What to include when applying to build a cell tower

telecommunication antennas. In addition to the application requirements for plan approval contained in section 25-2-72, an application for plan approval for a telecommunication antenna or tower shall contain a submittal checklist consistent with this section and shall contain the following information: (1) A plot plan showing the location on the building site of the proposed antenna or tower; (2) Building plans for the tower, certified by a licensed structural engineer, verifying that the tower, at full build out inclusive of all potential antennas and equipment, will have a hard survivability for sustained winds of one hundred miles per hour or meet the requirements set forth in the building code, whichever is greater; (3) A statement from the applicant that the proposed use will not interfere with the County’s land mobile radio system and other public emergency communications systems; (4) A statement from the Federal Aviation Administration that the application has not been found to be a hazard to air navigation; (5) A statement from the Federal Communications Commission that the application complies with the regulations of the Commission or a statement that no such compliance is necessary; (6) Documentation demonstrating that the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 Section 106 review has been completed; SUPP. 19 (1-2026) 25-42 ZONING § 25-2-74 (7) A report indicating whether the facility could be co-located elsewhere, which shall include: (A) Documentation of efforts to install, construct, or co-locate the proposed facility on or within: (i) Existing towers or feasible antenna support structures; (ii) Sites that do not adversely impact significant public views, such as beaches, shorelines, oceans, and natural areas; (iii) Industrial or commercial zoning districts; (iv) Locations that are not highly visible from adjacent roadways, public spaces, parks, schools, greenbelts, or other visually sensitive areas; and (v) Areas unserved or underserved with respect to broadband access and infrastructure; (B) A map showing the sites that have been investigated with a detailed analysis on how those sites are inadequate and how the site selected is the least obtrusive; (C) Maps showing the coverage areas of existing towers within a two mile radius of the proposed tower; (D) A letter from the nearby tower owners indicating the tower is not feasible for co-locating antennas; (E) A statement that the wireless telecommunications provider commits to allow a minimum of two other wireless telecommunications providers to co-locate antennas on its proposed tower facilities wherever structurally and technically feasible; and (F) A statement providing the reason for the location, design, and height of the proposed tower or antennas; (8) Documentation of proactive efforts made to notify, meet with, inform, and engage adjacent landowners and the affected community regarding the proposed use; (9) Verification that the applicant has sent notification letters to all owners and lessees of record of properties of which any portion is within five hundred feet of any point along the perimeter boundary of the building site for the proposed telecommunication installation; provided that the notification letters must: (A) Describe the nature of the proposed installation, including its dimensions and location on the building site; and (B) Provide the anticipated timeline for construction; (10) Documentation demonstrating compliance with the Hawai‘i State Fire Code and Standard No. 76, relating to the fire protection of telecommunications facilities, of the National Fire Protection Association, which documentation must be submitted to the Hawai‘i fire department; (11) A maintenance plan detailing how the safety, functionality, and service of the proposed use will be maintained until the use is discontinued; and 25-42.1 SUPP. 19 (1-2026) (12) A visual impact analysis, which shall include: (A) Mitigation measures to minimize the visual impacts of the tower, including a description of any vegetation to be used for such purposes; (B) Before and after photo simulations from various locations and/or angles from which the public would typically view the site; and (C) A map depicting where the photos were taken. The visual impact analysis shall demonstrate that less intrusive sites are not available or do not provide the necessary communication coverage to provide the service. The director may request the submission of additional materials, including but not limited to photo overlays, scaled models, renderings, or field mock-ups, to evaluate potential visual impacts. These materials should address appropriate coloration, blending, and stealth design (e.g., monopine, monopalm) to harmonize the facility with the surrounding area. (1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999; am 2025, ord 25-55, sec 5.) 25-2-74