HomeMy WebLinkAboutSE202000006 Application 2020-06-220
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April 23rd, 2020
TO: County of Albemarle - Department of Community Development 401 McIntire Road, North
Wing Charlottesville, VA 22902
RE: Verizon / Mirador Farm (Scruby Property) — Tier III Personal Wireless Service
Facility Special Exception Request for Modified Flush -Mount Antenna Mounting
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is being submitted pursuant to Section 5.1.40.a(12) as a request for approval of a
Special Exception to modify Section 5.1.40.b(2)(c) - Projection in order to allow Verizon's
proposed antennas to be installed in a modified flush -mount array.
Please find information supporting Verizon's request in the sections provided below:
Section 5.1.40.a(12): "Special Exception. If the proposed facility does not comply with any
provision of section 5.1.40, the applicant shall request a special exception in writing as part
of the application. The request shall identify which regulation in section 5.1.40 for the
special exception is requested and a _justification for the special exception."
Verizon will address the requests and justifications for required Special Exceptions below:
Request to modify Section 5.1.40.b(2)(c) of the Zoning Ordinance: "Projection. No antenna
shall project from the facility, structure or building beyond the minimum required by the
mounting equipment, and in no case shall the closest point of the back of the antenna be
more than twelve (12) inches from the facility, structure, or building, and in no case shall
the farthest point of the back of the antenna be more than eighteen (18) inches from the
facility, structure, or building." The proposed alternative mounts will allow all six of Verizon's
antennas to be installed at the same mounting level on the proposed monopole, but they won't
allow the antennas to meet the smaller maximum stand-off restriction of 12 inches. Therefore,
Verizon is requesting approval of this Special Exception to allow a modification of the standard
restrictions on antenna mounting distances. In this case, the closest point from the monopole
bottom to top at the backs of the proposed antennas will be approximately 18". Therefore, the
proposed mounts will allow antennas to comply with the larger of the standoff limitations by
being 18" from the monopole's face at their tops and bottoms.
513 Stewart Street
Suite E
Charlottesville, VA 22902
0
GDJdies
Instead of requiring mechanical (physical) tilting, the proposed Commscope NHH-65C-R2B
antennas are equipped with Remote Electrical Tilt (RET) capabilities that allow antenna elements
and their beams to be tilted electronically from inside the panels and without changing the
distance from the monopole. Therefore, the greatest distance between the antennas and pole will
actually be equal to or less than 18" which maximum that is allowed.
Approval of the proposed Special Exception will allow Verizon to better serve the surrounding
areas in a more efficient way by allowing all six (6) of the antennas to clear the treetops and
deploy the company's four licensed frequencies at the same mounting height. This is especially
important, because in previous cases Verizon had been required to vertically stack two (2)
separate antennas arrays, with parts of the lower antennas being situated below the tops of some
surrounding trees. At the same time, the distance between the monopole and antennas within the
proposed array will not greatly increase any perceived visual impacts because the antennas will
still comply with the maximum distance that is normally allowed. Verizon also notes that the
proposed configuration has been approved for other facilities within Albemarle County, so there
should be no concerns about setting a design precedence with the approval of this request.
Therefore, the requested Special Exception for the proposed mounting distance should be
consistent with the criteria that are necessary for modification or waiving the requirements of
Section 5.1.40.b(2)(c).
Please not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience if you should have any questions,
comments or concerns, or will require any additional information for the review and approval of
this request.
Sincerely,
A)P�
Nathan Holland
Senior Site Development Manager
GDN Sites — Consultant to Verizon Wireless
Phone: 757-305-8420
nathan.holland(a,gdnsites.com
513 Stewart Street
Suite E
Charlottesville, VA 22902