ORC Agenda Packet - Dec 3 2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Article 5: Usm Section 5.10: Standards for Telecommunication Facilities (3) Minimize the number of new major telecommunications towers (wireless support structures); (4) Create conditions where wireless telecommunications service providers are able to provide wireless telecommunications services effectively and efficiently in accordance with State and Federal law; (5) Minimize the number of new telecommunications towers throughout the County by encouraging the joint use or collocation of new and existing wireless telecommunications facilities; and (6) Establish collocation and concealed towers as the preferred options for the accommodation of wireless telecommunications equipment. (B) Policy of Orange County It is the policy of Orange County that new wireless telecommunications facilities and/or substantial modifications to existing telecommunications facilities be located in the following prioritized order: (1) Collocations on any existing wireless support structure provided that the height of the structure is not increased. (2) New wireless support structures located on state or local government real properties owned or leased by Orange County, municipalities, EMS, Public Safety, public utility authorities as defined in N.C. General Statutes Chapter 162A, (e.g., OWASA and Orange Alamance Water), and Institutions of higher public education and research (e.g. UNC, Duke, Duke Forest Durham Technical Community College); (3) Properties in areas zoned for commercial, economic development, or industrial use. (4) Properties in areas zoned Agricultural Residential (AR), Rural Residential (R-1), or Rural Buffer(RB); and (5) Properties in areas zoned for denser residential use. (C) Exemptions The standards in this section shall apply to all wireless telecommunications facilities except for the following, which are exempted from these standards but remain subject to all other applicable standards in this Ordinance: (1) Removal of antennas, wireless support structures, or wireless telecommunications equipment on an existing telecommunications tower, utility pole, vertical projection, or equipment compound, where the device or structure is not replaced; (2) The operation of a small wireless facility solely within or inside an open structure, (e.g. an athletic stadium); (3) Per 47 CFR 1.4000 and FCC Order 98-273 non-commercial uses of dish antennas, satellite earth stations, noncommercial receive-only TV or radio antennas Dish antenna/satellite earth stations may be no more than one (1) meter(39.37 inches) in diameter and not greater than 35 feet above ground level. (4) County or other government-owned wireless communications; and (5) Upon the declaration of a state of emergency by U.S. or N.C. State government(s), temporary, commercial wireless communications facilities may receive temporary use permits under section 5.10.1-49. (D) Wireless telecommunications facilities subject to this section Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-68