| |
The Town Board of
the Town of Vienna, Dane County, Wisconsin, pursuant to authority vested
in it, does hereby ordain as follows:
PART ONE:
SECTION 1. INTENT.
Wireless telecommunication towers and antennas may be installed, erected,
modified, and maintained pursuant to the provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 2. PURPOSE.
The
purpose of this ordinance is:
- To ensure the provision of personal wireless
service within the corporate boundaries of, and for the benefit of,
the residents of the Town of Vienna;
- To protect the public health, safety, and
general welfare of the community, public and private property, and community
aesthetics;
- To minimize the visual impact of towers,
antennas, and associated buildings through design and siting standards;
- To maximize the use of existing and approved
towers and buildings to accommodate multiple antennas in order to reduce
the number of towers needed to serve the community; and
- To avoid damage to adjacent properties
from tower failure through structural standards and setback requirements.
SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS.
For
purposes of this ordinance of the Town, the terms defined in this ordinance
have the meanings given them.
- Accessory Equipment Structure: A building
or cabinet-like structure located adjacent to or in the immediate
vicinity of a wireless telecommunications tower or antenna to house
equipment customarily incidental to the receiving or transmitting
of wireless broadcasts, cellular telephone calls, voice messaging,
and paging services.
- Antenna: Equipment used for transmitting
or receiving radio frequency signals which is attached to a tower,
building, or other structure, usually consisting of a series of
directional panels, microwave or satellite dishes, or omnidirectional
"whip" antennas.
- Antenna Support Structure: Any building,
pole, telescoping mast, tower, tripod, or any other structure which
supports an antenna.
- Base Transceiver Station: Equipment
that provides the link between wireless communications and land-based
public telephone switching networks, including radio frequency transceivers,
back-up power amplifiers, and signal processing hardware, typically
contained in a small building or cabinet.
- Co-Location: The location of wireless
telecommunications equipment from more than one provider on a common
tower, building, or structure.
- Commercial Receiving and/or Transmitting
Antenna: Any antenna erected to transfer information for commercial
use.
- Mast: The portion of' the outside antenna
system to which the antenna is attached and the support or extension
required to elevate the antenna to a height deemed necessary for
adequate operation.
- Personal Wireless Services: Licensed
commercial wireless communication services including cellular, personal
communication services (PCS), enhanced specialized mobilized radio
(EMR), paging and similar services.
- Public Property: Land, buildings, or
other structures owned or operated by the Town of Vienna.
- Tower: Any pole, spire, structure,
or combination thereof to which antenna could be attached, or which
is designed for an antenna to be attached, and all supporting lines,
cables, wires, and braces.
- Uniform Building Code (UBC): Published
by the International Conference of Building Officials and referenced
by the State of Wisconsin to provide jurisdictions with building-related
standards and regulations.
SECTION 4. EXISTING TOWERS
OR ANTENNAS.
Antennas, towers, and accessory
structures for which a building permit or special use permit has been
properly issued prior to the effective date of this ordinance are, after
the effective date hereof, declared to be nonconforming uses subject to
the provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 5. INTERPRETATION
AND APPLICABILITY.
- This ordinance shall be interpreted consistent
with the provisions of the Federal Communications Act of 1934 as amended
by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
- This ordinance shall apply to all persons,
partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships,
corporations, and other entities seeking to locate, site, place, modify,
or construct wireless telecommunications facilities within the corporate
boundaries of the Town.
- This ordinance reserves to the Town all
authority contained in state law and existing town ordinances regarding
land use and regulation which has not been preempted by the federal
government pursuant to section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of
1996 as to the placement, construction, and modification of personal
wireless service facilities.
- This ordinance does not apply to the use
or location of private residential citizen band radio towers, amateur
radio towers, television antennas, or public safety communication facilities
owned or operated by the Town of Vienna or other public municipalities.
SECTION 6. GENERAL PERMIT
CONDITIONS AND HEIGHT LIMITATIONS.
- Wireless telecommunication antennas shall
be allowed as a permitted use in those zoning districts where antennas
are permitted and if located or attached as follows:
- Water Towers. Wireless telecommunication
antennas shall be permitted upon Town-owned structures provided
the applicant has incorporated applicable performance standards
set forth in Section 8 of this ordinance, a lease agreement with
the Town has been approved by the Town Board, a building permit
has been obtained, and all applicable fees have been paid.
- Co-Location on Existing Towers. Wireless
telecommunication antennas shall be permitted to be attached to
existing, conforming church steeples, bell towers, smokestacks,
municipal, utility, hospital, and school buildings and radio towers
in accordance with applicable siting guidelines and performance
standards set forth in Sections 7 and 8 of this ordinance after
the applicant has provided to the Town a written statement of approval
from the tower or structure owner or lessor, has obtained a building
permit from the Town and paid all applicable fees. The antenna shall
not serve to extend the height of the existing, conforming steeple,
tower, smokestack, or radio tower by more than fifteen (15) feet.
- Utility Poles. Wireless telecommunication
antennas shall be permitted to be attached to utility poles after
the applicant has provided a written statement of approval from
the utility owner or lessor, has obtained a building permit from
the Town, and paid the necessary fees. The height of the antenna
shall not extend more than fifteen (15) feet above the pole. Existing
lattice utility pole structures may also be utilized provided the
approval from the owner and building permit is obtained.
- Height Limitations. The height limitations
in residential areas and agricultural areas shall not exceed fifteen
(15) feet above the height of the roof of an existing structure or for
new construction as follows: for single use, ninety (90) feet; for dual
uses, one hundred twenty (120) feet, and for three or more uses, up
to one hundred fifty (150) feet; and shall include all parts of the
wireless telecommunication tower and antenna structure measured from
the base.
SECTION 7. COLOCATION
REQUIREMENTS.
No proposal for the construction
of a new wireless telecommunication tower shall be approved unless the
applicant documents to the satisfaction of the Town Board that the antenna
planned for the proposed tower cannot reasonably be accommodated on a
Town-owned structure, on an existing, conforming co-location tower or
structure, or on a utility pole within the applicant's search ring transcending
the municipal borders for the purpose of providing service to the residents
and businesses of the Town due to one or more of the following:
- The antenna would exceed the structural
capacity of an existing tower or building; (new towers antenna support
structures must be built with a base structural capacity which would
have the ability to locate up to three additional users).
- The antenna would cause interference with
other existing or planned equipment at the tower or building;
- Existing or approved towers and buildings
cannot reasonably accommodate the antenna at a height necessary for
the proposed antenna to provide services to the residents and businesses
of the Town;
- Existing or approved towers and commercial
buildings are outside of the documented search area; or
- The owners or lessors of the existing or
approved towers and buildings are unwilling to allow co-location upon
their facilities.
SECTION 8. PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS.
The requirements of this section
apply to all wireless telecommunications towers and antennas erected,
constructed, placed, modified, or replaced in the Town of Vienna. All
wireless telecommunication towers and antennas shall be designed and situated
to be visually unobtrusive, to minimize the impact upon neighboring uses,
and shall conform to the following design and siting criteria:
- Setbacks. The minimum setback from any
property line, public right-of way, building, or structure, except for
accessory buildings or equipment structures, for a wireless telecommunication
tower shall be equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the height of
the tower. Setbacks for accessory buildings and equipment structures
associated with wireless telecommunication towers and antennas shall
comply with the zoning district in which the facility is located.
- Accessory Equipment Structures. All accessory
equipment structures adjacent to an antenna system and/or tower shall
be screened or architecturally designed to blend in with the surrounding
environment and shall meet the minimum setback requirements of the applicable
zoning district. The accessory equipment structure, or accessory equipment
land parcel, shall have the capacity to house the equipment of up to
three additional co-locators.
- Fencing. When deemed applicable by the
Town, appropriate safety fencing shall be incorporated within the site
accommodating the tower and its accessory equipment structures.
- Landscaping and Screening. When deemed
applicable by the Town, proper landscaping and screening shall be incorporated
into the site accommodating the tower and its accessory equipment structures.
- Color. The wireless telecommunication tower
and antenna shall be of a neutral color such as light gray or sky blue
except as dictated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and
be designed to minimize visibility and to blend into the surrounding
environment.
- All towers with antennas shall be designed
to withstand applicable wind load requirements as prescribed in the
State of Wisconsin Uniform Building Code. Towers and/or antenna systems
shall be constructed of' or treated with corrosive resistant material.
A regular maintenance schedule shall be followed.
- Roof-Mounted Wireless Communication Antennas.
Roof-mounted wireless telecommunication antennas shall not be permitted
on buildings with pitched roofs unless they are stealth antennas incorporated
into upward-thrusting architectural elements such as a church steeple,
spire, or bell tower smokestack or radio tower. On flat roofs, the height
of the antenna and mounting hardware may not be more than fifteen (15)
feet above the highest point of the roof to which the antenna is attached.
- Structurally-Mounted Wireless Communication
Antennas. Tele communication antennas mounted on the sides of buildings
shall be attached flush with the side of the building and shall not
protrude more than three (3) feet from the side of the building. Structurally-mounted
antennas not affixed to towers shall be made to blend into the design
and contours of the structure.
- Lights. No antenna or tower shall have
affixed or attached to it in any way any lights, reflectors, flashers,
daytime strobes, or steady nighttime light or other illuminating devices
except as may be required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- Signs and Advertising. No signs and/or
advertising messages shall be affixed to the antenna or tower structure.
- Other Attachments. No antenna or tower
shall have constructed thereon or attached thereto any platform, catwalk,
crow's nest, or like structure for the purpose of human support except
during periods of construction and repair.
SECTION 9. OBSOLETE OR
UNUSED TOWERS.
All obsolete,
damaged, unused, or abandoned towers and accompanying accessory facilities
shall be removed within twelve (12) months of the cessation of operations
unless a time extension is approved by the Town of Vienna Board. If the
tower is not removed, it may be deemed a nuisance pursuant to Wisconsin
Statutes. In the event a tower is determined to be a nuisance, the Town
may act to abate such nuisance and require the removal of the tower at
the property owner's expense. The owner shall provide the Town with a
copy of the notice of the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) intent
to cease operations and shall be given twelve (12) months from the date
of ceasing operations to remove the obsolete tower and all accessory structures.
In the case of multiple operators sharing the use of a single tower, this
provision shall not become effective until all users cease operations
for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months. The equipment on the ground
is not to be removed until the tower structure has first been dismantled.
After the facilities are removed, the site shall be restored to its original
or an improved state.
SECTION 10. PROCEDURAL
REQUIREMENTS.
Applicants proposing
to erect wireless telecommunication towers or antennas shall follow procedures
as set forth in this ordinance. Additional application materials shall
include the following:
- A document from the property owner or lessor
that allows the applicant to apply for a conditional use permit and
building permit to erect a wireless telecommunications tower and/or
antenna.
- A "scaled" site plan which shows property
lines, location of wireless telecommunication tower or antenna, setback
distances, any accessory equipment structure, fencing, and landscaping
proposed.
- Photographs of the proposed site, an artist's
or architect's sketch, concept, or rendition of the site as built which
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Town Board that the proposed
site will be as aesthetical as possible in keeping with its surroundings,
including elevations, landscaping, screening, appropriate camouflage,
and fencing.
- Sufficient information to show that construction,
installation, and maintenance of the wireless telecommunication tower
and/or antenna will not create a safety hazard or damage to the property
of other persons.
PART TWO:
SECTION 1. BUILDING PERMITS.
No person shall place, construct, or modify a wireless telecommunication
tower or antenna without first having obtained a building permit. All
towers and antennas are subject to plan review and inspection by the Town
to determine compliance with the State of Wisconsin Uniform Building Code
construction standards. No building permit shall be issued by the Town
without prior approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) by Dane County.
The applicant shall provide to the Town all information as required by
this and other applicable ordinances of the Town at the time of application
for a building permit. In addition to any other requirements of this or
any other section of this ordinance, the building permit application shall
include the following:
- A report and plan from a qualified and registered engineer or firm
that specifies the following:
- the tower height and design including cross-section and elevation;
- the height above grade for all potential mounting positions for
co location antenna and the minimum separation distances between antennas;
- structural mounting designs and materials list;
- the capacity of the tower, including the number and type of antennas
that the tower can accommodate; and
- as applicable, an engineer's stamp and number.
- Structural and electrical plans showing how the proposed tower will
accommodate the co-location of the applicant's antenna and comparable
antennas of additional users and the plans and specifications whereby
the proposed tower is designed to allow for future rearrangement of
antennas to accommodate additional users and the mounting of additional
antennas at varying heights.
- Plans and specifications showing how the proposed facility will be
maintained in keeping with uniform building codes adopted by the Town.
SECTION 2. INSPECTION.
The Town may,
at any time, inspect any telecommunications tower, antenna, or other facility
to ensure its structural integrity. If; upon such inspection, the Town's
duly designated inspector determines that the facility fails to comply
with such applicable codes and that such failure constitutes a danger
to persons or property, then upon notice being provided to the owner of
the facility, the owner shall have thirty (30) days to bring the facility
into compliance with the applicable codes and standards. Failure to bring
the facility into compliance within the said thirty (30) days shall constitute
cause for the removal of the facility at the owner's expense.
SECTION 3. NON-INTERFERENCE.
All new or existing
telecommunications services shall comply with all relevant Federal Communication
Commission (FCC) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and
shall not interfere with public safety and other Town and private telecommunications
operations.
SECTION 4. INSURANCE AND
HOLD-HARMLESS AGREEMENT.
The applicant
shall provide the Town with proof of liability insurance which protects
against losses due to personal injury or property damage resulting from
the construction, operation, or collapse of the tower, antenna or accessory
equipment. In addition to the insurance required, the person applying
for a permit shall agree to execute and deliver to the Town Clerk of the
Town of Vienna a Hold Harmless Agreement in which the person applying
for the permit agrees to save and hold the Town of Vienna, its Board,
agents or employees harmless from any and all liabilities of any kind
or nature whatsoever which may arise as a result of the person being issued
a permit as described herein, including, but not limited by enumeration,
reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs incurred by the Town in defending
against any claim or in enforcing this ordinance. Such Hold Harmless Agreement
shall be executed prior to the issuance of the permit.
SECTION 5. PENALTIES.
Any person, firm,
company, or corporation who violates any provision of this ordinance or
fails to comply with any of its requirements shall be subject to a forfeiture
for each offense of not less than Ten Dollars ($10.00) nor more than Two
Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for each violation and, in addition, shall pay
all costs and expenses involved in the matter, including reasonable attorneys'
fees and court costs. Each day that a violation continues shall be considered
a separate offense. Compliance with the provisions of this ordinance may
also be enforced by the Town or one or more owners of real estate situated
within the area affected by the regulation of the ordinance. Any building
erected, structurally altered, determined to be unsafe, or any use carried
on in violation of the provisions of this ordinance is hereby declared
to be a public nuisance per se, and the Town may apply to any Dane County
court to refrain or abate such nuisance.
SECTION 6. ENFORCEMENT.
The Town Board
of the Town of Vienna, by the Town attorney or such person as set forth
in Section 15 of this ordinance, may bring a civil action in any Dane
County court by fling with it a complaint setting forth the facts and
requesting such preventative relief, including an application for a temporary
or permanent injunction, restraining order, or such other order as the
Town deems necessary to insure the full enjoyment of the rights granted
by this ordinance, provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall
prevent the imposition of a forfeiture in addition to other remedies enumerated
herein. The costs of such proceedings shall be collected as a debt from
the owner, occupant, or person causing, permitting, or maintaining the
violation and/or nuisance, and such cost shall be assessed against the
real estate as a special charge on the tax rolls. For purposes hereof,
costs shall include, but not be limited to. actual attorneys' fees and
court costs.
SECTION 7. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this ordinance
is invalid or unconstitutional or if the application of this ordinance
to any person or circumstances is invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity
or unconstitutionality shall not effect the provisions or applications
of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid or unconstitutional
provision or application.
SECTION 8. APPEAL PROCEDURES.
Any person affected
by any decision, action, denial, or determination made by the interpreting
or implementing provisions of this ordinance may file an appeal with the
Town Clerk of the Town of Vienna within fifteen (15) days of the date
of such decision, action, denial, or determination setting forth in detail
the facts supporting the request for reconsideration. The Town Board upon
receiving the request for reconsideration shall publish the request as
required by law. The Town Board shall render its decision, in writing,
on the request for consideration to the person filing the appeal within
forty-five (45) days of receipt of the request. Any further appeal shall
be provided by the laws of the State of Wisconsin.
SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This ordinance
shall take effect upon its passage and publication as provided by law.
The foregoing ordinance was duly adopted at a regular meeting
of the Town Board of the Town of Vienna on Jan. 7, 2002.
Carlton Hamre, Chairman
Daniel Muxfield, Supervisor
Lloyd Simpson, Supervisor
ATTEST: Robert Pulvermacher, Town Clerk
I hereby certify that the foregoing ordinance regulating cellular towers
within the Town of Vienna was published as a Class 1 notice under ch.
985, Wis. Stats., on the 7th day of January, 2002.
Published after adoption on the 7th day of January, 2002.
Robert Pulvermacher, Town Clerk
TOP OF PAGE
|