02SN0215-May22.pdfMay 22, 2002 BS
STAFF'S
REQUEST ANALYSIS
RECOMMENDATION
02SN0215
VoiceStream Wireless
Midlothian Magisterial District
South line of Forest Hill Avenue
REOUEST: Conditional Use to permit a communications tower in an Agricultural (A)
District.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A communications tower and associated improvements are planned.
Specifically, the tower will be incorporated into the structure of an existing
electrical transmission stmctare located on the property. The tower is
proposed to be !41 feet high; however, the Ordinance would allow 150
feet.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
THE COMMISSION IS SCHEDULED TO CONSIDER THIS REQUEST AND A
SUBSTANTIAL ACCORD REQUEST (02PD0245) ON MAY 21, 2002. IF THE
COMMISSION ACTS ON THIS REQUEST ON MAY 21, 2002, STAFF WILL
ADVISE THE BOARD OF ~ COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION ON MAY
22, 2002, AS WI~LL AS THE COMMISSION'S DETERMINATION ON THE
SUBSTANTIAL ACCORD REQUEST.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval 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
Providing a FIRST CHOICE CommuniO~ Through Excellence in Public Servic~
areas of development and that energy and communications facilities
should co-locate whenever feasible. The communications 'facilities
incorporated into the existing transmission structure do not generate a
visual impact that is significantly greater than the visual impact of the
existing Dominion Virginia Power electrical transmission tower and
conforms to the co-location criteria of the Plan.
Incorporating the communications facilities into an existing Dominion
Virginia Power electrical transmission structure will eliminate the need for
aa additional freestanding communications tower in the area, thereby
minimizing tower proliferation.
Similar communications tower and Dominion Virginia Power structure co-
locations have occurred throughout the County with no known adverse
impacts on nearby development.
Thc recommended conditions will further minimize the possibility of any
adverse impact on area development, the County Communications System
or the County Airport.
(NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNER MAY
PROFFER OTHER 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 TI-IE PLANNING COMMISSION.)
CONDITIONS
(STAFF) 1.
Any corrrmunieations tower shall be co-located on existing utility
structures. (P)
(STAFF) 2.
The tower and equipment shall be designed and installed so as not
to interfere with the Chesterfield County Communications 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
tower location and height, and 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)
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(STAFF)
(STAFF)
The developer shall be responsible for correcting any frequency
problems which affect the Chesterfield County Communications
System caused by this use. Such corrections shall be made
immediately upon notification by the Chesterfield County
Communications and Electronics staff. (GS)
The color and lighting system for the tower shall be as follows:
The tower shall be gray or another neutral color, acceptable
to the Planning Department.
The tower shall not be lighted. (P)
(STAFF)
At such time that the tower ceases to be used for communications
purposes for a period exceeding twelve (12) consecutive months,
the owner/developer shall dismantle and remove the tower and all
associated equipment from the property. (P)
(STAFF)
Any building or mechanical equipment shall comply with Section
19-603 of the Zoning Ordinance relative to architectural treatment
of building exteriors and screening of mechanical equipment. (P)
(NOTE: Section 19-603 would require the screening of
mechanical equipment located on the building or ground from
adjacent properties and public rights of way. Screening would not
be required for the tower or tower-mounted equipment.)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
South line of Forest Hill Avenue, east of Professional Road. Tax ID 759-71g-Part
of 0843 and Part of 2444 (Sheet 3).
Existing Zoning:
A; and A with Conditional Use to permit an office
Size:
0.3 acre
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Existing Land Use:
Public utility (Dominion Virginia Power electrical transmission line) and office
building
Adiacent Zoning. and Land Use:
North, South and West - A with a Conditional Use; public utility, office or vacant
East - City of Richmond; residential
UTILITIES
The proposed use will not necessitate a manned facility; therefore, the use of the public
water and wastewater systems is not required.
ENVIRONMENTAL
If construction of the tower and associated improvements disturbs more than 2,500 square
feet of land, a land disturbance permit will be required.
FIRE AND TRANSPORTATION
The proposed tower and associated equipment will have minimal impact on fire/rescue
services and the transportation network.
COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS
The Zoning Ordinance requires that any structure over eighty (§0) feet in height be
reviewed by the County's Public Safety Review Team for potential detrimental impacts
the stmcmre could have on the County's Radio Communications System microwave
paths. This determination must be made prior to erection of the proposed
communications tower.
A preliminary review of this proposal has indicated that the facility will not interfere with
the County's Communication System; however, as a further precaution, if this request i$
approved, a condition should be imposed to ensure that the tower is designed and
constructed so as not to interfere with the County Communications System (Condition 2).
Once the tower is in operation, if interference occurs, the owner/developer sttould be
required to cmrect any problems. (Condition 3)
COUNTY AIRPORT
A preliminary review of this proposal indicates that, given thc approximate location and
elevation of the proposed installation, it appears the tower will not adversely affect the
County Airport.
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the tower site will be via an existing access road and easement to Forest Hill
Avenue. Due to the proximity to Forest Hill Avenue, the eoramunicatiom tower
should be gray or another neutral color so as to minimize the visual impact on
motorists traveling along the roadway and should not be lighted. (Condition 4)
Consistent with past actions on similar facilities and to ensure that the tower does
not become a maintenance problem or an eyesore, the tower should be removed at
such time that it ceases to be used for communications purposes. (Condition 5)
CONCLUSIONS
The Public Facilities Plan suggests that communications towers should be located to
minimize the impact on existing or planned areas of development and that energy and
communications facilities should co-locate whenever feasible. The communications
tower will be incorporated into an existing, permitted Dominion Virginia Power electrical
transmission structure. The addition of the eommmfications facilities into the structure of
the existing transmission tower does not generate a visual impact that is significantly
greater than the visual impact of the existing Dominion Virginia Power electrical
transmission tower. This co-location will eliminate the need for an additional freestanding
communications tower in the area, thereby minimizing tower proliferation. In addition,
the recommended conditions will f-m~er minimize the possibility of any adverse impam
on area development, as well as on the County Communications System or the County
Airport.
Given these considerations, approval of this request is recommended.
CASE HISTORY
Staff (5/7/02):
The Commission is scheduled to consider this request and an associated
Substantial Accord (Case 02PD0245) on May 21, 2002.
The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, May 22, 2002, beg'tuning at 7:00 p.m., will
take under consideration this request.
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