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65 <br /> PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT <br /> ORDINANCE: ZONING ORDINANCE <br /> REFERENCE: Article 4.1 - Establishment of Use Regulations (uses permitted by <br /> right) <br /> ORIGIN OF AMENDMENT: _X_ Staff Planning Board <br /> BOCC Public <br /> Other: County Attorney <br /> STAFF PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION: High_x_Middle Low <br /> PUBLIC HEARING DATE: November 30, 1994 <br /> PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT: To reduce restrictions related to the placement of telephone <br /> system equipment. <br /> IMPACTS/ISSUES: The Zoning Ordinance lists uses allowed by right in all districts. A number <br /> of those uses are related to the distribution of utility services. Some also <br /> require compliance with certain design standards such as those pertaining to <br /> screening and lot size. <br /> Planning Staff has been contacted by Mebtel concerning requirements for <br /> certain telephone equipment. The equipment in question is cabinetized, or <br /> containerized, telephone or fiber optic equipment placed on a concrete pad <br /> to provide local distribution of service. Currently, such equipment would be <br /> categorized as a "subscriber loop hut" in Article 4.1 of the Zoning Ordinance, <br /> which would require that the standards of Article 6.16.12 be met, including <br /> a provision that the equipment be located within a 5,000 square-foot <br /> easement. <br /> Due to advances in technology, the equipment can be contained in a smaller <br /> area. The equipment addressed by this amendment is contained within a 3 <br /> 1/2-foot wide by 7-foot long cabinet. According to current regulations, the <br /> cabinet would need to be placed on a parcel or easement at least 5,000 <br /> square feet in area (typically 100'by 50'). This is considerably more than <br /> the area needed to accommodate the equipment, even with providing <br /> vehicular access for maintenance and repair. The land area requirements <br /> adds considerably to the cost, which is passed on the subscribers. <br /> The proposed amendment would allow cabinetized equipment by right with <br /> no additional restrictions. It would also allow the setback of such <br /> equipment to be reduced to 20 feet in the AR, R1, and RB districts if the <br /> equipment is screened from view by landscape material. <br /> EXISTING ORDINANCE PROVISIONS AND PROPOSED AMENDMENT: <br /> 4.1 Establishment of Use Regulations <br /> Except as otherwise provided herein, regulations governing the use of land <br /> and structures are hereby established as shown in the Schedule of <br /> Permitted Uses. Uses not expressly permitted are prohibited. <br />