Orange County NC Website
2 46 <br /> 1 Michael Harvey said this new session law establishes parameters to establish that certain <br /> 2 increases in height of an existing telecommunications facility shall not constitute a modification <br /> 3 that has to be administratively approved. He called attention to page 58 of the packet, where this <br /> 4 language has been incorporated within the provisions of the UDO. <br /> 5 He said the County attorney's office has requested the inclusion of additional language in <br /> 6 11-a, b, c and d. He said this will be included to flesh out exact parameters of a modification. <br /> 7 Michael Harvey said the key is to ensure that sufficient language is provided to focus on <br /> 8 the changing nature of the tower. He said this affects testimony and facts considered when a <br /> 9 tower is reviewed and acted on by the County. <br /> 10 He gave the example of a tower that is 190 feet tall. He said the tower height can be <br /> 11 increased by 10 percent, or not more than 20 feet, and it is considered a minor change that does <br /> 12 not go before the Board. He said this is an attempt to avoid having a tower that is 199 feet, <br /> 13 reviewed as a class b special use permit, wanting to add to 209 feet, requiring additional <br /> 14 compliance standards. He said staff would like to require the Board to review and approve this <br /> 15 type of action. <br /> 16 Michael Harvey said this ordinance amendment does not alter current review and approval <br /> 17 procedures. He said there will still be a class A and class B special use permit process, and a <br /> 18 consultant review of all co-locations. He said the review timeline is not being changed. <br /> 19 He said the consultants are limited in what they can charge to the County. He said meals <br /> 20 and travel cannot be charged, but the County contract never allowed this, so no amendment is <br /> 21 necessary here. <br /> 22 He said there was no public comment, and many changes from the session law have <br /> 23 already been incorporated. <br /> 24 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there were constraints to how many times a tower can be <br /> 25 modified. <br /> 26 Michael Harvey said if the modifications exceed existing permitting authority for the tower, <br /> 27 the permit must be modified. <br /> 28 Commissioner Dorosin asked for clarification on the limits. <br /> 29 Michael Harvey reviewed these again. <br /> 30 Commissioner Dorosin asked if this means that the tower could be increased in size <br /> 31 multiple times. <br /> 32 Michael Harvey said this is conceivable, but he noted the other parameters of obtaining <br /> 33 approval. He said mandatory setbacks still have to be complied with, and it is unlikely that you <br /> 34 can have a consistent increase in tower height while maintaining relevant factors to the permit. <br /> 35 He said the other parameter to be incorporated is that the Board of Adjustment or the <br /> 36 Board of Commissioner will be basing decisions on the testimony and evidence entered into the <br /> 37 record during a hearing. He said any alteration that changes the parameters of that evidence <br /> 38 would have to be reviewed and acted upon. <br /> 39 He reminded the Board that any tower 200 feet or higher must be illuminated, based on <br /> 40 FHA regulations. He said most people don't like to do this, as it is costly and draws attention to <br /> 41 the tower. <br /> 42 Chair Jacobs noted the motion on page 40. <br /> 43 A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Rich to: <br /> 44 <br /> 45 1. Receive the proposed text amendment(s). <br /> 46 2. Conduct the Public Hearing and accept public, BOCC, and Planning Board comment on the <br /> 47 proposed amendment. <br /> 48 3. Refer the matter to the Planning Board with a request that a recommendation be returned <br /> 49 to the Board of County Commissioners in time for the January 23, 2014 BOCC regular <br /> 50 meeting. <br /> 51 4. Adjourn the public hearing until January 23, 2014 in order to receive and accept the <br />