16.10.010 Purpose.
It is the purpose of this chapter to establish reasonable regulations for the placement, construction and modification of “tall structures” or “tall towers” (as defined in BMC 16.10.020), including wireless communication facilities (“WCFs”) consistent with Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (February 8, 1996) (codified at 47 U.S.C. § 332), Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Pub. L. No. 112-96, 126 Stat. 156 (February 22, 2012) (codified at 47 U.S.C. § 1455(a)) and all other applicable law and regulations and to:
A. Promote the health, safety and general welfare of the public and the city;
B. Provide for adequate fall zones to protect from falling ice and debris, and potential tower failure;
C. Enable the orderly build-out of wireless communication infrastructure, wind energy conservation systems (“WECS”) and other tall structures;
D. Encourage potential applicants for new tall structures to involve citizens early in the process so concerns can be mitigated prior to application for permits;
E. Minimize the overall impacts of tall structures by establishing standards for siting, design and screening and by requiring consistency;
F. Encourage the collocation of WCFs on existing structures thereby minimizing new visual impacts and reducing the need for new tall structures;
G. Encourage the placement of tall structures in a manner that minimizes the negative effects on the visual and scenic resources of all surrounding properties;
H. Accommodate the growing need and demand for wireless communications services; and
I. Promote alternative, affordable energy sources in the city. [Ord. 15-27 § 3.]