Orange County NC Website
4) Added language to Section 6.18.4 to require that towers be minimally visually <br />intrusive. <br />5) Added provision to require lightening rods to be included in the determination of <br />maximum height. <br />6) Recommended amending Section 6.18.4(f)(2)(a) to remove provision for 36-month <br />inspections if a fall zone is provided. <br />7) Requires trained staff member or consultant to perform annual visual inspections. <br />8) Recommended amending Section 6.18.4(f)(5)(e) to remove provision that a North <br />Carolina Registered Professional Engineer certifies that the tower meets current <br />standards by replacing current with original/initial status if the tower is less than six <br />years old. <br />9) Master Telecommunications Plan not re uired but o tp Tonal at BOCC discretion. <br />10) Recommended adding language setting criteria and clarifying the exceptions to the <br />%2 mile spacing limitation between towers. <br />11) Clarifies that balloon test cannot be used as a criteria to deny a SUP but only can be <br />used to assist in the reduction of visual intrusiveness. <br />12) Added provisions to minimize light diffusion from site. <br />13) Amended ordinance to define `Fall Zone'. <br />14) Recommended reducing the application fees to $2,500 for Class A SUP and $1,500 <br />for Class B SUP and to require an escrow account from which consultant's review <br />fees are paid, with residual amounts returned to the tower owners. Initial amounts of <br />the escrow to be $7,500 for Class A SUP and $7,000 for Class B SUP. <br />15) Added language that exclusion of co-locators from towers is not permitted and that <br />the consultant will advise the County regarding exorbitant market rate leases. <br />16) Adds section to ordinance to require the establishment of an escrow account. <br />The Planning Board voted 5-4 to approve the entire ordinance, with the amendments. The four <br />members in opposition to the entire ordinance expressed concern about the development of the <br />Master Telecommunications Plan (MTP), which does not go into effect with this Ordinance <br />amendment. The MTP is being investigated and formulated by amulti-departmental task force <br />that includes IT, EMS, Purchasing, Budget, ERCD, Planning and stakeholders (such as <br />Agricultural District landowners, and volunteer fire departments) that may be part of the MTP <br />system. The MTP section of this ordinance will not be used until a Public Hearing is held, a <br />recommendation provided by the Planning Board and adoption by the Board of County <br />Commissioners. Any actions associated with the MTP will be subsequent to the adoption of this <br />ordinance and do not affect the validity or enforceability of these telecommunications ordinance <br />amendments. <br />Fourth Action: Board of County Commissioners to make a decision within a reasonable time. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no public fiscal impact related to this decision. <br />RECOMMENDATION: Administration recommends Approval of the telecommunication <br />ordinance as revised by the Planning Board with the exception #8 <br />above. See page 19 Subsection e. in the Administration Ordinance <br />for the recommended language. Administration recommends <br />Approval of the amendment to the Orange County Schedule of fees <br />(page 67). <br />