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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6125-A Staff AnalysisSeptember 30, 1996 Item NO.: Fil..eNo-: Z -6125-A Gwner: Sprint Spectrum Address: 10700 Colonel Glenn Road Des .ri tion. Part of the SW 1/4, SW 1/4, Section 15, T -1-N, R -13-W, Little Rock Zoned: I-1 Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the height restrictions of Section 36- 201 to permit an existing, monopole tower to be raised in height from 140 feet to 180 feet. Justification• Applicant's Statement: As you know, Sprint Spectrum has been in the process Of leasing sites and constructing its digital wireless communications network within the City of Little Rock. This is a major condition in the granting of Sprint Spectrum's FCC license mandating that they provide adequate service to the public. Since Sprint Spectrum is sensitive to community concerns regarding the heights of their antennas and monopoles, they have attempted to design their network with antenna heights that are as short as possible. Unfortunately, situations arise where a constructed antenna site does not provide the coverage necessary to provide adequate service to the area surrounding that site. In those cases, it is necessary for Sprint Spectrum to seek further relief from the Hoard of Adjustment in order to raise the height of these antennas. Sprint currently has an existing site located at 10700 Colonel Glenn Road. This site is heavily wooded and is zoned I-1. Sprint is requesting an additional height September 30, 1996 Item No.: 9 Cont_ Present -use of Fraert : Proposed Use of Pro ert : Staff Report: A. Public works Comments: variance allowing the antenna height to be raised from an existing height of 140' to 180'. This is a necessity based upon the revised radio frequency requirements needed to provide adequate coverage to the -.surrounding -area. The existing height does not provide adequate coverage. 140 foot tall, monopole tower and equipment cabinets 180 foot tall, monopole tower and equipment cabinets Access is being taken from Shackleford Road. An installed culvert needs modification: must have flared end sections at each end and an appropriate concrete apron for City standards from the edge of pavement to the night -of -way line with sloped sides from the edge of the driveway down in a 3 to 1 maximum slope will be required prior with construction permit. B. Staff Analysis: On April 29, 1996, the Board of Adjustment granted a height variance allowing Sprint Spectrum to erect a 14b foot tall, monopole tower on this I-1 zoned property. Sprint Spectrum has since determined that the 140 foot tall tower does not provide the coverage necessary to provide adequate service to the area surrounding the site. Section 36-201 limits metal, ground -mounted towers to 75 feet in height. Most all of the surrounding properties are undeveloped and heavily wooded with the exception of the Sam's Wholesale Club and a new office/warehouse development located on Colonel Glenn Road. The increase in height from 140 to 180 feet may not be all that noticeable when taken in perspective from Colonel Glenn Road, which is 500+ feet south of the site. Staff does not believe the addition of another 40 feet to this particular tower will have a negative impact on adjacent properties. 2 September 30, 1996 Item No.: 9 (Cont. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested height variance to allow an existing monopole tower to be raised in height from 140 to 180 feet subject to compliance with Public Works Comments. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (SEPTEMBER 30, 1996) Mark Alderfer abstained on this item. Drew Basham and Chris deBin were present representing the application. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with Public Works Comments and FAA regulations. Mr. Basham stated that the applicant agreed to staff's recommendation. Mr. deBin stated that all of Sprint Spectrum's towers were designed to allow collocation with another carrier. In response to a question from Chairman Rowland, Mr. deBin stated that the applicant would address and comply with Public Works concerns. The question was called and a vote taken on the requested height variance subject to compliance with Public Works comments and FAA regulations. The vote was 5 ayes, 0 noes, 3 absent and 1 abstaining (Alderfer).