99SN0134.PDFNovember 24, 1998 BS
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
99SN0134
(AMENDED)
Sprint PCS
Dale Magisterial District
4300 Beulah Road
REQUEST: (AMENDED) Conditional Use Planned Development to permit a communications
tower in an Agricultural (A) District.
(NOTE: The applicant has withdrawn that portion of the request for a height exception.
Since the Commission's consideration of this case, it has been determined that a height
exception is not required to accommodate this use. The Board should acknowledge this
withdrawal.)
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A conununications tower and associated improvements are planned. The tower will
be incorporated into the architectural treatment of the steeple of Saint Augustine's
Catholic Church.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS ON PAGES 2 AND 3.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend that the Board acknowledge withdrawal of the height exception.
Recommend approval of the amended application for the following reasons:
The Public Facilities Plan suggests that communications tower locations should
generally be located to minimize the impact on existing or planned areas of
development. The tower would be incorporated into the architectural treatment of
an existing church. The addition of the communications facilities into the church
steeple would not a visually impact the area. Therefore, tiffs proposal conforms to
the locational criteria of the Plan.
Incorporating the communications facilities into a church steeple will eliminate the
need for an additional freestanding communications tower in the area, thereby
minimizing tower proliferation.
Co
Incorporating the communications facilkies into an existing church steeple also
conforms to Guidelines for Review of Substantial Accord Determinations and/or
Zoning Approval for Communications Tower Locations which suggests towers near
high visibility areas, such as along major traffic corridors, should whenever
possible be architecturally incorporated into the design of a building.
Do
The recommended conditions will further minimize the possibility of any adverse
impact on area development, the Chesterfield County Public Safety Trunked
System or the County Airport.
(NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNER MAY PROFFER
CONDITIONS. THE CONDITIONS NOTED WITH "STAFF/CPC" WERE AGREED UPON
BY BOTH STAFF AND THE COMMISSION. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A "STAFF" ARE
RECOMMENDED SOLELY BY STAFF. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A "CPC" ARE
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.)
(STAFF/CPC
The antennas shall be incorporated into the architecture of the
existing church steeple, generally as depicted in the elevations
prepared by Matrix Engineering, entitled St. Augustine, and dated
July 30, t998. The exact architectural treatment, to include
architectural style, materials, colors and textures, shall be approved
by the Planning Department. (P)
(STAFF/CPC
In conjunction with site plan submission, the owner/developer shall
submit documentation as to whether FAA approval is required for
the erection Of the tower. If FAA approval is required, prior to
release of a building permit, a copy of FAA approval shall be
submitted to the Planning Department. (P)
(STAFF/CPC
The tower and equipment shall be designed and installed so as not
to interfere with the Chesterfield County Public Safety Trunked
System. At the time of site plan review, the owner/developer shall
submit informaf~on as deemed necessary by the Chesterfield County
Communications and Electronics staff to determine if an engineering
study should be performed to analyze the possibility of radio
frequency interference with the County system, based upon the
frequencies and effective radiated power generated by tower-
mounted equipment. Prior to release of a building permit the study,
2
99SN0134/WP/NOV240
if required, shall be submitted to, and approved by, the Chesterfield
County Cormnunications and Electronics staff. (GS)
(STAFF/CPC)
The developer shall be responsible for correcting any frequency
problems which affect the Chesterfield County Public Safety
Trunked System caused by this use. Such corrections shall be made
immediately upon notification by the Chesterfield County
Communications and Electronics staff. (GS)
(STAFF/CPC)
Any mechanical equipment, including all cabling, shall comply with
Sections 19-570 (b) and (c) and 19-595 of the Zoning Ordinance
relative to architectural treatment of building exteriors and screening
of mechanical equipment. (P)
(NOTE: This condition would require the screening of mechanical
equipment, including antennas and cabling associated with the tower
use, fi:om adjacent properties and public rights of way.)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
Northwest quadrant of Beulah and Hopkins Roads and better known as 4300 Beulah Road.
Tax ID 781-679-1956 (Sheet 22).
Existing Zonine:
A
Size:
8.7 acres
Public/semi-public (church)
Adjacent Zoning & Land Uses:
North - R-7 and C-2 with Conditional Use Planned Development; Public/semi-public
(church facilities)
South - A; Single family residential or vacant
East - C-2 and C-3; Public/semi-public (church facilities) and commercial
West - R-7; Single family residential
3 99SN0134/WP/NOV240
UTILITIES
The tower and associated equipment will not require the use of the public water and wastewater
systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Drainage and Erosion:
No existing or anticipated on- or off-site drainage or erosion problems with the
improvements to accommodate the tower. A land disturbance permit is not required if less
than 2,500 square feet of land area is disturbed by the construction of the tower and
associated improvements.
PUBLIC FACILITIES
Fire Service and Transportation:
This use will have a minimal impact on these facilities.
COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS
The Zoning Ordinance requires that any structure over eighty (80) feet in height be reviewed by
the County's Public Safety Review Team for potential detrimental hnpacts the structure could have
on the County's Radio Comnmnications System microwave paths. This determination must be
made prior to erection of the proposed tower.
A preliminary review of this tower proposal has indicated that the facility will not interfere with
the County's communication system; however, as a further precaution, a condition should be
imposed to ensure that the tower is designed and constructed so as not to interfere with the
Chesterfield County Public Safety Trunked System (Condition 3). Once the tower is in operation,
if interference occurs, the owner/developer should be required to correct any problems.
(Condition 4)
COUNTY AIRPORT
A preliminary review of this tower proposal has indicated that the facility will not interfere with
the operation of the County Airport; however, as a further precaution, if this request is approved,
any necessary FAA approvals for this facility should be obtained prior to the release of a building
permit. (Condition 2)
4 99SN0134/WP/N OV240
LAND USE
Comprehensive Plan:
The request property lies within the boundaries of the Central Area Plan which suggests
the property is appropriate for residential use of 2.51 to 4.0 units per acre.
The Public Facilities Plan, an element of the Comprehensive Plan, suggests that energy and
communications uses should be located to minimize impacts on existing and future areas
of development.
Area Development Trends:
The request property has been developed as a church (Saint Augustine's Catholic Church).
Area properties are zoned agriculturally, residentially and commercially and have been
developed for a mix of residences in subdivisions and on acreage parcels, public/semi-
public uses, and commercial uses in proximity, to the Beulah/Hopkins Roads intersection.
It is anticipated that these development patterns will continue.
Site Design:
As noted herein, the request property is occupied by a church. The proposed
communications tower would consist of antennas and associated mechanical equipment
incorporated into the church steeple.
Architectural Treatment:
Condition 1 would require that the antennas be incorporated into the architecture of the
church. Condition 5 would require that cabling and other associated equipment, needed
to accormnodate the tower use, also be architecturally incorporated into the building and
that the views of junction boxes be minimized.
CONCLUSIONS
The Public Facilities Plan suggests that communications tower locations should generally be
located to minimize the impact on existing or planned areas of development. The tower would be
incorporated into the architectural treatment of an existing, permitted church. This proposal
conforms to the location criteria of the Plan and will eliminate the need for an additional
freestanding communications tower in the area, thereby minimizing tower proliferation.
incorporating the conununications facilities into an existing church steeple also conforms to
Guidelines for Review of Substantial Accord Determinations and/or Zoning Approval tbr
Conmmnications Tower Locations which suggests towers near high visibility areas, such as along
5 99SN0134/WP/NOV240
major traffic corridors, should whenever possible be architecturally incorporated into the design
of a building. The recommended conditions will further minimize the possibility of any adverse
impact on area development, the Chesterfield County Public Safety Trunked System or the County
Airport.
Given these considerations, approval of this request is recommended.
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (10/20/98):
The applicant accepted the recommendation. There was no opposition present.
The Commission acknowledged withdrawal of the setback exception. On motion of Mr.
Miller, seconded by Mr. Gulley, the Commission recommended approval of this request
subject to the conditions on pages 2 and 3.
AYES: Unanimous.
Further, the Commission found this proposal to be in substantial accord with the
Comprehensive Plan.
Applicant (11/17/98):
It was determined that a height exception is not required.
withdrew that portion of the request.
Therefore, the applicant
The Board of Supervisors, on Tuesday, November 24, 1998, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will take
under consideration this request.
6 99SNO134/WP/NOV240
,4
99SNOI34(AMENDED) -
P.D.
SH. 22
DR,
WONN££
P?OPOSE. D SITE
. -.
99SN0134 (Amended)
In Dale Magisterial District, SPRINT PCS requested
Conditional Use Planned Development and amendment of zoning
district map to permit a communications tower and height
exception in an Agricultural (A) District. A communications
tower incorporated into the steeple of a church facility is
planned. The density of such amendment will be controlled
by zoning conditions or Ordinance standards. The
Comprehensive Plan suggests the property is appropriate for
residential use of 2.51 to 4.0 units per acre. This request
lies on 8.7 acres known as 4300 Beulah Road. Tax ID 781
679 1956 (Sheet 22).
Mr. Poole presented a summary of Case 99SN0134 and stated
that the Planning Commission and staff recommends approval
subject to conditions. He further stated that staff
recommends that the Board acknowledge withdrawal of the
height exception. He
noted that the proposed request conforms to the siting
11/24/98
98 877
criteria for towers.
Mr. Chuck Rothenberg, representing the applicant, stated
that the recommendation including the withdrawal of the
height exception is acceptable.
There was no opposition present.
On motion of Mr. Daniel, seconded by Mr. Barber, the Board
acknowledged withdrawal of the height exception and approved
Case 99SN0134 subject to the following conditions:
1 The antennas shall be incorporated into the
architecture of the existing church steeple, generally
as depicted in the elevations prepared by Matrix
Engineering, entitled St. Augustine, and dated July
30, 1998. The exact architectural treatment, to
include architectural style, materials, colors and
textures, shall be approved by the Planning
Department. (P)
In conjunction with site plan submission, the
owner/developer shall submit documentation as to
whether FAA approval is required for the erection of
the tower. If FAA approval is required, prior to
release of a building permit, a copy of FAA approval
shall be submitted to the Planning Department. (P)
The tower and equipment shall be designed and
installed so as not to interfere with the Chesterfield
County Public Safety Trunked System. At the time of
site plan review, the owner/developer shall submit
information as deemed necessary by the Chesterfield
County Communications and Electronics staff to
determine if an engineering study should be performed
to analyze the possibility of radio frequency
interference with the County system, based upon the
frequencies and effective radiated power generated by
tower mounted equipment. Prior to release of a
building permit the study, if required, shall be
submitted to, and approved by, the Chesterfield County
Communications and Electronics staff. (GS)
The developer shall be responsible for correcting any
frequency problems which affect the Chesterfield
County Public Safety Trunked System caused by this
use. Such corrections shall be made immediately upon
notification by the Chesterfield County Communications
and Electronics staff. (GS)
Any mechanical equipment, including all cabling, shall
comply with Sections 19 570 (b) and (c) and 19 595 of
the Zoning Ordinance relative to architectural
treatment of building exteriors and screening of
mechanical equipment. (P)
(NOTE: This condition would require the screening of
mechanical equipment, including antennas and cabling
associated with the tower use, from adjacent
properties and public rights of way.)
11/24/98
98 878
Ayes: Humphrey, Warren, Barber, Daniel, and McHale.
Nays: None.
11/24/98
98 879