HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200200147 Staff Report 2003-01-21 ARCHII'PCTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project#: Name ARB-2002-147: Wright and Turner(Omnipoint Communication/T-Mobile)
Review Type Preliminary review of a Building Permit
Parcel Identification Tax Map 32,Parcel 41
Location 1754 Airport Road, south side of Airport Road,west of Route 29 North
Zoned Rural Areas(RA),and Entrance Comdor(EC)
Magisterial District Rio
Proposal Add 9 panel antennas to an existing lattice tower telecommunications facility
ARB Meeting Date January 21, 2003
Staff Contact Janet Miller
PROJECT HISTORY
The original application (SP-97-21) for a tower at this site was not reviewed by the ARB because Airport Road was not
established as an Entrance Corridor in 1997 and the site does not lie within the Route 29 EC. The current application for
additional antennas requires the approval of the ARB and the Building Official.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The existing tower at this site is located approximately 1/4 mile west of Route 29(southbound lane)and approximately 1/4 mile
south of Airport Road. There is an approximately 800' long gravel access drive leading to the tower from Airport Road. The
tower is 150' tall with several antennas projecting from different levels, as follows:
• 3 panel antennas mounted 146' above grade.
• 3 panel antennas mounted 130' above grade.
• 3 panel antennas mounted 110'above grade.
An 8' tall chain link fence surrounds the tower compound. Within the fenced compound are 3 equipment buildings and
cabinets located near the base of the tower.
CONTEXT
The area immediately surrounding the telecommunications facility is wooded with primanly deciduous trees.
There is extensive commercial development(and future proposed development)along Airport Road and Route 29.
CURRENT VISIBILITY
The ground equipment at the base of the tower and the lower portion of the tower are not visible from Route 29 and Airport
Road due to existing trees in the area. The upper half of the tower is clearly visible from both near and distant vantage points
along Airport Road and Route 29. From some vantage points,the tower looms above the surrounding trees and development
and has the sky as a backdrop. The tower is only visible at certain vantage points when traveling northbound on Route 29 and
east on Airport Road due primarily to the topography of the ECs.When traveling southbound on Route 29,the facility is visible
for a much shorter period of time as one begins to approach the Route 29/Airport Road intersection. The antennas installed on
the tower are quite visible because they are mounted on assemblies that extend far out from the tower.
PROJECT DETAILS
Antenna Type: panel antennas
Number of Antennas: 9(including 3 future antennas)
Mounting: Panels to be mounted such that the center of the panels would be located 120' above ground level. This location
is below the top two existing groups of antennas and above the lowest existing group of antennas. (This mounting information
Wright and Turner(Omnipoint Communicatnon/T-Mobile)Preliminary Building Permit—January 21,2003—Page 1
is taken from the plans though it aniiers from the written descnption,which states mat the proposed panels will be the lowest
installation on the tower.)
Panel Size: 72"tall x 8"wide x 2.75"deep
Color: To match the existing structure
Ground Equipment: 3 equipment cabinets are proposed(1 proposed and 2 proposed for future capacity needs)on a 10' x 20'
concrete pad. Each cabinet will be approximately 63.6"x 51"x 28"in size,but they are not expected to be seen from the EC,
due to the distance from Route 29 and Airport Road and the surrounding trees.
ANALYSIS
Compatibility of proposed development with significant historic sites: Antennas and other similar types of communication
equipment have no relationship to the histonc architecture of Albemarle County. Similarly,the appearance of antennas and
communication facilities contrasts sharply with the surrounding wooded area. The ARB guidelines indicate that mechanical
equipment should be screened to eliminate visibility from the ECs. In addition, guidelines included in the County's Personal
Wireless Service Facilities Policy(page 50)indicate that"protrusions from the face of the pole shall be no greater than one-half
the diameter of the pole itself and in no cases greater than 12 inches." It is the intent of the guidelines to limit visibility of
wireless service facilities.
Visibility of proposed antennas:
• The proposed ground equipment is not expected to be visible from the ECs.
• The proposed antennas are expected to be visible from the ECs,but no more so than the existing antennas.
Negative factors:
• This site can be considered an"avoidance"area because it is readily visible from the Entrance Corridors.
• The existing facility has a negative appearance and a negative impact on the ECs.
Positive factors:
• This site can be considered an"opportunity"in that there is an existing facility that can be utilized,reducing the need for
additional facilities.
• The additional antennas are not expected to increase the negative impact of the facility on the ECs, if their visibility is
minimized.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff opinion is that collocation at this site is preferred over a new visible tower and that the proposed development will not
increase the negative impact on the ECs. Staff recommends approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness, subject to the
following conditions,to be administratively approved:
1. Revise the plan to indicate that all equipment attached to the tower shall be painted or otherwise finished to match the color
of the tower.
2. Protrusions shall be no greater than 12"from the face of the tower.Provide a detail on the plan showing how the panel will
be attached to the tower and the distance from the tower to the antenna.
3. Remove the note"The size and height of the antenna shall be adjusted to meet RF requirements."
Wright and Turner(Ommpoint Communication/T-Mobile)Preliminary Building Permit—January 21, 2003—Page 2