Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200800115 Staff Report 2008-09-05ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #: Name ARB- 2008 -115: Coleman (Verizon Wireless) Tier III Review Type Preliminary Review of a Site Development Plan and Special Use Permit Parcel Identification Tax Map 129, Parcel 4 Location 7805 Woodstock Farm: Located 1.3 miles northwest of the intersection of Irish Road (Route 6) and Langhorne Road (Route 626). Zoned Rural Areas (RA), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner Coleman, Paul M. Applicant Stephen Waller, AICP Magisterial District Scottsville Proposal To install a telecommunications facility consisting of an 84' tall metal monopole, flush - mounted antennas and related ground equipment. ARB Meeting Date September 15, 2008 Staff Contact Brent Nelson SITE/PROJECT HISTORY The Architectural Review Board has not reviewed any previous proposals for this parcel. Current Development has received a Special Use Permit application (SP 2008 -39) for this proposal. The SP requirement is due to the proposal's location in the recently adopted Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District, a National Register district. The Planning Commission review of the SP is scheduled for October 7, 2008. CONTEXT This proposal is situated on a 614 acre parcel located on the north side of Irish Road (State Route 6). The lease area is accessed by a farm driveway located approximately 1.3 miles northwest of the intersection of State Routes 6 and 626 (Langhorne Road). The lease area is situated approximately 1,280' north of the Route 6 Entrance Corridor. The surrounding area is rural in character with large parcels, open agricultural fields, mixed hardwood forest and single family homes. PROJECT DETAILS The applicant proposes to establish a telecommunications facility consisting of the following items in a 50' x 50' lease area: • Metal monopole with a top height of 84.0' above ground level (586 AMSL), painted SW #6090 Java Brown. • Three flush - mounted panel antennas, painted SW #6090 Java Brown, each measuring 72.22" x 6.06" x 4.13 ", installed with a maximum of 12" between face of pole and face of antenna. The top elevation of each antenna is the same as the top elevation of the monopole. The ground elevation of the pole is 544.6. ARB 9/15/2008 Coleman — Page 1 • Cables are proposed to be installed inside the pole. • Ground equipment is to be located in a prefabricated equipment shelter measuring 12' (wide) x 30' (long) x 10.92' (tall). Concrete piers support the shelter. • A 1" diameter lightning rod is proposed to extend no more than 2' above the top of the monopole. • A wooden screening fence is proposed around the equipment in the lease area. Other pertinent information: • Access to the site is proposed from an existing farm driveway located on the north side of Route 6. • The pole would be located approximately 1,280' north of Route 6. • The plans identify 16 trees of 4" caliper or larger to be removed from the project area, including 12" and 18" caliper Oak trees and a 14" twin Poplar. • The proposed pole height is 10' above the top of the reference tree, which is an 18" twin Oak with a top elevation of 576 feet AMSL (72' AGL). The Oak tree ( #298) is located within 1' of the proposed pole location (measured from base to dripline). VISIBILITY Staff attended a balloon test for this proposal on August 20, 2008. In an effort to determine the extent of visibility of the proposal, staff traveled north and south on the State Routes 6 (Irish Road) and 20 (Scottsville Road), both Entrance Corridors. The balloon was only visible for a short distance along a portion of the Route 6 Corridor that adjoins the neighboring parcel immediately to the west of the project area. When the balloon was seen, it was approximately a half mile from the EC and seen in breaks in the distant trees. As a result of the distance from which the balloon was seen, and the tree line in between, there was not a material difference in the visibility of the tree when the balloon was reduced in height from 10' above the reference tree to 7' above the treetop (see Attachment A). The equipment shelter and yard are not expected to be visible from either Corridor. ANALYSIS based on Civil Drawings T -1, T -2, C -1, C -lA, C -113, C -2, C -2A, C -213, C -3, C -4, A -1 all with a latest revision date of 7/9/08. Issue: Removal of Existing Trees Comments: Sheet C -IA Enlarged Site Survey shows the location of 16 existing trees that are to be removed as a part of this proposal. Twelve of the trees to be removed are located inside the lease area. The other 4 trees are located in the access easement, within 30' of the lease area. Due the distance from the EC and the existing trees to remain adjacent to the Corridor, their loss in not expected to impact the view from the EC. Recommendations: None. Issue: Concrete Piers/Proposed Grading/Impacts on Existing Trees to Remain Comments: The applicant is proposing a gravel surface inside the equipment yard with a wooden fence and gate. 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 supporting the equipment shelter, and proposed fill grades are not clear from the information provided in this application. Verification is needed from a certified arborist that the proposed fill, 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 ARB 9/15/2008 Coleman — Page 2 Appropriateness can be issued. Recommendations: Provide verification from a certified arborist that the proposed fill grades, and 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. 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 the proposed fill grades, and 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. ARB 9/15/2008 Coleman — Page 3