[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield 6-14-2021 by Ord. No. 2416.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was originally adopted as Ch. 391 but was renumbered to maintain the organization of the Code.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
Ministerial review of an application by the designee and engineer to determine whether the issuance of a permit is in conformity with the applicable provisions of this chapter.
ANTENNA
Communications equipment that transmits and/or receives electromagnetic radio frequency signals used in the provision of wireless services. This definition does not apply to broadcast antennas, antennas designed for amateur radio use, or satellite dishes for residential or household purposes.
APPLICABLE CODES
Uniform building, fire, safety, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical codes adopted by a recognized national code organization to the extent such codes have been adopted by the authority, including any amendments adopted by the authority, or otherwise are applicable in the jurisdiction.
APPLICANT
Any person or entity who submits an application under this chapter.
APPLICATION
A written request, on a form provided by the Borough of Ridgefield.
AUTHORITY
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield.
CO-LOCATE
To install or mount a small wireless facility in the public right-of-way on an existing support structure, an existing tower, or on an existing pole to which a small wireless facility is attached at the time of the application.
CO-LOCATION
Has a corresponding meaning.
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
Collectively, the equipment at a fixed location or locations within the public ROW that enables communications services, including: i) radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial, fiber-optic or other cabling, power supply (including backup battery), and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration; and ii) all other equipment associated with any of the foregoing. A communications facility does not include the pole, tower or support structure to which the equipment is attached.
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE
Cable service, as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 522(6); information service, as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 153(24); or telecommunications service, as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 153(53).
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
A provider of communications services and includes a cable operator as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 522(5).
DECORATIVE POLE
A pole that is specially designed and placed for aesthetic purposes.
DESIGNEE
Hoplite Communications, LLC, the person appointed by the Borough to serve as the initial point-of-contact and consultant for the Borough for all matters concerning this chapter, and who may be contracted for professional services.
ELIGIBLE FACILITIES REQUEST
An eligible facilities request as set forth in 47 CFR 1.6100, as that section may be amended from time to time.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission of the United States.
LAWS
Collectively, any and all federal, state or local law, statute, common law, code, rule, regulation, order, or ordinance.
ORDINARY MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
Inspections, testing and/or repair that maintain functional capacity, aesthetic and structural integrity of a communications facility and/or the associated support structure, pole or tower, that does not require blocking, damaging or disturbing any portion of the public ROW.
PERMIT or R.O.W. PERMIT
A written authorization to install, at a specified location(s) in the public ROW, a communications facility, tower or a pole to support a communications facility.
PERMITTEE
An applicant that has received a permit under this chapter.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, limited-liability company, partnership, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a governmental entity.
POLE
A legally constructed pole, such as a utility, lighting or similar pole made of wood, concrete, metal or other material, located or to be located within the public right-of-way. A pole does not include a tower or support structure and does not include a pole or structure that supports electric transmission lines.
PROVIDER
A communications service provider or a wireless services provider, and includes any person that owns and/or operates within the public ROW any communications facilities, wireless facilities, poles built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting communications facilities or towers.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY or PUBLIC ROW
The area on, below, or above property that has been designated for use as or is used for a public roadway, highway, street, sidewalk, or similar purpose. The term does not include a federal interstate highway, state highway, county right-of-way or other areas that are not within the legal jurisdiction, ownership or control of the authority.
REPLACE or REPLACEMENT
In connection with an existing pole, support structure or tower, to replace (or the replacement of) same with a new structure, substantially similar in design, size and scale to the existing structure and in conformance with this chapter and any other applicable regulations in order to address limitations of the existing structure to structurally support co-location of a communications facility.
SMALL WIRELESS FACILITY
A wireless facility that meets both of the following qualifications: i) each antenna could fit within an enclosure of not more than three cubic feet in volume; and ii) all other wireless equipment associated with the antenna, including the preexisting equipment, is cumulatively no more than 28 cubic feet in volume.
STATE
The State of New Jersey.
SUPPORT STRUCTURE
A structure in the public ROW other than a pole or a tower to which a wireless facility is attached at the time of the application.
SURROUNDING STREETSCAPE
The visual elements of a street, including the road, adjoining buildings, street furniture, trees and open spaces, etc., that combine to form the street's character.
TOWER
Any structure in the public ROW built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting a wireless facility. A tower does not include a pole or a support structure.
WIRELESS FACILITY
The equipment at a fixed location or locations in the public ROW that enables wireless services. The term does not include: i) the support structure, tower or pole on, under, or within which the equipment is located or co-located; or ii) coaxial, fiber-optic or other cabling that is between communications facilities or poles or that is otherwise not immediately adjacent to or directly associated with a particular antenna. A small wireless facility is one type of a wireless facility.
WIRELESS SERVICES
Any wireless services using licensed or unlicensed spectrum, whether at a fixed location or mobile, provided to the public.
Prior to installing in the public R.O.W. any communications facility, or any pole built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting a communications facility, or any tower, a person shall enter into a right-of-way use agreement with the Borough of Ridgefield expressly authorizing use of the public right-of-way for the communications facility, pole or tower proposed to be installed.
A. 
The term of the R.O.W. license agreement shall not exceed 30 years.
B. 
The R.O.W. license agreement authorizes the provider's nonexclusive use of the public R.O.W. for the sole purpose of installing, maintaining and operating communications facilities, including any pole built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting the communications facilities and to provide the services expressly authorized in the agreement subject to applicable codes and applicable laws, this chapter and the terms and conditions of the agreement. The agreement authorizes use only of the public R.O.W. in which the Borough has an actual interest. It is not a warranty of title or interest in any public R.O.W. and it does not confer on the provider any interest in any particular location within the public R.O.W. No other right or authority is granted except as expressly set forth in the agreement. Nothing herein shall authorize the use of the Borough's poles, towers, support structures, or other structures in the public R.O.W. All use of the Borough's poles, towers, support structures and other structures in the public R.O.W. shall require a separate agreement and the payment of separate fees for such use.
C. 
The provider shall, at its sole cost and expense, keep and maintain its communications facilities, poles, support structures and towers in the public R.O.W. in a safe condition, and in good order and repair.
D. 
The provider shall provide insurance and indemnification of the Borough as described in the R.O.W. license agreement. The insurance coverage limits must be at least as broad as follows:
(1) 
Workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance. Provider shall provide proof of workers' compensation insurance and be in compliance with the workers' compensation law of the State of New Jersey. Employer's liability: Limit of liability shall be a minimum of $500,000 in accordance with New Jersey statute.
(2) 
Comprehensive general liability. Comprehensive general liability ("CGL") insurance with limits no less than $2,000,000 per occurrence.
(3) 
Automobile liability. Automobile liability insurance covering claims for bodily injury and property damage arising from all owned, hired and nonowned vehicles with limits of not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit.
A. 
No person may construct, maintain or perform any other work in the public R.O.W. related to communications facilities, poles built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting communications facilities, or towers without first receiving a permit to the extent required under this chapter, and any subsequent permits or authorizations required by applicable laws or the authority.
B. 
The authority shall not issue a permit unless the applicant, or a provider on whose behalf the applicant is constructing communications facilities, poles or towers, has applied for and received the R.O.W. license agreement required by this chapter, or otherwise has a current and valid franchise with the Borough expressly authorizing use of the public R.O.W. for the communications facilities, poles or towers proposed in the application, and all applicable fees have been paid.
C. 
The provider shall not locate or maintain its communications facilities, wireless facilities, support structure, poles and towers so as to unreasonably interfere with the use of the public R.O.W. by the Borough, by the general public or by other persons authorized to use or be present in or upon the public R.O.W.
A. 
Height. No pole shall be taller than 50 feet in height including the antennas or 110% of the height of poles in the surrounding streetscape, whichever is higher.
B. 
Distance from curbline. No pole shall be farther than five feet from the curbline.
C. 
Location, safety and aesthetics. No pole shall be erected in the right-of-way unless it:
(1) 
Is replacing an existing pole; or
(2) 
Is approved by the authority; or
(3) 
Is located within the municipal right-of-way; and
(4) 
Is at least 150 linear feet from any other existing pole or proposed pole, which is used to support a small wireless facility; and
(5) 
Is not located in an area with underground utilities except as specified in Subsection I below; and
(6) 
Does not inhibit any existing sight triangles; and
(7) 
Allows adequate room for the public to pass and repass across the right-of-way; and
(8) 
Applicant will heed reasonable requests by the authority to utilize stealth technology and decorative poles when requested to preserve the existing character and streetscape and minimize impact on surrounding properties by causing the proposed pole and small cell to blend in compatibly with their background.
D. 
The authority may require new poles to be decorative poles if appropriate.
E. 
Pole-mounted antennas are permitted on new and existing poles, provided that each pole-mounted antenna:
(1) 
Does not exceed three cubic feet in volume; and
(2) 
Is finished and/or painted and otherwise camouflaged, in conformance with best available stealth technology methods, so as to blend in compatibly with its background and so as to minimize its visual impact on surrounding properties; and
(3) 
Does not inhibit sight triangles; and
(4) 
Allows adequate room for the public to pass and repass across the municipal right-of-way.
F. 
Pole-mounted cabinets are permitted on new and existing poles, provided that each pole-mounted cabinet:
(1) 
Does not exceed 16 cubic feet; and
(2) 
Is finished and/or painted and otherwise camouflaged in conformance with best available stealth technology methods so as to blend in compatibly with its background and so as to minimize its visual impact on surrounding properties; and
(3) 
Does not inhibit sight triangles; and
(4) 
Allows adequate room for the public to pass and repass across the municipal right-of-way.
G. 
The authority may also require that an applicant provide a certification from a licensed engineer attesting to the structural integrity of any pole-mounted antenna or pole-mounted cabinet.
H. 
Ground-mounted equipment may be used only to house equipment and other supplies in support of the small wireless facility.
I. 
Underground utilities. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the authority or otherwise required by applicable laws, whenever any existing electric utilities or communications facilities are located underground within a public R.O.W., the provider with permission to occupy the same portion of the public R.O.W. shall locate its communications facilities underground at its own expense. The authority may, in its sole discretion, approve aboveground placement of equipment cabinets, pedestals and similar equipment. For facilities or equipment such as wireless facilities that cannot, by their nature, operate unless located aboveground, the provider and authority shall work to find a suitable location for such facilities or equipment, and which may be outside the public R.O.W., only if the authority owns or otherwise manages said locations and has the authority to make them available to applicant for its communications facilities under similar terms and conditions as locations are made available in the public R.O.W. The applicant shall not be compelled to locate its aboveground wireless facilities on private property that is not owned, controlled or otherwise managed by the Borough.
J. 
All wireless equipment associated with the pole or tower, including the wireless equipment associated with the antenna and any preexisting associated equipment shall not be more than 28 cubic feet in volume.
K. 
The provider shall upon completion of construction provide the Borough with as-built drawings and a map showing the location of the facility and equipment.
L. 
Fewest possible new poles. Applicant shall use existing poles when possible for the placement of its small wireless facilities and shall minimize the number of new proposed poles in the right-of-way to the fewest possible to meet the coverage and capacity requirements.
M. 
Fewest possible small wireless facilities. Applicant shall minimize the number of new proposed small wireless facilities in the right-of-way to the fewest possible to meet its coverage and capacity requirements.
A. 
The provider, or its agent or contractor, shall restore, repair and/or replace any portion of the public R.O.W. that is damaged or disturbed by the provider's communications facilities, poles, towers or work in or adjacent to the public R.O.W.
B. 
If the provider fails to timely restore, repair or replace the public R.O.W. as required in this subsection, the authority or its contractor may do so and the provider shall pay the authority's costs and expenses in completing the restoration, repair or replacement.
A. 
Within 30 days following written notice from the authority, the provider shall, at its own expense, protect, support, temporarily or permanently disconnect, remove, relocate, change or alter the position of any of its communications facilities, poles, support structures or towers within the public R.O.W., including relocation of aboveground communications facilities underground (consistent with the provisions of this chapter), whenever the Borough has determined, in its sole discretion, that such removal, relocation, change or alteration is necessary for the construction, repair, maintenance or installation of any Borough improvement, the operations of the Borough in, under or upon the public R.O.W., or otherwise is in the public interest. The provider shall be responsible to the Borough for any damages or penalties it may incur as a result of the provider's failure to remove or relocate communications facilities, poles, support structures or towers as required in this subsection.
B. 
The Borough retains the right and privilege to cut or move any communications facility, pole, support structure or tower located within the public R.O.W. of the Borough, as the Borough may determine, in its sole discretion, to be necessary, appropriate or useful in response to any public emergency. If circumstances permit, the Borough shall notify the provider and give the provider an opportunity to move its own facilities prior to cutting or removing the communications facility, pole, support structure or tower. In all cases, the Borough shall notify the provider after cutting or removing the communications facility, pole, support structure or tower as promptly as reasonably possible.
C. 
A provider shall notify the Borough of abandonment of any communications facility, pole, support structure or tower at the time the decision to abandon is made, however, in no case shall such notification be made later than 30 days prior to abandonment. Following receipt of such notice, the provider shall remove its communications facility, pole, support structure or tower at the provider's own expense, unless the Borough determines, in its sole discretion, that the communications facility, pole, support structure or tower may be abandoned in place. The provider shall remain solely responsible and liable for all of it communications facilities, poles, support structures and towers until they are removed from the public R.O.W. unless the Borough agrees in writing to take ownership of the abandoned communications facilities, poles, support structures or towers.
D. 
If the provider fails to timely protect, support, temporarily or permanently disconnect, remove, relocate, change or alter any of its communications facilities, poles, support structures or towers or remove any of its abandoned communications facilities, poles, support structures or towers as required in this section, the Borough or its contractor may do so and the provider shall pay all costs and expenses related to such work, including any delay damages or other damages the Borough incurs arising from the delay.
A. 
One-time fees and recurring rates. As consideration to the Borough for entering into the right-of-way use agreement and also as a condition precedent for the issuance of any required permit pursuant to this chapter, the applicant shall pay the required one-time fees and recurring rates as set forth in this section, and which may be amended or modified from time to time per revision and modification to local, state and federal laws and regulations. Said fees shall include application or one-time fees and recurring right-of-way occupancy rates.
B. 
Permit application escrow. A permit application escrow of $1,000 per new small wireless facility, including any new pole or support structure, as applicable, and $500 per alteration, expansion, modification to an existing small wireless facility or pole or support structure, shall be submitted along with each application for a permit and held in escrow to be billed against actual incurred costs. Any expenses above the escrow shall be invoiced to applicant directly and shall be paid by applicant prior to the issuance of any permit.
C. 
Reasonable approximation. All one-time fees will be a reasonable approximation of objectively reasonable costs.
D. 
One-time fees apply to all work. One-time fees and event fees apply to the initial installation of facilities as well as to any subsequent upgrade, replacement, expansion, modification or alteration of same, with each instance of an upgrade, expansion, alteration, modification or repair being a separate project subject to a permit application and one-time fees. Ordinary maintenance and repair does not trigger any one-time fees.
E. 
Designee consulting fee. Applicant shall be responsible for designee consulting fees which will be a reasonable reflection of objectively reasonable costs, and which shall be first paid to designee via the permit application escrow. Said fee shall be at the rate of $350/hour and shall not exceed three hours per installation, modification, alteration, upgrade or expansion of a small wireless facility or pole or support structure. Said consultation shall supplement Borough personnel with expertise and knowledge not otherwise possessed by Borough agents and officials.
F. 
Annual ROW occupancy rate shall be $270 per annum, and shall be paid within 30 days of the issuance of the applicable permit and annually thereafter, with payment being due on the anniversary of the first payment date for the balance of the term. However, under no circumstances shall the rate be remitted later than 90 days after the full execution of the applicable right-of-way use agreement between Borough and applicant.
G. 
Annual attachment rate, equal to an amount that represents a reasonable approximation of the objectively reasonable costs incurred by the Borough for the attachment of each small wireless facility to Borough-owned structures in the public right-of-way. This amount shall be paid within 30 days of issuance of the applicable permit(s) and annually thereafter. The annual rates in this subsection and the annual ROW occupancy rate subsection combined shall not exceed $270 annually per small wireless facility location.
H. 
All fees and rates will be applied in a nondiscriminatory manner to all communications service providers.
I. 
Other fees. The applicant or provider shall be subject to any other generally applicable fees of the Borough or other government body, such as those required for electrical permits, building permits, or street opening permits, which the applicant or provider shall pay as required in the applicable laws, as well as attachment fees for the use of the Borough-owned poles, towers, support structures, ducts, conduits or other structures in the public R.O.W., as set forth in attachment agreements authorizing such use.
J. 
No refund. Except as otherwise provided in the right-of-way agreement; franchise agreement; license, the provider may remove its communications facilities, poles or towers from the public R.O.W. at any time, upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice to the Borough, and may cease paying the Borough any applicable recurring fees for such use, as of the date of actual removal of the facilities and complete restoration of the public R.O.W. In no event shall a provider be entitled to a refund of any fees paid prior to removal of its communications facilities, poles or towers.
A. 
Permit required. Unless expressly authorized in this chapter or in writing by the authority, no person may construct, install, modify, expand, alter or maintain in the public R.O.W. any communications facilities, poles built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting communications facilities or towers, including the installation or co-location of communications facilities on existing poles, towers, support structures or other structures within the public R.O.W. without first receiving a permit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of an emergency, a provider or its duly authorized representative may work in the public R.O.W. prior to obtaining a permit, provided that the provider shall attempt to contact the Borough prior to commencing the work and shall apply for a permit as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than 24 hours, after commencing the emergency work. For purposes of this subsection, an "emergency" means a circumstance in which immediate repair to damaged or malfunctioning facilities is necessary to restore lost service or prevent immediate harm to persons or property.
B. 
Permit application requirements. The application shall be made by the provider or its duly authorized representative and shall contain the following:
(1) 
The applicant's name, address, telephone number, and email address, including emergency contact information for the applicant.
(2) 
The names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of all consultants, if any, acting on behalf of the applicant with respect to the filing of the application.
(3) 
A description of the proposed work and the purposes and intent of the proposed communications facility, pole, tower, support structure or wireless facility (as applicable) sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(4) 
If applicable, a copy of the authorization for use of the property from the pole, tower or support structure owner on or in which the communications facility will be placed or attached.
(5) 
Detailed construction drawings regarding the proposed communications facility, pole, tower, support structure or wireless facility (as applicable). Construction drawings shall include, at minimum, a clear delineation of the right-of-way, distance of the proposed communications facility, pole or support structure from certain existing right-of-way features such as curb ramps for handicap accessibility pursuant to the Americans With Disabilities Act, sidewalk width and other details standard for these types of telecommunications installations in the public right-of-way.
(6) 
To the extent the proposed facility involves co-location on a pole, tower or support structure, a structural report performed by a duly licensed engineer evidencing that the pole, tower or support structure will structurally support the co-location (or that the pole, tower or support structure will be modified to meet structural requirements) in accordance with applicable codes.
(7) 
For any new aboveground facilities, accurate visual depictions or representations. If not included in the construction drawings.
(8) 
The following additional permits, approvals and authorization, as each is reasonably applicable to the proposed application:
(a) 
Street opening permit, per Borough procedure.
(b) 
Construction permit, per Borough procedure. This requirement may be waived if the appropriate code official determines that it is unnecessary per the proposed construction and installation of facilities.
(c) 
County approval, for sites located in the county R.O.W.
C. 
Proprietary or confidential information in application. Applications are public records that may be made publicly available pursuant to the New Jersey Open public Records Act.[1] Notwithstanding the foregoing, applicant may designate portions of its application materials that it reasonably believes contain proprietary or confidential information as "proprietary" or "confidential" by clearly marking each portion of such materials accordingly, and the Borough shall treat the information as propriety and confidential, subject to the New Jersey Open public Records Act and the Borough's determination that the applicant's request for confidential or proprietary treatment of application materials is reasonable. The Borough shall not be required to incur any costs to protect the application materials from disclosure, other than the Borough's routine procedures for complying with the New Jersey Open public Records Act.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.
D. 
Ordinary maintenance and repair. A permit shall not be required for ordinary maintenance and repair. The provider or other person performing the ordinary maintenance and repair shall obtain any other permits required by applicable laws and shall notify the Borough in writing at least 48 hours before performing the ordinary maintenance and repair. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the authority reserves the right to inspect applicant's small wireless facilities at any time in order to determine if the existing configuration matches the configuration contained in the most recently issued permit, and the applicable right-of-way use agreement. Applicant shall bear no costs for said inspections. However, if it is determined that an existing small wireless facility is found to be larger than the dimensions specified in the most recently issued applicable permit, then applicant shall be in violation of this chapter. Applicant shall receive notice from the Borough and, upon receipt of such notice, be required to restore the site within 10 days to the configuration of the most recently approved permit or retroactively apply for administrative approval for the unapproved modifications. In such instances, applicant will be responsible for costs and fees incurred by the authority to perform inspections and review.
E. 
Material changes. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the authority, any material changes to an application, as determined by the authority in its sole discretion, shall be considered a new application for purposes of the time limits set forth in this chapter, unless otherwise provided by applicable laws.
F. 
Application fees. Unless otherwise provided the applicable laws, all applications pursuant to this chapter shall be accompanied by the required fees.
G. 
Effect of permit. A permit from the authority authorizes an applicant to undertake only the activities in the public R.O.W. specified in the application and permit, and in accordance with this chapter and any general conditions included in the permit. A permit does not authorize attachment to or use of existing poles, towers, support structures or other structures in the public R.O.W.; a permittee or provider must obtain all necessary approvals from the owner of any pole, tower, support structure or other structure prior to any attachment or use. A permit does not create a property right or grant authority to the applicant to interfere with other existing uses of the public R.O.W.
H. 
Duration. Any permit for construction issued under this chapter shall be valid for a period of 365 days after issuance, provided that the period may be extended for up to an additional 180 days upon written request for the applicant (made prior to the end of the initial 365-day period) if the failure to complete construction is as a result of circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the applicant.
I. 
Batch permit. An applicant may simultaneously submit not more than 25 applications for communications facilities, or may file a single, consolidated application covering such communications facilities, provided that the proposed communications facilities are to be deployed on the same type of structure using similar equipment and within an adjacent, related geographic area of the Borough. If the applicant files a consolidated application, the applicant shall pay the application fee calculated as though each communications facility were a separate application.
Nothing in this chapter shall relieve the applicant from complying with the provisions of the Uniform Construction Code. No building permit, however, shall issue unless and until and R.O.W. permit is first issued as provided above.
A. 
Preapplication meeting. Prior to making a formal application with the Borough for use of the municipal right-of-way, all applicants are advised to meet voluntarily with the Borough engineer and designee to review the scope of the applicant's proposal.
B. 
All applications made under this chapter shall be expedited so as to comply with the shot clocks set forth in the Federal Communications Commission Order titled "Accelerating Wireless Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment; Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment by the Removal of Barrier to Infrastructure Investment." WT Docket No. 17-79; WC Docket No. 170-84.
C. 
The Borough engineer and designee shall review all applications for the placement of new poles and ground-level cabinets within the municipal R.O.W. and the placement of pole-mounted antennas and pole-mounted cabinets within the municipal R.O.W. and advise the authority whether the application is complete and whether it meets the requirements of this chapter.
D. 
Except as otherwise provided by applicable laws, the authority shall within 30 days of receiving an application, notify the applicant if the application is incomplete and identify the missing information. The applicant may resubmit the completed application within 10 days without additional charge, in which case the authority shall have 30 days from receipt of the resubmitted application to verify the application is complete, notify the applicant that the application remains incomplete or, in the Borough's sole discretion, deny the application.
E. 
The authority shall review the application and, if the application conforms with applicable provisions of this chapter, the authority shall issue the permit, subject to the standard permit requirements published by the Borough.
F. 
The authority shall make its final decision to approve or deny the application within 60 days for a co-location of a small wireless facility to an existing structure, and 90 days to deploy a small wireless facility on a new structure, after the application is complete (or deemed complete in the event the Borough does not notify the applicant that the application or resubmitted application is incomplete). Review of an application to deploy a facility other than a small wireless facility using a new structure shall be decided within 150 days.
G. 
Waiver. The authority may waive any siting standard set forth in this chapter where the applicant demonstrates that strict enforcement of said standard:
(1) 
Will prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting any interstate or intrastate telecommunications service pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 253(a); or
(2) 
Will prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting personal wireless service pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(B)(i)(II); or
(3) 
Will violate any requirement set forth by the Federal Communications Commission Order entitled "Accelerating Wireless Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment; Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment by the Removal of Barrier to Infrastructure Investment." WT Docket No. 17-79; WC Docket No. 170-84.
H. 
The authority shall advise the applicant in writing of its final decision.
Notwithstanding anything else in the Code of the Borough of Ridgefield, the installation of antennas, small cells and other communication devices and associated equipment in the public municipal roadway either on existing or new poles are permitted and considered a permitted use if a right-of-way use agreement and right-of-way permits are obtained pursuant to this chapter.
This chapter is intended to govern the installation, placement, maintenance, modification, upgrade and repair of communications facilities, including small wireless facilities, in the public right-of-way. The placement of telecommunications equipment outside of the public right-of-way shall be governed by the applicable codes and ordinances of the Borough.
A. 
Any communications facilities in the public rights-of-way existing at the time of the adoption of the provisions of this chapter, whether or not a right-of-way use agreement exists or is in force and effect with regard to same, shall be required to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
Any right-of-way use agreements entered into between the Borough and any provider regarding communications facilities in the public rights-of-way shall be required to conform to the provisions and standards of this chapter. To the extent the provisions of any existing such agreement conflict with this chapter, said provisions, at the discretion of the Borough, shall be replaced and superseded by the applicable terms of this chapter.
In addition to compliance with the applicable provisions of this chapter, prior to the start of any installation of poles, support structures, small wireless facilities or other communications facilities that requires excavation, applicant shall contact New Jersey One Call at 811 at least three full business days prior to the commencement of work.
Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be a simple citation punishable with a civil penalty of $500 for each violation which continues more than 10 days after written notice of such violation is provided to the person or applicant. Each day, after such notice, that a violation occurs or is permitted to exist by the person or applicant constitutes a separate offense.