[Ord. No. 985 §1(1005), 11-8-2001]
A. 
The purposes of this Article are to:
1. 
Provide for the appropriate location and development of wireless communication facilities and systems to serve the citizens and businesses of the City of Mound City.
2. 
Minimize adverse visual impacts of wireless communication facilities and their support structures through careful design, siting, landscape screening and innovative camouflaging techniques.
3. 
Maximize the use of existing and new support structures for wireless communication facilities so as to minimize the need to construct new or additional facilities.
4. 
Maximize and encourage the use of disguised antenna support structures so as to ensure the architectural integrity of designated areas within the City and the scenic quality of protected natural habitats.
[Ord. No. 985 §1(1005), 11-8-2001]
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings and usages indicated:
CABINET
A structure for the protection and security of communications equipment associated with one (1) or more WCF where direct access to equipment is provided from the exterior and the horizontal dimensions of which do not exceed four (4) feet by six (6) feet.
DISGUISED SUPPORT STRUCTURE
Any freestanding, manmade structure designed for the support of communications antennas or other forms of wireless communication facilities, the presence of which is camouflaged or concealed as an architectural or natural feature. Such structures may include, but are not limited to, clocks, towers, observation towers, pylon signs, water towers, light standards, light poles, flagpoles and artificial trees.
FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission.
HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the base of the structure at ground level to its highest point and including the main structure and all attachments thereto.
NEPA
The National Environmental Policy Act.
SHELTER
A building for protection and security of communications equipment associated with one (1) or more WCFs and where access to equipment is gained from the interior of the building. Human occupancy for office or other uses or the storage of other materials and equipment not in direct support of the connected WCFs is prohibited.
SUPPORT STRUCTURE
Any freestanding, manmade structure designed for the support of communications antennas or other forms of wireless communication facilities. Said structures shall include, but not be limited to, guyed towers, self-supporting (lattice) towers, monopoles or buildings. The term shall not include any support structure which is:
1. 
Under seventy (70) feet in height; and
2. 
Owned and operated by an amateur radio operator or private business band owner licensed by the Federal Communications Commission or by an operator of a citizen band radio ("CB").
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY (WCF)
An unstaffed facility for the transmission and/or reception of voice, data or video communications including, but not limited to, television, AM/FM radio, microwave, cellular telephone and similar forms of communications usually consisting of an equipment shelter or cabinet and the transmission and reception devices or antenna. The terms shall exclude satellite earth station antennae less than six (6) feet in diameter and any receive only home television antennae.
[Ord. No. 985 §1(1005), 11-8-2001]
A. 
The requirements set forth in this Section shall be applicable to all WCFs and their support structures installed, built or modified after the effective date of this Article (November 8, 2001), and to the full extent permitted by law.
1. 
Administrative and building permits. An administrative and building permit shall be required.
2. 
Building Code and safety standards. To ensure the structural integrity of antenna support structures, the owner shall see that it is constructed and maintained in compliance with all standards contained in applicable State and local building codes and the applicable standards published by the Electronics Industries Association, as amended from time to time. In addition to any other approvals required hereunder, no WCF or its support structures shall be erected or installed prior to approval by the Board of Aldermen and the issuance of a building permit.
3. 
Regulatory compliance. All antennae and support structures shall meet or exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, FCC and the requirements of the regulations implemented by NEPA affecting wilderness areas, wildlife preserves, endangered species, historical sites, Indian religious sites, flood plains, wetlands, high intensity white lights in residential neighborhoods and radio frequency emissions in excess of FCC guidelines and any other State or Federal agency and legislation with the authority to regulate communications antennae and support structures. Should such standards or regulations be amended, then the owners shall bring such devices and structures into compliance with the revised standards or regulations within the time period mandated by the controlling agency or legislation.
4. 
Security. All antennae and support structures shall be protected from unauthorized access by appropriate security devices. A description of proposed security measures shall be provided as part of any application to install, build or modify antennae or support structures. Additional measures may be required as condition of the issuance of a building permit or administrative permit as deemed necessary by the Board of Aldermen or by the Board of Adjustment.
5. 
Lighting. Antennae and support structures shall not be lighted unless required by the FAA or other State or Federal agency with authority to regulate, in which case a description of the required lighting scheme will be made a part of the application to install, build or modify the antennae or support structure.
6. 
Advertising. Unless a disguised antennae support structure is disguised in the form of a lawfully permitted advertising device such as a pylon sign or similar support structure, the placement of advertising on support structures, cabinets or shelters regulated by this Article is prohibited.
7. 
Design.
a. 
Support structures shall maintain a galvanized steel finish or, subject to the requirements of the FAA or any applicable State or Federal agency, be painted a neutral color consistent with the natural or built environment of the site.
b. 
Equipment shelters or cabinets shall have an exterior finish compatible with the natural or built environment of the site and also shall comply with any design guidelines as may be applicable to the particular zoning district in which the facility is located.
c. 
Support structures shall not exceed two hundred fifty (250) feet in height and shall not exceed the height limitation of any airport overlay zone as may be adopted by the City.
d. 
Antennae attached to a building or disguised support structure shall be a color identical to or closely compatible with the surface to which they are mounted.
e. 
All support structures shall be surrounded by an eight (8) foot security fence with a locking portal to prevent potential climbing hazards. Such security fences shall be surrounded by a landscape strip of not less than ten (10) feet in width within that ten (10) feet there may be planted with materials that will provide a visual barrier to a minimum height of eight (8) feet.
In lieu of the required eight (8) feet visual barrier, a minimum eight (8) foot-high decorative fence or wall may be approved by the Board of Aldermen or the Board of Zoning and Adjustment in the case of a conditional use permit upon demonstration by the applicant that an equivalent degree of visual screening is achieved.
f. 
The radius of the site of the support structure shall be equal to the height of the tower with the radius being measured from the outermost part of the base of the support structure so that if the support structure would fall, it would fall totally on site.
g. 
Ground anchors of all guyed towers shall be located on the same parcel as the tower and meet the requirements outlined in Subsection (f) above of this Section.
h. 
Vehicle or outdoor storage on any tower site is prohibited.
i. 
On-site parking for periodic maintenance and service shall be provided at all antenna or tower locations.
8. 
Shared use.
a. 
Prior to the issuance of any permit to alter or modify any support structure existing on the effective date of this Article (November 8, 2001), the owner shall provide to the City an affidavit agreeing to make said support structure available for use by others subject to reasonable technical limitations and reasonable financial terms. The willful and knowing failure of a support structure owner to agree to share use or to negotiate in good faith with potential users shall be cause for the withholding of future permits to the same owner to install, build or modify antennae or support structures within the City.
b. 
Prior to the issuance of any permit to install, build or modify any support structure, the owner of the support structure shall furnish the Board of Aldermen with an inventory of all that owner's support structure in or within one-half (½) mile of the City limits of the City of Mound City, Missouri. The inventory shall include the support structure's reference name or number, the street location, latitude and longitude, structure type, height, type and mounting height of existing antennas and an assessment of available ground space for the placement of additional equipment shelters.
c. 
Any new support structure approved at a height of one hundred (100) feet AGL or higher shall be designed and constructed to accommodate at least one (1) additional user. The willful and knowing failure of the owner of a support structure built for shared use to negotiate in good faith with potential users shall be cause for withholding of further permits to the same owner to install, build or modify antennae or support structures within the City.
d. 
Any new tower approved shall be designed and constructed to accommodate additional users. The willful and knowing failure of the owner of a support structure built for shared use to negotiate in good faith with potential users shall be cause for withholding of future permits to the same owner to install, build or modify antennae or towers within the City.
e. 
All applicants for new WCFs shall seek first to use unused space on existing support structures, including space on those owners of support structures that are providing similar, competing services. The owner of the existing support structure may on a legitimate and reasonable business basis choose between multiple requests for shared use on the same tower or structure and may reject any request where legitimate technical obstacles cannot be reasonably overcome such that it would impair existing service, cause the host to go offline for a significant period of time or where the party requesting shared use will not agree to reasonable financial terms. Any party believing that the other party has breached its duty to negotiate in good faith for shared use shall immediately notify the alleged breaching party and the Board of Aldermen in writing. A notice of breach of duty shall explain the precise basis for the claim and shall be accompanied by payment of an administrative review fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00) to the City to offset the cost of review. After the alleged breaching party's receipt of the notice, that party shall have ten (10) calendar days to provide a written submission to the Board of Aldermen responding to the alleged violation of the shared use requirement. If deemed necessary by the Board of Aldermen, they may engage, at the cost of the party alleging the violation, a neutral, qualified technical consultant to provide an opinion with regard to basis of the breach claim. If the Board of Aldermen receives a notice alleging a violation of the shared use requirement, the time for a decision on an administrative permit is automatically extended for up to sixty (60) days until the Board of Aldermen have determined that the applicant has complied. If the Board of Aldermen find that there has been a breach, then it may impose a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) upon the breaching party. An application for conditional use permit shall not be deemed complete for acceptance until a decision on compliance is reached.
[Ord. No. 985 §1(1005), 11-8-2001]
A. 
Prior to the issuance of a building permit, an administrative permit approved by the Board of Aldermen shall be obtained. Upon receipt of the appropriate administrative permit and building permit, the following are allowed:
1. 
The attachment of additional or replacement WCFs or shelters to any existing support structure on the effective date of this Article (November 8, 2001), or subsequently approved in accordance with these regulations, so long as the additional equipment shelters or cabinets are located within the existing support structure compound area and any enlargement of the existing support structure compound area meets all other requirements of this Article and the underlying zoning district.
2. 
The mounting of a WCF on an existing building or structure such as water tower, provided that the presence of the WCF is concealed by architectural elements or camouflaged by painting a color identical to the surface to which they are attached.
3. 
The mounting of a WCF on or within ten (10) feet above any existing high-voltage electric transmission tower.
4. 
The installation of a WCF or the construction of a support structure on buildings or land owned by the City following the approval of a lease agreement by the Board of Aldermen.
5. 
The one-time replacement of any support structure existing on the effective date of this Article (November 8, 2001), or subsequently approved in accordance with these regulations so long as the purpose of the replacement is to accommodate shared use of the site or to eliminate a safety hazard. The new support structure shall be of the same type as the original except that a guyed or self-supporting (lattice) tower may be replaced by a monopoly. If the guyed or lattice tower to be replaced is one hundred eighty (180) feet or less in height, it shall only be replaced with a monopoly. The height of the new tower may exceed that of the original by not more than twenty (20) feet, but under no circumstances shall the height exceed two hundred fifty (250) feet. Subsequent replacements shall require the obtaining of a conditional use permit from the Board of Adjustment.
6. 
The construction of a disguised support structure provided that all related equipment shall be placed underground or concealed within the structure when the structure is located in any district other than a district authorizing industrial uses. Equipment may be placed in a cabinet if the disguised support structure is incidental to an industrial, commercial, institutional or other non-residential use.
7. 
The placement of dual polar panel antennas on wooden or steel utility poles not to exceed forty (40) feet in height, provided that all related equipment is contained in a cabinet.
[Ord. No. 985 §1(1005), 11-8-2001]
A. 
Applications for administrative permits shall be made on the appropriate forms to the Board of Aldermen and accompanied by payment of the established fee and:
1. 
The appropriate forms shall be accompanied by:
a. 
The established fee;
b. 
A detailed site plan which shall:
(1) 
Be based on a closed boundary survey of the host parcel;
(2) 
Indicate all existing and proposed improvements including, but not limited to, buildings, drives, walkways, parking areas and other structures, public right-of-way, the zoning categories of the subject and adjoining properties, the location of and distance to off-site residential structures, required setbacks, required buffer and landscape areas drawn to scale, hydrologic features and the coordinates and height AGL of the existing or proposed tower.
c. 
A detailed description of the security devices to be installed to protect the antennae and support structure from unauthorized access;
d. 
Documentation establishing the structural integrity of the tower's proposed uses;
e. 
A signed affidavit on whether excess space will be leased;
f. 
Proof of ownership of the proposed site or authorization to utilize it;
g. 
Copies of any easements necessary.
2. 
The Board of Aldermen shall issue a decision on the permit within sixty (60) days of the date of application unless the time period for review and action was extended by the Board of Aldermen for goad cause which shall be set forth in a letter to the applicant. The Board of Aldermen may deny the application or approve the application as submitted or with such modifications as are, in their judgment, reasonably necessary to protect the safety or general welfare of the citizens consistent with the purposes of this Article. The Board of Aldermen may consider the factors established herein for granting a conditional use permit as well as any other considerations consistent with this Article. A decision to deny an application shall be made in writing and state the specific reasons far the denial.
3. 
Appeals from the decision of the Board of Aldermen shall be made in the same manner as provided by Article XII "Board of Adjustment" Section 405.600 of this Chapter for the appeal of administrative decisions unless the application for the administrative permit follows the receipt of a conditional use permit from the Board of Adjustment, in which case the appeal from the decision of the Board of Aldermen shall be made in the same manner as provided by Article XII "Board of Adjustment" Section 405.630 of this Chapter for the appeal of administrative decisions.
[Ord. No. 985 §1(1005), 11-8-2001]
A. 
All proposals to install, build or modify a WCF or its support structure not covered under Sections 405.285 above shall require the approval of a conditional use permit following a duly advertised public hearing by the Board of Adjustment prior to the applicant's obtaining an administrative permit and building permit. Notice of said public hearing shall be given in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Mound City with the first (1st) notice to be published not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the date established for such public hearing.
1. 
Application. Application for conditional use permits shall be filed and processed in the manner and time frame as established for administrative permits in Section 405.290 of this Article.
2. 
Time. The Board of Adjustment shall issue a decision on the conditional use permit within sixty (60) days of the date of application unless the time period for review and action was extended by the Board of Adjustment for good cause which shall be set forth in a letter to the applicant. The Board of Adjustment may deny the application or approve the application as submitted or with such modifications as are, in their judgment, reasonably necessary to protect the safety or general welfare of the citizens consistent with the purposes of this Article. The Board of Adjustment may consider the factors established herein for granting a conditional use permit as well as any other considerations consistent with this Article. A decision to deny an application shall be made in writing and state the specific reasons for the denial.
3. 
Appeals. Appeals from the decision of the Board of Adjustment shall be made in the same manner as provided by Article XII "Board of Adjustment" Section 405.630 of this Chapter for the appeal of administrative decisions.
4. 
Findings required. In addition to any other determinations specified by 405.295 for the consideration of conditional use permits, the Board of Adjustment shall make findings as to the following based upon evidence submitted with the application or presented during the public hearing by the applicant or others. A decision by the Board of Adjustment to deny an application shall be made in writing and accompanied by substantial evidence that shall be made part of the written record of the meeting at which a final decision on the application is rendered.
a. 
Whether or not the proposed support structure is located on City-owned property.
b. 
Whether or not existing support structures are located within the geographic area necessary to meet the applicant's engineering requirements.
c. 
Whether or not existing support structures or buildings within the applicant's required geographic area are of sufficient height to meet system engineering requirements.
d. 
Whether or not existing support structures have sufficient structural strength to support the applicant's proposed WCF.
e. 
Whether or not the proposed WCF would experience or cause signal interference with the WCF located on existing support structures.
f. 
Whether or not the fees, costs or other contractual terms required by the owner(s) of existing support structure(s) or building(s) within the required geographic area of the applicant are reasonable. Costs exceeding that of a new tower are presumed to be unreasonable.
g. 
Whether or not there are other limiting conditions that render existing support structures or buildings within the applicant's geographic area unsuitable.
h. 
Whether or not the design of the tower or structure, including the antennae, shelter and ground layout, maximally reduces visual degradation and otherwise complies with provisions of this Article.
i. 
Whether or not the proposal minimizes the number and size of towers or structures that will be required in the area.
j. 
Whether or not the applicant has previously failed to take advantage of available shared use opportunities provided by this Article or otherwise.
[Ord. No. 985 §1(1005), 11-8-2001]
A. 
WCF and their support structure shall only be permitted on property owned by the City of Mound City.
B. 
No support structure shall be approved at a height exceeding two hundred fifty (250) feet AGL unless the applicant clearly demonstrates that such height is required for the proper function of the applicant's system or that of a public safety communications system of a governmental entity sharing the support structure. Such showing also must be supported by the opinion of a telecommunications consultant hired by the City at the expense of the applicant. The opinion of the consultant shall include a statement that no available alternatives exist to exceeding the height limit or the reason such alternative is not viable.
[Ord. No. 985 §1(1005), 11-8-2001]
Any tower or upper portion of a tower that is not occupied by active antennae for a period of twelve (12) months shall be removed at the owner's expense. Removal of upper portions of a tower manufactured as a single object shall not be required.
[Ord. No. 985 §1(1005), 11-8-2001]
Notwithstanding any right that may exist for a governmental entity to operate or construct a tower or structure, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect or operate for any private commercial purpose any new WCF or support structure in violation of any provision of this Article, regardless of whether such WCF or support structure is located on land belonging to a governmental entity.