HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200800158 Staff Report 2008-12-08ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #: Name
ARB- 2008 -158: Ekman (AT &T)
Review Type
Preliminary Review of a Site Development Plan
Parcel Identification
Tax Map 87B, Parcel 4
Location
3017 Monacan Trail Road: Located on the south side of Monacan Trail
Road (Rt. 29 South), west of the intersection of Taylors Gap Road (Rt.
710).
Zoned
Rural Areas (RA), Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner
J & F Ekman Inc.
Applicant
AT &T, Valerie Long, Williams Mullen (representative)
Magisterial District
Samuel Miller
Proposal
To construct a telecommunications facility consisting of a 75 foot -tall
brown metal pole with associated flush antennas, ground equipment, and
fencing.
ARB Meeting Date
December 15, 2008
Staff Contact
Brent Nelson
SITE/PROJECT HISTORY
• 5/6/99: ARB P(SDP) 99 -12, CFW Antenna Red Hill, Application for an 80' tall monopole (natural
wood color), flush mounted panel antennas, ground equipment (earth tone color), and no fencing —
approved.
• 11/4/08: SDP 2008 -169, Ekman — AT &T, Application for a Preliminary Site Development Plan
received. This application is scheduled for review by the Albemarle County Planning Commission on
January 6, 2009.
PROJECT DETAILS
The applicant proposes to establish a telecommunications facility consisting of the following items in a 10' x
16' (160 sf) lease area:
• Proposed steel monopole, painted brown, 75' tall (820.6' AMSL), height 23' below top of reference
tree (35" caliper White Oak).
• Two proposed equipment cabinets on a proposed 10' x 16' concrete pad located in the lease area.
Each cabinet is 4' -3" (w) x 3' (d) x 5' -3" (h).
• One AC Breaker & Panel Board.
• Coaxial cables, external to pole.
• Three panel antennas painted brown, each measuring 51.6" (h) x 12.1" (w), installed with pipe mounts
permitting down tilting not to exceed a maximum of 12" between face of pole and face of antenna.
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Top elevation of each antenna below top elevation of monopole.
Other pertinent information:
• Access to site provided by an existing paved driveway commencing at the west end of the gas station
(Trading Post) parking lot that leads into a proposed 10' wide ingress /egress /utility easement.
• Ground elevation of pole is 745.6.
• 35" White Oak reference tree is 98' tall (842' AMSL).
CONTEXT
The proposed site is located in the southwest corner of the intersection of Route 29 South and Taylor's Gap
Road, State Route 710. The lease area is wooded and located approximately 100' west of, and 10' to 12'
higher than the Trading Post gas station/convenience store building. The surrounding area is rural in character
with open agricultural fields, mixed hardwood forest and single family homes.
ANALYSIS based on:
Civil Drawings:
• Sheet VA- CV379E -T -1 Title Sheet, latest revision date 10/29/08
• Sheet 1 of 2, Site Plan — Taylor's Gap Road Project, date 9/3/08
• Sheet 2 of 2, Site Plan — Taylor's Gap Road Project, date 9 -3 -08
• Sheet VA- CV379E -A -0 Site Plan, latest revision date 10/29/08
• Sheet VA- CV379E -A -1 Compound Plan & Elevation, latest revision date 10/29/08
• Sheet VA- CV379E -A -2 Equipment Layout, latest revision date 10/29/08
• Sheet VA- CV379E -A -3 Foundation Details & Equipment Specs, latest revision date 10/29/08
• Sheet VA- CV379E -A -4 Equipment Specs, latest revision date 10/29/08
• Sheet VA- CV379E -A -5 Equipment Specs, latest revision date 10/29/08
• Sheet VA- CV379E -A -6 Details, latest revision date 10/29/08
• Sheet VA- CV379E -E &S -1 Erosion & Sediment Control Details, latest revision date 10/29/08
• Sheet VA- CV379E -ES -2 Erosion & Sediment Control Notes, latest revision date 10/29/08
Photos of Applicant's Balloon Test (held prior to 11/13/08 balloon test conducted for ARB staff):
• Sheet Location Map CV 379.
• Balloon Test Photo Monacan Trail North Bound, View from the West
• Balloon Test Photo Monacan Trail South Bound, View from the East
• Balloon Test Photo Taylors Gap Road & Monacan Trail, South Bound View from the North Showing
the Balloon Test
• Balloon Test Photo Taylors Gap Road & Monacan Trail, South Bound View from the North Showing
the Proposed Site
• Balloon Test Photo Taylors Gap Road & Monacan Trail North Bound, View from the East Showing
the Balloon Test
• Balloon Test Photo Taylors Gap Road & Monacan Trail North Bound, View from the East Showing
the Proposed Site
Issue: Visibility
Comments: ARB staff attended a balloon test on November 13, 2008. The balloon was raised from the location
of the proposed monopole and to the height of the monopole, 23' below the top of the reference tree. The
balloon was only visible from the Route 29 EC where it intersects with Taylor's Gap Road, St. Rte. 710. It was
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not visible south of the intersection and only visible for a short distance north of the intersection. When the
balloon was visible, the significant backdrop of trees mitigated its appearance. A medium dark brown pole
color would further mitigate the facility's appearance. The balloon was not visible from nearby historic
buildings and properties. It is anticipated that the ground equipment will be visible from the Corridor.
Screening requirements mitigating their appearance are discussed later in the report.
Recommendations: None.
Issue: Monopole /Diameter /Color/Lightning Rod
Comments: Notes on Sheet VA- CV379E -A -1 Compound Plan & Elevation indicate that the proposed
monopole and ground equipment are to be painted brown. The manufacturer and product ID for the color was
not provided on the drawing. In the past, the ARB has approved similar proposals using the brown color SW
#6090 Java Brown. Sheet VA- CV379E -A -6 Details contains a note stating that the ice bridge, cables, and
antennas will be painted Sherwin Williams 3690. The drawings included in this submission do not indicate the
proposed diameter at the top and base of the monopole. The zoning ordinance states that the base shall be no
wider than 30" and the top no wider than 18 ". The drawings included in this submission do not indicate if a
lightning rod is proposed.
Recommendations: Revise all applicable application drawings to include notes indicating that the monopole,
ground equipment, ice bridge, cables, and antennas will be painted SW #6090 Java Brown. Revise the
applicable drawings to indicate the proposed diameter of the monopole at the top and base. The base shall be
no wider than 30" and the top no wider than 18 ". If a lighting rod is proposed, the applicable drawings should
be revised to show its location and dimensions. If one is not proposed, the applicable drawing should be
revised to indicate that none is proposed.
Issue: Ground Equipment/Screening
Comments: Sheet VA- CV379E -A -1 Compound Plan & Elevation shows 3 proposed screening plantings, 15'
on center, approximately 30' north of the ground equipment. The plantings are not labeled for type, species, or
planting size. These plantings alone are not likely to provide an adequate screen of the ground equipment, as
viewed from the Corridor. An opaque screening fence, located along the edge of the lease area, with a height 1'
taller than the tallest ground equipment cabinet, painted brown to match the monopole (in combination with
the 3 plantings) should adequately mitigate views from the Route 29 Entrance Corridor.
Recommendations: Revise all applicable drawings to show the use of an opaque screening fence, painted
brown to match the monopole, along the perimeter of the lease area. Revise Sheet VA- CV379E -A -1
Compound Plan & Elevation by labeling the proposed plantings for type, species and planting size. Evergreen
shrubs with a minimum mature height of 5' and a minimum planting size of 24" are appropriate.
Issue: Tree Drip Line/Tree Protection - Preservation
Comments: The drawings included in this submission do not show the drip line of existing trees around the
proposed facility, and they do not indicate if any existing trees are to be removed. The drawings do not indicate
if site grading is proposed in association with the construction of the facility. As a result, impacts by the
proposal on trees to remain cannot be adequately assessed. Sheet VA- CV379E -A -1 Compound Plan &
Elevation shows a short section of tree protection approximately 5' from the base of each of the 5 existing trees
around the facility. In order to be effective, tree protection needs to be installed as close to the drip line of the
tree as possible. Proposed underground power lines and telephone lines are shown leading into the facility from
the southeast corner of the site. Verification is needed from a certified arborist that all proposed grading, and
the grading and/or digging required to install the concrete pad, monopole, and underground power and
telephone lines would not be detrimental to the health of the trees that are to remain. A tree conservation plan,
with measures limiting impacts on existing trees to remain, will need to be submitted and approved before the
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Certificate of Appropriateness can be issued.
Recommendations: Revise all applicable drawings to accurately show the existing drip line of all 5 existing
trees inventoried and to indicate if site grading is proposed. If none is proposed, provide a note on the drawing
indicating that no site grading beyond the concrete pad is to occur. Relocate the proposed tree protection as
close as possible to the perimeter of the tree canopy it is to protect. Provide written verification from a certified
arborist that all proposed grading and the grading and/or digging required to install the concrete pad,
monopole, and underground power and telephone lines will not be detrimental to the health of the trees that are
to remain. Include any additional recommendations from the arborist for maintaining the health of the trees on
the drawings. Provide a tree conservation plan with measures limiting impacts on existing trees to remain.
Issue: Lighting/Standard Notes
Comments: This submission did not indicate whether or not additional exterior lighting is proposed. If it is not
proposed, a note should be added to the applicable drawing indicating that no additional exterior lighting is
proposed. If additional exterior lighting is proposed, that sheet should be revised to show the location and
include a note stating: The proposed light fixture will be shielded in accordance with Albemarle County
requirements and operated by motion sensor. Allproposed lighting is for temporary maintenance and security
use only.
Recommendations: If no additional exterior lighting is proposed, add a note to the applicable drawing
indicating that no additional exterior lighting is proposed. If additional exterior lighting is proposed, revise the
drawing to show the location, with the following note added to the drawing: The proposed light fixture will be
shielded in accordance with Albemarle County requirements and operated by motion sensor. All proposed
lighting is for temporary maintenance and security use only.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion:
1. Anticipated visibility of the monopole and ground equipment from the EC.
2. Impacts, by grading and site design, on existing trees to remain.
Staff recommends approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness, pending staff administrative approval of the
following conditions:
1. Revise all applicable application drawings to include notes indicating that the monopole, ground
equipment, ice bridge, cables, and antennas will be painted SW #6090 Java Brown. Revise the applicable
drawings to indicate the proposed diameter of the monopole at the top and base. The base shall be no
wider than 30" and the top no wider than 18 ". If a lighting rod is proposed, the applicable drawings should
be revised to show its location and dimensions. If one is not proposed, the applicable drawing should be
revised to indicate that none is proposed.
2. Revise all applicable drawings to show the use of an opaque screening fence, painted brown to match the
monopole, along the perimeter of the lease area. Revise Sheet VA- CV379E -A -1 Compound Plan &
Elevation by labeling the proposed plantings for type, species and planting size. Evergreen shrubs with a
minimum mature height of 5' and a minimum planting size of 24" are appropriate.
3. Revise all applicable drawings to accurately show the existing drip line of all 5 existing trees inventoried
and to indicate if site grading is proposed. If none proposed, provide a note on the drawing indicating that
no site grading beyond the concrete pad is to occur. Relocate the proposed tree protection as close as
possible to the perimeter of the tree canopy it is to protect. Provide written verification from a certified
arborist that all proposed grading and the grading and/or digging required to install the concrete pad,
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monopole, and underground power and telephone lines will not be detrimental to the health of the trees
that are to remain. Include any additional recommendations from the arborist for maintaining the health of
the trees on the drawings. Provide a tree conservation plan with measures limiting impacts on existing
trees to remain.
4. If no additional exterior lighting is proposed, add a note to the applicable drawing indicating that no
additional exterior lighting is proposed. If additional exterior lighting is proposed, revise the drawing to
show the location, with the following note added to the drawing: The proposed light fixture will be
shielded in accordance with Albemarle County requirements and operated by motion sensor. All proposed
lighting is for temporary maintenance and security use only
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