17.130.010 Purpose – Applicability.
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to provide a uniform and comprehensive set of standards for the development of telecommunications facilities and installation of minor antennas. The regulations contained herein are designed to protect and promote public health, safety, and community welfare while at the same time not unduly restricting the development of needed telecommunications facilities and important amateur radio installations. They have been also developed to further the policies of the Sebastopol General Plan.
It is furthermore intended that these regulations specifically accomplish the following:
A. Protect the visual character of the City from the potential adverse effects of telecommunications facility development and minor antenna installation;
B. Protect the inhabitants of the City from the possible adverse health effects associated with exposure to high levels of NIER (nonionizing electromagnetic radiation);
C. Protect the environmental resources of the City;
D. Create telecommunications facilities that will serve as an important and effective part of the City’s emergency response network;
E. Any antenna and its associated support structure installed for the sole use of Federally licensed amateur radio operators in the Amateur Radio Service shall not, by definition, be considered telecommunications facilities and shall be exempt from any other antenna or telecommunications facility ordinances enacted by the City, and shall be regulated solely by the following; and
F. Simplify and shorten the process for obtaining necessary permits for telecommunications facilities while at the same time protecting the legitimate interests of the City’s citizens. (Ord. 1123 § 3 (Exh. A § 4), 2019)