HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP200700050 Legacy Document 2008-01-11ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING
STAFF REPORT SUMMARY
Project Name: SP 07-050: Carters Mountain
Staff: Gerald Gatobu
(ATC) —Verizon Tier III PWSF
Planning Commission Public Hearing:
Board of Supervisors Hearing:
January 15, 2008
February 13, 2008
Owners: Crown Orchard Company
Applicant: American Tower Corporation/Verizon
Acreage: 234.165 (TMP 91-28)
Rezone from: Not applicable
(Lease Area is part of this larger piece)
Special Use Permit for: Sec. 10.2.2 (48) which
allows for Tier III personal wireless facilities in the
RA Zoning District
TMP: Tax Map 91, Parcel 28
By -right use: RA, Rural Areas; Property also has
Location: Carters Mountain Trail, 1 mile south of
an existing Special Use Permit, last amended as
Thomas Jefferson Parkway [Route #531 at top of
SP 00-072, for the co -location of an additional
mountain
array of antennas on an existing tower.
Magisterial District: Scottsville
Proffers/Conditions: Yes
Requested # of Dwelling Lots: N/A
DA — RA — Yes
Proposal: co -location of one new array consisting
Comp. Plan Designation: The Comprehensive
of six (6) new antennas at approximately 220 feet
Plan designates this property as Rural Areas in
on an existing 270 -foot tall guyed tower with
Rural Area 4.
additional supporting ground equipment and
two (2) amendments to the conditions of SP 00-
072;
Character of Property: located on a tower farm
Use of Surrounding Properties: Adjacent to
with several other tower structures of varied
Carter's Mountain Orchard and several other
heights and sizes; Neighboring properties are all
towers
wooded and residential.
Factors Favorable: see report
Factors Unfavorable: see report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval with conditions as presented in the Staff Report
STAFF PERSON:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
AGENDA TITLE:
Gerald Gatobu
January 15, 2008
February 13, 2008
SP 2007-050 Carters Mountain —Verizon Tier III PWSF
APPLICANT: American Tower Corporation/Verizon
PROPERTY OWNER(S): Crown Orchard Company
APPLICANT'S PROPOSAL:
The applicant's proposal is for the co -location of one new array consisting of six (6) new antennas at
approximately 220 feet on an existing 270 -foot tall guyed tower with additional supporting ground
equipment (Attachment A). Transmitting equipment will be housed within a prefabricated shelter that
has measurements of 12'x 30'x 10.58' (W x L x H) and a stand-alone emergency power generator will
also be set at the tower's base. The property, described as Tax Map 91 Parcel 28, contains approximately
234.165 acres, and is zoned RA, Rural Areas (Attachment B). This site is located in the Scottsville
Magisterial District, on Carters Mountain Trail, 1 mile south of Thomas Jefferson Parkway [Route #53]
at the top of the mountain.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
The Comprehensive Plan designates this property as Rural Areas in Rural Area 4.
REASON FOR PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW:
SECTION: 10.2.2 (48) of the Zoning Ordinance which allows for Tier III personal wireless facilities in
the Rural Areas [RA] Zoning District by Special Use Permit. Section 31.2.4.2 requires Commission
review of applications for Special Use Permit.
PLANNING AND ZONING HISTORY:
This parcel includes a very large area; thus, much of the history is now associated with other projects in
the same general "tower farm". The items on this list that pertain to this tower are in italics.
SP 78-42 Motorola - On October 4, 1978, the Board of Supervisors approved a special use permit
request to allow a 200 -foot tall communication tower.
SP 79-76 Jefferson Cable - On January 18, 1980, the Board of Supervisors approved a special use
permit request to allow a 5 -meter satellite receiving dish.
SP 80-02 Shenandoah Valley TV - On March 19, 1980, the Board of Supervisors approved a special
use permit request allowing the removal of an existing 230 -foot tall tower, and replacement with a 186 -
foot tall television tower.
SP 88-14 Central Virginia Educational TV - On May 4, 1988, the Board of Supervisors approved a
special use permit request to allow a 293 -foot tall television tower.
SP 90-74 Charlottesville Cellular - On September 19, 1990, the Board of Supervisors approved a
special use permit request to allow a 150 -foot tall cellular telephone tower.
SP 91-23 Charlottesville Quality Cable - On August 7, 1991, the Board of Supervisors approved a
special use permit request to allow a 200 -foot tall wireless cable transmission tower.
SP 93-10 Crown Orchard Company (WVIR-TV) - On June 9, 1993, the Board of Supervisors
approved a special use permit request to allow a 60 -foot tall television reception tower.
SP 93-I5 RAM/BSE Communications - On July 14, 1993, the Board of Supervisors approved a special
use permit request to allow a multi-purpose tower not to exceed 300 feet in height. This facility is the
subject of this request. The tower has been constructed.
SP 94-37 Centel Cellular - On March 13, 1995, the Board of Supervisors approved a special use permit
request to allow a 200 -foot cellular telephone tower.
SP 96-16 Stu -Comm. Inc. - On July 10, 1996, the Board of Supervisors approved a special use permit
request to allow a 190 -foot multi-purpose tower.
SP 00-88 Carter's Mountain Emergency Communication Facility - On April 18, 2001, the Board of
Supervisors approved a special use permit request to allow a 250 -foot tower as part of the regional
emergency communications system.
SP 00-72 Crown Orchard (NEXTEL/Crown Castle) - On April 16, 2001, the Board of Supervisors
approved a special use permit request to allow the co -location of an additional array of antennas, on an
existing 270 foot tall guyed tower owned by American Tower Corporation, and a new 9 x16' equipment
building. Thisefacility is the subject of this request. The tower and equipment building have been
constructed.
SP 02-43 Crown Orchard (WVIR-TV) - On December 4, 2002, the Board of Supervisors approved a
special use permit request to allow the construction of a 250 -foot tall lattice tower, 30 feet at its base and
5 feet at its top, for the attachment of an antenna supporting the Virginia Broadcasting Corporation's
federally mandated transition from analog to digital broadcasting.
SP 02-71 Crown Orchard Co. / Pinnacle Carters Mountain - On March 19, 2003, the Board of
Supervisors approved a special use permit request to allow the co -location of two additional arrays
containing six (6) antennas an existing tower 205 -foot tall tower.
SP 03-22 ECC Carters Mountain/Crown Orchard -Extension - On April 16, 2003, the Board of
Supervisors approved a request to amend an existing special use permit by extending its period of
validity and allowing a minor increase in the size of an equipment building for a facility supporting the
regional emergency communications with a 250 foot high lattice tower, originally approved as SP 00-88.
SP 03-31 Albemarle County Fire Department Communication Amendment - On April 16, 2003, the
Board of Supervisors approved a request to amend an existing special use permit to allow the attachment
of an antenna, consisting of two 80 -inch segments supporting communications for the County of
Albemarle's Fire -Rescue services, at 148 and 165 feet on an existing 205 -foot tall tower.
SP 04-003 WHSV/Channel 19 — Charlottesville — On June 2, 2004, the Board of Supervisors approved
a request to remove an existing 175 -foot tower and allow replacement with a 149 -foot tall tower. It also
allowed the expansion of an existing building to accommodate transmittal equipment supporting the
establishment of a new local ABC television affiliate.
SP 05-014 Crown Orchard — Gray Television — On August 3, 2005, the Board of Supervisors
approved the request to amend the conditions of SP 04-003 in order to allow the placement of an
additional antenna on the tower.
SP 06-014 Crown Orchard — Gray Television — On March 14, 2007, the Albemarle County Board of
Supervisors took action on SP -2006-00041, Gray Television, to amend the conditions of SP 2005-014 in
order to allow placement of one additional antenna on an existing tower and to allow greater flexibility
for future anticipated changes on Tax Map 91, Parcel 28I in the Scottsville Magisterial District
DISCUSSION:
This request is for a special use permit to allow for the co -location of one new array consisting of six (6)
new antennae at approximately 220 feet on an existing 270 -foot tall guyed tower with additional
supporting ground equipment in accordance with section 10.2.2.48 of the zoning ordinance which allows
for Tier III personal wireless facilities in the Rural Areas [RA] Zoning District by Special Use Permit. A
special use permit was approved for the construction of the existing tower and equipment in
1993(SP 1993-15). The board of supervisors approved a second special use permit (SP2000-72) to allow
the co -location of an additional array of antennae and a new 9'x16' equipment building on an existing
270 -foot tall guyed tower owned by American Tower Corporation. The applicant, Verizon Wireless, has
submitted this special use permit request to allow the addition of a prefabricated structure and related
ground equipment (Attachment A) because conditions of approval for SP2000-72 do not allow
administrative review for the installation of new ground equipment. The proposed array of antennae
would be installed at approximately 220 feet above ground level on an existing tower owned by
American Tower Company. The lease area is on property owned by Crown Orchard Company. The
property owned by Crown Orchard Company is a "tower farm" located at the top of Carters Mountain.
Several other existing tower facilities that range between 60 and 300 feet in height are located on the
property. The site is accessed via Carters Mountain Trail which begins on the east side of Route 53, just
South of Michie Tavern. The outlying area surrounding the tower farm consists of orchards. The
property (Tax Map and Parcel number 91-28) is located in the Mountain Overlay District.
ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT REQUEST:
Section 31.2.4.1 of the Zoning Ordinance below requires that special use permits be reviewed as
follows:
Will the use be of substantial detriment to adiacent Property?
As a result of the antennae's location on an existing tower with similar facilities, it is staff's opinion
that the proposal would not impose any additional substantial detriment to adjacent property. None
of the proposed changes will increase the height or visual impact of the tower. Installation of the
facility will not require the removal of any vegetation.
Will the character of the zoning district change with this use?
The site of the proposed facility is already fully constructed and requires no additional land
disturbance or increase in tower height. Additionally there are several other towers located on this
property, and there are several other existing personal wireless service antennae and dishes on this
tower. The addition of another array of antennae should not impact the character of the district.
Will the use be in harmony with the purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance?
Staff has reviewed this request as it relates to the "purpose and intent" that is set forth in Sections
1.4.4 and 1.4.7 of the Zoning Ordinance, and as it relates to the intent specified in the Rural Areas
chapter of the Zoning Ordinance (Section 10.1). This request is consistent with both sections.
Will the use be in harmony with the uses permitted by right in the district?
The existing tower is located on an "Antenna Farm". No significant adverse impacts on adjacent
properties in the (RA) Rural Area district are anticipated. The proposed co -location on this tower will
not restrict any nearby by -right uses within the Rural Areas district. Approval of the additional array
of antennae will not impact the height of the tower.
Will the use comply with the additional regulations provided in Section 5.0 of this ordinance?
Section 5.1.12(a) of the Zoning Ordinance addresses the installation of public utility structures such
as towers and antennas by stating, in part, that those items shall not endanger the health and safety of
workers and/or residents, and will not impair or prove detrimental to neighboring properties. In order
to operate this facility, the applicant is required to comply with all of the Federal Communication
Commission (FCC) guidelines that are intended to protect the public health and safety from high
levels of radio frequency emissions and electromagnetic fields that are associated with wireless
broadcasting and telecommunications facilities.
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Will the public health, safety and general welfare of the community be protected if the use is
approved?
The public health, safety, and general welfare of the community is protected through the special use
permit process, which assures that uses approved by special use permit are appropriate in the location
requested. In this case, the proposed facility will give Verizon the ability to offer another choice of
personal wireless service communication by providing a full range of voice and data services in
addition to the required E911 call services. This can be seen as contributing to the public health,
safety and welfare on a regional level.
Compliance with Section 5.1.40 of the Zoning Ordinance:
The county's specific design criteria for Tier III facilities as set forth in section 5.1.40 (e) are
addressed as follows.
Section 5.1.40 (e) Tier III facilities. Each Tier III facility may be established upon approval of a
special use permit issued pursuant to section 31.2.4 of this chapter, initiated upon an application
satisfying the requirements of subsection 5.1.40(a) and section 31.2.4, and it shall be installed and
operated in compliance with all applicable provisions of this chapter and thefollowing:
1. The facility shall comply with subsection 5.1.40(b) subsection 5.1.40(c)(2) through (9) and
subsection 5.1.40 (d)(2),(3),(6) and (7), unless modified by the board of supervisors during special use
permit review.
2. The facility shall comply with all conditions of approval of the special use permit.
Requirements of subsection 5.1.40(a) application for approval and section 31.2.4 special use permits
have been met. Compliance with Section 5.1.40(e) of the Zoning Ordinance: The County's specific
design criteria for Tier III facilities set forth in Section 5.1.40(e)(1) and 5.1.40(e)(2) are addressed as
follows: [Ordinance sections are in italics]
Subsection 5.1.40(b) (1-5): Exemption from regulations otherwise applicable: Except as otherwise
exempted in this paragraph, each facility shall be subject to all applicable regulations in this chapter.
The proposed PWSF will be installed at site that already has an existing tower. Verizon's transmitting
equipment will be housed within an equipment shelter and will meet the required Rural Areas setbacks
in addition to all other area and bulk regulations and minimum yard requirements. Attached site
drawings, antennae and equipment specifications have been provided to demonstrate that personal
wireless service facilities (PWSF) regulations and any relevant site plan requirements set forth in
Section 32 of the zoning ordinance have been addressed.
Subsection 5.1.40(c)(2): The facility shall be designed, constructed and maintained as follows: (i) guy
wires shall not be permitted; (ii) outdoor lighting for the facility shall be permitted only during
maintenance periods; regardless of the lumens emitted, each outdoor luminaire shall be fully shielded
as required by section 4.17 of this chapter; (iii) any equipment cabinet not located within the existing
structure shall be screened from all lot lines either by terrain, existing structures, existing vegetation, or
by added vegetation approved by the county's landscape planner; (iv) a whip antenna less than six (6)
inches in diameter may exceed the height of the existing structure; (v) a grounding rod, whose height
shall not exceed two (2) feet and whose width shall not exceed one (1) inch in diameter at the base and
tapering to a point, may be installed at the top of facility or the structure; and (vi) within one month
after the completion of the installation of the facility, the applicant shall provide a statement to the agent
certifying that the height of all components of the facility complies with this regulation.
The tower supporting Verizon's antenna co -location is supported by guy wires and already has a
grounding rod that was previously approved. No new whip antennas are proposed. The facility will have
one outdoor light fixture attached to the proposed shelter to be used by Verizon's technical operations
staff during times when night-time maintenance is necessary.
Verizon Wireless' construction management team is currently in the process of obtaining the
design specifications for an after -market shielding device that complies with the County's lighting
requirements.
Subsection 5.1.400(3): Equipment shall be attached to the exterior of a structure only as follows: (i)
the total number of arrays of antennas attached to the existing structure shall not exceed three (3), and
each antenna proposed to be attached under the pending application shall not exceed the size shown on
the application, which size shall not exceed one thousand one hundred fifty two (1152) square inches;
(ii) no antenna shall project from the structure beyond the minimum required by the mounting
equipment, and in no case shall any point on the face of an antenna project more than twelve (12) inches
from the existing structure; and (iii) each antenna and associated equipment shall be a color that
matches the existing structure. For purposes of this section, all types of antennas and dishes regardless
of their use shall be counted toward the limit of three arrays.
Because there are more than three existing arrays attached on this tower, Verizon's facility
requires a special use permit. Verizon is also requesting that the Board of Supervisors allow a
modification of the flush -mounting requirements in order to allow the installation of a full
sectored antenna array. If allowed, the full array will enable Verizon to provide a level of quality
service that is consistent and competitive with that provided by other carriers on this site.
Verizon also requests approval to modify the requirement of painting the antennae to match the
existing structure. This is because the tower's colors are not discernable from views that are off
the property.
The proposed antennae configuration will consist of a full sectored array containing six (6) panel
antennas with the capability of expanding up to 12 (4 per sector) as the need for increased signal
capacity arises. The Anphenol Ante antennas are identified as model number BSA -185090/12 and have
a measurement of 70.9" x 3.9" x 2.0" (L x W x D), giving each antenna an area of approximately 276.5
square inches. Each sector of antennae will be installed using low -profile TTA stand-off arms with pipe -
mount brackets that will allow for required amount of electrical down -tilting while ensuring that the
spacing between the tower and antenna faces will be consistent with that of the existing arrays of other
carriers at the site.
Subsection 5.1.40(c)(4): Prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall submit a tree
conservation plan prepared by a certified arborist. The plan shall be submitted to the agent for review
and approval to assure that all applicable requirements have been satisfied. The plan shall specify tree
protection methods and procedures, and identify all existing trees to be removed on the parcel for the
installation, operation and maintenance of the facility. Except for the tree removal expressly authorized
by the agent, the applicant shall not remove existing trees within the lease area or within one hundred
(100) feet in all directions surrounding the lease area of any part of the facility. In addition, the agent
may identify additional trees or lands up to two hundred (200) feet from the lease area to be included in
the plan.
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Neither site access nor installation of the facility will require the removal of any trees. All construction
will be kept completely within the fenced lease area.
Verizon is requesting that the Board of Supervisors allow a modification of the requirements for a
tree conservation plan, as no additional land disturbance is being proposed
Subsection 5.1.40(c)(5)The installation, operation and maintenance of the facility shall be conducted in
accordance with the tree conservation plan. Dead and dying trees identified by the arborist's report may
be removed if so noted on the tree conservation plan. If tree removal is later requested that was not
approved by the agent when the tree conservation plan was approved, the applicant shall submit an
amended plan. The agent may approve the amended plan if the proposed tree removal will not adversely
affect the visibility of the facility from any location off of the parcel. The agent may impose reasonable
conditions to assure that the purposes of this paragraph are achieved.
Neither site access nor installation of the facility will require the removal of any trees. All construction
will be kept completely within the ATC's lease area.
Verizon is requesting that the Board of Supervisors allow a modification of the requirements for a
tree conservation plan, as no additional land disturbance is being proposed
Subsection 5.1.40(C)(6): The facility shall be disassembled and removed from the site within ninety (90)
days of the date its use for personal wireless service purposes is discontinued. If the agent determines at
any time that surety is required to guarantee that the facility will be removed as required, the agent may
require that the parcel owner or the owner of the facility submit a certified check, a bond with surety, or
a letter of credit, in an amount sufficient for, and conditioned upon, the removal of the facility. The type
and form of the surety guarantee shall be to the satisfaction of the agent and the county attorney. In
determining whether surety should be required, the agent shall consider the following: (i) the annual
report states that the tower or pole is no longer being used for personal wireless service facilities; (ii)
the annual report was not filed; (iii) there is a change in technology that makes it likely that tower or
pole will be unnecessary in the near future; (iv) the permittee fails to comply with applicable regulations
or conditions; (v) the permittee fails to timely remove another tower or pole within the county; and (vi)
whenever otherwise deemed necessary by the agent.
Should use of the antennae site in this location become discontinued at anytime in the future, Verizon
and/or its assignee(s) will be required to remove the facility within 90 days.
Subsection 5.1.40(c)(7): The owner of the facility shall submit a report to the agent by no earlier than
May or and no later than July I of each year. The report shall identify each user of the existing
structure, and include a drawing, photograph or other illustration identifying which equipment is owned
and/or operated by each personal wireless service provider. Multiple users on a single tower or other
mounting structure may submit a single report, provided that the report includes a statement signed by a
representative from each user acquiescing in the report.
After the proposed PWSF has been installed, Verizon will cooperate with the American Tower
Corporation to ensure that the required annual report accurately accounts for all equipment that Verizon
maintains at the site.
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Subsection 5.1.40(0)(8): No slopes associated with the installation of the facility and accessory uses
shall be created that are steeper than 2:1 unless retaining walls, revetments, or other stabilization
measures acceptable to the county engineer are employed.
The site is already graded and contains adequate area for Verizon's equipment installation without the
creation of any 2:1 slopes.
Subsection 5.1.40(c)(9): Any equipment cabinet not located within an existing building shall be fenced
only with the approval of the agent upon finding that the fence: (i) would protect the facility from
trespass in areas of high volumes of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or, in the rural areas, to protect the
facility from livestock or wildlife; (ii) would not be detrimental to the character of the area; and (iii)
would not be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare.
No fencing is proposed for the Verizon Installation.
Section 5.1.40(d)(2): The site shall provide adequate opportunities for screening and the facility shall be
sited to minimize its visibility from adjacent parcels and streets, regardless of their distance from the
facility. If the facility would be visible from a state scenic river or a nationalpark or national forest,
regardless of whether the site is adjacent thereto, the facility also shall be sited to minimize its visibility
from such river, park or forest. If the facility would be located on lands subject to a conservation
easement or an open space easement, or adjacent to a conservation easement or open space easement,
the facility shall be sited so that it is not visible from any resources specifically identified for protection
in the deed of easement.
The site of this proposed facility is on a tower farm. No trees will be removed to install the facility.
Therefore, the view of Verizon's equipment shelter will be obscured from nearby public roads and
adjacent residential properties by other towers and already existing equipment and vegetation.
Section 5.1.40(d)(3): The facility shall not adversely impact resources identified in the county's open
space plan.
Although this site is located in the Mountain Overlay District, the proposed co -location of Verizon's
antennae and equipment should not impose any adverse impacts upon open space resources.
Section 5.1.40(d)(6): The top of the monopole, measured in elevation above mean sea level, shall not
exceed the height approved by the commission. The approved height shall not be more than seven (7)
feet taller than the tallest tree within twenty-five (25) feet of the monopole, and shall include any base,
foundation or grading that raises the pole above the pre-existing natural ground elevation; provided
that the height approved by the commission may be up to ten (10) feet taller than the tallest tree if the
owner of the facility demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commission that there is not a material
difference in the visibility of the monopole at the proposed height, rather than at a height seven (7) feet
taller than the tallest tree; and there is not a material difference in adverse impacts to resources
identified in the county's open space plan caused by the monopole at the proposed height, rather than at
a height seven (7) feet taller than the tallest tree. The applicant may appeal the commissioner's denial of
a modification to the board of supervisors as provided in subsection 5.1.40(d)(12).
The proposed facility will utilize an existing structure for its antenna mount.
Section 5.1.40(d)(7): Each wood monopole shall be a dark brown natural wood color; each metal or
concrete monopole shall be painted a brown wood color to blend into the surrounding trees. The
antennas, supporting brackets, and all other equipment attached to the monopole shall be a color that
closely matches that of the monopole. The ground equipment, the ground equipment cabinet, and the
concrete pad shall also be a color that closely matches that of the monopole, provided that the ground
equipment and the concrete pad need not be of such a color if they are enclosed within or behind an
approved structure, fagade or fencing that: (i) is a color that closely matches that of the monopole; (ii)
is consistent with the character of the area; and (iii) makes the ground equipment and concrete pad
invisible at any time of year from any other parcel or a public or private street.
As demonstrated by ground equipment and antennas at the existing tower sites on Carters Mountain,
visibility of the Verizon antennas and the equipment shelter will not increase the visual impacts of the
existing tower farm on Carters Mountain.
Section 5.1.40(e)2: The facility shall comply with all conditions of approval of the special use permit.
The facility complies with all conditions of approval of the special use permit (Section 32.2.4):
Section 704(a)(7)(b)(I)(II) of The Telecommunications Act of 1996:
This application is subject to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which provides in part that the
regulation of the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities by any
State or local government or instrumentality thereof (I) shall not unreasonably discriminate among
providers offunctionally equivalent services; (II) shall notprohibit or have the effect ofprohibiting the
provision of personal wireless services. 47 U.S. C.
In order to operate this facility, the applicant is required to comply with the FCC guidelines for radio
frequency emissions that are intended to protect the public health and safety. Neither the Comprehensive
Plan nor the Zoning Ordinance prohibits the provision of personal wireless services. However, both do
implement specific policies and regulations for the sighting and design of wireless facilities. In its
current state, the existing facilities and their mounting structure all offer adequate support for providing
personal wireless communication services. The applicant has not provided any additional information
regarding the availability, or absence of alternative sites that could serve the same areas that would be
covered with the proposed antenna additions at this site. Therefore, staff does not believe that the special
use permitting process nor the denial of this application would have the effect of prohibiting or
restricting the provision of personal wireless services.
SUMMARY OF STAFF REVIEW OF SP 07-050:
Factors favorable:
Staff has identified the following favorable factors:
1. The co -location of antennae and equipment subject to this special use permit would not restrict any of
the uses that are permitted by right or impose any additional impacts on adjacent properties.
2. No clearing or other disturbance is necessary for the placement of the antennas and equipment.
3. This proposal represents a co -location opportunity for antennae that are anticipated to have minimal
visual impact.
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Factors Unfavorable:
1. The existing tower is visible from various roads and properties located near this property. Visibility is
greater when the antennae are not flush mounted.
The following factor is relevant to this consideration:
The existing tower was constructed for the purpose of allowing multiple carriers on one structure.
In order to comply with Section 5.1.40(d) of the Zoning Ordinance, the Planning Commission is
required to provide the applicant with a statement regarding the basis for denial and all items that will
have to be addressed to satisfy each requirement.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends approval with the following modifications and conditions
Modification of sections:
Subsection 5.1.40(0,)(3): Modification of the flush -mounting requirements in order to allow the
installation of a full sectored antenna array.
Subsection 5.1.40(C)(3): Modification of the requirement to paint the antennas to match the
existing structure. This is because the tower's colors are not discernable from views that are off
the property.
Subsection 5.1.40(c)(4)&(5)) Verizon is requesting that the Board of Supervisors allow a
modification of the requirements for a tree conservation plan, as no additional land disturbance is
being proposed
Conditions of approval
1. All work shall be done in general accord with what is described in the applicant's request and site
construction plans, entitled "Carters Mountain Crown Orchard property, with a final zoning
drawing submittal date of 09/17/2007.
2. This condition #2 on SP 00-72 does not apply because of a change in the zoning ordinance
section related to personal wireless service facilities. Additional antennae installation on this
tower will require a special use permit.
3. The facility will have only one outdoor light fixture (that complies with the County's lighting
requirements) attached to the proposed shelter to be used by Verizon's technical operations staff
only when night-time maintenance is necessary
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ATTACHMENTS:
A. Site Plan
B. Arial Map
C. SP 93-15 BOS Action Letter
D. SP 00-72 BOS Action Letter
E. Photographs of Existing Tower
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