telecommunications facility. Such measurements
shall be signed and certified by an RF engineer, stating that RFR measurements
are accurate and meet FCC guidelines as specified in the radio frequency standards
section of this chapter.
B.
The applicant and coapplicant shall maintain the personal
wireless service facility in good condition. Such maintenance shall include,
but shall not be limited to, painting, structural integrity of the mount and
security barrier, and maintenance of the buffer areas and landscaping.
A.
At such time that a licensed carrier plans to abandon
or discontinue operation of a personal wireless service facility, such carrier
shall notify the Pleasantville Municipal Clerk by certified United States
mail of the proposed date of abandonment or discontinuation of operations.
Such notice shall be given no less than 30 days prior to abandonment or discontinuation
of operations. In the event that a licensed carrier fails to give such notice,
the wireless telecommunications facility shall be considered abandoned upon
discontinuation of operations.
B.
Upon abandonment or discontinuation of use, at the option
of the municipality, the carrier shall physically remove the personal wireless
service facility within 90 days from the date of abandonment or discontinuation
of use. Physically remove shall include, but not limited to:
(1)
Removal of antennas, mount, equipment shelters and security
barriers for the subject property.
(2)
Proper disposal of the waste materials from the site
in accordance with local, county and state solid waste disposal regulations.
(3)
Restoring the location of the personal wireless service
facility to its natural condition, except that any landscaping and grading
shall remain in the after-condition.
C.
If a carrier fails to remove a personal wireless service
facility in accordance with this section, the municipality shall have the
authority to enter the subject property and physically remove the facility.
The approving board will require the applicant to post a bond at the time
of approval to cover costs for the removal of the personal wireless service
facility in the event the municipality must remove the facility.
