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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP202200040 Correspondence 2022-06-06Verizon Wireless — Batesville — Miller School of Albemarle Property - Tier II Personal Wireless Service Facility Project Description / Request: Cellco Partnership, operating as Verizon Wireless ("Verizon"), respectfully requests approval of a Tier II and Special Exemption for a Personal Wireless Service Facility (PWSF), including a 87.5 foot tall monopole to be located off of Burchs Creek Road, and identified as Tax Map & Parcel Number 07200-00-00-03200 (the "Property"). The leased area is 2500 square -feet. Verizon's proposed radio transmitter cabinet will be placed on a concrete pad, besides an approximately 10' wide utility H-Frame stand for other power communication components on a steel grated platform, and an emergency back-up power generator on another concrete pad. This facility will be installed within a 442 square -foot fenced compound and the ground equipment will be covered with an ice guard to prevent possible damage to the ground equipment due to falling tree branches and ice. The monopole, antennas, and base station equipment that might be visible above the screening fence will all be painted with Sherwin Williams Java Brown - #6090, which is a matte enamel color that has been previously approved as an appropriate color for many other "Treetop" Personal Wireless Service Facility sites throughout Albemarle County. Network Objectives: Verizon is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide state-of-the- art wireless telecommunications services within Albemarle County using a combination of four (4) separate bands on the frequency spectrum. These consists of the 850 MHz band for Cellular (CDMA), the 1900 MHz frequency band for Personal Communications Services (PCS), the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) on 700 MHz band, and Advance Wireless Services (AWS) on the 2100 MHz band. The network offers data upload and download transmission speeds that much faster than the previous generations of wireless technologies. Verizon has also recently added high -definition calling capabilities to the data networks in the form of Voice Over LTE (VOLTE) service. Whenever possible, it is Verizon's goal to provide seamless in -building, in -car, and on -street coverage and the full range of voice and data services to existing and future customers. Verizon has determined that the area surrounding this proposed site needs expanded coverage to better service the nearby residences and business in the Batesville area of Albemarle County. Therefore, this site is intended to provide infill coverage while also adding additional network capacity by offloading traffic from the companies nearest existing sites in all directions. Although the proposed monopole tower would be too short to maximize coverage, it should allow the antennas to clear the highest treetops within the immediate area on this parcel allowing service from this facility to connect the with customers who are currently drawing on the marginal coverage levels that are currently being provided by the four (4) nearest neighboring sites: "Yancey Mills" to the North (VZW PWSF off Patterson Mill Lane), "Parsons Green" to the West (VZW PWSF off of Route 151— Critzers Shop Road), "Crossroad" to the Southeast (VZW PWSF off of Route 29 ), and "Heard Mtn' to the South (VZW Colocation off of Route 633 — Heards Mountain Road). Character of the Area: The proposed PWSF will be contained within a 50'x50' square -foot lease area located on a 1,046 acre property used for a School and other associated uses that go along with operating a school. The site of the proposed facility has a ground level elevation of 732.5 feet Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL). The subject parcel, which is in the White Hall Magisterial District, is located off Verizon Wireless Batesville — Miller School of Albemarle Property - Tier 11 PWSF Verizon Wireless — Batesville — Miller School of Albemarle Property - Tier II Personal Wireless Service Facility of Burchs Creek Road, is zoned Rural Areas (RA). All adjoining properties are zoned Rural Areas (RA) and have a mix of residential and agricultural uses. Access to the proposed PWSF will be provided from the east side of Burchs Creek Road, utilizing an existing gravel entrance to the property. The proposed monopole will be located approximately 87.6 feet west of the nearest boundary line with the right-of-way for Burchs Creek Road. The nearest off -site dwelling is located approximately 200' southwest of the monopole site across Burchs Creek Road on property identified as Tax Map / Parcel Number 07200-00-00-03200. In 2016, the property was placed in a conservation easement held by the Land Trust of Virginia. Per Section 2.3.2.4 of the easement, Communication Structures may be constructed with a maximum height of 100'. Compliance with Section 5.1.40 of the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance Section 5.1.40(b) — Development Requirements for Tier III Personal Wireless Service Facilities (Items 1-12): 1. General Design: The Facility shall be designed, installed, and maintained as follows: (a) Guy Wires: The proposed monopole will not require any installation ofguy wires. (b) Outdoor Lighting: One LED Floodlight will be placed on the utility H-Frame and test lights will only be used as needed during unexpected events that require nighttime visits by Verizon's technical operations staff. The proposed light must be adjustable to illuminate various parts of the compound for safety reasons. However, it will not be turned on nightly and will be located well below the treetops which will provide natural shielding from the light shining skyward during any relatively short periods of emergency maintenance. (c) Ground Equipment: Proposed equipment consisting of the base station cabinets, H- Frame stand and generator will be placed in a location that is screened from offsite views by the surrounding trees, and a wooden fence will also be installed to help fort the existing screening elements that are offered to this site. Any portions of equipment that are visible above the screening fence will be painted to match the tower and blend into the wooded area. (d) Whip Antenna: No whip antennas are currently proposed with this application. (e) Grounding Rod: The proposed grounding rod to be mounted at the top of this monopole will comply with the County's sizing requirements for a maximum of Four (4) feet in length and one (1) inch in diameter. 2. Antennas and associated equipment: (a) Number of arrays: Verizon will use a mounting collar and mounting frames that will allow six (6) of the antennas to be installed in a single array at 83.5' and three (3) of the antenna at 73.5'. Other supporting devices that consist of six (6) remote radio heads and two (2) fiber optic surge protection boxes will be placed below the antenna array at heights that are not expected to be visible from the adjacent properties or any distant off -site views. (b) Size: The antennas initially to be installed in Verizon's array are identified as Commscope Model Number: NHH-65C-R2B (96 "x11.9 "x7.1 "- 51.6 lbs) Verizon Wireless Batesville — Miller School of Albemarle Property - Tier 11 PWSF Verizon Wireless — Batesville — Miller School of Albemarle Property - Tier II Personal Wireless Service Facility equaling 1142.2 square inches]. Specific equipment will likely change over the life of the PWSF as technology advances. (c) Projection: The antennas are proposed to be mounted with 18" between the face of the monopole and the backs of the antennas, and no need for physical down -tilting. Therefore, Verizon is also requesting approval of a Special Exception to modem Section 5.1.40.b(2)(c) of the Zoning Ordinance which allows maximum distances of 12" to 18" between the face of the monopole and the back of the antennas when down -tilting is employed. (d) Color: All antennas will be painted the same Java Brown color as the proposed monopole. 3. Tree Conservation PlanContent: The locations of proposed tree protection fencing are shown on the Erosion & Sediment Control & Grading Plan Sheet ES-1. Prior to the approval of a building permit, Verizon will also provide a tree conservation plan that has been prepared by a Certified Arbortst. As standard practice, the designated arborist will not issue a written conservation plan letter until after they have had the chance to review Verizon's Final Construction Drawings /Site Plan and visit the site. The final issued letters often provide recommendations for any post -construction tree care techniques in addition to granting approval for app proposed land disturbance techniques, vegetation protection fencing locations, and other design elements that might affect the health of trees that surround this site. 4. Creation of slopes steeper than 2:1. Upon the completion of this project, none of the remaining slopes will be greater than 2:1 as a result of construction and land disturbing activities for the proposed facility. 5. Ground equipment shelterfencing. Verizon is proposing the installation of a 8-foot (8 ) tall wood fence in order to prevent trespassing. The location and design details of the proposed screening fence are provided in the construction drawings/site plan being submitted with this application. 6. Screening and siting to minimize visibility. The monopole will be located 87.6' fom the right-of-way line for Burchs Creek Road There are numerous mature trees on the property line that will screen views of the monopole from the road and adjacent properties. A total of seven (7) trees will need to be removed to allow for the installation of the PWSF and related access. 7. Open space plan resources. The PWSF location was chosen to avoid impacting any natural resources as defined by the Albemarle County Comprehensive plan along with limiting the removal of large mature trees due to the towers installation. 8. Horizontal separation of multiple facilities. This facility will be the first facility on the property and therefore this provision is inapplicable. Verizon Wireless Batesville — Miller School of Albemarle Property - Tier 11 PWSF Verizon Wireless — Batesville — Miller School of Albemarle Property - Tier II Personal Wireless Service Facility 9. Diameter of monopole As indicated in the attached construction drawings, Verizon's proposed monopole will be designed and constructed so that it is 30 inches at its base and tapers to 18 inches at its top. 10. Height of Monopole At 87.5' foot tall (820 feetAbove Mean Sea Level - AMSL), the proposed monopole will be 10 feet above the top elevation of the reference tree, which is identified as a 12 " diameter pine tree that is 75' (810 feet AMSL). 11. Color of monopole, antennas, and equipment. The monopole and all antennas will be painted Sherwin Williams Java Brown #6090, a color that has been applied to a number of treetop PWSF monopoles in Albemarle County. All of the base station equipment that is installed to support this facility will also be painted the same color and enclosed behind an eight foot (8 ) wooden security fence. 12. Placement of cables, wires, and similar attachments. The proposed monopole will be designed and constructed to contain all of Verizon Wireless's coaxial and f ber optic cables that will run from the ground equipment to all antennas and their supporting devices. Section 5.1.40(c) — Applicability of other regulations in this chapter (Items 1-6): 1. Building site exemption. Verizon acknowledges this exemption from the standard building site requirements for PWSF. 2. Vehicular access. Verizon will utilize Burchs Creek Road and the existing gravel access off of the public right-of-way to access the property. 3. Setbacks. Verizon has selected a location for this proposed monopole facility will be located 87.6' feet from the right-of-way line for Burchs Creek Road. The PWSF is located 518' from the adjacent property line shared with Parcel ID #007100-00-00-026B1, 195' from the adjacent property line shared with Parcel ID#08500-00-00-02500. 4. Area, bulk, and minimum yards. Verizon acknowledges this exemption that allows relief to PWSF from the standard area, bulk, and minimum yard requirements. 5. Required Verizon acknowledges this exemption that allows relief to PWSF from the required yard standards. Verizon Wireless Batesville — Miller School of Albemarle Property - Tier 11 PWSF Verizon Wireless — Batesville — Miller School of Albemarle Property - Tier II Personal Wireless Service Facility 6. Site plan. Please refer to the attached construction drawings with site plan details and the specification sheets for proposed antennas and equipment that all demonstrate compliance with the Tier II PWSF criteria, set forth in Section 5.1.40(a)(4) — Plans and Supporting Documents. Any other supporting information that is deemed relevant to the requirements set forth in Section 32 of the zoning ordinance for site plans can he suhmitted upon request. Conclusion Approval of this PWSF application will contribute to the expansion of Verizon's coverage to the Rural Areas, existing and future residents, businesses. This facility will also help to reinforce network capacity and relieve some of the high levels of traffic that has been experienced at the neighboring network locations. The monopole tower serving this PWSF will meet the County's design preferences for monopoles that extend just above the treetops with dark brown finishes and well -screened base station compounds. Therefore, Verizon is confident that the proposed PWSF will meet the design criteria necessary for approval of a Tier II Facility, and that is does not conflict with any of the goals and objectives set forth in the Albemarle County Comprehensive Plan. Sincerely, �):ty_ 4- Nathan Holland GDN Sites Site Development Consultants to Verizon Verizon Wireless Batesville — Miller School of Albemarle Property - Tier 11 PWSF