HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportSTAFF REPORT
Item: Public hearing and consideration of a conditional use permit fora 150' telecommunications
tower at 3400 Longmire. (Planning Case No. 97-717)
Item Summary: The subject location is on the Longmire Self-Storage Site on Longmire between
Ponderosa and Rock Prairie Road. The surrounding area is a mix of commercial, research and
development, and industrial commercial uses with residential uses further away from Longmire to
the west. The lot is currently zoned C-2 Industrial Commercial with R-2 Duplex zoning
immediately to the north, The nearest residential building is located roughly 100'-150' from the
proposed tower. The proposed lease site is to be located roughly 50' from the nearest duplex lot.
The tower is o be a monopole style construction.. The lease space will contain no buildings but
will contain .equipment cabinets. The .area within the lease space will be a combination of gravel
with concrete: under the heavier equipment,
Policy Issue Statement: The following Council Vision for the 21st 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. Two. of 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
are listed as conditional uses in most of the City's :commercial zoning districts. Two more recent
sites have been approved for cellular towers -- :one at Cooner and one at Southwood. Both urban
sites were immediately adjacent to multi-family zoning.
The City Staff has been working with a telecommunications tower subcommittee to prepare an
ordinance .amendment that will more,adequately regulate such towers. A draft of that amendment
will .come before the Commission before the end of the year.
Budgetary & Financial Summary: N/A
Staff Recommendations: 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: (Staff comments
are in italics)
'III
1. "The proposed. use meets all the minimum standards established in the ordinance for the
type of use proposed." The Project Review Committee reviewed the site plan on October 22 and
found compliance with most of the required developmentstandards.
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." Due to the zoning of the property, commercial immediately adfoins
residentially developed land in the .area.. The Land Use Plan .reflects the zoning in the area.
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Staff does have some concern regarding the proximity. of the proposed site to the duplex
properties and buildings. Some of the negative impacts maybe mitigated by screening.
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 public hearing is an opportunity for the Commission to measure the
potential impact on surrounding land uses.
"The .Commission may impose. additional reasonable restrictions: 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 limited to, increased open space, loading and parking
requirements, additional landscaping, and additional improvements such. as curbing, sidewalks and
screening."
.Unless the .public hearing. brings to light any new information indicating potential negative
impacts,. Staff recommends: approval with the conditions listed in the PRC report as well as
additional screening requirements of an 8' wooden fence around .the perimeter of the lease site
and shrubs across the front nearest Longmire.
Related Advisory Board Recommendations: See PRC Report
City Attorney Recommendation/Comments: No concerns expressed.
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. PRC report
5. Letter from the applicant
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ENGINEERING
Water: Fire protection is currently available to this site.
Sewer: Not,applicable.
Streets: This site will. take access to Longmire which 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): The Eagle; October 22, 1997
Advertised Commission Hearing Dates(s): November 6, 1996.
Advertised Council Hearing Dates: Not. applicable.
Number of Notices. Mailed to Property Owners Within 200': 25 (additional cards
were sent to area residents that are. not homeowners)
', Response. Received:. One inquiry as of date of staff report
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