The commission reviewed how the draft zoning chapter treats wireless telecommunications, including towers, stealth installations and collocation.

Staff reminded the commission that federal law — notably the Telecommunications Act — constrains local authority: municipalities may not lawfully prohibit or unreasonably discriminate against wireless facilities. The draft therefore allows antennas and collocated stealth installations in most districts while limiting new towers’ location and design. Stealth installations are defined as antennas enclosed, camouflaged or otherwise not readily apparent to casual viewers; stealth antennas may increase an existing structure’s height by up to 15 feet under the proposal.

The draft prohibits guyed (anchored) towers and requires self-supporting towers to respect fall‑zone setbacks; small accessory equipment around bases is permitted but should be limited to what is needed for operation. Commissioners asked staff to clarify the definitions for stealth design and the treatment of lower-height terrestrial Wi‑Fi and terrestrial broadband systems; staff noted those systems are regulated in part by the FCC and FAA and that the draft aims to make stealth colocation the straightforward, lower-impact path for carriers.

Staff also confirmed the village may receive lease revenue for tower locations on village property and that PUD or special-use processes provide additional design oversight when new towers are proposed. Commissioners asked staff to tighten stealth-design definitions and to add clearer commentary on collocation priorities.

Because federal law restricts absolute prohibition, staff advised the commission that the draft focuses on minimizing visual/land-use impacts by encouraging collocation and stealth designs while retaining engineering fall‑zone protections.