Orange County NC Website
Article 5: Uses <br /> Section 5.10: Standards for Telecommunication Facilities 27 <br /> The overall policy and desired goals for Special Use Permits for wireless <br /> telecommunications support structures shall be promoting and encouraging, <br /> wherever possible, the following: <br /> (a) Alternatives to constructing new wireless support structures, including <br /> but not limited to the co-location of wireless telecommunications <br /> equipment and mitigating the visual effect of a wireless <br /> telecommunication support structure to an extent not commercially <br /> impracticable; and <br /> (b) The placement, height and quantity of wireless telecommunications <br /> towers and equipment in such a manner, including but not limited to the <br /> use of stealth technology or camouflage techniques, to minimize adverse <br /> aesthetic and visual impacts on the land, property, buildings, and other <br /> facilities adjacent to, surrounding, and in generally the same area as the <br /> requested location of such wireless telecommunications support <br /> structure, which shall mean using the least visually and physically <br /> intrusive facility that is not technologically or commercially impracticable <br /> under the facts and circumstances. <br /> (2) Balloon Test <br /> (a) The applicant shall, at least six weeks prior to a Class B Special Use <br /> Permit public hearing and at least 11 weeks prior to a Class A Special <br /> Use Permit public hearing, conduct a balloon test whereby the applicant <br /> shall arrange to fly, or raise upon a temporary mast, a minimum of 10'3" <br /> in length, brightly colored red or orange balloon at the maximum height <br /> of the proposed new wireless support structure. <br /> (b) The balloon test shall be flown for at least four consecutive daylight <br /> hours starting sometime between 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. on the dates <br /> chosen. <br /> (c) A notice of the dates (including a second date in case of poor visibility, <br /> weather or atmospheric conditions on the initial date), times, and location <br /> of the balloon test shall be mailed, by certified mail, return receipt <br /> requested, by the applicant, to all persons owning property within 1,000 <br /> feet of the subject parcel no less than 14 days in advance of the first test <br /> date. The data contained within the office of Orange County Land <br /> Records shall be used as the primary source for determining which <br /> residents are to receive notice of the balloon tests. <br /> (d) The primary date shall be on a weekend (excluding legal holidays), but to <br /> prevent delays in the processing of the application, and in case of poor <br /> weather or atmospheric conditions on the initial date, the secondary <br /> date may be a weekday. <br /> (e) The applicant shall inform the County Planning Staff, in writing, of the <br /> dates and times of the test at least 14 days in advance. <br /> (f) The applicant shall also post a sign on the subject property, and <br /> directional signs posted at locations to be determined by Planning Staff. <br /> The signs shall measure no more than nine square feet in area and no <br /> less than four square feet in area, giving the contact information of the <br /> County Planning Department, the proposed dates, times, and location of <br /> the balloon test. The signs shall be posted to meet the same time limits <br /> as provided for in the balloon test notification as stated above. <br /> (3) Submittal Requirements <br /> In addition to the information required herein as well as Section 2.7, the following <br /> shall be submitted as part of the application: <br /> (a) A site plan showing the following: <br /> Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-88 <br />