Mountain House Municipal Code Ch. 15 Wireless Telecommunication Facilities

The intent of this Chapter is to provide design, siting, and locational requirements for support structures for wireless telecommunication antennas and supporting equipment in order to encourage their collocation in the City and to minimize the potential adverse impacts of said structures on public safety and aesthetics.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

This Chapter shall be applicable to all wireless telecommunication facilities that require the granting of commercial licenses from the Federal Communications Commission and/or the California Public Utilities Commission.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Wireless telecommunication antennas and supporting equipment proposed to be attached to existing structures and buildings shall be subject to the following development standards:

(a) In commercial and industrial zones, and in areas with an M-X, P-F, or A-G zoning designation, wireless telecommunication antennas may project up to ten (10) feet above the height of the structure, or up to ten (10) feet above the roof line of the building plus an additional one (1) foot for each ten (10) feet of horizontal distance the antenna is set back from the edge of the building, provided all of the following requirements are satisfied:

(1) The applicant has shown that the subject antenna is not sufficient for wireless telecommunication in its intended coverage area if it is mounted at or below the height of the structure or the roof line of the building.

(2) The antenna and supporting equipment to be mounted or located above the height of the structure or the roof line of the building shall be painted or otherwise treated to match the exterior of the structure or building, or when feasible hidden behind existing or added screening which is architecturally compatible with said structure or building.

(3) The existing structure or building is not an historic resource.

(b) Excluding wireless telecommunication antennas and supporting equipment located on structures and buildings on publicly owned or controlled property, wireless telecommunication antennas and supporting equipment shall not project above the height of the structure or the roof line of the building in residential zones, and in areas with an A-U or A-L zoning designation.

(c) Wireless telecommunication antennas and supporting equipment not projecting above the height of the structure or the roof line of the building shall be architecturally and visually integrated with said structure or building so as not to be generally perceptible. Architectural and visual integration shall include, but shall not be limited to:

(1) Locating said antennas and supporting equipment within buildings, attics, steeples, towers, and new additions that are architecturally compatible with the subject structure or building;

(2) Concealing said antennas and supporting equipment behind and below parapets; and

(3) Encasing said antennas and supporting equipment in fiberglass, stucco, brick, or other medium, which appear integral to the structure or building.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Construction of new freestanding support structures for antennas and supporting equipment for wireless telecommunication, including the replacement of existing freestanding support structures for wireless telecommunication, shall be subject to the following development standards:

(a) Unless shown not to be feasible by the applicant, any new freestanding support structure for wireless telecommunication shall be a monopole. The applicant shall provide information and any other documentation required by the Review Authority to explain why a ground-built support structure other than a monopole is being proposed as the new freestanding support structure.

(b) New freestanding support structures shall be the minimum height required for wireless telecommunication.

(c) New freestanding support structures, including associated antennas and supporting equipment, shall be sited, painted, or otherwise treated to the extent feasible (and permitted by State and Federal law) to minimize visual impacts. Methods to minimize visual impacts shall include, but shall not be limited to:

(1) Using vegetation, fencing, existing development, and topography to screen freestanding support structures, including associated antennas and supporting equipment, from public view; and

(2) Using appropriate paint color, finish, texture, and materials to match nearby structures.

(d) New freestanding support structures shall be located a distance equal to at least the height of the said structure from residential structures on adjoining properties.

(e) New freestanding support structures and associated antennas shall not significantly displace or impair agricultural operations, if any, on the subject parcel or surrounding parcels.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Unless shown not to be feasible by the applicant or considered not to be desirable by the Review Authority, a new wireless telecommunication facility shall collocate on an existing wireless telecommunication facility or, if an existing wireless telecommunication facility is not present within the coverage area of the proposed facility, on an existing structure or building on publicly owned or controlled property.

(a) If use of an existing structure or building on publicly owned or controlled property, or if collocation on an existing wireless telecommunication facility, is not being proposed, the applicant shall provide information and any other documentation required by the Review Authority explaining why use of such existing structures or buildings is not feasible or desirable.

(b) If a new freestanding structure for wireless telecommunication is proposed, the applicant shall agree to allow future applicants to collocate at the site of the proposed facility. The Review Authority may waive this requirement if it determines that such collocation is not desirable or technologically feasible, or would adversely affect the operation of the applicant.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

The Review Authority may retain the services of a communications consultant in order to understand, analyze, and evaluate the request for the proposed wireless telecommunication facility. The consultant shall be selected by the Director. The applicant shall be responsible for the cost of the consultant's services plus an administrative fee as set by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

All freestanding structures, antennas, and supporting equipment associated with wireless telecommunication shall be maintained in good condition by the provider of the telecommunication facility and, whenever necessary, repaired or replaced.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Freestanding structures, antennas, and supporting equipment associated with wireless telecommunication shall be removed by the provider of such facilities and the site restored to its preconstruction state if said facilities have not been operational or used for a period of six (6) consecutive months. Removal and site restoration shall be completed within ninety (90) days of the end of said six (6) month period. To guarantee removal of unused or abandoned facilities, the Review Authority may require the applicant to post a bond or other suitable security instrument.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

This Chapter shall not be applicable to public entities that provide emergency communication services for the Sheriff's Office or the Office of Emergency Services, in order to provide coordination with cities, counties, and State agencies.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)