§ 29-183. Definitions.

[The following words and phrases listed in this section shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is plainly required by context:]

Alternative tower structure means man-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, light poles, and similar alternative-design mounting structures that camouflage or conceal the presence of antennas or towers and are built for the express purpose of serving as a tower or for locating antennas.

Antenna array means one (1) or more rods, panels, discs or similar devices used for the transmission or reception of radio frequency signals, which may include an omni-directional antenna (rod), a directional antenna (panel) and a parabolic antenna (disc). The antenna array does not include the support structure defined below.

Attached antenna array or attached wireless communications facility (attached WCF) means an antenna array that is attached to an existing building or structure which shall include, but not be limited to, utility poles, signs, water towers, with any accompanying poles or device which attaches the antenna array to the existing building or structure and associated connection cables, and any equipment facility which may be located either inside or outside the attachment structure.

Co-location or site sharing means use of a common WCF or common site by two (2) or more wireless license holders or by one (1) wireless license holder for more than one (1) type of communications technology or placement of a WCF on a structure owned or operated by a utility or other public entity.

Derrick tower means a structure constructed of lattice steel and which is entirely self-supporting.

Equipment facility means any structure used to contain ancillary equipment for a WCF, which includes cabinets, shelters, and a buildout of an existing structure, pedestals, and other similar structures.

FAA means the Federal Aviation Administration.

Fall zone means the area within which a tower or antenna might cause damage to persons or property should the tower or antenna be knocked down, blown over, or fall on its own.

FCC means the Federal Communication Commission.

FTA means the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Guy-wired tower means a structure constructed of lattice steel and which is supported by guy-wires extending at angles from the structure to ground anchors.

Height means when referring to a telecommunications tower, height shall mean the distance measured from ground level to the highest point on the tower, including the antenna array.

Lattice tower means a guyed or self-supporting three (3) or four (4) side, open, steel frame structure used to support telecommunications equipment.

Monopole tower means a supporting structure composed of a solid pole without any guy-wired support.

Receive-only antenna means an antenna under fifty (50) feet in height privately owned and operated (including privately owned satellite dishes).

Setback means the required distance from the telecommunications tower to the property lines of the parcel on which the tower is located.

Stealth technology means systems, components, and materials used in the construction of the telecommunications tower, which are designed to mask or conceal the tower to make it compatible with the surrounding property.

Support structure means a structure designed and constructed specifically to support an antenna array, and may include a monopole, guy-wire support tower, or derrick tower. Any device used to fasten an attached WCF to an existing building or structure shall be excluded from the definition of and regulations applicable to support structures.

Telecommunications means the transmission, between or among points as specified by the user, of information of the user's choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received.

Tower, communication tower, or telecommunications tower means any structure that is designed and constructed for the primary purpose of supporting one or more antennas, including lattice towers, guy-wired towers, or monopole towers. The term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common-carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, digital towers, alternative tower structures, and the like. This term is not intended to describe buildings or other structures that have been constructed primarily for a purpose other than supporting one (1) or more antennas, despite the fact that such structure may currently, or in the future, actually support one (1) or more antennas.

Tower use permit (TUP) means a permit issued by the city specifically for the location, construction, and use of a telecommunications tower subject to an approved site plan and other required information and subject to any special conditions determined by the planning commission and/or city council to be appropriate under the provisions of this chapter.

Wireless communications means any personal wireless service as defined in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which includes FCC-licensed commercial wireless communications services including cellular, personal communication services (PCS), specialized mobile radio (SMR) enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR), paging, and similar services that currently exist or that may in the future be developed.

Wireless communication facility (WCF) means any unstaffed facility for the transmission or reception of wireless telecommunications services, usually consisting of an antenna array, connection cables, an equipment facility, and a support structure to achieve the necessary elevation.

(Ord. No. 5880, § 1, 5-1-00)