Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 6 Alternatives Analysis/Information Required

For a facility requiring a conditional use permit before the planning commission, an alternatives analysis shall be prepared by or on behalf of the operator, as described below:

A. Alternatives to be Considered. The alternatives analysis shall consider alternative locations and designs for the proposed facility, including those which would not require a conditional use permit. At a minimum, alternatives included in the analysis shall include:

1. Co-location at all existing communication facilities whether in the unincorporated area of the county, a city or an adjacent county,

2. Lower, more closely spaced communication facilities; and

3. Mounting on any existing nonresidential structure within one-half-mile of the proposed facility in the unincorporated area of Imperial County.

The alternatives analyzed shall be approved by the planning director. For facilities to be located near an incorporated city, the analysis shall also explain why siting within the city is not possible.

B. Findings. The alternatives analysis shall show whether or not the proposed siting and design would have the least possible environmental and visual effect on the community and whether any alternative site or design is available that would allow for issuance of a conditional use permit before the planning director for the facility.

C. Review. The planning director may, at his/her discretion, employ on behalf of the county an independent technical expert to review this alternatives analysis. The operator shall bear the reasonable costs of this review.

(Ord. No. 1504, §§ 81, 82, 12-9-14)