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Home My WebLink AboutARB201600015 Staff Report 2016-03-14ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB -2015-15: Verizon Wireless Innovation Drive Tier 1 PWSF Review Type Tier 1 Personal Wireless Service Facility Parcel Identification 03200000004100 Location 1752 Airport Road, on the south side of Airport Road, across from Innovation Drive Zoned Rural Areas (RA)/Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner/Applicant David P. Turner and The Marketplace of Virginia LC/Stephen Waller Magisterial District Rio Proposal To install a personal wireless service facility on an existing 148' tall lattice tower, including the installation of 12 antennas in three sectors at an elevation of 100' above ground level. Context The subject parcel contains a number of structures, an open field, and wooded area. Surrounding properties include a mix of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional development. Visibility The existing tower is located approximately 650' from Airport Road. The ground equipment and the lower part of the tower are not visible from the Airport Road Entrance Corridor. Most of the upper part of the tower is visible from most of Airport Road. Two stands of trees limit visibility for short distances. One stand of trees is located at the southwest corner of Airport Road and Timberwood Blvd. The other is on the subject property. The tower also has long, sustained visibility from Rt. 29, but the parcel does not fall within the Rt. 29 EC overlay. ARB Meeting Date March 21, 2016 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski HISTORY The existing tower was constructed prior to the establishment of Airport Road as an Entrance Corridor. In 2003 the ARB reviewed and approved an application to add 9 antennas to the tower (ARB -2002-147). In 2008 (ARB -2008-66) the ARB approved the addition of 12 antennas to the tower. 19:101BE" 811 D1W.1Iski The existing tower is a 148' tall lattice tower with 4 arrays of antennas. The applicant wishes to install twelve antennas in three sectors at an elevation of 100' on the existing tower. Proposed antennas measure 74.9" x 12" and 102" x 12" and would be installed on 14'6" wide frames. The frames would attach to each leg of the lattice tower. The applicant indicates 4.875' of standoff distance from the structure to the backs of the antennas. New ground equipment would be contained within a 360 sf fenced expansion on the south side of the existing compound. Included in the extended compound would be a generator, equipment cabinets, and a utility stand. The existing driveway would be extended to establish a gravel access road to the compound extension. Special Exceptions are requested as outlined in the following table. Standard Requirement Special Exception Requested Applicant's Reasoning Staff Comment 5.1.40.a(4)(f) Request to eliminate requirement in Vegetation to be cleared is just Removal of the vegetation Identify and label all trees within entirety. outside of the fence on the south described would not make the 50'of the facility and all trees to side of the existing compound and ground equipment visible from the be removed. is primarily low scrubby shrubs and EC or make the antennas more brush. No vegetation that will be visible from the EC. The location removed contributes to screening of of the existing tree line in the area ground equipment. of work is hard to see, and the full limits of disturbance are not shown 5.1.40.f(3) Request to eliminate requirement in Tree conservation plans are more Tree conservation plan: entirety. relevant for treetop facilities with on the compound plan. The existing requirement for submittal of plan reference trees and vegetative tree line within the area of work showing tree protection measures, screening. This facility was should be clearly shown on the plan identification of trees to be originally approved with no and the plan should show the full removed, identification of dead reference to a reference tree. limits of disturbance. and dying trees. Extensive existing vegetation will remain. 5.1.40.b(2)(a) and 5.1.40.f Request for five arrays. The method of attachment is There is no proposed increase in Number of arrays is limited to consistent with the existing tower height to accommodate the three. condition. The antennas would be proposed antennas. Significant placed in the lowest location on the negative visual impact has already tower (at 100'). been created by the tower. Another array of antennas won't change the already significant negative impact. 5.1.40.b(2)(c) and 5.1.40.f Request to allow antennas to be This increases the level of coverage The method of attachment is Projection shall be no greater than attached to mounting frames and maximizes network capacity. consistent with the existing 12" from facility to closest point exceeding the maximum allowable This configuration will look like the condition and isn't expected to 2 of back of antenna and no greater projection. existing antennas and will not create any significant additional than 18" to furthest point of back Development pattern greatly increase perceived visual increase in negative impact. of antenna. The relationship of buildings impacts. The additional antenna array is not expected ANALYSIS REGARDING THE GROUND EQUIPMENT 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 I Guideline I Issues I Recommendations Accessory structures and equipment 17 The following should be screened to eliminate The ground equipment is not expected to be visible from the Revise the plan to clearly visibility from the Entrance Corridor street: Airport Road Entrance Corridor due to the topography of the show the existing tree line e) Mechanical equipment site, the location of existing buildings, and wooded area to within the area of work and the remain, but the existing tree line within the area of work is full limits of disturbance. hard to see, and the full limits of disturbance are not shown on the compound plan. ANALYSIS REGARDING VISIBILITY OF THE FACILITY The ARB may act in an advisory capacity to the Agent as to whether the facility is being sited to minimize its visibility. Ref Guideline Issues Recommendations Development pattern 33 The relationship of buildings Flush mounted antennas have less visibility than antennas The additional antenna array is not expected and other structures to the mounted by the method proposed in this application, but the to increase the negative impact on the Entrance Corridor street and proposed method is consistent with existing conditions. A fifth Entrance Corridor. to other development within antenna array is more than is typically seen on most local the corridor should be as towers, but no increase in tower height is needed to accomplish follows: this. The proposed array would be placed lower than existing f. The placement of arrays. structures on the site should respect existing views and The existing tower and antenna arrays already have a significant vistas on and around the site. negative visual impact on the Entrance Corridor. An additional array of antennas won't change this condition. I.IUUTIu/: W&Oa9MI]UIUINOIMI Y[13M Re . ag rding 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, for the ground equipment and base station with the following condition: Revise the plan to clearly identify the existing tree line within the area of work and the full limits of disturbance. Regarding visibility of the monopole: Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendation to the Agent: The ARB finds that the additional antenna array is not expected to increase the negative impact on the Entrance Corridor. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Revision Date T1 Title Sheet 1/21/16 Z1 Site Plan 1/21/16 Cl Compound Plan 1/21/16 C2 Tower Elevation & Mount Details 1/21/16 S1 Equipment Steel Platform Details 1/21/16 S2 Equipment Steel Platform, Concrete Pad, Details & Notes 1/21/16 S3 Construction Details & Notes 1/21/16 S4 Generator Details 1/21/16 El Electrical Plan & Details 1/21/16 E2 Electrical Panel Schedule, Diagram & Notes 1/21/16 E3 Electrical Riser Diagram & Service Entrance Schematic 1/21/16 G1 Grounding Plan, Details & Notes 1/21/16 G2 Grounding Rise Diagram & Details 1/21/16 - Location Map and Photosimulations - 1-5 Project description and request for Special Exceptions - - Site Photos - - Antenna and related equipment specs -