HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportSTAFF REPORT
Item: Public hearing and consideration of a conditional use permit for a 167.5'
telecommunications tower at 200 .Cooney. (Planning Case. No. 97-704)
Item Summary: The subject location is on the southeast corner of Cooney and Jane Street. The
two lots are currently zoned A-P and. are vacant: The Cooney subdivision is an .older residential
area that has a substantial amount of light and. general commercial zoning along the periphery
fronting on University Drive and Texas Avenue.. Most of the block that contains the subject
property is zoned'A-P but is still. used argely for residential uses. The A-P classification on this
block could eventually act as a buffer zone between the heavier commercial near Texas Avenue
and the residential zoning on the. interior.
To the north across Cooney there is an electrical substation and amulti-family building. zoned R-5.
Immediately to the east and south there are single family homes that are also zoned R-5. Property
to the west across lane is zoned C-1 and contains office buildings,_retail commercial, a service
station, and a bank complex.
Policy Issue Statement: The following: Council Vision for the 2 st Century is applicable:
Civic Pride -Citizens benefit ..from .well.-planned, attractive.. residential and commercial
areas, and from preserving historic areas.
Item Background: To date, several cell towers. have .been approved by the P&Z as conditional
uses. These have all been located in the undeveloped areas of the City. The needs of the industry
are resulting in additional sites.being sought in the urbanized area of the City. Such uses arelisted
as conditional uses in most of the City'si commercial zoning districts.
For additional information regarding .recent federal legislation-.governing .commercial .cellular
towers, please see attached memorandum.
Budgetary & Financial Summary:. NA
Staff Recommendations: Staff generally does not make recommendations regarding Conditional
Uses.. Should the Commission find that the subject site is uitable -for the proposed use, Staff
recommends that approval be conditioned on all PRC comments.
Related. Advisory Board Recommendations: The PRC reviewed the site plan on April 16 and
recommends that there be screening installed :around the .base of the tower.. The applicant has
chosen to accomplish this screening with a wooden fence on two sides of the chain. link security
fence. The remaining two sides are to be screened with existing wooden fences that are located on
the property lines.
City Attorney Recommendation/Comments: Section 14 of the Zoning Ordinance authorizes the
existence of conditional uses. The Commission .may permit a conditional use subject to
appropriate conditions and safeguards, when after public. notice and hearing the Commission finds
that
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1. The proposed use meets all the. minimum standards established in the ordinance for the
type of use proposed;
2. That the proposed: use meets the purpose and intent of the ordinance and is in harmony
with the development policies and goals and objectives as embodied in the Comprehensive Plan for
Development of the City; and
3. That the proposed use will not be detrimental to the health, welfare, and safety of the
surrounding neighborhood or its occupants, nor be substantially or permanently injurious to
neighboring property.
The Commission may impose additional reasonable xestrictions or conditions to carry out the spirit
and intent of the ordinance and to mitigate adverse effects of the proposed use. These. requirements
may include, but are not limitedto, increased open space, loading and parking requirements,
additional landscaping, and additional improvements such as curbing, sidewalks and screening.
Commission Action Options: Approval, approval with conditions, or denial of the use.
Supporting Materials:
1. Location Map
2. Application
3. Engineering Information and Notification Information
4. Presubmission Conference Report or PRC report.
5. Letter'from the applicant
6. Memorandum regarding cellular towers.
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ENGINEERING
Water: Fire protectionis currently available to this site.
Sewer: Not applicable.
Streets: This cite will take access to Jane Street which is classified as a residential
street, but is adequate to serve the proposed use.
Off-site Easements:. Not applicable.
Sidewalks: Will not be required as a part of site plan amendment.
Drainage: This proposed site will have a minimal impact upon the drainage system.
Flood Plain: According to the FEMA FIRM. maps, this property is not,located within
the 100-year flood plain.
Oversize request: Not applicable.
Parkland Dedication: Not required.
Impact Fees: Not required: in this area.
NOTIFICATION:
Legal Notice Publication(s): 4-16-97
Advertised Commission Hearing Dates(s): 5-1-97
Advertised- Council Hearing Dates:. Not applicable.
Number of Notices Mailed to Property Owners Within 200: 21 (additional cards
were ent to area residents that are not homeowners)
Response Received: One inquiry as of date of staff report
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