Agenda - 06-03-2008-4aa - Laserfiche WebLink

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State regulations, specifically NCGS 153A-349.52, were modified as follows: Allow for the approval of new towers without an evaluation of an applicant's business decisions concerning designed service, customer demand for its service, or the quality of its service to, or from, a particular area or site. In other words, "spec." towers, if they meet all other standards, cannot be denied. [However, no building permit for the tower has to be issued without an identified service provider.] 2. Require that Special Use Permits be valid for at least two (2) years. 3. Establish a streamlined process to be applied to all collocation processes. 4. Not include requirements relating to radio frequency emissions of wireless facilities as a public safety issue for county review. 5. Require that consulting fees and other county charges associated with a telecommunication wireless facility be based on the costs of services provided and such costs shall no exceed what is usual and customary with this issue and shall be fixed in advance. 6. Revise several of the basic definitions used for telecommunication wireless facilities. In reviewing these changes, staff has determined that the current review and approval process governing telecommunication wireless facilities needs revision in order to be compliant with current State law. Staff proposes to amend the existing sections of the Ordinance as proposed on Attachment 1 in order to address this discrepancy. The proposed amendments address the six (6) items listed above and, on the advice of the County's telecommunications consultant, address the following additional issues: 1. Comprehensive informational requirements, 2. Comprehensive standards for evaluation, 3. Listing of facilities not requiring a Special Use Permit, 4. The intent of the annual meeting, 5. Detailed information for review, 6. Improve balloon test requirements, and 7. Detailed requirements of approval This proposed amendment is extremely critical to ensure that Orange County's adhering to proper procedure when reviewing/taking action on these applications. At its, regular May 7, 2008 meeting, the Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend adoption of the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance dealing with wireless telecommunication facilities. RECOMMENDATION: (Planning Staff): The Planning staff recommends that the BOCC adopt amendments to the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to wireless telecommunication facilities.