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There is currently a six-month moratorium that was put into effect on March 6, 2002 for the purpose <br /> of evaluating the regulations and moving forward based on the market conditions. The issues and <br /> concerns for considerations are as follows: <br /> - Master telecommunications plan <br /> - Promote facilities on public and semi-public lands <br /> - Annual application submittal —applicants for towers can only apply one time per <br /> calendar year <br /> - Strong co-location promotion <br /> - Promotion of co-location on existing electric transmission towers <br /> - Class A, Class B Special Use Permit height thresholds <br /> - Increased review fees <br /> - Contracted service for technical review of tower applications <br /> - Ongoing annual County inspections program to verify that towers remain in <br /> compliance with zoning and building codes <br /> - Staff approval for stealth towers located on rooftops and special use approval for <br /> non-stealth towers located on rooftops <br /> Craig Benedict said that the staff is going to meet with the telecommunication <br /> industry to talk about some of the recommended changes. The moratorium ends in September <br /> and they would like to have some amendments to the existing regulations to present at the August <br /> 26, 2002 public hearing. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis said that the private sector has never been interested in co- <br /> location and he finds it intriguing that it has taken this long. He said that the state and local <br /> agencies have been co-locating for a long time. He is glad to see that the private sector is <br /> changing. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that there is documentary evidence that the higher the tower, the <br /> more bird strikes. The trend to keep towers lower is a good direction. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that it sounds like if we have an annual application submittal in <br /> September, and the application date was January l'`, then we would be able to end the <br /> moratorium and still have several months to refine the regulations on telecommunication towers. <br /> He asked where the Planning Board fits into the process and Craig Benedict said that after they <br /> meet with the telecommunication tower industry, he anticipates these regulations going to the <br /> Planning Board at their August meeting. <br /> Hunter Schofield asked Craig Benedict if he has seen any of the other communities <br /> revisiting the regulations as an opportunity to limit some of the unsightly towers using the <br /> regulatory towers. Craig Benedict said yes and that the Master Telecommunications Plan is both <br /> an opportunity for local governments but also an opportunity for the industry to better serve its <br /> customers. <br /> Hunter Schofield asked if Craig Benedict had ever seen older unsightly towers taken <br /> down so that new towers can go up. Craig Benedict said yes and that there are some towers in <br /> this County in excess of 400 feet, which he does not feel, will come down in the short term. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that remediation of unsightly towers should be put on <br /> the list of regulation issues and concerns for consideration. <br /> Craig Benedict asked if the Board was in favor of the staff sending a letter to see if <br /> there is any interest from the fire departments, community centers, etc. to see if they want to <br /> participate in the Master Telecommunications Plan. The Board agreed. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis said that the letter should also be sent to both school <br /> systems. <br /> This item will be ready for public hearing on August 26, 2002. <br /> 3. AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES <br /> Craig Benedict presented information on this item. This topic has been given to <br /> staff and it has been a team effort with Agricultural Extension, Economic Development, Planning, <br />