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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201100067 Legacy Document 2011-11-29 (4)VERIZON WIRELESS: IVY EXIT (GALLIHUGH PROPERTY) EXTENSION OF FORMER ALLTEL MONOPOLE TIER II PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITY Project Description: Alltell Communications LLC, trading as Verizon Wireless, respectfully requests approval to allow the extension of an existing metal monopole tower for the attachment of a new set of antennas mounted on a second array. The proposed monopole extension and facility upgrades are part of a larger project to improve Verizon Wireless' existing network of facilities by adding fourth generation ( "4G ") services to the existing Cellular services that were once operated by Alltel, as well the Personal Communications Services ( "PCS ") that are already available to residents in most parts of Albemarle County. Verizon Wireless currently owns and operates one of four existing Personal Wireless Service Facilities ( "PWSF" or "Facility ") on property identified in Albemarle County records as Tax Map 74 / Parcel 2C (the "Property "). The site is located in the Samuel Miller Magisterial District of Albemarle County, to the south of I -64 and is addressed as 3624 Dick Woods Road. Verizon Wireless' mounting structure, which was originally owned by Alltel, consists of a 74 -foot tall steel monopole tower, fitted with existing antennas which do not fully clear the tree canopy in most directions. The existing antenna array is located at a centerline mounting height of 72.1 feet above ground level (AGL) and uses three flush -mount brackets and pipes. The antennas mounted on the array have a top height of 74 feet. The 8.5 -foot extension that is proposed will use pipe mounts to bring the top of the tower to an approximate height of 82.5 feet AGL. Both the existing and proposed arrays are necessary for Verizon Wireless to deploy the three different technologies that the company is licensed for in Albemarle County. Even with the proposed extension, none of the antennas will clear all of the surrounding tree tops. Thus while this proposed extension will allow for 4G service to be provided, coverage may still be unduly limited due to interference from the adjacent tree canopy. All antennas will be painted Sherwin Williams ( #6090) Java Brown to match the dark - brown color and finish of the proposed monopole. Verizon Wireless' proposed new ground equipment, consisting of a LTE transmitting equipment rack and back -up battery cabinet will also be painted the same color. Combined, these upgrades will provide expanded wireless services to nearby residences as well those travelling along I -64, Dick Woods Road (State Route 637) and other nearby local roads. Network Objectives: Verizon Wireless is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide state -of -the -art wireless communications services within Albemarle County, including 4G services which will be delivered through Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless technology (which utilizes the 700 MHz frequency band). Verizon Wireless plans to launch new 4G service in Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville and surrounding counties during the first quarter of 2012 if zoning approvals can be timely Verizon Wireless Page I Ivy Exit (Tier II Extension) obtained. 4G will offer data upload, download and transmission speeds up to ten times faster than current technologies. It is important to note that, though the antennas for PCS (which utilizes the 1900 MHz frequency band) and Cellular (utilizing the 850 MHz frequency band) can be combined within one set of flush - mounted antennas, LTE utilizes a frequency band which is too close to the Cellular band's frequency in the federally government's licensed radio spectrum. This makes it impossible to combine the LTE and Cellular signal transmissions within a single set of flush - mounted antennas without interference between the signals. Therefore, the LTE and Cellular antennas must be physically separated on the monopole, requiring either additional height to achieve vertical separation, or a much wider horizontal distance between the two antennas. In this case, Verizon Wireless is proposing that the antennas be split between two vertically spaced arrays in order to meet the County's preference for flush - mounting. In order to integrate all three of these technologies into the network's existing PWSFs, all of Verizon Wireless' existing sites, including former Alltel sites, must be upgraded and modified to accommodate the new antennas and equipment required for these services. After Verizon Wireless merged with Alltel Communications in 2009, the company evaluated former Alltel 850 MHz Cellular Service resources and facilities in this market. For this particular Facility, the proposed tower extension and new antennas will provide for expanded services that include all three of the combined technologies (Cellular, PCS and LTE). It is also Verizon Wireless' goal to provide seamless in- building, in -car and on -street coverage and the full range of voice and data services to existing and future customers. In doing so, Verizon Wireless has identified this particular area as one that already has some coverage issues, due to the fact that many of the trees surrounding the site are as tall as this existing monopole. Therefore, an extension of this monopole will be necessary, instead of mounting below the existing antennas, so the new antennas can provide the best coverage possible tot the residents of this area. Without the additional height, the new antennas and service they provide will have less of an opportunity to connect with any existing sites and possible future sites in planned for the area. Even with the additional height proposed in this particular application, coverage from this Facility may not be optimal compared with coverage that could be obtained by adding even more height to the existing monopole to allow all antennas to clear the surrounding trees. Character of the Area: The Property is zoned Rural Areas (RA) and all of the surrounding properties are zoned Rural Areas. The proposed modifications to this PWSF will not substantially impact the rural character of the surrounding area because: (1) the proposed new set of antennas will still not extend above the reference tree, (2) no trees will need to be removed and (3) there will not be any disturbance beyond the bounds of the Facility's fenced compound or lease area. The PWSF is located approximately 900 feet south of the right -of -way for I -64 and 495 feet north of State route 637, in a wooded area just beyond the residence on this property. The existing gravel access road to the facility begins approximately 3/ -mile west from the Verizon Wireless Page 2 Ivy Exit (Tier II Extension) Ivy Exit (Exit 114) off of I -64 , then splits off to the north from the main driveway on the Property and where it terminates at the gated entrance into the PWSF site. There are no other PWSFs on this parcel and the nearest off -site dwelling unit is located approximately 334 feet to the southwest of Verizon Wireless' facility. Compliance with Tier II Criteria (Section 5.1.40 of the Zoning Ordinance): This facility was originally approved for Alltel as a special use permit (SP- 2000 -028), prior to the adoption of Section 5.1.40. However, under these current zoning regulations, both the existing PWSF and the extension proposedqualify for approval as a Tier II by- right facility. The County's specific design criteria for Tier II Facilities, as set forth in Section 5.1.40(d), are addressed as follows: • 5.1.40(d)(1) - The facility shall comply with subsection 5.1.40(b) and subsections 5.1.40(c)(2) through (9). ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(b) (1 -5): After the proposed extension, this PWSF will still be in compliance with the setback regulations and all other area and bulk regulations and minimum yard requirements. This location exceeds the required setbacks (equal to 100% of the structure's height) for towers and similar structures for a minimum distance of 82.5 feet from all parcel lines shared with adjoining lots. Further, there are no public road rights -of -way within a radius equal to the monopole's height. The attached site drawings, antenna and equipment specifications are being provided to demonstrate that the relevant PWSF regulations and site plan requirements, set forth in Section 32 of the zoning ordinance, are being met with this proposal. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(2): The extension of the monopole will not require the installation of guy wires, nor will it be fitted with any whip antennas without any further County approvals. In order to effectively extend above and protect the new antennas, Verizon Wireless must replace the existing grounding system with a new rod that will extend above the newly proposed height, while also complying with the County's size requirements. ♦ The facility will only have one low- powered outdoor lighting fixture attached to a short pole and it will only be turned on when service is being performed at the site at night. The light will be adjustable, as required by Verizon Wireless' safety standards, and will satisfy Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations requiring that "each work area and walkway is adequately lighted whenever an employee is present ". Maintenance and repairs are most often during events such as extremely bad weather or after tree limbs, ice or other materials have fallen onto equipment. This will help to ensure that technical operations staff can safely move about the facility during the times when maintenance of the site is necessary. Please note that these times are most often during events of extremely bad weather or after tree limbs, ice or other materials have fallen onto equipment. Verizon Wireless Page 3 Ivy Exit (Tier II Extension) ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(3): The proposed antenna configuration must be vertically spaced with two separate arrays one above the other. The proposed extension will hold the second array of panel antennas for the LTE service (identified as Amphenol Antel Model # BXA- 70063/8CF(94.6" x 11.2" x 4.5" - approximately 1,060 square inches) to be mounted above the existing antennas. These antennas will be installed using a "cluster- mount" that will allow a certain amount of down - tilting while meeting the County's requirements for flush - mounts (twelve inches maximum between the face of the monopole and the face of the antenna). All antennas will be painted to match the color of the monopole. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(4 and 5): Installation of the proposed extension and all supporting ground equipment will be kept within the cleared and level area of the existing facility compound. Therefore, the redevelopment of this particular facility will not involve the removal of any trees, or necessitate completion of a conservation plan. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(6): Should the use of the facility be discontinued at anytime in the future, then Verizon and/or its assignee(s) shall be required to remove the facility within 90 days. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(7): Owing to the limited heights allowed for monopoles serving Tier II "Treetop" PWSFs, it is unlikely that any additional carriers could be added to this specific facility. However, if deemed necessary, then Verizon Wireless will submit an annual report updating the user status and equipment inventory of the facility in the required time period. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(8): All work will take place on the existing tower and in an area that is already fenced, with level ground that provides adequate space for the proposed ground equipment. Therefore, no new slopes greater than 2:1 will be created. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(9): This facility is already surrounded by a previously approved chain link fence that is not visible from any points off of the property. • Section 5.1.40(d)(2) - Extending the existing monopole and installing Verizon Wireless' supporting equipment at this site will not require the removal of any trees. Therefore, the existing wooded area around the site will continue to screen Verizon Wireless' PWSF from points off of the property. • Section 5.1.40(d)(3) - Verizon Wireless is currently proposing the modification of an existing facility that has an extensive amount of screening from adjacent properties and points nearby. Due to this extensive amount of screening, the proposed 8.5 -foot extension will not impose any additional or significant impacts upon the resources identified in the County's open space plan. • Section 5.1.40(d)(4) - This is an existing PWSF and there are no other facilities on the property or within close proximity; therefore, this section is not applicable. • Section 5.1.40(d)(5) - Neither the base diameter or the top of the existing monopole will be increased in any way, so this section is not applicable to this request. Verizon Wireless Page 4 Ivy Exit (Tier II Extension) • Section 5.1.40(d)(6) - At 8 -1/2 feet tall (and 713.5 feet Above Mean Sea Level - AMSL), the proposed pipe -mast extensions will place the antennas approximately 2.5 feet lower than the top elevation of the reference tree. The drip line of that tree, which is identified as a 90 -foot tall (AGL), 24" diameter double Poplar, is situated so close that some of its branches have grown within a foot of the monopole. • Section 5.1.40(d)(7) - The monopole and all antennas will be painted Sherwin Williams Java Brown #6090. This is a color that has been applied to previously approved PWSF monopoles. The proposed equipment that will be installed to support the new LTE antennas will also be painted this same color. • Section 5.1.40(d)(8) - The existing monopole was constructed so that cables and wiring could be contained within the monopole. Given the strict limitations in Section 5.1.40(d)(5) on the diameter of the monopole, there may not be room within the monopole to add additional cables. Verizon Wireless will attempt to run all new coaxial cables and service lines required for the new set of antennas inside the monopole. However, if the new cables do not fit within the pole, then they will be run vertically along the pole from the ground equipment to the antennas, facing the interior of the property as is required for wooden monopoles. • Section 5.1.40(d)(9 -13) - Verizon Wireless has reviewed and understands all of the remaining criteria for Tier II and Treetop Personal Wireless Service Facilities and will provide any additional information or assistance to ensure that these standards are met with this request. Conclusion: Verizon Wireless is confident that proposed modifications to this existing wireless communications facility as proposed complies with the criteria for approval of a Tier II PWSF - criteria which are geared toward mitigating visual impacts. Approval of this application will allow the extension of a steel monopole that is shorter than the top of several of the trees immediately near the site. Furthermore, the proposed tower will meet the County's design preference for flush - mounted antennas on a natural dark brown tower, while allowing the installation of new antennas needed for Verizon Wireless' new LTE 4G service, without to extending above the treetops. Approval of this request will enable Verizon Wireless to provide County residents in the immediate vicinity of this Facility, as well as those traveling on local roads in this area access to high quality, high speed 4G services which are more advanced than those currently available in this market. Approval will also facilitate Verizon Wireless' development of an improved wireless network offering such advanced services throughout Albemarle County. Sincerely, Stephen Waller, AICP GDNsites Site Development Consultants to Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless Page 5 Ivy Exit (Tier II Extension)