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ORANGE. COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />AND <br />PLANNING BOARD <br />PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: November 24, 2003 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. C.3.b <br />SUBJECT: Telecommunications Towers Regulations Amendments <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Proposed Ordinance <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) Yes <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Craig N..Benedict, Ext. 2592 <br />Robert P. Davis, Ext. 2580 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732 -8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968 -2700 <br />Durham 688 -7331 <br />Mebane (336)227 -2031 <br />PURPOSE: To hear staff report and to receive public comment on proposed Telecommunication <br />Towers amendments to Article 6.18 and Article 8.8.17a of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance. <br />BACKGROUND: On December 12, 2002 the BOCC amended the Telecommunication Tower <br />portion of the zoning ordinance. Highlights of those amendments included reduction to 150 <br />maximum height of Class B Special Use Permit (SUP) approvals, hiring a consultant to review the <br />technical details of proposals, placing a higher emphasis on use of existing structures and the <br />establishment of a Master Telecommunication Plan (MTP) placeholder in the ordinance. During <br />recent review of four Class B, SUP telecommunications tower applications by the Board of <br />Adjustment some minor inconsistencies in the ordinance have become apparent to applicants, the <br />Board and Staff, the consultant and attorneys. These amendments are intended to clarify the parts <br />of the ordinance where there has been less than a clear understanding of the requirements. Also <br />included in these amendments is a revision of the intent, scope and use of the Master <br />Telecommunications Plan (MTP) concept that was previously adopted as a placeholder in the <br />ordinance pending BOCC review and approval. <br />Proposed amendments to Article 6.18 (Telecommunication Towers and Equipment) and Article <br />8.8.17a (Telecommunication Towers) to require: <br />1. at the Annual. Telecommunications Projection Meeting that the applicant's initial propagation <br />studies begin with co- locations on existing structures and then follow the preferred hierarchy; <br />2. photo simulations to be submitted at time of application; <br />3. balloon photos and panorama photos to be filed at time of application; <br />4. payment of $1,000.00 into the escrow account at pre- application meeting to cover fees <br />