| A. |
Towers, antennas and any necessary
support structures shall be designed to blend into the surrounding
environment through the use of color camouflaging and architectural
treatment, except in cases in which the Federal Aviation Authority
(FAA), state or federal authorities have dictated color. Use
of stealth design, including those which imitate natural features,
may be required in visually sensitive locations. |
| B. |
In order to protect public safety
and to preserve the scenic character and appearance of the area,
the height limit for towers, antennas and tower-related fixtures
shall be not more than 20 feet above the average height of the
tree line measured within 100 feet of the highest vertical element
of the telecommunications facility. Notwithstanding the above,
additional height may be approved upon a finding by the [Planning
Commission/Zoning Board of Adjustment/Development Review Board]
that the additional height is necessary in order to provide adequate
coverage in the Town of ___________ or to accomplish collocation
of facilities and that the additional height will not cause an
undue visual impact on the scenic character or appearance of
the area. |
| C. |
Towers, antennas and any necessary
support structures shall be designed to avoid having an undue
adverse impact aesthetic impact on prominent ridgelines and hilltops.
In determining whether a tower's aesthetic impact would be undue
and adverse, the Board will consider:
| i. |
the period of time during which the proposed
tower would be viewed by the traveling public on a public highway; |
| ii. |
the frequency of the view experienced by the
traveling public; |
| iii. |
the degree to which the tower would be screened
by existing vegetation, the topography of the land, and existing
structures; |
| iv. |
background features in the line of sight to the
proposed tower that obscure the facility or make it more conspicuous; |
| v. |
the distance of the proposed tower from the view
point and the proportion of the facility that is visible above
the skyline; |
| vi. |
the sensitivity or unique value of a particular
view affected by the proposed tower; |
| vii. |
significant disruption of a viewshed that provides
context to a historic or scenic resource. |
The Board shall have the authority to impose conditions consistent
with the purpose of this section in approving a proposed facility.
Furthermore, the Board may designate an alternative location
for the tower to be evaluated by the applicant if it is determined
that the proposed location would result in undue adverse aesthetic
impacts. In consideration of this, the applicant may revise its
application to include such a site, assuming it is available
to the applicant and reasonably technically feasible to meet
the applicant's communication objectives. |
| D. |
All buildings and structures accessory
to a tower (except for electric power poles where specifically
exempted by the Board) shall meet the minimum setback requirements
of the underlying zoning district or setback requirements specified
in this bylaw. If the minimum setbacks of the underlying zoning
district are less than the height of the tower, including antennas
or other vertical appurtenances, the minimum distance from the
tower to any property line shall be no less than the height of
the tower, including antennas and other vertical appurtenances. |
| E. |
Ground mounted equipment or antennas
as well as buildings and structures accessory to a tower shall
be screened from view by suitable vegetation, except where a
design of non-vegetative screening better complements the architectural
character of the surrounding neighborhood. A planted or vegetative
screen shall be a minimum of ten feet in depth with a minimum
height of six feet and shall have the potential to grow to a
height of at least 15 feet at maturity. Existing on-site vegetation
outside the immediate site for the wireless facility shall be
preserved or improved. Disturbance to existing topography shall
be minimized unless the disturbance is demonstrated to result
in less visual impact on the facility from surrounding properties
and other vantage points. |