§ 85-784. Legislative intent.

In recognition of advancing technology and the increasing demand for the installation of wireless communications towers and/or facilities within the Town, the Town Board of the Town of Brookhaven hereby determines that it is in the public interest to specifically regulate the siting and installation of such facilities within the Town in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare. Therefore, the Board hereby determines to establish general guidelines for the siting of wireless communications towers and antennas in order to:

A. 

Protect residential areas and land uses from potential adverse impacts of towers and antennas;

B. 

Encourage the location of towers in nonresidential areas;

C. 

Minimize the total number of towers throughout the Town;

D. 

Encourage the joint use of new and existing tower sites as a primary option rather than construction of additional single-use towers;

E. 

Encourage users of towers and antennas to locate them, to the extent possible, in areas where the adverse impact on the surrounding community is minimal;

F. 

Encourage users of towers and antennas to configure them in a way that minimizes the adverse visual impacts of the towers and antennas through careful design, siting, landscape screening, and innovative camouflaging techniques;

G. 

Enhance the ability of the providers of telecommunications services to provide such services to the community quickly, effectively, and efficiently;

H. 

Consider the impacts upon the public health and safety of communication towers; and

I. 

Avoid potential damage to adjacent and/or nearby properties from tower failure through appropriate engineering and careful siting of tower structures and/or facilities. In furtherance of the aforementioned objectives, the permitting board or Commissioner shall give due consideration to the Town's Comprehensive Plan, existing land uses and development, and environmentally sensitive areas, and other appropriate factors in approving sites for the location of towers and antennas and/or facilities.