Ordinance 2531-01 - Laserfiche WebLink

replacement utility and communications facilities is encouraged. When existing facilities are used or replaced, addition to or replacement of existing structures may exceed the height of the existing facility by not more than twenty feet. (4) When tower structures for above ground utility and/or communications facilities are proposed to be located within three hundred feet of residentially zoned areas, in or within two hundred feet of gateway corridors as designated by the Everett comprehensive plan, or in or within two hundred feet of areas under the jurisdiction of the shoreline master program, zones which otherwise required Review Process II shall use Review Process III. (5) All utility and communication facilities shall be installed underground or within structures to the greatest extent practical in order to maximize safety and minimize visual and noise impacts upon surrounding properties. When it is not practical to install underground or within structures, all utility and communications facilities shall be architecturally designed and screened so as to minimize visual impacts on and promote compatibility with surrounding properties. (6) Above ground utility and communications facilities shall be designed so as to be the lowest height possible to adequately serve the needs of the public for the proposed utility or communications service. The review authority, in considering the proposed utility or communications facility, may allow antenna or tower height to exceed the height permitted in the underlying zone without having to satisfy the variance approval criteria of Section 41.130.0 of this title. Approval may only be granted if it can be demonstrated that such height is necessary to adequately serve the needs of the public for the proposed utility or communications service. The applicant shall provide an evaluation of alternative designs and locations which could result in a lower tower or antenna height. (7) Towers associated with above ground utility and communication facilities and all ancillary structures shall comply with the setback standards of the zone in which the property is located; provided, that when allowed to be located in or within two hundred feet of residential zones, the height of any tower shall not exceed the horizontal distance between the base of the tower and the nearest residential property line. The review authority, in considering the proposed utility or communications facility, may allow a lesser setback, without having to satisfy the variance approval criteria of Section 41.130.0 of this title, if it can be demonstrated that a lesser setback is necessary to adequately serve the needs of the public for the proposed utility or communications service, or that a lesser setback will result in better screening than in a location which meets the setbacks required herein. (8) The above ground utility or communications facility shall be removed from the site should the use for such purposes be discontinued for one hundred twenty days or more. The Planning Director shall have the discretion, upon the request of the owner of the facility, to allow an extension of this time period to allow for the use of the site by another utility or communications service provider. (9) Maintenance, repair, or replacement of existing utility or communications facilities or appurtenant structures and the installation of minor above ground utility and communications facilities are exempt from this section. This exemption includes replacement or increased heights of not more than twenty feet to accommodate wireless telecommunications antennas. Utility and communications service providers are encouraged to locate such facilities of a minor nature and small scale on existing or 27