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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5941 Staff AnalysisMarch 27, 1995 No.. File No. Own e r Address: Description; Zoned- Variance Re ested: '7ustific_� lon: Present Use of Provert : Proposed Use of Property: S aft Report: A. Engineering issues: Z-5941 Signal Media of Arkansas, Inc. 2400 Cottondale Lane Tract F -2A, Riverdale Addition I-2 From the height restrictions of Section 36-201 to permit construction of a 200 foot tall, broadcast tower. The Ordinance limits metal, ground -mounted towers to 75 feet in height. Signal Media is currently unable to send a direct signal from the radio station studio building to the main transmitter located on Shinnall Mountain. The station's building is located at a low elevation, on the banks of the Arkansas River and there is a ridge (Cantrell Hill/the Heights) within a half -mile blocking a line -of -sight path. Path analysis studies have been performed that show a tower approximately 200 feet in height at the studio site is required to get a direct signal to a receiving antenna mounted 600 feet up on the 1,000 foot tall tower on Shinnall Mountain. Radio station, studio and offices Radio station, studio and offices with a 200 foot tall tower Sidewalk and handicap ramps are required on the Cottondale Lane frontage. March 27, 1995 Item A Cont. B. Staff Analysis.: Signal Media of Arkansas operates radio stations KKPT-FM, KKYK-FM and KSYG-AM from its studios located at 2400 Cottondale Lane. The applicant is seeking a variance to allow for the construction of a 200 foot tall tower on this I-2 zoned property. The purpose of the tower would be to support two microwave antennas to allow the stations to transmit audio and control signals to the main transmitter site located on Shinnall Mountain. The property at 2400 Cottondale Lane is located at a low elevation on the banks of the Arkansas River and there is a ridge (Cantrell Hill/The Heights) within a half - mile blocking a line of sight path between the property and Shinnall Mountain. To send a signal over this ridge to Shinnall Mountain, a 200 foot tall tower is necessary. This same issue was presented to the Board of Adjustment on April 21, 1986. At that time, staff offered a recommendation of approval subject to the tower being painted a neutral color so as to lessen the visual impact from a distance, and further that no signs were to be permitted on the structure. There were no objectors present at the Board meeting. After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made to approve the application. The motion failed for lack of an affirmative vote. The vote was 4 ayes, 2 noes, 1 absent and 2 open positions. After the 2 open positions were filled, the applicant requested a rehearing. That request was denied by the Board. Staff feels that the applicant has presented adequate justification for the variance request and supports the height variance. The proposed tower is located on a property zoned I-2, which allows communication towers as a by -right use. There are several six -story buildings located adjacent to the northwest of this site and two three-story buildings located adjacent to the southeast of the site. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the height variance subject to: 1. Compliance with the City Engineer's Comments 2. The tower being painted a neutral color so as to lessen its visual impact. 3. No signs or logos being placed on the tower structure. 2 March 27, 1995 Item No.: A Cont. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (JANUARY 30, 1995) Phillip Johnson was present representing Signal Media. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the City Engineer's Comments 2. The tower being painted a neutral color so as to lessen its visual impact. 3. No signs or logos being placed on the tower structure. Mr. Johnson addressed the Board and reiterated the need for the tower. Kirby Rowland asked what material the tower was to be constructed of and what color it would be. Mr. Johnson responded that the tower would be constructed of steel and would be left in its natural color. Chairman Borchert asked how the transmissions from the radio stations are currently being accomplished. Mr. Johnson responded that the signal is sent from the studio to a tower located approximately 10 miles east of the site and then "bounced" to the main transmitter site on Shinnal Mountain. Mr. Johnson stated that this method results in a loss of transmission quality. He continued by stating that Signal Media was soon going to lose the site of the tower that they are currently using which necessitates the need for a new tower. Chairman Borchert stated that he was concerned about the visual impact of the proposed 200 foot tall tower. Norm Laramie, Chief Engineer for Signal Media, addressed the Board. He presented plans and elevations of the proposed tower. Mr. Laramie stated that the tower was to be a dull silver color. After further discussion of the tower design, Chairman Borchert asked if there would be guide wires associated with the tower. Mr. Laramie responded that the tower was self-supporting and required no guying. Tom Rystrom stated that he would like to see drawings or elevations reflecting the tower's relationship to other structures in the vicinity. Jeff Hathaway and Chairman Borchert both expressed concerns about approving the tower without further review of the site and the surrounding area. 3 March 27, 1995 Item No.• A Cant. Eugene Terry asked if Signal Media could "bounce" a signal to the existing tower located on the north side of the Arkansas River and then to the transmitter on Shinnal Mountain. Mr. Laramie responded that the design of the tower across the river was such that it could not be used by Signal Media. Tom Rystrom stated that he had a "real problem" with approving a tower on the river. After a brief discussion, a motion was made to defer the item to the February 27, 1995 Board meeting to allow Board members more time to look at the site. The motion was approved by a vote of 6 ayes, 0 noes, 2 absent and 1 open position. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (FEBRUARY 27, 1995) Norm Laramee was present representing Signal Media. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and informed the Board that it had been deferred from the January 30, 1995 Board meeting to allow Board members to visit the site and to allow the applicant an opportunity to prepare drawings or photographs showing the tower. Mr. Laramee addressed the Board and explained Signal Media's need for the tower. He presented photographs of the area with the proposed tower superimposed on them. Mr. Laramee continued by stating that Signal media and its stations served the public need and that the proposed tower was necessary to continue in that capacity. Chairman Terry asked if it would be possible to relocate the studios, which would negate the need for this proposed tower. Mr. Laramee responded that relocating the three radio stations was cost prohibitive. John Borchert stated that he had been contacted by residents of the Treetops Condominiums who were opposed to the tower. Mark Alderfer asked what lighting would be placed on the tower, if lighting is required by the FAA. Mr. Laramee responded that the tower would not be built if it is required to have any lighting. He continued by stating that Signal Media was sensitive to aesthetic issues and took that into consideration when choosing the tower's design and color. After a brief discussion, a motion was made to deny the application. The vote was 4 ayes, 4 noes, 0 absent and 1 open position. Due to a lack of 5 votes, either for or against the item, it was automatically deferred to the March 27, 1995 meeting. 4 March 27, 1995 Item No.• A Cont. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (MARCH 27, 1995) Norm Laramee was present representing Signal Media. There was one objector present. One letter in objection to the proposed tower had been received by the Planning Staff and presented to the Board. Staff presented the item and informed the Board that it had been deferred from the February 27, 1995 Board meeting due to a lack of 5 votes, either for or against the item, at that meeting. Mr. Laramee addressed the Board and, at the Chairman's request, reviewed the application and explained the need for the tower. He presented another photograph of the site with the tower superimposed on it, giving a view of the site from the Treetops Condominiums. Julann Carney, of Carney Investment Company at 2228 Cottondale Lane, addressed the Board in opposition to the proposed tower. After a brief discussion, a motion was made to deny the application. The vote was 6 ayes, 2 noes, 0 absent and 1 abstaining (Doyne). The height variance request was denied. 5