HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8323 Staff AnalysisApril 10, 2008
ITEM NO.: 10 FILE NO.: Z-8323
NAME: KATV Tower — Conditional Use Permit
LOCATION: Two Towers Road
OWNER/APPLICANT: Deltic Timber Corp./White- Date rs
PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for
construction of a 1,269 foot tall communication tower
on this R-2 zoned tract.
1. SITE LOCATION:
The site is located on the south side of Two Towers Road, west of Gordon
Road; on Shinall Mountain.
Z COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD:
The proposed tower is to be located on Shinall Mountain, outside of the
city limits but within the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction. Many other
towers are located on the mountain, including some that are of similar
height. The properties immediately around the towers are mostly wooded
and undeveloped. The proposed tower is compatible with uses in the
immediate area.
All owners of property located within 200 feet of the tower site were
notified of the request. There are no residents within 300 feet to notify.
There is no neighborhood association in the area.
3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING:
Two Towers Road is accessed from Gordon Road, off of Denny Road. A
single driveway will provide access to the tower site. The site will contain
a 10-space parking lot. The parking should be sufficient to accommodate
employees working in the transmitter building or servicing the tower.
4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
No comments. The site is located within a "tower farm" and is adjacent to
similar uses.
5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
No Comments.
April 10, 2008
ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-8323
6. UTILITY FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS:
Wastewater: Property is outside of current service boundary. No
comment.
Entergy: No comment received.
CenterPoint Energy: No comment received.
AT&T (SBC): No comment received.
Water: No objection. No water is available.
Fire Department: Fire hydrant may be required. Site is located outside of
City Limits. Provide approval from Fire Department which provides
service to this area. Contact Fire Marshall's office at 918-3710.
County Planning: No comments received.
CATA: Site is outside service area.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (MARCH 20, 2008)
The applicant was not present. Staff presented the item and noted any
comments would be forwarded to the applicant. Staff noted additional
information was needed to justify the proposed height of the tower. Staff stated
the applicant would be asked if the tower would accommodate additional users
and to locate any fencing on the site plan. Staff stated FAA approval would be
required prior to construction of the tower.
Public Works, Utility and Landscape Comments were noted.
The Committee forwarded the item to the full Commission.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
KATV, a Little Rock television station, is requesting approval of a conditional use
permit to allow for construction of a 1,269 foot tall transmission tower on Two
Towers Road, on Shinall Mountain. The tower is to replace a tower located at
Redfield which recently collapsed.
The proposed tower is a guyed, triangular, non -insulated, open face structure.
Multiple antennae and dishes will be located at various heights on the tower.
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April 10, 2008
ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont.
FILE NO.: Z
Guy wires will extend out 600 feet from the tower at three points. Anchors will be
installed at the mid -points and ends of each guy wire. A 40' X 90' transmitter
building and a 10-space parking lot will be located on the tower site. Security
fencing will be located around the tower site, encompassing the transmitter
building, parking area and tower base. Fencing will also be located around each
of the six anchor points. Fencing will be 10-foot high chain link with razor wire
atop.
The tower site and surrounding properties, including the guy wire locations, are
owned by Deltic Timber. The site will be leased to KATV. The tower will be
designed to accommodate other uses. KATV has stated that the proposed tower
height is necessary to achieve service to the station's licensed coverage area.
The tower height is compatible with similar structures in the area. KATV is aware
that FAA approval will be required prior to construction and is in the process of
filing for approval with the FAA.
To staff's knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. The applicant responded
to issues raised at Subdivision Committee as reflected in the analysis above.
There is no bill of assurance covering this acreage tract. Staff believes the
proposed use is compatible with the uses in the vicinity. Staff is supportive of the
requested C.U.P.
Due to the remote nature of the site and the sensitive nature of the television
transmitter, staff supports a fence height variance to allow the 10-foot tall chain
link fence with razor wire.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P. subject to FAA and Fire
Department approval being obtained prior to construction commencing on the
tower.
Staff recommends approval of the requested fence height variance.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(APRIL 10, 2008)
The applicant was present. There was one objector present. Staff presented the
item and a recommendation of approval subject to the conditions noted in the
"staff recommendation" above.
Tim Daters and KATV's Director of Engineering Alan Finney addressed the
Commission and stated they would answer any questions in response to issues
raised by the objector. In response to a question from staff, Mr. Daters stated the
tower was designed to collapse in an area within one-half of its height.
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April 10, 2008
ITEM NO.: 10 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z-8323
Richard Brittain, of 6105 Father Tribou Street, stated there was an FCC
requirement that KATV maintain its transmitter at Redfield and the FCC would
have to approve moving it. He asked why the Shinall Mountain area had not
been zoned for towers. He expressed concern that the tower could fall on a
residence.
Mr. Daters responded that they were aware that FCC and FAA approval were
needed. He stated the tower was 1,200 feet tall and the nearest residence was
2,000 +/- feet away. In response to a question from the Commission, Mr. Finney
stated there were currently 3 towers over 1,000 feet tall on the mountain, 12 in
the 200-300 foot range and 6-8 under 100 feet tall.
Dana Carney, of the Planning Staff, explained that it was not necessary to
change the zoning of the property to address the tower issue since the towers
were approved either by -right or through the C.U.P. process.
A motion was made to approve the application, subject to all staff comments and
conditions. The motion was approved by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent.
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