Legislative intent.

A. The purposes of this chapter include the provision for communication installations, freestanding towers, satellite dishes, antennas and flagpoles for the enjoyment and convenience of the residents of the Town of Webster, while at the same time providing for the maximum protection of the health, safety and aesthetic sensibilities of the residents.

B. It is a further purpose of this chapter to prevent visual intrusion of such communication installations, freestanding towers, satellite dishes, antennas and flagpoles and to protect residents from unsafe structures and equipment; to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the Town of Webster; to provide standards for the safe provision of telecommunications consistent with applicable federal and state regulations and to protect the natural features and aesthetic characteristics of the Town of Webster.

C. The Town of Webster recognizes the increased demand for wireless communications transmitting facilities and the need for the services they provide. Often, these facilities require the construction of a communication tower. The unaesthetic intrusion of large or high structures of unusual shape or size, monolithically towering above standard-appearing homes and structures, can be disturbing to visual sensitivities. Bulk and visual impact of such installations create aesthetic problems making it appropriate to have some special limitations as to size and placement thereof. The intent of this chapter is to protect the town's interest in properly siting towers in a manner consistent with sound land use planning while also allowing wireless services providers to meet their technological and service objectives.

D. The proliferation of the construction and installation of communication towers, satellite antennas, parabolic dishes, energy-creating devices and other similar equipment and devices must be controlled so as to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens to the maximum degree possible to coordinate and control the same so as to preserve and protect the aesthetic qualities of the Town of Webster and its environs. Accordingly, this chapter is enacted to accomplish this stated purpose, and the intent of this chapter is to provide a means of controlling the installation and maintenance of such installations. This chapter is furthermore intended to provide a safe way to maintain the aesthetic character of and harmony within the Town of Webster.

E. Among other things, reasonable controls contribute to the good appearance of the town, stabilize property values, assure the safety of the owner and others and, in general, contribute to the preservation of a pleasant community in which to work and live.

F. This chapter shall be construed and administered so as not to unduly hamper reasonably satisfactory reception of satellite television signals.

G. This chapter is intended to comply fully with the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.