HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201100014 Review Comments Preliminary Site Plan 2011-03-14ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT
Project #/Name
ARB- 2011 -14: Walton Middle School (AT &T)
Review Type
Preliminary Review of a Site Development Plan
Parcel Identification
Tax Map 101, Parcel 56A
Location
4217 Red Hill Road (Rt. 708), at the north corner of the intersection of Route 20 South with Red Hill Road
Zoned
Rural Areas (RA), Entrance Corridor (EC)
Owner /Applicant
County of Albemarle School Board/Williams Mullen (Valerie Long)
Magisterial District
Samuel Miller
Proposal
To install a Tier II telecommunications facility consisting of a 87' tall monopole and associated equipment.
Context
The proposed site is located near the southern corner of the Walton Middle School property, approximately 100' from
Red Hill Road (SR 708) and 500' from Scottsville Road (SR 20), in the wooded area that extends along the northern and
eastern boundaries of the parcel. The school is located approximately 500' northwest of the proposed site, and a parking
lot and travelways exist between the school and Red Hill Road. Most of the frontage along the Route 20 Entrance
Corridor in the immediate area is heavily wooded.
ARB Meeting Date
March 21, 2011
Staff Contact
Margaret Maliszewski
PROJECT HISTORY
Date
Application/Discussion
Result
3/2/11
ARB- 2011 -14 Balloon
Test
Staff attended a balloon test on March 2, 2011. The balloon was launched 10' above the top of the
reference tree at the proposed height of the 87' monopole.
2/7/11
SDP 2011 -06
Site Development Plan currently under review by Current Development.
PROJECT DETAILS
• Construct a telecommunications facility on 20' x 30' lease area.
• Access to the site provided via a 12' -wide gravel road in a 20' -wide access /utility easement from Red Hill Road indirectly to the
site to limit direct views from Red Hill Road.
• Proposed steel monopole, 87' tall (509' AMSL), height 10' above the top of the reference tree; pole and cables painted SW #6090
Java Brown.
• Reference tree is a 24" caliper Tulip Poplar, 82' tall, (top elevation 499.33' AMSL).
• Proposed equipment shelter, 11' -5" x 20' x 10' -1" high, on a concrete pad, and ice bridge within fenced (8' tall, board -on- board)
compound measuring 20' x 35'; shelter and ground equipment painted SW #6090 Java Brown.
• Board -on -board fence around compound (27' x 24') painted SW #6090 Java Brown.
• 9 trees to be removed: 4 within lease area (2 red maples, 1 one red cedar, 1 Virginia pine) and 5 within access road (4 Virginia pine
and 1 sour cherry).
• Three flush - mounted antennas painted SW #6090 Java Brown, each measuring 4' -3.9" (H) x 12.7" (W) x 2.8" (D), installed with
brackets permitting down tilting not to exceed a maximum of 12" between face of pole and outer face of antenna. Top elevation of
each antenna to be below top elevation of monopole. Antennas painted SW #6090 Java Brown.
NOTE:
The drawings submitted with the ARB application include some errors regarding pole height and tree locations. The information provided in
the "Project Details," above, is accurate and the balloon test was based on this information.
2
ANALYSIS FOR THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE GROUND EQUIPMENT AND BASE STATION
A Certificate of Appropriateness from the ARB is required for the base equipment portion of a proposed telecommunications facility in the
Entrance Corridors. The ARB may impose conditions on the Certificate of Appropriateness, based on the EC Guidelines, and consistent
with Section 5.1.40 of the Zoning Ordinance.
Ref
Guideline
Issue
Recommendations
Accessory structures and equipment
17
The following should be screened to
Due to the wooded character of the surrounding area and the
None.
eliminate visibility from the Entrance
proposed board -on -board screening fence, the mechanical
location of the
Corridor street:
equipment associated with the proposed facility is not expected
facility sufficiently
e. Mechanical equipment
to be visible from the Route 20 EC. The distance between the
minimizes its
f. The placement of structures on the site
site and the EC, the topography of the site, and the wooded area
visibility from the
should respect existing views and vistas on and
are expected to sufficiently eliminate visibility of the ground
EC.
around the site.
equipment from the EC.
ANALYSIS REGARDING VISIBILITY OF THE MONOPOLE
The ARB may act in an advisory capacity to the Planning Commission on the Planning Commission's determination as to whether the
facility is being sited to minimize its visibility.
Ref
Guideline
Issue
Recommendations
Development pattern
33
The relationship of buildings and other
The balloon was minimally visible for approximately 600'
The proposed
structures to the Entrance Corridor street and to
along the Route 20 Entrance Corridor. This area of
location of the
other development within the corridor should
visibility extended from a point just north of the Red Hill
facility sufficiently
be as follows:
Road intersection to a point in the curve in the road
minimizes its
f. The placement of structures on the site
approximately 600' south of the intersection. (See
visibility from the
should respect existing views and vistas on and
Attachment A.)When visible, the balloon was viewed
EC.
around the site.
through trees in the wooded area either on the north side
of Red Hill Road on school property, or along the west
side of Route 20. This balloon test was conducted when
most of the leaves had fallen from the trees, so
summertime visibility would be even further reduced.
Consequently, the pole is not expected to be noticed from
the EC.
3
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Regarding the Certificate of Appropriateness for the ground equipment and base station:
Because the proposed facility is consistent with all applicable guidelines, staff recommends approval of the Certificate of
Appropriateness as proposed.
Regarding visibility of the monopole:
Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendation to the Planning Commission:
The ARB finds that the proposed location of the facility sufficiently minimizes its visibility from the Entrance Corridor.
Staff also recommends that the applicant submit revised drawings correcting the pole height and tree locations.
2
ATTACHMENT A
Arrows indicate the distance that the balloon was visible along Route 20 South.
ATTACHMENT B
-This report is based on the following submittal items:
Sheet #
Drawing Name
Drawing Date/Revision Date
T -1 and T -2
Title Sheet and Legend
Revised 12/28/10
N -1
General Notes
Revised 12/28/10
SP -1
Survey Plat
Revised 6/22/10
AM -1
Area Map
Revised 12/28/10
TS -1
Tree Survey
Revised 1/24/11
C -1 through C -8
Site Plan Drawings
Revised 12/28/10
A -1
Shelter Elevations
Revised 12/28/10
S1
Foundation Plan
Revised 12/28/10