HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6194 Staff AnalysisSeptember 30„ 1996
Item No.: 13
File No-
Qwner:
Address:
L7esc]ritat ion
.Zoxied
Variance Re ested:
Justification:
Z-6194
Sprint Spectrum
7919 Asher Avenue
Part of the West 1/2, NE 1/4, NE 1/4,
Section 23, T -1-N, R -13-W, Little
Rock
I-2
A variance is requested from the
height restrictions of Section 36-
201 to permit an existing monopole
tower to be raised in height from
70 feet to 140 feet.
A licant'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 Board of Adjustment
in order to raise the height of
these antennas.
Sprint currently has an existing
site located at 7919 Asher Avenue.
The site is zoned I-2. Sprint is
requesting a height variance
September 30,•1996
Item No.: 10 Cant.
Ise of Proert :
Pro osed use of Pro ert :
Staff Report:
A. Public Works Comments:
allowing the antenna height to be
raised from an existing height of
70' to 140'. 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.
Present
70 foot tall, monopole tower and
equipment cabinets
140 foot tall, monopole tower and
equipment cabinets
No apparent Public Works issues. This is within the area of
Asher Avenue being reconstructed with the current Highway
Department project.
B. Staff Analsis:
Sprint Spectrum has a 70 foot tall, monopole tower located
on the I-2 zoned property at 7919 Asher Avenue. They have
determined that the antenna site does not provide the .
coverage necessary to provide adequate service to the area
surrounding the site. Consequently, they have filed a
variance application asking that they be allowed to raise
the height of the tower to 140 feet. Section 36-201 limits
the height of metal, ground -mounted towers to_75 feet.
The site is located along a portion of Asher Avenue which
has developed with mixed zoning and uses. The properties to
the east, west and north are all zoned I-2 and contain such
uses as Borden Dairy and Easyway Used Cars. The pALR
Criminal Justice Institute campus is located further east on
Asher Avenue. A large church and a fire station are located
to the west. The R-2 property directly south of the site is
undeveloped. The property itself contains may mature pine
and oak trees which help to screen the site.
Staff believes the site to be an appropriate location for
the tower. The increased height should not impact adjacent
properties. There is adequate separation between this site
and any residential development.
K
September 3o-, 1996
Item No.: 10 (Cont.)
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested height variance
subject to compliance with FAA regulations.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (SEPTEMBER 30, 1996)
Mark Alderfer abstained on this item.
Drew Basham and Chris deBin were present representing Sprint
Spectrum. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the
item and a recommendation of approval, with conditions.
Mr. deBin stated that Sprint made a great effort to save many
tall, mature trees on the site to help buffer the visual impact
of the tower.
A motion was made to approve the requested height variance
subject to compliance with FAA regulations. The motion was
approved by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 noes, 3 absent and 1 abstaining
(Alderfer) .
3