HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200800034 Review Comments Preliminary Site Plan 2008-06-25ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #: Name
ARB- 2008 -34: Durkin Property (Verizon Wireless) Tier II
Review Type
Preliminary Review of a Site Development Plan
Parcel Identification
Tax Map 34, Parcel 7
Location
4798 Stony Point Rd: Located on the west side of Stony Point Rd (Rt 20
North), approximately 2.5 miles south of Burnley Station Rd (Rt 641).
Zoned
Rural Areas (RA), Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner
Durkin, Thomas J. or Jan R.
Applicant
Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless (Stephen Waller, AICP)
Magisterial District
Rivanna
Proposal
Install a Tier II Personal Wireless Service Facility consisting of a 105' tall
steel monopole, associated antennas, ground equipment, shelter and fence.
ARB Meeting Date
July 7, 2008
Staff Contact
Brent Nelson
SITE/PROJECT HISTORY
• The Architectural Review Board has not reviewed any previous proposals for this parcel.
• 3/10/08: SDP 2008 -39, Durkin - Verizon, Application for Final Site Development Plan received. This
application has yet to be scheduled for review by the Albemarle County Planning Commission as of
the completion of this report.
PROJECT DETAILS
The applicant proposes to establish a telecommunications facility consisting of the following items in a 50' x
50' (2,500 sf) lease area:
• Proposed steel monopole, painted SW #6090 Java Brown, 105' tall (664 AMSL), height 10' above
top of reference tree (10" caliper Oak). Reference tree drip line is 1' +/- from the pole.
• Prefabricated equipment shelter:
0 12' wide x 20' long x 10.58' high.
o Exterior: combination dark brown metal trim and aggregate stone finish.
o Located on six proposed concrete piers.
• Coaxial cables, internal to pole.
• Three panel antennas painted SW #6090 Java Brown, each measuring 72.22" x 6.06" x 4.13 ",
installed with pipe mounts permitting down tilting not to exceed a maximum of 12" between face of
pole and face of antenna. Top elevation of each antenna same as top elevation of monopole.
• 1" diameter lightning rod to extend no more than 2' above top of monopole.
• Wooden privacy fence and gate.
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Other pertinent information:
0 Access to site provided by an existing private driveway on the west side of Stony Point Road, leading
into a proposed 20' wide ingress /egress /utility easement.
0 Ground elevation of pole is 559.0.
• 10" Oak reference tree is 96' tall (654' AMSQ.
0 3 trees designated for removal to provide access to the facility including:
0 2 — 5" caliper Oaks
0 1 — 8" caliper Oak
CONTEXT
The proposed site is located on the west side of State Route 20, Stony Point Road, approximately 2.5 miles
south of State Route 641, Burnley Station Road. The lease area is heavily wooded and located approximately
400' west of the Route 20 EC, with access provided by a 20' wide access easement. The surrounding area is
rural in character with open agricultural fields, mixed hardwood forest and single family homes.
ANALYSIS based on Civil Drawings T -1, T -2, C -1, C -1A, C -113, C -2, C -2A, C -213, C -3, C -4, A -1 all with a
latest revision date of 2/21/08.
Issue: Visibility
Comments: ARB staff attended a balloon test on April 30, 2008. In an effort to avoid tree branches directly
above the proposed tower location, the balloon was launched from a location approximately 18' west of the
location of the proposed tower. The balloon was raised to the same height as the proposed pole, 10' above the
reference tree. Staff considers the location of the balloon a sufficient approximation of the pole location. The
balloon was visible only from the section of the EC north of the entrance into the parcel, and only for a short
distance. The balloon was never visible from any section of the EC south of the site entrance. As a comparison,
the balloon was lowered so that it approximated the pole at only 7' above the reference tree. At both elevations
the balloon was sky -lit; however, there was not a material difference in the visibility of the balloon at the two
heights. Visibility of this pole at either height is not expected to have any negative impacts on the Route 20
Entrance Corridor. The ground equipment is not expected to be visible from the EC. The removal of 3 existing
trees, to provide access to the facility, is not expected to impact visibility.
Recommendations: None.
Issue: Concrete Piers/Proposed Grading/Impacts on Existing Trees to Remain
Comments: Sheet C -2A Grading Plan shows proposed grading both inside and beyond the limits of the lease
area. Grading is proposed along the wooded section of the access easement. The applicant is proposing a gravel
surface inside the equipment yard with a wooden fence and gate along the perimeter. Adverse impacts from the
gravel surface and fencing on the existing trees to remain are expected to be negligible. Possible impacts on the
trees from the concrete piers, and proposed grading are not clear from the information provided in this
application. Verification is needed from a certified arborist that all proposed grading, and the grading and/or
digging required to install the concrete piers would not be detrimental to the health of the trees designated as
remaining. The applicant has indicated that a tree conservation plan, with measures limiting impacts on
existing trees to remain, will be submitted prior to the application for the building permit. The tree
conservation plan will need to be reviewed and approved before the Certificate of Appropriateness can be
issued.
Recommendations: Provide verification from a certified arborist that all proposed grading, and grading and/or
digging required to install the concrete piers will not be detrimental to the health of any trees designated to
remain. Provide a tree conservation plan with measures proposed that would limit impacts of this proposal on
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all existing trees designated to remain. Include any additional recommendations from the arborist for
maintaining the health of the trees on the drawings.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion:
1. Anticipated visibility of the monopole from the EC.
2. Impacts, by grading and site design, on existing trees to remain.
Staff recommends approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness, with the following conditions:
1. Provide verification from a certified arborist that all proposed grading, and grading and/or digging required
to install the concrete piers will not be detrimental to the health of any trees designated to remain. Provide
a tree conservation plan with measures proposed that would limit impacts of this proposal on all existing
trees designated to remain. Include any additional recommendations from the arborist for maintaining the
health of the trees on the drawings.
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