HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6496 Staff AnalysisMay 18, 1998
Item No.: 11
File No.: Z-6496
Owner• Westrock Partnership/John Burnett,
Agent
Address: Executive Center Court
Description: Lot 9, Westrock Office Addition
Zoned: O-3
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the
tower height provisions of Section
36-201 to permit a 300 foot tall
tower and the area regulations of
Section 36-281 to permit satellite
dishes with reduced rear yard
setback.
Justification: Applicant's Statement: This
tower's purpose is an absolute
necessity of operation as we
combine our five radio and two
television stations under one roof.
More specifically:
Ta olo ra hical Challenges
We have evaluated a variety of
sites in Little Rock, with this
particular site offering the
greatest elevation to reach our two
broadcast transmission sites
(Shinall Mountain and Redfield,
Arkansas).
Reduction in Tower Sites
This one tower would serve the
purpose of all of our broadcast
operations allowing the towers on
Cantrell (RSSN Studios) and West
Markham and Bowman (FOX 16 Studios)
to be dismantled.
Electronic News Gathering ENG
Our intent is to build a facility
that is capable of producing Local
News Programming for FOX 16 and UPN
38. Our News Operation would need
a site capable of receiving
May 18, 1998
Item No.: 11(Cont.)
regional microwave transmissions
for LIVE breaking News Reports.
Our engineers have told us a 300'
tower will serve our needs.
Present Use of Pr ee=t : Vacant
Proposed Use of Property: Television and Radio Broadcast
Studios
Staff Report:
A. Public Works Issues:
No issues.
B. Staff Analysis:
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. proposes to develop a
major television and radio studio complex on the vacant 0-3
zoned property located at the north end of Executive Center
Court. The property is within the newly developing Westrock
Office Addition, located west of the Koger Office Park and
east of Bowman Road. This new facility will house the
broadcast and recording studios for two television stations
and 5 radio stations. Clear Channel proposes to construct a
300 foot tall, self-supporting, "lattice -work" tower on the
site. Section 36-201 limits the height of metal, ground -
mounted towers to 75 feet. Clear Channel also proposes to
place 6, 5 meter satellite dishes on the property. The
satellite dishes will have a rear yard setback of 13 feet.
Section 36-281 requires a rear yard setback of 15 feet in
the 0-3 district.
Although a tower of this magnitude is an unusual request,
staff is supportive of the variance request. The tower
needs to be this tall in order for a signal to reach
broadcast transmission sites located at Shinnal Mountain and
Redfield. Additionally, the proposed tower height would
allow for the television news operations to receive regional
microwave transmissions for live news reports. The site is
surrounded by nonresidential uses and zoning. The
properties adjacent to the east, west and south are zoned
0-3. A new office building is being built on the site to
the south. The PCD zoned property to the north is occupied
by a multiple building, office/warehouse development.
Cherry Creek, the single family residential development
located across Bowman Road to the west, is approximately
1,200 feet from the base of the tower. Sandpiper, a second
residential development located south of the Westrock Office
addition, is approximately 1,300 feet from the tower.
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May 18, 1998
Item No.: 11 (Cont.
The applicant has stated that towers on Cantrell Road (KSSN
Studios) and Markham Street (FOX 16 Studios) will be removed
once these operations relocate to this site.
The minor 2 foot variance for the satellite dishes should
have no impact on adjacent properties.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested tower height
variance for the 300 foot tower and rear yard setback
variance for the 6 satellite dishes subject to compliance
with the following conditions:
1. Compliance with any applicable FAA regulations for
lighting the tower
2. There are to be no signs or logos on the tower.
3. Compliance with the City's Landscape and Buffer
Ordinances
4. The towers on Cantrell Road (KSSN Studios) and West
Markham (FOX 16 Studio) are to be removed once this
tower is operational.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(MAY 18, 1998)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject
to compliance with the conditions noted above.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff. The vote was 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent.
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