Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4478-B Staff AnalysisMay 9, 1996 ITEM NO.: 6 FILE NO.- 7-45478-B NAME: LOCATION: OWNER/APPLICANT: PR0P05AL: ORDIDARDS: 1. Site Location: Southwestern Bell Services (Saddle Hill Dr. Site) - Conditional Use Permit 13625 Saddle Hill Dr. City of Little Rock/ Southwestern Bell Services by Brian Powers A conditional use permit is requested to allow for the construction of a 75 foot tall, monopole cellular communications tower on a lease area located within this R-2 zoned Little Rock Municipal Water Works property. Associated with the tower is an 8 foot by 16 foot equipment building. The proposed tower site is located just west of Saddle Hill Dr., between Pleasant Heights Dr. and Fox Chapel Court, adjacent to Phase I of the Pleasant Heights Subdivision. This subdivision is located just south of the Hillsborough Subdivision, which is located south off of Hinson Road, approximately 1/3 mile west of Pulaski Academy School. 2, C m a i ilii with Neighborhood: The proposed site is within an existing Little Rock Water Works' water tank site. The surrounding properties are zoned R-2. The property to the south and west of this site is vacant and tree -covered, with a few single-family residences further west on Belle Point Drive. The property to the north and east contains new single-family residences. This existing Little Rock Water Works site is located on a hill, overlooking the property to the north and east. The site contains two existing towers, each 130 feet in height. The proposed 75 foot tall tower should not have an adverse effect on the surrounding properties. May 9, 1996 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE No.: Z -4478-B 91 4. 5. M 7. On -Site Drives and Parkin Access to the property will be gained by utilizing an existing drive which runs west off of Saddle Hill Dr. to the Water Works site. Parking is provided at the tower site for a service technician who will occasionally visit the site for maintenance purposes. No additional parking is required. Screening and Buffers: No Comments City Engineer Comments: No Comments Otilit Comm nts: No Comments Staff Anal sis• The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to allow for the construction of a 75 foot tall, monopole tower on this R-2 zoned site located at 13625 Saddle Hill Drive. Associated with the tower is an 8 foot by 16 foot equipment building. The proposed 75 foot tall tower will be located in the south one-half of this Little Rock Municipal Water Works tank site, within the existing fenced area. The tower will be located approximately 50 feet east of the existing 2.5 million gallon water tank (the water tank is approximately 40-50 feet in height). In addition to the water tank, the site contains two (2) existing towers, which are located on the west side of the water tank. One of the towers was constructed by Arkla Gas Co. for radio communications purposes and is 130 feet tall. The second tower is owned by Alltel and is also approximately 130 feet tall. There are no height or setback variances needed for the proposed tower or equipment building. A 6 foot high chainlink fence with three strands of barbed wire will surround the lease area. 2 May 9, 1996 ITEM IVC.: 6 (Cont.) FILE 110.: Z -4478-B Given the fact that this --existing Little Rock Municipal Water Works site contains a 40-50 foot tall water tank and two (2) 130 foot tall towers, the addition of the proposed 75 foot tall tower should not have an adverse impact on the surrounding properties. 8. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of this conditional use permit application. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (APRIL 4, 1996) The applicant was not present. Monte Moore, of the Planning Staff, gave a brief description of this proposal. He described the height of the proposed tower, the size of the proposed equipment building, and their proposed location within the Little Rock Municipal Water Works site. There were no other comments offered by committee or staff. The Committee accepted the presentation and forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 9, 1996) Brian Powers and Ann Kyle were present, representing the application. Staff presented the item, stating that there were no outstanding issues to be resolved. Staff recommended approval of the conditional use permit. There were two objectors to this matter present. Chairman Woods stated that he wanted to hear from the opposition first. L. K. Moore spoke in opposition to this application. Mr. Moore stated that he represents owners of the remaining vacant lots along Belle Pointe Dr. and lots in the Pleasant Heights Subdivision. Mr. Moore stated that the presence of the existing towers on this site effect the sales of the lots in this area. Mr. Moore referenced the Arklaa-Gas Company tower conditional use permit. Commissioner Brandon asked what was between the end of Belle Point Dr. and the tower site. Mr. Moore stated that it was a continuous ridge. 3 May 9, 1996 ITEM NO.: 6(Cont.)FILE NO.: Z -4478-B Commissioner Putnam asked when the cul-de-sac was constructed on Belle -Pointe -Dr. Mr. Moore stated that the cul-de-sac was built in 1988-89. Commissioner Putnam asked if the towers were there when the street was built. Mr. Moore responded that they were. Greg Graham spoke in opposition to the application. He stated that the construction of another tower would be a detriment to value of the vacant lots in the general area. He stated that all of the property in the area is zoned residential. Mr. Moore stated that he had a letter of opposition from Dr. Charles Fowler. Brian Powers and Ann Kyle spoke in support of this application. Dana Carney, of the Planning Staff, addressed the Commission regarding the situation involving the Arkla Gas Tower. He also stated that the proposed tower is only 75 feet tall and needs no variances. He stated that Arkla Gas has been notified of the situation involving their tower and that the tower would be removed or an amended conditional use permit would be applied for. Commissioner Putnam asked the height of the water tower. Monte Moore, of the Planning Staff, responded 40-50 feet tall. Brian Powers stated that because of the height of the tower and the placement of the equipment building, there should be no impact on nearby residential properties. He also stated that this type use (communications towers) should not effect the value of nearby properties. Mr. Powers presented the Commission with an example of the antennas which will be placed on the tower. Commissioner Brandon asked about fencing around the property. Mr. Powers stated that the water works site was fenced and the tower and building would go inside the fenced area. He stated that the trees immediately north and east of the site would screen the building from nearby residential properties. Commissioner Brandon asked if this tower would interfere with radio or television reception in the area. 4 May 9, 1996 ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -4478 -BB Mr. Powers answered that it would not. Commissioner Lichty asked what other types of structures Southwestern Bell has co -located on and what was the possibility of placing this structure on one of the existing towers. Mr. Powers stated that the Arkla tower would not support the added structure. He stated that the water tank was masonry and an antenna could not be attached to it. Commissioner Daniel asked about the life expectancy of the tower. Mr. Powers stated that the tower will be built to be there forever. Commissioner McCarthy stated that she could not understand why there could not be a single structure that all of the companies could use. She also stated concerns about the health and safety concerning this type of tower. Mr. Powers stated that his company uses existing structures anywhere possible. He also stated that there are no known adverse health effects associated with cellular towers. Mr. L. K. Moore restated his concerns regarding the proposed tower. A motion was made and seconded to vote on the application. The application was approved by a vote of 7 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent. 5 July 9, 1985 SUBDIVISIONS Item No. 19 NAME: Arkla Radio Tower Conditional Use Permit (Z-4478) LOCATION: 1/4 Mile West of the End of Morrison Road OWNER/APPLICANT: PROPOSAL: City of Little Rock Water Works/Benny R. Martin, Arkla Gas Company To construct a 130 -foot radio tower (with the necessary zoning variance) on 1.51 acres of land that is zoned "R-2." ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. Site Location This site is located about 1/4 of a mile west of the end of Morrison Road on a gravel road. The nearest development is about 1/4 of a mile east of this site. 2. Compatibility with Neighborhood This property contains an adjacent water tank and is surrounded by vacant land. This proposal is compatible with the surrounding area. 3. On -Site Drives and Parki This site is served by a gravel access road. No parking area is proposed. 4. Screening and Buffers This site is naturally screened by the existing terrain and vegetation. 5. Analysis This site is well suited for the proposed use. July 9, 1985 SUBDIVISIONS Item No. 19 - Continued city En ineering_Comments: No comment. 6. Staff Recommendation Approval, subject to the Board of Adjustment granting the requested 95 -foot height variance. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE REVIEW: The applicant was present and there were no unresolved issues. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: .The applicant was present. One objector was also present. Mr. Nat Griffin of Flake and Company represented property owners that owned land adjacent to this site to the west. Mr. Griffin stated that he was working on an agreement with Arkla gas. Mr. Griffin stated that his client did not oppose the construction of the radio tower, if the tower was of a temporary nature or if the future single family homeowners did not object to its presence. A lengthy discussion ensued. A motion was made to approve the application to construct a radio tower with the tower approval being on a temporary basis. The motion stated that the tower could remain on this site until a new water tank facility could be located to the west of this area was constructed. The applicant and Mr. Griffin accepted this proposal. The Commission then voted 6 ayes, 0 noes and 5 absent to approve this application,as outlined in the motion. July 15, 1985 Item No. 3 - Z -4478-A Owner: Little Rock Municipal Water Works Address: West Little Rock Water Tower Description: Long Legal Zoned: "R-2" Single Family Variance Requested: From the radio tower Section 38-3.A.1 to permit a 130 -foot tower (ordinance permits 75 feet) JUSTIFICATION: The purpose of this radio tower is to provide radio communications for the area served by Arkla's Little Rock gas distribution district. This includes many areas well outside the city limits of Little Rock. Both Arkla and their consultant, Booz' Allen and Hamilton Inc. of Bethesda, Maryland, agree that this is the best location to meet Arkla's radio communication requirements. The tower and equipment shelter will be located on the west, northwest side of the existing ground level water storage tank. This tank will shield the shelter and the lower part of the tower from view. The crest of the hill 700 feet further west, northwest would be 55 feet higher than the base of the tower. The 130 -foot tower would provide an antenna clearance of 75 feet above the hill's crest. It should be mentioned that a future property owner could erect up to a 75 -foot tower at the crest of the hill as the property is presently zoned. Present Use of the Property: Proposed Use of the Property: STAFF REPORT City water supply tank Same with radio tower A. Engineering Issues There have been no engineering issues reported. July 15, 1985 Item No. 3 - Continued B. Staff Analysis There are two issues associated with this proposed tower. One is approval of a conditional use permit for the location by the Planning Commission, and the other is relief from the 75 -foot tower restriction. (Staff has recommended approval of the conditional use permit.) The item before the Board of Adjustment is to permit a radio tower with a 130 -foot height. The tower itself will not be a massive structure with the base being approximately 10 1/2 feet on each side. The property is owned by the Little Rock Water Works and is occupied by a large water storage tank. The site is located in West Little Rock in close proximity to the Hillsborough and Marlowe Manor Subdivisions with the nearest development being about 1/4 mile to the east. In the immediate vicinity, the land is undeveloped, but it is anticipated that additional residential development will take place especially to the west. Because of the location and the type of tower structure, it appears that will have very little impact on surrounding areas. Staff's position is that justification has been provided and supports the requested variance. In addition .to the tower, an equipment shelter will also be constructed on the site. C. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the variance as requested. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ACTION: The applicant, Arkla Gas Company, was represented by Eric Tillestorm. There were no objectors. At the hearing, staff modified its recommendation based on the Planning Commission approval of the conditional use permit for the tower. Staff recommended that a temporary variance be approved with the condition that the Arkla tower remain on the site until a new water storage facility is constructed further to the west and the tower then be relocated to that site. There was a brief discussion about the recommendation, and Arkla agreed with it. A motion was then made to recommend approval of a temporary variance subject to the conditions in the staff recommendation. The motion was passed by a vote if 8 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. February 11, 1986 SUBDIVISIONS Item No. 10 NAME: Morrison Road Conditional Use Permit (Z-4602) LOCATION: Approximately 1/4 of a mile west of the end of Morrison Road OWNER/APPLICANT: Melvin and Darlene Bell and C. Randolph and Barbara Warner/ Alltel Mobile Communications of Arkansas, Inc./Hermann Ivester PROPOSAL: To construct a 180 square foot prefabricated building and a 150 -foot antenna tower on land that is zoned "R-2." ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. Site Location The end of an easement that begins at the end of a residential street (Morrison Road). 2. Compatibility with Neighborhood The site is surrounded by vacant land on three sides and a utility use on the east. The proposal is compatible with the surrounding area. 3. On -Site Drives and Parki The site will be served by a 12 foot gravel access road. February 11, 1986 SUBDIVISIONS Item No. 10 - Continued 4. Screeninq and Buffers The area is isolated and heavily wooded. 5. Analysis This proposal is compatible with the surrounding area. The staff foresees no problem with the proposal. 6. City Engineering Comments None. 7. Staff Recommendation Approval as filed. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE REVIEW: The applicant was present. Water Works stated that they had a 25 -foot easement along the north side of Lots 501-504, Marlowe Manor, and pointed out the applicant's need to obtain the right to an ingress/egress easement. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: The applicant was present. The Commission voted 8 ayes, 0 noes, 3 absent to approve the application as recommended by the staff, reviewed by the Subdivision Committee and agreed to by the applicant.