CHINA -- Planning Board members decided Tuesday evening to try again to get a Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Siting Ordinance before voters.

A draft similar to the ordinance discussed Tuesday evening was prepared beginning in 2002 and rejected by selectmen for the November 2004 local ballot. Officials refer to it as a "tower ordinance," for simplicity.

Board members were motivated to revive the idea by a complaint from a local tower builder that national telecommunications companies are building their own towers close to his, instead of installing their equipment on his towers.

One purpose of the proposed ordinance is to "require the colocation of wireless telecommunications facilities, thus helping to minimize adverse visual impacts on the community."

The draft, edited and slightly expanded from the 2004 version by board member Gabrielle Isenbrand, lists requirements for towers that include height limits, setbacks, screening and other provisions.

Planners voted unanimously to submit the draft ordinance to selectmen in time for inclusion on the Nov. 4 ballot.