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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201700040 Staff Report 2017-05-18ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB -2017-40: Verizon — Carters Bridge PWSF (Llandaff LC) Review Type Personal Wireless Service Facility — Tier 3 Parcel Identification 11200000000900 Location 4323 Scottsville Road Zoned Rural Areas (RA)/Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner/Applicant Llandaff LC/Stephen Waller, AICP Magisterial District Scottsville Proposal To install a treetop tier III personal wireless service facility consisting of a 106' tall monopole with antennas and associated equipment in a 1,350 sf lease area. Context The subject parcel contains a house, several outbuildings, and an existing telecommunications facility. The surrounding context is rural in character. Visibility The tower site is located over 900' from the Entrance Corridor street. Distance, trees along the EC frontage, and topography limit views from vantage points along the parcel frontage. The balloon was viewed through trees from a vantage point on Rt. 20 a short distance north of the parcel, and at Carter's Bridge. ARB Meeting Date June 5, 2017 Staff Contact Margaret Maliszewski HISTORY There is an existing treetop tower at this site. An ARB application was submitted for that tower in 2008. At the balloon test for that application, it was determined that the pole and equipment would not be visible from the Entrance Corridor. Consequently, ARB review and approval were not required. PROJECT DETAILS • Proposed tower location is over 900' east of Rt. 20. • Reference tree is a Poplar with a 28" diameter and 95' height (628.55' AMSL). • Establish a 1350 square foot (30' x 45') lease area at 531' AMSL accessed by existing entrance on Rt. 20 and existing gravel drive. Only a short extension of the existing gravel drive is necessary for access. • Establish a 20' x 35' wood -fenced compound. • Install a 106' -tall monopole; base at 531.21' AMSL, top at 637.21' AMSL. • Install a 149.28 sf covered steel platform for equipment cabinets, transmitter, generator and other equipment. • Install 1 array, consisting of 6 remote radio heads and 6 antennas, mounted such that the back of the antennas shall not be more than 1' 2-7/16" from the face of the monopole. • Proposed antennas measure almost 8' tall x 1' 2" wide x 8.2" deep. • Pole, antennas and base station equipment to be painted SW 6090 java brown. ANALYSIS REGARDING THE GROUND EQUIPMENT A Certificate of Appropriateness from the ARB is required for the base equipment portion of this proposed telecommunications facility in the Entrance Corridor. 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 Issues Recommendations Accessory structures and equipment 17 The following should be screened to eliminate The ground equipment is not expected to be visible from the None. visibility from the Entrance Corridor street: Rt. 20 Entrance Corridor due to the distance from the street, e) Mechanical equipment existing trees along the EC frontage, wooded area to remain, and topogra h . F.Mr.1W&IK's ;31[e3:1; 11WOW KI1:31PYM'913aIamIDoOF.To101r1 The ARB may act in an advisory capacity to the Agent as to whether the facility is being sited to minimize its visibility. Ref I Guideline I Issues I Recommendations 33 The relationship of buildings A balloon test was conducted on May 10, 2017 for this proposal. Given the extremely limited degree of and other structures to the The Route 20 Entrance Corridor was traveled to determine visibility displayed at the balloon test, the Entrance Corridor street and visibility. The balloon was visible from two locations on the Rt. proposed location of the facility is expected to other development within 20 EC. The balloon was visible through existing trees from to sufficiently minimize the visibility of the the corridor should be as vantage points approximately 700' — 875' north of the parcel monopole from the Route 20 EC such that follows: entrance on Rt. 20. The balloon was difficult to locate and no negative impact on the Entrance Corridor f. The placement of travelers are not likely to notice a monopole from this location. is anticipated. structures on the site should The balloon was also visible from Carter's Bridge, respect existing views and approximately 2500' south of the site entrance. When seen from Revise the note on Sheet C5 that reads vistas on and around the site. this vantage point, the balloon floated just above the treetops. A "proposed light pole" to read "proposed monopole in this location at this height is likely to appear to be monopole". part of the wooded area and it is not expected to have a negative impact on the EC. However, two notes on Sheet C5 — those Revise the note on Sheet C5 to indicate that regarding the type of pole and the distance between antennas the distance from the back of the antenna to and pole — are in error. the face of the pole is 1' 2-7/16". 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, for the ground equipment and base station. Reuardine visibilitv of the monopole: Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendation to the Agent: The ARB finds that the facility is expected to have minimal visibility and is not expected to have a negative visual impact on the Entrance Corridor. However, the following revisions to the plans are required for accuracy: 1. Revise the note on Sheet C5 that reads "proposed light pole" to read "proposed monopole". 2. Revise the note on Sheet C5 to indicate that the distance from the back of the antenna to the face of the pole is 1' 2-7/16". TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Revision Date T1 Title Sheet 3/22/17 G1 General Notes G2 Erosion Control Notes CO Area Map C1 Existing Conditions C2 Existing Vegetation Plan C3 Overall Site Plan C4 Enlarged Site Plan C5 Elevation C6 Grading & Erosion Control Plan C7 Construction Details C8 Construction Details C9 VFP Equipment Platform Details C10 VFP Equipment Elevation Details El Riser Diagram & Grounding Schematic E2 Grounding Plan E3 Grounding Details Paint Chip, site photos, antenna specs