Orange County NC Website
19 <br />8.8.17a.2 Standards of Evaluation <br />The following specific standards, as well as those found in Section 6.18.4 of the <br />Zoning Ordinance, shall be used in deciding upon an application for approval: <br />a) Within or adjacent to residential zoning districts, minimum setbacks from <br />the base of the tower to the property boundary shall be equal to 110% of <br />the tower height. If the tower is proposed as an accessory use to a <br />residential use, the tower setback shall be 110% of the tower height from <br />any residence or dwelling unit on the subject property. <br />b) Adjacent to non-residential uses or non-residential zoning districts, <br />minimum setbacks from the base of the tower to the property boundary <br />shall be the greater of 20% of the tower height, or the minimum required <br />setback. <br />c) A Type C Landscape Buffer shall be provided between the tower and <br />accessory structures and adjoining property. Existing vegetation may be <br />removed only to the extent necessary to accommodate the tower, <br />equipment buildings, and support structures such as guy wires. <br />Plantings around the compound perimeter shall be composed entirely of <br />fast growing evergreen vegetation. New plantings and existing <br />vegetation used for screening shall be at least six (6) feet in height or <br />greater at planting. Proposed plantings (name, type, height) shall be <br />shown on the Landscape Plan for the facility. <br />d) The site plan shall indicate a location for at least two equipment buildings <br />in addition to that proposed for use by the applicant. Lighting for <br />equipment buildings shall be situated so that the sources of light and <br />subsequent light spill are wholly contained on the site. Photometrics of <br />the lighting for the proposed facility shall be submitted as part of the site <br />plan. Shields shall be placed on all lighting fixtures to prevent light <br />diffusion extending upwards from the light source. <br />e) An 8-foot fence or wall shall be required around the base of any tower. <br />This fence or wall shall encompass all accessory equipment within the <br />compound. Fences shall be required around guy wire tie downs as well. <br />The fence or wall may be placed around the perimeter of the facility to <br />include guy wire tie downs and associated equipment should the <br />applicant/owner wish to do so. <br />f) The telecommunications equipment planned for the proposed tower <br />cannot be accommodated on an existing tower due to one or more of the <br />following reasons: <br />1) The planned equipment would exceed the structural capacity of <br />existing and approved towers, considering existing and planned <br />use of those towers and the towers cannot be reinforced to <br />accommodate planned or equivalent equipment at a reasonable <br />cost. <br />