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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6195 Staff AnalysisSeptember 30, 1996 Item NO .: 1 Films: z-6195 .owner: : Sprint Spectrum 8124 Scott Hamilton Drive Adder, Descri tion, Part of the West 1/2, Section 32, T -1-N, R -12-W, Little Rock Zoned: I-2 Variance Re ested: 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 100 feet. Justification. 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 8124 Scott Hamilton Drive (Brandon Square Warehouses). The site is zoned I-2. Sprint is requesting an additional height September 30,, 1996 Item No. - 1 Present Use of Pr'a ert . Pro used use of Pro ert variance allowing the antenna height to be raised from an existing height of 70' to 100`. 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. Warehouse complex Warehouse complex Staff ReAa�C't : A. Public works Comments: No apparent issues with this application. B, Staff Anal s� s Sprint Spectrum currently has a 70 foot tall, monopole tower located within the office/warehouse development at 8124 Scott Hamilton Road. The tower is located behind a building, approximately 300 feet west of. Scott Hamilton. Sprint Spectrum has determined that the existing 70 foot tall structure does not provide adequate coverage to the surrounding area. Consequently, they are requesting a variance to allow the height of the tower to be raised from 70 feet to 100 feet. Section 36-201 limits the height of metal, ground -mounted towers to 75 feet. The tower is located within the property of a large multibuilding office/warehouse development. Adjacent uses include the large, Arkansas Electric Cooperatives' installation, Metroplan Vo -Tech Campus, motels and a convenience store. The Board of Adjustment recently approved another tower on the southwest corner of this same site. This second tower is currently under construction and will be 150 feet tall. Staff believes this is an appropriate location for the proposed 100 foot tall tower. It is located within a large office/warehouse complex which is buffered from any residential uses by other developments. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested height variance to permit an existing 70 foot tall, monopole tower to be 01) September 30, 1996 Item No.: 11 (Cont. raised to 100 feet in height 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 subject to compliance with FAA regulations. Mr. deBin stated that Sprint had approached Metropolitan VoTech School about collocating on the tower on the school property. It was found that the school's tower would not structurally support additional equipment. A motion was made to approve the 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