HomeMy Public PortalAboutOrd. 1481i
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CITY OF LYNWOOD
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
ORDINANCE NO. 1481
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD
AMENDING CHAPTER 25 OF THE LYNWOOD
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD REGULATIONS TO
CONTROL THE LOCATION, SITING AND
CONSTRUCTION OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
SERVICE ANTENNAS AND RELATED FACILITIES
AND TO CLARIFY AND CGRRECT PORTIONS OF
EXISTING ANTENNA REGULATIONS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 25 of the Lynwood Municipal Code is
hereby amended as follows:
(i) Section 25-16.4 of the Lynwood Municipal Code is amended
to read as follows:
25-16.4 Radio, Television and Wireless Telecommunication
Services Antennas.
a. Definitions.
"Antenna" shall mean any structure, including monopoles,
towers, dish or parabolic devices, panels and directional beam
type arrays having elements carried by a generally horizontal boom
designed to transmit or receive radio, television, microwave or
similar communication signals to or from another antenna or
orbiting satellite.
"Antenna tower" or "antenna support structure" shall mean any
wooden or metal structure or device used to support one (1) or
more antennas and which is affixed to the ground or any existing
structure.
"Co-location" shall mean the placement of antennas, dishes,
panels or similar devices owned or used by two or more
telecommunications providers on one antenna support structure or
building.
"FCC" shall mean the abbreviation that refers to the Federal
Communications Commission.
"Height" shall mean the overall vertical length of the antenna
system above the ground or, if such system is located on a
building, then above that part of the level of such building upon
which the system rests.
"Inspector" shall mean the Building Inspector of the City or
any authorized assistant.
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"Mast" shall mean that portion of the outside antenna system
to which the antenna is attached, and the support or tension wires
required to elevate the antenna to a height deemed necessary for
adequate operation.
"Satellite Dish Antenna" shall mean an antenna specifically
designed to receive and transmit signals, most commonly television
signals, to and from an orbiting satellite.
"Whip antenna" shall mean an antenna consisting of a single
slender vertical rod supported at or near its base.
"Wireless Telecommunication Antenna" shall mean an antenna at
a fixed location used for the transmission or reception of
wireless telecommunication signals, excluding radio and TV
antennas, ham radio antennas, satellite dish antennas and antennas
used for dispatch communications by public agencies.
b. Approval of Radio, Television and Amateur Radio Antennas.
Radio and television antennas and amateur radio antennas 10 feet
or less in height, and satellite dish receiving or transmitting
antennas 1 meter (39 inches) or less in diameter when located in
residential zones and 2 meters (78 inches) or less in diameter
when located in commercial and industrial zones are exempt from
the provisions of this section and may be installed without Site
Plan Review and without securing a building permit.
Radio and television antennas and amateur radio antennas over 10
feet in height, and satellite dish receiving or transmitting
antenna systems greater than 1 meter (39 inches) in diameter in
residential zones and greater than 2 meters (78 inches) in
commercial and industrial zones may be installed, erected and
maintained, but only in accordance with FCC regulations and the
provisions of this subsection. Persons wishing to install such
antennas must apply for Site Plan Review pursuant to Section 25-32
of this Ordinance and, if approved, must secure a building permit.
Every application to install such antennas shall be accompanied by
construction drawings showing the proposed method of installation,
the manufacturer's specification, and a plot plan showing the
proposed location of the antenna. The application shall be
accompanied by engineering data establishing the fact that the
antenna conforms to the structural requirements of the Building
Code.
c. Development standards for Antennas requiring Site Plan
Review.
1. The maximum number of antennas that may be
installed on any lot shall not exceed:
(a) One (1) ground-mounted satellite receiver
dish and one radio and TV antenna on any residential
site.
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(b) Two (2) roof-mounted antennas or one ground
mounted antenna on any commercial/industrial site.
2. In residential zones the height of a ground
mounted satellite dish, shall not exceed fifteen (15)
feet.
3. Exterior dish antennas over one meter (39 inches)
in diameter shall be prohibited on any roof on any
residential site.
4. In any R-l, R-2 or R-3 Zone, an exterior dish
antenna shall not be located in any front or side yard
setback in any residential zone. Location in any rear
yard adjacent to a street is prohibited, unless the
antenna is not visible from the street.
5. In nonresidential zones, antennas which are
roof-mounted shall not extend higher than twenty (20)
feet above the building.
6. No antenna shall be affixed or attached to chimneys
or flues on buildings without approval by the Building
Inspector.
7. No antenna shall be installed in any zone, when it
impedes the normal circulation, including ingress or
egress, to and from any structure or facility including
parking areas.
8. Antennas, including guy wires, supporting
structures and accessory equipment shall be located and
designed so as to minimize the visual impact on
surrounding properties and from public streets.
9. Antennas may be required to be screened through
the addition of architectural features and/or
landscaping that harmonize with the characteristics of
the property.
10. The materials used in constructing the antennas
shall not be unnecessarily bright, shiny, garish or
reflective.
11. The mast or tower shall be constructed of
noncombustible and corrosive-resistant material.
12. Every antenna shall be adequately grounded for
protection against a direct strike of lightning, with
adequate ground wire. The ground wire shall be of a
type approved by the latest edition of the Electrical
Code for grounding masts and lightning arrestors.
13. Whenever it is necessary to install an antenna
near power lines or where damage would be caused by its
falling, a separate safety wire must be attached to the
antenna mast or tower, and secured in a direction
away from the hazard. Antennas and safety wires must
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maintain at least six (6) feet horizontal and twelve
(12) feet vertical clearance of utility lines.
14. Any ground mounted dish antenna shall not exceed
ten (10) feet in diameter.
15. Engineering calculations signed by a licensed
engineer shall be provided for footings.
16. A minimum of twenty (20) pounds wind load shall be
provided for all connectors on dish or pole.
17. No part of any antenna shall encroach into a
public right-of-way, and wires, cables, or guys, used
for any antenna systems, shall not cross over or under
any existing light or power circuit wires. Further, no
such antenna system wires shall cross any public
street, or way, except that the Planning Commission may
grant permission as recommended by the Public Works
Director/City Engineer if the Commission deems the
crossing to be in the public interest.
18. Every antenna shall be maintained in good
condition in accordance with all requirements of this
subsection.
d. Wireless Telecommunication Service Antennas
Wireless telecommunication Service antennas, panels and associated
service structures may be located on property zoned for
commercial, industrial, Hospital-Medical-Dental and Community
Facilities use and, when owned by a public entity, on
residentially zoned land.
1. Required Applications•
Any person or firm proposing to install wireless
telecommunication service antennas, panels and associated service
structures shall first make application to the Planning Commission
for a Conditional Use Permit.
2. Required Application Information
Any application for Conditional Use Permit approval shall
include the following:
a. a site plan, drawn to scale, showing the location of
all antennas, service structures, guy wires, above and below
ground wiring, existing or proposed easements on the
property, height of structures and distances between
antennas and existing and proposed structures .
b. a location map, showing existing antenna sites
within the City owned by the same company or operator and any
potential planned sites or search rings in the city required
for area coverage.
c. a detailed drawing of any proposed antenna
structures, including the size, location and height above
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ground of any panels, microwave dishes, or whip antennas, and
the overall height of all structures.
d. detailed engineering calculations for foundation and
wind loads plus documentation that the electronic (EMR)
emissions from the facility are within the limits set by the
Federal Communications Commission.
e. a preliminary environmental review, with special
emphasis placed on the nature and extent of visual
impacts.
f. evidence of any necessary FCC and FAA approvals.
3. Location Priorities
a. The highest priority shall be given to those
facilities with the least possible visual impact, such as
disguised facilities, facilities located within parks,
facilities screened by natural or artificial vegetation, or
facilities located on existing structures or, when screened,
on the roofs of existing buildings.
b. Wherever technically possible, applicant and City
shall give priority to co-located facilities where such co-
loration is determined to result in less visual impact on the
surrounding community.
4. Development Standards and Reauiremer~ts
a. If not co-located, antennas must be at least 2500 ft
apart, unless it can be determined that closer location is
technologically required or would have less visual impact.
b. When the facility is located in or adjacent to a
residential area, the antenna pole or tower must be set back
from the nearest residential lot line a distance at least
equal to its height.
c. When the antenna poles or towers are visible from
residential development or major arterial streets, and the
Planning Commission determines that such poles or towers
would create significant adverse visual impacts, the
Commission shall require that the pole or tower be disguised,
screened or relocated in order to minimize visual impact.
d. When antenna arrays are located on buildings, the
arrays shall be integrated into the building design to the
maximum extent feasible. Such integration may include
location along column or pier lines, above the center lines
of windows, or behind or within architectural features.
e. Antennas shall not be located on street light
standards that are less than 25 feet in height
f. Equipment shelters or cabinet shall be no greater
than 15 ft. high and shall meet all zoning setback
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requirements. They shall be concealed from public view or be
made compatible with the color and architectural design of
surrounding structures.
g. Antennas and support structures shall be painted in
soft muted colors that match their surroundings and blend in
with the background views.
h. Applicant shall comply with all requirements of the
FCC and FAA, including safety lighting within airport descent
zones.
i. Fencing around any wireless communication facility
if the facility is directly visible from a residential area
or arterial street shall be of wrought iron or similar
decorative material. Chain link fencing may be permitted by
the reviewing authority based on limited visibility from
residential areas and arterial streets.
j. Applicant and owner shall sign an agreement provided
by the City to permit co-location of facilities on mounting
structures owned or operated by the applicant/owner unless
special technical constraints prevent such co-location.
k. No signs, except warning signs, shall be posted or
displayed on any antenna or support device. Warning signs
also may be attached to fencing surrounding anyy facility.
5. Granting of Conditional Use Permit
The Planning Commission shall approve a Conditional Use Permit for
wireless telecommunication facilities when it determines that the
proposed facility will comply with all applicable City codes,
ordinances and development standards, and all State and Federal
codes and regulations and that the findings required under Section
25-25.7 of the Lynwood Municipal Code can be made.
6. Removal of Unused or Abandoned Facilities
Lawfully erected wireless communication facilities that are no
longer being used shall be removed within 90 days of abandonment
or discontinuance of use. A facility that is not operated or used
for a period of six continuous months shall be deemed abandoned
and may be removed by the City at the owners/operators expense.
f. Installation Businesses. Every person engaged in the
business of installing antennas of any type shall first obtain a
license therefor pursuant to Chapter 4, Section 6 of the Lynwood
Municipal Code.
g. Enforcement.
1. All antennas shall be subject to periodic
reinspection by the Inspector, in order to ascertain whether
or not the antennas continue to remain in a safe condition,
and in compliance with the terms of this subsection.
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2. where reinspection reveals potential danger_to life
or property, the Inspector shall give written notice to the
owner or operator of such antenna at last known address
stating conditions, and notify such owner or operator that
the same be corrected within ten (10) days after such notice.
Failure to abide by and faithfully comply with this
subsection or with any and all conditions that may be imposed
shall constitute grounds for the revocation of the permit by
the Community Development Director or authorized
representative(s). (Ord. No. 1270, §1.)
Section 2. The City Clerk is directed to certify to the
passage and adoption of this ordinance and to cause the same to
published or posted as required by law.
First read at a regular meeting of the City Council held on
the 20th day of January, 1998 and adopted and ordered published at
a regular meeting of said Council held on the 17th day of March,
1998.
~ .,
ARMANDO REA, MAYOR
ATTEST:
~!
ANDREA L. HOOPER, CI Y CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
i r
/ i~
FRANCISCO ZEAL, CITY ATTORNEY FAI} IN GONZ E~ ~ MANAGER
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
SS.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, the undersigned, City Clerk of the Lynwood City Council do hereby certify that
the attached and foregoing is a fiill, true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 1481
on file in my office and that said ordinance was first read at a regular meeting the
3rd day of March 19 98 ,and adopted on the 17th day
of March , 19 98 , by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBER BYRD, REYES, SANCHEZ, REA
NOES: COUNCILMEMBER RICHARDS
ABSENT: NONE
City Clerk, City of Lynwood