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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00073011CITY OF COLLEGE STATION DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 1101 Texas Avenue South, PO Box 9960 College Station, Texas 77842 Phone (979)764 -3570 / Fax (979)764 -3496 TO: lie FROM: Susan Hazlett, Staff Assistant DATE: June 4, 2002 RE: StaffReport/Project Presentation P &Z Meeting, June 6, 2002 Following this coversheet is a copy of the Staff Report that was prepared for the following project. Please keep in mind that stars responsibility is to provide the Planning & Zoning Commission with all pertinent facts of a development case, but that staff is not acting as an advocate for the applicants. Therefore, it is in the applicant's best interest to send a representative to the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting to speak on behalf of the proposal. This item is scheduled for the Thursday, June 6, 2002 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting. This meeting will begin at 7:00 P.M. in City Hall Council Chambers. I have included a copy of the agenda for this meeting. Please contact our office at (979)764- 3570 if you should have any questions. Thanks. CITY OF COLLEGE STATION DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 1101 Texas Avenue South, PO Box 9960 College Station, Texas 77842 Phone (979)764 -3570 / Fax (979)764 -3496 To: FROM: Susan Hazlett, Staff Assistant DATE: June 4, 2002 RE: StaffReport/Project Presentation P &Z Meeting, June 6, 2002 Following this coversheet is a copy of the Staff Report that was prepared for the following project. Please keep in mind that staffs responsibility is to provide the Planning & Zoning Commission with all pertinent facts of a development case, but that staff is not acting as an advocate for the applicants. Therefore, it is in the applicant's best interest to send a representative to the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting to speak on behalf of the proposal. This item is scheduled for the Thursday, June 6, 2002 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting. This meeting will begin at 7:00 P.M. in City Hall Council Chambers. I have included a copy of the agenda for this meeting. Please contact our office at (979)764- 3570 if you should have any questions. Thanks. STAFF REPORT Project Manager: Jennifer Reeves Date: March 28, 2002 Email: jreeves @ci.college - station.tx.us Item: Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on a Conditional Use Permit for the Haskins Wireless Telecommunication Transmission Tower located at 207 Dominik Drive. (02- 00500099) Applicant: Sprint Com, Inc. Staff Recommendation: Staff is recommending denial based on the negative impact to the adjacent neighborhood, as well as the information submitted by the applicant including the visual impact simulation. Staff does not believe that a 118 -foot tower in this location meets the Stealth Technology ordinance provision. Item Summary: The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit for a new 118 -ft. stealth tower located between Blue Baker and College Hills Veterinarian Clinic. Access to the site will be taken off of Dominik Drive. The property is currently zoned C -1 General Commercial. Because the tower will be stealth, it will not have to meet the separation requirement between towers nor the setback requirement from a major thoroughfare. It is at the Commission's discretion to approve the tower's stealth technology design. The tower does meet the separation requirement from an R -1 zoning boundary. The proposed 118 -ft. stealth tower will be constructed of galvanized steel that is a dark green color. There will be two 6 -ft. arms extended out from the tower twenty feet above the ground. Each arm will have a 70 -watt lithonia light shinning down on the ground equipment. Comprehensive Plan Considerations: The Land Use Plan shows this area to be Redevelopment. Dominik is classified as a major collector on the Thoroughfare Plan. Item Background: The proposed tower's lease space is located in the 1200 square feet of Lot 1 -F, Resubdivision of Lot 1, Block A, Culpepper Plaza Addition. The subject property was annexed in 1956, and platted in 1981. The commission previously approved an 84 -ft. stealth tower at this exact location with the same color and design. This new tower would take the place of the previously approved tower. Staff Recommendations: In addition to the standard CUP guidelines (described below), the Commission shall consider the following additional factors when determining whether to grant a CUP for a telecommunication facility: Created on 05120102 1:19 PM R: WTLTR %PZLTRIPROD%PZ2002VW06197.DOC 1. Height of the proposed tower, surrounding topography and surrounding tress coverage and foliage as they relate to: a. Skyline impact, examining whether the proportions of the structure appears to dominate or blend in with the surrounding environment and b. Shadow impact, whether or not the proposed tower will cast shadows that would prevent the reasonable use of enjoyment or surrounding properties. 2. Design of the tower, with particular reference to design characteristics that have the effect of reducing or eliminating visual obtrusiveness. Definition of Stealth technology or Facility: Design technology that blends the wireless telecommunications facility into surrounding environment; examples of stealth facilities include but are not limited to architecturally screened roof - mounted antennas, building- mounted antennas painted and /or textured to match the existing structure, antennas integrated into architectural elements such as church spires or window wall, and antenna structures designed to resemble light poles or flag poles. 3. Proximity of the tower to residential structures and residential district boundaries. 4. Economic impact on adjacent and nearby properties. 5. Proposed ingress and egress. 6. Availability of suitable alternatives and /or existing support structures. Staff Analysis: 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) 1. "The proposed use meets all the minimum standards established in the ordinance for the type of use proposed." Staff conducted a technical review and found general compliance with development regulations with the exception of the items listed below in the staff recommendation. 2. "That the proposed use meets the purposed 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. The request is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. The intent of the Stealth Technology provision in the ordinance is to encourage creative tower designs that blend into the surrounding environment with minimal visual impact. Based on information submitted by the applicant including the visual impact simulation, staff does not believe Created on OW0102 1:19 PM 2 R: WTLTRIPZLTR %PRODIPZ20021P0006197. DOC that 118 -foot tall tower in this location meets the intent of the Stealth Technology ordinance provision. 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. At a prior public hearing, adjacent residents expressed concerns about the impacts the smaller tower previously approved at this location. Residents have also expressed concerns about the increased impacts associated the proposed taller tower. The public hearing is an opportunity for the Commission to measure additional potential impacts 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 bring to light any new information indicating potential negative impacts, Staff recommends approval with Staff Review Comments. Related Advisory Board Recommendations: Commission Action Options: The Commission has final authority over the Conditional Use Permit and associated site plan. The options regarding the use permit are: 1. Approval as submitted; 2. Approval with conditions relating to specific site characteristics or with time limitations; 3. Denial with specified reasons for denial; 4. Table; or, 5. Defer action to a specified date. Supporting Materials: 1. Location Map 2. Application 3. Copy of Site Plan NOTIFICATION: Created on 052W2 1:19 PM 3 R:WTLTRIPZLTR1PRODIPZ20021 N)"197.DOC Legal Notice Publication(s): The Eagle; 05 -22 -02 Advertised Commission Hearing Dates(s): 06 -06 -02 Number of Notices Mailed to Property Owners Within 200': 53 Response Received: One person has called in opposition as of time of the staff report. Created on 05/2tY1721:19 PM 4 R: WTL nV PZLTRI PROD%PZ20021 P0006197. DOC