HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6144-A Staff AnalysisAugust 25, 1997
Item No.: 14
File No.:
Owner -
Address:
DesariLtion•
zoned:
Variance Requested:
Justification:
Z -6144-A
Arkansas Teacher Retirement System/
Arkansas State Police
#1 State Police Plaza Drive
Southwest City Commercial
Subdivision
C-3
A variance is requested from the
tower height restrictions of
Section 36-201 to permit an
increase in tower height from 180
feet to 250 feet.
Applicant's Statement: The design
of the Arkansas State Police
communications system consists of
three large loops arranged in
northeast, northwest and southern
Arkansas, each consisting of about
20 microwave paths. They are based
on a SONET architecture which can
heal itself should problems arise.
The three loops must be joined
together using DACS-or "Digital
Access Cross -connect Switches" -in
the Little Rock area by a smaller
loop which consists of Shinall
Mountain, Magnet, Lonoke, Troop A
and the State Police headquarters
(which is the location of the
subject property). Including the
State Police headquarters in the
smaller Little Rock loop is deemed
essential by the State Police's
maintenance personnel who will need
not only make quick repairs to the
DACS, but will be able to monitor
the help of the network using
software at the headquarters. The
new tower at the State Police
headquarters is located in a
relative depression in the local
topography. Thus, in order for the
"line -of -site" microwave to
function properly, the tower must
August 25, 1997
Item No.: 14 (Cont.
Present use of Property:
Proposed use of Property:
Staff Report:
A. Public Works Comments:
No Comments.
H. Staff Analysis:
be raised 70 feet to facilitate the
path from the State Police
headquarters to Magnet in a
southwesterly direction. To
accomplish the height increase, the
existing tower will be removed and
a new one will be constructed in
the same location.
State Police Headquarters
State Police Headquarters
A large portion of the former Southwest City Mall has
recently been remodeled and occupied by the Arkansas State
Police as its state headquarters. In the initial phase of
the remodeling project, on June 24, 1996, the Hoard of
Adjustment approved a height variance to allow for
construction of a 180 foot tall tower to be located directly
behind the building. It has been determined that the 180
foot height is insufficient to send a -line-of-sight-
microwave signal to the southwest. As such, the State
Police are requesting a second variance to allow for a tower
height of 250 feet, a 70 foot increase. The existing 180
foot tower will be removed and the new, taller tower erected
in its place.
The tower section of the City Code, Section 36-201, limits
metal, ground -mounted towers to 75 feet in height.
The tower location is directly behind and adjacent to the
new State Police Headquarters building. The tower is
approximately 200 feet from the site's south property line.
A 8 foot tall privacy fence is located along this property
line, separating the State Police Complex from the nearest
residential properties.
Insomuch as this is a public safety issue, and the increased
tower height is necessary for the Arkansas State Police to
have clear communication capabilities, staff supports the
requested variance.
K
August 25, 1997
Item No.: 14 (Cont.)
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested tower height
variance.
HOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(AUGUST 25, 1997)
Randal Frazier was present representing the applicant. There
were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a
recommendation of approval.
Mr. Frazier briefly explained the need for the increased tower
height.
In response to a question, Mr. Frazier stated that the tower
would have a light which would strobe during daylight hours and
not at night so as to minimize the impact on the neighborhood.
The question was called and a vote taken on the variance request.
The vote was 8 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent, approving the variance.
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