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HomeMy WebLinkAboutARB201700123 Staff Report 2018-01-03ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD STAFF REPORT Project #/Name ARB-2017-123: Keswick PWSF Tier 3 Review Type Advisory Review Parcel Identification 09400000003900 Location Southwest corner of the I-64Black Cat Road (Rt. 616) interchange Zoned Rural Areas (RA) and Commercial (C1) [split zoning]/Entrance Corridor (EC) Owner/Applicant Virginia Oil, Inc./Donohue & Stearns, PLC (Edward L. Donohue) Magisterial District Scottsville Proposal To establish a telecommunications facility consisting of a 149' steel monopole with associated equipment. Context The subject parcel lies between the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 and Route 250 (Richmond Road), west of Route 616 (Black Cat Road). The wooded, undeveloped parcel is surrounded by mostly residential properties. The 12.49-acre parcel is split zoned, with the eastern third zoned Commercial (C1) and the western two-thirds zoned Rural Area (RA). The abutting property to the west is under a conservation easement. The parcel lies within the Monticello Viewshed and in the Rural Area 2 Comprehensive Plan Area. Visibility See page 3. ARB Meeting Date January 8, 2018 Staff Contact Heather McMahon PROJECT HISTORY DATE APPLICATION RESULT 3/20/2017 ARB-2017-10 Boyd Tavern Market Initial SDP to be sited on eastern third of theparcel) was reviewed and comments provided. 12/8/2017 ARB-2017-123 Balloon test conducted for the current proposal. 1/8/2018 ARB-2017-123 ARB will conduct an Advisory Review for a Tier 3 PWSF. PROJECT DETAILS The applicant proposes to install a 149-foot-tall pole (with the top of the pole at 150 feet above ground level) and associated base mechanical equipment within a 12.49-acre vacant parcel. The monopole will replace a 152.5-foot-tall lattice telecommunications structure located on the adjacent property to the west. The intent is to replace the existing structure without disrupting cellular network services or losing coverage. The assemblage will be located within a cleared 100-foot by 100-foot lease area; no mature trees stand within the lease area, and the existing trees on the northern boundary of the property (approximately 25 feet deep on site) will remain. The pole and base equipment will be located in a fenced compound measuring 70 feet by 70 feet, located approximately 125 feet from the southern edge of the exit ramp (# 129, for Route 616) on the eastbound lanes of I- 64, an Entrance Corridor, and within approximately 2,000 feet from the northern edge of Route 250 (Richmond Road), also an Entrance Corridor. The proposed fence is eight feet tall and of wooden post construction. Access will be provided through a 12-foot-wide double gate on the fence's northern elevation. A 20-foot-wide access and utility easement will contain a 12-foot-wide gravel road that follows an existing trail; it will extend from the proposed service station development on the eastern edge of the subject parcel to the northern edge of the lease area, between the fenced compound and the southern edge of the I-64 right-of-way. Ninety-one extant trees are to be removed within the 20-foot easement area. The applicant has proposed to plant 27 Nellie Stevens hollies around the exterior perimeter of the fence, spaced no farther than 10 feet apart. Planting size is specified as 1.75" caliper, five feet high, with a "minimum radius of four feet." The base mechanical equipment will lie atop compound gravel and will include: a proposed shelter for Sprint; a proposed shelter for U.S. Cellular; a proposed Kohler generator on a concrete pad; a proposed 25-foot by 12-foot concrete equipment pad for AT&T; a proposed 18-foot by 9-foot concrete equipment pad for T-Mobile; two proposed H-frames; a proposed Verizon generator on a concrete pad; a proposed 30-foot by 12-foot concrete equipment pad for Verizon Wireless; five proposed ice bridges between the concrete equipment pads and the monopole; and a proposed Generac generator on a concrete pad. The monopole, measuring 65 inches in diameter at its base and tapering to 26 inches in diameter at its top, rises 150 feet above ground level. (This height does not include the two -foot -tall, one -inch -diameter grounding rod that will extend from the top of the monopole or the highest antenna which appears to extend 1 foot above the top of the pole.) Made of galvanized steel, the base of the pole is at 431.2' AMSL while the top of the pole is 581.2' AMSL (583.2' AMSL including the lightning rod). The monopole and antennas will be painted Sherwin Williams #6090 "Java Brown," a matte enamel color which has been previously approved on "treetop" PWSF monopoles in Albemarle County. A mounting platform measuring 12.5-feet long and frames will allow for three to six antennas in each array. Five arrays are proposed; they have centerlines at 147 feet above ground level (AGL), 132 feet AGL, 112 feet AGL, 99 feet AGL, and 90 feet AGL. A total of 88 antennas (twenty six distinct antenna models) are proposed; dimensions vary, but all antennas are less than 1,400 square inches in size. (Individual antenna sizes have not been provided.) OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION FCC regulations would apply to a tower constructed as proposed in this application. The regulations would limit the County's ability to review additional uses and modifications to the facility once constructed. The County may only deny changes to the facility if: • The tower is increased in height by more than 20 feet; or • Antenna or other equipment would protrude more than 20 feet from the tower; or • More than 4 ground -based cabinets are added; or • Excavation occurs outside the lease area; or • The change would defeat concealment elements. Please see Attachment A for additional information on this issue. Special Exceptions are required as outlined in the following table. Standard Requirement Special Exception Requested Applicant's Reasoning Staff Comment 5.1.40(b)(2)(a) Number of arrays. The total Request to allow five arrays, Five carriers are represented The five arrays will be highly number of arrays of antennas shall not two more than allowed without presently on the existing visible. Because vertical exceed three (3). All types of antennas and exception. 152.5-foot tall lattice separation is required between dishes, regardless of their use, shall be structure on the adjacent arrays, each additional array counted toward the limit of three arrays. parcel to the west. increases pole height and visibility. 5.1.40.b(2)(c) Projection shall be no greater Request to allow a mounting The applicant states the arrays The array mounting platform will than 12" from facility to closest point of platform that measures 12.5' in require this mounting system. be highly visible, much more so back of antenna and no greater than 18" to length and therefore exceeds than if the antennas were flush - furthest point of back of antenna. the 18" projection limit. mounted. 21.7 Minimum Yard Requirements. No Request to allow clearing and The applicant had not yet The clearing and grading is not construction activity including grading or grading within the 20' buffer. formally applied for this expected to impact the view from clearing of vegetation shall occur closer exception at the time this the ECs. than twenty (20) feet to any residential or report was written. rural areas district. 5.1.40.b.9. Diameter of monopole. The Request for a pole that The applicant had not yet A larger pole will be more visible. maximum base diameter of the monopole measures 65 inches at the base formally applied for this Smaller, shorter, tree -top poles shall be thirty (30) inches and the maximum and 26 inches at the top. exception at the time this would have significantly reduced diameter at the top of the monopole shall be report was written. visibility and a more appropriate eighteen (18) inches. appearance for the EC. VISIBILITY At the December 8, 2017 balloon test, the Route 250 and I-64 Entrance Corridors were traveled to determine visibility. While visibility of the balloon, and therefore the proposed monopole, was fleeting as viewed from the I-64 travel lanes, the proposed pole and the proposed fenced compound that will hold the base equipment will be visible through the existing trees from the exit ramp (#129, for Route 616) off of the eastbound lanes. [Figure 1] Figure]: view of the proposed site, looking south, from the exit (#129, for Rt. 616) off of I-64 eastbound. Note the balloon circled in red, showing that the proposed monopole will be visible from the exit ramps, as will the fenced perimeter and base equipment. Photograph taken by Andrew Knuppel, 1218117. The top of the monopole (excluding grounding rod) extends 71 feet above the top elevation of the 80-foot reference tree and 79 feet above the 73-foot reference tree. From Route 250 [Figure 2], this projected pole height resulted in a view of the balloon as much as 30 feet or more above the tops of surrounding tree lines to the north, south, and west. An equal height of monopole will be visible above the trees, but the pole and antennas will be more visible than the balloon on a string (as discussed above under Special Exceptions). Figure 2: view of the proposed monopole location from the north side of Route 250, at the intersection with Three Chopt Road (Rt. 794). Note the balloon circled in red. Existing facility on adjacent parcel is visible to the left. Photograph taken by Heather McMahon, 1218117 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 The access drive and fenced compound will be visible from the exit Create denser vegetative eliminate visibility from the Entrance ramp from the eastbound lanes of I-64 but will not be visible from screening on the northern Corridor street: Route 250. The eight -foot -tall fencing will obscure the ground property line to eliminate e) Mechanical equipment equipment from view from the I-64 EC. The applicant has proposed visibility of the fenced planting 27 Nellie Stevens hollies around the fenced perimeter of the compound from the EC. compound, spaced no more than 10-feet apart. They are proposed to be Consider alternative planted at 1.75" caliper and 5' in height, with a 4' "radius." The fence, landscaping closer to the and the seven shrubs on its north face, will have an unnatural compound to more appearance and will look out of place in this location. Landscape successfully integrate the screening added along the northern property line would further reduce facility into the visibility and alternative landscaping closer to the compound and could landscape. integrate the facility more successfully into the landscape. 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 The fleeting views of the monopole from the I-64 travel lanes are not As proposed, the facility will have a and other structures to the expected to have a negative impact on the EC. The view of the facility negative visual impact on the Entrance Entrance Corridor street and from the I-64 exit ramp, however, is significant. Denser vegetation Corridor. Given the degree of visibility to other development within along the northern property line could sufficiently mitigate the impacts displayed at the balloon test, the the corridor should be as of this view. On the Route 250 EC west of the property, the balloon proposed location of the facility will follows: f. The placement of was visible as much as 30 feet or more above the trees at vantage not sufficiently minimize the visibility structures on the site should points approximately 2,000 feet southwest of the proposed tower site. of the monopole from the Route 250 respect existing views and In most of these views, especially southwest of the proposed site, the EC. Visibility from the I-64 exit ramp vistas on and around the site. balloon was sky -lit, meaning there is no backdrop of trees to help may be mitigated with additional mitigate the view of the monopole (cf. Figure 2). This degree of landscape screening. visibility can't be mitigated with additional landscaping and is not appropriate for the EC. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Regarding the Certificate of Appropriateness for the round equipment and base station: Because the proposed facility is not consistent with all applicable guidelines, staff recommends the following revision to the proposal for the base equipment. 1. Create denser landscape screening on the northern property line to eliminate visibility of the fenced compound from the EC. 2. Consider alternative landscaping closer to the compound to more successfully integrate the facility into the landscape. Regarding visibility of the monopole: Staff recommends that the ARB forward the following recommendations to the Agent: 1. The ARB finds that the proposed location will not sufficiently minimize the visibility of the monopole from the Entrance Corridors. a. Additional landscape screening could sufficiently mitigate the view from the I64 exit ramp. b. Landscape screening cannot mitigate the visual impacts of the proposal on the Rt. 250 EC. 2. The special exceptions requested for the number of arrays, standoff distance, and pole diameter will serve to further increase the visibility of the facility and are, therefore, not supported. TABLE A This report is based on the following submittal items: Sheet # Drawing Name Latest Drawing Date T-1 Title Sheet 12-4-17 1 of 2 Survey Plat 12-1-17 2 of 2 Tree Survey 12-1-17 A-0 Site Plan - Proposed 12-4-17 A-1 Compound Plan - Proposed 12-4-17 A-2 Tower Elevation - Proposed 12-4-17 A-3 Tree Height Diagram 12-4-17 A-4 Fence Details 12-4-17 E&S-1 Site Erosion & Sediment Control Plan 12-4-17 E&S-2 Erosion & Sediment Control Plan 12-4-17 E&S-3 Erosion & Sediment Control Plan 12-4-17 E&S-4 Access Road Profiles 12-4-17 E&S-5 Silt Fence Details & Notes 12-4-17 E&S-6 Temporary Construction Entrance Details 12-4-17 E&S-7 Outlet Protection Details & Notes E&S-8 Outlet Protection Details & Notes E&S-9 Culvert Inlet Protection Details E&S-10 Erosion & Sediment Control Notes E&S-11 Civil Details 12-4-17 E&S-12 TRM-On-Slopes Details E&S-13 Turf Reinforcement Matting Details E&S-14 Rock Check Dam Details L-1 Landscaping Plan SP-1 General Notes - Memorandum from Ed Donahue to Bill Fritz 12-6-17 - Photo package from October 19, 2017, October 20, 2017, and the December 8, 2017 balloon test [18 pages of photographs and photo simulations] 12-8-17 ATTACHMENT A .(��M 1./44 J, 't. \I I Counts of Albemarle Department of C'ommunits• Development Memorandum To: Christopher Perez From: Bill Fritz, UCP Date: March 21, 2016 Subject: SP 2016-04 Albemarle High School Communication Facility If this application is approved it will be impacted by the FCC's action published January- 8. 2015 which includes provisions addressing State and Local Review of Applicatiom for Wireless Service Facility Modification. The FCC rule. in part, limits the ability of the County to review additional uses and modifications to wireless facilities. The County's ability to deny additional antenna. modification of antenna and increases in the tower height is limited. The County may only deny changes to the facility if The tower is increased in height by more than 20 feet: or Antenna or other equipment would protrude more than twenty feet from the tower, or More than four ground based cabinets are added; or Excavation occurs outside the lease area: or The change would defeat concealment elements. The Zoning Ordinance defines "conceahment elements of the eligible support structure" (this tower if approved would be an eligible support structure): *'C'oncealtlent elements of the eligible support structure: Any condition of approvaL including any applicable requirement of section 5.1.40 in effect at the time of approval, established and imposed on the personal wireless service facility as a concealment technique and which includes conditions or regulations pertaining to antenna size. color of the structure and all equipment, antenna mounting techniques. including the requirement that antennas be flush mounted. maximnmi tower diameters at the base and top, limitations on tower height relative to a reference tree. screening by trees including the restrictions on removing trees that are screening the tower. siting towers so that they are not slylighted. requirements as to how cables should be located on a tower. and the sine. location design. and screening for ground based equipment... It is recommended that staff identify for the Board what if any features of the facility may be considered "concealment elements of the eligible support suuctme'. If the Board of Supervisors approves this request it is recommended that they identify what. if anyconditions of approval should be considered "concealment elements of the eligible support structure'. Without citing any "concealment elements of the eligible support structure" the Countywill be required to approve any requested changes that do not violate limitations cited above. If you would like something to be prepared as an attachment for the staff report please let me know and I will prepare something.