Agenda - 11-27-1995 - C-4-a - Laserfiche WebLink

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c 1 4 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 27, 1995 Action Agenda Item# C-4-cL. SUBJECT: PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT Telecommunication Towers DEPARTMENT: PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING—X—Yes No ATTACB31EENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Willis Proposed amendment Extension 2583 Map of Existing Tower Sites American Planning Association Report TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Opposition to FCC Preemption Hillsborough-732-8181 Durham -688-7331 Mebane -227-2031 Chapel Hill-967-9251 PURPOSE: To consider a proposed amendment concerning Special Use Permit requirements for telecommunication towers. BACKGROUND: The proliferation of telecommunication towers is an issue of concern to Orange County as well as other jurisdictions nationwide. After reviewing provisions which have been adopted in a number of other jurisdictions, the Planning Staff recommends that the attached amendment be presented for public hearing. A summary of key aspects of the proposed amendment is provided below. 1. Currently,Article 8.8.17 contains Special Use Permit Requirements for radio and television towers, and elevated water storage tanks, all of which require a Class B Special Use Permit. Several provisions of Article 8.8.17 apply only to communication towers. The proposed amendment would establish telecommunication towers, which would include television,radio and cellular towers, as a separate use. Current provisions which pertain to Elevated Water Storage Tanks would remain unchanged. 2. All telecommunication towers now require approval of a Class B Special Use Permit by the Board of Adjustment. The proposed amendment would classify only those towers shorter than 200 feet as a Class B Special Use. Towers 200 feet or taller would require approval of a Class A Special Use Permit by the Board of Commissioners. 3. Adjacent to residential zoning districts, setbacks are proposed to be equal to the tower height. The setback to property lines may be reduced to 50% of the height of the tower if the remaining distance is included within an easement on adjoining property.