Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5754 Staff AnalysisNovember 16, 1993 ITEM NO.: 20 FILE NO-: Z--5754 NAME: LOCATION: OWNER/APPLICANT: PROPOSAL: ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. Site Location Claircom Communications - Conditional Use Permit 918 Bedford Diana Atkinson A conditional use permit is requested to allow for the construction of a 70 foot communication tower and an 8 foot by 14 foot equipment structure on this R-2 zoned property. The site is located at the northwest corner of East 10th Street and Bedford Street, directly north of the Little Rock Municipal Airport. 2. Compatibility with Nei hborhood This property is located within the remnant of a small residential subdivision squeezed between the Little Rock Municipal Airport and the Arkansas River. The neighborhood adjacent to the north and west of this site is zoned R-2 and R-3 and is comprised mainly of small, single family homes. A church occupies two, 0-1 zoned lots located one block east of this site. The Little Rock Municipal Airport is located directly across East 10th Street, to the south. The airport has bought much of the property located east of this site and has cleared the land for future airport expansion. The Little Rock Municipal Airport has exerted a tremendous influence on this neighborhood and it appears that future plans are for the airport boundary to cross East 10th Street, further reducing the amount of remaining residential property. November 16, 1993 ITEM NO.: 20 (Continued) FILE NO.: Z-5754 It would appear that this proposed tower, which serves to receive air to ground communications, is in keeping with the future development of this area and is compatible with the neighborhood. Consideration must be given to providing screening of the site from the remaining, adjacent residential properties. 3. On -Site Drives and Parking The applicant is proposing a gravel driveway which will access the tower site from Bedford Street. This driveway must be paved and landscaped to comply with ordinance requirements. 4. Screening and Buffers The base of the tower site, including the equipment shelter, should be screened from the adjacent residential properties. The applicant has submitted a site plan indicating a landscape screen to be planted along the north and west perimeters, adjacent to the single family properties. Some additional plantings will occur along the east and south perimeters. The applicant is requesting a waiver of the screening requirement along these perimeters so that the base of the site will be visible from both East 10th Street and Bedford Street, for security purposes. The entire site will be enclosed by a 6 foot high cyclone fence, topped by a 2 foot barbed wire addition. 5. City Engineer Comments Dedicate 5 feet of additional right-of-way on East 10th Street, to 30 feet from centerline. Construct Master Street Plan improvements to East 10th Street, with sidewalk. 6. Utility Comments No comments 7. Analysis The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to allow for the construction of a 70 foot communication tower and an 8 foot by 14 foot equipment structure on this R-2 zoned lot. The tower is to provide service for air to ground communications to and from commercial airline radio telephones. The proposed tower will be a three -sided, lattice work structure. 2 November 16, 1993 ITEM NO.: 20 (Continued) FILE NO.: Z-5754 The applicant is proposing to enclose the entire site with a 6 foot security fence and is providing screening on the north and west perimeters, where the site is adjacent to single family, residential properties. Staff feels that this proposed use is compatible with the neighborhood and is supportive of the request. During the review of this application, it was noted that FAA approval has been granted only for a 55 foot tower. The applicant has been made aware of this discrepancy and has refiled with the FAA for the correct tower height. This must be resolved prior to the Planning Commission acting on this request. 8. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of this application subject to compliance with the City Engineer Comments and screening the adjacent residences from the base of the tower site. FAA approval for the correct tower height must be received prior to the Planning Commission acting on this matter. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (OCTOBER 28, 1993) Paul Atkinson and Carol Rhode were present representing Claircom Communications. Dana Carney, of the Planning staff, presented the item and outline the several concerns listed below. 1. The applicant is proposing a 70 foot tower. FAA approval has been granted only for a 55 foot tower. The Little Rock Airport Commission has requested that this item be deferred until a revised FAA approval is granted and local office comments have been made. 2. Pave the driveway from Bedford Street to the fenced perimeter of the tower site. 3. The applicant requests not to have to fully screen the east and south perimeters, for security purposes. The north and west perimeters will be screened. 4. Dedicate additional right-of-way to 30 foot from centerline on East 10th Street and construct Master Street Plan improvements to East 10th Street, with sidewalks. 5. Move the fence on the north and west property lines back behind the landscaping screen. 3 November 16, 1993 ITEM NO.: 20 (continued) FILE NO.: Z-5754 6. No portion of the barbed wire/coiled ribbon wire may extend outside of the vertical plane of the chainlink fence. Ms. Rhode stated that a revised site plan would be prepared to address all staff concerns. She also stated that a revised application had been filed with the FAA and it was felt that approval would be received prior to the November 16 Planning Commission meeting. A brief discussion then followed concerning the need to construct Master Street Plan improvements to East 10th Street. It was noted that the airport was buying much of the property north of East 10th Street and in fact had begun removing many of the homes and streets to prepare for airport expansion. The applicant was informed that an in -lieu contribution could be made toward future street improvements or a deferral could be requested through the Board of Directors. The Committee determined that there were no other outstanding issues and forwarded this item to the full Commission for final resolution. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (NOVEMBER 16, 1993) A representative of Claircom Communications was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and informed the Commission that a revised site plan had been submitted which addressed all staff concerns. Approval had been received from the FAA for a total tower/antenna height of 72 feet. The Airport Commission had given approval based on the revised FAA review. The Commission determined that there were no outstanding issues and placed this item on the Consent Agenda for approval subject to compliance with the City Engineer Comments and screening the adjacent residences from the base of the tower site. The vote was 8 ayes, 0 noes, 2 absent and 1 open position. 4