§ 80-2. Definitions.

The following definitions are in addition to definitions in section 80-31. Where the same or similar definitions exist, the definitions of this article shall apply in reference to WTFs.

Abandonment. The intent to abandon or discontinue operations as evidenced by voluntary conduct or failure to use a wireless telecommunications facility for a period of six months or more.

Above ground level (AGL). A measurement of height from the natural grade of a site to the highest point of a structure.

AGL. See Above ground level.

Ancillary structures. Any development associated with a wireless telecommunications facility, including but not limited to foundations, concrete slabs on grade, guy wire anchors, generators and transmission cable supports. This definition does not include equipment compound.

Antenna. Any apparatus designed for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves that includes but is not limited to: telephonic, radio or television communications. Types of antennas include, but are not limited to: omni-directional (whip) antennas, sectorized (panel) antennas, or parabolic (dish) antennas.

Antenna array. A single set or group of antennas and their associated mounting hardware, transmission lines or other appurtenances which share a common attachment device such as a mounting frame or mounting support.

Antenna support structure. A vertical projection, typically composed of metal, with or without a foundation that is for the express purpose of accommodating antennas at a desired height above grade.

Antenna types (as referred to in the modifications section) for the purposes of this article are defined as cellular, panel, whip and dish. A change to the type of antenna installed on a tower shall be considered a modification.

Applicant. A person or entity with an application for the permit of a wireless telecommunications facility. A co-applicant is any person or entity that joins with an applicant in an application for the same permit, including the property owner, antenna support structure owner, and any proposed tenants for the facility.

Attached wireless telecommunications facility. An antenna or antenna array that is secured to an existing building or structure (except an antenna support structure) with any accompanying pole or device which attaches it to the building or structure, together with transmission cables, and an equipment cabinet, which may be located either on the roof or inside/outside of the building or structure. An attached wireless telecommunications facility is considered to be an accessory use to the existing principal use on a site.

Base station. The primary sending and receiving site in a telecommunications facility network. More than one base station and/or more than provider can be located on a single antenna support structure.

Breakpoint technology. The engineering design of a monopole wherein a specified point on the monopole is designed to have stresses concentrated so that the point is at least five percent more susceptible to failure than any other point along the monopole. In the event of a structural failure of the monopole, the failure will occur at the breakpoint rather than at the base plate, anchor bolts, or any other point on the monopole.

Cellular telecommunications. A commercial low power mobile radio service bandwidth licensed by the FCC to providers in a specific geographical area in which the radio frequency spectrum is divided into discrete channels which are assigned in group to geographic cells within a service area and which are capable of being reused in different cells within the service area.

City. The City of Pooler.

City council. The city council for the City of Pooler.

Collocation. A situation in which two or more wireless personal service providers place a wireless telecommunications antenna or antennas and feed lines on a common antenna support structure or other structure on which there is an existing antenna array. The term "collocation" shall not be applied to a situation where two or more wireless personal service providers independently place equipment on an existing building.

Combined antenna. An antenna or antenna array designed and utilized to provide services for more than one wireless provider for the same or similar type of services.

Concealed. A wireless telecommunications facility that is disguised, hidden, part of an existing or proposed structure or placed within an existing or proposed structure, to include antennas, ancillary structures, and utilities. Concealment is further explained in subsection 80-6(4).

Contributing structure. A structure listed on the Georgia Register of Historic Places; the National Register of Historic Places; or that is at least 50 years old, has not had any major exterior alterations that has changed its original architectural character, and that has had an historic survey which documents the structure as contributing to the historic district in which it is located.

Coverage. The geographic area reached by an individual wireless telecommunications facility installation.

Decision. The conclusion of a wireless telecommunications facility application review that results in an approval or denial with or without conditions. Decisions may be appealed as identified within this article.

Dual lighting systems. Strobe lights during daytime and flashing red lights during non-daytime.

Equipment compound. The area or structure surrounding a ground-based wireless telecommunications facility including, but not limited to, the areas inside or under the following: an antenna support structure's framework and ancillary structures such as equipment necessary to operate the antenna on the facility that is above the base flood elevation including: cabinets, shelters, pedestals, generators and other similar structures.

Equipment cabinet. A structure located at a base station that is above the base flood elevation and designed exclusively to contain radio or other equipment necessary for the transmission or reception of wireless telecommunication signals. A cabinet cannot be used for storage and/or habitable space.

Existing structures and facilities. Any wireless telecommunications facility for which a permit has been properly issued prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived.

FAA. Federal Aviation Administration.

FCC. Federal Communications Commission. The government agency responsible for regulating telecommunications.

Feed lines. The interconnecting media between the transmission/receiving base station and the antenna.

Functionally equivalent services. Cellular, personal communications services (PCS), enhanced specialized mobile radio, specialized mobile radio and paging services.

Geographic search area (GSA). An area designated by a wireless provider or operator for a new base station, produced in accordance with generally accepted principles of wireless engineering.

GSA. See Geographic Search Area.

Guyed structure. A style of antenna support structure consisting of a single truss assembly composed of sections with bracing incorporated. The sections are attached to each other, and the assembly is attached to a foundation and supported by a series of wires that are connected to anchors placed in the ground or on a building.

Lattice structure. Typically a tapered style of antenna support structure that consists of vertical and horizontal supports with multiple legs and cross-bracing and metal crossed strips or bars to support antennas.

Least visually obtrusive profile. The design of a wireless telecommunications facility intended to present a visual profile that is the minimum profile necessary for the facility to properly function.

Location. The area where a wireless telecommunications facility is located or proposed to be located. Reference to location shall be exact longitude and latitude, to the nearest tenth of a second. Bearing or orientation is referenced to true north.

Modification. The change, or proposed change, of any portion of a wireless telecommunication facility from its description in a previously approved WTF permit. Modification includes structural reinforcement, change in antenna type, and changes that alter the appearance, size or height of a WTF.

Monopole. A style of freestanding antenna support structure that consists of a single shaft usually composed of two or more hollow sections that are in turn attached to a foundation. This type of antenna support structure is designed to support itself without the use of guy wires or other stabilization devices. These facilities are mounted to a foundation that rests on or in the ground or on the roof of a building.

Mount. The surface upon which antennas are mounted. Mounts described in this article include: roof-mounts (mounted on the roof of a building) and side-mounts (mounted on the side of a building).

Personal wireless telecommunications services. Commercial mobile radio services, unlicensed wireless services and common carrier wireless exchange access service as identified in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Planning and zoning commission. The planning and zoning commission for the City of Pooler.

Provider. Any entity licensed by the FCC to provide subscriber-based personal wireless telecommunications services.

Radio frequency engineer. An engineer specializing in electrical or microwave engineering, especially the study of radio frequencies.

Recognized historic area. Districts or locations identified as having historic and/or architectural significance through an ordinance, guideline, map, listing or designation by a local, state or federal government.

Review. A review of a wireless telecommunication facility application by applicable administrators, staff, or commissions that results in a decision.

Screening. The use of design, existing buildings and structures, existing and proposed vegetation and color to obscure a wireless telecommunications facility.

Separation. The vertical distance between one carrier's antenna array and the antenna array of another carrier.

Siting. The method and form of placement of a wireless telecommunications facility on a specific area of a property.

Unlicensed wireless services. Commercial mobile services that can operate on public domain.

Wireless telecommunications facility (WTF). A staffed or unstaffed commercial facility for the transmission and/or reception of radio frequency signals, or other wireless communications, and usually consisting of an antenna or groups of antennas, transmission cables and equipment enclosures, and may include an antenna support structure. The following non-exclusive list shall be considered a wireless telecommunications facility: new and existing antenna support structures, replacement antenna support structures, collocations on existing antenna support structures, attached wireless telecommunications facilities and concealed wireless telecommunications facilities.

WTF. See Wireless telecommunications facility.

Zoning administrator. The city manager or his or her designee.

(Ord. of 6-19-2006, §§ I, II; Ord. of 4-2-2012(1) , § I)