Telecommunications facilities and towers
It is the intent of this subsection to regulate telecommunication facilities to establish specific and reasonable development standards, and to minimize the visual impacts of telecommunications facilities while at the same time conforming to the Federal Telecommunications Act. No telecommunication facilities shall be erected or installed except in compliance with the provisions of this article. Where conflicts exist between this article and the remainder of this Code, the provisions of this article shall govern.
(A) Telecommunication facilities are prohibited in all historic zoning overlay districts.
(B) Administrative review procedure.
1. Development plan review: All applications for telecommunications facilities will require a development plan review and recommendation from the planning board prior to a city council hearing.
2. Co-location. All applicants shall first pursue the option of co-location on existing telecommunication facilities and/or public facilities. Should an existing structure/site not be utilized, justifying evidence shall be submitted. Notwithstanding any zoning approvals, co-location on existing telecommunications facilities not exceeding the approved structure height shall be allowed without further zoning board of review or city council approvals being necessary.
3. FAA/RIAC approval: All applicants shall first receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) approval prior to the plan development review process.
4. Notification: Upon city council approval, a successful applicant shall send certified mail announcements to all other telecommunications providers servicing the city declaring the applicant's sharing capabilities and siting locations.
(C) Performance standards:
1. Location: No telecommunications facility shall be located within two miles of another facility.
2. Materials: Telecommunication towers shall have nonreflective material and be painted in a neutral color in order to blend into the background as much as possible.
3. Maintenance: All telecommunications towers and required screening shall be maintained or replaced as needed.
4. Setback requirements for telecommunications facilities:
i. Minimum setback from residential and open space zoning districts: 100 feet.
ii. Minimum front yard: 45 feet.
5. Tower height: The height of any telecommunications tower shall be limited to the height of the zoning district, provided that the height may be increased by one foot for each one-foot setback from all required setbacks.
6. Screening: All ground-based facilities shall be appropriately screened and secured as follows:
i. The perimeter of the facility shall be surrounded by a six-foot chainlink fence or equivalent.
ii. The perimeter of the facility (excluding the access point) shall be fully screened by a tight evergreen hedge not less than six feet in height at the time of planting.
iii. The access point shall be located or screened so that the base of the facility is not visible from any street or abutting residence or open space district.
7. Utilities: All utilities servicing a telecommunications facility shall be installed underground and shall conform to the appropriate utility companies' policy for such underground installation.
8. Building antennas: Building antennas shall be designed in a manner that is visually unobtrusive. Building antennas shall be screened or mounted and/or painted in such a way that will blend with the color and texture of the existing building. Antenna height shall not exceed the maximum height requirement of the district in which it is located, provided that the city council may allow the height of the antenna to be up to 25 feet above the allowed structure height.
(Ord. No. O-97-18, § I, 8-12-97; Ord. No. O-98-36, § II, 10-13-98; Ord. No. O-99-23, § I, 4-19-99)