HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP202000004 Staff Report 2020-08-05COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
TRANSMITTAL TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SUMMARY OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION
AGENDA TITLE:
SP202000004 —Wild Turkey (Cross Property)
- Tier III Personal Wireless Service Facility
SU BJ ECT/PROPOSAL/REQU EST:
Request for approval of a 116.7' monopole
Tier III personal wireless service facility
located within an avoidance area. Request for
a Special Exception to modify Section 5.1.40
(b)(2)(c) of the zoning ordinance to allow the
closest point of the back of antenna to be
more than 12 inches from the monopole.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS:
Brownsville ES, Henley MS, Western
Albemarle HIS
AGENDA DATE:
August 5, 2020
STAFF CONTACTS:
Filardo, Rapp, Fritz, Knuppel
PRESENTER:
Andrew Knuppel
BACKGROUND:
At its meeting on June 16, 2020, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing and voted 7:0 to
recommend approval of SP202000004 with staff's recommended conditions. The Commission also voted
7:0 to recommend approval of the special exception to modify the antenna standoff distance. Attachments
A, B, and C are the staff report, action memo, and minutes from the Planning Commission meeting.
DISCUSSION:
The Planning Commission's recommendations were consistent with the staff recommendation.
The primary discussion topic was the applicable review standard for screening and siting to minimize
visibility from the Scenic Byway Avoidance Area as well as from adjacent properties and conservation
easements. Although the Special Use Permit process provides for legislative review of Tier III facilities, in
this case due to the proposed facility's location within 200' of a Virginia Scenic Byway, the facility is
subject to the same standard in the zoning ordinance for screening and siting to minimize visibility as a
Tier II facility (Section 5.1.40(b)(6)). The proposed facility would not be visible from the structure
specifically identified for protection in the deed for an adjacent open -space easement. Members of the
Commission also discussed the proposed facility's siting and height relative to existing tree cover, and
application history for two existing personal wireless service facilities on the site.
Two members of the public spoke during the public hearing: a representative of two property owners on
Broad Axe Road spoke in opposition, and an adjoining property owner across Route 250 spoke in
support.
After the staff report was published, the applicant submitted revised plans to correct a discrepancy in
height shown in the original plans (Attachment D). The recommended conditions of approval have been
revised in the attached resolutions.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolutions to approve SP202000004 (Attachment
E) and the special exception request (Attachment F).
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Staff report for June 16, 2020 Planning Commission Public Hearing
Al — Location Map
A2 — Application Materials: Project Narrative
A3—Application Materials: Conceptual Plan (dated April 20, 2020)
A4 - Special Exception Request (dated February 6, 2020)
A5 — Architectural Review Board Action Letter (dated February 4, 2020)
A6 — Balloon Test Photographs & Photosimulations
A7 — Viewshed Analysis Map
A8 — Memo Discussing FCC Rules Related to Eligible Support Structures
B - Planning Commission action letter
C - Planning Commission minutes
D - Revised Conceptual Plan (dated June 10, 2020)
E - Resolution to approve SP202000004
F - Resolution to approve Special Exception to modify Section 5.1.40 (b)(2)(c)