§ 69-4. Installation on existing towers or monopoles (co-location preferred).

(a)

No new telecommunication tower or structure shall be permitted unless the applicant demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of the city that no existing tower or structure can accommodate the applicant's proposed antenna. An existing tower or structure will be presumed to "accommodate the applicant's proposed antenna" as required above if such tower or structure is currently being used for transmitting and/or receiving analog, digital, microwave, cellular, telephone, personal wireless service or similar forms of electronic communication regardless of the underlying zoning designation of the site; provided, however, that the location of the tower or structure meets the design and siting requirements of this chapter.

(b)

Evidence submitted to demonstrate that no existing tower or structure can accommodate the applicant's proposed antenna may consist of any of the following:

(1)

No existing tower or structures are located within the geographic area required to meet applicant's engineering requirements;

(2)

Existing towers or structures are not of sufficient height to meet applicant's engineering requirements.

(3)

Existing towers or structures do not have sufficient structural strength to support applicant's proposed antenna and related equipment;

(4)

The applicant's proposed antenna would cause electromagnetic interference with the antenna on the existing towers or structures, or the antenna on the existing towers or structures would cause interference with the applicant's proposed antenna;

(5)

The fees or costs required to share an existing tower or structure or to adapt an existing tower or structure for sharing are unreasonable. Costs exceeding new tower development are presumed unreasonable;

(6)

Property owner or owners of existing towers or structures are unwilling to reasonably accommodate the applicant's needs; or

(7)

The applicant demonstrates that there are other limiting factors that render existing towers and structures unsuitable.

(c)

Antennas may be installed on existing towers of any height so long as the addition adds no more than twenty (20) feet to the height of the existing tower, subject to all applicable zoning district restrictions, the provisions contained herein as well as the requirements of all other applicable restrictions, codes and ordinances.

(d)

If it is adequately demonstrated that antenna co-location, as required in this chapter, is not possible for a given geographic area, the following use may be permitted after the city reviews the evidence:

(1)

Constructing a new tower, including the placement of additional buildings or other supporting equipment used in connection with such tower or antenna within a geographical business district previously designated, authorized and approved by the city to specifically serve as an alternative district for the location of new towers in the event co-locations are not possible, if any such districts have been so designated. Provided, however, that all structures shall meet the setback, screening, buffer, height, size and other requirements contained herein as well as the requirements of all other applicable, restrictions, codes and ordinances; or

(2)

Installation of an antenna on an existing structure other than a tower (such as a building, sign, light pole, water tower, or other free-standing nonresidential structure) that is 50 feet in height or greater, so long as the additional antenna height adds no more than 20 feet to the height of the existing structure, subject to all applicable zoning district restrictions, the provisions contained herein as well as the requirements of all other applicable restrictions, codes and ordinances.

(e)

At no time will any co-location site be allowed to become an "antenna farm" or otherwise be deemed by the zoning commission to be visually obtrusive.

(f)

Co-location tower specifications. The location of any tower that a qualified professional engineer certifies can accommodate the ultimate number of shared users proposed by the applicant, and that the city concludes is in conformity with all other requirements, must meet the following height and usage criteria:

(1)

For a single user, up to 70 feet in height;

(2)

For two users, up to 100 feet in height; and

(3)

For three or more users, up to 130 feet in height.

(Ord. No. 10-2007, § 1, 8-13-07)