State College Borough Council on Monday approved revisions to the zoning ordinance specifying provisions for wireless cell monopoles and prohibiting their installation in certain areas.
Monopoles are installed in the ground to provide wireless cell service. Earlier this year the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission granted municipalities authority to regulate their installation in public rights of way.
A proposed ordinance was presented to council in May, and after a public hearing and recommendations from Planning Commission, a modified ordinance was drafted in July and considered earlier in August.
According to the ordinance passed on Monday, monopoles are only permitted within alley public rights-of-way and lots in the Commercial Incentive District and the Commercial District.
Monopoles cannot be composed of wood and must be similar to light poles and street furniture on the same block. Each can be in a radius no closer than 1,000 feet from the next, and monopoles can be no more than 40 feet in height from grade in the Commercial Incentive District and no taller than 25 feet from grade in the Commercial District.
Lighting is not permitted at the top of a monopole. The poles cannot be attached to a structure or adjacent to contributing buildings in the Highlands and Holmes-Foster Historic District.
Building and zoning permits are required for monopole installation and foundations must be approved by the borough engineer.
