Full Text
January 2025 Millcreek Together Code Update I 18.75 Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Summary Sheet Chapter 18.75 Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Summary A. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to reasonably regulate, to the extent permitted by Utah and federal law the location, installation, operation, collocation, modification and design of personal transmission equipment and commercial wireless telecommunications facilities. B. What’s new. o Limits the size and location of personal consumer transmission equipment. o Limits the location and provides additional standards for commercial equipment, particularly when located in proximity to residential uses. o Wall mounted antennas will have a reduced “stand-off” distance from the wall surface to which they are mounted (from 4’ to and must match the color and texture of the wall surface. o Roof mounted antennas have an increased setback from roof edge (from 10’ to 15’) and will have a maximum height of 10’ tall, as measured from roof surface or top of the lowest parapet wall. o Introduction of Freestanding Stealth Structures – defined as being less the 45 feet tall and are designed/incorporated to simulate, but not limited to, flag poles, ball field lights, water towers, steeples, clock towers. These may be located in area where roof and wall mounted are not options and where monopoles may not otherwise be allowed. o Monopoles over 60’ tall will now be allowed as permitted uses instead of a conditional use. Monopoles will max out at 80’ tall, unless otherwise granted through an eligible facility request. o Monopoles will no longer be allowed within ½ mile radius of each other and will have a height/distant ratio (3x) the pole height when located near residential property lines. o Limited “stand-off” distance between the pole and antennas and other pole mounted equipment, (limited to o Eligible Facilities Requests – New FCC rules allow wireless telecommunication facilities modifications to the physical structure as long the changes are not “substantial”. These are permitted under a building permit review and must be done in a timely manner. o New graphics have been provided (needs further updates) to show the options and allowances. C. Rationale for Changes. Updating the Wireless Telecommunication code is to reduce certain discrepancies, enhance clarity, create better regulations, introduce better development processes and generally bring the code up to date with industry standards. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also governs many of the regulations that are placed on wireless communication facilities. Other federal mandates/statues further regulate what local governments can and cannot regulate. This code updated attempts to implement certain mandates as they apply to expanding existing facilities. This code does not regulate “small cell” facilities as they are regulated by a different section of Millcreek code.