TITLE
Vote on a Legislative request for approval to amend Sections 1-4, Definitions and Terms; 2-4 (4), Setbacks; and 2-4 (6), Height, of the Wireless Telecommunication Facilities Ordinance to provide a telecommunication tower height waiver for public safety service providers.
ABSTRACT
Action Requested:
Vote on a Legislative request for approval to amend Sections 1-4, Definitions and Terms; 2-4 (4), Setbacks; and 2-4 (6), Height, of the Wireless Telecommunication Facilities Ordinance to provide a telecommunication tower height waiver for public safety service providers.
Introduction & Background:
A legislative public hearing was held on February 18th 2019. The proposed amendment is to Sections 1-4, Definitions and Terms; 2-4 (4), Setbacks; and 2-4 (6), Height. Jason Sullivan spoke on behalf of staff in support of the matter. Mike Reitz, 911 Communications Center Director, was available to answer technical questions regarding the towers. No one spoke in opposition and planning staff has not received any further calls or comments.
The Chatham County 911 Communications Center has an approved Capital Improvements Program (CIP) project to replace the current emergency radio system infrastructure with a reliable and industry standard P25 radio system. To accomplish this replacement requires the installation of new telecommunications towers in the county in areas that are currently have limited or no coverage. To reduce the cost of this upgrade the telecommunications tower ordinance needs to be amended to provide tower height exception for public safety service providers.
Discussion & Analysis:
The 2020-2026 CIP includes the following description of the proposed replacement of the current emergency radio system:
"The existing VHF/UHF radio system used by county public safety agencies is approximately 30 years old. The system has been maintained by replacing and upgrading equipment as needed, but rapidly increasing communication demands and technology advancements ...
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