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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP201100024 Legacy Document 2011-11-29 (5)VER.IZON WIRELESS NIX WAY (MOYER PROPERTY) (Extension of Former Alltel Monopole) TIER II PERSONAL WIRELESS FACILITY Project Description: Cellco Partnership, trading as Verizon Wireless, respectfully requests approval to allow the extension of an existing metal monopole tower for the attaclunent 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 as well the Personal Communications Services ( "PCS ") that are already available to residents in most parts of the Albemarle community. Verizon Wireless currently owns the existing Personal Wireless Service facility ( "PWSF" or "Facility ") that is the subject of this located on property identified in Albemarle County records as Tax Map 92 Parcel 56133 (the "Property "). It lies in the Scottsville Magisterial District of Albemarle County on the southern side of Thomas Jefferson Parkway (Route 53) and is addressed as 1863 Thomas Jefferson Parkway. The Facility consists of an approximately 81 -foot tall metal monopole tower fitted with Verizon Wireless' antennas that do not fully clear the tops of surrounding trees. The existing antenna array is located at a centerline mounting height of 77 feet above ground level (AGL) and uses three flush -mount brackets and pipes. The antennas mounted on the array have a top height of 81 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 89.5 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. 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 Route 53 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 Coluity, 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 'obtained.­ 4G' will offer data upload, download and transmission speeds up to ten times faster than current technologies. r, Verizon Wireless Page 1 Nix Way (Tier II Extension) 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 antemias. In this case, Verizon Wireless is proposing that the antennas be split between two vertical 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 in order to allow the new antennas to clear the tree tops so that the residents of this area can be served as well, if not more reliably. 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 fixture 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 additional height to the existing monopole. Character of the Area: The Property is zoned Rural Areas (RA) and located in the Entrance Corridor (EC) overlay district. 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 extend only six feet above the reference tree, (2) no trees will be removed and (3) there will not be any disturbance beyond the bounds of the Facility's compound and lease area. The PWSF is located approximately 82 feet south of the right-of-way for Route 53, in a :wooded cqrea just `beyond a power line easement that runs parallel with the road. The existing gravel' access road to the facility splits off to the east from the main driveway on the Property and then turns back to the south and directly into the PWSF site. There is another AT &T =owned wireless facility just to the west. The nearest off -site dwelling unit is located approximately 207 feet to the north of Verizon Wireless' facility. Verizon Wireless Page 2 Nix Way (Tier II Extension) Compliance with Section 5.1.40 of the Zoning Ordinance: This facility was originally approved for Alltel as a special use permit, prior to the adoption of Section 5.1.40. However, under these current regulations the existing PWSF and its proposed extension both now qualify for consideration as a Tier Il, by -right facility. The County's specific design criteria for Tier II Facilities, set forth in Section 5.1.40(d), are addressed as follows: 5.1.40(4)(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. 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 one that complies 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. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(3): The proposed antenna configuration must be mounted in two separate arrays. The existing array contains three panel antennas, while the newer set of panel antennas are for the LTE service (identified as Amphenol Antel Model # BXA- 70063/8CF (measuring 94.6" x 11.2" x 4.5" - approximately 1,060 square inches)). These new antennas will be installed using a "pipe -mast extensions" that will be attached using a second collar that allows two antennas to be attached to each of three mounting pipes without exceeding the County's spacing requirements for flush - mounting (12- inches maximum horizontal distance between the face of the monopole and the face of the antenna). All antennas and exposed portions of the pipe -mounts will be painted to match the color of the monopole. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(4 and 5): Neither the installation of the proposed pipe -masts on ile monopole or the new LTE equipment wilt require any additional clearing in this area which is already practically level. Additionally, the site is accessed from an existing ioad,that will not need to be widened. Therefore, the redevelopment of this Verizon Wireless Page 3 Nix Way (Tier II Extension) particular facility should not result in the removal of any trees, or necessitate completion of a conservation plan. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(6):Sll0uld 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 lI "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 level and 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): Verizon Wireless is not currently proposing the installation of fencing to surround this existing facility. However, should a future need arise, we reserve the right to install fencing in compliance with this section of the ordinance upon the approval of the Zoning Administrator or any other authorized County staff person. • 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 and the facilities of other carriers as well as provide a backdrop to the proposed tower. • Section 5.1.40(d)(3) - Verizon Wireless is currently proposing the modification of this existing facility rather than propose a second monopole that would require the removal of several trees just to accommodate new LTE antennas. Therefore, 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) - Verizon Wireless is requesting approval to allow the described modifications at one of two existing PWSF sites on this property. There are no other PWSFs within a two hundred (200) foot radius; therefore, this particular section is inapplicable. • 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. Section 5.1.40(d)(6) -At 89 feet tall (and 534 feet Above Mean Sea Level - AMSL), the proposed pipe -mast extensions will place the antennas approximately 6 feet higher than the top elevation of the reference tree. The drip line of that tree, which is identified as an 86.- oAot.;talj� (AOL),, 12" diameter Oak, is situated approximately 15 feet south of the nonopole., . • Section, 5.1a40(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. Verizon Wireless Page 4 Nix Way (Tier II Extension) D Section 5.1.40(d)(8) - Verizon Wireless will attempt to run all coaxial cables and service lines located inside of the existing monopole. However, the maximum diameters set out in subsection 5.2.40(d)(5) will likely prevent all cables and lines from being contained within the monopole. Should there be a lack of space due to the tapering of the monopole toward its top, any remaining cable will be run up the back of the pole to face inward toward the center of the property and /or painted to match the pole. 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. f nnelncinn- Verizon Wireless is confident that modification of 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 already shorter than the top of at least one 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 new antennas necessary for Verizon Wireless' new LTE 4G service to extend slightly 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. Since ly, tephen Waller, AICP GDNsites Site Development Consultants to Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless Page 5 Nix Way (Tier II Extension)