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Home My WebLink AboutARB201100109 Review Comments Preliminary Site Plan 2011-11-14ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB- 2011 -109: Barrell (AT &T) Review Type Preliminary review of a Site Development Plan Parcel Identification Tax Map 72, Parcel 43B Location 998 Mechum View Drive, on the north side of I -64, approximately 3000' west of Route 682 Zoned Rural Areas (RA), Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner /Applicant Herbert Crafts Barrell Estate /Stephen Waller Magisterial District White Hall Proposal To install a second vertical array of three antennas on an extended existing metal monopole for a total height of 10' above the height of the reference tree, to accommodate the addition of 4G services. Context The site has a rural character, with both wooded and cleared areas in the immediate vicinity. The pole is situated approximately 875' north of the I -64 right -of -way. A T- Mobile telecommunications facility is located on the same parcel, approximately 75' to the east. ARB Meeting Date November 21, 2011 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski PROJECT DETAILS • Extend an existing metal pole for the attachment of new antennas; pole height would increase from 87' AGL to approximately 95' AGL; pole height would be 10' above the top of the reference tree (an 87' tall 28" diameter oak with a drip line approximately 5' away from the pole). • New antennas would be attached to the pole using a cluster -mount system. • All antennas to be painted SW 6090 Java brown. • New ground equipment would consist of an LTE transmitting equipment rack and a back -up battery cabinet, both painted SW 6090 java brown. • Coverage issues have been noted in the area; many of the trees surrounding the site are as tall as the existing pole. • All new equipment is proposed within the existing fenced area, with no tree removal proposed. • The size of the pole may not allow cables and wiring to be contained within the pole. If they do not fit, the applicant proposes to run them vertically along the pole facing the interior of the property. • Proposed antennas measure 7' 10.6" tall x 11.2" wide x 4.5" deep. PROJECT HISTORY Date Application/Discussion Result 10/17/11 ARB- 2011 -109 Staff attended a balloon test at which the balloon was launched 10' above the top of the reference tree at the proposed pole height of 95'. The balloon was visible from the westbound and eastbound lanes of I -64 in the vicinity of the bridge over Mechums' River. When it was visible, the balloon did not have a wooded backdrop, so it was sky -lit, but it was seen through the trees that stand along the I -64 right -of -way. 10 /10 /11 SDP - 2011 -68 Site Development Plan for the Barrell proposal received by the County and currently under review. 8/20/07 ARB- 2007 -68 (SDP, The ARB reviewed a proposal to install a telecommunications facility consisting of a 119' -tall preliminary review) metal pole and related equipment, and recommended approval with conditions. This facility was never constructed. 9/13/00 SP- 2000 -29 Original approval of the Special Use Permit for the existing facility at this site. 7/17/00 ARB- 2000 -20 (building The ARB reviewed a proposal to install a telecommunications facility consisting of a 95' -tall permit, preliminary review) metal pole and related equipment, and recommended approval with conditions. 11/15/99 ARB- 1999 -19 (building The ARB reviewed a proposal to install a telecommunications facility consisting of a 95' -tall permit, preliminary review) wood pole and related equipment, and recommended approval with conditions. 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, the None. eliminate visibility from the Entrance existing screening fence, and the distance from the EC, the location of the Corridor street: proposed ground- mounted mechanical equipment is not facility sufficiently e. Mechanical equipment expected to be visible from the I -64 EC. These factors are minimizes its f. The placement of structures on the site expected to sufficiently eliminate visibility of the ground visibility from the should respect existing views and vistas equipment from the EC. 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 700' in The proposed structures to the Entrance Corridor street the vicinity of the bridge over Mechum's River when traveling location of the and to other development within the westbound on the I -64 Entrance Corridor and for approximately facility sufficiently corridor should be as follows: 900' in the vicinity of the bridge when traveling eastbound. minimizes its f. The placement of structures on the site (See Illustration A.) When visible, the balloon was seen through visibility from the should respect existing views and vistas trees that stand along the right -of -way. Wintertime visibility EC. on and around the site. may be somewhat increased, but the additional pole height and antennas are not expected to have a negative impact on 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. 2 ILLUSTRATION A Highlighted areas indicate approximate distances along the I -64 Entrance Corridor that the balloon was visible. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Drawing Date/Revision Date T -1 Title Sheet 9/12/11 C -1 Survey and Site Plan 9/12/11 C -2 Enlarged Site Survey 9/12/11 C -3 Elevation View 9/12/11