HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB200800152 Staff Report 2009-02-23ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #: Name
ARB- 2008 -152: Woodson (AT &T) Crossroads
Review Type
Preliminary Review of a Site Development Plan
Parcel Identification
Tax Map 87, Parcel 5B
Location
3514 Monacan Trail Road: Located approximately 950 feet northeast of the
intersection of Plank Road (Rt 692) and Monacan Trail Road (Rt 29).
Zoned
Village Residential (VR), Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner
Rebecca Lea Woodson
Applicant
AT &T/Williams Mullen, Valerie Long
Magisterial District
Samuel Miller
Proposal
To construct a telecommunications facility consisting of an 84' tall brown
metal pole with associated flush antennas, ground equipment, and fencing.
ARB Meeting Date
March 2, 2009
Staff Contact
Brent Nelson
SITE/PROJECT HISTORY
• The ARB has not reviewed any previous proposals for this parcel.
• 1/12/09: SDP 2009 -5, Woodson Property, AT &T — Crossroads, application received for a Final Site
Development Plan. This proposal is tentatively scheduled for review by the Planning Commission on
March 10, 2009.
PROJECT DETAILS
The applicant proposes to establish a telecommunications facility consisting of the following items in a 20' x
20' (400 sf) lease area:
• Proposed steel monopole, painted SW #6090 Java Brown, 84' tall, height 10' above the top of the
reference tree (10" caliper Tulip Poplar).
• Two proposed equipment cabinets on a 10' x 12' 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.
• Three panel antennas painted SW #6090 Java 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. Top elevation of each antenna below top elevation of monopole.
Other pertinent information:
Access to site provided by an existing paved driveway leading into a proposed 20' wide ingress /egress
easement.
ARB 3/2/2009 Woodson (AT &T) Crossroads, Preliminary - Page 1
• Proposed 20' x 20' opaque wood fence, 7' -8" tall, located along the perimeter of the lease area.
• 10" Tulip Poplar reference tree is 76' tall (846.3' AMSL).
CONTEXT
The proposed site is located on a parcel adjoining the northwest side of Route 29 South, approximately 950'
northeast of the intersection with Plank Road, State Route 692. The lease area is heavily wooded and situated
approximately 50' above and 240' northwest of the Route 29 right -of -way. This section of the Route 29S EC is
comprised of open agricultural fields with patches of mixed hardwood/evergreen forest amongst farms and
single family homes. Commercial development is limited to the Crossroads Store complex located in the
northeast corner of the intersection of Route 29S and Plank Road.
ANALYSIS based on:
Civil Drawings, all with the latest revision date of 9/3/08:
• Sheet VA- CV393A -T -1 Title Sheet
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -0 Site Plan
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -I Compound Plan and Elevation
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -2 Equipment Layout
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -3 Foundation Details
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -4 Equipment Specs
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -5 Equipment Specs
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -6 Antenna Details
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -7 Antenna Details
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -8 Antenna Details
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -9 Notes
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -10 Notes
• Sheet VA- CV393A -A -11 Notes
• Sheet VA- CV393A -E &S -1 Erosion & Sediment Control Details
• Sheet VA- CV393A -E &S -2 Erosion & Sediment Control Details
• Sheet VA- CV393A -E -I Electrical Plan
• Sheet VA- CV393A -E -2 Electrical Details
• Sheet VA- CV393A -E -3 Electrical Details
• Sheet VA- CV393A -E -4 Electrical Details
• Sheet VA- CV393A -E -5 Electrical Details
• Sheet VA- CV393A -E -6 Electrical Details & Notes
• Sheet VA- CV393A -SP -1 Specifications
• Sheet VA- CV393A -SP -2 Specifications
• Sheet VA- CV393A -SP -3 Specifications
Additional Information Provided:
• Photograph: 4220 Plank Road, View from the Southwest — Showing the Proposed Site
• Photograph: Sutherland Road, View from the Southwest — Showing the Proposed Site Not Visible
• Photograph: Woodson Store Ln. & Hwy.29, View from the Northeast — Showing the Proposed Site
• Photograph: Rabbit Valley Rd. & Hwy. 29, View from the Southeast — Showing the Proposed Site Not
Visible
• AT &T Mobility CV393 and Neighbor's Coverage (3 sheets)
ARB 3/2/2009 Woodson (AT &T) Crossroads, Preliminary - Page 2
Issue: Visibility
Comments: ARB staff attended a balloon test on Friday, January 30, 2009. The balloon was raised from the
location of the proposed monopole and to the height of the monopole, 10' above the top of the reference tree.
The balloon was readily visible and sky -lit from the northbound lane of Route 29 immediately west of the
Crossroads Store and from the southbound lane of Route 29, 1000' northeast of the site. The balloon was
visible but not sky -lit from the northbound lane of Route 29, 1,200' south of the intersection with Plank Road.
In that location, a backdrop was provided by the canopied hillside behind the facility. Lowering the balloon
from 10' to 7' above the reference tree did not result in a material difference in its visibility from any of the
aforementioned locations.
At the applicant's request, a second balloon test was conducted on Monday, February 9, 2009 with the balloon
raised to a height 4' above the reference tree. At that elevation, there was a material difference in its visibility
from all locations where it was previously viewable. From points along Route 29, south of the intersection with
Plank Road, the impact of the mountain (canopy) backdrop increased, further mitigating the balloon's
appearance. From points along Route 29 north of the site and immediately west of the Crossroads Store, the
balloon continued to be sky -lit; however, the visual impact was substantially mitigated by its appearance
directly at treetop level.
Recommendations: Revise the proposal to indicate a top elevation of the monopole 4' above the reference tree,
850.3' AMSL.
Issue: Access Drive/Location/Tree Removal/Tree Preservation
Comments: Sheet A -0 Site Plan shows the location of the proposed 20' wide access easement (12' wide access
drive) commencing at the halfway point of the existing driveway. Due to the small scale (1" = 80') of the
drawing, the lack of any existing /proposed grading and information concerning existing trees that would be
removed, the impact from the installation of this access drive could not be fully assessed. The location of the
drive was staked at the balloon test and appeared to impact a number of existing trees and critical slopes.
Recommendations: Revise the application plan to include a drawing, with a minimum scale of 1" = 30', clearly
showing the location of the proposed access drive and easement. This drawing should include existing and
proposed topography, clearly showing the location of all existing trees to remain as well as those to be
removed. Tree protection, located at the edge of existing trees to remain, should be included on the drawing.
Issue: Tree Drip Line/Proposed Grading/Tree Protection
Comments: Sheet A -1 Compound Plan & Elevations shows 2 proposed grading contours in the lease area;
neither contour is labeled for elevation. The contour in the northwest corner of the lease area (772) is not
rounded to meet the existing condition. It appears that the contour, once rounded to meet the existing
condition, would impact the drip line of the existing tree to the west designated to remain. The actual location
of the reference tree drip line, east of the lease area, does not appear to be shown. It appears that a standard 18'
diameter tree symbol was used to represent the drip line of all the existing trees. As a result, the full impact of
this proposal on the reference tree and the other existing trees adjacent to the lease area, designated to remain,
could not be adequately assessed. 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
Certificate of Appropriateness can be issued.
Recommendations: Revise Sheet A -1 Compound Plan & Elevations by labeling the proposed grading contours.
Revise the grading contour in the northwest corner of the lease area (772) by rounding it (10' radius min.) to
ARB 3/2/2009 Woodson (AT &T) Crossroads, Preliminary - Page 3
meet the existing condition. Revise the location of the contour to avoid impacting the canopy /root system of the
existing tree (to remain) adjacent to the northwest corner of the lease area. Revise all applicable drawings to
show the actual drip line of the reference tree and all existing trees to remain that require tree protection.
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: Reference Tree/Identification
Comments: The proposed reference tree, identified as a 10" Tulip Poplar in the Engineer's memo
accompanying this submission, is not identified for type or caliper on any of the drawings in this submission.
The tree table, located on Sheet A -1 Compound Plan & Elevation, does not identify the reference tree.
Recommendations: Revise all applicable drawings in this application by identifying the reference tree for
caliper and type. Revise the tree table, located on Sheet A -1 Compound Plan & Elevations, by identifying the
reference tree.
Issue: Proposed Fence Color
Comments: Sheet A -9 Wood Fence Plan & Details shows the location of a 20' x 20' wood fence, 7' -8" tall,
along the perimeter of the lease area. The proposed color of the fence is not identified on any of the drawings
included in this submission. SW #6090 Java Brown, to match the proposed monopole, would be an
appropriate color.
Recommendations: Revise all applicable drawings in this application to indicate that the proposed wooden
fence will be painted SW #6090 Java Brown, to match the proposed monopole.
Issue: Electric/Telephone Service/Location/Impact on Trees
Monopole Cables & Wires
Comments: The location of the proposed electric and telephone underground conduit, to service this facility,
was not included in this submission. All applicable drawings in this application need to be revised to show the
location of the utility trench, demonstrating that the location is free of any conflicts with the canopy /root
system of existing trees, including the reference tree, that are to remain. This application did not contain any
reference to the location of vertical cables and wiring for the monopole structure. All vertical cables and wires
should be located interior to the structure.
Recommendations: Revise all applicable drawings in this application to show the location of the
electric /telephone utility trench, demonstrating that the location is free of any conflicts with the canopy /root
system of existing trees, including the reference tree, that are to remain. Revise Sheet A -1 Compound Plan &
Elevations to include the note: All monopole cables and wires to be located interior to the monopole structure.
Issue: Site Lighting
Comments: Detail 1 /A -4 on Sheet A -4 Equipment Specs shows a dual -head halogen/quartz light fixture
attached to the AC panelboard. A lighting cutsheet, clearly indicating the proposed lumens emitted, was not
included with this submission. Fixtures emitting 3,000 or more lumens must be full cut off style fixtures.
Fixtures controlled by motion sensor are exempt from that requirement. The ARB has been requiring the
following note for telecommunication facilities with external motion sensor lighting: 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.
Recommendations: Revise Detail 1 /A -4 on Sheet Equipment Specs to include the following note: The
ARB 3/2/2009 Woodson (AT &T) Crossroads, Preliminary - Page 4
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 from the Corridor.
2. Impacts, by grading and site design, on the reference tree and other existing trees designated to remain.
Staff recommends approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness, pending staff administrative approval of the
following conditions:
1. Revise the proposal to indicate a top elevation of the monopole 4' above the reference tree, 850.3' AMSL.
2. Revise the application plan to include a drawing, with a minimum scale of 1" = 30', clearly showing the
location of the proposed access drive and easement. This drawing should include existing and proposed
topography, clearly showing the location of all existing trees to remain as well as those to be removed.
Tree protection, located at the edge of existing trees to remain, should be included on the drawing.
3. Revise Sheet A -1 Compound Plan & Elevations by labeling the proposed grading contours. Revise the
grading contour in the northwest corner of the lease area (772) by rounding it (10' radius min.) to meet the
existing condition. Revise the location of the contour to avoid impacting the canopy /root system of the
existing tree (to remain) adjacent to the northwest corner of the lease area. Revise all applicable drawings
to show the actual drip line of the reference tree and all existing trees to remain that require tree protection.
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.
4. Revise all applicable drawings in this application by identifying the reference tree for caliper and type.
Revise the tree table, located on Sheet A -1 Compound Plan & Elevations, by identifying the reference tree.
5. Revise all applicable drawings in this application to indicate that the proposed wooden fence will be
painted SW #6090 Java Brown, to match the proposed monopole.
6. Revise all applicable drawings in this application to show the location of the electric /telephone utility
trench, demonstrating that the location is free of any conflicts with the canopy /root system of existing trees,
including the reference tree, that are to remain. Revise Sheet A -1 Compound Plan & Elevations to include
the note: All monopole cables and wires to be located interior to the monopole structure.
7. Revise Detail 1 /A -4 on Sheet Equipment Specs to include the following note: 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.
ARB 3/2/2009 Woodson (AT &T) Crossroads, Preliminary - Page 5