§ 400-135
Design standards for site plan approval
All applications for a communications antenna array or communications tower shall be subject to site plan approval. The following design standards shall apply to all communications antenna arrays and communications towers:
- A. For the erection of a communications antenna array on an existing structure, the proposed facility shall preserve the preexisting character of the building or structure on which it is located, as well as the surrounding buildings and land uses. All components of the proposed facility shall be integrated through location and design to be compatible with the existing characteristics of the site to the extent practical. Existing on-site vegetation shall be preserved or improved and the disturbance of the existing topography shall be minimized, unless such disturbance would result in less visual impact of the facility on the surrounding areas.
- B. For the erection of a communications tower, the proposed facility shall preserve the preexisting character of the surrounding buildings and land uses as much as possible. All components of the proposed facility shall be integrated through location and design to be compatible with existing characteristics of the site to the extent practical. Existing on-site vegetation shall be preserved or improved and the disturbance of the existing topography shall be minimized, unless such disturbance would result in less visual impact of the facility on the surrounding areas.
- C. Towers shall have an ASTM specification A123 hot dip galvanized finish and, subject to any applicable Federal Aviation Administration standards, may be top-coated in a neutral color so as to reduce visual obtrusiveness.
- D. At a tower site, the design of the buildings and related structures shall use materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping that will blend the tower facilities to the natural setting and built environment.
- E. 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 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.
- F. Towers shall not be artificially lighted, unless required by the Federal Aviation Administration or other applicable authority. If lighting is required, the reviewing authority may review the available lighting alternatives and approve the design that would cause the least disturbance to the surrounding views.
- G. The Town reserves the right to verify the suitability of all towers and arrays through use of an independent consultant to be paid for by the applicant.