§ 62-2422. General development standards.

The following design standards apply generally to all WTCF antenna, antenna support structures and towers unless a different design standard is identified in the specific permit level requirements.

(1)

Minimum setbacks.

a.

Residential setback. All WTCFs must be setback from residentially zoned properties, excluding the property that the facility is located on, at a distance equal to twice the height of the proposed tower.

b.

For all other WTCF's:

1.

If the WTCF is constructed using breakpoint design technology, the minimum setback distance shall be equal to 110 percent of the distance from the top of the structure to the breakpoint level of the structure, or the minimum side and rear yard requirements, whichever is greater. Certification by a registered professional engineer licensed by the state of the breakpoint design and the design's fall radius must be provided together with the other information required from an applicant. (For example, on a 100-foot tall monopole with a breakpoint at 80 feet, the minimum setback distance would be 22 feet (110 percent of 20 feet, the distance from the top of the monopole to the breakpoint) if the minimum side or rear yard setback requirements for that zoning classification is less than 22 feet.)

2.

If the WTCF is not constructed using breakpoint design technology, the minimum setback distance from the property line shall be equal to 110 percent of the height of the proposed tower.

(2)

Height. The master plan recommends maximum heights for new towers according to location in a coastal, urban or rural area. These recommendations are based on signal propagation mapping of existing sites, compatibility with current land development patterns, and location of population centers (service need). In general, the maximum heights are: 80 feet in coastal areas, 120 feet in urban areas, and 199 feet in rural areas. Maximum heights for facilities on specified county-owned properties are set forth in appendix A of the master plan. All conditional use permit applications that seek to exceed these maximum heights will be required to provide written certification from a radio frequency (RF) engineer licensed in the state stating that the maximum height recommendation will not satisfy the proposed service network objective and that the proposed height is the minimum necessary to satisfy those needs.

(3)

Co-location.

a.

All commercial towers must be constructed to permit co-location by other service providers where feasible. The term "where feasible," as it applies to co-location, means that utilization of a tower by another party would, at the time of such utilization, comply with sound engineering principles, would not materially degrade or impair the communication tower's utilization by existing users, would not unduly burden the tower structurally, and would not otherwise materially and adversely impact existing users. Reasonable terms for use of a communication tower that may be imposed by the owner include a requirement for reasonable rent or fees, taking into consideration the capitalized cost of the communication tower and land, the incremental cost of designing and constructing the tower so as to accommodate additional users, increases in maintenance expenses relating to the tower and a fair return on investment, provided such amount is also consistent with rates paid by other providers at comparable tower sites.

b.

All towers taller than 60 feet in height shall be engineered and constructed to accommodate no less than three antenna arrays.

(4)

Lighting.

a.

All towers required by the FAA to be lit must use the minimum number of warning and obstruction lights having the minimum intensity and number of flashes per minute permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). County lighting standards on towers/antenna from 60 feet to 100 feet in height require a single red light on the top of the structure; towers/antenna between 100 feet to 200 feet will require dual red lights, one located at mid-height and the second located at the top of the structure; refer to section 210-1 for exemptions.

b.

As provided for in section 210-1, where lighting is required by the county mosquito control on towers equal to or less than 200 feet in height, the frequency of high intensity lighting shall not exceed 20 flashes per minute.

c.

All lights on towers and antennas of any height shall be up-shielded.

d.

Where permitted, guyed towers shall use daytime visual markers (e.g., bird diverter devices) on the guy wires to reduce collisions by migratory birds.

e.

Third party. Third party (i.e., private sector tower company) tower construction projects on county lands are subject to the provisions of this section, unless the third party is acting on behalf of the federal or state government. A tower constructed by a third party on behalf of the federal or state government does not require local permits.

(5)

Equipment cabinets. Cabinets shall not be visible from pedestrian views. Cabinets may be provided within the principal building, behind a screen on a rooftop, or on the ground within the fenced-in and screened equipment compound.

(6)

Equipment compound. The fenced in compounds shall not be used for the storage of any excess equipment or hazardous materials. No outdoor storage yards shall be allowed in a tower equipment compound, and the compound shall not be used as habitable space.

(7)

Fencing. All equipment compounds shall be enclosed with an opaque fence or similar structure.

(8)

Buffers. The equipment compound shall be landscaped with a minimum 15-foot wide perimeter buffer containing the following planting standards (See section 62-4332 for defined terms):

a.

At least 50 percent of trees required for preservation and planting shall be of native species. At least 50 percent of shrubs and groundcovers shall be native species or recommended by "Waterwise Florida Landscapes" (2004), Florida Water Management Districts, as may be amended. Vegetation defined as non-native invasive or undesirable plants per section 62-4332 shall not be credited towards fulfillment of preservation or planting requirements.

b.

Satisfaction of the landscaping standards shall be achieved through the preservation of existing native vegetation to the greatest extent feasible. When the minimum landscaping standards cannot be achieved through preservation, plantings of new vegetation shall be required to meet the standards. Replacement tree criteria as outlined in section 62-4341(18) shall be met.

c.

One row of large species trees with a minimum 12 feet tall with two and one-half-inch diameter (caliper) minimum and five-foot spread, 25-foot on center. Shrubs capable of creating a continuous hedge and obtaining a height of at least six feet shall be planted, minimum three-gallon and 24 inches tall at the time of planting, five-foot on center.

d.

Proposed landscape material, design, required removal of exotics and plant installation shall be consistent with article XIII, division 2 — Landscaping, Land Clearing and Tree Protection.

e.

Landscaping plans which provide for the same average canopy and understory trees but propose alternative siting on the entire subject property on which the proposed facility is projected may be considered and approved by the county, provided the proposed alternative maximizes screening as provided above, and is otherwise consistent with the requirements of this section.

(9)

Signage.

a.

Signage is required to be placed upon an antenna support structure, equipment cabinets, or fence for the purpose of identifying the antenna support structure (either by the ASR registration number or other identifying information), as well as the party responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facility; i.e. the address and telephone number, security or safety signs, and property manager signs (if applicable).

b.

If more than 220 volts are necessary for the operation of the facility and are utilized within the equipment compound or in the antenna support structure, signs located every 20 feet and attached to the fence or wall shall display in large, bold, high contrast letters (minimum height of each letter 4 inches) the following: "HIGH VOLTAGE — DANGER."

c.

All other signage is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 2014-30, § 22, 10-2-14)