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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201200025 Legacy Document 2012-06-08 (4)VERIZON WIRELESS: HARDWARE RIVER (VEST PROPERTY) REPLACEMENT OF FORMER ALLTEL MONOPOLE TIER II PERSONAL WIRELESS FACILITY Proiect Description: Alltel Communications LLC, d /b /a Verizorf Wireless, respectfully requests approval to allow the replacement of an existing wood monopole tower with a new steel monopole in order to support the attachment of six new antennas in two vertical arrays. This proposed monopole replacement is 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 once were operated by Alltel, as well the company's Personal Communications Service ( "PCS "), which is already available to residents in many parts of Albemarle County. Verizon Wireless currently owns 'and operates the existing Personal Wireless Service Facilities ( "PWSF" or "Facility ") on property identified in Albemarle County records as Tax Map 109 / Parcel 43C (the "Property "). Verizon Wireless' mounting structure; which was originally owned by Alltel, currently consists of a 74 -1/4 tall wood monopole tower fitted with existing antennas that do not frilly clear the tree canopy to the front (western) side of the facility in several directions. The newly proposed replacement steel pole is proposed to have a top height of 92.5' tall. This facility was originally approved as Special Use Permit #SUP 2002 - 00072; however, both the existing and the proposed new monopole meet the design criteria for a by -right Tier II PWSF. Therefore, this application is being submitted in accordance with Zoning Ordinance Section 5.1.40(d), which allows monopoles to extend between 7 and 10 feet above the tallest tree within 25 feet. The highest array of antennas on the proposed new monopole will be attached at the 88.5' centerline mounting level, with antennas matching the top height of the 92.5 -foot. The lower antenna array will be located at a centerline mounting height of 84.5 feet in order to ensure signals will clear treetops to the west. Each array will. use three flush -mount brackets and pipes to support the six antennas needed to deploy the three different technologies for which Verizon Wireless is licensed in Albemarle County. All antennas will be painted Sherwin Williams ( 46090) 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 services to residents in the Covesville area surrounding this site, as well as more reliable in -car coverage for those who are travelling along US Route 29 and other nearby local roads in southern Albemarle County. 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 Z (which utilizes the 700 MHz frequency band). Verizon Wireless plans to launch new 4G W service in Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville and surrounding counties during the 2 first quarter of 2012 if zoning approvals can be timely obtained. 4G will offer data upload, U download and transmission speeds up to ten times faster than current technologies. Q I— It is important to note that, though the antennas for Verizon Wireless' PCS (which utilizes the Q 1900 MHz frequency band) and Cellular (utilizing the 850 MHz frequency band) services Verizon Wireless Page 1 Hardware River (Tier II Replacement) can be combined in 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 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 January of 2009, the company evaluated former Alltel 850 MHz Cellular Service resources and facilities in this market. In this particular case, the existing monopole is too short for existing antennas to propagate signal above the surrounding trees. Also, a structural analysis and inspection of this particular wood monopole determined that it cannot be extended for the purpose of adding the new antennas. Because the LTE antennas must be physically separated on any monopole, thus requiring additional height, this application proposes a replacement monopole that will be of sufficient height and strength to support two sets of arrays and propagate the signal of all three wireless technologies above the trees. 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 pursuing this goal, because many of the trees surrounding the site are as tall (if not much taller) than the existing monopole, this new monopole will be required in order to allow this site to serve the Covesville area more reliably and connect with existing and possible future PWSF sites in Albemarle County to the north, south and west. Without the additional height, both the new and existing antennas and services they provide have less of an opportunity to connect with any existing sites and possible future sites planned for the area. Character of the Area: The Property is zoned Rural Areas (RA) and Entrance Corridor (EC) overlay district. All of the surrounding properties are zoned Rural Areas. However, the proposed PWSF will not substantially impact the rural character of the surrounding area due to the extensive amount of backdrop that is provided by the wooded slope rising to the east of the facility. Although a portion of the Property is located in the Mountain Overlay District (900 -foot contour interval), the site of this proposed PWSF itself is not. Furthermore, none of the resources defined as avoidance areas in Section 3.1 of the zoning ordinance are located within close enough proximity to be adversely affected by the proposed modifications to this PWSF site. Tile proposed PWSF is located approximately 795 feet east of the right -of -way for U.S. 29 within a heavily wooded area below the ridgeline of Cook Mountain. Access is provided from the eastern side of U.S 29 by way of Murrays Lane, and then turning east to follow a gravel road uphill that that branches off back to the north, just across from the home on the adjacent parcel to the south. That nearest off -site dwelling unit is located approximately 88 feet south from the site of the proposed monopole on the property identified as Tax Map 109 / Parcel 43B. Verizon Wireless is in the process of securing a fall -zone easement from the owner of that parcel, who also happens to be the brother of the property that is subject to this application and request. Verizon Wireless Page 2 Hardware River (Tier II Replacement) Compliance with Section 5 1 40 of the Zoning Ordinance: The County's specific design criteria for Tier II "Treetop" Facilities, 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): This proposal is for the replacement of an existing wood monopole with a taller steel structure. The proposed location of the new pole does not meet required setbacks (equal to 100% of the structure's height) for towers and similar structures distance of 92.5 feet from all parcel lines shared with adjoining lots. Therefore, Verizon Wireless is in the process of executing and fall -zone easement from the owner of that parcel. 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(6)(2): The proposed monopole does not require the installation of guy wires, nor will it be fitted with any whip antennas without any further County approvals. The proposed grounding rod complies with the County's size requirements. The facility will only have one low- powered outdoor light 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 must be adjustable Under Verizon Wireless' safety standards, as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations requiring that "each work area and walkway is adequately lighted whenever an employee is present." 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. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(3): The - proposed antenna configuration must be mounted vertically in two separate arrays one above the other. The first array will contain three panel antennas that will provide for continuing Cellular and PCS service at this site. To avoid service interruption, the three existing panel antennas and the wooden monopole will not be removed be removed until after the installation of the new monopole is complete. In addition to the relocation of the existing antennas, the new monopole will hold a second array mounted above the first array. This second array will hold a new set 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). These antennas will be installed using "pipe- mounts" that will allow a necessary 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 5.1.4c)(4 and 5): Installation of the proposed replacement monopole will be kept within the cleared and level area the existing facility, and the lease area has been slightly adjusted to ensure that the supporting ground equipment can be accommodated without grading into the hillside. Additionally, the site is accessed from an existing road that will not need to be widened. Therefore, the redevelopment Verizon Wireless Page 3 Hardware River (Tier II Replacement) of this particular facility should not result in the removal of any trees that are relied upon for screening the site. However, a tree conservation plan prepared by a certified arborist will be provided prior to building permit issuance. ♦ Subsection 5.1.40(c)(6): The existing wood monopole will be removed after all antennas have been relocated to the new steel monopole and services are reconnected from the ground equipment. Should the use of the antenna site in this location be discontinued entirely 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): Verizon shall I 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): Verizon Wireless' work to install the new tower and equipment will not extend beyond toe of the slope that was created /altered when the site was originally installed. Therefore, no new slopes greater that 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 that is found to be 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) - Replacement of the existing wood monopole and installation of Verizon Wireless' supporting equipment at this site will not require the removal of any significantly sized 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) - Although the existing PWSF is located within the Mountain Overlay District, this site is well below the ridgeline. Therefore, as demonstrated with the existing PWSFs on the Property, there will be extensive backdrop for the monopole which alleviates visual impact. • Section 5.1.40(d)(4) - There are no other facilities located within 200 feet of this facility. In 2008, prior to the merger with Alltel, Verizon Wireless received approval to build a new PWSF with a steel monopole and prefabricated shelter on the adjacent property just south of the subject parcel. Section 5.1.40(d)(5) - Given the thickness of the steel, it is not probable that the proposed monopole would be able to contain all of the coaxial cables that will run from the ground equipment to both set antennas if the monopole must taper to a diameter of 18 inches. Therefore, Verizon Wireless is requesting approval 'to allow the monopole to have a larger diameter at its top, or allow any cables that don't fit to be run up the back of the pole (interior to the property), as allowed for wooden monopoles. • Section 5.1.40(d)(6) - At 92.5 feet tall (and 892 feet Above Mean Sea Level - AMSL), the proposed replacement monopole will be at approximately the same top elevation as the reference tree, which is identified as a 74 -foot tall (AGL) and 24" diameter poplar that sits 11 feet away, when measured to its dripline. Verizon Wireless Page 4 Hardware River (Tier II Replacement) • 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 equipment that will be installed to support the new LTE antennas will also be painted this same color. Section 5.1.40(d)(8) - Verizon Wireless will attempt to run all coaxial cables and service lines located inside the monopole. However, there may be a lack of space due to the tapering of the monopole toward its top and required thickness of the steel to support the proposed loading. If this is the case, then Verizon Wireless is hereby requesting that approval also be granted to allow the monopole to have a larger top diameter or any remaining cable to be run up the back of the pole to face the backdrop trees. 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. Conclusion: Verizon Wireless is confident that the redevelopment of this, existing wireless communications facility site complies with all of the design criteria for a Tier II PWSF and thus any potential visual impacts will be mitigated. Approval of this application will allow the replacernent of a wooden monopole that is not tall enough above the nearby treetops to provide adequate service within the targeted coverage area. Further, the wooden pole is not structurally capable of supporting additional. antennas for Verizon Wireless' new LTE 4G service. The proposed tower will meet the County's design preferences for flush- mounted antennas on a natural dark brown tower. The new tower will provide the needed height above the nearby trees to allow the antennas to effectively provide the full range of wireless services to the target coverage area. Approval of this request will enable Verizon Wireless to provide County residents in the Covesville area, as well as those traveling on nearby roads, 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 Hardware River (Tier II Replacement)