PH ORD-2002-033 Orange County Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments

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V~Y Accordingly, Orange County has recommended changes to its telecommunieation tower ordinance to stay up-to-date with the law, technology and consultant technical expertise opportunities. As an overreaching plan to address many telecommunication issues and programs, an MTP is often u4ed to organize and create a game plan for implementation. An MTP can have various elements related to the different application of telecommunication facilities. From towers to underground to technological advancement of computer/internet services, the MTP can offer a mechanism to promote a policy to plan for the future. The MTP (wireless tower element) is the element that is being proposed with this aqenda item The MTP (wireless tower element) was the subject of department meetings over the last six months and is intended to address the continued protection of the public health, safety and welfare through communication facilities and to create public safety communication opportunities on public property whereby fair and reasonable compensation would be forthcoming. • "Local communities are the key to better land use. But first, each must define a vision for the future. 7'his vision includes an inventory.of resources, respect for established traditions and articu/ation of community values. To realize a vision, local leaders must enlist all sectors in devising land use plans and execute those plans with greater efficiency and flexibility. No community retains its character by accident." (Land Use in America, Diamond and Noonan, 1996) On August 12, 2002, Staff held a meeting with potential participants in the Master Telecommunication Plan ("Plan") program to gauge interest in the Plan. Six persons attended the meeting. Farmers participating in the Voluntary Agricultural District program were particularly interested in additional revenue sources to help offset rising farming expenses and to promote sustainability. According to those farmers present, the additional income from land leases to telecommunication providers could be the difference in continuing to farm versus having to sell off parts of the farm to pay for rising costs and operating expenses. 2 On November 14, 2002, Staff held a meeting with property owners that.own property that may be suitable for inclusion in the MTP. Only three persons of the sixteen that were notified attended the meeting. Statements regarding additional revenue to farmers were reiterated from the August 12, 2002 meeting at the meeting. The proposed Master Telecommunication Plan ("Plan") contains the following: 1. New provision will create the opportunity for the BOCC to consider a two-phase approval process for towers less than 200 feet in height. The Plan works as follows: a. Initial Plan participants request to be included in the Plan (private, public, quasi- public and public interest lands may be available to develop an efficient grid system) which. can reduce the overall number of towers. b. The Planning Sfaff will notify adjoining owners in accordance with ordinance provisions and the Plan will proceed to quarterly public hearing. c. Advocates and opponents of the Plan will be afforded the opportunity to speak on behalf of or in opposition to the Plan d. After Planning Board recommendation, the BOCC will have final approval authority on the Plan. G:1Current Planning Div\Tking~Abstract.MTP.November 25, 2002 PH