§ 29-29. Definitions.

For purposes of this article, and where not inconsistent with the context of a particular section, the defined terms, phrases, words, abbreviations, and their derivations shall have the meaning given in this section. When not inconsistent with the context, words in the present tense include the future tense, words used in the plural number include words in the singular number and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory, and not merely directory.

Accessory facility or structure means an accessory facility or structure serving or being used in conjunction with wireless telecommunications facilities, and located on the same property or lot as the wireless telecommunications facilities, including but not limited to, utility or transmission equipment storage sheds or cabinets.

Antenna means a system of electrical conductors that transmit or receive electromagnetic waves or radio frequency or other wireless signals. Such shall include, but not be limited to radio, television, cellular, paging, personal telecommunications services (PCS), microwave telecommunications and services not licensed by the FCC, but not expressly exempt from the city's siting, building and permitting authority.

Applicant means any wireless service provider submitting an application for a special use permit for wireless telecommunications facilities.

Application means all necessary and appropriate documentation that an applicant submits in order to receive a special use permit for wireless telecommunications facilities.

Co-location means the use of a tower or structure to support antennae for the provision of wireless services without increasing the height of the tower or structure.

Commercial impracticability or commercially impracticable means the inability to perform an act on terms that are reasonable in commerce; the cause or occurrence of which could not have been reasonably anticipated or foreseen and that jeopardizes the financial efficacy of the project. The inability to achieve a satisfactory financial return on investment or profit, standing alone, shall not deem a situation to be "commercial impracticable" and shall not render an act or the terms of an agreement "commercially impracticable".

Completed application means an application that contains all information and/or data necessary to enable an informed decision to be made with respect to an application.

Council means the City Council of the City of Neptune Beach.

FAA means the Federal Aviation Administration, or its duly designated and authorized successor agency.

FCC means the Federal Communications Commission, or its duly designated and authorized successor agency.

Height means, when referring to a tower or structure, the distance measured from the preexisting grade level to the highest point on the tower or structure, even if said highest point is an antenna or lightening protection device.

Modification or modify means, the addition, removal or change of any of the physical and visually discernable components or aspects of a wireless facility, such as antennas, cabling, radios, equipment shelters, landscaping, fencing, utility feeds, changing the color or materials of any visually discernable components, vehicular access, parking and/or an upgrade or change out of equipment for better or more modern equipment. Adding a new wireless carrier or service provider to a telecommunications tower or telecommunications site is a modification. A modification shall not include the replacement of any components of a wireless facility where the replacement is identical to the component being replaced or for any matters that involve the normal repair and maintenance of a wireless facility without adding, removing or changing anything.

NIER means non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation.

Person means any individual, corporation, estate, trust, partnership, joint stock company, association of two (2) or more persons having a joint common interest, or any other entity.

Personal wireless facility. See definition for "wireless telecommunications facilities."

Personal wireless services or PWS or personal telecommunications service or PCS shall have the same meaning as defined and used in the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

Special use permit means the official document or permit by which an applicant is allowed to construct and use wireless telecommunications facilities as granted or issued by the city.

Stealth or stealth technology means minimize adverse aesthetic and visual impacts on the land, property, buildings, and other facilities adjacent to, surrounding, and in generally the same area as the requested location of such wireless telecommunications facilities, which shall mean using the least visually and physically intrusive facility that is not technologically or commercially impracticable under the facts and circumstances.

State means the State of Florida.

Telecommunication site. See definition for "wireless telecommunications facilities."

Telecommunications means the transmission and/or reception of audio, video, data, and other information by wire, radio frequency, light, and other electronic or electromagnetic systems.

Telecommunications structure means a structure used in the provision of services described in the definition of "wireless telecommunications facilities."

Temporary means, temporary in relation to all aspects and components of this article, something intended to, or that does, exist for fewer than ninety (90) days.

Wireless telecommunications facilities means and includes a "telecommunications tower" and "tower" and "telecommunications site" and "personal wireless facility" means a structure, facility or location designed, or intended to be used as, or used to support, antennas or other transmitting or receiving devices. This includes without limit, towers of all types and kinds and structures that employ camouflage technology, including, but not limited to structures such as a multi-story building, church steeple, silo, water tower, sign or other structures that can be used to mitigate the visual impact of an antenna or the functional equivalent of such, including all related facilities such as cabling, equipment shelters and other structures associated with the site. It is a structure and facility intended for transmitting and/or receiving radio, television, cellular, paging, 911, personal telecommunications services, commercial satellite services, microwave services and services not licensed by the FCC, but not expressly exempt from the city's siting, building and permitting authority, excluding those used exclusively for the city's fire, police or exclusively for private, non-commercial radio and television reception and private citizen's bands, amateur radio and other similar non-commercial Telecommunications where the height of the facility is below the height limits set forth in this article.

(Ord. No. 2003-19, § 4, 1-5-03)