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ARTICLE 43 <br /> TOWER FACILITY STANDARDS <br /> The standards in this Article shall apply to Commercial Use towers in all zoning districts where <br /> such uses are permitted. <br /> 43.1 INTENT AND PURPOSE <br /> The unique and diverse landscapes of Crow Wing County are among its most valuable <br /> assets.Destroying these assets risks undermining the very characteristics responsible for <br /> our economic vitality and future potential.Protecting these assets will require that <br /> location and design of tower facilities be sensitive to,and in scale and harmony with,the <br /> aesthetics of Crow Wing County. This article will provide standards for the proper <br /> placement and design of tower facilities in order to ensure their compatibility with <br /> surrounding aesthetics and development.The purpose of this article is to provide <br /> predictable and balanced standards for the siting and screening of tower facilities on both <br /> public and private property within the jurisdiction of Crow Wing County. These <br /> standards will protect the health, safety and general welfare of persons in the area <br /> surrounding such tower facilities from possible adverse effects related to the placement, <br /> construction or modification of such tower facilities.Leasing of public buildings, <br /> publicly owned structures,and/or public rights-of-way for the purposes of locating <br /> wireless telecommunication services facilities and/or equipment is encouraged.In cases <br /> where a facility is proposed on County property, specific locations and compensation to <br /> the County shall be negotiated in lease agreements between the County and the provider <br /> on a case-by-case basis,and would be subject to all of the review criteria contained in <br /> this section. Such agreements would not provide exclusive arrangements that could tie up <br /> access to the negotiated site(s)or limit competition,and must allow for the possibility of <br /> "co-locating"(sharing of facilities)with other providers. Specifically,the <br /> Telecommunication Act of 1996,affirms local governments right to control the site, <br /> construction and modification of cellular and other wireless telecommunication facilities. <br /> The permitting process of this article will not discriminate among providers of <br /> functionally equivalent services and will not prohibit the provisions of personal wireless <br /> services. <br /> 43.2 APPLICABILITY <br /> It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect,construct in place,or <br /> place any tower facility without first receiving permit(s)from Crow Wing County <br /> Planning and Zoning Office.Nor may any person, firm,or corporation alter,modify, <br /> transform,add to or change in any way an existing tower facility without first receiving <br /> permit(s)from Crow Wing County Planning and Zoning Office. <br /> 43.3 DEFINITIONS <br /> A. ANTENNAE <br /> Any structure or device used for the purpose of collecting or radiating <br /> electromagnetic waves including but not limited to directional antennas such as <br /> panels,microwave dishes, satellite dishes, and omni-directional antennae such as <br /> whip-antennae. <br /> B. TOWER FACILITY(IES) <br /> Structures thirty-five(35)feet or more in height and that may include a tower, <br /> antenna(s),equipment building(s),anchor points and other related equipment used by <br /> broadcast services and/or wireless telecommunications services. <br />