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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-3810-C Staff AnalysisJanuary 31, 1994 Item No.. 1 File No.: Owri e r Address: Description: Zoned: Variance Re ested: Z -3810-C Ted L. and Jane Snider 4021 West 8th Lots 5 and 6, Block 4, Forest Hills Addition PCD From the tower provisions of Section 36-201 to permit construction of a transmission tower up to 300 feet above ground level. Justification: Due to heights of nearby buildings, additional elevation is required to facilitate line of sight transmissions to remote sites. New wireless technologies utilizing hand held computers and various other message receivers will require higher line of sight signal transmission to reach mobile receivers. Existing on-site towers are no longer high enough to accomplish these purposes. Present Use of Provert Radio station, office and communications transmission Pro osed Use of Pro ert : Radio station, office and communications transmission _Staff Report 49 Encyineering zssLies : There are none to be reported. B. Staff Analysis: The request for 4021 West 8th (southeast corner of West 8th and Elm) is to grant a variance from the tower provisions of the zoning ordinance to permit a 300 foot transmission tower. For ground -mounted towers, the ordinance permits 75 feet in height above the adjacent ground. The proposed tower will be constructed of steel -and placed next to an January 31, 1994 Iters No.: 1 (Cont. existing building of the site. Because of its placement, the base will not be visible from West 8th or Elm. The tower structure will be used to support communications antennas which are on existing towers on the property. This type of variance raises the issue of potential impacts on neighborhoods or how the proposed tower will affect the nearby properties. A 300 foot structure will be highly visible and be a major structural feature in the area, which will indirectly affect the immediate neighborhood and areas some distance from the site. Because of the type of tower being proposed, a direct impact on the surrounding properties should be minimal or nonexistent. The applicant has indicated that he has received all the necessary approvals from the FAA and other appropriate agencies. There should be no interference with television reception or other signals. Safety is another concern that is usually associated with a tower structure. It is the staff's understanding that towers are constructed to withstand heavy wind loads, and the proposed tower will be secured with - several guy wires. Based on technical requirements for this type of tower and that it should not create any significant problems for the neighborhood, staff's position is that the variance is reasonable and the proposed location is appropriate for the tower structure. C. Staff Recommendation,: Staff recommends approval of the height variance for the 300 foot tower structure conditioned on the existing towers being removed after the equipment has been transferred to the new tower. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ACTION: (JANUARY 31, 1994) The applicant, Ted Snider, was present. There were no objectors. Mr. Snider discussed the request and said the existing towers have heights of approximately 50 feet and less. Mr. Snider went on to say that the proposed tower would be guyed to the ground. Staff responded to some questions and said there was no neighborhood opposition. Ted Snider spoke again and described the proposed tower. He said the guy wires would go over the edge of the building and then to the ground. Mr. Snider did say the design was still in the preliminary stages. A motion was made to approve the height variance for a 300 foot tower with the staff's condition, removing the existing towers after the equipment has been transferred to the new tower. The motion passed by a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. E March 28, 1994 Item No.: 6. OTHER MATTERS OWNER/APPLICANT: Ted L. and Jane Snider/Ted L. Snider ADDRESS: 4021 West 8th TYPE OF ISSUE: Review of a previously approved height variance for a tower - modification of the tower design. STAFF ANALYSIS: On January 31, 1994, the Board of Adjustment grant a height variance to permit a 300 foot tower. (The ordinance allows a height of 75 feet for ground -mounted towers.) The approval was for a steel tower, supported by several guy wires. Because of the type of installation required by this type of tower, it was determined that the guy wires would have to be very large and somewhat unsightly. After reviewing the drawings for both a guyed tower and a self- supporting structure, the owners have decided to change the design and erect the self-supporting tower. The proposed tower will have a base of 32.5 feet and a height of 300 feet. The location of the tower has not changed, except there will be more ground involvement. Staff has determined that the new tower design is a significant modification of the previously approved variance and must be authorized by the Board. (See attached letter from Ted Snider for additional information.) BOARD OF A_D= TMENT : (MARCH 28, 1994) The Chairman identified the next item as No. 6 and asked that staff present the item. Richard Wood, of the staff, offered a brief overview of the proposal and a brief commentary on the history. Wood stated that the staff does not present a specific recommendation on this matter but would answer questions on issues as necessary. Mr. Snider then came forward to represent his application. He presented a brief overview of the basis for the change in tower design. He indicated that the persons who will construct the tower indicated that the types of guy wires utilized for this type of tower would be very heavy. They would have problems with that, plus they would be quite unsightly. He indicated that after discussion with an architect and other design persons that the different tower, the ladder construction type with a 32 foot March 28, 1994 Item No.: 6 (Cant.) base, with the same height of 300 feet would be more appropriate. He indicated that in his opinion the only real change that there would be ground involvement in the parking area. The Chairman asked if there was anyone in attendance who wanted to speak on this issue. There were no objectors in attendance. Mr. Snider indicated that he had met with the neighborhood association's leadership and they expressed no concerns about the change and design. The Chairman then pointed out for the record that since the height was not an issue at this time. It was not being changed and in the FAA regulations dealing with this had been dealt with. The only issue before the Board was the specific design change and the base dimensions. Richard Wood, of the staff, offered a brief history of the issue. He pointed out that the staff had initially brought this item to the Board as what staff felt was an insignificant change in a planned unit development. Staff felt that it did not have to go back to the City Board or the Planning Commission for review. The basis for this determination by staff was that Mr. Snider was proposing to erect one tower and eliminate several existing towers, and at the same time mount all of his broadcast elements on the one tower. Staff recommendation also carried its support for the single element, a small tower tied to the building or the ground as being insignificant visually to the neighborhood. Wood pointed out that although staff was not specifically opposing this application, we wanted to point out that this tower will be significantly more visible to the adjacent area both at ground level and upper elevation. The Chairman asked staff to address what he felt was the primary issue on the first occasion being a height variance and how changing the design effects the request. Wood responded by saying that staff felt it was a significant change. Wood stated because of its design the visual impact required the Board's review and approval. The Chairman then asked Wood if the new tower's base and location effect the off-street parking requirements. Wood stated not the degree that would effect their ordinance requirement. A general discussion then followed involving staff, the applicant and the Board concerning the types and manner in which other dishes, antennas or broadcast elements might be mounted upon this tower. Staff offered concerns for the total number that might be located and their visual impact. Mr. Snider indicated that he would offer for lease to other business activities such as Alltel the opportunity to locate a dish or microwave facility on this tower. Staff expressed some concern for this as an open ended situation without limit to number or height for placement. After a brief discussion of the number and the height on the tower, the Board determined that this was not a particular issue of importance and apparently it was not dealt with on the last 2 March 28, 1994 Idem No , : 6 (Cont.) occasion specifically. Therefore, it would not be included in this issue. A motion was then made to approve the modification of the previous variance to allow the new tower design. Before a vote was taken on this matter, one of the board members posed a question concerning modification of a PUD and the effect of this action. Staff reported that the Board's action would not amend the PUD in any respect but simply endorse this tower as it is proposed by this applicant. If it is approved as requested, staff would not impose any conditions nor would the PUD impose conditions upon how many broadcast facilities were mounted upon this tower. A board member pointed out that he relied on neighborhood input on these kinds of issues although Mr. Snider reports that he has neighborhood support for his application. He did not feel that there was a problem. The vote on the motion was then taken. The motion passed by a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, and 1 open position. 3 January 31, 1994 Item No.: 1 File No.: Owner- Address: Description: Zoned: Variance Re ested: Justification: Present Use of Pro ert : Proposed Use of Pro ert : Staff Report' A. Enaineeriac Issues: Z -3810-C Ted L. and Jane Snider 4021 West 8th Lots 5 and 6, Block 4, Forest Hills Addition PCD From the tower provisions of Section 36-201 to permit construction of a transmission tower up to 300 feet above ground level. Due to heights of nearby buildings, additional elevation is required to facilitate line of sight transmissions to remote sites. New wireless technologies utilizing hand held computers and various other message receivers will require higher line of sight signal transmission to reach mobile receivers. Existing on-site towers are no longer high enough to accomplish these purposes. Radio station, office and communications transmission Radio station, office and communications transmission There are none to be reported. B. Staff Analysis: The request for 4021 West 8th (southeast corner of West 8th and Elm) is to grant a variance from the tower provisions of the zoning ordinance to permit a 300 foot transmission tower. For ground -mounted towers, the ordinance permits 75 feet in height above the adjacent ground. The proposed tower will be constructed of steel and placed next to an January 31, 1994 It m N 1 n existing building of the site. Because of its placement, the base will not be visible from West 8th or Elm. The tower structure will be used to support communications antennas which are on existing towers on the property. This type of variance raises the issue of potential impacts on neighborhoods or how the proposed tower will affect the nearby properties. A 300 foot structure will be highly visible and be a major structural feature in the area, which will indirectly affect the immediate neighborhood and areas some distance from the site. Because of the type of tower being proposed, a direct impact on the surrounding properties should be minimal or nonexistent. The applicant has indicated that he has received all the necessary approvals from the FAA and other appropriate agencies. There should be no interference with television reception or other signals. Safety is another concern that is usually associated with a tower structure. It is the staff's understanding that towers are constructed to withstand heavy wind loads, and the proposed tower will be secured with - several guy wires. Based on technical requirements for this type of tower and that it should not create any significant problems for the neighborhood, staff's position is that the variance is reasonable and the proposed location is appropriate for the tower structure. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the height variance for the 300 foot tower structure conditioned on the existing towers being removed after the equipment has been transferred to the new tower. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ACTT N : (JANUARY 31, 1994) The applicant, Ted Snider, was present. There were no objectors. Mr. Snider discussed the request and said the existing towers have heights of approximately 50 feet and less. Mr. Snider went on to say that the proposed tower would be guyed to the ground. Staff responded to some questions and said there was no neighborhood opposition. Ted Snider spoke again and described the proposed tower. He said the guy wires would go over the edge of the building and then to the ground. Mr. Snider did say the design was still in the preliminary stages. A motion was made to approve the height variance for a 300 foot tower with the staff's condition, removing the existing towers after the equipment has been transferred to the new tower. The motion passed by a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. 01