HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6042-E Staff AnalysisNovember 14, 2002
ITEM NO.: 15 FILE NO.: Z -6042-D
NAME: T -Mobile Tower Use Permit
LOCATION: 10920 Colonel Glenn I ^A�
OWNER/APPLICANT: Central Arkansas Water/Site Excell
PROPOSAL: A tower use permit is requested to allow for the
addition of 5 feet to the height of this existing,
150 -foot tall monopole tower to accommodate an
additional wireless carrier. The property is zoned R-2.
ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS:
SITE LOCATION:
The site is located on a wooded hillside above the northeast corner of
Colonel Glenn and 1-430.
2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
The WCF lease site is located within a Central Arkansas Water Facility
which is surrounded by undeveloped, heavily wooded properties.
Allowing the slight increase in tower height to accommodate an additional
carrier will not affect the WCF's compatibility with the neighborhood. No
residentially occupied properties are within the vicinity of this site.
All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents
within 300 feet who could be identified and the John Barrow and
SWLRUP Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request.
3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
A gravel road within an ingress/egress easement provides access to the
Water Works site and WCF lease area from Colonel Glenn Road. There
is adequate area within the water works site to accommodate the vehicles
of any technicians visiting the WCF.
4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
Landscape and screening requirements are those standards contained
within the Zoning WCF Ordinance.
November 14, 2002
ITEM NO.: 15 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -6042-D
5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
No Comments.
6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS:
Wastewater: Sewer main extension required with easements if service is
required for project.
Entergy: No Comments received.
Reliant: No Comments received.
Southwestern Bell: No Comments received.
Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water regarding easement needed for
this project.
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
County Planning: No Comments received.
CATA: No Comments received.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (OCTOBER 24, 2002)
Chris Villines was present representing the application. Staff presented the item
and noted that a variance would be needed to allow the tower height to be
increased from 150 feet to 155 feet. Staff noted that the WCF was located within
a Central Arkansas Water Works site and was surrounded by densely wooded,
undeveloped property. Staff voiced support for a waiver of the landscaping and
screening requirements on all perimeters of the WCF site.
There were no further staff comments.
The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to
the full Commission.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Wireless Communication Facility (WCF) located at 10920 Colonel Road
consists of a 150 -foot tall monopole tower and two equipment cabinets within a
40'X 40' lease area. The lease area is within a 2.52 acre Central Arkansas
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November 14, 2002
ITEM NO.: 15 (Cont.
FILE NO.: Z -6042-D
Water Facility. The parent tract contains a water tank, water works buildings and
a separate WCF lease area containing an additional monopole tower. The entire
water works site is enclosed by an 8 -foot tall chainlink fence topped with barbed
wire. The properties north, south and east of the water works site are
undeveloped and heavily wooded. The 1-430 right-of-way is adjacent to the
west. Dense vegetation in the right-of-way provides screening for the west
perimeter of the site. This WCF site was approved, at staff level, in August
1998. A collocation on the site was approved in August 2002.
T -Mobile now proposes to collocate on the site, resulting in 3 carriers on this one
monopole tower. T -Mobile will sublease a 12'X 15' area within the larger, 1,600
square foot WCF lease area. An equipment cabinet will be placed in the lease
area and additional antennae will be placed on the tower. In order to provide
the required coverage, T -Mobile cannot place its antennae any lower on the
tower. Consequently, this proposal includes adding 5 feet on top of the tower.
T -Mobile's antennae will be placed at the 155 -foot level. Staff is supportive of a
variance to allow the tower to exceed the allowable height of 150 feet. This will
accommodate the collocation and reduce the need for an additional tower in this
area.
Since the WCF lease site is located within a Central Arkansas Water Facility and
is surrounded by undeveloped, heavily wooded properties, the applicant is
requesting a deferral of the WCF landscape and screening requirements on all
4 sides of the WCF lease area. This site has not previously been brought into
compliance with the provisions of the 1999 WCF landscape and screening
ordinance, nor has a deferral been previously granted. Central Arkansas Water
has requested that no additional fencing (screening) or landscaping be installed
within their site, fearing that to do so would hamper operation of their facility.
Staff is supportive of the requested deferral. Due to the nature and location of
this site, it is reasonable not to require screening or landscaping on the
perimeters of the WCF lease site.
Staff supports a deferral of the landscaping and screening until such time as a
"major change in circumstance" as defined in Section 36-593(c)(6) of the Code.
Section 36-593(c)(6) states a "major change in circumstance" means that:
(1) the area within 200 feet of the boundaries of the WCF tower
site has developed to the point that there is a virtually
unobstructed view of the"tower site from any adjoining
occupiable residential structure or from public property or right-
of-way, and
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November 14, 2002
ITEM NO.: 15 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -6042-D
(2) the City has received a complaint from the owner of an
occupiable structure located within 200 feet of the tower site
that the site has insufficient landscaping or screening in place;
and
(3) the City has requested that the parties resolve the issue by
agreeing to certain screening or landscaping requirements
consistent with LRC § 36-593 which can be granted
administratively by the Director of Planning and Development,
but no agreement has been reached, or sufficient additional
space around the site has been acquired to meet the
landscaping, setback and screening requirements of LRC
§ 36-593.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the tower use permit.
Staff recommends approval of a height variance to allow the monopole tower to
be increased in height to 155 feet.
Staff recommends approval of a deferral of the Landscape and Screening
requirements on all 4 perimeters of the WCF lease site until such time as a
"major change in circumstance" as defined in Section 36-593(c)(6) of the Code.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(NOVEMBER 14, 2002)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented
the item and a recommendation of approval. Staff recommended approval of the
requested height variance. Staff recommended approval of a deferral of the
landscaping and screening requirements on all perimeters of the WCF until such
time as a "major change in circumstance" as defined in Section 36-593(c)(6) of
the Code.
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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