§ 9-594 — Structures subject to zoning; time frames; application; fees

A. The following activities that take place inside of a right-of-way are subject to this section and all of the authority's codes and regulations, including the authority's zoning codes and other regulatory processes governing use of the rights-of-way, unless the activities are exempt from zoning review and approval under section 9-592, subsection I or J or section 9-593, subsection C:

1. The installation of new monopoles, utility poles or wireless facilities.

2. The collocation of wireless facilities.

B. Notwithstanding any provision in this article to the contrary, the construction, installation, maintenance, modification, operation or replacement of a monopole or associated wireless facility in a right-of-way is subject to all of the authority's codes and regulations, including the authority's zoning codes and other regulatory processes governing use of the rights-of-way.

C. An authority shall:

1. Accept and process applications for the modification of existing or the installation of new monopoles, utility poles or wireless facilities and the collocation of wireless facilities.

2. Within thirty days after receiving an application, notify the applicant whether the application is complete. If an application is incomplete, the authority must specifically identify the information missing from the application.

3. Process each complete application on a nondiscriminatory basis. A complete application is deemed approved if the authority fails to approve or deny the application within one hundred fifty days after receipt of an application for the modification of existing or the installation of new monopoles, utility poles or wireless facilities or within ninety days after receipt of a complete application for the collocation of wireless facilities. The time period for approval may be tolled to accommodate timely requests for information required to complete the application or may be extended by mutual agreement between the applicant and authority.

4. If a complete application is denied, notify the applicant in writing and provide substantial supporting evidence of the reason for denial in the written record. The written notification of the denial and the supporting evidence shall be publicly released contemporaneously. There must be a reasonable basis for the denial of an application. An authority may not deny an application if the denial is discriminatory against the applicant with respect to the placement of the facilities of other wireless providers.

D. An authority may not:

1. Require an applicant to submit information about the applicant's business decisions regarding the need for the monopole, utility pole or wireless facilities.

2. Require an applicant to submit information about, or evaluate an applicant's business decisions regarding, the applicant's service, customer demand for service or quality of service.

3. Institute, either expressly or de facto, a moratorium on filing, receiving or processing applications or issuing decisions for modifications or installations that are not a permitted use.

E. An authority, in addition to other rights the authority has under federal, state or local law, may:

1. Adopt reasonable requirements regarding the appearance and concealment of facilities, including those relating to materials used for arranging, screening or landscaping.

2. Adopt setback or fall zone requirements that are substantially similar to setback or fall zone requirements that are imposed on other types of commercial structures of a similar height.

3. Charge an application fee. Any application fee is subject to the requirements provided in section 9-593, subsection J. The total application fee, if allowed, may not exceed one thousand dollars for the modification of existing or the installation of new monopoles or utility poles or for the collocation of wireless facilities.

4. Charge a rate or fee for the use of the right-of-way for the installation of a monopole and associated wireless facility that is limited to not more than the direct and actual costs of managing the right-of-way and that is not in the form of a franchise or other fee based on revenue or customer counts.

F. An applicant's business decisions regarding the type and location of wireless facilities, monopoles or utility poles or the technology to be used are presumed to be reasonable. This presumption does not apply to the height or appearance of wireless facilities, monopoles or utility poles. An authority may consider the height of such structures in the zoning or other regulatory review, provided that the authority does not unreasonably discriminate between the applicant and other communications service providers that install wireless facilities.

G. Subject to applicable relocation requirements, the authority's terms described in section 9-592 and the wireless provider's right to terminate at any time, the approval term of an application shall be for a period of not less than ten years, which must be renewed for equivalent durations unless the authority makes a finding that the structure or facilities do not comply with the applicable codes or terms of the zoning or other regulatory process approval. Construction of the approved structure or facilities shall be completed within one hundred eighty days after the permit issuance date, unless the authority and the wireless provider agree to extend this period or a delay is caused by the lack of commercial power at the site.