HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4478-I Staff AnalysisMarch 2, 2006
ITEM NO.: 6 FILE NO.: Z-4478-1
NAME: Verizon Wireless — Tower Use Permit
LOCATION: 13625 Saddle Hill
OWNER/APPLICANT: Central Arkansas Water/Bracewell-Giuliani
PROPOSAL: A tower use permit is requested to allow this existing
WCF with support structure (cell tower) to be
increased in height from 125 feet to 139 feet to
accommodate co -location of another carrier (Verizon).
The property is zoned R-2.
SITE LOCATION:
The WCF is located on a Central Arkansas Water tank site off of Saddle
Hill Drive.
2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
The property is located in an area that is single family in use and zoning.
The WCF is located within a Central Arkansas Water tract that contains a
large water tank and other antennae and towers. Increasing the height of
this existing tower from 125 feet to 139 feet to accommodate co -location
of a wireless service provider will not affect the WCF's compatibility with
the neighborhood.
All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents
within 300 feet who could be identified and the Hillsborough and Chenal
Ridge Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request.
3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
An existing driveway off of Saddle Hill provides access to the WCF site.
There is sufficient room on the site to accommodate any needed parking
for a technician who might need to service the WCF.
4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
On June 20, 2000, the Board of Directors passed Ordinance No. 18,288
granting a waiver of the WCF landscaping and screening requirements for
this existing WCF site.
January 19, 2006
ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.
5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
No Comments.
6. UTILITY FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS:
FILE NO.: Z-4478-1
Wastewater: Sewer service not required for this project.
Entergy: No Comments received.
CenterPoint Energy: No Comments received.
Southwestern Bell: No Comments received.
Water: No objection. Central Arkansas Water supports the construction
of the fence and driveway to provide separate access to the cell tower
structures.
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
County Planning: No Comments.
CATA: No Comments.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (FEBRUARY 9, 2006)
The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and noted there were no
outstanding issues. Staff informed the Committee that variances were needed to
allow increasing the tower height to 139 feet since the tower had setbacks from
abutting residential properties of 129.53 feet on the north and 129.08 feet on the
south. Staff also informed the Committee that the Board of Directors had
previously granted a waiver of the landscaping and screening requirements for
this WCF site. There was no further discussion.
The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to
the full Commission.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
On February 3, 1999, staff approved the construction of a Wireless
Communication Facility with support structure on this R-2 zoned property. The
site is occupied by a large water tank and other communication equipment. The
tower was approved at a height of 125 feet. It complied with the then -ordinance
requirements. Subsequently, additional wireless carriers have located on the
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January 19, 2006
ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.
FILE NO.:
tower. On June 20, 2000, the Board of Directors granted a waiver of the new
landscape and screening requirements for the WCF since it is located within a
Waterworks Utility site.
Verizon Wireless is now proposing to co -locate on the tower. To accommodate
Verizon's antennae, the height of the tower will be increased from 125 feet to
139 feet (including antennae). A tower use permit is required because the tower
has existing setbacks of 129.53 feet and 129.08 feet from abutting residentially
zoned properties on the north and south respectively. The lease area at the
base of the tower which holds the other carriers' equipment will be expanded
slightly to accommodate Verizon's equipment. The overall portion of the site
which holds the water tank and other equipment is currently enclosed by a chain-
link security fence. Some new security fencing will be added within the site to
segregate the WCF lease area from the water tank.
Staff is supportive of the requested T.U.P. Allowing the increased tower height
to accommodate Verizon will lessen the probability that an additional tower will
be needed in the area. The Ordinance requires towers to be set back from
abutting residential properties a distance equal to or exceeding the height of the
tower. The requested variances are for 9.5 feet and 9.9 feet. Staff believes
these minor variances will not affect adjacent properties.
The Board of Directors' landscape and screening waiver was granted until such
time as there is a "major change in circumstance." A "major change in
circumstance" means:
that the area within 200 -feet of the boundaries of the tower site
lease has developed to the point that there is a virtually
unobstructed view of the tower from any adjoining residence
located in an area zoned R-1, R-2 or R-3, and
(1) (a) The City has received a complaint from the owner of
such a residence located within 200 -feet of the tower site
that the site has no landscaping or screening in place;
and
(b) The City has requested that the parties resolve the
issue by agreeing to certain screening or landscaping
requirements consistent with LRO 18,173, which can be
granted administratively by the Director of Planning and
Zoning, but no agreement has been reached.
Staff does not believe the current application is, in and of itself, a major change
in circumstance and recommends that the previous waiver continue. There is no
bill of assurance issue.
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January 19, 2006
ITEM NO.: 6 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-4478-1
STAFF RECOMMENDATION -
Staff recommends approval of the Tower Use Permit and of continuation of the
previously approved landscape and screening waiver.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MARCH 2, 2006)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented
the item and a recommendation of approval as noted in the "Staff
Recommendation" above. There was no further discussion.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by
staff. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent.
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