6.15.16 Transmission Tower Standards.
A. Wireless Telecommunication Facilities (WTFs) General.
1. Preexisting WTFs for which a permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this Chapter shall not be required to meet the requirements of this article.
2. WTFs serving a public safety purpose as approved by the City are exempt from the following regulations within this article.
3. This section does not apply to network nodes, as that term is defined by Texas Local Government Code chapter 284, as amended, that are proposed to be located in the City right-of-way. All network nodes proposed to be placed in the City right-of-way are governed by Texas Local Government Code Chapter 284, as amended and
§ 6.1503 Network Nodes in the Public Right-of-Way Standards.
B. Setbacks.
1. The standard setbacks for each zoning district shall apply to WTFs with additional setbacks or separation being required in the sections below.
2. Transmission towers shall be placed a minimum distance equal to the height of the tower away from any residential structure or residential zone boundary. No guy wires shall be used.
6.15.17 Height Limitations.
In no case shall a proposed transmission tower exceed two hundred (200) feet in height within the city limits.
6.15.18 Towers Along Major Thoroughfares and Gateways.
A. To preserve and protect the city’s major thoroughfares, WTFs must be set back from freeways, expressways, and major and minor arterials by a distance equal to three times the WTF height. The setback for these areas is determined by measuring from the centerline of the right-of-way of the thoroughfare with the following exceptions.
B. Exception. All direct-to-home services, citizen’s band radio, and all stealth facilities.
C. In the event there is a conflict between this section and the setback requirements along TxDOT or Williamson County maintained rights-of-way, the greater distance requirement shall prevail. Prior approval is required from TxDOT or Williamson County before City approval of towers or network nodes along TxDOT or Williamson County maintained rights-of-way.
6.15.19 Towers Along Major Corridors.
A. WTFs are not allowed within a major corridor with the following exceptions.
B. Exception. All direct-to-home services, citizen’s band radio, and all stealth facilities.
6.15.20 Separation Between Towers.
A. The city desires to protect its natural beauty and skyline by limiting the number of towers per square mile. Densities for towers are calculated using the following:
1. For minor facilities, towers shall be separated by a minimum of the height of the tower multiplied by 50.
2. For intermediate facilities, towers shall be separated by a minimum of the height of the tower multiplied by 45.
3. For major facilities, towers shall be separated by a minimum of the height of the tower multiplied by 25.
B. Exception. Stealth facilities.
6.15.21 Additional Uses Permitted on Lot.
WTFs may be located on lots containing another principal use and may occupy a leased parcel on a lot meeting the minimum lot size requirement of the district in which it is located. Towers and their associated equipment shall be separated from other structures on the lot by a minimum distance of ten (10) feet.
Nonconforming WTFs.
A. WTFs in existence on the date of the adoption of this article, which do not comply with the requirements of this chapter (nonconforming WTFs) are subject to the following provisions:
1. Nonconforming WTFs shall continue in use for the purpose now used but shall not be expanded without complying with this article, except as further provided in this article.
2. Nonconforming WTFs which are hereafter damaged or destroyed no more than fifty (50) percent or greater due to any reason or cause may be repaired and restored to their former use, location and physical dimensions subject to obtaining a building permit therefor, but without otherwise complying with this article.
3. The owner of any nonconforming WTF may replace, repair, rebuild and/or expand such WTF in order to improve the structural integrity of the facility, to allow the facility to accommodate co-located antennas or facilities, or to upgrade the facilities to current engineering, technological or communications standards, without having to conform to the provisions of this article, so long as such facilities are not increased in height by more than twenty (20) feet and/or setbacks are not decreased by more than ten percent (10%).