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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4601-A Staff AnalysisJune 6, 1996 ITEM NO.: 7 FILE NO.: Z --4601-A NAME: Southwestern Bell Services (Southridge Drive site) - Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: Adjacent to 12981 Southridge Drive OWNER/APPLICANT: Little Rock Municipal Water Works/Southwestern Bell Services by Brian Powers PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for the placement of a cellular communications facility on this R-2 zoned property. The proposal includes placement of an 8 foot by 16 foot prefabricated equipment building and attachment of nine small antennae to the existing water tank. ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. Site Location: The proposed site is within the existing Little Rock Water Works' water tank site which is located adjacent to, immediately west of, 12981 Southridge Dr.; which is in the Walton Heights Subdivision. 2. Compatibil-i-ty with Neighborhood: The existing Little Rock Municipal Water Works tank site is adjacent to single family residential structures to the north and east. The property to the south and west is zoned R-2 and is vacant and tree - covered. The proposed use should not have an adverse effect on the surrounding properties. 3. On -Site Drives and Parking: Access to this site is gained by utilizing an existing drive which runs west off of Southridge Drive, adjacent to 12981 Southridge Drive. Parking is provided at the site for a service technician who will occasionally visit the site for June 6, 1996 SUBDIVISION STEM NO_: T Cont. FILE NO.: Z -4601-A maintenance purposes. No additional parking is required. 4. Screening and Buffers: Evergreen screening shrubs 30 inches in height at planting with the ability to grow to and be maintained at six feet (minimum) in height should be planted around the perimeter of the proposed structure to soften its effect from the adjacent residential properties. Recommended shrub spacing is three feet. 5. City Engineer Comments: No apparent Public Works issues 6. Utility Comments: No comments 7. Staff Analysis: The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to allow for the placement of a cellular communications facility on this R-2 zoned Little Rock Water Works water tank site which is located west off of Southridge Drive in the Walton Heights Subdivision. The site contains two existing water tanks. The taller of the two water tanks is 140 feet tall. The proposal includes placement of an 8 foot by 16 foot prefabricated equipment building and attachment of nine antennae to the existing 140 foot tall water tank. The equipment building will be located on the south side of the taller of the two water tanks on this site. The nine antennae will be attached at the painter's ring level of the taller water tank. This installation will not increase the height of the water tank. The proposed equipment building will be of a masonry construction with a washed aggregate exterior and a light brown color. There is also a small valve chamber - and pump room building on the site next to the water tank to the west. The proposed equipment building should not have an adverse effect on the neighborhood. 8. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit subject to compliance the Screening and Buffers Comments. 2 June 6, 1996 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 7 {Cont.} FILE NO.: Z -4601-A SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (MAY 16, 1996) Brian Powers was present, representing the application. Monte Moore, of the Planning Staff, gave a brief description of the proposal. Mr. Powers addressed the screening and buffers comments, stating that he had no problem meeting these requirements. 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: (JUNE 6, 1996) The applicant, Brian Powers, was present. There was one objector present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval. Doug Thompson, of 12981 Southridge Dr., spoke in opposition to the application. Mr. Thompson stated that he had concerns regarding the noise that would be generated from the air conditioning unit on the proposed building. He also stated that he had concerns regarding the increased traffic to the site for maintenance of the computer equipment. Commissioner Putnam asked where Mr. Thompson's property was located. Mr. Thompson responded that it is located to the east of the proposed site. Brian Powers spoke in support of the application. Mr. Powers stated that the air conditioner size would be a three ton unit (slightly smaller than a residential unit) and totally enclosed. Mr. Powers stated that be estimated approximately one to two trips per month to the site by a maintenance technician. Mr. Thompson asked if the proposed antennae would interfere with residential communications or receptions. Mr. Powers responded that it would not. Commissioner Adcock asked how often the water Department personnel visited the site. 3 June 6, 1996 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 7 Cont. FILE NO.: 4601-A Mr. Mr. Thompson responded that the Water Works personnel visit the site at various times. Commissioner Adcock asked if the repair of the computer equipment would be done during daytime hours. Mr. Powers stated that maintenance would be done during normal business hours with the exception of any emergency repairs. A motion was made to vote on the application. The application was approved by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. 4