HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOC Packet 2020-04-29
4/22/2020
TO: Codes and Ordinances Committee:
William Goodman, Chair
Patricia Leary
Eric Levine
Eva Hoffmann
Bill King
Yvonne Fogarty
FROM: Christine Balestra, Planner
RE: Next Codes and Ordinances Committee Meeting – Weds. April 29, 2020
The next meeting of the Codes and Ordinances Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29,
2020 at 5:30pm. A quorum of the Town of Ithaca Town Board may be present at this meeting.
However, no official Town Board business will be conducted.
PLEASE NOTE: The Town of Ithaca Codes and Ordinances Committee meeting will be held
electronically via Zoom video conference. Members of the public may call in on a cell phone or
landline at (929) 436-2866 and enter the Meeting ID: 675 059 3272, or may view the meeting by
computer on Zoom at https://zoom.us/. Once on Zoom, click on “Join A Meeting” and enter the
Meeting ID: 675-059-3272.
The attachments include:
• Draft minutes from the March 11, 2020 COC meeting
• Revised “Wireless Facility Review/Approval Process Flow Chart”, dated April 29, 2020
• Revised “Recommendations for Approval Process and Aesthetic Requirements - All Wireless
Facilities”, dated April 29, 2020
• Revised Local Law, Town of Bedford Telecommunications Law, Annotated for Town of Ithaca
(redlined and clean versions, dated 4-29-20), along with table of contents listing the law
section headings, dated 4-29-20
• Redlined Town Code, Section 125, Building Construction and Fire Prevention
If you cannot attend this meeting, please notify Sandy Polce as soon as possible at (607) 273-1747.
Att.
cc: Susan H. Brock, Attorney for the Town
Susan Ritter, Director of Planning
Marty Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement
Sandy Polce, Senior Typist
Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk
Town Administrative staff (email)
Town Board Members (email)
Town Code Enforcement staff (email)
Town Planning staff (email)
Town Public Works staff (email)
Media
TOWN OF ITHACA
215 NORTH TIOGA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850
________________________________________________________________________________________________
TOWN CLERK 273-1721 PUBLIC WORKS 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 PLANNING 273-1747 ZONING 273-1783
TOWN OF ITHACA CODES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
(607) 273-1747
Meeting of April 29, 2020 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA
1. Member Comments/Concerns.
2. Minutes from March 11, 2020 COC Meeting.
3. Revisions to Town Code Chapter 125, Building Construction and Fire Prevention
(redlined version, revised for 4-29-20 COC meeting).
4. Continued Discussion of Telecommunications Law Revisions (multiple materials
attached).
5. Other Business.
Town of Ithaca Planning Department
April 22, 2020
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TOWN OF ITHACA CODES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE (COC)
Meeting of March 4, 2020 – 5:32 P.M.
Draft Minutes
Present: Bill Goodman, Chair; Pat Leary, Eric Levine, Eva Hoffmann, Bill King; Marty Moseley,
Director of Code Enforcement; Chris Balestra, Planning; and Susan Brock, Counsel.
Absent: Yvonne Fogarty, Susan Ritter and Paulette Rosa
1. Member Comments/Concerns
None.
2. Approval of Minutes from September 11, 2019 & January 29, 2020 meetings
Susan Brock provided a redlined set of the September 2019 minutes in the mailout for the committee
to consider. After a short discussion, the committee approved the September 2019 minutes as changed,
with Eric moving and Pat seconding the vote. Eva Abstained.
The committee also unanimously approved the January 29, 2020 minutes, with a few typos and
corrections. Moved by Eric, seconded by Eva.
3. Continued discussion of Town Telecommunications Law revisions
Chris explained to the committee that the flow charts that were included in the mail out were more
accurate versions of the flow chart that Susan drafted at the last COC meeting. The revised charts
explain the approval process for all facilities. They also include references to the revised
“Recommendations for Approval Process and Aesthetic Requirements” list - also included in the mail
out - which apply to the various facilities.
Susan walked the committee through the revised charts, explaining that they are meant to help the
town decide how they want to regulate and treat the various wireless facilities. The blue chart applies
to facilities that are not collocated onto an existing structure - these refer to a new tower or new small
wireless facility/system. Susan explained that the new small wireless facilities are generally much
shorter than a traditional cell tower, with most of them around 50 feet tall maximum. The chart shows
which approval process, aesthetic requirements and shot clock for approvals apply to a new tower
versus a small wireless facility, or for a wireless facility system (e.g. Distribution Antenna
System/DAS). The blue chart also contains highlighted questions for the committee to consider. The
committee decided to require the same process for DAS systems regardless of whether they were
located in or out of the ROW. The committee also agreed that a new individual small wireless facility
required internal Planning staff review instead of Planning Board approval. (See the discussion later in
the meeting about whether to require Planning Board approval of new small wireless facilities located
within scenic views.)
The red chart applies to facilities that are collocated onto existing structures. Susan explained that this
chart was more complicated because it involved more FCC Orders to follow. She explained the
“substantial change” Order that relates to proposed changes to existing cell towers and the subsequent
municipal approval requirement (“shall approve”) that applies to non-substantial changes. Susan noted
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that the FCC wasn’t specific as to which Order applied to small wireless facility collocation changes
and that it remained unclear if the “substantial change” Order applied to small cells at all. The red chart
reflected different procedures under the “substantial change” category for small facility collocations.
The committee reviewed the FCC criteria for what constituted a substantial change for communication
towers outside the ROW. The committee also reviewed the separate (and more stringent) FCC criteria
for what constituted a substantial change for communication towers in the ROW (multi-part test that
included items such as height increases more than 10% or 10 feet, new items on structures that extend
horizontally more than six feet, increase in the size of cabinets by a certain percentage, etc.). After a
long discussion, the committee decided to treat small cell collocations that constitute “substantial”
changes just like all other substantial changes and require Planning Board site plan approval and
special permit. Chris will modify the red chart accordingly.
Susan guided the committee to the remaining portions of the red chart that did not apply to the
“substantial change” Order (collocations onto structures other than communications towers). Staff
recommended internal staff review of collocations on existing structures, whether the collocation was a
small cell wireless facility or not. The only change would be the FCC shot clock requirement, which is
60 days for small cell wireless collocations on structures and 90 days for all other collocations on
structures. The COC agreed to the internal staff review.
The two flow charts are attached to these minutes, annotated to illustrate the committee’s discussion
and decisions.
During the discussion of the flow charts, Eva mentioned that she didn’t see anything related to the
protection of scenic views. She requested a prohibition of new facilities located in public spaces, such
as roads and parks, or the locations that are listed in the town Scenic Resources Inventory. The
committee discussed this and asked staff to revise the aesthetic requirements recommendation list to
include Planning Board review for any small cell facility located within the top ten views listed in the
Scenic Resources Inventory. This would be for cell systems (DAS) and for individual cells. Chris will
look at other laws to see if she can pull language related to scenic view protection from them to use for
the revised list.
The committee then moved on to a review of the revised “Recommendations for Approval Process and
Aesthetic Requirements” list that was included in the mail out. The committee had a question about
undergrounding of equipment, and a discussion ensued around the concept of requiring
undergrounding for all facilities (utilities), not just telecommunications facilities. We may need to
update the list to remove or revise undergrounding as a requirement. Chris and Susan will research
this more thoroughly.
The COC concluded their review of the flow charts and recommendation list.
4. Other Business
• The committee approved the 2020 COC meeting schedule.
• The next meeting will be April 8th and the agenda will include a continued review of the
Telecommunications Law update, along with potential updates to the Building and Fire
Prevention Local Law and more updates to the Sign Law.
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• There is the potential for the next meeting to be virtual, given the COVID-19 outbreak. Chris
will email committee members instructions on attending the meeting via Zoom software if
people are quarantined at home.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
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Chapter 125
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE PREVENTION
GENERAL REFERENCES
Appearance tickets — See Ch. 9. Signs — See Ch. 221.
Unsafe buildings — See Ch. 129. Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 230.
Fees — See Ch. 153. Subdivision of land — See Ch. 234.
Flood damage prevention — See Ch. 157. Zoning — See Ch. 270.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 205.
§ 125-1. Scope.
This chapter shall provide the basic method for administration and enforcement of the New York State
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (hereinafter referred to as the "Uniform Code") in the Town
of Ithaca, and shall establish powers, duties, and responsibilities in connection
therewith.
§ 125-2. Administration.
The Code Enforcement Officers are hereby designated to administer and enforce the Uniform Code
within the Town of Ithaca. The Town Board may also designate by resolution other individuals or entities
to administer and enforce the Uniform Code, provided that such individuals and entities shall not have
the power to issue building permits, certificates, orders and appearance tickets unless they are public
officers. Any individuals or entities designated by the Town Board to administer and enforce the
Uniform Code shall have qualifications comparable to those of an individual who has met the
requirements of 19 NYCRR Part 434 (Minimum Standards for Code Enforcement Personnel in the State
of New York), as amended, or any successor regulation.
§ 125-3. Rules and regulations.
A. The Town Board may adopt rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of the
Uniform Code. Such rules and regulations shall not conflict with the Uniform Code, this chapter,
or any other provision of law.
B. The Town Board shall publish all rules and regulations at least 30 days prior to the effective date
thereof in a newspaper of general circulation within the Town of Ithaca.
§ 125-4. Building permits.
A. No person, firm, corporation, association or other organization shall commence the erection,
construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, repair, removal, or demolition of any
building or structure (including signs, except as specified in Article XXIX, Signs, of Chapter 270,
Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ithaca), nor install heating equipment, nor undertake any
other work which must conform to the Uniform Code, without having applied for and obtained a
building permit from a Code Enforcement Officer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no building
permit shall be required for: [Amended 8-7-2017 by L.L. No. 14-2017]
(1) Construction or installation of a one-story accessory building in an agricultural or residential
district associated with one- or two-family dwellings or multiple single-family dwellings
(townhouses), provided that such building:
(a) Is used for a tool or storage shed, playhouse or other similar use;
(b) Costs less than $3,000; Should this be increased?
(c) Is less than 12 feet in height and has a gross floor area that does not exceed 144
square feet;
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(d) Does not involve the installation or extension of electrical, plumbing, or heating
systems; and
(e) Does not include the installation of solid fuel-burning heating appliances and
associated chimneys and flues.
(2) Construction of parking spaces for one- or two-family dwellings or multiple single-family
dwellings (townhouses);
(3) Installation of swings and other playground equipment associated with a one- or two-family
dwelling or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses);
(4) Installation of swimming pools associated with a one- or two-family dwelling or multiple
single-family dwellings (townhouses) where such pools are designed for a water depth of
less than 24 inches and are installed entirely above ground;
(5) Installation of fences which are not part of an enclosure surrounding a swimming pool and
which are not over six feet high above the natural grade;
(6) Construction of retaining walls, unless such walls support a surcharge, impound Class I, II or
IIIA liquids as defined in the Uniform Code, or are over six four feet high above the natural
grade; (Note: section 404.4 RC requires retaining walls of 4’ to be designed, where there is
an unbalanced load)
(7) Construction of temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery;
(8) Installation of window awnings that do not extend further than four feet beyond the
exterior face of the exterior wall, measured horizontally, and that are supported by an
exterior wall of a one-or two- family dwelling or multiple single-family dwellings
(townhouses);
(9) Installation of partitions or movable cases less than five feet nine inches in height;
(10) Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, or other similar finish work;
(11) Installation of listed portable electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation or cooling equipment
or appliances;
(12) Replacement of any equipment provided the replacement does not alter the equipment's
listing or render it inconsistent with the equipment's original specifications; and
(13) Repairs, provided that such repairs do not involve:
(a) The removal or cutting away of a load-bearing wall, partition, or portion thereof, or
of any structural beam or load-bearing component;
(b) The removal or change of any required means of egress, or the rearrangement of
parts of a structure in a manner which affects egress;
(c) The enlargement, alteration, replacement or relocation of any building system;
(d) The removal from service of all or part of a fire-protection or fire-detection system
for any period of time; and
(e) In the case of buildings that are subject to site plan approval procedures, do not
materially alter the exterior appearance of the building.
B. An exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit shall not be deemed an authorization
for work to be performed in violation of the Uniform Code or the Energy Code and shall in no
case relieve the property owner from compliance with other provisions of this chapter or of the
Uniform Code, the Energy Code, or any successor laws, ordinances, statutes or regulations.
C. Applications for building permits shall be made in written form and may be obtained from the
Code Enforcement Officer. .
(1) An application for a building permit shall include such information as the Code Enforcement
Officer deems sufficient to permit a determination by the Code Enforcement Officer that the
intended work complies with the requirements of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, this
chapter, Chapter 270, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ithaca, and other applicable state
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and local laws, ordinances and regulation. All applications shall include the following
information and documentation:
(a) A description of the proposed work;
(b) The Tax Map number and the street address where the work is to be performed;
(c) The occupancy classification, as defined by the Uniform Code, of any affected
building or structure;
(d) Where applicable, a statement of special inspections prepared in accordance with
the provisions of the Uniform Code;
(e) At least two sets of construction documents (drawings and/or specifications) that
define the scope of the proposed work;
(f) The full name and address of the owner and applicant and, if either be a
corporation, the names and addresses of responsible officers;
(f)i. If an agent is designated on behalf of the owner, written designation that
the agent is permitted to apply for and act on behalf of the owner is to be
provided from the owner. A contract indicating such agent shall also be
deemed to satisfy the above condition C.(1)(f).
(g) The estimated cost of the proposed work with appropriate substantiation as may be
required by the Code Enforcement Officer;
(h) The signature of the applicant or authorized agent;
(i) The building permit fee as set from time to time by Town Board resolution.
[Amended 12-7-2009 by L.L. No. 18-20091]
(j) A statement that the work shall be performed in compliance with Chapter 270,
Zoning, the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, and other applicable state and local
laws, ordinances, and regulations; and
(k) Such other materials, information, or items as may be reasonably required by the
Code Enforcement Officer in order to determine whether the proposed work will be
in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including Chapter 270,
Zoning, the Uniform Code, and this chapter.
(2) Construction documents shall not be accepted as part of an application for a building
permit unless such documents:
(a) Are prepared by a New York State registered architect or licensed professional
engineer where so required by the Education Law;
(b) Indicate with sufficient clarity and detail the nature and extent of the work
proposed;
(c) Substantiate that the proposed work will comply with the Uniform Code and the
State Energy Conservation Construction Code; and
(d) Where applicable, include a site plan that shows any existing and proposed
structures on the site, the location of any existing or proposed well or septic system,
the location of the intended work, the distances between the structures and the lot
lines, and any other information required by Article XXIII of Chapter 270, Zoning, of
the Code of the Town of Ithaca.
(3) Applications for a building permit or for an amendment thereto shall be examined to
ascertain whether the proposed construction is in substantial conformance with the
requirements of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, Chapter 270, Zoning, and any other
applicable laws, rules or regulations. Provisions shall be made for construction documents
accepted as part of a permit application to be so marked in writing or by stamp. One set of
accepted construction documents shall be retained by the Town. One set shall be returned
to the applicant to be kept at the work site so as to be available for use by the Code
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Enforcement Officer. The return of a set of accepted construction documents to the
applicant shall not be construed as authorization to commence work, nor as an indication
that a Building Permit will be issued. Work shall not be commenced until and unless a
Building Permit is issued.
D. A permit will be issued when the Code Enforcement Officer determines the application is
complete and the proposed work will conform to the requirements of the Uniform Code, the
Energy Code, Chapter 270, Zoning, and any other applicable laws, rules or regulations. The
authority conferred by such permit may be limited by conditions, if any, contained therein. The
permit shall require the applicant to notify the Code Enforcement Officer immediately of any
changes in the information contained in the application during the period for which the permit
is in effect, or of any changes occurring during construction..
E. All work performed pursuant to such permit shall be in accordance with the information and
representations made in the application for a permit, and with the accepted construction
documents, and there shall be no deviations therefrom without the prior approval of the Code
Enforcement Officer. Such approval may be withheld until sufficient information is provided to
the Code Enforcement Officer in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Code
Enforcement Officer to demonstrate that the proposed deviation is in compliance with the
Uniform Code, the Energy Code, Chapter 270, Zoning, this chapter, and all other applicable
laws, rules and regulations. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that such change
warrants a new or amended Building Permit, such change shall not be made until and unless a
new or amended Building Permit reflecting such change is issued
F. Building permits shall be required to be visibly displayed at the work site and to remain visible
until the project has been completed.
G. A building permit, once issued, may be suspended or revoked if the Code Enforcement Officer or
other appropriate officer determines that the work to which it pertains is not proceeding in
conformance with the application, with the Uniform Code, with the Energy Code, with Chapter
270, Zoning, with any other law, rule, regulation or ordinance, with any condition attached to
such permit, or if information submitted in connection with the application for the permit was
incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete. Such suspension or revocation shall be in effect until such
time as the permit holder demonstrates to the Code Enforcement Officer's satisfaction that all
work completed and all work proposed shall be in compliance with these items and
requirements, and in the case of a revoked permit, the holder of the revoked building permit
applies for and receives a new or amended building permit.
H. A building permit shall expire one year from the date of issuance or upon the issuance of a
certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance (other than a temporary certificate of
occupancy or certificate of compliance), whichever occurs first. The permit may, upon written
request, be renewed for successive one-year periods, provided that the permit has not been
revoked or suspended at the time the application for renewal is made; the relevant information
in the application is up-to-date; and a renewal fee is paid as set from time to time by Town
Board resolution. At the option of the Code Enforcement Officer, where the work disclosed by
the application may reasonably be expected to take longer than one year, the Code
Enforcement Officer may issue an initial building permit for a term of greater than one year, but
in no event greater than three years, the term to be the length of time it would be reasonably
anticipated to complete the work set forth in the application; and an application fee, as set from
time to time by Town Board resolution, shall be paid for such permits. . [Amended 12-7-2009 by
L.L. No. 18-20092; 5-12-2014 by L.L. No. 3-2014]
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I. Permits to construct a foundation, only in circumstances where it is contemplated that a
building will be constructed on the foundation, may be issued in the discretion of the Code
Enforcement Officer under the following circumstances and subject to the following limitations:
(1) The circumstances under which foundation permits may be issued are as follows:
(a) There has been supplied to the Code Enforcement Officer plans which, in the Code
Enforcement Officer's judgment, are adequate for him to evaluate and review the
proposed construction of the foundation.
(b) The applicant provides information satisfactory to the Code Enforcement Officer,
such as an engineer's or architect's certification, that the foundation will be
adequate to carry the load of the proposed permanent structure.
(c) The need for the foundation permit is established to the satisfaction of the Code
Enforcement Officer (e.g., onset of adverse weather conditions, immediate
availability of masons, proposed construction to be on a fast-track basis, or other
reasonable basis for early issuance of a permit for only part of the building).
(2) Issuance of a foundation permit is wholly discretionary with the Code Enforcement Officer
and the applicant shall have no right to the issuance of same.
(3) In addition to the conditions on such permits imposed by this chapter, the Code
Enforcement Officer may impose such conditions on the issuance of such permits as the
Code Enforcement Officer may reasonably require to protect the health, safety and welfare
of the public, including the persons that may be in or around the proposed foundation. Such
conditions may also include the requirement that the applicant post security in the form of a
bond, cash, or letter of credit with the Town, with the designation of form of security left to
the Town's discretion, to assure that the foundation will be removed if a building permit for
the entire building is not issued within a stated period of time, such security to be available
to the Town to enable the Town to restore the premises to their condition prior to the
construction of the foundation for which the permit was issued.
(4) The issuance of any foundation permit by the Code Enforcement Officer may be revoked by
the Town Board if, in its discretion, the Town Board determines the issuance of the
foundation permit was inappropriate.
(5) Issuance of a foundation permit does not relieve the applicant from fulfilling any and all
requirements for the issuance of a full building permit for the proposed construction.
(6) Issuance of a foundation permit shall not be construed to be a determination that a building
permit will be automatically issued for the balance of the structure.
(7) Foundation permits may be revoked at any time by the Code Enforcement Officer if the
Code Enforcement Officer in his discretion:
(a) Determines that the foundation will not be adequate to support the balance of the
structure;
(b) Determines the applicant is not taking proper precautions to prevent endangering
life, health, property, or the public welfare in the course of constructing the
foundation;
(c) Determines, in his judgment, that the applicant is not proceeding diligently and
properly to provide complete and adequate plans for the issuance of a full building
permit;
(d) Becomes aware of information not previously submitted or available that makes
issuance of a foundation permit inappropriate or inadvisable;
(e) Determines the existence of any other circumstance which reasonably requires the
revocation of the permit.
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(8) If a building permit for the remainder of the building has not been issued within six months
of the date of the foundation permit, the foundation permit automatically expires. However,
the Code Enforcement Officer may renew the permit for one or more successive periods of
not more than six months per application upon payment of a fee calculated as if each
application were an application for the original issuance of such a permit.
(9) Upon the revocation or the expiration of a foundation permit without a renewed
foundation permit or a building permit for the balance of the building having been issued,
the foundation constructed pursuant to the foundation permit must be removed and the
ground restored by the owner to substantially the condition it was prior to the
commencement of any excavation and construction.
(10) The fee for the issuance of a foundation permit shall be set, from time to time, by Town
Board resolutionas specified in Chapter 153, Fees, of the Code of the Town of Ithaca.
§ 125-5. Construction inspections. XXXXXXXXXX
A. Permitted work shall be required to remain accessible and exposed until inspected by the Town
or its designee and accepted by the Code Enforcement Officer. Permit holders shall be required
to notify the Code Enforcement Officer a minimum of twenty-four hours in advance of when
construction work is ready for inspection. Inspections can be scheduled in less than twenty-four
hours were approved by the Code Enforcement Officer .
B. Provisions shall be made for, but not limited to, inspection of the following elements of the
construction process, where applicable:
(1) Work site prior to the issuance of a permit;
(2) Footing and foundation;
(3) Preparation for concrete slab;
(4) Framing;
(5) Building systems, including underground and rough-in;
(6) Fire-resistant construction;
(7) Fire-resistant penetrations;
(8) Solid fuel-burning heating appliances, chimneys, flues or gas vents;
(9) Energy code compliance; and
(10) (10) A final inspection after all work authorized by the building permit has been
completed.
C. After inspection, the work or a portion thereof shall be noted as satisfactory as completed, or
the permit holder shall be notified as to where the work fails to comply with the Uniform Code
or Energy code. Construction work not in compliance with Uniform Code or the Energy Code
provisions shall be required to remain exposed until it has been brought into compliance with
the Uniform Code or Energy Code, been re-inspected, and been found satisfactory as
completed.
D. To facilitate such inspection and to ensure compliance with appropriate Zoning, and Uniform
Code, and Energy Code requirements, the Code Enforcement Officer may require submission at
the appropriate stage of documentation to substantiate such compliance including, without
limitation, the following items:
(1) As-built survey maps by a licensed surveyor showing the location of the foundation
relative to property boundary lines and dimensions of the structure;
(2) Appropriate certifications from an engineer relative to water, sewage, structural
integrity, and such other items as the Code Enforcement Officer may deem reasonably
appropriate certifying that the stated items are in accordance with all applicable laws,
rules and regulations;
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(3) Certificates from appropriate electrical inspection persons or agencies, as determined
by the Town, certifying that the electrical work is in compliance with all applicable laws,
codes, rules and regulations. [Amended 4-12-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]
(2) Certificates from appropriate electrical inspection persons or agencies, as determined
by the Town, certifying that the electrical work is in compliance with all applicable laws,
codes, rules and regulations. [Amended 4-12-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]
(3) As-built construction documents to provide sufficient clarity to identify any changes that
have occurred with the project to show compliance with the permit/application as
approved and compliance with the Uniform Code, and Energy Code, and applicable
Zoning.
E. The Code Enforcement Officer or other person designated by the Town Board pursuant to §
125-2 shall have the power to order, in writing, the remedying of any condition found to exist in,
on, or about any building, structure or premises in violation of the Uniform Code, Chapter 270,
Zoning, or any other applicable law, rule or regulation, and shall have the authority to state the
time period within which such condition must be remedied. Such orders may be served upon
the owner or his authorized agent personally or by registered or certified mail sent to the
address set forth in the application for any permit submitted to the Town of Ithaca or to the
owner's or agent's last known address. If such condition is not remedied within the time set
forth, among any other remedies that may be available to the Town of Ithaca, the Code
Enforcement Officer or other person lawfully designated by the Town Board may revoke the
building permit for such construction and no further construction shall occur until a new permit
has been issued as specified in § 125-4G.
F. The Code Enforcement Officer or other person lawfully designated by the Town Board shall have
the right of entry, at all reasonable hours, to any building, structure, or site where work or
activity is contemplated or being done under the provisions of this chapter, or to any building or
site alleged to be unsafe to life or health, upon the exhibition of proper evidence of their
position at or authorization from the Town. Interference with such authorized entry in an official
capacity shall be punishable as a violation of this chapter.
§ 125-6. Stop-work orders.
A. Authority to issue. The Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to issue stop-work orders
pursuant to this section. The Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a stop-work order to halt:
(1) Any work that is determined by the Code Enforcement Officer to be contrary to any
applicable provision of the Uniform Code or State the Energy Conservation Construction
Code, without regard to whether such work is or is not work for which a building permit
is required, and without regard to whether a building permit has or has not been issued
for such work; or
(2) Any work that is being conducted in a dangerous or unsafe manner in the opinion of the
Code Enforcement Officer, without regard to whether such work is or is not work for
which a building permit is required, and without regard to whether a building permit has
or has not been issued for such work; or
(3) Any work for which a building permit is required which is being performed without the
required building permit, or under a building permit that has become invalid, has
expired, or has been suspended or revoked.
B. Content of stop-work orders. Stop-work orders shall (1) be in writing, (2) be dated and signed by
the Code Enforcement Officer, (3) state the reason or reasons for issuance, and (4) if applicable,
state the conditions which must be satisfied before work will be permitted to resume.
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C. Service of stop-work orders. The Code Enforcement Officer shall cause the stop-work order, or a
copy thereof, to be served on the owner of the affected property (and, if the owner is not the
building permit holder, on the building permit holder) personally or by certified mail. The Code
Enforcement Officer shall be permitted, but not required, to cause the stop-work order, or a
copy thereof, to be served on any builder, architect, tenant, contractor, subcontractor,
construction superintendent, or their agents, or any other person taking part or assisting in work
affected by the stop-work order, personally or by certified mail; provided, however, that failure
to serve any person mentioned in this sentence shall not affect the efficacy of the stop-work
order.
D. Effect of stop-work order. Upon the issuance of a stop-work order, the owner of the affected
property, the building permit holder and any other person performing, taking part in or assisting
in the work shall immediately cease all work which is the subject of the stop-work order.
E. Remedy not exclusive. The issuance of a stop-work order shall not be the exclusive remedy
available to address any event described in Subsection A of this section, and the authority to
issue a stop-work order shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for or limitation of, the
right and authority to pursue any other remedy or impose any other penalty under § 125-13 or
other sections of this chapter or under any other applicable local law or State law. Any such
other remedy or penalty may be pursued at any time, whether prior to, at the time of, or after
the issuance of a stop-work order.
§ 125-7. Certificates of occupancy or certificates of compliance. [Amended 12-7-2009 by L.L. No. 18-
2009; 5-12-2014 by L.L. No. 3-2014]
A. A certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance shall be required for all work for which a
building permit is required to be issued under this chapter, any other Code provision, local law,
ordinance, rule or regulation of the Town of Ithaca, or the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, or
any successor statute or regulation. Further, a certificate of occupancy or certificate of
compliance shall be required for all buildings, structures, or portions thereof, which are
converted from one general use or occupancy classification or subclassification, as defined by
the Uniform Code, to another. The following requirements shall also apply:
(1) Except as set forth below in Subsection B, a building or structure for which a building
permit is required to be issued shall not be used or occupied in whole or in part until the
certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance shall have been issued by the Code
Enforcement Officer or such other person lawfully designated by the Town of Ithaca.
The Code Enforcement Officer or designee shall inspect the building, structure or work
prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance. In
addition, where applicable, a written statement of structural observations and/or a final
report of special inspections, and flood hazard certifications, prepared at the expense of
the applicant in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Code or the Energy Code
by such person or persons as may be designated by or are otherwise acceptable to the
Code Enforcement Officer, must be received by the Code Enforcement Officer prior to
the issuance of the certificate. Such certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance
shall be issued when, after final inspection, it is determined that the construction and
other work has been completed in compliance with the Uniform Code, the Energy Code,
Chapter 270, Zoning, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.
(2) A certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance shall contain the following
information:
(a) The building permit number, if any;
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(b) The date of issuance of the permit, if any;
(c) The name, address and Tax Map number of the property;
(d) If the certificate is not applicable to an entire structure, a description of that
portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued;
(e) The use and occupancy classification of the structure;
(f) The type of construction of the structure;
(g) The assembly occupant load of the structure, if any;
(h) If an automatic sprinkler system is provided, a notation as to whether the
sprinkler system is required;
(i) Any special conditions imposed in connection with the issuance of the building
permit; and
(j) The signature of the official issuing the certificate and the date of issuance.
(3) The fees for certificates of occupancy or certificates of compliance are set from time to
time by Town Board resolution. The applicable fee shall be paid before a certificate of
occupancy or certificate of compliance is issued.
B. Upon written request, the Code Enforcement Officer may issue a temporary certificate of
occupancy or certificate of compliance for a building or structure, or part thereof, pending
completion of the work and before the entire work covered by a building permit has been
completed, only if the structure or portions thereof may be occupied safely, any installed fire-
and smoke-detecting or fire protection equipment is operational, all required means of egress
from the structure have been provided, and the conditions set forth below are met.
(1) Before issuing a temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance the
Code Enforcement Officer must find:
(a) The portion or portions of the work for which the certificate is sought may be used
or occupied temporarily without endangering life, property or the public welfare;
and
(b) Practical difficulties exist in completing the building, structure or site improvements
to the point where the building, structure or site improvements would qualify for a
permanent certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance because of:
[1] Construction delays resulting from:
[a] Unfavorable and unusually difficult weather conditions; or
[b] Inability to timely obtain materials; or
[c] Other conditions found by the Code Enforcement Officer to warrant
early occupancy.
[2] The need to occupy the premises before a building qualifies for a
permanent certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance is related
to the normal seasonal occupancy dates (e.g., late August when the
community has the normal influx of university-related residents); or [3]
Any other reason found by the Code Enforcement Officer to be
appropriate for the issuance of such temporary certificate.
(2) The granting of a temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance is
solely within the discretion of the Code Enforcement Officer and no applicant shall have
a right to same.
(3) In addition to the conditions on such certificates imposed by this chapter, the Code
Enforcement Officer may impose such conditions on the issuance of such certificates as
the Code Enforcement Officer may reasonably require to protect the health, safety and
welfare of the public, including the persons that may be in or around the building or
structure being partially occupied. Such conditions may also include the requirement
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that the applicant post security in the form of a bond, cash, or letter of credit with the
Town, with the designation of form of security left to the Town's discretion, to assure
that the building or structure for which a temporary certificate of occupancy or
certificate of compliance is sought will be fully completed and qualify for a permanent
certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance for the entire building within a
stated period of time, or will be vacated if no such certificate is obtained within such
period of time, such security to be available to the Town to enable the Town to bring an
action to enjoin continued occupancy in the absence of a permanent certificate and to
take such other steps as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to protect the
public health and welfare.
(4) If the Town Board, in its discretion, deems the granting of the temporary certificate of
occupancy or certificate of compliance inappropriate, the Town Board may overrule the
Code Enforcement Officer, in which event the temporary certificate shall terminate 30
days after its issuance or 15 days after the decision overruling the Code Enforcement
Officer, whichever is later.
(5) The issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance does
not relieve the applicant from fulfilling any and all requirements not yet completed at
the date of the issuance of the temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of
compliance.
(6) Issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance is not to
be construed as a determination that a final certificate of occupancy or certificate of
compliance will be automatically issued.
(7) In addition to the Town Board's privilege of revoking the temporary certificate of
occupancy or certificate of compliance, it may also be revoked by the Code Enforcement
Officer at any time under one or more of the following circumstances:
(a) The Code Enforcement Officer becomes aware of a condition which presently
endangers, or in the future may endanger, life, health, property, or the public
welfare, including the health or welfare of any persons in or around the premises
subject to the temporary certificate.
(b) The Code Enforcement Officer determines in his judgment that the applicant is not
proceeding diligently and properly to complete whatever work remains in order to
obtain a permanent certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance.
(c) The Code Enforcement Officer becomes aware of information not previously
submitted or available that makes issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy
or certificate of compliance reasonably inappropriate or inadvisable.
(d) The Code Enforcement Officer determines the existence of any other circumstance
which reasonably requires the revocation of the certificate.
(8) The temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance shall be issued for
such period as the Code Enforcement Officer may elect, but not in any event to exceed
six months, except as provided below. However, the Code Enforcement Officer may
renew the certificate for one or more successive periods of not more than six months
per application upon payment of a fee calculated as if each application were an
application for the original issuance of such a temporary certificate.
(9) Discretionary actions.
(a) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Subsection B(8) above, however, the
Town Board may, after public hearing on at least five days' notice upon the
application of the property owner, authorize the Code Enforcement Officer:
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[1] To issue a temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance
for a period greater than six months if the Board finds:
[a] It is likely the conditions which require the issuance of a temporary
certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance will extend for a
period in excess of six months; and
[b] Denial of an extended period for the certificate would create a
significant hardship to the applicant; and
[c] It is reasonably anticipated that the applicant can complete the
project and obtain a permanent certificate no later than the
expiration date of the extended period; and
[d] The life of the temporary certificate, including any extended period, is
not greater than three years; and
[e] All other conditions for the issuance of a temporary certificate of
occupancy or certificate of compliance set forth in this § 125-7B have
been met.
[2] To reduce or waive the fee charged for a temporary certificate of
occupancy or certificate of compliance if the Board finds:
[a] The fee for the original building permit was sufficiently large to cover
the costs to the Town, including Code Enforcement Officer inspection
time and review time, of processing, reviewing and overseeing the
issuance and implementation of the original building permit, the final
certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance, and any
temporary occupancy certificates including the one for which a
reduction in fee is requested; and
[b] The payment of the fee as normally determined hereunder would be
a significant financial hardship to the applicant; and
[c] The need for the temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of
compliance was not created by the lack of diligence of the applicant
in prosecuting the work of the project to completion; and
[d] The reduction in fee is the minimum necessary to alleviate the
hardship to the applicant and still cover the costs to the Town
referred to above; and
[e] All other conditions for the issuance of a temporary certificate of
occupancy or certificate of compliance set forth in this § 125-7B have
been met.
(b) The Town Board, in granting an application for a longer temporary certificate of
occupancy or certificate of compliance or a reduction in fee may impose such
reasonable conditions as it deems appropriate under the circumstances pertaining.
(10) A temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance can also be granted
by the Code Enforcement Officer in those circumstances not involving new construction
where a violation of Chapter 270, Zoning, or other rule or regulation becomes apparent
to the Code Enforcement Officer, the owner or other person in possession is taking
action (either by construction or by application for an appropriate variance) to correct
the violation, and the issuance of the temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of
compliance will not endanger life, health, property, or the public welfare. The issuance
of a temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance under these
circumstances and the right to revoke same are governed by the same provisions
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relating to the issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of
compliance based upon construction pursuant to a building permit.
(11) The fee for the issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of
compliance shall be as set from time to time by Town Board resolution. A fee for
extensions for a temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance is
identified in section (8) above.
C. A certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance may be issued for any building or
individual dwelling unit at any other time after inspection thereof by written request,
determination of compliance and payment of the fees as set from time to time by Town Board
resolution. (this is the certificate fee identified on our current fee schedule) (we do not issue
certificates for existing buildings where we do not have a copy of such certificate of occupancy
or compliance on record)
D. Revocation or suspension of certificates. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that a
certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance was issued in error because of incorrect,
inaccurate or incomplete information, and if the relevant deficiencies are not corrected to the
satisfaction of the Code Enforcement Officer within such period of time as shall be specified by
the Code Enforcement Officer, the Code Enforcement Officer shall revoke or suspend such
certificate.
§ 125-8. Operating permits.
A. No person, firm, corporation, association, or other organization or entity shall conduct the
activities or use or occupy any of the facilities listed below unless the owner or authorized agent
of the owner has applied for and has, after inspection as set forth in Subsection C of this section
and § 125-9 below, obtained an operating permit:
(1) Manufacturing, storing or handling hazardous materials in quantities exceeding those
listed in tables 5003.1.1(1),5003.1.1(2),5003.1.1(3),5003.1.1(4) of the 2015 edition of
the International Fire Code (a publication currently incorporated by reference in 19
NYCRR Part 1225);2703.1.1(1), 2703.1.1(2), 2703.1.1(3) or 2703.1.1(4), of the Fire Code
of New York State (see 10 NYCRR Part 1225).
(2) Hazardous processes and activities, including but not limited to commercial and
industrial operations which produce combustible dust as a byproduct, fruit and crop
ripening, and waste handling.
(3) Use of pyrotechnic devices in assembly occupancies.
(4) Buildings containing one or more areas of public assembly with an occupant load of 100
persons or more.
(4)(5) Parking garages as defined in subdivision 125-12 A. of section 125-12 of this
chapter; and
(5)(6) Buildings whose use or occupancy classification may pose a substantial potential
hazard to public safety, as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer.
(6)(7) Multiple residences/multi-family dwellings involving buildings or properties
containing three or more dwelling units.
(7)(8) Health care facilities where more than 10 people normally sleep nightly,
including hospitals, nursing homes, infirmaries, and sanitariums.
(8)(9) Child and adult day-care centers and facilities as defined in Chapter 270, Zoning,
of the Code of the Town of Ithaca.
(9)(10) Dormitories providing accommodations for sleeping for hire for more than four
people.
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(10)(11) Motels or hotels providing sleeping accommodations for hire for more than four
people.
(12) All residential rental dwelling units and accessory dwelling units that are required to
have operating permits per Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 207, Article I (Operating
Permits for Certain Residential Rental Units), or Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 270
(Zoning), § 270-219.6B(2). Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this § 125-8,
the occupancy of such units prior to an owner obtaining required operating permits
shall be governed by the applicable provisions of Chapter 207, Article I (Operating
Permits for Certain Residential Rental Units), and § 270-219.6B(2). [Added 12-11-2017
by L.L. No. 19-2017]
(11)(13) Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles, as defined by the current adopted edition of
the New York State Fire Code.
B. Any individual or entity who proposes to undertake the types of activities or operate the types
of facilities listed in Subsection A of this section shall be required to obtain an operating permit
from the Town prior to commencing such operation. An application for an operating permit shall
be on a Town-provided form and shall contain sufficient information to permit a determination
by the Code Enforcement Officer that quantities, materials, and activities conform to the
requirements of the Uniform Code. Tests or reports that the Code Enforcement Officer
determines are necessary to verify conformance shall be required at the expense of the
applicant and shall be conducted by such persons as may be designated by or are otherwise
acceptable to the Code Enforcement Officer.
a. Applications for an operating permit shall be made for each independent building,
located on one parcel or independent parcels of land.
B.b. Applications for rental registry operating permits shall be one permit per parcel.
C. The Code Enforcement Officer or Inspector authorized by the Code Enforcement Officer shall
inspect the subject premises prior to the issuance of an operating permit.
D. In any circumstance in which more than one activity listed in Subsection A of this section is to
be conducted at a location, the Code Enforcement Officer may require a separate operating
permit for each such activity, or the Code Enforcement Officer may, in his or her discretion,
issue a single operating permit to apply to all such activities.
E. Operating permits shall be issued for such period of time, not to exceed one year in the case of
any Operating Permit issued for an area of public assembly of 100 persons or more, health care
facilities where more than 10 people normally sleep nightly (including hospitals, nursing homes,
infirmaries, and sanitariums), all child and adult day-care centers and facilities, as defined in
Chapter 270, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ithaca, and all dormitory buildings, regardless
of the number of sleeping accommodations and not to exceed three years in any other case, as
shall be determined by the Code Enforcement Officer to be consistent with local conditions. The
effective period of each Operating Permit shall be specified in the Operating Permit. An
Operating Permit may be reissued or renewed upon application to the Code Enforcement
Officer, payment of the applicable fee, approval of such application by the Code Enforcement
Officer, and an on-site inspection are conducted in accordance with section 125-9 of this
chapter .An operating permit shall be valid for a period of three years from its date of issuance,
unless earlier revoked or suspended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an operating permit for all
residential rental dwelling units and accessory dwelling units that are required to have operating
permits per Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 207, Article I (Operating Permits for Certain
Residential Rental Units), or § 270-219.6B(2) shall be valid for a period of five years from its date
of issuance, unless earlier revoked or suspended. [Amended 12-11-2017 by L.L. No. 19-2017]
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F. The operating permit shall be displayed on the property or premises covered by the operating
permit.
G. Revocation of operating permits. Operating permits may be suspended or revoked when it is
determined that there is a violation of a condition under which the permit was issued, if
information submitted in connection with the permit application or with a condition of the
permit was incorrect, inaccurate, or incomplete, where activities do not comply with applicable
provisions of the Uniform Code, or where there is a violation of applicable law under which the
operating permit was issued which would have precluded issuance of the permit had such
violation been in existence at the date of issuance of the permit.
H. Transfer of title. An application for a new operating permit shall be required within 60 days after
the transfer of title to the premises. Provided the application for a new operating permit is
timely, a property shall not be subject to an operating permit inspection if it has passed
inspection within one year before the application date. [Added 12-11-2017 by L.L. No. 19-2017]
H.I. The fee as set by Town Board resolution must be paid at the time submission of an application
for an Operating Permit, for an amended Operating Permit, or for reissue or renewal of an
Operating Permit.
§ 125-9. Fire sSafety and property maintenance inspections.
A. The Code Enforcement Officer shall conduct fire safety and property maintenance inspections of
areas of public assembly, as defined in the Uniform Code, at least once per year. Such
inspections may be made at any reasonable time. Upon completion of the inspection, if the
Code Enforcement Officer is satisfied that the buildings so inspected are in compliance with the
Uniform Code, , Chapter 270, Zoning, and other laws of the Town of Ithaca relating to the safety
of buildings, the Code Enforcement Officer shall issue an operating permit, where one is
required by § 125-8, upon payment of the applicable fees for the inspection and the permit
application.
B. B. Inspections of multiple dwellings/ multi-family dwellings and other residential rental dwelling
units. [Amended 12-11-2017 by L.L. No. 19-2017]
(1) The Code Enforcement Officer shall conduct fire safety and property maintenance
inspections of all multiple dwellings/multi-family dwellings and all nonresidential
occupancies at least once every three years, except inspections shall occur at least once
every year for all health care facilities where more than 10 people normally sleep nightly
(including hospitals, nursing homes, infirmaries, and sanitariums), all child and adult day-
care centers and facilities, as defined in Chapter 270, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of
Ithaca, and all dormitory buildings, regardless of the number of sleeping accommodations.
(2) The Code Enforcement Officer shall conduct fire safety and property maintenance
inspections of all other residential rental dwelling units and accessory dwelling units that
require an operating permit at least once every five years.
(2)(3) Fire safety and property maintenance inspections of all multiple
dwellings/multi-family dwellings not included in paragraphs (1) or (2) of this subsection B,
and all non-residential buildings, structures, uses and occupancies not included in
paragraphs (1) or (2) of this subsection B, shall be performed at least once every three
years.
(3)(4) Such inspections may be made at any reasonable time. Upon completion of the
inspection, if the Code Enforcement Officer is satisfied that the buildings so inspected are
in compliance with the Uniform Code, Chapter 270, Zoning, and other laws of the Town of
Ithaca relating to the safety of buildings, the Code Enforcement Officer shall issue an
operating permit, where one is required by § 125-8, upon payment of the applicable fees
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for the inspection and the permit. Inspections for all residential rental dwelling units and
accessory dwelling units that are required to have operating permits per Town of Ithaca
Code Chapter 207, Article I (Operating Permits for Certain Residential Rental Units), or
Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 270 (Zoning), § 270-219.6B(2) shall be conducted pursuant
to the applicable procedures in Chapter 207, Article I, or § 270-219.6B(2).
C. An inspection of a building or dwelling unit may be performed at any other time upon a request
of the owner or authorized agent; or receipt of a written statement alleging that conditions or
activities failing to comply with the Uniform Code or the Energy Code exist; or receipt of
reasonable and reliable information that a violation of the Uniform Code or the Energy Code,
this chapter, Chapter 270, Zoning, or other law, rule or regulation exists. Such written allegation
or request shall be provided to the Code Enforcement Officer on a form, as provided by the
Town of Ithaca Code Enforcement Department.
D. If entrance to make an inspection is refused or cannot be obtained, the Code Enforcement
Officer or his designee may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for a warrant to make
an inspection and upon receipt of same shall have the right to make such inspections as are set
forth above in this chapter.
E. Nothing in this section or in any other provision of this chapter shall supersede, limit or impair
the powers, duties and responsibilities of any federal, state or local agency. No inspection by
any federal, state or local agency shall supersede, limit or impair the powers, duties and
responsibilities of the Town. The Code Enforcement Officer may rely on inspections conducted
by other local, state, or federal agencies and may issue operating permits based on inspection
reports received from any local, state, or federal agencies..
E.F. The fee, as set by Town Board resolution, must be paid be paid prior to or at the time each
inspection performed pursuant to this section.
§ 125-10. Notification regarding fire or explosion.
The chief of any fire department providing fire-fighting services for a property within the Town shall
notify the Code Enforcement Officer by the next business day of any fire or explosion involving any
structural damage, fuel-burning appliance, chimney or gas vent.
§ 125-11. Complaints.
A. The Code Enforcement Officer shall review and investigate written complaints which allege or
assert the existence of conditions or activities that fail to comply with this chapter, Chapter
270, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ithaca, the Uniform Code, the New York State Energy
Conservation Construction Code, or any other local law, ordinance or regulation adopted for
administration and enforcement of the Uniform Code or the New York State Energy
Conservation Construction Code. . Such written allegation shall be provided to the Code
Enforcement Officer on a form, as provided by the Town of Ithaca Code Enforcement
Department.
A.B.
B.C. The process for responding to a complaint shall include such of the following steps as the Code
Enforcement Officer may deem to be appropriate:
(1) Performing an inspection of the conditions and/or activities alleged to be in violation
and documenting the results of such inspection.
(2) If a violation is found to exist, providing the owner of the affected property and any
other person or entity who may be responsible for the violation with notice of the
violation and opportunity to abate, correct or cure the violation, or otherwise
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proceeding as described in § 125-132, Violations, and § 125-143, Penalties for offenses,
of this chapter.
(3) If appropriate, issuing a stop-work order.
(4) If a violation which was found to exist is abated or corrected, performing an inspection
to ensure that the violation has been abated or corrected, preparing a final written
report reflecting such abatement or correction, and filing such report with the
complaint.
§ 125-12. Condition Assessments of parking garages
A. Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
(1) the term “condition assessment” means an on-site inspection and evaluation of a
parking garage for evidence of deterioration of any structural element or building
component of such parking garage, evidence of the existence of any unsafe condition in
such parking garage, and evidence indicating that such parking garage is an unsafe
structure;
(2) the term “deterioration” means the weakening, disintegration, corrosion, rust, or decay
of any structural element or building component, or any other loss of effectiveness of a
structural element or building component;
(3) the term “parking garage” means any building or structure, or part thereof, in which all
or any part of any structural level or levels is used for parking or storage of motor
vehicles, excluding:
(a) buildings in which the only level used for parking or storage of motor vehicles
is on grade;
(b) an attached or accessory structure providing parking exclusively for a detached
one- or two-family dwelling; and
(c) a townhouse unit with attached parking exclusively for such unit;
(4) the term “professional engineer” means an individual who is licensed or otherwise
authorized under Article 145 of the Education Law to practice the profession of
engineering in the State of New York and who has at least three years of experience
performing structural evaluations;
(5) the term “responsible professional engineer” means the professional engineer who
performs a condition assessment, or under whose supervision a condition assessment is
performed, and who seals and signs the condition assessment report. The use of the
term “responsible professional engineer” shall not be construed as limiting the
professional responsibility or liability of any professional engineer, or of any other
licensed professional, who participates in the preparation of a condition assessment
without being the responsible professional engineer for such condition assessment.
(6) the term “unsafe condition” includes the conditions identified as “unsafe” in section
304.1.1, section 305.1.1, and section 306.1.1 of the 2015 edition of the International
Property Maintenance Code (a publication currently incorporated by reference in 19
NYCRR Part 1226); and
(7) the term “unsafe structure” means a structure that is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated,
or structurally unsafe, or is of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that
partial or complete collapse is possible.
B. Condition Assessments – general requirements. The owner operator of each parking garage
shall cause such parking garage to undergo an initial condition assessment as described in
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subdivision (c) of this section, periodic condition assessments as described in subdivision (d) of
this section, and such additional condition assessments as may be required under subdivision (e)
of this section. Each condition assessment shall be conducted by or under the direct supervision
of a professional engineer. A written report of each condition assessment shall be prepared and
provided to the Town, in accordance with the requirements of chapter (f) of this section. Before
performing a condition assessment (other than the initial condition assessment) of a parking
garage, the responsible professional engineer for such condition assessment shall review all
available previous condition assessment reports for such parking garage.
C. Initial Condition Assessment. Each parking garage shall undergo an initial condition assessment
as follows:
(1) New parking garages shall undergo an initial condition assessment following construction
and prior to a certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance being issued for the
structure,
(1) Existing parking garages shall undergo an initial condition assessment as follows:
(a) if originally constructed prior to January 1, 1984, then prior to October 1, 2019;
(b) if originally constructed between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 2002, then
prior to October 1, 2020; and
(c) if originally constructed between January 1, 2003 and the effective date of the
rule adding this subdivision to 19 NYCRR section 1203.3, then prior to October
1, 2021.
D. Periodic Condition Assessments. Following the initial condition assessment of a parking garage,
such parking garage shall undergo periodic condition assessments at intervals not to exceed
three (3) years.
E. Additional Condition Assessments.
(1) If the latest condition assessment report for a parking garage includes a recommendation
by the responsible professional engineer that an additional condition assessment of such
parking garage, or any portion of such parking garage, be performed before the date by
which the next periodic condition assessment would be required under subdivision (c) of
this section, the Town shall require the owner or operator of such parking garage to cause
such parking garage (or, if applicable, the portion of such parking garage identified by the
responsible professional engineer) to undergo an additional condition assessment no later
than the date recommended in such condition assessment report.
(2) If the Town becomes aware of any new or increased deterioration which, in the judgment
of the Town indicates that an additional condition assessment of the entire parking
garage, or of the portion of the parking garage affected by such new or increased
deterioration, should be performed before the date by which the next periodic condition
assessment would be required under subdivision (c) of this section, the Town shall require
the owner or operator of such parking garage to cause such parking garage (or, if
applicable, the portion of the parking garage affected by such new or increased
deterioration) to undergo an additional condition assessment no later than the date
determined by the Town to be appropriate.
F. Condition Assessment Reports. The responsible professional engineer shall prepare, or directly
supervise the preparation of, a written report of each condition assessment, and shall submit
such condition assessment report to the Town within thirty (30) days.Such condition assessment
report shall be sealed and signed by the responsible professional engineer, and shall include:
(1) an evaluation and description of the extent of deterioration and conditions that cause
deterioration that could result in an unsafe condition or unsafe structure;
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(2) an evaluation and description of the extent of deterioration and conditions that cause
deterioration that, in the opinion of the responsible professional engineer, should be
remedied immediately to prevent an unsafe condition or unsafe structure;
(3) an evaluation and description of the unsafe conditions;
(4) an evaluation and description of the problems associated with the deterioration,
conditions that cause deterioration, and unsafe conditions;
(5) an evaluation and description of the corrective options available, including the
recommended timeframe for remedying the deterioration, conditions that cause
deterioration, and unsafe conditions;
(6) an evaluation and description of the risks associated with not addressing the
deterioration, conditions that cause deterioration, and unsafe conditions;
(7) the responsible professional engineer’s recommendation regarding preventative
maintenance;
(8) except in the case of the report of the initial condition assessment, the responsible
professional engineer’s attestation that he or she reviewed all previously prepared
condition assessment reports available for such parking garage, and considered the
information in the previously prepared reports while performing the current condition
assessment and while preparing the current report; and
(9) the responsible professional engineer’s recommendation regarding the time within which
the next condition assessment of the parking garage or portion thereof should be
performed. In making the recommendation regarding the time within which the next
condition assessment of the parking garage or portion thereof should be performed, the
responsible professional engineer shall consider the parking garage’s age, maintenance
history, structural condition, construction materials, frequency and intensity of use,
location, exposure to the elements, and any other factors deemed relevant by the
responsible professional engineer in his or her professional judgment.
G. Review Condition Assessment Reports. The Town shall take such enforcement action or actions
in response to the information in such condition assessment report as may be necessary or
appropriate to protect the public from the hazards that may result from the conditions
described in such report. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the Town shall, by Order to
Remedy or such other means of enforcement as the Town may deem appropriate, require the
owner or operator of the parking garage to repair or otherwise remedy all deterioration, all
conditions that cause deterioration, and all unsafe conditions identified in such condition
assessment report pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision F. All repairs and remedies
shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Uniform Code. This section shall not limit or
impair the right of the Town to take any other enforcement action, including but not limited to
suspension or revocation of a parking garage’s operating permit, as may be necessary or
appropriate in response to the information in a condition assessment report.
H. The Town shall retain all condition assessment reports for the life of the parking garage. Upon
request by a professional engineer who has been engaged to perform a condition assessment of
a parking garage, and who provides the Town with a written statement attesting to the fact that
he or she has been so engaged, the Town shall make the previously prepared condition
assessment reports for such parking garage (or copies of such reports) available to such
professional engineer. The Town shall be permitted to require the owner or operator of the
subject parking garage to pay all costs and expenses associated with making such previously
prepared condition assessment reports (or copies thereof) available to the professional
engineer.
I. This section shall not limit or impair the right or the obligation of the Town:
Revised for 4-29-20 COC meeting
19
(1) to perform such construction inspections as are required by section 125-5 of this chapter;
(2) to perform such periodic fire safety and property maintenance inspections as are required
by section 125-9 of this chapter; and/or
(3) to take such enforcement action or actions as may be necessary or appropriate to respond
to any condition that comes to the attention of the Town by means of its own inspections
or observations, by means of a complaint, or by any other means other than a condition
assessment or a report of a condition assessment.
§ 125-132. Violations.
A. A person owning, operating, occupying or maintaining property or premises within the scope of
the Uniform Code or this chapter shall comply with all provisions of the Uniform Code, the
Energy Code, this chapter, and all orders, notices, rules, regulations or determinations issued in
connection therewith.
B. Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer finds that there has been a violation of the Uniform
Code, the Energy Code, this chapter, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter,
a violation order may be issued to the person or persons responsible. the Code Enforcement
Officer is authorized to order in writing the remedying of any condition or activity found to exist
in, on or about any building, structure, or premises in violation of the Uniform Code, the Energy
Code, this chapter, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter
B.
C. Violation ordersAn order to remedy shall be in writing, shall identify the property or premises, s;
shall specify the condition or activity that violates the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, or this
local law; shall specify the provision or provisions of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, or this
local law which is/are violated by the specified condition or activity; and shall include a
statement identifying that the order to remedy must be corrected within 30 days after the date
of when the order to remedy was issued, except in the event that the violation endangers the
life. :hall specify the violation and remedial action to be taken, shall provide a reasonable time
limit for compliance, and shall state the time within which an appeal may be taken.
a. The order to remedy may include provisions ordering the person or entity served with
such order to remedy (1) to begin to remedy the violations described in the order to
remedy immediately, or within some other specified period of time which may be less
than thirty (30) days; to continue diligently to remedy such violations until each such
violation is fully remedied; and, in any event, to complete the remedying of all such
violations within thirty (30) days of the date of such order to remedy; and/or (2) to take
such other protective actions (such as vacating the building or barricading the area
where the violations exist) which are authorized by this local law or by any other
applicable statute, regulation, rule, local law or ordinance, and which the Code
Enforcement Officer may deem appropriate, during the period while such violations are
being remedied.
a. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the Code Enforcement Officer
from providing in an order to remedy that the person or entity served with such order
must begin to remedy the violation(s) described in the order immediately, or within
some other period of time which is specified in the order and which may be less than
thirty (30) days; must thereafter continue diligently to remedy such violation(s) until
each such violation is fully remedied; and must in any event fully remedy all such
violation(s) within thirty (30) days of the date of such order.
Revised for 4-29-20 COC meeting
20
D. The Order to Remedy shall further contain a statement that a hearing can be requested in
writing, to the Director of Code Enforcement, within five business days of receipt of the Order to
Remedy.
E. If a hearing is requested, the same shall be held before the Town Board not less than two weeks
nor more than four weeks after the request for a hearing is received. The person requesting the
hearing shall be notified in writing at least seven days prior to the hearing of the time and place
of the hearing.
F. In the event that a hearing is held or if the owner does not appear and it is determined by the
Town Board that there is an unsafe building located upon the premises and the owner fails to
commence the repair or removal of the unsafe building within the time specified in the notice of
determination, the Director of Code Enforcement shall notify the Superintendent of Public
Works that the owner has failed or refuses to repair or remove the unsafe building within the
time provided.
G. Order to Remedy, or a copy thereof, may be served by personal service, by mailing by registered
or certified mail sent to the address set forth in the application for any permit submitted to the
Town or to the property address, or by posting a copy thereof on the premises subject of the
order to remedy and mailing a copy, enclosed in a prepaid wrapper, addressed to the last known
address of the owner as set forth in the Town of Ithaca records, or if none, in the most recent
tax roll available to the Town of Ithaca, within five (5) days after the date of the Order to
Remedy . The Code Enforcement Officer shall be permitted, but not required, to cause the Order
to Remedy, or a copy thereof, to be served on any builder, architect, tenant, contractor,
subcontractor, construction superintendent, or their agents, or any other Person taking part or
assisting in work being performed at the affected property personally or by registered mail or
certified mail within five (5) days after the date of the Order to Remedy; provided, however,
that failure to serve any Person mentioned in this sentence shall not affect the efficacy of the
Compliance Order
C. Violation orders may be served by personal service, by mailing by registered or certified
mail sent to the address set forth in the application for any permit submitted to the
Town or to the property address, or by posting a copy thereof on the premises that are
the subject of the notice of violation and mailing a copy on the same day as posted,
enclosed in a prepaid wrapper, addressed to the last known address of the owner as set
forth in the Town of Ithaca records, or if none, in the most recent tax roll available to
the Town of Ithaca.
D.H. In case the owner, lessor, occupant or the agent of any of them shall fail, neglect or
refuse to remove, eliminate or abate the violation within the time specified in the violation
order, a request to take appropriate legal action shall be made to the Attorney for the Town of
Ithaca.
§ 125-143. Penalties for offenses.
A. Failure to comply with any provision of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, this chapter, rules
or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, or a violation order shall be deemed a violation
and the violator shall be liable for a fine of not less than $2100, or imprisonment not to exceed
30 days, or both, and each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate violation. The
Code Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized to issue an appearance ticket for any violation of
this chapter pursuant to Chapter 9, Appearance Tickets, of the Code of the Town of Ithaca.
B. An action or proceeding in the name of the Town of Ithaca may be commenced in any court of
competent jurisdiction to compel compliance with or restrain by injunction the violation of any
Revised for 4-29-20 COC meeting
21
provision to prevent, restrain, enjoin, correct, or abate any violation of, or to enforce, any
provision of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, The Town Zoning Code (Chapter 270)of the
Uniform Code, this chapter, or any term or condition of any building permit, certificate of
occupancy or certificate of compliance, temporary certificate, stop-work order, operating
permit, order to remedy, or other notice or order , rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this
chapter, or a violation order, or to vacate the occupancy or building in the case of imminent
danger to life or property issued by the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to any provision of
this chapter . Such remedy shall be in addition to penalties otherwise prescribed by law.
B.C. Remedies Not Exclusive. No remedy or penalty specified in chapter 125 shall be the exclusive
remedy or remedy available to address any violation described in this section, and each remedy
or penalty specified in this section shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for or limitation
of, the other remedies or penalties specified in this section, in section 125-6 (Stop-work orders)
of this local law, in any other section of this local law, or in any other applicable law. Any remedy
or penalty specified in this section may be pursued at any time, whether prior to, simultaneously
with, or after the pursuit of any other remedy or penalty specified in this section, in section 125-
6 (Stop-work orders) of this local law, in any other section of this local law, or in any other
applicable law. In particular, but not by way of limitation, each remedy and penalty specified in
this section shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for or limitation of, the penalties
specified in subdivision (2) of section 382 of the Executive Law, and any remedy or penalty
specified in this section may be pursued at any time, whether prior to, simultaneously with, or
after the pursuit of any penalty specified in subdivision (2) of section 382 of the Executive Law.
§ 125-145. Records.
The Town Building and Zoning Department and Town Clerk shall keep official records, in
compliance with the applicable record-retention requirements of
the New York State Archives and Records Administration.
of the following all permits, inspection reports, recommendations, complaints, violation orders and fees
charged and collected pursuant to this chapter, in compliance with the applicable record-retention
requirements of
the New York State Archives and Records Administration.
(1) all applications received, reviewed and approved or denied;
(2) all plans, specifications and construction documents approved;
(3) all Building Permits, [Certificates of Occupancy / Certificates of Compliance], Temporary
Certificates, Stop-work orders, and Operating Permits issued;
(4) all inspections and tests performed;
(5) all statements and reports issued;
(6) all complaints received;
(7) all investigations conducted;
(8) all condition assessment reports received;
(9) all other features and activities specified in or contemplated by sections 4 through 13,
inclusive, of this local law, including; and
(10) all fees charged and collected.
B. All such records shall be public records open for public inspection during normal business
hours. All plans and records pertaining to buildings or structures, or appurtenances thereto,
shall be retained for at least the minimum time period so required by State law and regulation.
§ 125-156. Removal of dangerous buildings or structures.
Revised for 4-29-20 COC meeting
22
A. A building or structure, or part thereof, which is an imminent danger to life and safety of the
public as a result of a fire or explosion or unsafe equipment is hereby declared to be a public
nuisance.
B. Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer finds a building or structure, or part thereof, to be an
imminent danger to life and safety of the public as a result of a fire or explosion or unsafe
equipment, the Code Enforcement Officer may cause it to be demolished and removed or may
cause work to be done in and about the building, structure or equipment as may be necessary to
remove the danger.
C. The Code Enforcement Officer may require the occupants of any such building or structure, or
part thereof, to vacate the premises forthwith. No person shall use or occupy such building or
structure, or part thereof, until it is made safe.
D. Except for the owner, no person shall enter premises which have been ordered vacated unless
authorized to perform inspections, repairs, or to demolish and remove such building, structure
or equipment, or part thereof.
E. All costs and expenses incurred by the Town of Ithaca in connection with any work done to
remove the danger, or in connection with the demolition and removal of any such building,
structure or equipment, shall be assessed against the land on which such building or structure is
located, and a bill for such costs and expenses shall be presented to the owner of the property,
or if the owner cannot be ascertained, then such bill shall be posted in a conspicuous place on
the premises. If the owner shall fail to pay for such costs and expenses within 10 days after the
bill is presented or posted, then such unpaid costs, expenses and interest accruing at the rate of
9% per annum from the date of the Town's work shall constitute a lien upon such land. A legal
action or proceeding may be brought to collect such costs, expenses, interest and recoverable
attorney's fees, or to foreclose such lien. As an alternative to the maintenance of any such
action, the Code Enforcement Officer may file a certificate of the actual costs and expenses
incurred and interest accruing as aforesaid, together with a statement identifying the property
in connection with which the expenses were incurred, and the owner thereof with the Tompkins
County Department of Assessment, who shall in the preparation of the next assessment roll
assess such amount upon such property. Such amount shall be included as a special ad valorem
levy (administered as a move tax) against such property, shall constitute a lien and shall be
collected and enforced in the same manner, by the same proceedings, at the same time, and
under the same penalties as are provided by law for collection and enforcement of real property
taxes in the Town of Ithaca. The assessment of such costs, expenses and interest shall be
effective even if the property would otherwise be exempt from real estate taxation.
§ 125-17. Intermunicipal agreement.
The Town Board may, by resolution, authorize the Town Supervisor to enter into an agreement, in the
name of the Town of Ithaca, with other governments, to carry out the terms of this local law (either
whole or in part), provided that such agreement does not violate any provision of the Uniform Code, the
Energy Code, Part 1203 of Title 19 of the NYCRR, or any other applicable law.
§ 125-186. Variance and review.
A.C. A request for a variance from the requirements of Chapter 270, Zoning, shall be processed in
accordance with the provisions of Chapter 270, Zoning.
B.D. A request for a variance from the provisions of the Uniform Code and an appeal to
review determination of or failure to render a determination by the Code Enforcement Officer
based upon the Uniform Code shall be processed with the appropriate Board of Review as
provided in Title 19 of the New York Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations, Part
Revised for 4-29-20 COC meeting
23
1205, or any successor rules, regulations or statutes. Where proposed construction, alteration,
use or other work related to a building, structure or equipment would be in violation of any
provision of the Uniform Code or any successor statute, no building permit shall be issued
except pursuant to written order of the appropriate Board of Review.
Town of Ithaca Planning Department Revised Draft for April 29, 2020 COC Meeting: Wireless Facility Review/Approval Process Flow Chart
• Requires internal
Planning staff
reviewᶺ, building
permit (#5*)
• Town law contains
aesthetic, location,
dimensional, etc.
requirements.
• 60 day shot clock for
approvals.
Is it a Small Wireless
Facility Collocation?
•
Planning staff
review ᶺ, building
permit (#5*)
•Town law contains
aesthetic, location,
dimensional, etc.
requirements.
•90 day shot clock
for approvals.
Is Proposed Facility Collocated onto An Existing Structure?
YES
Is it collocated onto a Communications Tower?
•
approve
requirement” (#2*)
•Building permit only.
•Documentation
required to prove
that it falls under
§6409(a)
•60 day shot clock for
approval.
Is there a
“substantial”
change per FCC
YES
• Requires PB site plan
approval & special
permit, building
permit (#3*)
•Town law contains
aesthetic, location,
dimensional, etc.
requirements.
•60 (for SWF’s) or 90
day shot clock for
approvals.
*See staff-prepared “Recommendations for Approval
Process and Aesthetic Requirements: All Wireless
Facilities”, revised April 29, 2020
ᶺ
New York State-designated Scenic Byways, or within
an area listed in the Tompkins County or Town of
Ithaca Scenic Resources Inventory.
Individual
Small Wireless Facility?
NO
•
•Requires PB site plan approval & special
permit, building permit (exception:
internal Planning staff review, building
permit only for systems at least 500 feet
from public ROW & adjoining owner lot
line).
•Town law contains aesthetic, location,
dimensional, etc. requirements.
•90 day shot clock for approvals.
Town of Ithaca Planning Department Revised Draft for April 29, 2020 COC Meeting: Wireless Facility Review/Approval Process Flow Chart
Is Proposed Facility Collocated Onto An Existing Structure?
NO
Is it a New Small Wireless Facility?
•New Tower (#1*)
•Requires PB site plan
approval & special permit,
building permit.
•Town law contains
aesthetic, location,
dimensional, etc.
requirements, per
§332(c)(7).
•150 day shot clock for
approvals.
NO
•System (e.g. DAS, #4*)
•Requires PB site plan approval &
special permit, building permit
(exception: internal Planning staff
review, building permit only for
systems at least 500 feet from public
ROW & adjoining owner lot line).
•Town law contains aesthetic, location,
dimensional, etc. requirements.
•90 day shot clock for approvals.
NO
•Requires internal Planning
staff review ᶺ, building
permit (#5*)
•Town law contains
aesthetic, location,
dimensional, etc.
requirements.
•90 day shot clock for
approvals.
YES
Is it a New Individual Small
Wireless Facility?
Process and Aesthetic Requirements: All Wireless
Facilities”, revised April 29, 2020
ᶺ PB approval required when SWF is located along
New York State-designated Scenic Byways, or within
an area listed in the Tompkins County or Town of
Ithaca Scenic Resources Inventory.
April 29, 2020 COC – Town Telecommunications Law
1
Recommendations for Approval Process and Aesthetic Requirements
All Wireless Facilities
1. For new towers (that are not small wireless facilities) – Recommend maintaining the
existing provisions, requiring Planning Board site plan and special permit approval per the
existing town law (only minor updates proposed).
2. For Cell Antenna Collocations (onto existing towers that are not considered “substantial”
under §6409 (FCC Order 2014) – Recommend requiring internal administrative staff
review by Planning staff (to determine §6409(a) applicability) and building permit only.
The criteria that makes a facility “Substantial” * is defined in the Order and can be listed in
the telecom law for guidance, if need be.
3. For Cell Antenna Collocations (onto existing communications towers) that are considered
“substantial” under §6409 (FCC Order 2014)– Recommend requiring Planning Board site
plan and special permit approval with criteria that is similar to collocations on buildings
and other structures. .
a) There shall be no exposed wires (similar to 1“e” in existing streamlined prov). All
cables and wires associated with the facility leading to and away from the facility
must be fully concealed and shall match the color of the structure on which the
facility is located. There shall be no external cables and wires related to the facility
hanging off or otherwise exposed.
b) Each antenna shall be located within a stealth enclosure that matches the
materials, color and design of the tower on which the antenna is located.
c) (similar to streamlined 4“c” and 4“d”) All equipment enclosures shall be as small as
possible and undergrounded when possible. Building-mounted enclosures shall be
located within a stealth enclosure that matches the materials, color and design of
the structure on which the enclosure is located. Ground-mounted enclosures shall
have appropriate vegetative buffering to buffer the view from neighboring
residences, recreation areas and public roads. The Planning Board may require
screening adjacent to waterways, landmarks, refuges, community facilities, or
conservation or historic areas within common view of the public. Collocations along
New York State-designated Scenic Byways or located within an area listed in the
Tompkins County or Town of Ithaca Scenic Resources Inventory must be as visually
inconspicuous as possible. The views of, and vistas from, such structures, districts,
and corridors shall not be impaired or diminished by the placement of wireless
facilities.
d) (similar to streamlined 1“g”) There shall be no illumination, except in accord with
state or federal regulations.
e) (carry over from streamlined 1“h”) No portion of the wireless support structure or
its accessory structures shall be used for signs or promotional or advertising
purposes, including, but not limited to, company name, phone numbers, banners,
streamers and balloons.
f) (carry over from streamlined 1“i” and 4”i”) Access to the facility shall be achieved
by using existing public or private roads; no new accessway, driveway or parking
April 29, 2020 COC – Town Telecommunications Law
2
area shall be constructed. Equipment or vehicles not used in direct support,
renovations, additions or repair of any wireless facility shall not be stored or parked
on the facility site.
4. For Small Cell Distribution Antenna Systems (DAS) (typically many poles along a road,
generally 45-50ft tall, containing small cell wireless facilities) – Recommend requiring
Planning Board site plan and special permit approval, with criteria listed for towers in the
existing town law along with the following additional criteria:
a) If the DAS is located within a public ROW, then list preferable placement locations,
as in existing law for towers (e.g. most preferred = collocation on existing utility
poles or other structures; least preferred = installing all new poles)
b) If collocation is not possible, then all new poles and equipment must be the same
height, color and finish as surrounding poles.
c) There shall be no exposed wires. All cables and wires associated with the facility
leading to and away from the facility shall be installed underground. If
undergrounding is not possible, then all cables, wires and connectors must be fully
concealed on the wireless support structure and shall match the color of the
wireless support structure. There shall be no external cables and wires related to
the DAS facility hanging off or otherwise exposed on the wireless support structure.
d) Each DAS antenna shall be located entirely within a shroud or canister type
enclosure or a stealth facility. The diameter of an antenna enclosure at its widest
point should not be wider than two times the diameter of the top of the wireless
support structure. An enclosure shall not exceed six cubic feet in volume [industry
standard?] Examples of stealth applications include the following
e) All antenna enclosures shall either be mounted to the top of the wireless support
structure pole and aligned with the centerline of the support structure or mounted
to the side of the structure such that the vertical centerline of the antenna
enclosure will be parallel with the wireless support structure. Stealth enclosures
shall match the architecture, materials, color and design of the structure on which
they are located (e.g. streetlight pole, building rooftop chimney, cupolas, etc.)
Photo examples of stealth applications include the following (source:
stealthconcealment.com):
f) All equipment enclosures shall be as small as possible and undergrounded when
possible. (“when possible” should be better defined). Ground-mounted equipment
shall incorporate concealment elements into the proposed design, matching the
color and materials of the wireless support structure. Concealment may include,
but shall not be limited to, landscaping, strategic placement in less obtrusive
locations and placement within existing or replacement street furniture (see photo
example of stealth pole above). [Chris to see if she should add anything from
Susan’s annotated Bedford law (p.26) here re: undergrounding and concealment.]
April 29, 2020 COC – Town Telecommunications Law
3
g) Tree “topping”, or the improper pruning of trees is prohibited. Any proposed
pruning or removal of trees, shrubs or other landscaping already existing in the
ROW must be noted in the site plan application and must be approved by the
Planning Board.
h) There shall be no illumination, except in accord with state or federal regulations, or
unless the illumination is integral to the camouflaging strategy (e.g. design intended
to look like a streetlight pole).
i) Guidelines on placement: DAS facilities and wireless support structures shall be
located:
1. No closer than 250 feet away, radially, from another small wireless facility and
support structure.
2. In alignment with existing trees, utility poles, and streetlights.
3. Equal distance between trees, when possible, with a minimum of 15 feet
separation such that no proposed disturbance shall occur within the critical root
zone of any tree.
4. So as to not be located along the frontage of any building deemed to be of
historic significance on a federal, state, or local level.
5. New wireless support structures shall not be located directly in front of any
existing residential or commercial structure.
5.6. Facilities along New York State-designated Scenic Byways or located within
an area listed in the Tompkins County or Town of Ithaca Scenic Resources
Inventory must be as visually inconspicuous as possible. The views of, and vistas
from, such structures, districts, and corridors shall not be impaired or
diminished by the placement of such facilities.
6.7. If a streetlight is present, a combination wireless support structure and
streetlight pole should only be located where an existing pole can be removed
and replaced, or at a location where it has been identified that a streetlight is
necessary.
j) If a DAS system is located 500 feet from a public right-of-way and from the lot line
of any adjoining owner, (What does the COC think of lot line from adjoining
owner?) then only require internal staff review.
5. For Individual Small Cell Sites (not DAS). Recommend requiring internal administrative and
staff review by Planning staff and building permit only. Recommended criteria for
consideration of staff approval will be listed in new streamlined provisions (O in the
existing law).
Recommended criteria will include new items listed below and parts of existing subsection
O that will be carried over into the new law:
a) There shall be no exposed wires (similar to 1“e” in existing streamlined prov). All
cables and wires associated with the facility leading to and away from the facility
shall be installed underground. If undergrounding is not possible, then all cables,
wires and connectors must be fully concealed and shall match the color of the
structure on which the small cell facility is located. There shall be no external
April 29, 2020 COC – Town Telecommunications Law
4
cables and wires related to the small wireless facility hanging off or otherwise
exposed.
b) Each small wireless antenna shall be located within a stealth enclosure that
matches the architecture, materials, color and design of the structure on which the
antenna is located (e.g. streetlight pole, building rooftop chimney, cupola, etc.).
Examples of stealth applications include the following. Photo examples of stealth
applications include the following (source: stealthconcealment.com):
c) (similar to streamlined 4“c” and 4“d”) All equipment enclosures shall be as small as
possible and undergrounded when possible. Building-mounted enclosures shall be
located within a stealth enclosure that matches the architecture, materials, color
and design of the structure on which the enclosure is located (see photo examples
above). Ground-mounted enclosures shall have appropriate vegetative buffering to
buffer the view from neighboring residences, recreation areas and public roads.
Planning staff may require screening adjacent to waterways, landmarks, refuges,
community facilities, or conservation or historic areas within common view of the
public. Collocations along New York State-designated Scenic Byways or located
within an area listed in the Tompkins County or Town of Ithaca Scenic Resources
Inventory must be as visually inconspicuous as possible. The views of, and vistas
from, such structures, districts, and corridors shall not be impaired or diminished by
the placement of such facilities.
d) (similar to streamlined 1“g”) There shall be no illumination, except in accord with
state or federal regulations, or unless the illumination is integral to the
camouflaging strategy (e.g. design intended to look like a streetlight pole).
e) (carry-over from streamlined 1“f” – reworded) No small cell wireless facility shall
be located in a historic district that has been listed in the State or National Registers
of Historic Places.
f) (carry over from streamlined 1“h”) No portion of the wireless support structure or
its accessory structures shall be used for signs or promotional or advertising
purposes, including, but not limited to, company name, phone numbers, banners,
streamers and balloons.
g) (carry over from streamlined 1“i” and 4 ”i”) Access to the small cell wireless facility
shall be achieved by using existing public or private roads; no new accessway,
driveway or parking area shall be constructed. Equipment or vehicles not used in
direct support, renovations, additions or repair of any wireless facility shall not be
stored or parked on the facility site.
For 04/29/20 COC meeting
1
Town of Ithaca, NY Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Law—Organization by Sections
A. Purpose and legislative intent
B. Definitions
C. General approval and permit requirements for wireless telecommunications facilities
[D through V below apply only to Small Wireless Facilities (SWFs). Y through RR contain their
counterparts applicable to large wireless facilities (LWFs)]
D. Approvals and permits required for SWFs
E. Applications for SWFs
F. Engineering, safety and maintenance requirements
G. Approval procedures
H. Location
I. Height
J. Setback
K. Visibility and aesthetics
L. Security
M. Recertification of SWFs permit
N. Application fees
O. Performance security for SWFs
P. Authority to inspect.
Q. Liability insurance
R. Indemnification
S. Annual NIER certification
T. Default and/or revocation of SWFs permit
U. Removal
V. Reimbursement for the use of the public ROW
For 04/29/20 COC meeting
2
[Y through RR below apply to large wireless facilities only—will revise, re-letter and maybe
consolidate some provisions during revisions to the LWFs provisions]
Y. Special use permit applications for LWF applications
Z. General & specific requirements for LWFs
AA. Approval procedures
BB. Location
CC. Height
DD. Setback
EE. Visibility
FF. Security
GG. Escrow for review costs
HH. Recertification of special use permit
II. Application fees
JJ. Performance security for special permits
KK. Authority to inspect.
LL. Liability insurance
MM. Indemnification
NN. Regulations applicable to LWFs in the public ROW
OO. Reimbursement for the use of the public ROW
PP. Annual NIER certification
QQ. Default and/or revocation of special use permit
RR. Removal
SS. Penalties for offenses
TT. Adherence to state and/or federal rules and regulations.
FOR 4/29/20 COC MEETING
This document annotates the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities law passed by the
Town of Bedford, NY in December 2018. Suggested changes to adapt the law for the Town
of Ithaca are shown in red-line. Bedford’s law is being used as the suggested model for the
Town of Ithaca’s law because Bedford’s law addresses all of the statutory and FCC Order
requirements, and its organization (dealing with small wireless facilities separately from
large wireless facilities) makes sense.
A. Purpose and legislative intent.
(1) The purpose of this section is to establish uniform standards for the siting, design,
permitting, maintenance, and use of wireless telecommunications facilities in the Town of
Ithaca. While the Town recognizes the importance of wireless communications facilities in
providing high-quality communications service to its residents, businesses and institutions,
the Town also recognizes that it has an obligation to protect public safety and to minimize
the adverse effects of such facilities.
(2) By enacting this section, the Town intends to:
(a) Provide for the managed development of wireless telecommunications facilities in a manner
that accommodates the needs of Town residents, businesses and institutions to receive, and
wireless carriers to provide, communication signals without interference from other
communication providers, in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations;
(b) Establish fair and efficient processes for review and approval of applications;
(c) Establish procedures for the design, siting, construction, installation, maintenance and
removal of wireless telecommunications facilities in the Town;
(d) Address and provide for new wireless technologies, including, but not limited to, microcell
and distributed antenna systems ("DAS") technologies;
(e) Encourage the co-location of wireless communications facilities on existing structures
rather than the construction of new support structures;
(f) Protect Town residents, businesses and institutions from potential adverse impacts of
wireless communications facilities, to the maximum extent permitted under law;
(g) Avoid and minimize safety hazards and avoid potential damage to adjacent properties
through proper locational, engineering and operational requirements;
(h) Protect the physical appearance of the Town and preserve its scenic and natural beauty by
avoiding and minimizing adverse visual and aesthetic impacts of wireless
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telecommunications facilities to the maximum extent practicable through careful design,
siting, landscaping, screening and innovative camouflaging techniques;
(j) Protect the public health, safety and welfare;
(k) Protect property values of the community;
(l) Minimize the impact of such facilities on residential properties; and
(m) Encourage the siting of wireless telecommunications services facilities on properties and
areas which are not used exclusively for residential purposes. [Does this make sense for
DAS located in ROWs on residential properties?]
B. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
[Still need to comprehensively review and revise the definitions, so COC should not spend
time discussing them at its 4/29/20 meeting. Most definitions will end up in §270-5
Definitions. ]
ACCESSORY OR ANTENNA EQUIPMENT
Any equipment serving or being used in conjunction with wireless telecommunications
facilities and located on the same property or lot as the wireless telecommunications
facilities, including, but not limited to, utility or transmission equipment, power supplies,
generators, batteries, cables, equipment buildings, cabinets and storage sheds, shelters,
buildings and similar structures, and, when co-located on a structure, which is mounted or
installed at the same time as an antenna.
ANTENNA
An apparatus designed for the purpose of emitting radio frequency (RF) radiation, to be
operated or operating from a fixed location, for the provision of personal wireless service
(whether on its own or with other types of services). For purposes of this definition, the
term "antenna" does not include an unintentional radiator, mobile station, or device
authorized under Part 15 of Title 47 of the United States Code.
Keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities section, as we do not
want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
BASE STATION
A structure or equipment at a fixed location that enables Commission-licensed or -
authorized wireless communications between user equipment and a communications
network.
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(1) The term includes, but is not limited to, equipment associated with wireless
communications services such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as
unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
(2) The term includes, but is not limited to, radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic
cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of
technological configuration (including distributed antenna systems and microcell networks).
(3) The term includes any structure that supports or houses equipment described in Subsections
(1) and (2) of this definition that has been reviewed and approved under the applicable
zoning or siting process, even if the structure was not built for the sole or primary purpose
of providing such support.
(4) The term does not include any structure that, at the time the relevant application is filed
with the Town under this section, does not support or house equipment described in
Subsections (1) and (2) of this definition.
CO-LOCATION
Consistent with the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement (NPA) for the co-location of
wireless antennas:
(1) Mounting or installing an antenna facility on a preexisting structure; and/or
(2) Modifying a structure for the purpose of mounting or installing an antenna facility on that
structure.
DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM (DAS)
A network of spatially separated antenna sites connected to a common source that provides
wireless communications service within a geographic area or structure.
EAF
The environmental assessment form approved by the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation.
FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration, or its duly designated and authorized successor
agency.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission, or its duly designated and authorized successor
agency.
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HEIGHT
When referring to a structure, the distance measured from the preexisting grade level to the
highest point on the structure, including the antenna and any other appurtenances.
Keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities section, as we do not
want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
LARGE WIRELESS FACILITY
Any wireless telecommunications facility that is not a small wireless facility.
MICROCELL FACILITY
Microcells are low-powered wireless base stations that function like cells in a mobile
wireless network, typically covering targeted indoor or localized outdoor areas ranging in
size from homes and offices to stadiums, shopping malls, hospitals, and metropolitan
outdoor spaces. A microcell facility meets both the following qualifications: each antenna is
located inside an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet in volume or, in the case of an
antenna that has exposed element, the antenna and all of its exposed elements could fit
within an imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet; and all other wireless
equipment associated with the facility is cumulatively no more than 17 cubic feet in
volume.
MODIFICATION
The improvement, upgrade or expansion of existing wireless communications facilities, or
the improvement, upgrade or expansion of the wireless communications facilities located
within an existing equipment compound if the improvement, upgrade, expansion or
replacement does not substantially change the physical dimensions of the wireless
communications facilities.
Keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities section, as we do not
want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
MONOPOLE
A wireless communications support structure which consists of a single pole, designed and
erected on the ground or on top of a structure, to support a wireless communications
antenna and accessory equipment.
NIER
Nonionizing electromagnetic radiation.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, estate, trust, partnership, joint-stock company, association of
two or more persons having a joint common interest, or any other entity.
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PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
Any way over which the public possesses the right to travel, which heretofore has been duly
laid out, adopted and established by law, whether publicly owned or not. The term "road"
includes state, county and Town highways and roads, streets, squares, places, courts,
boulevards, parkways and other ways, however designated, to which the public has access.
Use a different term, or keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
section, as we do not want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
REPLACEMENT
The replacement of existing wireless communications antenna on any existing support
structure or on existing accessory equipment for maintenance, repair or technological
advancement with equipment composed of the same wind loading and structural loading
that is substantially similar in size, weight, and height as the existing wireless
communications antenna and which does not substantially change the physical dimensions
of any existing support structure.
Keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities section, as we do not
want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
SMALL WIRELESS FACILITY
A wireless telecommunications facility, including, but not limited to, DAS and microcells,
that meets each of the following conditions:
(1) The structure on which antenna facilities are mounted:
(a) Is 50 feet or less in height; or
(b) Is no more than 10% taller than other adjacent structures; or
(c) Is not extended to a height of more than 10% above its preexisting height as a result of the
co-location of new antenna facilities; and
(2) Each antenna (excluding associated antenna equipment) is no more than three cubic feet in
volume; and
(3) All antenna equipment associated with the facility (excluding antennas and backup power
and related backup power equipment) is cumulatively no more than 28 cubic feet in volume;
and
(4) The facility does not require antenna structure registration under Part 17;
(5) The facility is not located on tribal lands, as defined under 36 CFR 800.16(x); and
6
(6) The facility does not result in human exposure to radio-frequency radiation in excess of the
applicable safety standards specified in Rule 1.1307(b).
STEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Camouflaging methods applied to wireless communications facilities which render them
more visually appealing or which serve to blend the proposed facility into the existing
structure or visual backdrop in such a manner as to render it minimally visible to the casual
observer. Such methods include, but are not limited to, architecturally screened roof-
mounted facilities, building-mounted antennas painted to match the existing structure, and
facilities constructed to resemble trees, shrubs, light poles, and the like.
STRUCTURE
A pole, tower, base station, or other building, whether or not it has an existing antenna
facility, that is used or to be used for the provision of personal wireless service (whether on
its own or commingled with other types of services).
Keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities section, as we do not
want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE Will revise definition to be consistent with FCC’s 2014 Order
both in and out of ROW
A modification substantially changes the physical dimensions of an eligible support
structure if it meets any of the following criteria:
(1) The mounting of a proposed antenna on existing towers that would increase the original
height of the tower by more than 10%, or by the height of one additional antenna array with
separation from the nearest existing antenna not to exceed 20 feet, whichever is greater; for
other eligible support structures, it increases the height of the structure by more than 10% or
more than 10 feet, whichever is greater.
(2) The mounting of the proposed antenna would involve the installation of more than the
standard number of new equipment cabinets for the technology involved, not to exceed
four, or more than one new equipment shelter.
(3) The mounting of the proposed antenna would involve adding an appurtenance to the body
of an existing wireless telecommunications support structure that would protrude from the
edge of the original support structure more than 20 feet, or more than the original width of
the support structure at the level of the appurtenance, whichever is greater; for other eligible
support structures, it involves adding an appurtenance to the body of the structure that
would protrude from the edge of the structure by more than six feet, except that the
mounting of the proposed antenna may exceed the size limits herein if necessary to shelter
the antenna from inclement weather or to connect the antenna to the support structure via
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cable.
(4) The mounting of the proposed antenna would involve excavation outside the current
existing structure site, defined as the current boundaries of the leased or owned property
surrounding the existing structure and any access or utility easements currently related to
the site.
(5) The modification defeats concealment and/or stealth elements of the support structure.
(6) The modification does not comply with prior conditions of the approval for the existing
structure and/or site; provided, however, that this limitation does not apply to any
modification that is noncompliant only in a manner that would not exceed the thresholds
identified above.
Add a definition for “tower,” which the FCC defined in its 2014 Order. The following is the
definition from a National League of Cities model provision:
TOWER
Any structure built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting any FCC-licensed or
authorized antennas and their associated facilities, including structures that are constructed
for wireless communications services including, but not limited to, private, broadcast, and
public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services
such as microwave backhaul, and the associated site.
TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT
Equipment that facilitates transmission for any Commission-licensed or -authorized
wireless communications service, including, but not limited to, radio transceivers, antennas,
coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and backup power supply. The term includes
equipment associated with wireless communications services, including, but not limited to,
private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and
fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
UTILITY POLE
A pole or similar structure that is used in whole or in part for the purpose of carrying
electric distribution lines or cables or wires for telecommunications, cable or electric
service, or for lighting, traffic control, signage, or a similar function, regardless of
ownership, including Town-owned poles or poles owned by other utility companies. Any
utility pole in excess of 50 feet shall be deemed a tower.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
A structure, facility or location designed or intended to be used as, or used to support,
8
antennas, along with any antennas located on such structure and any accessory equipment.
It includes, without limit, freestanding towers, guyed towers, monopoles, DAS, microcell or
small wireless facilities on utility poles in the public right-of-way or property of the Town
or within the Town and similar structures that employ stealth technology, including, but not
limited to, structures such as a multistory building, church steeple, silo, water tower, sign or
other similar structures intended to mitigate the visual impact of an antenna or the
functional equivalent of such. It includes any structure, antennas and accessory equipment
intended for transmitting and/or receiving radio, television, cellular, paging, 911, personal
telecommunications services, commercial satellite services, microwave telecommunications
or other cellular communications technologies, but excluding those used exclusively for the
Town's fire, police and other dispatch telecommunications, or exclusively for private radio
and television reception and private citizen's bands, amateur radio and other similar
telecommunications. [What about private phone and internet connections?]
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER
A wireless telecommunications infrastructure provider or a wireless telecommunications
services provider.
C. General approval and permit requirements for wireless telecommunications facilities.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, wireless telecommunications facilities are allowed
in every zoning district in the Town. Wireless telecommunications facilities may not be
located in an historic district that has been listed in the State or National Registers of
Historic Places.
(2) Except as otherwise provided by this section, no person shall be permitted to site, place,
build, construct, modify, operate or prepare any site for the placement or use of wireless
telecommunications facilities without having first obtained the approvals and permits
required by this section.
(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, any application for a wireless
telecommunications facility that does not substantially change the dimensions of an existing
tower or base station and involving:
(a) collocation of new transmission equipment;
(b) removal of transmission equipment; or
(c) replacement of transmission equipment
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shall not require site plan approval or a special permit. All that shall be required are a small
wireless facility permit and a building permit from a Code Enforcement Officer. The term
for a small wireless facility permit issued under this subsection (3) shall be coterminous
with the term of the underlying permit or other prior regulatory authorization for the subject
tower or base station.
Changes made above reflect FCC Order requirements—Bedford exempted more
modifications than required. Also, note that the Town does not have the ability to impose
aesthetic criteria for facilities that fall under #2 above. From the FCC’s 2014 Order:
“State and local governments may only require applicants to provide documentation that is
reasonably related to determining whether the request meets the requirements of the
provision…. States and localities may continue to enforce and condition approval on
compliance with generally applicable building, structural, electrical, and safety codes and
with other laws codifying objective standards reasonably related to health and safety.”
(4) Repair and/or maintenance of an existing wireless telecommunications facility shall not
require site plan approval, a special permit or a small wireless facility permit.
(5) In addition to the requirements set forth for the issuance of a small wireless facility permit
or special permit for a wireless telecommunications facility to be located in a public right-
of-way as set forth in this section, any telecommunications provider seeking to place a
wireless telecommunications facility in the public right-of-way shall also comply with the
procedures and requirements set forth in Chapter 230 (Streets and Sidewalks) of the Town
Code relating to conducting construction activities within the public right-of-way. To the
extent any provisions in Chapter 230 are inconsistent with the provisions set forth in this
section, the provisions in this section shall control.
(6) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in this § ______, in the event an application seeks
to place a wireless telecommunications facility on property owned or controlled by the
Town, other than within a Town-owned public right-of-way, such application shall be
exempt from the requirements of this section. The Town Board has sole and absolute
discretion to determine whether to allow an applicant to place a wireless
telecommunications facility on such Town property, and the Town Board may impose such
conditions on any such placement and use as it deems appropriate. Nothing herein shall be
deemed to create any right or entitlement to use Town property for such wireless
telecommunications facility. [Still need to research whether the Town may require the
applicant to enter into a franchise or license agreement with the Town for facilities in
the ROW.]
D. Approvals and permits required for small wireless facilities.
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(1) All small wireless facilities shall require a small wireless facility permit and a building
permit issued by a Code Enforcement Officer. Additional required approvals and permits
are described below in this subsection D.
(2) Small wireless facilities that are collocated on or modify a communications tower or base
station and that constitute a substantial change (as defined by the FCC in 47 C.F.R.
§1.40001(b)(7), as may be amended) shall require site plan approval and a special permit
issued by the Planning Board pursuant to the requirements of this section and in accordance
with Chapter 270 (Zoning), Article XXIII (Site Plan Review and Approval Procedures) and
Article XXIV (Special Permits and Special Approvals).
(3) Two or more small wireless facilities that constitute all or part of a system (e.g., DAS) shall
require site plan approval and a special permit issued by the Planning Board pursuant to the
requirements of this section and in accordance with Chapter 270 (Zoning), Article XXIII
(Site Plan Review and Approval Procedures) and Article XXIV (Special Permits and
Special Approvals), except as follows. No site plan approval or special permit is required
for such a system that is located at least 500 feet from a public right-of-way and from the lot
line of any adjoining owner. [COC to decide whether to include the lot line distance
criteria]
E. Applications for small wireless facilities.
(1) Upon receipt of an application for a small wireless facility, the Code Enforcement Officer
shall review said application and plans in accordance with the standards and requirements
set forth in this section.
(3) No application shall be accepted, and no small wireless facilities permit or building permit
shall be issued, except pursuant to written order of the Board of Appeals, where the
proposed construction, alteration, or use would be in violation of any provision of this
chapter or would occur on a parcel on which a violation of any provision of this chapter
exists.
(5) An application for a small wireless facilities permit shall be signed on behalf of the
applicant by the person preparing the same and with knowledge of the contents and
representations made therein and attesting to the truth and completeness of the information.
The landowner, if different than the applicant, shall also sign the application. At the
discretion of the Code Enforcement Officer or Planning Board, any false or misleading
statement in the application may subject the applicant to denial of the application without
further consideration or opportunity for correction.
(6) The applicant must provide documentation to verify it has a legal interest in the site, if not
11
within the public right-of-way. Said documentation may be in the form of a deed, contract
or sale or lease for the property, depending on whether the applicant is the property owner,
contract vendee or lessee.
(7) The applicant shall include a statement, in writing, that:
(a) The applicant's proposed small wireless facility shall be maintained in a safe manner and in
compliance with all conditions of the small wireless facility permit, without exception, as
well as all applicable and permissible federal, state and local laws, statutes, codes, rules and
regulations; and
(b) The construction of the small wireless facility is legally permissible, including, but not
limited to, the fact that the applicant is authorized to do business in New York State.
(8) If proposing a new structure for the purpose of supporting a small wireless facility, the
application shall be accompanied by a map which shows the applicant's existing and
proposed area of coverage. Such map should locate all existing wireless
telecommunications facility sites within 1/2 mile of the proposed small wireless facility.
(9) In addition to all other required information as stated in this section, all applications for the
construction or installation of a new small wireless facility or modification of an existing
small wireless facility shall contain the following information:
(a) A descriptive statement of the objective(s) for the new facility or modification, including
and expanding on [??] a need such as coverage and/or capacity requirements; [Verify
Town can require a showing of need in all situations, including non-substantial
collocations under §6409(a) that the Town must approve.]
(b) Documentation that demonstrates and proves the need for the small wireless facility to
provide service primarily and essentially within the Town. Such documentation shall
include, but not be limited to: [Verify Town can require showing of need in this way.]
[1] Information relating to all other wireless telecommunications facilities or antennas
associated with such wireless telecommunications facilities that are to be utilized in the
Town in conjunction with the proposed small wireless facility; and
[2] Propagation studies of the proposed site and all adjoining planned, proposed, in-service or
existing sites that demonstrate a significant gap in coverage and/or if a capacity need,
including an analysis of current and projected usage; [Verify Town can require this.]
(c) The name, address and phone number of the person preparing the report;
12
(d) The name, address, and phone number of the property owner, operator and applicant;
(e) The postal address and Tax Map parcel number of the property;
(f) The zoning district in which the property is situated;
(g) The size of the property, stated both in square feet and lot line dimensions, and a survey
prepared by a licensed professional surveyor showing the location of all lot lines, if the
proposed small wireless facility is located outside the public right-of-way;
(h) The location of the nearest residential structure;
(i) The location, size and height of all existing and proposed structures on the property which is
the subject of the application;
(j) The type, locations and dimensions of all proposed and existing landscaping and fencing, if
the proposed small wireless facility is located outside the public right-of-way;
(k) The number, type and model of the antenna(s) proposed, with a copy of the specification
sheet;
(l) The make, model, type and manufacturer of the utility pole, monopole or other structure on
which any antenna or accessory equipment for a small wireless facility is to be located and a
design plan stating the structure's capacity to accommodate multiple users;
(m) A site plan describing any new proposed structure and antenna(s) and all related fixtures,
accessory equipment, appurtenances and apparatus, including, but not limited to, height
above preexisting grade, materials, color and lighting;
(n) The frequency, modulation and class of service of radio or other transmitting equipment;
(o) The actual intended transmission power stated as the maximum effective radiated power
(ERP) in watts of the antenna(s);
(p) Direction of maximum lobes and associated radiation of the antenna(s);
(q) Applicant's proposed maintenance and inspection procedures and related system of records;
(r) Documentation justifying the total height of any proposed antenna and structure and the
basis therefor. Such justification shall be to provide service within the Town, to the extent
practicable, unless good cause is shown; [Verify the Town can require this]
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(s) Certification that NIER levels at the proposed site will be and remain within the current
threshold levels adopted by the FCC;
(t) A signed statement that the proposed installation will not cause physical or RF interference
with other telecommunications devices;
(u) A copy of the FCC license applicable for the intended use of the wireless
telecommunications facilities;
(v) Certification that a topographic and geomorphologic study and analysis has been conducted
and that, taking into account the subsurface and substrate and the proposed drainage plan,
the site is adequate to assure the stability of the proposed wireless telecommunications
facilities on the proposed site; and
(w) Information relating to the expected useful life of the proposed small wireless facility.
(10) The applicant shall furnish written certification that the small wireless facility and
attachments are designed and will be constructed to meet all local, county, state and federal
structural requirements for loads, including wind and ice loads. If the wireless facility is
subsequently approved and constructed, as-built certification indicating that the facility has
been constructed in accordance with all standards shall be furnished to the Town prior to
issuance of any certificate of occupancy or compliance. [Does the Town require a COO
or a COC?]
(11) At the time of submittal of an application for a small wireless facility, the applicant shall
pay a nonrefundable application fee in an amount as determined by the Town Board and as
set forth in the Town Fee Schedule, as it may be amended from time to time, in addition to
any other fee required by law.
[Work with staff to add any existing TOI application requirements not already covered]
(11) The application shall contain a demonstration that the facility will be sited so as to minimize
visual intrusion as much as possible given the facts and circumstances involved with the
proposed site and facility, and will have the least-adverse visual effect on the environment,
the character of the community, surrounding properties and on the residences in the area of
the wireless telecommunications facility.
F. Engineering, Safety and Maintenance Requirements.
(1) Design. All small wireless facilities shall be designed, constructed, operated, maintained,
repaired, modified and removed in strict compliance with all current applicable technical,
safety and safety-related codes, including, but not limited to, the most-recent editions of the
14
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Code, National Electrical Safety Code, and
National Electrical Code. All small wireless facilities shall at all times be kept and
maintained in good condition, order and repair by qualified maintenance and construction
personnel, so that the same shall not endanger the safety or life of any person or any
property in the Town.
(2) Wind and ice. All small wireless facilities structures shall be designed to withstand the
effects of wind gusts and ice to the standard designed by the American National Standards
Institute as prepared by the engineering departments of the Electronics Industry Association
and Telecommunications Industry Association (ANSI/EIA/TIA-222, as amended).
(3) Aviation safety. Small wireless facilities shall comply with all federal and state laws and
regulations concerning aviation safety.
(4) Public safety communications. Small wireless facilities shall not interfere with public safety
communications or the reception of broadband, television, radio or other communications
services enjoyed by occupants of nearby properties.
(5) Radio frequency emissions. A small wireless facility shall not, by itself or in conjunction
with other wireless communication facilities, generate radio frequency emissions in excess
of the standards and regulations of the FCC, including, but not limited to, the FCC Office of
Engineering Technology Bulletin 65, entitled "Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines
for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields," as amended. When a
small wireless facility is complete, as-built readings will be taken and submitted to the
Town within __ days of the facility becoming operational. [How many days?]
(6) Maintenance. To the extent permitted by law, the following maintenance requirements shall
apply:
(a) Small wireless facilities shall be fully automated and unattended on a daily basis and shall
be visited only for maintenance or emergency repair.
(b) Such maintenance shall be performed to ensure the upkeep of the facility in order to
promote the safety and security of the Town's residents and nearby properties.
(c) All maintenance activities shall utilize nothing less than the best available technology for
preventing failures and accidents.
(d) The owner or operator of a small wireless facility shall maintain standby power generators
or batteries capable of powering the small wireless facility for at least 12 hours without
additional public utility power and indefinitely with a continuous or replenished fuel supply,
where appropriate. Such standby power shall activate automatically upon the failure of
15
public utility power to the site. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Planning Board or Code
Enforcement Officer may waive the requirement for backup power, where appropriate,
including, but not limited to, when a small wireless facility is not located in a densely
populated area or on a major thoroughfare. [Does COC want to include this backup
power requirement for SWFs?]
[Work with staff to add any additional requirements from existing TOI law]
G. Approval procedures.
(4) Time frames for approval.
(a) Within 60 days of receipt of a complete application for the co-location of a small wireless
facility on a preexisting utility pole, monopole or other existing wireless
telecommunications facility support structure, the Planning Board (or Code Enforcement
Officer, where site plan approval and a special permit are not required) shall make a final
decision on whether to approve the application and shall notify the applicant in writing of
such decision.
(b) Within 90 days of receipt of a complete application for a small wireless facility on a new
utility pole, monopole or other new wireless telecommunications facility support structure,
the Planning Board (or Code Enforcement Officer, where site plan approval and a special
permit are not required) shall make a final decision on whether to approve the application
and shall notify the applicant in writing of such decision.
(c) Within 10 days of receipt of an incomplete application for a small wireless facility, the
Town shall notify the applicant in writing of any supplemental information required to
complete the application. Upon receipt of an applicant's supplemental information in
response to the initial notification of incompleteness by the Town, the applicable shot clock
will reset to zero, and the Town shall have the full 60 days or 90 days permitted by law to
act on the completed application.
(d) For any subsequent determinations of incompleteness beyond the initial, the Town shall
notify the applicant of any required supplemental information within 10 days of receipt of
the supplemental submission, and such notice shall toll the applicable shot clock until the
applicant submits the required supplemental information.
(5) All time periods set forth in this section reference calendar days.
H. Location. [See Town of Ithaca’s language below—COC may prefer to revise Ithaca’s
rather than use the following]
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(1) Applications for small wireless facilities shall locate and site said facility in accordance
with the following priorities, (a) being the highest priority and (g) being the lowest priority.
(b) Co-location on a site with existing wireless telecommunications facilities or other wireless
telecommunications facility structures in the Town;
(e) On nonresidential zoned properties;
(f) On residential zoned properties
Use the priority provisions from the Town of Ithaca’s current telecommunications law, or
revise Bedford’s to include some of Ithaca’s provisions? If we use Ithaca’s, expand
collocation to cover structures besides towers. Ithaca’s law states:
“E. Priority of siting locations. In determining whether a site is appropriate, and if it is
determined a need exists for the telecommunications facility, the preferential order of
location, to the extent the same may be, or may be made, technically feasible, is as
follows:
(1) Co-located on existing telecommunications towers;
(2) Co-located on any other existing radio or other tower that would not require any
increase in height nor significant noticeable structural additions to accommodate the
telecommunications facility;
(3) Within any industrial zones or existing planned development zones that permit
industrial activities;
(4) Within any light industrial zones or existing planned development zones that permit
light industrial activities;
(5) Within any existing community commercial zones or existing planned development
zones which permits all of the activities permitted in a community commercial zone;
(6) On any other property in the Town.”
(2) If the highest priority listed above is not selected for the proposed site, then a detailed
explanation must be provided as to why no higher priority sites were selected.
(3) An applicant may not bypass sites of higher priority by stating the site proposed is the only
site leased or selected. A renewal shall include proof that reasonable efforts have been made
to co-locate on an existing telecommunications facility or on another existing structure.
17
I. Height.
(1) Small wireless facilities shall be no higher than the minimum height necessary. The
proposed height, which may be in excess of the maximum height permitted for other
structures in the applicable zone, shall address any additional height necessary to
accommodate co-location by additional antenna arrays, but under no circumstances is the
height to be in excess of what is permitted under federal requirements for small wireless
facilities.
J. Setback. All wireless telecommunications support structures for small wireless facilities
located outside the public right-of-way shall be set back from the property line of the lot on
which they are located a distance equal to not less than the total height of the facility,
including the support structure, measured from the highest point of such support structure to
the finished grade elevation of the ground on which it is situated, plus 10% of such total
height. For facilities subject to site plan approval and special permit, the Planning Board
may reduce such setback requirements based upon consideration of lot size, topographic
conditions, adjoining land uses, landscaping, other forms of screening and/or structural
characteristics of the proposed support structure. [Revise this after COC decides the
purpose of the setback requirement—safety, aesthetic impact on neighbors, both?]
K. Visibility and Aesthetics.
(1) All small wireless telecommunications facilities shall be sited so as to have the least-
adverse visual effect on the environment and on the residents in the area of the wireless
telecommunications facilities sites, to the maximum extent practicable.
(2) For small wireless facilities that are collocated on or modify a communications tower or
base station and that constitute a substantial change (as defined by the FCC in 47 C.F.R.
§1.40001(b)(7), as may be amended), the following requirements apply:
a) There shall be no exposed wires. All cables and wires associated with the facility
leading to and away from the facility must be fully concealed and shall match the
color of the structure on which the facility is located. There shall be no external
cables and wires related to the facility hanging off or otherwise exposed.
b) Each antenna shall be located within a stealth enclosure that matches the
materials, color and design of the tower on which the antenna is located.
c) All equipment enclosures shall be as small as possible and undergrounded when
possible. Building-mounted enclosures shall be located within a stealth enclosure
that matches the materials, color and design of the structure on which the
enclosure is located. Ground-mounted enclosures shall have appropriate
vegetative buffering to buffer the view from neighboring residences, recreation
areas and public roads. The Planning Board may require screening adjacent to
waterways, landmarks, refuges, community facilities, or conservation or historic
18
areas within common view of the public. Collocations along New York State-
designated Scenic Byways or located within an area listed in the Tompkins
County or Town of Ithaca Scenic Resources Inventory must be as visually
inconspicuous as possible. The views of, and vistas from, such structures,
districts, and corridors shall not be impaired or diminished by the placement of
wireless facilities.
d) There shall be no illumination, except in accord with and as required by state or
federal regulations.
e) No portion of the wireless support structure or its accessory structures shall be
used for signs or promotional or advertising purposes, including, but not limited
to, company name, phone numbers, banners, streamers and balloons.
f) Access to the facility shall be achieved by using existing public or private roads;
no new accessway, driveway or parking area shall be constructed. Equipment or
vehicles not used in direct support, renovations, additions or repair of any wireless
facility shall not be stored or parked on the facility site.
(3) For two or more small wireless facilities that constitute all or part of a system (e.g., DAS),
the following requirements apply:
a) The DAS must be collocated on existing utility poles or other structures, where
possible. If such collocation is not possible, then all new poles and equipment
located within a public right-of-way must be the same height, color and finish as
surrounding poles. [The first sentence is new]
b) There shall be no exposed wires. All cables and wires associated with the facility
leading to and away from the facility shall be installed underground. If
undergrounding is not possible, then all cables, wires and connectors must be
fully concealed on the wireless support structure and shall match the color of the
wireless support structure. There shall be no external cables and wires related to
the DAS facility hanging off or otherwise exposed on the wireless support
structure.
c) Each DAS antenna shall be located entirely within a shroud or canister type
enclosure or a stealth facility. The diameter of an antenna enclosure at its widest
point should not be wider than two times the diameter of the top of the wireless
support structure.
d) All antenna enclosures shall either be mounted to the top of the wireless support
structure pole and aligned with the centerline of the support structure or mounted
to the side of the structure such that the vertical centerline of the antenna
enclosure will be parallel with the wireless support structure. Stealth enclosures
shall match the architecture, materials, color and design of the structure on which
they are located (e.g. streetlight pole, building rooftop chimney, cupolas, etc.)
Photo examples of stealth applications include the following (source:
stealthconcealment.com):
19
e) All equipment enclosures shall be as small as possible and undergrounded when
possible. Ground-mounted equipment shall incorporate concealment elements
into the proposed design, matching the color and materials of the wireless support
structure. Concealment may include, but shall not be limited to, landscaping,
strategic placement in less obtrusive locations and placement within existing or
replacement street furniture (see photo example of stealth pole above).
f) Tree “topping”, or the improper pruning of trees is prohibited. Any proposed
pruning or removal of trees, shrubs or other landscaping already existing in the
ROW must be noted in the site plan application and must be approved by the
Planning Board.
g) There shall be no illumination, except in accord with and as required by state or
federal regulations, or unless the illumination is integral to the camouflaging
strategy (e.g. design intended to look like a streetlight pole).
h) Guidelines on placement: DAS facilities and wireless support structures shall be
located:
1. No closer than 250 feet away, radially, from another small wireless facility
and support structure.
2. In alignment with existing trees, utility poles, and streetlights.
3. Equal distance between trees, when possible, with a minimum of 15 feet
separation such that no proposed disturbance shall occur within the critical
root zone of any tree.
4. So as to not be located along the frontage of any building deemed to be of
historic significance on a federal, state, or local level. [What does historic
significance at the local level mean? Town’s historic survey included all
buildings at least 50 years old.]
5. New wireless support structures shall not be located directly in front of any
existing residential or commercial structure. [Is this possible?]
6. Facilities along New York State-designated Scenic Byways or located within
an area listed in the Tompkins County or Town of Ithaca Scenic Resources
Inventory must be as visually inconspicuous as possible. The views of, and
vistas from, such structures, districts, and corridors shall not be impaired or
diminished by the placement of such facilities.
7. If a streetlight is present, a combination wireless support structure and
streetlight pole should only be located where an existing pole can be removed
and replaced, or at a location where it has been identified that a streetlight is
necessary. [Clarify—the last part does not follow from the first]
(4) For individual small wireless facilities (they do not constitute all or part of a system), the
following requirements apply:
20
a) The small wireless facility must be collocated on an existing utility pole or other
structure, where possible.
b) There shall be no exposed wires. All cables and wires associated with the facility
leading to and away from the facility shall be installed underground. If
undergrounding is not possible, then all cables, wires and connectors must be
fully concealed and shall match the color of the structure on which the small
wireless facility is located. There shall be no external cables and wires related to
the small wireless facility hanging off or otherwise exposed.
c) Each small wireless antenna shall be located within a stealth enclosure that
matches the architecture, materials, color and design of the structure on which the
antenna is located (e.g. streetlight pole, building rooftop chimney, cupola, etc.).
Photo examples of stealth applications include the following
(source:stealthconcealment.com):
d) All equipment enclosures shall be as small as possible and undergrounded when
possible. Building-mounted enclosures shall be located within a stealth enclosure
that matches the architecture, materials, color and design of the structure on which
the enclosure is located (see photo examples above). Ground-mounted enclosures
shall have appropriate vegetative buffering to buffer the view from neighboring
residences, recreation areas and public roads. Planning staff may require
screening adjacent to waterways, landmarks, refuges, community facilities, or
conservation or historic areas within common view of the public. Collocations
along New York State-designated Scenic Byways or located within an area listed
in the Tompkins County or Town of Ithaca Scenic Resources Inventory must be
as visually inconspicuous as possible. The views of, and vistas from, such
structures, districts, and corridors shall not be impaired or diminished by the
placement of such facilities.
e) There shall be no illumination, except and in accord with and as required by state
or federal regulations, or unless the illumination is integral to the camouflaging
strategy (e.g. design intended to look like a streetlight pole).
f) No portion of the wireless support structure or its accessory structures shall be
used for signs or promotional or advertising purposes, including, but not limited
to, company name, phone numbers, banners, streamers and balloons.
g) Access to the small wireless facility shall be achieved by using existing public or
private roads; no new accessway, driveway or parking area shall be constructed.
Equipment or vehicles not used in direct support, renovations, additions or repair
of any wireless facility shall not be stored or parked on the facility site.
L. Security.
(1) All small wireless telecommunications facilities and antennas shall be located, fenced or
21
otherwise secured in a manner that prevents unauthorized access. Specifically:
(a) All antennas and other supporting structures shall be made inaccessible to individuals and
constructed or shielded in such a manner that they cannot be climbed or collided with; and
(b) Transmitters and telecommunications control points shall be installed in such a manner that
they are readily accessible only to persons authorized to operate or service them.
M. Recertification of small wireless facilities permit.
(1) At least sixty (60) days before the five-year anniversary date after the effective date for the
small wireless facility permit, and at least sixty (60) days before all subsequent fifth
anniversaries of the effective date of the original permit for small wireless
telecommunications facilities, the holder of the small wireless facility permit shall submit a
signed, written document with the following information to the Town Department of Code
Enforcement (or its successor department) confirming the compliance of the small wireless
facility with the small wireless facility permit. Such submission shall include the following:
(a) The name of the holder of the small wireless facilities permit for the wireless
telecommunications facilities.
(b) The date of the original granting of the small wireless facilities permit.
(c) Whether the small wireless facility has been modified since the issuance of the small
wireless facilities permit and, if so, in what manner.
(d) Any requests for waivers or relief of any kind whatsoever from the requirements of this
section and any requirements for a small wireless facilities permit.
(e) Certification that the small wireless facilities are in compliance with the original small
wireless facilities permit and in compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules,
regulations, and federal certification requirements, including, but not limited to, this section.
(f) Certification that the wireless telecommunications facility support structure, attachments
and accessory equipment have been designed and constructed (as built) and continue to
meet all local, county, state and federal structural requirements for loads, including wind
and ice loads. Such certification shall be by a qualified New York State licensed
professional engineer.
(2) If the holder of a small wireless facility permit does not submit the certifications in this
Subsection ___ within the time frame noted in Subsection ___, then such small wireless
facilities permit shall terminate and any authorizations granted thereunder shall cease to
22
exist on the date of the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the small wireless facility
permit, or subsequent fifth anniversaries, unless the holder of the small wireless facilities
permit adequately demonstrates to the Director of Code Enforcement prior to the relevant
fifth anniversary that extenuating circumstances prevented a timely submission of such
written certification. If the Director of Code Enforcement agrees that there were extenuating
circumstances, then the holder of the expired small wireless facilities permit may submit a
late recertification request or application for a new small wireless permit.
O. Performance security for small wireless facilities. The applicant and the owner of record
of any proposed small wireless facilities property site shall comply with any requirements
set forth in Chapter 230 (Streets and Sidewalks) of the Town Code regarding the posting of
security to place a small wireless facility in the public right-of-way.
P. Authority to inspect. In order to verify that the holder of a small wireless facilities permit
and any and all lessees, renters, and/or licensees of small wireless facilities place and
construct such facilities, including supporting structures, accessory equipment and antennas,
in accordance with all applicable technical, safety, fire, building, and zoning laws, statutes,
codes, rules, regulations and other applicable requirements, the Town may inspect at any
time, upon providing reasonable notice, all facets of said permit holder's, renter's, lessee's or
licensee's placement, construction, modification and maintenance of such facilities,
including, but not limited to, structures, antennas, accessory equipment and electromagnetic
output.
Q. Liability insurance.
(1) An applicant for a small wireless facility permit shall secure and at all times maintain public
liability insurance for personal injuries, death and property damage, and umbrella insurance
coverage, for the duration of the small wireless facilities permit in amounts as set forth
below:
(a) For co-location on an existing wireless telecommunications facility structure, the insurance
policies shall be in the following amounts:
[1] Commercial general liability covering personal injuries, death and property damage:
$1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[2] Automobile coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[3] Workers' compensation and disability: statutory amounts.
(b) For a small wireless facility located on a new wireless telecommunications structure, the
insurance policies shall be in the following amounts:
23
[1] Commercial general liability covering personal injuries, death and property damage:
$5,000,000 per occurrence;
[2] Automobile coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[3] Workers' compensation and disability: statutory amounts.
(2) For a small wireless telecommunications facility on Town property, the commercial general
liability insurance policy shall specifically include the Town, the Town Board, other elected
officials, and the Town's officers, board members, employees, committee members,
attorneys, agents and consultants as additional insureds.
(3) The insurance policies shall be issued by an agent or representative of an insurance
company licensed to do business in the state and with a Best's rating of at least A.
(4) The insurance policies shall contain an endorsement obligating the insurance company to
furnish the Town with at least 30 days' prior written notice in advance of the cancellation of
the insurance.
(5) Renewal or replacement policies or certificates shall be delivered to the Town at least 15
days before the expiration or termination of the insurance that such policies are to renew or
replace.
(6) Prior to the issuance of a permit for a small wireless facility, the applicant shall deliver to
the Town a copy of each of the policies or certificates representing the insurance in the
required amounts.
[This is similar to the Town’s standard insurance language, but not as detailed. Will ask
Town’s insurance agent to review]
R. Indemnification. Any approval for small wireless facilities that is proposed for Town
property or in a public right-of-way pursuant to this section shall contain a provision with
respect to indemnification. Such provision shall require the applicant, to the extent
permitted by law, to at all times fully defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Town, its
elected officials, public officers, board members, employees, committee members,
attorneys, agents and consultants from and against all claims, actions, suits, demands,
damages, liabilities, obligations, losses, penalties, settlements, judgments, costs and
expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees and costs) (collectively
referred to as the “Claims”), whether or not involving a third party claim, which any or all
of them may incur, resulting from bodily injuries (or death) to any person, damage
(including loss of use) to any property, other damages, or contamination of or adverse
effects on the environment, arising out of or caused by the placement, construction,
24
erection, modification, location, product performance, use, operation, maintenance, repair,
installation, replacement, removal, or restoration of said facility; excepting, however, any
portion of such Claims as may be attributable to the negligent or intentional wrongful acts
or omissions of the Town or its servants or agents.
S. Annual NIER certification. The holder of any small wireless facilities permit shall,
annually, certify to the Director of Code Enforcement, or their authorized designee, that
NIER levels at the site where a small wireless facility is located are within the threshold
levels adopted by the FCC. In addition, the Town, at its own cost and expense, shall be
permitted to conduct its own certification test of the NIER levels at the site where any small
wireless facility is located, with or without notice to the wireless telecommunications
provider. Once operational, but prior to providing service to customers, as-built readings
will be provided to the Town.
T. Default and/or revocation of small wireless facilities permit.
(1) If any small wireless facilities are constructed, repaired, rebuilt, placed, moved, relocated,
modified or maintained in a way that is inconsistent or not in compliance with the
provisions of this section or of the small wireless facility permit conditions and
requirements, or it is determined conclusively that the applicant made materially false or
misleading statements during the application process, then the Code Enforcement Officer
shall notify the holder of the small wireless facilities permit in writing of such violation.
Such notice shall specify the nature of the violation or noncompliance, and the violations
must be corrected within seven days of the date of the postmark of the notice, or of the date
of personal service of the notice, whichever is earlier. [Adjust timing?] Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this subsection or any other subsection of this section, if the
violation or noncompliance causes, creates or presents an imminent danger or threat to the
health or safety of lives or property, the Code Enforcement Officer may, at their sole
discretion, order the violation remedied within 24 hours.
(2) If, within the period set forth in Subsection ___ above, the small wireless facilities are not
brought into compliance with the provisions of this section, or of the permit, or substantial
steps are not taken in order to bring the affected small wireless facilities into compliance,
then the Code Enforcement Officer may revoke such small wireless facility permit and
require removal of such small wireless facility pursuant to § ____ below.
U. Removal.
(1) Under the following circumstances, the Town [which board or officer?] may determine
that the safety, public welfare, character and environment of the Town warrant and require
the removal of small wireless facilities, under the following circumstances:
25
(a) The small wireless facility has been abandoned (i.e., not used as wireless
telecommunications facilities) for a period exceeding 90 consecutive days or a total of 180
days in any 365-day period, except for periods caused by force majeure or acts of God, in
which case repair or removal shall be completed within 90 days of receipt of written notice
from the Town to remove such small wireless facilities;
(b) A permitted small wireless facility falls into such a state of disrepair that it creates a safety
hazard;
(c) The small wireless facilities have been located, constructed, or modified without first
obtaining, or in a manner not authorized by, the required small wireless facilities permit, or
any other necessary authorization; or
(d) Any small wireless facility is determined to be in violation pursuant to § ___ above and the
holder of the small facilities permit fails to cure such violation within the time set forth in
that section.
(2) If the Planning Board [list board or officer listed in (1) above] makes a determination as
noted in Subsection __(1) of this section, then it shall notify the holder of the small facilities
permit and the owner of the property in writing that said small wireless facilities must be
removed.
(3) The holder of the small wireless facilities permit or the owner of the property shall be
required to dismantle and remove such small wireless facilities, and all accessory equipment
and associated structures, from the site and return the site to its original condition and
certify through soils or other testing that no contamination has been created by the facility,
such restoration being completed, limited only by physical or commercial impracticability,
within 90 days of receipt of written notice from the Town to remove such small wireless
facilities. However, if the owner of the property upon which the small wireless facilities are
located wishes to retain any access roadway to the small wireless facilities, the owner may
do so with the approval of the Town.
(4) If the small wireless facilities are not removed or substantial progress has not been made to
remove the small wireless facilities within 90 days after the small facility permit holder and
owner of the property have received such written notice of removal, then the Town may
remove the small wireless facilities at the sole expense of the property owner and/small
wireless facility permit holder.
(5) If the Town removes or causes to be removed the small wireless facilities, and the owner of
the wireless telecommunications facilities does not claim and remove them to a lawful
location within 10 days, then the Town may take steps to declare the small wireless
26
facilities abandoned and dispose of or sell them and their components and retain the
proceeds therefrom. For removal actions on private property, the Town shall present the
owner of the wireless telecommunications facilities and the property owner with a bill for
all costs and expenses incurred by the Town in connection with removal. If neither the
owner of the wireless telecommunications facility nor the property owner pay such costs
and expenses within 15 days after the demand for same, or within 30 days of the final
decision on any administrative or judicial contest either may pursue, then such unpaid costs,
expenses and interest (at the statutory interest rate for money judgments in New York State
courts) incurred from the date of the removal measures shall constitute a lien upon the land
on which such measures were undertaken. A legal action or proceeding may be brought to
collect such costs, expenses, interest, and recoverable attorney's fees or to foreclose such
lien. As an alternative to the maintenance of any such action, the Town may file a certificate
with the Tompkins County Department of Assessment stating the costs and expenses
incurred and interest accruing as aforesaid, together with a statement identifying the
property and landowner. The Tompkins County Department of Assessment shall in the
preparation of the next assessment roll assess such unpaid costs, expenses and interest upon
such property. Such amount shall be included as a special ad valorem levy (administered as
a move tax) against such property, shall constitute a lien, and shall be collected and
enforced in the same manner, by the same proceedings, at the same time, and under the
same penalties as are provided by law for collection and enforcement of real property taxes
in the Town of Ithaca. The assessment of such costs, expenses and interest shall be effective
even if the property would otherwise be exempt from real estate taxation.
(6) The Town's rights to undertake removal measures and recover the costs from the owner of
the wireless telecommunications facility and the property owner are in addition to all other
rights and remedies allowed by this chapter or by law or in equity.
(7) Relocation or removal of small wireless facilities in the public right-of-way. In addition to
the removal provisions set forth above, within the number of days that the Town reasonably
determines is necessary and specifies in a written notice to an owner of a small wireless
facility in the public right-of-way, said owner shall, at its own expense, temporarily or
permanently remove, relocate, or change the position of any small wireless facility
(including accessory equipment) when the Town, consistent with its police powers and any
applicable Public Service Commission regulations, shall have determined that such
removal, relocation, or change is reasonably necessary under the following circumstances:
[1] To construct, repair, maintain or install any Town or other public improvement located in
the public right-of-way;
[2] To prevent interference with the operations of the Town or other governmental entity, in the
public right-of-way;
27
[3] Public abandonment of a street or road or public release of a utility easement; or
[4] An emergency as determined by the Town Board. [Change to Director of Public
Works?]
X. Reimbursement for the use of the public right-of-way. In addition to permit fees for a
small wireless facility permit, every small wireless facility located in the public right-of-
way is subject to the Town's right to fix annually a fair and reasonable fee to be paid for use
and occupancy of the public right-of-way. Such compensation for use of the public right-of-
way shall be directly related to the Town's actual public right-of-way management costs,
including, but not limited to, the costs of the administration and performance of all
reviewing, inspecting, permitting, supervising and other public right-of-way management
activities by the Town. The owner of each small wireless facility permit shall pay an annual
fee to the Town to compensate the Town for the Town's costs incurred in connection with
the activities described above as determined by the Town Board and as set forth in the
Town Fee Schedule, as it may be amended from time to time.
[STOPPED REVISING LAW HERE FOR 4/29/20 COC MEETING. RED-LINING
AND NOTES PAST THIS POINT WERE FOR 1/29/20 COC MEETING. AFTER
THE 4/29/20 COC MEETING, CHANGES WILL BE MADE TO THE REST OF
THE LAW, WHICH DEALS WITH LARGE WIRELESS FACILITIES]
Y. Special use permit applications for large wireless facility applications.
(1) Except as otherwise provided by this section, no large wireless facilities shall be installed,
constructed or substantially changed until a special use permit application is reviewed and
approved by the Planning Board and a special use permit has been issuedall Planning Board
conditions are met.
(2) Upon receipt of an application for a large wireless facility, the Planning Board shall review
said application and plans in accordance with the standards and requirements set forth in
this section. However, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, where appropriate, the
Planning Board shall have the authority to waive any requirements set forth in this section
relating to the an application for, or approval of, a special use permit for a large wireless
facility, provided that it would further the purposes of this section.
(3) The Planning Board may attach such conditions and safeguards to any permit and site
development plan as are, in its opinion, necessary to ensure initial and continued
conformance to all applicable standards and requirements.
(4) No application shall be accepted and no permit shall be issued for a large wireless facility
28
on a property where the Building Inspector a Code Enforcement Officer has found, or there
exists, a violation of the Town Code and where such violation has not been corrected.
(5) Granting a special use permit shall not waive the requirement for final site plan approval,
including fees, in accordance with Chapter 125, Chapter 270 (Zoning), Article IX XXIII,
(Site Plan Review and Approval Procedures).
(6) An application for a special use permit for a large wireless facility shall be signed on behalf
of the applicant by the person preparing the same and with knowledge of the contents and
representations made therein and attesting to the truth and completeness of the information.
The landowner, if different than the applicant, shall also sign the application. At the
discretion of the Planning Board, any false or misleading statement in the application may
subject the applicant to denial of the application without further consideration or
opportunity for correction.
(7) The applicant must provide documentation to verify it has a legal interest in the site where
the large wireless facility is to be located. Said documentation may be in the form of a deed,
contract for sale or lease for the property, depending on whether the applicant is the
property owner, contract-vendee or lessee.
(8) The applicant shall include a statement, in writing, that:
(a) The applicant's proposed large wireless facility shall be maintained in a safe manner and in
compliance with all conditions of the special use permit, without exception, as well as all
applicable and permissible federal, state and local laws, statutes, codes, rules and
regulations; and
(b) The construction of a large wireless facility is legally permissible, including, but not limited
to, the fact that the applicant is authorized to do business in the New York State.
(9) The application shall be accompanied by a map, in graphical form and in AutoCAD® or
compatible drawing exchange file format, which shows the applicant's existing and
proposed area of coverage. Such map should locate all existing facility sites within the
Town and within one mile of the Town in bordering communities.
(10) In addition to all other required information as stated in this section, all applications for the
construction or installation of new large wireless facilities, or any substantial change to an
existing large wireless facility, shall contain the following information:
(a) A descriptive statement of the objective(s) for the new facility or modification, including
and expanding on a need such as coverage and/or capacity requirements;
29
(b) Documentation that demonstrates and proves the need for the large wireless facility to
provide service primarily and essentially within the Town. Such documentation shall
include propagation studies of the proposed site and all adjoining planned, proposed, in-
service or existing sites that demonstrate a significant gap in coverage and/or if a capacity
need, including an analysis of current and projected usage;
(c) The name, address and phone number of the person preparing the report;
(d) The name, address, and phone number of the property owner, operator and applicant;
(e) The postal address and Tax Map parcel number of the property;
(f) The zoning district or designation in which the property is situated;
(g) The size of the property stated both in square feet and lot line dimensions, and a survey
prepared by a licensed professional surveyor showing the location of all lot lines;
(h) The location of the nearest residential structure;
(i) The location, size and height of all existing and proposed structures on the property which is
the subject of the application;
(j) The type, locations and dimensions of all proposed and existing landscaping and fencing, if
the proposed facility is located outside the public rights-of-way;
(k) The number, type and model of the antenna(s) proposed, with a copy of the specification
sheet;
(l) The make, model, type and manufacturer of the support structure and a design plan stating
the support structure's capacity to accommodate multiple users;
(m) A site plan describing the proposed support structure and antenna(s) and all related
accessory equipment, fixtures, structures, appurtenances and apparatus, including height
above preexisting grade, materials, color and lighting;
(n) The frequency, modulation and class of service of radio or other transmitting equipment;
(o) The actual intended transmission power stated as the maximum effective radiated power
(ERP) in watts of the antenna(s);
(p) Direction of maximum lobes and associated radiation of the antenna(s);
30
(q) Applicant's proposed support structure and accessory equipment maintenance and
inspection procedures and related system of records;
(r) Documentation justifying the total height of any wireless telecommunications facility
support structure and the basis therefor. Such justification shall be to provide service within
the Town, to the extent practicable, unless good cause is shown;
(s) Certification that NIER levels at the proposed site will be and remain within the current
threshold levels adopted by the FCC;
(t) A signed statement that the proposed installation will not cause physical or RF interference
with other telecommunications devices;
(u) A copy of the FCC license applicable for the intended use of the wireless
telecommunications facilities;
(v) Certification that a topographic and geomorphologic study and analysis has been conducted
and that, taking into account the subsurface and substrate, and the proposed drainage plan,
the site is adequate to assure the stability of the proposed wireless telecommunications
facilities on the proposed site;
(w) Identify the proposed location of emergency power supply and the decibel level emitted
during testing and operation;
(x) Information relating to the expected useful life of the proposed large wireless facility;
(y) Construction details for the proposed tower, supporting structure, and base, including
specifications for the maximum height of the tower or structure the proposed base could
support; and
(z) Information relating to intended future co-locations on the large wireless facility that may
result in a further increase in the size or height of the proposed large wireless facility.
(11) In the case of a new wireless telecommunications facility support structure for a large
wireless facility, the applicant shall be required to submit a written report demonstrating its
meaningful efforts to secure shared use of existing wireless telecommunications support
structure(s) or the use of alternative existing buildings or other structures within a 1/2-mile
radius of the site proposed. Copies of written requests and responses for shared use shall be
provided to the Planning Board with the application, along with any letters of rejection,
stating the reason for rejection. Acceptable reasons for rejection include:
(a) The proposed antenna and accessory equipment would exceed the structural capacity of the
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existing building or other structure, and its reinforcement cannot be accomplished at a
reasonable cost.
(b) The proposed antenna and accessory equipment would cause radio frequency interference
with other existing equipment for that existing building or other structure, and the
interference cannot be prevented at a reasonable cost.
(c) Such existing buildings or other structures do not have adequate location, space, access, or
height to accommodate the proposed equipment or to allow it to perform its intended
function.
(d) A commercially reasonable agreement could not be reached with the owner of such building
or other structure.
(12) The applicant shall furnish written certification that the wireless telecommunications
facility, structure, foundation, attachments and accessory equipment are designed and will
be constructed to meet all local, county, state and federal structural requirements for loads,
including wind and ice loads. If the large wireless facility is subsequently approved and
constructed, as-built certification indicating that the large wireless facility has been
constructed in accordance with all standards shall be furnished to the Town prior to issuance
of any certificate of occupancy or compliance.
(13) The applicant shall submit a completed long-form EAF. Based on circumstances of each
application for a large wireless facility, the Planning Board may require submission of a
detailed visual analysis.
(14) All proposed large wireless facilities shall contain a demonstration that the facility will be
sited so as to minimize visual intrusion as much as possible given the facts and
circumstances involved with the proposed site and facility, will employ stealth technologies
where appropriate, and will thereby have the least-adverse visual effect on the environment,
the character of the community, surrounding properties and on the residences in the area of
the large wireless facility.
(15) The applicant shall, in writing, identify and disclose the number and locations of any
additional sites that the applicant has been, is or will be considering, reviewing or planning
for wireless telecommunications facilities in the Town, and all municipalities adjoining the
Town, for a two-year period following the date of the application.
Z. General and specific requirements for large wireless facilities. Large wireless facilities
are permitted in all zones, subject to the restrictions and conditions prescribed below:
(1) Construction and design. All large wireless facilities shall be designed, constructed,
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operated, maintained, repaired, modified and removed in strict compliance with all current
applicable technical, safety and safety-related codes, including, but not limited to, the most-
recent editions of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Code, National
Electrical Safety Code, and National Electrical Code. Any large wireless facilities shall at
all times be kept and maintained in good condition, order and repair by qualified
maintenance and construction personnel, so that the same shall not endanger the life of any
person or any property in the Town.
(2) Wind and ice. All large wireless facilities structures shall be designed to withstand the
effects of wind gusts and ice to the standard designed by the American National Standards
Institute as prepared by the engineering departments of the Electronics Industry Association
and Telecommunications Industry Association (ANSI/EIA/TIA-222, as amended).
(3) Aviation safety. Large wireless facilities shall comply with all federal and state laws and
regulations concerning aviation safety.
(4) Public safety communications. Large wireless facilities shall not interfere with public safety
communications or the reception of broadband, television, radio or other communications
services enjoyed by occupants of nearby properties.
(5) Radio frequency emissions. A large wireless facility shall not, by itself or in conjunction
with other WCFswireless communication facilities, generate radio frequency emissions in
excess of the standards and regulations of the FCC, including, but not limited to, the FCC
Office of Engineering Technology Bulletin 65, entitled "Evaluating Compliance with FCC
Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields," as amended.
When a small wireless facility is complete, as-built readings will be taken and submitted to
the Town.
(6) Maintenance. To the extent permitted by law, the following maintenance requirements shall
apply:
(a) Large wireless facilities shall be fully automated and unattended on a daily basis and shall
be visited only for maintenance or emergency repair.
(b) Such maintenance shall be performed to ensure the upkeep of the facility in order to
promote the safety and security of the Town's residents.
(c) All maintenance activities shall utilize nothing less than the best available technology for
preventing failures and accidents.
(d) The owner or operator of a large wireless facility shall maintain standby power generators
capable of powering the wireless telecommunications facility for at least 24 hours without
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additional public utility power, and indefinitely with a continuous or replenished fuel
supply. Such standby power shall activate automatically upon the failure of public utility
power to the site. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Planning Board may require standby
power longer than 24 hours where circumstances indicate sufficient space exists to
accommodate longer periods of backup power.
Add the Town of Ithaca’s access and parking requirements from its current law? They
are:
“(1) Accessways shall make maximum use of existing public or private roads to the extent
practicable. New accessways constructed solely for telecommunication facilities must
be at least 12, but no more than 24 feet wide, and closely follow natural contours to
assure minimal visual disturbance and reduce soil erosion potential.
(2) The road surface (driveways) shall be centered within accessways and shall not
comprise more than 60% of the width of the accessway.
(3) Parking areas shall be sufficient to accommodate the usual number of service vehicles
expected on the premises at any one time. Space off of public highways shall be
provided (not necessarily in parking areas) to accommodate the greatest number of
service vehicles expected on the premises at any one time.
(4) Driveways or parking areas shall provide adequate interior turnaround, such that
service vehicles will not have to back out onto a public thoroughfare.”
AA. Approval procedures.
(1) For any special use permit application, the Planning Board shall hold a public hearing on
due notice within 60 days after submission of a formal completed application, including
such technical information from the applicant as may be required by the Planning Board for
a special use permit under the provisions of this section.
(2) Notice of the public hearing shall be by publication in the official newspaper of the Town at
least 10 days in advance of the hearing. The hearing notice shall indicate that the application
may be examined and further information is available from the Planning Board office
during regular business hours. Copies of the publication order shall be mailed by the
applicant to the owners of property within 1,000 feet of the property which is the subject of
the application, and an affidavit of service thereof shall be filed with the Planning Board
due on or before the date of the hearing.
(3) In any district, the Planning Board may grant a special use permit for the construction of the
large wireless facilities for a period of five years.
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(4) All decisions of the Planning Board involving applications for large wireless facilities shall
be in writing and supported by substantial evidence contained in a written record.
(5) Time frames for approval.
(a) Within 30 days of receipt of any application for a large wireless facility, the Town shall
notify the applicant in writing of any supplemental information required to complete the
application. Such notification shall toll the applicable shot clock until the applicant submits
the required supplemental information.
(b) Within 90 days of receipt of an application for a co-located large wireless facility or 150
days of receipt of an application for a new large wireless facility with accompanying
support structure, including such technical information from the applicant as may be
required by the Planning Board for a special use permit under the provisions of this section,
the Town shall make a final decision on whether to approve the application and shall notify
the applicant in writing of such decision.
(6) All time periods set forth in this section reference calendar days.
BB. Location.
(1) Applications for special use permits for large wireless facilities shall locate, site and erect
said wireless telecommunications facilities in accordance with the following priorities, (a)
being the highest priority and (g) being the lowest priority.
(a) Co-location on existing wireless telecommunications facilities on lands owned or controlled
by the Town, not including the public right-of-way;
(b) Co-location on a site with existing wireless telecommunications facilities or other tall
structures in the Town;
(c) On other lands owned or controlled by the Town, including, but not limited to, the Town
public right-of-way;
(d) On lands owned or controlled by other municipal corporations within the Town, to the
extent permitted by such other municipal corporation;
(e) On nonresidential zoned properties;
(f) On residential zoned properties; and
(g) No large wireless facilities shall be permitted in the Bedford Forest Home Historic District.,
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Katonah Historic District, or on any property designated as a Tier I or Tier II property,
unless the applicant demonstrates to the Planning Board's satisfaction that the selected site
is necessary to provide adequate service and no feasible alternative site exists. Approval
shall be required from the Bedford Village Historic District Review Commission, the
Katonah Historic District Advisory Commission, or the Historic Building Preservation
Commission, as appropriate, before any large wireless facility is approved in the Bedford
Historic District, Katonah Historic District, or on any property designated as a Tier I or Tier
II property.
See the Town of Ithaca’s priority provisions under H above. Use the Town’s provisions
instead or revise Bedford’s provisions to incorporate some of the Town’s provisions?
(2) If the proposed site is not proposed for the highest priority listed above, then a detailed
explanation must be provided as to why a site of a higher priority was not selected. The
person seeking such an exception must satisfactorily demonstrate the reason or reasons why
such a special use permit should be granted for the proposed site and the hardship that
would be incurred by the applicant if the permit were not granted for the proposed site.
(3) An applicant may not bypass sites of higher priority by stating the site proposed is the only
site leased or selected. An application shall address co-location as an option. If such option
is not proposed, the applicant must explain to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning
Board why co-location is commercially impracticable.
(4) Notwithstanding the above, the Town may approve any site located within the Town,
provided that the Town finds that the proposed site is in the best interest of the safety,
public welfare, character and environment of the Town and will not have a deleterious
effect on the nature and character of the community and surrounding properties.
CC. Height. Wireless telecommunications facility support structures shall be no higher than the
minimum height necessary. The proposed height, which may be in excess of the maximum
height permitted for other structures in the applicable zone, shall address any additional
height necessary to accommodate co-location by additional antenna arrays, but under no
circumstances is the height to be in excess of 150 feet.
DD. Setback. All large wireless facilities, including any support structures and accessory
equipment, located outside the public right-of-way shall be set back from the property line
of the lot on which they are located a distance equal to not less than the total height of the
facility, including support structure, measured from the highest point of such support
structure to the finished grade elevation of the ground on which it is situated, plus 10% of
such total height. The Planning Board may reduce such setback requirements based upon
consideration of lot size, topographic conditions, adjoining land uses, landscaping, other
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forms of screening and/or structural characteristics of the proposed support structure.
Compare with Town of Ithaca’s current fall zone and other dimensional requirements
below—retain Ithaca’s? Add any portion of Bedford’s requirements?
“(1) A fall zone around any tower constructed as part of a telecommunications facility
must have a radius at least equal to the height of the tower and any attached antennae.
The entire fall zone may not include public roads and must be located on property
either owned or leased by the applicant or for which the applicant has obtained an
easement, and may not, except as set forth below, contain any structure other than
those associated with the telecommunications facility. If the facility is attached to an
existing structure, relief may be granted by specific permission of the Planning Board
on a case-by-case basis if it is determined by such Board after submission of competent
evidence, that the waiver of this requirement will not endanger the life, health, welfare
or property of any person. In granting any such waiver, the Board may impose any
conditions reasonably necessary to protect the public or other property from potential
injury.
(2) All telecommunication facilities shall be located on a single parcel.
(3) All telecommunication facilities shall comply with the setback, frontage, minimum lot
size, and yard standards of the underlying zoning district and the fall zone
requirements of this article. To the extent there is a conflict, the more restrictive
provision shall govern. The size of the leased or owned lot, together with any land over
which the applicant has obtained an easement, shall be, at a minimum, sufficiently
large to include the entire fall zone. All lots leased or owned for the purpose of
construction of a tower as part of telecommunications facility shall conform, at a
minimum, to the lot size requirements of the underlying zoning district or the size of
lot necessary to encompass the entire fall zone (to the extent easements for any part of
the fall zone that extends outside the minimum lot size permitted in the zoning district
have not been obtained), whichever requirement results in a larger lot.
(4) Notwithstanding provisions to the contrary of any other article of this chapter, the
front, side, and rear yard requirements of the underlying zoning district in which a
telecommunications facility is erected shall apply not only to a tower, but also to all
tower parts including guy wires and anchors, and to any accessory buildings.”
EE. Visibility.
(1) All large wireless facilities shall be sited so as to have the least-adverse visual effect on the
environment and its character, on existing vegetation and on the residents in the area of the
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wireless telecommunications facilities sites. If lighting is required, the applicant shall
provide a detailed plan for sufficient lighting of as unobtrusive and inoffensive an effect as
is permissible under federal, state and local laws, statutes, codes, rules or regulations.
(2) Both the large wireless facility and any and all accessory equipment shall maximize use of
building materials, colors and textures designed to blend with the structure to which they
may be affixed and/or to harmonize with the natural surroundings.
(3) Large wireless facilities shall not be artificially lighted or marked, except as required by
law.
(4) Wireless telecommunications facility support structures for large wireless facilities shall be
galvanized and/or painted with a rust-preventive paint of an appropriate color as specified
by the Planning Board to harmonize with the surroundings and shall be maintained in
accordance with the requirements of this section.
(5) Electrical and land-based telephone lines extended to serve the large wireless facility sites
shall be installed underground.
(6) Stealth technologies shall be required to be employed in an effort to blend into the
surrounding environment and minimize aesthetic impact.
Does COC want to require stealth technologies for all large facilities?
(7) Landscaping shall be provided, if appropriate.
Compare with Town of Ithaca’s current requirements below. Planning staff will be
reviewing and possibly revising standards for large facilities. Add any portion of Bedford’s
requirements?
“G. Lighting and marking.
(1) Towers shall not be artificially lighted and marked beyond the requirements of the
FAA.
(2) Notwithstanding the preceding subsection, an applicant may be compelled to add
FAA-style lighting and marking, if in the judgment of the Planning Board, such a
requirement would be of direct benefit to public safety and would not unduly
adversely affect residents of any surrounding property.
H. Appearance and buffering.
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(1) The use of any portion of a telecommunications facility for signs, promotional or
advertising purposes, including but not limited to company name, phone numbers,
banners, streamers, and balloons is prohibited.
(2) The facility shall have the least practical visual effect on the environment, as
determined by the Planning Board. Any tower that is not subject to FAA marking as
set forth above shall otherwise:
(a) Have a galvanized finish, or shall be painted gray above the surrounding tree line and
gray or green below the tree line, as deemed appropriate by the Planning Board, or
(b) Be disguised or camouflaged to blend in with the surroundings, to the extent that such
alteration does not impair the ability of the facility to perform its designed function.
(3) Accessory structures shall maximize the use of building materials, colors, and textures
designed to blend in with the natural surroundings.
(4) Each application for a proposed facility shall be accompanied by a SEQR full
environmental assessment form ("full EAF"). A visual environmental assessment form
("visual EAF") shall be required as an addendum to the full EAF. The Planning
Board may require submittal of a more detailed visual analysis based on the contents
of the visual EAF.
(5) The facility shall have appropriate vegetative buffering, reasonably satisfactory to the
Planning Board, around the fences of the tower base area, accessory structures and
the anchor points of guyed towers to buffer their view from neighboring residences,
recreation areas, or public roads. The Planning Board may similarly require screening
adjacent to waterways, landmarks, refuges, community facilities, or conservation or
historic areas within common view of the public.
(6) Without limiting the requirements of the preceding subsection, existing on-site
vegetation shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible, and no cutting of trees
exceeding four inches in diameter (measured at a height of four feet off the ground)
shall occur in connection with the telecommunications facility prior to the granting of
special permit and site plan approval. Clear cutting of all trees in a single contiguous
area exceeding 20,000 square feet shall be prohibited.
(7) The Planning Board may require additional information, such as line-of-sight
drawings, detailed elevation maps, visual simulations, before and after renderings, and
alternate tower designs to more clearly identify adverse impacts for the purpose of
their mitigation.
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(8) Equipment or vehicles not used in direct support, renovations, additions or repair of
any telecommunications facility shall not be stored or parked on the facility site.”
FF. Security.
(1) All large wireless facilities and antennas shall be located, fenced or otherwise secured in a
manner that prevents unauthorized access. Specifically:
(a) All antennas and supporting structures, including guy anchor points and wires and
accessory equipment, shall be made inaccessible to individuals and constructed or shielded
in such a manner that they cannot be climbed or collided with; and
(b) Transmitters and telecommunications control points shall be installed in such a manner that
they are readily accessible only to persons authorized to operate or service them.
Revise the above to add one or more of the Town of Ithaca’s security provisions below?
“(1) Towers, anchor points of guyed towers, and accessory structures shall each be
surrounded by fencing at least eight feet in height, the top foot of which may, at the
discretion of the Planning Board in deference to the character of the neighborhood, be
comprised of three-strands of barbed wire to discourage unauthorized access to the
site. The Planning Board may waive the requirement of fencing if, in its discretion, it
determines that other forms of security are adequate, or that, by reason of location or
occupancy, security will not be significantly compromised by the omission, or
reduction in size, of the otherwise required fencing.
(2) Motion-activated or staff-activated security lighting around the base of a tower or
accessory structure entrance may be provided if such lighting does not project off the
site. Such lighting should only occur when the area within the fenced perimeters has
been entered.
(3) There shall be no permanent climbing pegs within 15 feet of the ground of any tower.
(4) A locked gate at the junction of the accessway and a public thoroughfare may be
required to obstruct entry by unauthorized vehicles. Such gate must not protrude into
the public right-of-way.”
GG. Escrow for review costs. In accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 47153
(Fees) of the Town Code, and to the extent permissible under federal law, for large wireless
facility applications, the applicant shall be required to provide funds to an escrow account
held by the Town to allow the Planning Board to retain such technical experts and other
consultants as may be necessary to review the proposal, including, but not limited to, the
40
review of financial and technical aspects of the proposal and of the financial, legal and
technical practicability of alternatives which may be available to the applicant.
HH. Recertification of special use permit.
(1) At any time between 12 months and six months prior to the five-year anniversary date after
the effective date for the special use permit for large wireless facilities and all subsequent
fifth anniversaries of the effective date of the original special use permit for large wireless
facilities, the holder of a special use permit for such large wireless facilities shall submit a
signed, written request to the Planning Board for recertification. In the written request for
recertification, the holder of such special use permit shall note the following:
(a) The name of the holder of the special use permit for the wireless telecommunications
facilities.
(b) The date of the original granting of the special use permit.
(c) Whether the large wireless facility has been modified since the issuance of the special use
permit and, if so, in what manner.
(d) Any requests for waivers or relief of any kind whatsoever from the requirements of this
section and any requirements for a special use permit.
(e) Certification that the large wireless facilities are in compliance with the special use permit
and in compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations and federal
certification requirements.
(f) Certification that the wireless telecommunications support structure, base station and
accessory equipment are designed and constructed (as built) and continue to meet all local,
county, state and federal structural requirements for loads, including wind and ice loads.
Such recertification shall be by a qualified New York State licensed professional engineer.
(2) If, after such review, the Planning Board determines the permitted large wireless facility is
in compliance with the special use permit and all applicable statutes, laws, local laws,
ordinances, codes, rules and regulations, then the Planning Board shall recertify the special
use permit for the large wireless facility, which may include any new provisions or
conditions that are mutually agreed upon or required by applicable statutes, laws, local laws,
ordinances, codes, rules and regulations. If, after such review, the Planning Board
determines that the permitted large wireless facility is not in compliance with the special use
permit and all applicable statutes, local laws, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations, then
the Planning Board may refuse to issue a recertification of the special use permit for the
large wireless facility, and, in such event, such large wireless facility shall not be used after
41
the date that the applicant receives written notice of such decision by the Planning Board
unless and until any deficiencies determined by the Planning Board are cured. Any such
decision shall be in writing and supported by substantial evidence contained in a written
record.
(3) If the applicant has submitted all of the information requested by the Planning Board and
required by this section, and if the Planning Board does not complete its review, as noted in
Subsection HH(2) ___ of this section, prior to the five-year anniversary date of the special
use permit, or subsequent fifth anniversaries, then the applicant for the permitted large
wireless facility shall receive an extension of the special use permit for up to six months in
order for the Planning Board to complete its review.
(4) If the holder of a special use permit for a large wireless facility does not submit a request for
recertification of such special use permit within the time frame noted in Subsection
HH(1)___ of this section, then such special use permit and any authorizations granted
thereunder shall cease to exist on the date of the fifth anniversary of the original granting of
the special use permit, or subsequent fifth anniversaries, unless the holder of the special use
permit adequately demonstrates to the Planning Board that extenuating circumstances
prevented a timely recertification request. If the Planning Board agrees that there were
extenuating circumstances, then the holder of the special use permit may submit a late
recertification request or application for a new special use permit.
II. Application fees. At the time that an application for a special use permit is submitted for a
large wireless facility, or to renew any such application, a nonrefundable application fee
shall be paid in an amount as determined by the Town Board and as set forth in the Town
Fee Schedule, in addition to any other fee required by law.
JJ. Performance security for special permits. The applicant and the owner of record of any
proposed large wireless facilities property site shall, at their cost and expense, be jointly
required to execute and file with the Town a bond, or other form of security acceptable to
the Town as to type of security and the form and manner of execution, in an amount of at
least $75,000 for a large wireless facility on a new wireless telecommunications support
structure and $25,000 for a co-location on an existing wireless telecommunications facility
support structure or other existing structure; and with such sureties as are deemed sufficient
by the Planning Board to assure the faithful performance of the terms and conditions of this
section and conditions of any special use permit issued pursuant to this section. The full
amount of the bond or security shall remain in full force and effect throughout the term of
the special use permit and/or until any necessary site restoration is completed to restore the
site to a condition comparable to that which existed prior to the issuance of the original
special use permit.
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KK. Authority to inspect. In order to verify that the holder of a special use permit for a large
wireless facility and any and all lessees, renters, and/or licensees of large wireless facilities
place and construct such facilities, including the wireless telecommunications support
structure, accessory equipment and antennas, in accordance with all applicable technical,
safety, fire, building, and zoning laws, statutes, codes, rules, regulations and other
applicable requirements, the Town may inspect at any time, upon providing reasonable
notice, all facets of said permit holder's, renter's, lessee's or licensee's placement,
construction, modification and maintenance of such facilities, including, but not limited to,
wireless telecommunications support structures, antennas, accessory equipment,
electromagnetic output and buildings.
LL. Liability insurance.
(1) An applicant for a special use permit for a large wireless facility shall secure and at all times
maintain public liability insurance for personal injuries, death and property damage, and
umbrella insurance coverage, for the duration of the special use permit in amounts as set
forth below:
(a) For co-location on any existing large wireless facility or other wireless telecommunications
facility support structure, including existing utility poles or monopoles, the required
insurance policies shall be in the following amounts:
[1] Commercial general liability covering personal injuries, death and property damage:
$1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[2] Automobile coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[3] Workers' compensation and disability: statutory amounts.
(b) For all other large wireless facilities, the required insurance policies shall be in the
following amounts:
[1] Commercial general liability covering personal injuries, death and property damage:
$5,000,000 per occurrence;
[2] Automobile coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[3] Workers' compensation and disability: statutory amounts.
(2) For a large wireless facility on Town property, the commercial general liability insurance
policy shall specifically include the Town, the Town Board, other elected officials, and the
Town's officers, board members, employees, committee members, attorneys, agents and
43
consultants as additional insureds.
(3) The insurance policies shall be issued by an agent or representative of an insurance
company licensed to do business in the state and with a Best's rating of at least A.
(4) The insurance policies shall contain an endorsement obligating the insurance company to
furnish the Town with at least 30 days' prior written notice in advance of the cancellation of
the insurance.
(5) Renewal or replacement policies or certificates shall be delivered to the Town at least 15
days before the expiration of the insurance that such policies are to renew or replace.
(6) Prior to the issuance of a special use permit for a large wireless facility, the applicant shall
deliver to the Town a copy of each of the policies or certificates representing the insurance
in the required amounts.
MM. Indemnification. Any special use permit for a large wireless facility that is proposed for
Town property or in the public right-of-way, pursuant to this section, shall contain a
provision with respect to indemnification. Such provision shall require the applicant, to the
extent permitted by law, to at all times defend, indemnify, protect, save, hold harmless, and
exempt the Town and its elected officials, officers, board members, employees, committee
members, attorneys, agents and consultants from any and all penalties, damages, costs, or
charges arising out of any and all claims, suits, demands, causes of action, or award of
damages, whether compensatory or punitive, or expenses arising therefrom, either at law or
in equity, which might arise out of, or are caused by, the placement, construction, erection,
modification, location, product performance, use, operation, maintenance, repair,
installation, replacement, removal, or restoration of said facility; excepting, however, any
portion of such claims, suits, demands, causes of action or award of damages as may be
attributable to the negligent or intentional acts or omissions of the Town or its servants or
agents. With respect to the penalties, damages or charges referenced herein, reasonable
attorneys' fees, consultants' fees, and expert witness fees are included in those costs that are
recoverable by the Town.
The Town of Ithaca’s current telecommunications law does not contain indemnification
requirements.
NN. Regulations applicable to large wireless facilities in the public right-of-way.
(1) In addition to the applicable special permit provisions and requirements listed in this
section, all large wireless facilities located in the public right-of-way shall be required to
comply with the following regulations:
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(a) Location. Large wireless facilities in the public right-of-way shall be co-located on an
existing wireless telecommunications facility whenever possible. If co-location is not
technologically feasible, the applicant shall locate its large wireless facility on existing
utility poles, monopoles or other structures that do not already act as wireless
telecommunications facility support structures.
(b) Design requirements:
[1] All accessory equipment shall be the smallest and least-visibly-intrusive equipment feasible.
[2] Antennas and accessory equipment shall be treated to match the supporting structure and
may be required to be painted, or otherwise coated, to be visually compatible with the
support structure upon which they are mounted.
(c) Equipment location. Large wireless facilities, which include wireless telecommunications
support structures and accessory equipment in the public right-of-way, shall be located so as
not to cause any physical or visual obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or to
otherwise create safety hazards to pedestrians and/or motorists, or to otherwise
inconvenience public use of the right-of-way as determined by the Town. In addition:
[1] In no case shall ground-mounted accessory equipment, walls, or landscaping be located
within 18 inches of the face of the curb, within four feet of the edge of the cartway, or
within an easement extending onto a privately owned lot.
[2] To the extent feasible, accessory equipment shall be placed underground. Ground-mounted
accessory equipment that cannot be placed underground shall be screened from surrounding
views, to the fullest extent possible, through the use of landscaping or other decorative
features to the satisfaction of the Town. Ground-mounted accessory equipment shall be
screened, when possible, by utilizing existing structures. If screening by utilizing existing
structures is not possible, ground-mounted accessory equipment shall be made
architecturally and aesthetically compatible with the surrounding area through the use of
coatings, landscaping, and/or screening walls, enclosures or other stealth technology to the
satisfaction of the Town.
[3] Required electrical meter cabinets shall be screened to blend in with the surrounding area to
the satisfaction of the Town.
[4] Any graffiti on any large wireless facility support structure, base station or any accessory
equipment shall be removed within 30 days upon notification by the Town, at the sole
expense of the owner.
[5] Any proposed underground vault related to large wireless facilities shall be reviewed and
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approved by the Town.
[6] Accessory equipment attached to a large wireless facility support structure shall have such
vertical clearance as the Planning Board may determine.
(d) Relocation or removal of large wireless facilities in the public right-of-way. In addition to
the removal provisions set forth in § 125-85.2RR ______ below, within 90 days' following
written notice from the Town, or such longer period as the Town determines is reasonably
necessary, or such shorter period in the case of an emergency, an owner of a small wireless
facility and any accessory equipment in the right-of-way shall, at its own expense,
temporarily or permanently remove, relocate, or change the position of any large wireless
facility or accessory equipment when the Town, consistent with its police powers and any
applicable Public Service Commission regulations, shall have determined that such
removal, relocation, change or alteration is reasonably necessary under the following
circumstances:
[1] To construct, repair, maintain or install any Town or other public improvement located in
the right-of-way;
[2] To prevent interference with the operations of the Town or other governmental entity in the
right-of-way;
[3] Abandonment of a street or road or the release of a utility easement; or
[4] An emergency as determined by the Town Board.
OO. Reimbursement for the use of the public right-of-way. In addition to permit fees for a
large wireless facility permit, every large wireless facility located in the Town public right-
of-way is subject to the Town's public right to fix annually a fair and reasonable fee to be
paid for use and occupancy of the public right-of-way and for any applicable permitting fees
set forth in Chapter 104153 (Fees) of the Town Code. Such compensation for use of the
public right-of-way shall be directly related to the Town's actual public right-of-way
management costs, including, but not limited to, the costs of the administration and
performance of all reviewing, inspecting, permitting, supervising and other public right-of-
way management activities by the Town. The owner of each large wireless facility permit
shall pay an annual fee to the Town to compensate the Town for the Town's costs incurred
in connection with the activities described above as determined by the Town Board and as
set forth in the Town Fee Schedule.
The Town of Ithaca’s current telecommunications law does not have a fee provision for use
of the Town’s ROW.
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PP. Annual NIER certification. The holder of any special use permit shall, annually, certify to
the Planning Board or its authorized designee that NIER levels at the site where the large
wireless facilities are located are within the threshold levels adopted by the FCC. In
addition, the Town, at its own cost and expense, shall be permitted to conduct its own
certification test of the NIER levels at the site where any large wireless facility is located,
with or without notice to the wireless telecommunications provider. Once operational, but
prior to providing service to customers, as-built readings will be provided to the Town.
QQ. Default and/or revocation of special use permit.
(1) If large wireless facilities are constructed, repaired, rebuilt, placed, moved, relocated,
modified or maintained in a way that is inconsistent or not in compliance with the
provisions of this section or any special use permit requirement, or it is determined
conclusively that the applicant made materially false or misleading statements during the
application process, then the Planning Board or the Building Inspector a Code Enforcement
Officer shall notify the holder of the special use permit, in writing, of such violation. Such
notice shall specify the nature of the violation or noncompliance, and the violations must be
corrected within seven days of the date of the postmark of the notice, or of the date of
personal service of the notice, whichever is earlier. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this subsection or any other section of this section, if the violation causes,
creates or presents an imminent danger or threat to the health or safety of lives or property,
the Planning Board may, at its sole discretion, order the violation remedied within 24 hours.
(2) If, within the period set forth in Subsection QQ(1)____ above, the large wireless facilities
are not brought into compliance with the provisions of this section, or of the special use
permit, or substantial steps are not taken in order to bring the affected wireless
telecommunications facilities into compliance, then the Planning Board or the Building
Inspector the Code Enforcement Officer may revoke such special use permit for the
wireless telecommunications facility and may require the removal of such large wireless
facility.
RR. Removal.
(1) Under the following circumstances, the Town may determine that the safety, public welfare,
character and environment of the Town warrant and require the removal of a large wireless
facilities:
(a) Large wireless facilities with a permit have been abandoned (i.e., not used as wireless
telecommunications facilities) for a period exceeding 90 consecutive days or a total of 180
days in any 365-day period, except for periods caused by force majeure or acts of God, in
which case, repair or removal shall commence within 90 days;
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(b) Permitted large wireless facilities fall into such a state of disrepair that they create a safety
hazard;
(c) Large wireless facilities have been located, constructed, or modified without first obtaining,
or in a manner not authorized by, the required special use permit, or any other necessary
authorization; or
(d) Any large wireless facility is determined to be in violation pursuant to § 125-85.2PP ___
above and fails to cure such violation within the time set forth in that section.
(2) If the Planning Board makes such a determination as noted in Subsection RR(1) ____ of
this section, then it shall notify the holder of the special use permit and the owner of the
property that the large wireless facilities are to be removed.
(3) The holder of the special use permit or the owner of the property shall dismantle and
remove such large wireless facilities, and all accessory equipment, antennas, support
structures and other associated structures and facilities, from the site and return the site to its
original condition and certify through soils or other testing that no contamination has been
created by the facility, such restoration being completed, limited only by physical or
commercial impracticability, within 90 days of receipt of written notice from the Town.
However, if the owner of the property upon which the large wireless telecommunications
facilities are located wishes to retain any access roadway to the large wireless facilities, the
owner may do so with the approval of the Town.
(4) If the large wireless facilities are not removed or substantial progress has not been made to
remove the large wireless facilities within 90 days after the special use permit holder has
received notice, then the Planning Board may order officials or representatives of the Town
to remove the large wireless facilities at the sole expense of the property owner and/or
special use permit holder.
(5) If the Town removes or causes to be removed the large wireless facilities, and the owner of
the large wireless facilities does not claim and remove any equipment or materials to a
lawful location within 10 days, then the Town may take steps to declare the large wireless
facilities abandoned and sell them and their components and retain the proceeds therefrom.
The Town may also cause the costs associated with the removal and disposal of the large
wireless facilities to be assessed on the property in the same manner as a tax or assessment.
Does COC want to retain any part of the Town of Ithaca’s removal provisions below?
“(1) At the time of submittal of the application for a special permit for a
telecommunications facility, the applicant shall submit an agreement to remove all
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antennas, driveways, structures, buildings, equipment sheds, lighting, utilities, fencing,
gates, accessory equipment or structures, as well as any tower(s) dedicated solely for
use within a telecommunications facility if such facility becomes technologically
obsolete or ceases to perform its originally intended function for more than 12
consecutive months. Upon removal of said facility, the land shall be restored to its
previous condition, including but not limited to the seeding of exposed soils.
(2) At the time of obtaining a building permit, the applicant must provide a financial
security bond for removal of the telecommunications facility and property restoration,
with the municipality as the assignee, in an amount approved by the Planning Board,
but not less than $50,000.
(3) At times of modification of the special permit, the Planning Board may adjust the
required amount of the financial security bond to adequately cover increases in the
cost of removal of the telecommunications facility and property restoration.”
SS. Penalties for offenses. In addition to any other remedies in this section, a violation of any
provision of this section with respect to either large wireless facilities or small wireless
facilities is hereby declared to be an offense, punishable by a fine not exceeding $350 or
imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both, for conviction of a first
offense; for conviction of a second offense, both of which were committed within a period
of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $350 nor more than $700 or imprisonment
for a period not to exceed six months, or both; and upon conviction for a third or subsequent
offense, all of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not
less than $700 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months,
or both. Each continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.
If this law remains in the Town of Ithaca’s Zoning Chapter, delete section SS. (Penalties for
offenses) above.
TT. Adherence to state and/or federal rules and regulations.
(1) The holder of a special use permit or small wireless facility permit issued pursuant to this
section shall adhere to and comply with all applicable rules, regulations, standards, and
provisions of any state or federal agency, including, but not limited to, the FAA and the
FCC. Specifically included in this requirement are any rules and regulations regarding
height, lighting, security, electrical and RF emission standards.
(2) To the extent that applicable rules, regulations, standards, and provisions of any state or
federal agency, including, but not limited to, the FAA and the FCC, and specifically
including any rules and regulations regarding height, lighting, and security, are amended
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and/or are modified during the duration of a special use permit for large wireless facilities
and a small wireless facility permit for small wireless facilities, then the holder of such a
special use permit or small wireless facility permit shall conform the permitted wireless
telecommunications facilities to the applicable amended and/or modified rule, regulation,
standard, or provision within a maximum of 24 months of the effective date of the
applicable changed and/or modified rule, regulation, standard, or provision, or sooner as
may be required by the issuing entity.
FOR 4/29/20 COC MEETING
This document annotates the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities law passed by the
Town of Bedford, NY in December 2018. Suggested changes to adapt the law for the Town
of Ithaca are shown in red-line. Bedford’s law is being used as the suggested model for the
Town of Ithaca’s law because Bedford’s law addresses all of the statutory and FCC Order
requirements, and its organization (dealing with small wireless facilities separately from
large wireless facilities) makes sense.
A. Purpose and legislative intent.
(1) The purpose of this section is to establish uniform standards for the siting, design,
permitting, maintenance, and use of wireless telecommunications facilities in the Town of
BedfordIthaca. While the Town recognizes the importance of wireless communications
facilities in providing high-quality communications service to its residents, and businesses,
and institutions, the Town also recognizes that it has an obligation to protect public safety
and to minimize the adverse effects of such facilities.
(2) By enacting this chaptersection, the Town intends to:
(a) Provide for the managed development of wireless telecommunications facilities in a manner
that enhances the benefits of wireless communications and accommodates the needs of
Town residents, businesses and institutions to receive, and wireless carriers to provide,
communication signals without interference from other communication providers, in
accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations;
(b) Establish fair and efficient processes for review and approval of applications;
(c) Establish procedures for the design, siting, construction, installation, maintenance and
removal of wireless telecommunications facilities in the Town;
(d) Address and provide for new wireless technologies, including, but not limited to, microcell
and distributed antenna systems ("DAS") technologies;
(e) Encourage the co-location of wireless communications facilities on existing structures
rather than the construction of a new support structures;
(f) Protect Town residents, and businesses and institutions from potential adverse impacts of
wireless communications facilities, to the maximum extent permitted under law;, and to
attempt to preserve the visual character of established communities and the natural beauty
of the landscape;
(g) Minimize Avoid and minimize safety hazards and avoid potential damage to adjacent
properties through proper locational, engineering and operational requirements;
2
(h) Minimize Protect the physical appearance of the Town and preserve its scenic and natural
beauty by avoiding and minimizing adverse visual and aesthetic impacts of wireless
telecommunications facilities to the maximum extent practicable through careful design,
siting, landscaping, screening and innovative camouflaging techniques;
(i) Protect the physical appearance of the Town and preserve its scenic and natural beauty;
(j) Protect the public health, safety and welfare;
(k) Protect property values of the community;
(l) Minimize the impact of such facilities on residential properties; and
(m) Encourage the siting of wireless telecommunications services facilities on properties and
areas which are not used exclusively for residential purposes.; and [Does this make sense
for DAS located in ROWs on residential properties?]
(n) Protect, to the maximum extent practicable, aesthetic qualities, the open space character of
the Town of Bedford, the property values of the community, the health and safety of
citizens, and a citizen's ability to receive communication signals without interference from
other communication providers, while not unreasonably limiting competition among
communication providers.
B. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
[Still need to comprehensively review and revise the definitions, so COC should not spend
time discussing them at its 4/29/20 meeting. Most definitions will end up in §270-5
Definitions. ]
ACCESSORY OR ANTENNA EQUIPMENT
Any equipment serving or being used in conjunction with wireless telecommunications
facilities and located on the same property or lot as the wireless telecommunications
facilities, including, but not limited to, utility or transmission equipment, power supplies,
generators, batteries, cables, equipment buildings, cabinets and storage sheds, shelters,
buildings and similar structures, and, when co-located on a structure, which is mounted or
installed at the same time as an antenna.
ANTENNA
An apparatus designed for the purpose of emitting radio frequency (RF) radiation, to be
operated or operating from a fixed location, for the provision of personal wireless service
(whether on its own or with other types of services). For purposes of this definition, the
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term "antenna" does not include an unintentional radiator, mobile station, or device
authorized under Part 15 of Title 47 of the United States Code.
Keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities section, as we do not
want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
BASE STATION
A structure or equipment at a fixed location that enables Commission-licensed or -
authorized wireless communications between user equipment and a communications
network.
(1) The term includes, but is not limited to, equipment associated with wireless
communications services such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as
unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
(2) The term includes, but is not limited to, radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic
cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of
technological configuration (including distributed antenna systems and microcell networks).
(3) The term includes any structure that supports or houses equipment described in Subsections
(1) and (2) of this definition that has been reviewed and approved under the applicable
zoning or siting process, even if the structure was not built for the sole or primary purpose
of providing such support.
(4) The term does not include any structure that, at the time the relevant application is filed
with the Town under this section, does not support or house equipment described in
Subsections (1) and (2) of this definition.
CO-LOCATION
Consistent with the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement (NPA) for the co-location of
wireless antennas:
(1) Mounting or installing an antenna facility on a preexisting structure; and/or
(2) Modifying a structure for the purpose of mounting or installing an antenna facility on that
structure.
DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM (DAS)
A network of spatially separated antenna sites connected to a common source that provides
wireless communications service within a geographic area or structure.
EAF
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The environmental assessment form approved by the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation.
FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration, or its duly designated and authorized successor
agency.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission, or its duly designated and authorized successor
agency.
HEIGHT
When referring to a structure, the distance measured from the preexisting grade level to the
highest point on the structure, including the antenna and any other appurtenances.
Keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities section, as we do not
want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
LARGE WIRELESS FACILITY
Any wireless telecommunications facility that is not a small wireless facility.
MICROCELL FACILITY
Microcells are low-powered wireless base stations that function like cells in a mobile
wireless network, typically covering targeted indoor or localized outdoor areas ranging in
size from homes and offices to stadiums, shopping malls, hospitals, and metropolitan
outdoor spaces. A microcell facility meets both the following qualifications: each antenna is
located inside an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet in volume or, in the case of an
antenna that has exposed element, the antenna and all of its exposed elements could fit
within an imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet; and all other wireless
equipment associated with the facility is cumulatively no more than 17 cubic feet in
volume.
MODIFICATION
The improvement, upgrade or expansion of existing wireless communications facilities, or
the improvement, upgrade or expansion of the wireless communications facilities located
within an existing equipment compound if the improvement, upgrade, expansion or
replacement does not substantially change the physical dimensions of the wireless
communications facilities.
Keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities section, as we do not
want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
5
MONOPOLE
A wireless communications support structure which consists of a single pole, designed and
erected on the ground or on top of a structure, to support a wireless communications
antenna and accessory equipment.
NIER
Nonionizing electromagnetic radiation.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, estate, trust, partnership, joint-stock company, association of
two or more persons having a joint common interest, or any other entity.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
Any way over which the public possesses the right to travel, which heretofore has been duly
laid out, adopted and established by law, whether publicly owned or not. The term "road"
includes state, county and Town highways and roads, streets, squares, places, courts,
boulevards, parkways and other ways, however designated, to which the public has access.
Use a different term, or keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
section, as we do not want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
REPLACEMENT
The replacement of existing wireless communications antenna on any existing support
structure or on existing accessory equipment for maintenance, repair or technological
advancement with equipment composed of the same wind loading and structural loading
that is substantially similar in size, weight, and height as the existing wireless
communications antenna and which does not substantially change the physical dimensions
of any existing support structure.
Keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities section, as we do not
want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
SMALL WIRELESS FACILITY
A wireless telecommunications facility, including, but not limited to, DAS and microcells,
that meets each of the following conditions:
(1) The structure on which antenna facilities are mounted:
(a) Is 50 feet or less in height; or
(b) Is no more than 10% taller than other adjacent structures; or
(c) Is not extended to a height of more than 10% above its preexisting height as a result of the
6
co-location of new antenna facilities; and
(2) Each antenna (excluding associated antenna equipment) is no more than three cubic feet in
volume; and
(3) All antenna equipment associated with the facility (excluding antennas and backup power
and related backup power equipment) is cumulatively no more than 28 cubic feet in volume;
and
(4) The facility does not require antenna structure registration under Part 17;
(5) The facility is not located on tribal lands, as defined under 36 CFR 800.16(x); and
(6) The facility does not result in human exposure to radio-frequency radiation in excess of the
applicable safety standards specified in Rule 1.1307(b).
STEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Camouflaging methods applied to wireless communications facilities which render them
more visually appealing or which serve to blend the proposed facility into the existing
structure or visual backdrop in such a manner as to render it minimally visible to the casual
observer. Such methods include, but are not limited to, architecturally screened roof-
mounted facilities, building-mounted antennas painted to match the existing structure, and
facilities constructed to resemble trees, shrubs, light poles, and the like.
STRUCTURE
A pole, tower, base station, or other building, whether or not it has an existing antenna
facility, that is used or to be used for the provision of personal wireless service (whether on
its own or commingled with other types of services).
Keep this definition in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities section, as we do not
want it to apply throughout the Zoning Chapter.
SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE Will revise definition to be consistent with FCC’s 2014 Order
both in and out of ROW
A modification substantially changes the physical dimensions of an eligible support
structure if it meets any of the following criteria:
(1) The mounting of a proposed antenna on existing towers that would increase the original
height of the tower by more than 10%, or by the height of one additional antenna array with
separation from the nearest existing antenna not to exceed 20 feet, whichever is greater; for
other eligible support structures, it increases the height of the structure by more than 10% or
more than 10 feet, whichever is greater.
7
(2) The mounting of the proposed antenna would involve the installation of more than the
standard number of new equipment cabinets for the technology involved, not to exceed
four, or more than one new equipment shelter.
(3) The mounting of the proposed antenna would involve adding an appurtenance to the body
of an existing wireless telecommunications support structure that would protrude from the
edge of the original support structure more than 20 feet, or more than the original width of
the support structure at the level of the appurtenance, whichever is greater; for other eligible
support structures, it involves adding an appurtenance to the body of the structure that
would protrude from the edge of the structure by more than six feet, except that the
mounting of the proposed antenna may exceed the size limits herein if necessary to shelter
the antenna from inclement weather or to connect the antenna to the support structure via
cable.
(4) The mounting of the proposed antenna would involve excavation outside the current
existing structure site, defined as the current boundaries of the leased or owned property
surrounding the existing structure and any access or utility easements currently related to
the site.
(5) The modification defeats concealment and/or stealth elements of the support structure.
(6) The modification does not comply with prior conditions of the approval for the existing
structure and/or site; provided, however, that this limitation does not apply to any
modification that is noncompliant only in a manner that would not exceed the thresholds
identified above.
Add a definition for “tower,” which the FCC defined in its 2014 Order. The following is the
definition from a National League of Cities model provision:
TOWER
Any structure built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting any FCC-licensed or
authorized antennas and their associated facilities, including structures that are constructed
for wireless communications services including, but not limited to, private, broadcast, and
public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services
such as microwave backhaul, and the associated site.
TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT
Equipment that facilitates transmission for any Commission-licensed or -authorized
wireless communications service, including, but not limited to, radio transceivers, antennas,
coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and backup power supply. The term includes
equipment associated with wireless communications services, including, but not limited to,
8
private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and
fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
UTILITY POLE
A pole or similar structure that is used in whole or in part for the purpose of carrying
electric distribution lines or cables or wires for telecommunications, cable or electric
service, or for lighting, traffic control, signage, or a similar function, regardless of
ownership, including Town-owned poles or poles owned by other utility companies. Any
utility pole in excess of 50 feet shall be deemed a tower.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
A structure, facility or location designed or intended to be used as, or used to support,
antennas, along with any antennas located on such structure and any accessory equipment.
It includes, without limit, freestanding towers, guyed towers, monopoles, DAS, microcell or
small wireless facilities on utility poles in the public right-of-way or property of the Town
or within the Town and similar structures that employ stealth technology, including, but not
limited to, structures such as a multistory building, church steeple, silo, water tower, sign or
other similar structures intended to mitigate the visual impact of an antenna or the
functional equivalent of such. It includes any structure, antennas and accessory equipment
intended for transmitting and/or receiving radio, television, cellular, paging, 911, personal
telecommunications services, commercial satellite services, microwave telecommunications
or other cellular communications technologies, but excluding those used exclusively for the
Town's fire, police and other dispatch telecommunications, or exclusively for private radio
and television reception and private citizen's bands, amateur radio and other similar
telecommunications. [What about private phone and internet connections?]
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER
A wireless telecommunications infrastructure provider or a wireless telecommunications
services provider.
C. General approval and Ppermits requirements for wireless telecommunications
facilities.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, wireless telecommunications facilities are allowed
in every zoning district in the Town. Wireless telecommunications facilities may not be
located in an historic district that has been listed in the State or National Registers of
Historic Places.
(12) Except as otherwise provided by this section, no person shall be permitted to site, place,
build, construct, modify, operate or prepare any site for the placement or use of wireless
telecommunications facilities without having first obtained either a special use permit for a
9
large wireless facility or a small wireless permit for a small wireless facility.the approvals
and permits required by this section.
(23) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, any application for a wireless
telecommunications facility that does not substantially change the dimensions of a wireless
telecommunications facility an existing tower or base station and involving:
(a) collocation of new transmission equipment;
(b) removal of transmission equipment; or
(c) replacement of transmission equipment
shall not require site plan approval or a special use permit. All that shall be required are a
small wireless facility permit and a building permit from a Code Enforcement Officer. The
term for a small wireless facility permit issued under this subsection (3) shall be
coterminous with the term of the underlying permit or other prior regulatory authorization
for the subject tower or base station.or a small wireless facility permit. In the event that a
modification to, or replacement of, an existing wireless telecommunications facility does
not substantially change such existing wireless telecommunications facility, all that shall be
required is a building permit from the Town Building Inspector.
Changes made above reflect FCC Order requirements—Bedford exempted more
modifications than required. Also, note that the Town does not have the ability to impose
aesthetic criteria for facilities that fall under #2 above. From the FCC’s 2014 Order:
“State and local governments may only require applicants to provide documentation that is
reasonably related to determining whether the request meets the requirements of the
provision…. States and localities may continue to enforce and condition approval on
compliance with generally applicable building, structural, electrical, and safety codes and
with other laws codifying objective standards reasonably related to health and safety.”
(34) A rRepair and/or maintenance of an existing wireless telecommunications facility shall not
require site plan approval, a special use permit or a small wireless facility permit.
(45) In addition to the requirements set forth for the issuance of a small wireless facility permit
or special use permit for a wireless telecommunications facility to be located in a public
right-of-way as set forth in this section, any telecommunications provider seeking to place a
wireless telecommunications facility in the public right-of-way shall also comply with the
procedures and requirements set forth in Chapter 104230 (Streets and Sidewalks) of the
Town Code relating to conducting construction activities within the public right-of-way. To
the extent any provisions in Chapter 104230 are inconsistent with the provisions set forth in
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this section, the provisions in this section shall control.
(56) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in this § 125-85.2C______, in the event an
application seeks to place a wireless telecommunications facility on property owned or
controlled by the Town, other than within a Town-owned public right-of-way, such
application shall be exempt from the requirements of this section. and shall remain within
the The Town Board has sole and absolute discretion of the Town Board,to determine
whether to allow an applicant to place a wireless telecommunications facility on such Town
property, and the Town Board which may impose such conditions on any such placement
and use as it deems appropriate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to create any right or
entitlement to use Town property for such wireless telecommunications facility. [Still need
to research whether the Town may require the applicant to enter into a franchise or
license agreement with the Town for facilities in the ROW.]
(6) In the event any conflict exists between federal or state laws or regulations and any
provision of this Wireless Telecommunications Law, the provisions of the most recently
adopted federal or state laws or regulations shall be applied and control.
D. Small wireless facility permit required.Approvals and permits required for small
wireless facilities.
(1) All small wireless facilities shall require a small wireless facility permit and a building
permit to be issued by the Planning Boarda Code Enforcement Officer. Additional required
approvals and permits are described below in this subsection D.
(2) Small wireless facilities that are collocated on or modify a communications tower or base
station and that constitute a substantial change (as defined by the FCC in 47 C.F.R.
§1.40001(b)(7), as may be amended) shall require site plan approval and a special permit
issued by the Planning Board pursuant to the requirements of this section and in accordance
with Chapter 270 (Zoning), Article XXIII (Site Plan Review and Approval Procedures) and
Article XXIV (Special Permits and Special Approvals).
(3) Two or more small wireless facilities that constitute all or part of a system (e.g., DAS) shall
require site plan approval and a special permit issued by the Planning Board pursuant to the
requirements of this section and in accordance with Chapter 270 (Zoning), Article XXIII
(Site Plan Review and Approval Procedures) and Article XXIV (Special Permits and
Special Approvals), except as follows. No site plan approval or special permit is required
for such a system that is located at least 500 feet from a public right-of-way and from the lot
line of any adjoining owner. [COC to decide whether to include the lot line distance
criteria]
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(2) The Planning Board shall be empowered to condition the issuance of a building permit upon
implementation of stealth technologies or other measures which mitigate visual effect.
(3) All applications for small wireless facilities permits shall comply with all applicable
provisions of this section. However, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, where
appropriate, the Planning Board shall have the authority to waive any requirements set forth
in this section relating to an application for, or approval of, a small wireless facility permit,
provided that it would further the purposes of this section.
(4) Unless otherwise set forth in this chapter, a DAS facility, microcell facility or other type of
wireless telecommunications facility not meeting the requirements set forth for small
wireless facilities shall require a special use permit from the Planning Board.
E. Applications for small wireless facilities.
(1) Upon receipt of an application for a small wireless facility, the Planning Board Code
Enforcement Officer shall review said application and plans in accordance with the
standards and requirements set forth in this chaptersection.
(2) The Planning Board may attach such conditions and safeguards to any small wireless
facilities permit and site development plan as are, in its opinion, necessary to ensure initial
and continued conformance to all applicable standards and requirements.
(3) No application shall be accepted, and no small wireless facilities permit or building permit
shall be issued, for a property where the Building Inspector has found, or there exists, a
violation of the Town Code and where such violation has not been corrected. except
pursuant to written order of the Board of Appeals, where the proposed construction,
alteration, or use would be in violation of any provision of this chapter or would occur on a
parcel on which a violation of any provision of this chapter exists.
(4) Granting a small wireless facilities permit shall not waive the requirement for final site plan
approval, including fees, in accordance with Chapter 125, Article IX, Site Plan Approval, if
applicable.
(5) An application for a small wireless facilities permit shall be signed on behalf of the
applicant by the person preparing the same and with knowledge of the contents and
representations made therein and attesting to the truth and completeness of the information.
The landowner, if different than the applicant, shall also sign the application. At the
discretion of the Code Enforcement Officer or Planning Board, any false or misleading
statement in the application may subject the applicant to denial of the application without
further consideration or opportunity for correction.
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(6) The applicant must provide documentation to verify it has a legal interest in the site, if not
within the public right-of-way. Said documentation may be in the form of a deed, contract
or sale or lease for the property, depending on whether the applicant is the property owner,
contract vendee or lessee.
(7) The applicant shall include a statement, in writing, that:
(a) The applicant's proposed small wireless facility shall be maintained in a safe manner and in
compliance with all conditions of the small wireless facility permit, without exception, as
well as all applicable and permissible federal, state and local laws, statutes, codes, rules and
regulations; and
(b) The construction of the small wireless facility is legally permissible, including, but not
limited to, the fact that the applicant is authorized to do business in New York State.
(8) If proposing a new structure for the purpose of supporting a small wireless facility, the
application shall be accompanied by a map which shows the applicant's existing and
proposed area of coverage. Such map should locate all existing wireless
telecommunications facility sites within the Town and within 1/2 mile of the proposed small
wireless facility.
(9) In addition to all other required information as stated in this section, all applications for the
construction or installation of a new small wireless facility or modification of an existing
small wireless facility shall contain the following information:
(a) A descriptive statement of the objective(s) for the new facility or modification, including
and expanding on [??] a need such as coverage and/or capacity requirements; [Verify
Town can require a showing of need in all situations, including non-substantial
collocations under §6409(a) that the Town must approve.]
(b) Documentation that demonstrates and proves the need for the small wireless facility to
provide service primarily and essentially within the Town. Such documentation shall
include, but not be limited to: [Verify Town can require showing of need in this way.]
[1] Information relating to all other wireless telecommunications facilities or antennas
associated with such wireless telecommunications facilities that are to be deployed utilized
in the Town in conjunction with the proposed small wireless facility; and
[2] Propagation studies of the proposed site and all adjoining planned, proposed, in-service or
existing sites that demonstrate a significant gap in coverage and/or if a capacity need,
including an analysis of current and projected usage; [Verify Town can require this.]
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(c) The name, address and phone number of the person preparing the report;
(d) The name, address, and phone number of the property owner, operator and applicant;
(e) The postal address and Tax Map parcel number of the property;
(f) The zoning district or designation in which the property is situated;
(g) The size of the property, stated both in square feet and lot line dimensions, and a survey
prepared by a licensed professional surveyor showing the location of all lot lines, if the
proposed small wireless facility is located outside the public right-of-way;
(h) The location of the nearest residential structure;
(i) The location, size and height of all existing and proposed structures on the property which is
the subject of the application;
(j) The type, locations and dimensions of all proposed and existing landscaping and fencing, if
the proposed small wireless facility is located outside the public right-of-way;
(k) The number, type and model of the antenna(s) proposed, with a copy of the specification
sheet;
(l) The make, model, type and manufacturer of the utility pole, monopole or other structure on
which any antenna or accessory equipment for a small wireless facility is to be located and a
design plan stating the structure's capacity to accommodate multiple users;
(m) A site plan describing any new proposed structure and antenna(s) and all related fixtures,
accessory equipment, appurtenances and apparatus, including, but not limited to, height
above preexisting grade, materials, color and lighting;
(n) The frequency, modulation and class of service of radio or other transmitting equipment;
(o) The actual intended transmission power stated as the maximum effective radiated power
(ERP) in watts of the antenna(s);
(p) Direction of maximum lobes and associated radiation of the antenna(s);
(q) Applicant's proposed maintenance and inspection procedures and related system of records;
(r) Documentation justifying the total height of any proposed antenna and structure and the
basis therefor. Such justification shall be to provide service within the Town, to the extent
14
practicable, unless good cause is shown; [Verify the Town can require this]
(s) Certification that NIER levels at the proposed site will be and remain within the current
threshold levels adopted by the FCC;
(t) A signed statement that the proposed installation will not cause physical or RF interference
with other telecommunications devices;
(u) A copy of the FCC license applicable for the intended use of the wireless
telecommunications facilities;
(v) Certification that a topographic and geomorphologic study and analysis has been conducted
and that, taking into account the subsurface and substrate and the proposed drainage plan,
the site is adequate to assure the stability of the proposed wireless telecommunications
facilities on the proposed site, though the certifying engineer need not be approved by the
Town; and
(w) Information relating to the expected useful life of the proposed small wireless facility.
(10) The applicant shall furnish written certification that the small wireless facility and
attachments are designed and will be constructed to meet all local, county, state and federal
structural requirements for loads, including wind and ice loads. If the wireless facility is
subsequently approved and constructed, as-built certification indicating that the facility has
been constructed in accordance with all standards shall be furnished to the Town prior to
issuance of any certificate of occupancy or compliance. [Does the Town require a COO
or a COC?]
(11) At the time that a person submits of submittal of an application for a small wireless facility,
such person the applicant shall pay a nonrefundable application fee in an amount as
determined by the Town Board and as set forth in the Town Fee Schedule, as it may be
amended from time to time, in addition to any other fee required by law.
[Work with staff to add any existing TOI application requirements not already covered]
(11) All proposed small wireless facilities The application shall contain a demonstration that the
facility will be sited so as to minimize visual intrusion as much as possible given the facts
and circumstances involved with the proposed site and facility, will employ stealth
technologies as directed by the Planning Board, where appropriate, and will thereby have
the least-adverse visual effect on the environment, the character of the community,
surrounding properties and on the residences in the area of the wireless telecommunications
facility.
15
F. General and specific requirements for small wireless facilitiesEngineering, Safety and
Maintenance Requirements.
(1) Design. All small wireless facilities shall be designed, constructed, operated, maintained,
repaired, modified and removed in strict compliance with all current applicable technical,
safety and safety-related codes, including, but not limited to, the most-recent editions of the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Code, National Electrical Safety Code, and
National Electrical Code. All small wireless facilities shall at all times be kept and
maintained in good condition, order and repair by qualified maintenance and construction
personnel, so that the same shall not endanger the safety or life of any person or any
property in the Town.
(2) Wind and ice. All small wireless facilities structures shall be designed to withstand the
effects of wind gusts and ice to the standard designed by the American National Standards
Institute as prepared by the engineering departments of the Electronics Industry Association
and Telecommunications Industry Association (ANSI/EIA/TIA-222, as amended).
(3) Aviation safety. Small wireless facilities shall comply with all federal and state laws and
regulations concerning aviation safety.
(4) Public safety communications. Small wireless facilities shall not interfere with public safety
communications or the reception of broadband, television, radio or other communications
services enjoyed by occupants of nearby properties.
(5) Radio frequency emissions. A small wireless facility shall not, by itself or in conjunction
with other WCFswireless communication facilities, generate radio frequency emissions in
excess of the standards and regulations of the FCC, including, but not limited to, the FCC
Office of Engineering Technology Bulletin 65, entitled "Evaluating Compliance with FCC
Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields," as amended.
When a small wireless facility is complete, as-built readings will be taken and submitted to
the Town within __ days of the facility becoming operational. [How many days?]
(6) Maintenance. To the extent permitted by law, the following maintenance requirements shall
apply:
(a) Small wireless facilities shall be fully automated and unattended on a daily basis and shall
be visited only for maintenance or emergency repair.
(b) Such maintenance shall be performed to ensure the upkeep of the facility in order to
promote the safety and security of the Town's residents and nearby properties.
(c) All maintenance activities shall utilize nothing less than the best available technology for
16
preventing failures and accidents.
(d) The owner or operator of a small wireless facility shall maintain standby power generators
or batteries capable of powering the small wireless facility for at least 12 hours without
additional public utility power and indefinitely with a continuous or replenished fuel supply,
where appropriate. Such standby power shall activate automatically upon the failure of
public utility power to the site. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Planning Board or Code
Enforcement Officer may waive the requirement for backup power, where appropriate,
including, but not limited to, when a small wireless facility is not located in a densely
populated area or on a major thoroughfare. [Does COC want to include this backup
power requirement for SWFs?]
[Work with staff to add any additional requirements from existing TOI law]
G. Approval procedures.
(1) For small wireless facility applications, the Planning Board may, at its discretion, require a
public hearing.
(2) In any district, the Planning Board may grant a small wireless facility permit for the
construction of the wireless telecommunications facility.
(3) All decisions of the Planning Board involving applications for a small wireless facility
permit shall be in writing and supported by substantial evidence contained in a written
record.
(4) Time frames for approval.
(a) Within 60 days of receipt of a complete application for the co-location of a small wireless
facility on a preexisting utility pole, monopole or other existing wireless
telecommunications facility support structure, the Planning Board (or Code Enforcement
Officer, where site plan approval and a special permit are not required) shall make a final
decision on whether to approve the application and shall notify the applicant in writing of
such decision.
(b) Within 90 days of receipt of a complete application for a small wireless facility on a new
utility pole, monopole or other new wireless telecommunications facility support structure,
the Planning Board (or Code Enforcement Officer, where site plan approval and a special
permit are not required) shall make a final decision on whether to approve the application
and shall notify the applicant in writing of such decision.
(c) Within 10 days of receipt of an incomplete application for a small wireless facility, the
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Town shall notify the applicant in writing of any supplemental information required to
complete the application. Upon receipt of an applicant's supplemental information in
response to the initial notification of incompleteness by the Town, the applicable shot clock
will reset to zero, and the Town shall have the full 60 days or 90 days permitted by law to
act on the completed application.
(d) For any subsequent determinations of incompleteness beyond the initial, the Town shall
notify the applicant of any required supplemental information within 10 days of receipt of
the supplemental submission, and such notice shall toll the applicable shot clock until the
applicant submits the required supplemental information.
(5) All time periods set forth in this section reference calendar days.
H. Location. [See Town of Ithaca’s language below—COC may prefer to revise Ithaca’s
rather than use the following]
(1) Applications for small wireless facilities shall locate, and site and erect said facility in
accordance with the following priorities, (a) being the highest priority and (g) being the
lowest priority.
(a) Co-location on existing utility poles, monopoles or other wireless telecommunications
facility support structures on lands owned or controlled by the Town, not including the
public rights-of-way;
(b) Co-location on a site with existing wireless telecommunications facilities or other wireless
telecommunications facility structures in the Town;
(c) On other lands owned or controlled by the Town, including, but not limited to, the Town
public right-of-way;
(d) On lands owned or controlled by other municipal corporations within the Town, to the
extent permitted by such other municipal corporation;
(e) On nonresidential zoned properties;
(f) On residential zoned properties; and
(g) No small wireless facilities shall be permitted in the Bedford Historic District, Katonah
Historic District, or on any property designated as a Tier I or Tier II property, unless the
applicant demonstrates to the Planning Board's satisfaction that the selected site is necessary
to provide adequate service and no feasible alternative site exists. Approval shall be
required from the Bedford Village Historic District Review Commission, the Katonah
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Historic District Advisory Commission, or the Historic Building Preservation Commission,
as appropriate, before any small wireless facility is approved in the Bedford Historic
District, Katonah Historic District, or on any property designated as a Tier I or Tier II
property.
Use the priority provisions from the Town of Ithaca’s current telecommunications law, or
revise Bedford’s to include some of Ithaca’s provisions? If we use Ithaca’s, expand
collocation to cover structures besides towers. Ithaca’s law states:
“E. Priority of siting locations. In determining whether a site is appropriate, and if it is
determined a need exists for the telecommunications facility, the preferential order of
location, to the extent the same may be, or may be made, technically feasible, is as
follows:
(1) Co-located on existing telecommunications towers;
(2) Co-located on any other existing radio or other tower that would not require any
increase in height nor significant noticeable structural additions to accommodate the
telecommunications facility;
(3) Within any industrial zones or existing planned development zones that permit
industrial activities;
(4) Within any light industrial zones or existing planned development zones that permit
light industrial activities;
(5) Within any existing community commercial zones or existing planned development
zones which permits all of the activities permitted in a community commercial zone;
(6) On any other property in the Town.”
(2) If the proposed site is not proposed for If the highest priority listed above is not selected for
the proposed site, then a detailed explanation must be provided as to why a site of a no
higher priority sites was not were selected. The person seeking such an exception must
satisfactorily demonstrate the reason or reasons why such a special use permit should be
granted for the proposed site and the hardship that would be incurred by the applicant if the
permit were not granted for the proposed site.
(3) An applicant may not bypass sites of higher priority by stating the site proposed is the only
site leased or selected. A renewal shall include proof that reasonable efforts have been made
to co-locate on an existing telecommunications facility or on another existing structure. An
application shall address co-location as an option. If such option is not proposed, the
19
applicant must explain to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Board why co-location
is commercially impracticable.
(4) Notwithstanding the above, the Planning Board may approve any site located within the
Town, provided that the Planning Board finds that the proposed site will further the
purposes of this section, is in the best interest of the safety, public welfare, character and
environment of the Town and will not have a deleterious effect on the nature and character
of the community and surrounding properties.
I. Height.
(1) Small wireless facilities shall be no higher than the minimum height necessary. The
proposed height, which may be in excess of the maximum height permitted for other
structures in the applicable zone, shall address any additional height necessary to
accommodate co-location by additional antenna arrays, but under no circumstances is the
height to be in excess of what is permitted under federal requirements for small wireless
facilities.
J. Setback. All wireless telecommunications support structures for small wireless facilities
located outside the public right-of-way shall be set back from the property line of the lot on
which they are located a distance equal to not less than the total height of the facility,
including the support structure, measured from the highest point of such support structure to
the finished grade elevation of the ground on which it is situated, plus 10% of such total
height. For facilities subject to site plan approval and special permit, Tthe Planning Board
may reduce such setback requirements based upon consideration of lot size, topographic
conditions, adjoining land uses, landscaping, other forms of screening and/or structural
characteristics of the proposed support structure. [Revise this after COC decides the
purpose of the setback requirement—safety, aesthetic impact on neighbors, both?]
K. Visibility and Aesthetics.
(1) All small wireless telecommunications facilities shall be sited so as to have the least-
adverse visual effect on the environment and its character, on existing vegetation and on the
residents in the area of the wireless telecommunications facilities sites, to the maximum
extent practicable.
(2) Both the small wireless telecommunications facility and any and all accessory equipment
shall maximize use of building materials, colors and textures designed to blend with the
structure to which it may be affixed and/or to harmonize with the natural surroundings.
(3) Small wireless telecommunications facilities shall not be artificially lighted or marked,
20
except as required by law.
(4) Electrical and land-based telephone lines extended to serve the wireless telecommunications
services facility sites shall be installed underground.
(5) Stealth technologies shall be required to be employed in an effort to blend into the
surrounding environment and minimize aesthetic impact.
(6) Landscaping shall be provided, if appropriate.
(2) For small wireless facilities that are collocated on or modify a communications tower or
base station and that constitute a substantial change (as defined by the FCC in 47 C.F.R.
§1.40001(b)(7), as may be amended), the following requirements apply:
a) There shall be no exposed wires. All cables and wires associated with the facility
leading to and away from the facility must be fully concealed and shall match the
color of the structure on which the facility is located. There shall be no external
cables and wires related to the facility hanging off or otherwise exposed.
b) Each antenna shall be located within a stealth enclosure that matches the
materials, color and design of the tower on which the antenna is located.
c) All equipment enclosures shall be as small as possible and undergrounded when
possible. Building-mounted enclosures shall be located within a stealth enclosure
that matches the materials, color and design of the structure on which the
enclosure is located. Ground-mounted enclosures shall have appropriate
vegetative buffering to buffer the view from neighboring residences, recreation
areas and public roads. The Planning Board may require screening adjacent to
waterways, landmarks, refuges, community facilities, or conservation or historic
areas within common view of the public. Collocations along New York State-
designated Scenic Byways or located within an area listed in the Tompkins
County or Town of Ithaca Scenic Resources Inventory must be as visually
inconspicuous as possible. The views of, and vistas from, such structures,
districts, and corridors shall not be impaired or diminished by the placement of
wireless facilities.
d) There shall be no illumination, except in accord with and as required by state or
federal regulations.
e) No portion of the wireless support structure or its accessory structures shall be
used for signs or promotional or advertising purposes, including, but not limited
to, company name, phone numbers, banners, streamers and balloons.
f) Access to the facility shall be achieved by using existing public or private roads;
no new accessway, driveway or parking area shall be constructed. Equipment or
vehicles not used in direct support, renovations, additions or repair of any wireless
facility shall not be stored or parked on the facility site.
(3) For two or more small wireless facilities that constitute all or part of a system (e.g., DAS),
the following requirements apply:
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a) The DAS must be collocated on existing utility poles or other structures, where
possible. If such collocation is not possible, then all new poles and equipment
located within a public right-of-way must be the same height, color and finish as
surrounding poles. [The first sentence is new]
b) There shall be no exposed wires. All cables and wires associated with the facility
leading to and away from the facility shall be installed underground. If
undergrounding is not possible, then all cables, wires and connectors must be
fully concealed on the wireless support structure and shall match the color of the
wireless support structure. There shall be no external cables and wires related to
the DAS facility hanging off or otherwise exposed on the wireless support
structure.
c) Each DAS antenna shall be located entirely within a shroud or canister type
enclosure or a stealth facility. The diameter of an antenna enclosure at its widest
point should not be wider than two times the diameter of the top of the wireless
support structure.
d) All antenna enclosures shall either be mounted to the top of the wireless support
structure pole and aligned with the centerline of the support structure or mounted
to the side of the structure such that the vertical centerline of the antenna
enclosure will be parallel with the wireless support structure. Stealth enclosures
shall match the architecture, materials, color and design of the structure on which
they are located (e.g. streetlight pole, building rooftop chimney, cupolas, etc.)
Photo examples of stealth applications include the following (source:
stealthconcealment.com):
e) All equipment enclosures shall be as small as possible and undergrounded when
possible. Ground-mounted equipment shall incorporate concealment elements
into the proposed design, matching the color and materials of the wireless support
structure. Concealment may include, but shall not be limited to, landscaping,
strategic placement in less obtrusive locations and placement within existing or
replacement street furniture (see photo example of stealth pole above).
f) Tree “topping”, or the improper pruning of trees is prohibited. Any proposed
pruning or removal of trees, shrubs or other landscaping already existing in the
ROW must be noted in the site plan application and must be approved by the
Planning Board.
g) There shall be no illumination, except in accord with and as required by state or
federal regulations, or unless the illumination is integral to the camouflaging
strategy (e.g. design intended to look like a streetlight pole).
h) Guidelines on placement: DAS facilities and wireless support structures shall be
located:
1. No closer than 250 feet away, radially, from another small wireless facility
and support structure.
2. In alignment with existing trees, utility poles, and streetlights.
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3. Equal distance between trees, when possible, with a minimum of 15 feet
separation such that no proposed disturbance shall occur within the critical
root zone of any tree.
4. So as to not be located along the frontage of any building deemed to be of
historic significance on a federal, state, or local level. [What does historic
significance at the local level mean? Town’s historic survey included all
buildings at least 50 years old.]
5. New wireless support structures shall not be located directly in front of any
existing residential or commercial structure. [Is this possible?]
6. Facilities along New York State-designated Scenic Byways or located within
an area listed in the Tompkins County or Town of Ithaca Scenic Resources
Inventory must be as visually inconspicuous as possible. The views of, and
vistas from, such structures, districts, and corridors shall not be impaired or
diminished by the placement of such facilities.
7. If a streetlight is present, a combination wireless support structure and
streetlight pole should only be located where an existing pole can be removed
and replaced, or at a location where it has been identified that a streetlight is
necessary. [Clarify—the last part does not follow from the first]
(4) For individual small wireless facilities (they do not constitute all or part of a system), the
following requirements apply:
a) The small wireless facility must be collocated on an existing utility pole or other
structure, where possible.
b) There shall be no exposed wires. All cables and wires associated with the facility
leading to and away from the facility shall be installed underground. If
undergrounding is not possible, then all cables, wires and connectors must be
fully concealed and shall match the color of the structure on which the small
wireless facility is located. There shall be no external cables and wires related to
the small wireless facility hanging off or otherwise exposed.
c) Each small wireless antenna shall be located within a stealth enclosure that
matches the architecture, materials, color and design of the structure on which the
antenna is located (e.g. streetlight pole, building rooftop chimney, cupola, etc.).
Photo examples of stealth applications include the following
(source:stealthconcealment.com):
d) All equipment enclosures shall be as small as possible and undergrounded when
possible. Building-mounted enclosures shall be located within a stealth enclosure
that matches the architecture, materials, color and design of the structure on which
the enclosure is located (see photo examples above). Ground-mounted enclosures
shall have appropriate vegetative buffering to buffer the view from neighboring
23
residences, recreation areas and public roads. Planning staff may require
screening adjacent to waterways, landmarks, refuges, community facilities, or
conservation or historic areas within common view of the public. Collocations
along New York State-designated Scenic Byways or located within an area listed
in the Tompkins County or Town of Ithaca Scenic Resources Inventory must be
as visually inconspicuous as possible. The views of, and vistas from, such
structures, districts, and corridors shall not be impaired or diminished by the
placement of such facilities.
e) There shall be no illumination, except and in accord with and as required by state
or federal regulations, or unless the illumination is integral to the camouflaging
strategy (e.g. design intended to look like a streetlight pole).
f) No portion of the wireless support structure or its accessory structures shall be
used for signs or promotional or advertising purposes, including, but not limited
to, company name, phone numbers, banners, streamers and balloons.
g) Access to the small wireless facility shall be achieved by using existing public or
private roads; no new accessway, driveway or parking area shall be constructed.
Equipment or vehicles not used in direct support, renovations, additions or repair
of any wireless facility shall not be stored or parked on the facility site.
L. Security.
(1) All small wireless telecommunications facilities and antennas shall be located, fenced or
otherwise secured in a manner that prevents unauthorized access. Specifically:
(a) All antennas and other supporting structures shall be made inaccessible to individuals and
constructed or shielded in such a manner that they cannot be climbed or collided with; and
(b) Transmitters and telecommunications control points shall be installed in such a manner that
they are readily accessible only to persons authorized to operate or service them.
M. Recertification of small wireless facilities permit.
(1) At least sixty (60) days before the five-year anniversary date after the effective date for the
small wireless facility permit, and for at least sixty (60) days before all subsequent fifth
anniversaries of the effective date of the original permit for small wireless
telecommunications facilities, the holder of the small wireless facility permit shall submit a
signed, written document with the following information to the Town Building Department
of Code Enforcement (or its successor department) confirming the compliance of the small
wireless facility with the small wireless facility permit. Such submission shall include the
following:
(a) The name of the holder of the small wireless facilities permit for the wireless
telecommunications facilities.
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(b) The date of the original granting of the small wireless facilities permit.
(c) Whether the small wireless facility has been modified since the issuance of the small
wireless facilities permit and, if so, in what manner.
(d) Any requests for waivers or relief of any kind whatsoever from the requirements of this
section and any requirements for a small wireless facilities permit.
(e) Certification that the small wireless facilities are in compliance with the original small
wireless facilities permit and in compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules,
regulations, and federal certification requirements, including, but not limited to, this section.
(f) Certification that the wireless telecommunications facility support structure, attachments
and accessory equipment have been designed and constructed (as built) and continue to
meet all local, county, state and federal structural requirements for loads, including wind
and ice loads. Such certification shall be by a qualified New York State licensed
professional engineer.
(2) If the holder of a small wireless facility permit does not submit the certifications in this
Subsection ___M(1) of this section within the time frame noted in Subsection M(1)___, of
this section, then such small wireless facilities permit shall terminate and any authorizations
granted thereunder shall cease to exist on the date of the fifth anniversary of the original
granting of the special use permit effective date of the small wireless facility permit, or
subsequent fifth anniversaries, unless the holder of the small wireless facilities permit
adequately demonstrates to the Planning Board Director of Code Enforcement prior to the
relevant fifth anniversary that extenuating circumstances prevented a timely submission of
such written certification. If the Town Building Inspector Director of Code Enforcement
agrees that there were extenuating circumstances, then the holder of the expired small
wireless facilities permit may submit a late recertification request or application for a new
small wireless permit.
N. Application fees. At the time that a person submits an application for a small wireless
facility, such person shall pay a nonrefundable application fee in an amount as determined
by the Town Board and as set forth in the Town Fee Schedule, in addition to any other fee
required by law.
O. Performance security for small wireless facilities. The applicant and the owner of record
of any proposed small wireless facilities property site shall comply with any requirements
set forth in Chapter 104230 (Streets and Sidewalks) of the Town Code regarding the posting
of security to place a small wireless facility in the public right-of-way.
25
P. Authority to inspect. In order to verify that the holder of a small wireless facilities permit
and any and all lessees, renters, and/or licensees of small wireless facilities place and
construct such facilities, including supporting structures, accessory equipment and antennas,
in accordance with all applicable technical, safety, fire, building, and zoning laws, statutes,
codes, rules, regulations and other applicable requirements, the Town may inspect at any
time, upon providing reasonable notice, all facets of said permit holder's, renter's, lessee's or
licensee's placement, construction, modification and maintenance of such facilities,
including, but not limited to, structures, antennas, accessory equipment and electromagnetic
output.
Q. Liability insurance.
(1) An applicant for a small wireless facility permit shall secure and at all times maintain public
liability insurance for personal injuries, death and property damage, and umbrella insurance
coverage, for the duration of the small wireless facilities permit in amounts as set forth
below:
(a) For co-location on an existing wireless telecommunications facility structure, the insurance
policies shall be in the following amounts:
[1] Commercial general liability covering personal injuries, death and property damage:
$1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[2] Automobile coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[3] Workers' compensation and disability: statutory amounts.
(b) For a small wireless facility located on a new wireless telecommunications structure, the
insurance policies shall be in the following amounts:
[1] Commercial general liability covering personal injuries, death and property damage:
$5,000,000 per occurrence;
[2] Automobile coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[3] Workers' compensation and disability: statutory amounts.
(2) For a small wireless telecommunications facility on Town property, the commercial general
liability insurance policy shall specifically include the Town, the Town Board, other elected
officials, and the Town's officers, board members, employees, committee members,
attorneys, agents and consultants as additional insureds.
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(3) The insurance policies shall be issued by an agent or representative of an insurance
company licensed to do business in the state and with a Best's rating of at least A.
(4) The insurance policies shall contain an endorsement obligating the insurance company to
furnish the Town with at least 30 days' prior written notice in advance of the cancellation of
the insurance.
(5) Renewal or replacement policies or certificates shall be delivered to the Town at least 15
days before the expiration or termination of the insurance that such policies are to renew or
replace.
(6) Prior to the issuance of a permit for a small wireless facility, the applicant shall deliver to
the Town a copy of each of the policies or certificates representing the insurance in the
required amounts.
[This is similar to the Town’s standard insurance language, but not as detailed. Will ask
Town’s insurance agent to review]
R. Indemnification. Any approval for small wireless facilities that is proposed for Town
property or in a public right-of-way pursuant to this section shall contain a provision with
respect to indemnification. Such provision shall require the applicant, to the extent
permitted by law, to at all times fully defend, indemnify, protect, save,and hold harmless,
and exempt the Town, and its elected officials, public officers, board members, employees,
committee members, attorneys, agents and consultants from any and all penalties, damages,
costs, or charges arising out of any and all claims, suits, demands, causes of action, or
award of damages, whether compensatory or punitive, or expenses arising therefrom, either
at law or in equity, which might arise out of, from and against all claims, actions, suits,
demands, damages, liabilities, obligations, losses, penalties, settlements, judgments, costs
and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees and costs)
(collectively referred to as the “Claims”), whether or not involving a third party claim,
which any or all of them may incur, resulting from bodily injuries (or death) to any person,
damage (including loss of use) to any property, other damages, or contamination of or
adverse effects on the environment, arising out of or are caused by, the placement,
construction, erection, modification, location, product performance, use, operation,
maintenance, repair, installation, replacement, removal, or restoration of said facility;
excepting, however, any portion of such claims, suits, demands, causes of action or award
of damages Claims as may be attributable to the negligent or intentional wrongful acts or
omissions of the Town or its servants or agents. With respect to the penalties, damages or
charges referenced herein, reasonable attorneys' fees, consultants' fees, and expert witness
fees are included in those costs that are recoverable by the Town.
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S. Annual NIER certification. The holder of any small wireless facilities permit shall,
annually, certify to the Planning BoardDirector of Code Enforcement, or its their authorized
designee, that NIER levels at the site where a small wireless facility is located are within the
threshold levels adopted by the FCC. In addition, the Town, at its own cost and expense,
shall be permitted to conduct its own certification test of the NIER levels at the site where
any small wireless facility is located, with or without notice to the wireless
telecommunications provider. Once operational, but prior to providing service to customers,
as-built readings will be provided to the Town.
T. Default and/or revocation of small wireless facilities permit.
(1) If any small wireless facilities are constructed, repaired, rebuilt, placed, moved, relocated,
modified or maintained in a way that is inconsistent or not in compliance with the
provisions of this section or of the small wireless facility permit conditions and
requirements, or it is determined conclusively that the applicant made materially false or
misleading statements during the application process, then the Planning Board or the
Building Inspectorthe Code Enforcement Officer, or their designee, shall notify the holder
of the small wireless facilities permit in writing of such violation. Such notice shall specify
the nature of the violation or noncompliance, and the violations must be corrected within
seven days of the date of the postmark of the notice, or of the date of personal service of the
notice, whichever is earlier. [Adjust timing?] Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this subsection or any other subsection of this section, if the violation or noncompliance
causes, creates or presents an imminent danger or threat to the health or safety of lives or
property, the Planning Board or Building Inspector Code Enforcement Officer may, at their
sole discretion, order the violation remedied within 24 hours.
(2) If, within the period set forth in Subsection T(1)___ above, the small wireless facilities are
not brought into compliance with the provisions of this section, or of the permit, or
substantial steps are not taken in order to bring the affected small wireless facilities into
compliance, then the Planning Board or the Building Inspector Code Enforcement Officer
may revoke such small wireless facility permit and require removal of such small wireless
facility pursuant to § 125-85.2U____ below.
U. Removal.
(1) Under the following circumstances, the Town [which board or officer?] may determine
that the safety, public welfare, character and environment of the Town warrant and require
the removal of small wireless facilities, under the following circumstances:
(a) The small wireless facility has been abandoned (i.e., not used as wireless
telecommunications facilities) for a period exceeding 90 consecutive days or a total of 180
28
days in any 365-day period, except for periods caused by force majeure or acts of God, in
which case repair or removal shall commence be completed within 90 days of receipt of
written notice from the Town to remove such small wireless facilities;
(b) A permitted small wireless facility falls into such a state of disrepair that it creates a safety
hazard;
(c) The small wireless facilities have been located, constructed, or modified without first
obtaining, or in a manner not authorized by, the required small wireless facilities permit, or
any other necessary authorization; or
(d) Any small wireless facility is determined to be in violation pursuant to § 125-85.2S___
above and the holder of the small facilities permit fails to cure such violation within the
time set forth in that section.
(2) If the Planning Board [list board or officer listed in (1) above] makes a determination as
noted in Subsection U__(1) of this section, then it shall notify the holder of the small
facilities permit and the owner of the property in writing that said small wireless facilities
are to must be removed.
(3) The holder of the small wireless facilities permit or the owner of the property shall be
required to dismantle and remove such small wireless facilities, and all accessory equipment
and associated structures, from the site and return the site to its original condition and
certify through soils or other testing that no contamination has been created by the facility,
such restoration being completed, limited only by physical or commercial impracticability,
within 90 days of receipt of written notice from the Town to remove such small wireless
facilities. However, if the owner of the property upon which the small wireless facilities are
located wishes to retain any access roadway to the small wireless facilities, the owner may
do so with the approval of the Town.
(4) If the small wireless facilities are not removed or substantial progress has not been made to
remove the small wireless facilities within 90 days after the small facility permit holder and
owner of the property hashave received such written notice of removal, then the Planning
Board may order officials or representatives of the Town to may remove the small wireless
facilities at the sole expense of the property owner and/small wireless facility permit holder.
(5) If the Town removes or causes to be removed the small wireless facilities, and the owner of
the wireless telecommunications facilities does not claim and remove them to a lawful
location within 10 days, then the Town may take steps to declare the small wireless
facilities abandoned and dispose of or sell them and their components and retain the
proceeds therefrom. The Town may also cause the costs associated with the removal and
29
disposal of the small wireless facilities to be assessed on the property in the same manner as
a tax or assessment. For removal actions on private property, the Town shall present the
owner of the wireless telecommunications facilities and the property owner with a bill for
all costs and expenses incurred by the Town in connection with removal. If neither the
owner of the wireless telecommunications facility nor the property owner pay such costs
and expenses within 15 days after the demand for same, or within 30 days of the final
decision on any administrative or judicial contest either may pursue, then such unpaid costs,
expenses and interest (at the statutory interest rate for money judgments in New York State
courts) incurred from the date of the removal measures shall constitute a lien upon the land
on which such measures were undertaken. A legal action or proceeding may be brought to
collect such costs, expenses, interest, and recoverable attorney's fees or to foreclose such
lien. As an alternative to the maintenance of any such action, the Town may file a certificate
with the Tompkins County Department of Assessment stating the costs and expenses
incurred and interest accruing as aforesaid, together with a statement identifying the
property and landowner. The Tompkins County Department of Assessment shall in the
preparation of the next assessment roll assess such unpaid costs, expenses and interest upon
such property. Such amount shall be included as a special ad valorem levy (administered as
a move tax) against such property, shall constitute a lien, and shall be collected and
enforced in the same manner, by the same proceedings, at the same time, and under the
same penalties as are provided by law for collection and enforcement of real property taxes
in the Town of Ithaca. The assessment of such costs, expenses and interest shall be effective
even if the property would otherwise be exempt from real estate taxation.
(6) The Town's rights to undertake removal measures and recover the costs from the owner of
the wireless telecommunications facility and the property owner are in addition to all other
rights and remedies allowed by this chapter or by law or in equity.
(7) Relocation or removal of small wireless facilities in the public right-of-way. In addition to
the removal provisions set forth above, within the number of days that the Town reasonably
determines is necessary and specifies in a written notice to an owner of a small wireless
facility in the public right-of-way, said owner shall, at its own expense, temporarily or
permanently remove, relocate, or change the position of any small wireless facility
(including accessory equipment) when the Town, consistent with its police powers and any
applicable Public Service Commission regulations, shall have determined that such
removal, relocation, or change is reasonably necessary under the following circumstances:
[1] To construct, repair, maintain or install any Town or other public improvement located in
the public right-of-way;
[2] To prevent interference with the operations of the Town or other governmental entity, in the
public right-of-way;
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[3] Public abandonment of a street or road or public release of a utility easement; or
[4] An emergency as determined by the Town Board. [Change to Director of Public
Works?]
V. Additional requirements relating to small facility permits.
(1) Noncommercial usage exemption. Town residents utilizing satellite dishes, citizens' and/or
band radios, and antennas for the purpose of maintaining television, phone, and/or internet
connections at their residences shall be exempt from the regulations relating to small
wireless facilities enumerated in this section.
(2) Prohibited on certain structures. No small wireless facility shall be located on single-family
detached residences, single-family attached residences, twin-homes, duplexes, or any
residential accessory structure.
W. Regulations applicable to small facility permits in the public right-of-way.
(1) In addition to the applicable small wireless facility permit provisions listed in this section,
all small wireless facilities located in the public right-of-way shall be required to comply
with the following regulations:
(a) Location. Small wireless facilities in the public right-of-way shall be co-located on existing
wireless telecommunications facilities, whenever possible. If co-location is not
technologically feasible, the applicant shall locate its small wireless facility on existing
utility poles or other structures that do not already act as wireless telecommunications
facility support structures.
(b) Design requirements:
[1] All equipment shall be the smallest and least visibly intrusive equipment feasible.
[2] Antennas and accessory equipment shall be treated to match the supporting structure and
may be required to be painted, or otherwise coated, to be visually compatible with the
support structure upon which they are mounted.
(c) Equipment location. Small wireless facilities and any accessory equipment in the public
right-of-way shall be located so as not to cause any physical or visual obstruction to
pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or to otherwise create safety hazards to pedestrians and/or
motorists, or to otherwise inconvenience public use of the public right-of-way as
determined by the Town. In addition:
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[1] In no case shall ground-mounted accessory equipment, walls, or landscaping be located
within 18 inches of the face of the curb, or within four feet of the edge of the cartway, or
within an easement extending onto a privately-owned lot;
[2] To the extent feasible, accessory equipment shall be placed underground. Ground-mounted
accessory equipment that cannot be placed underground shall be screened from surrounding
views, to the fullest extent possible, through the use of landscaping or other decorative
features to the satisfaction of the Town. Ground-mounted accessory equipment shall be
screened, when possible, by utilizing existing structures. If screening by utilizing existing
structures is not possible, ground-mounted accessory equipment shall be made
architecturally and aesthetically compatible with the surrounding area through the use of
coatings, landscaping, and/or screening walls, enclosures or other stealth technology to the
satisfaction of the Town.
[3] Required electrical meter cabinets shall the screened to blend in with the surrounding area
to the satisfaction of the Town.
[4] Any graffiti on any small wireless facility support structure or any accessory equipment
shall be removed within 30 days upon notification by the Town, at the sole expense of the
owner.
[5] Any proposed underground vault related to small wireless facilities shall be reviewed and
approved by the Town.
[6] Accessory equipment attached to a small wireless facility support structure shall have such
vertical clearance as the Planning Board may determine.
(d) Relocation or removal of small wireless facilities in the public right-of-way. In addition to
the removal provisions set forth in § 125-85.2U above, within 90 days' following written
notice from the Town, or such longer period as the Town determines is reasonably
necessary, or such shorter period in the case of an emergency, an owner of a small wireless
facility and any accessory equipment in the public right-of-way shall, at its own expense,
temporarily or permanently remove, relocate, or change the position of any small wireless
facility or accessory equipment when the Town, consistent with its police powers and any
applicable Public Service Commission regulations, shall have determined that such
removal, relocation, change or alteration is reasonably necessary under the following
circumstances:
[1] To construct, repair, maintain or install any Town or other public improvement located in
the public right-of-way;
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[2] To prevent interference with the operations of the Town or other governmental entity, in the
public right-of-way;
[3] Abandonment of a street or road or the release of a utility easement; or
[4] An emergency as determined by the Town Board.
X. Reimbursement for the use of the public right-of-way. In addition to permit fees for a
small wireless facility permit, every small wireless facility located in the public right-of-
way is subject to the Town's right to fix annually a fair and reasonable fee to be paid for use
and occupancy of the public right-of-way. Such compensation for use of the public right-of-
way shall be directly related to the Town's actual public right-of-way management costs,
including, but not limited to, the costs of the administration and performance of all
reviewing, inspecting, permitting, supervising and other public right-of-way management
activities by the Town. The owner of each small wireless facility permit shall pay an annual
fee to the Town to compensate the Town for the Town's costs incurred in connection with
the activities described above as determined by the Town Board and as set forth in the
Town Fee Schedule, as it may be amended from time to time.
[STOPPED REVISING LAW HERE FOR 4/29/20 COC MEETING. RED-LINING
AND NOTES PAST THIS POINT WERE FOR 1/29/20 COC MEETING. AFTER
THE 4/29/20 COC MEETING, CHANGES WILL BE MADE TO THE REST OF
THE LAW, WHICH DEALS WITH LARGE WIRELESS FACILITIES]
Y. Special use permit applications for large wireless facility applications.
(1) Except as otherwise provided by this section, no large wireless facilities shall be installed,
constructed or substantially changed until a special use permit application is reviewed and
approved by the Planning Board and a special use permit has been issuedall Planning Board
conditions are met.
(2) Upon receipt of an application for a large wireless facility, the Planning Board shall review
said application and plans in accordance with the standards and requirements set forth in
this section. However, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, where appropriate, the
Planning Board shall have the authority to waive any requirements set forth in this section
relating to the an application for, or approval of, a special use permit for a large wireless
facility, provided that it would further the purposes of this section.
(3) The Planning Board may attach such conditions and safeguards to any permit and site
development plan as are, in its opinion, necessary to ensure initial and continued
conformance to all applicable standards and requirements.
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(4) No application shall be accepted and no permit shall be issued for a large wireless facility
on a property where the Building Inspector a Code Enforcement Officer has found, or there
exists, a violation of the Town Code and where such violation has not been corrected.
(5) Granting a special use permit shall not waive the requirement for final site plan approval,
including fees, in accordance with Chapter 125, Chapter 270 (Zoning), Article IX XXIII,
(Site Plan Review and Approval Procedures).
(6) An application for a special use permit for a large wireless facility shall be signed on behalf
of the applicant by the person preparing the same and with knowledge of the contents and
representations made therein and attesting to the truth and completeness of the information.
The landowner, if different than the applicant, shall also sign the application. At the
discretion of the Planning Board, any false or misleading statement in the application may
subject the applicant to denial of the application without further consideration or
opportunity for correction.
(7) The applicant must provide documentation to verify it has a legal interest in the site where
the large wireless facility is to be located. Said documentation may be in the form of a deed,
contract for sale or lease for the property, depending on whether the applicant is the
property owner, contract-vendee or lessee.
(8) The applicant shall include a statement, in writing, that:
(a) The applicant's proposed large wireless facility shall be maintained in a safe manner and in
compliance with all conditions of the special use permit, without exception, as well as all
applicable and permissible federal, state and local laws, statutes, codes, rules and
regulations; and
(b) The construction of a large wireless facility is legally permissible, including, but not limited
to, the fact that the applicant is authorized to do business in the New York State.
(9) The application shall be accompanied by a map, in graphical form and in AutoCAD® or
compatible drawing exchange file format, which shows the applicant's existing and
proposed area of coverage. Such map should locate all existing facility sites within the
Town and within one mile of the Town in bordering communities.
(10) In addition to all other required information as stated in this section, all applications for the
construction or installation of new large wireless facilities, or any substantial change to an
existing large wireless facility, shall contain the following information:
(a) A descriptive statement of the objective(s) for the new facility or modification, including
and expanding on a need such as coverage and/or capacity requirements;
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(b) Documentation that demonstrates and proves the need for the large wireless facility to
provide service primarily and essentially within the Town. Such documentation shall
include propagation studies of the proposed site and all adjoining planned, proposed, in-
service or existing sites that demonstrate a significant gap in coverage and/or if a capacity
need, including an analysis of current and projected usage;
(c) The name, address and phone number of the person preparing the report;
(d) The name, address, and phone number of the property owner, operator and applicant;
(e) The postal address and Tax Map parcel number of the property;
(f) The zoning district or designation in which the property is situated;
(g) The size of the property stated both in square feet and lot line dimensions, and a survey
prepared by a licensed professional surveyor showing the location of all lot lines;
(h) The location of the nearest residential structure;
(i) The location, size and height of all existing and proposed structures on the property which is
the subject of the application;
(j) The type, locations and dimensions of all proposed and existing landscaping and fencing, if
the proposed facility is located outside the public rights-of-way;
(k) The number, type and model of the antenna(s) proposed, with a copy of the specification
sheet;
(l) The make, model, type and manufacturer of the support structure and a design plan stating
the support structure's capacity to accommodate multiple users;
(m) A site plan describing the proposed support structure and antenna(s) and all related
accessory equipment, fixtures, structures, appurtenances and apparatus, including height
above preexisting grade, materials, color and lighting;
(n) The frequency, modulation and class of service of radio or other transmitting equipment;
(o) The actual intended transmission power stated as the maximum effective radiated power
(ERP) in watts of the antenna(s);
(p) Direction of maximum lobes and associated radiation of the antenna(s);
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(q) Applicant's proposed support structure and accessory equipment maintenance and
inspection procedures and related system of records;
(r) Documentation justifying the total height of any wireless telecommunications facility
support structure and the basis therefor. Such justification shall be to provide service within
the Town, to the extent practicable, unless good cause is shown;
(s) Certification that NIER levels at the proposed site will be and remain within the current
threshold levels adopted by the FCC;
(t) A signed statement that the proposed installation will not cause physical or RF interference
with other telecommunications devices;
(u) A copy of the FCC license applicable for the intended use of the wireless
telecommunications facilities;
(v) Certification that a topographic and geomorphologic study and analysis has been conducted
and that, taking into account the subsurface and substrate, and the proposed drainage plan,
the site is adequate to assure the stability of the proposed wireless telecommunications
facilities on the proposed site;
(w) Identify the proposed location of emergency power supply and the decibel level emitted
during testing and operation;
(x) Information relating to the expected useful life of the proposed large wireless facility;
(y) Construction details for the proposed tower, supporting structure, and base, including
specifications for the maximum height of the tower or structure the proposed base could
support; and
(z) Information relating to intended future co-locations on the large wireless facility that may
result in a further increase in the size or height of the proposed large wireless facility.
(11) In the case of a new wireless telecommunications facility support structure for a large
wireless facility, the applicant shall be required to submit a written report demonstrating its
meaningful efforts to secure shared use of existing wireless telecommunications support
structure(s) or the use of alternative existing buildings or other structures within a 1/2-mile
radius of the site proposed. Copies of written requests and responses for shared use shall be
provided to the Planning Board with the application, along with any letters of rejection,
stating the reason for rejection. Acceptable reasons for rejection include:
(a) The proposed antenna and accessory equipment would exceed the structural capacity of the
36
existing building or other structure, and its reinforcement cannot be accomplished at a
reasonable cost.
(b) The proposed antenna and accessory equipment would cause radio frequency interference
with other existing equipment for that existing building or other structure, and the
interference cannot be prevented at a reasonable cost.
(c) Such existing buildings or other structures do not have adequate location, space, access, or
height to accommodate the proposed equipment or to allow it to perform its intended
function.
(d) A commercially reasonable agreement could not be reached with the owner of such building
or other structure.
(12) The applicant shall furnish written certification that the wireless telecommunications
facility, structure, foundation, attachments and accessory equipment are designed and will
be constructed to meet all local, county, state and federal structural requirements for loads,
including wind and ice loads. If the large wireless facility is subsequently approved and
constructed, as-built certification indicating that the large wireless facility has been
constructed in accordance with all standards shall be furnished to the Town prior to issuance
of any certificate of occupancy or compliance.
(13) The applicant shall submit a completed long-form EAF. Based on circumstances of each
application for a large wireless facility, the Planning Board may require submission of a
detailed visual analysis.
(14) All proposed large wireless facilities shall contain a demonstration that the facility will be
sited so as to minimize visual intrusion as much as possible given the facts and
circumstances involved with the proposed site and facility, will employ stealth technologies
where appropriate, and will thereby have the least-adverse visual effect on the environment,
the character of the community, surrounding properties and on the residences in the area of
the large wireless facility.
(15) The applicant shall, in writing, identify and disclose the number and locations of any
additional sites that the applicant has been, is or will be considering, reviewing or planning
for wireless telecommunications facilities in the Town, and all municipalities adjoining the
Town, for a two-year period following the date of the application.
Z. General and specific requirements for large wireless facilities. Large wireless facilities
are permitted in all zones, subject to the restrictions and conditions prescribed below:
(1) Construction and design. All large wireless facilities shall be designed, constructed,
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operated, maintained, repaired, modified and removed in strict compliance with all current
applicable technical, safety and safety-related codes, including, but not limited to, the most-
recent editions of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Code, National
Electrical Safety Code, and National Electrical Code. Any large wireless facilities shall at
all times be kept and maintained in good condition, order and repair by qualified
maintenance and construction personnel, so that the same shall not endanger the life of any
person or any property in the Town.
(2) Wind and ice. All large wireless facilities structures shall be designed to withstand the
effects of wind gusts and ice to the standard designed by the American National Standards
Institute as prepared by the engineering departments of the Electronics Industry Association
and Telecommunications Industry Association (ANSI/EIA/TIA-222, as amended).
(3) Aviation safety. Large wireless facilities shall comply with all federal and state laws and
regulations concerning aviation safety.
(4) Public safety communications. Large wireless facilities shall not interfere with public safety
communications or the reception of broadband, television, radio or other communications
services enjoyed by occupants of nearby properties.
(5) Radio frequency emissions. A large wireless facility shall not, by itself or in conjunction
with other WCFswireless communication facilities, generate radio frequency emissions in
excess of the standards and regulations of the FCC, including, but not limited to, the FCC
Office of Engineering Technology Bulletin 65, entitled "Evaluating Compliance with FCC
Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields," as amended.
When a small wireless facility is complete, as-built readings will be taken and submitted to
the Town.
(6) Maintenance. To the extent permitted by law, the following maintenance requirements shall
apply:
(a) Large wireless facilities shall be fully automated and unattended on a daily basis and shall
be visited only for maintenance or emergency repair.
(b) Such maintenance shall be performed to ensure the upkeep of the facility in order to
promote the safety and security of the Town's residents.
(c) All maintenance activities shall utilize nothing less than the best available technology for
preventing failures and accidents.
(d) The owner or operator of a large wireless facility shall maintain standby power generators
capable of powering the wireless telecommunications facility for at least 24 hours without
38
additional public utility power, and indefinitely with a continuous or replenished fuel
supply. Such standby power shall activate automatically upon the failure of public utility
power to the site. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Planning Board may require standby
power longer than 24 hours where circumstances indicate sufficient space exists to
accommodate longer periods of backup power.
Add the Town of Ithaca’s access and parking requirements from its current law? They
are:
“(1) Accessways shall make maximum use of existing public or private roads to the extent
practicable. New accessways constructed solely for telecommunication facilities must
be at least 12, but no more than 24 feet wide, and closely follow natural contours to
assure minimal visual disturbance and reduce soil erosion potential.
(2) The road surface (driveways) shall be centered within accessways and shall not
comprise more than 60% of the width of the accessway.
(3) Parking areas shall be sufficient to accommodate the usual number of service vehicles
expected on the premises at any one time. Space off of public highways shall be
provided (not necessarily in parking areas) to accommodate the greatest number of
service vehicles expected on the premises at any one time.
(4) Driveways or parking areas shall provide adequate interior turnaround, such that
service vehicles will not have to back out onto a public thoroughfare.”
AA. Approval procedures.
(1) For any special use permit application, the Planning Board shall hold a public hearing on
due notice within 60 days after submission of a formal completed application, including
such technical information from the applicant as may be required by the Planning Board for
a special use permit under the provisions of this section.
(2) Notice of the public hearing shall be by publication in the official newspaper of the Town at
least 10 days in advance of the hearing. The hearing notice shall indicate that the application
may be examined and further information is available from the Planning Board office
during regular business hours. Copies of the publication order shall be mailed by the
applicant to the owners of property within 1,000 feet of the property which is the subject of
the application, and an affidavit of service thereof shall be filed with the Planning Board
due on or before the date of the hearing.
(3) In any district, the Planning Board may grant a special use permit for the construction of the
large wireless facilities for a period of five years.
39
(4) All decisions of the Planning Board involving applications for large wireless facilities shall
be in writing and supported by substantial evidence contained in a written record.
(5) Time frames for approval.
(a) Within 30 days of receipt of any application for a large wireless facility, the Town shall
notify the applicant in writing of any supplemental information required to complete the
application. Such notification shall toll the applicable shot clock until the applicant submits
the required supplemental information.
(b) Within 90 days of receipt of an application for a co-located large wireless facility or 150
days of receipt of an application for a new large wireless facility with accompanying
support structure, including such technical information from the applicant as may be
required by the Planning Board for a special use permit under the provisions of this section,
the Town shall make a final decision on whether to approve the application and shall notify
the applicant in writing of such decision.
(6) All time periods set forth in this section reference calendar days.
BB. Location.
(1) Applications for special use permits for large wireless facilities shall locate, site and erect
said wireless telecommunications facilities in accordance with the following priorities, (a)
being the highest priority and (g) being the lowest priority.
(a) Co-location on existing wireless telecommunications facilities on lands owned or controlled
by the Town, not including the public right-of-way;
(b) Co-location on a site with existing wireless telecommunications facilities or other tall
structures in the Town;
(c) On other lands owned or controlled by the Town, including, but not limited to, the Town
public right-of-way;
(d) On lands owned or controlled by other municipal corporations within the Town, to the
extent permitted by such other municipal corporation;
(e) On nonresidential zoned properties;
(f) On residential zoned properties; and
(g) No large wireless facilities shall be permitted in the Bedford Forest Home Historic District.,
40
Katonah Historic District, or on any property designated as a Tier I or Tier II property,
unless the applicant demonstrates to the Planning Board's satisfaction that the selected site
is necessary to provide adequate service and no feasible alternative site exists. Approval
shall be required from the Bedford Village Historic District Review Commission, the
Katonah Historic District Advisory Commission, or the Historic Building Preservation
Commission, as appropriate, before any large wireless facility is approved in the Bedford
Historic District, Katonah Historic District, or on any property designated as a Tier I or Tier
II property.
See the Town of Ithaca’s priority provisions under H above. Use the Town’s provisions
instead or revise Bedford’s provisions to incorporate some of the Town’s provisions?
(2) If the proposed site is not proposed for the highest priority listed above, then a detailed
explanation must be provided as to why a site of a higher priority was not selected. The
person seeking such an exception must satisfactorily demonstrate the reason or reasons why
such a special use permit should be granted for the proposed site and the hardship that
would be incurred by the applicant if the permit were not granted for the proposed site.
(3) An applicant may not bypass sites of higher priority by stating the site proposed is the only
site leased or selected. An application shall address co-location as an option. If such option
is not proposed, the applicant must explain to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning
Board why co-location is commercially impracticable.
(4) Notwithstanding the above, the Town may approve any site located within the Town,
provided that the Town finds that the proposed site is in the best interest of the safety,
public welfare, character and environment of the Town and will not have a deleterious
effect on the nature and character of the community and surrounding properties.
CC. Height. Wireless telecommunications facility support structures shall be no higher than the
minimum height necessary. The proposed height, which may be in excess of the maximum
height permitted for other structures in the applicable zone, shall address any additional
height necessary to accommodate co-location by additional antenna arrays, but under no
circumstances is the height to be in excess of 150 feet.
DD. Setback. All large wireless facilities, including any support structures and accessory
equipment, located outside the public right-of-way shall be set back from the property line
of the lot on which they are located a distance equal to not less than the total height of the
facility, including support structure, measured from the highest point of such support
structure to the finished grade elevation of the ground on which it is situated, plus 10% of
such total height. The Planning Board may reduce such setback requirements based upon
consideration of lot size, topographic conditions, adjoining land uses, landscaping, other
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forms of screening and/or structural characteristics of the proposed support structure.
Compare with Town of Ithaca’s current fall zone and other dimensional requirements
below—retain Ithaca’s? Add any portion of Bedford’s requirements?
“(1) A fall zone around any tower constructed as part of a telecommunications facility
must have a radius at least equal to the height of the tower and any attached antennae.
The entire fall zone may not include public roads and must be located on property
either owned or leased by the applicant or for which the applicant has obtained an
easement, and may not, except as set forth below, contain any structure other than
those associated with the telecommunications facility. If the facility is attached to an
existing structure, relief may be granted by specific permission of the Planning Board
on a case-by-case basis if it is determined by such Board after submission of competent
evidence, that the waiver of this requirement will not endanger the life, health, welfare
or property of any person. In granting any such waiver, the Board may impose any
conditions reasonably necessary to protect the public or other property from potential
injury.
(2) All telecommunication facilities shall be located on a single parcel.
(3) All telecommunication facilities shall comply with the setback, frontage, minimum lot
size, and yard standards of the underlying zoning district and the fall zone
requirements of this article. To the extent there is a conflict, the more restrictive
provision shall govern. The size of the leased or owned lot, together with any land over
which the applicant has obtained an easement, shall be, at a minimum, sufficiently
large to include the entire fall zone. All lots leased or owned for the purpose of
construction of a tower as part of telecommunications facility shall conform, at a
minimum, to the lot size requirements of the underlying zoning district or the size of
lot necessary to encompass the entire fall zone (to the extent easements for any part of
the fall zone that extends outside the minimum lot size permitted in the zoning district
have not been obtained), whichever requirement results in a larger lot.
(4) Notwithstanding provisions to the contrary of any other article of this chapter, the
front, side, and rear yard requirements of the underlying zoning district in which a
telecommunications facility is erected shall apply not only to a tower, but also to all
tower parts including guy wires and anchors, and to any accessory buildings.”
EE. Visibility.
(1) All large wireless facilities shall be sited so as to have the least-adverse visual effect on the
environment and its character, on existing vegetation and on the residents in the area of the
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wireless telecommunications facilities sites. If lighting is required, the applicant shall
provide a detailed plan for sufficient lighting of as unobtrusive and inoffensive an effect as
is permissible under federal, state and local laws, statutes, codes, rules or regulations.
(2) Both the large wireless facility and any and all accessory equipment shall maximize use of
building materials, colors and textures designed to blend with the structure to which they
may be affixed and/or to harmonize with the natural surroundings.
(3) Large wireless facilities shall not be artificially lighted or marked, except as required by
law.
(4) Wireless telecommunications facility support structures for large wireless facilities shall be
galvanized and/or painted with a rust-preventive paint of an appropriate color as specified
by the Planning Board to harmonize with the surroundings and shall be maintained in
accordance with the requirements of this section.
(5) Electrical and land-based telephone lines extended to serve the large wireless facility sites
shall be installed underground.
(6) Stealth technologies shall be required to be employed in an effort to blend into the
surrounding environment and minimize aesthetic impact.
Does COC want to require stealth technologies for all large facilities?
(7) Landscaping shall be provided, if appropriate.
Compare with Town of Ithaca’s current requirements below. Planning staff will be
reviewing and possibly revising standards for large facilities. Add any portion of Bedford’s
requirements?
“G. Lighting and marking.
(1) Towers shall not be artificially lighted and marked beyond the requirements of the
FAA.
(2) Notwithstanding the preceding subsection, an applicant may be compelled to add
FAA-style lighting and marking, if in the judgment of the Planning Board, such a
requirement would be of direct benefit to public safety and would not unduly
adversely affect residents of any surrounding property.
H. Appearance and buffering.
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(1) The use of any portion of a telecommunications facility for signs, promotional or
advertising purposes, including but not limited to company name, phone numbers,
banners, streamers, and balloons is prohibited.
(2) The facility shall have the least practical visual effect on the environment, as
determined by the Planning Board. Any tower that is not subject to FAA marking as
set forth above shall otherwise:
(a) Have a galvanized finish, or shall be painted gray above the surrounding tree line and
gray or green below the tree line, as deemed appropriate by the Planning Board, or
(b) Be disguised or camouflaged to blend in with the surroundings, to the extent that such
alteration does not impair the ability of the facility to perform its designed function.
(3) Accessory structures shall maximize the use of building materials, colors, and textures
designed to blend in with the natural surroundings.
(4) Each application for a proposed facility shall be accompanied by a SEQR full
environmental assessment form ("full EAF"). A visual environmental assessment form
("visual EAF") shall be required as an addendum to the full EAF. The Planning
Board may require submittal of a more detailed visual analysis based on the contents
of the visual EAF.
(5) The facility shall have appropriate vegetative buffering, reasonably satisfactory to the
Planning Board, around the fences of the tower base area, accessory structures and
the anchor points of guyed towers to buffer their view from neighboring residences,
recreation areas, or public roads. The Planning Board may similarly require screening
adjacent to waterways, landmarks, refuges, community facilities, or conservation or
historic areas within common view of the public.
(6) Without limiting the requirements of the preceding subsection, existing on-site
vegetation shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible, and no cutting of trees
exceeding four inches in diameter (measured at a height of four feet off the ground)
shall occur in connection with the telecommunications facility prior to the granting of
special permit and site plan approval. Clear cutting of all trees in a single contiguous
area exceeding 20,000 square feet shall be prohibited.
(7) The Planning Board may require additional information, such as line-of-sight
drawings, detailed elevation maps, visual simulations, before and after renderings, and
alternate tower designs to more clearly identify adverse impacts for the purpose of
their mitigation.
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(8) Equipment or vehicles not used in direct support, renovations, additions or repair of
any telecommunications facility shall not be stored or parked on the facility site.”
FF. Security.
(1) All large wireless facilities and antennas shall be located, fenced or otherwise secured in a
manner that prevents unauthorized access. Specifically:
(a) All antennas and supporting structures, including guy anchor points and wires and
accessory equipment, shall be made inaccessible to individuals and constructed or shielded
in such a manner that they cannot be climbed or collided with; and
(b) Transmitters and telecommunications control points shall be installed in such a manner that
they are readily accessible only to persons authorized to operate or service them.
Revise the above to add one or more of the Town of Ithaca’s security provisions below?
“(1) Towers, anchor points of guyed towers, and accessory structures shall each be
surrounded by fencing at least eight feet in height, the top foot of which may, at the
discretion of the Planning Board in deference to the character of the neighborhood, be
comprised of three-strands of barbed wire to discourage unauthorized access to the
site. The Planning Board may waive the requirement of fencing if, in its discretion, it
determines that other forms of security are adequate, or that, by reason of location or
occupancy, security will not be significantly compromised by the omission, or
reduction in size, of the otherwise required fencing.
(2) Motion-activated or staff-activated security lighting around the base of a tower or
accessory structure entrance may be provided if such lighting does not project off the
site. Such lighting should only occur when the area within the fenced perimeters has
been entered.
(3) There shall be no permanent climbing pegs within 15 feet of the ground of any tower.
(4) A locked gate at the junction of the accessway and a public thoroughfare may be
required to obstruct entry by unauthorized vehicles. Such gate must not protrude into
the public right-of-way.”
GG. Escrow for review costs. In accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 47153
(Fees) of the Town Code, and to the extent permissible under federal law, for large wireless
facility applications, the applicant shall be required to provide funds to an escrow account
held by the Town to allow the Planning Board to retain such technical experts and other
consultants as may be necessary to review the proposal, including, but not limited to, the
45
review of financial and technical aspects of the proposal and of the financial, legal and
technical practicability of alternatives which may be available to the applicant.
HH. Recertification of special use permit.
(1) At any time between 12 months and six months prior to the five-year anniversary date after
the effective date for the special use permit for large wireless facilities and all subsequent
fifth anniversaries of the effective date of the original special use permit for large wireless
facilities, the holder of a special use permit for such large wireless facilities shall submit a
signed, written request to the Planning Board for recertification. In the written request for
recertification, the holder of such special use permit shall note the following:
(a) The name of the holder of the special use permit for the wireless telecommunications
facilities.
(b) The date of the original granting of the special use permit.
(c) Whether the large wireless facility has been modified since the issuance of the special use
permit and, if so, in what manner.
(d) Any requests for waivers or relief of any kind whatsoever from the requirements of this
section and any requirements for a special use permit.
(e) Certification that the large wireless facilities are in compliance with the special use permit
and in compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations and federal
certification requirements.
(f) Certification that the wireless telecommunications support structure, base station and
accessory equipment are designed and constructed (as built) and continue to meet all local,
county, state and federal structural requirements for loads, including wind and ice loads.
Such recertification shall be by a qualified New York State licensed professional engineer.
(2) If, after such review, the Planning Board determines the permitted large wireless facility is
in compliance with the special use permit and all applicable statutes, laws, local laws,
ordinances, codes, rules and regulations, then the Planning Board shall recertify the special
use permit for the large wireless facility, which may include any new provisions or
conditions that are mutually agreed upon or required by applicable statutes, laws, local laws,
ordinances, codes, rules and regulations. If, after such review, the Planning Board
determines that the permitted large wireless facility is not in compliance with the special use
permit and all applicable statutes, local laws, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations, then
the Planning Board may refuse to issue a recertification of the special use permit for the
large wireless facility, and, in such event, such large wireless facility shall not be used after
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the date that the applicant receives written notice of such decision by the Planning Board
unless and until any deficiencies determined by the Planning Board are cured. Any such
decision shall be in writing and supported by substantial evidence contained in a written
record.
(3) If the applicant has submitted all of the information requested by the Planning Board and
required by this section, and if the Planning Board does not complete its review, as noted in
Subsection HH(2) ___ of this section, prior to the five-year anniversary date of the special
use permit, or subsequent fifth anniversaries, then the applicant for the permitted large
wireless facility shall receive an extension of the special use permit for up to six months in
order for the Planning Board to complete its review.
(4) If the holder of a special use permit for a large wireless facility does not submit a request for
recertification of such special use permit within the time frame noted in Subsection
HH(1)___ of this section, then such special use permit and any authorizations granted
thereunder shall cease to exist on the date of the fifth anniversary of the original granting of
the special use permit, or subsequent fifth anniversaries, unless the holder of the special use
permit adequately demonstrates to the Planning Board that extenuating circumstances
prevented a timely recertification request. If the Planning Board agrees that there were
extenuating circumstances, then the holder of the special use permit may submit a late
recertification request or application for a new special use permit.
II. Application fees. At the time that an application for a special use permit is submitted for a
large wireless facility, or to renew any such application, a nonrefundable application fee
shall be paid in an amount as determined by the Town Board and as set forth in the Town
Fee Schedule, in addition to any other fee required by law.
JJ. Performance security for special permits. The applicant and the owner of record of any
proposed large wireless facilities property site shall, at their cost and expense, be jointly
required to execute and file with the Town a bond, or other form of security acceptable to
the Town as to type of security and the form and manner of execution, in an amount of at
least $75,000 for a large wireless facility on a new wireless telecommunications support
structure and $25,000 for a co-location on an existing wireless telecommunications facility
support structure or other existing structure; and with such sureties as are deemed sufficient
by the Planning Board to assure the faithful performance of the terms and conditions of this
section and conditions of any special use permit issued pursuant to this section. The full
amount of the bond or security shall remain in full force and effect throughout the term of
the special use permit and/or until any necessary site restoration is completed to restore the
site to a condition comparable to that which existed prior to the issuance of the original
special use permit.
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KK. Authority to inspect. In order to verify that the holder of a special use permit for a large
wireless facility and any and all lessees, renters, and/or licensees of large wireless facilities
place and construct such facilities, including the wireless telecommunications support
structure, accessory equipment and antennas, in accordance with all applicable technical,
safety, fire, building, and zoning laws, statutes, codes, rules, regulations and other
applicable requirements, the Town may inspect at any time, upon providing reasonable
notice, all facets of said permit holder's, renter's, lessee's or licensee's placement,
construction, modification and maintenance of such facilities, including, but not limited to,
wireless telecommunications support structures, antennas, accessory equipment,
electromagnetic output and buildings.
LL. Liability insurance.
(1) An applicant for a special use permit for a large wireless facility shall secure and at all times
maintain public liability insurance for personal injuries, death and property damage, and
umbrella insurance coverage, for the duration of the special use permit in amounts as set
forth below:
(a) For co-location on any existing large wireless facility or other wireless telecommunications
facility support structure, including existing utility poles or monopoles, the required
insurance policies shall be in the following amounts:
[1] Commercial general liability covering personal injuries, death and property damage:
$1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[2] Automobile coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[3] Workers' compensation and disability: statutory amounts.
(b) For all other large wireless facilities, the required insurance policies shall be in the
following amounts:
[1] Commercial general liability covering personal injuries, death and property damage:
$5,000,000 per occurrence;
[2] Automobile coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate;
[3] Workers' compensation and disability: statutory amounts.
(2) For a large wireless facility on Town property, the commercial general liability insurance
policy shall specifically include the Town, the Town Board, other elected officials, and the
Town's officers, board members, employees, committee members, attorneys, agents and
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consultants as additional insureds.
(3) The insurance policies shall be issued by an agent or representative of an insurance
company licensed to do business in the state and with a Best's rating of at least A.
(4) The insurance policies shall contain an endorsement obligating the insurance company to
furnish the Town with at least 30 days' prior written notice in advance of the cancellation of
the insurance.
(5) Renewal or replacement policies or certificates shall be delivered to the Town at least 15
days before the expiration of the insurance that such policies are to renew or replace.
(6) Prior to the issuance of a special use permit for a large wireless facility, the applicant shall
deliver to the Town a copy of each of the policies or certificates representing the insurance
in the required amounts.
MM. Indemnification. Any special use permit for a large wireless facility that is proposed for
Town property or in the public right-of-way, pursuant to this section, shall contain a
provision with respect to indemnification. Such provision shall require the applicant, to the
extent permitted by law, to at all times defend, indemnify, protect, save, hold harmless, and
exempt the Town and its elected officials, officers, board members, employees, committee
members, attorneys, agents and consultants from any and all penalties, damages, costs, or
charges arising out of any and all claims, suits, demands, causes of action, or award of
damages, whether compensatory or punitive, or expenses arising therefrom, either at law or
in equity, which might arise out of, or are caused by, the placement, construction, erection,
modification, location, product performance, use, operation, maintenance, repair,
installation, replacement, removal, or restoration of said facility; excepting, however, any
portion of such claims, suits, demands, causes of action or award of damages as may be
attributable to the negligent or intentional acts or omissions of the Town or its servants or
agents. With respect to the penalties, damages or charges referenced herein, reasonable
attorneys' fees, consultants' fees, and expert witness fees are included in those costs that are
recoverable by the Town.
The Town of Ithaca’s current telecommunications law does not contain indemnification
requirements.
NN. Regulations applicable to large wireless facilities in the public right-of-way.
(1) In addition to the applicable special permit provisions and requirements listed in this
section, all large wireless facilities located in the public right-of-way shall be required to
comply with the following regulations:
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(a) Location. Large wireless facilities in the public right-of-way shall be co-located on an
existing wireless telecommunications facility whenever possible. If co-location is not
technologically feasible, the applicant shall locate its large wireless facility on existing
utility poles, monopoles or other structures that do not already act as wireless
telecommunications facility support structures.
(b) Design requirements:
[1] All accessory equipment shall be the smallest and least-visibly-intrusive equipment feasible.
[2] Antennas and accessory equipment shall be treated to match the supporting structure and
may be required to be painted, or otherwise coated, to be visually compatible with the
support structure upon which they are mounted.
(c) Equipment location. Large wireless facilities, which include wireless telecommunications
support structures and accessory equipment in the public right-of-way, shall be located so as
not to cause any physical or visual obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or to
otherwise create safety hazards to pedestrians and/or motorists, or to otherwise
inconvenience public use of the right-of-way as determined by the Town. In addition:
[1] In no case shall ground-mounted accessory equipment, walls, or landscaping be located
within 18 inches of the face of the curb, within four feet of the edge of the cartway, or
within an easement extending onto a privately owned lot.
[2] To the extent feasible, accessory equipment shall be placed underground. Ground-mounted
accessory equipment that cannot be placed underground shall be screened from surrounding
views, to the fullest extent possible, through the use of landscaping or other decorative
features to the satisfaction of the Town. Ground-mounted accessory equipment shall be
screened, when possible, by utilizing existing structures. If screening by utilizing existing
structures is not possible, ground-mounted accessory equipment shall be made
architecturally and aesthetically compatible with the surrounding area through the use of
coatings, landscaping, and/or screening walls, enclosures or other stealth technology to the
satisfaction of the Town.
[3] Required electrical meter cabinets shall be screened to blend in with the surrounding area to
the satisfaction of the Town.
[4] Any graffiti on any large wireless facility support structure, base station or any accessory
equipment shall be removed within 30 days upon notification by the Town, at the sole
expense of the owner.
[5] Any proposed underground vault related to large wireless facilities shall be reviewed and
50
approved by the Town.
[6] Accessory equipment attached to a large wireless facility support structure shall have such
vertical clearance as the Planning Board may determine.
(d) Relocation or removal of large wireless facilities in the public right-of-way. In addition to
the removal provisions set forth in § 125-85.2RR ______ below, within 90 days' following
written notice from the Town, or such longer period as the Town determines is reasonably
necessary, or such shorter period in the case of an emergency, an owner of a small wireless
facility and any accessory equipment in the right-of-way shall, at its own expense,
temporarily or permanently remove, relocate, or change the position of any large wireless
facility or accessory equipment when the Town, consistent with its police powers and any
applicable Public Service Commission regulations, shall have determined that such
removal, relocation, change or alteration is reasonably necessary under the following
circumstances:
[1] To construct, repair, maintain or install any Town or other public improvement located in
the right-of-way;
[2] To prevent interference with the operations of the Town or other governmental entity in the
right-of-way;
[3] Abandonment of a street or road or the release of a utility easement; or
[4] An emergency as determined by the Town Board.
OO. Reimbursement for the use of the public right-of-way. In addition to permit fees for a
large wireless facility permit, every large wireless facility located in the Town public right-
of-way is subject to the Town's public right to fix annually a fair and reasonable fee to be
paid for use and occupancy of the public right-of-way and for any applicable permitting fees
set forth in Chapter 104153 (Fees) of the Town Code. Such compensation for use of the
public right-of-way shall be directly related to the Town's actual public right-of-way
management costs, including, but not limited to, the costs of the administration and
performance of all reviewing, inspecting, permitting, supervising and other public right-of-
way management activities by the Town. The owner of each large wireless facility permit
shall pay an annual fee to the Town to compensate the Town for the Town's costs incurred
in connection with the activities described above as determined by the Town Board and as
set forth in the Town Fee Schedule.
The Town of Ithaca’s current telecommunications law does not have a fee provision for use
of the Town’s ROW.
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PP. Annual NIER certification. The holder of any special use permit shall, annually, certify to
the Planning Board or its authorized designee that NIER levels at the site where the large
wireless facilities are located are within the threshold levels adopted by the FCC. In
addition, the Town, at its own cost and expense, shall be permitted to conduct its own
certification test of the NIER levels at the site where any large wireless facility is located,
with or without notice to the wireless telecommunications provider. Once operational, but
prior to providing service to customers, as-built readings will be provided to the Town.
QQ. Default and/or revocation of special use permit.
(1) If large wireless facilities are constructed, repaired, rebuilt, placed, moved, relocated,
modified or maintained in a way that is inconsistent or not in compliance with the
provisions of this section or any special use permit requirement, or it is determined
conclusively that the applicant made materially false or misleading statements during the
application process, then the Planning Board or the Building Inspector a Code Enforcement
Officer shall notify the holder of the special use permit, in writing, of such violation. Such
notice shall specify the nature of the violation or noncompliance, and the violations must be
corrected within seven days of the date of the postmark of the notice, or of the date of
personal service of the notice, whichever is earlier. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this subsection or any other section of this section, if the violation causes,
creates or presents an imminent danger or threat to the health or safety of lives or property,
the Planning Board may, at its sole discretion, order the violation remedied within 24 hours.
(2) If, within the period set forth in Subsection QQ(1)____ above, the large wireless facilities
are not brought into compliance with the provisions of this section, or of the special use
permit, or substantial steps are not taken in order to bring the affected wireless
telecommunications facilities into compliance, then the Planning Board or the Building
Inspector the Code Enforcement Officer may revoke such special use permit for the
wireless telecommunications facility and may require the removal of such large wireless
facility.
RR. Removal.
(1) Under the following circumstances, the Town may determine that the safety, public welfare,
character and environment of the Town warrant and require the removal of a large wireless
facilities:
(a) Large wireless facilities with a permit have been abandoned (i.e., not used as wireless
telecommunications facilities) for a period exceeding 90 consecutive days or a total of 180
days in any 365-day period, except for periods caused by force majeure or acts of God, in
which case, repair or removal shall commence within 90 days;
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(b) Permitted large wireless facilities fall into such a state of disrepair that they create a safety
hazard;
(c) Large wireless facilities have been located, constructed, or modified without first obtaining,
or in a manner not authorized by, the required special use permit, or any other necessary
authorization; or
(d) Any large wireless facility is determined to be in violation pursuant to § 125-85.2PP ___
above and fails to cure such violation within the time set forth in that section.
(2) If the Planning Board makes such a determination as noted in Subsection RR(1) ____ of
this section, then it shall notify the holder of the special use permit and the owner of the
property that the large wireless facilities are to be removed.
(3) The holder of the special use permit or the owner of the property shall dismantle and
remove such large wireless facilities, and all accessory equipment, antennas, support
structures and other associated structures and facilities, from the site and return the site to its
original condition and certify through soils or other testing that no contamination has been
created by the facility, such restoration being completed, limited only by physical or
commercial impracticability, within 90 days of receipt of written notice from the Town.
However, if the owner of the property upon which the large wireless telecommunications
facilities are located wishes to retain any access roadway to the large wireless facilities, the
owner may do so with the approval of the Town.
(4) If the large wireless facilities are not removed or substantial progress has not been made to
remove the large wireless facilities within 90 days after the special use permit holder has
received notice, then the Planning Board may order officials or representatives of the Town
to remove the large wireless facilities at the sole expense of the property owner and/or
special use permit holder.
(5) If the Town removes or causes to be removed the large wireless facilities, and the owner of
the large wireless facilities does not claim and remove any equipment or materials to a
lawful location within 10 days, then the Town may take steps to declare the large wireless
facilities abandoned and sell them and their components and retain the proceeds therefrom.
The Town may also cause the costs associated with the removal and disposal of the large
wireless facilities to be assessed on the property in the same manner as a tax or assessment.
Does COC want to retain any part of the Town of Ithaca’s removal provisions below?
“(1) At the time of submittal of the application for a special permit for a
telecommunications facility, the applicant shall submit an agreement to remove all
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antennas, driveways, structures, buildings, equipment sheds, lighting, utilities, fencing,
gates, accessory equipment or structures, as well as any tower(s) dedicated solely for
use within a telecommunications facility if such facility becomes technologically
obsolete or ceases to perform its originally intended function for more than 12
consecutive months. Upon removal of said facility, the land shall be restored to its
previous condition, including but not limited to the seeding of exposed soils.
(2) At the time of obtaining a building permit, the applicant must provide a financial
security bond for removal of the telecommunications facility and property restoration,
with the municipality as the assignee, in an amount approved by the Planning Board,
but not less than $50,000.
(3) At times of modification of the special permit, the Planning Board may adjust the
required amount of the financial security bond to adequately cover increases in the
cost of removal of the telecommunications facility and property restoration.”
SS. Penalties for offenses. In addition to any other remedies in this section, a violation of any
provision of this section with respect to either large wireless facilities or small wireless
facilities is hereby declared to be an offense, punishable by a fine not exceeding $350 or
imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both, for conviction of a first
offense; for conviction of a second offense, both of which were committed within a period
of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $350 nor more than $700 or imprisonment
for a period not to exceed six months, or both; and upon conviction for a third or subsequent
offense, all of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not
less than $700 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months,
or both. Each continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.
If this law remains in the Town of Ithaca’s Zoning Chapter, delete section SS. (Penalties for
offenses) above.
TT. Adherence to state and/or federal rules and regulations.
(1) The holder of a special use permit or small wireless facility permit issued pursuant to this
section shall adhere to and comply with all applicable rules, regulations, standards, and
provisions of any state or federal agency, including, but not limited to, the FAA and the
FCC. Specifically included in this requirement are any rules and regulations regarding
height, lighting, security, electrical and RF emission standards.
(2) To the extent that applicable rules, regulations, standards, and provisions of any state or
federal agency, including, but not limited to, the FAA and the FCC, and specifically
including any rules and regulations regarding height, lighting, and security, are amended
54
and/or are modified during the duration of a special use permit for large wireless facilities
and a small wireless facility permit for small wireless facilities, then the holder of such a
special use permit or small wireless facility permit shall conform the permitted wireless
telecommunications facilities to the applicable amended and/or modified rule, regulation,
standard, or provision within a maximum of 24 months of the effective date of the
applicable changed and/or modified rule, regulation, standard, or provision, or sooner as
may be required by the issuing entity.