Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance - October 2021

Article 2: Administration Section 2.5. Application-Specific Review Procedures 2.5.25. Wireless Telecommunication Facilities

2.

Existing Telecommunication Facilities

a. Existing Antenna Modification, Replacement or Upgrade

For any existing antenna modification, replacement or upgrade, the applicant must, prior to making such modifications, submit the following: (1) A description of the proposed revisions to the antenna, including the element design, type and number, as well as changes in the number and/or size of any feed lines, from the base of the equipment cabinet to such antenna elements. (2) A signed statement from an RF Engineer, together with their qualifications, shall be incl uded representing the tower’s owner or owner’s agent that the radio frequency emissions comply with FCC standards for such emissions. The statement shall also certify that both individually and cumulatively, and with any other facilities located on or immediately adjacent to the proposed facility, the revised antenna complies with FCC standards. (3) A sealed structural analysis of the existing structure prepared by a registered Professional Engineer licensed by the State of North Carolina indicating that the existing tower as well as all existing and proposed appurtenances meets current NC Building Code requirements, including, but not limited to, wind loading and ANSI EIA/TIA 222 standards, for the tower.

b. Telecommunication Tower Replacement or Mitigation (not involving collocation)

(1) General

a. Tower replacement or mitigation (not involving collocation) shall accomplish a minimum of one of the following:

(i)

Reduce the number of towers.

(ii) Reduce the number of nonconforming towers.

(iii) Replace an existing tower with a new tower to improve network functionality resulting in compliance with this ordinance.

b.

No tower shall be mitigated more than one time.

(2) Telecommunication Tower Design and Construction

Towers shall be engineered and constructed as follows:

a. All towers up to 120 feet in height shall accommodate no less than three antenna arrays. b. All towers between 120 feet one-inch and 140 feet shall accommodate no less than four antenna arrays. c. All towers between 140 feet one-inch and 199 feet shall be engineered and constructed to accommodate at least five antenna arrays.

(3) Height

The height of a tower approved for replacement or mitigation shall not exceed one- hundred percent of the height of the tower being replaced or mitigated. For example, an existing 170 foot tower could be rebuilt at 170 feet.

(4) Breakpoint Technology

New replacement towers or towers used for mitigation shall be designed using breakpoint technology. Certification by a registered Professional Engineer licensed by the State of

Morrisville, NC

October 1, 2021

Unified Development Ordinance

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