Orange County NC Website
Article 5: Uses <br /> Section 5.10: Standards for Telecommunication Facilities <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-103 <br /> <br />a Class A Special Use Permit application is scheduled for review8 at <br />least 11 weeks prior to a Class A Special Use Permit public hearing, <br />conduct a balloon test whereby the applicant shall arrange to fly, or raise <br />upon a temporary mast, a minimum of 10’3” in length, brightly colored <br />red or orange balloon at the maximum height of the proposed new <br />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 />This notice shall also inform local residents that a neighborhood <br />information meeting shall be held the day of the balloon test so that the <br />applicant can explain the proposal and Planning staff, including the <br />County’s telecommunications consultant, can explain the Special Use <br />Permit review process. <br /> <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 />(i) The entire site (including property boundary lines) and size of all <br />existing structures within 500 feet of the site, <br />(ii) Existing and proposed structures on site, <br />(iii) The fall zone of the tower, <br />(iv) Existing and proposed topography at a contour interval of five <br />feet and <br /> <br />8 To ensure consistency, staff is requiring the NIM to be held in advance of the Planning Board meeting where an  <br />application is slated for review.  This will actually result in a balloon test for a telecommunication facility to be held  <br />more than 77 days (i.e. 11 weeks) prior to a public hearing.  <br />22