15SN0613
CASE NUMBER: 15SN0613
APPLICANT: Verizon Wireless
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
STAFF’S ANALYSIS Magisterial District: MIDLOTHIAN
AND
RECOMMENDATION
Board of Supervisors (BOS)
Public Hearing Date:
MARCH 11, 2015
BOS Time Remaining:
365 DAYS
Applicant’s Agent:
JAMES W. THEOBALD
(804-771-9513)
Applicant’s Contact:
VERIZON WIRELESS
(804-363-0891)
Planning Department Case Manager:
ROBERT CLAY (804-796-7122)
APPLICANT’S REQUEST
Conditional use to permit a communications tower in a Residential (R-40) District.
A 100-foot communications tower and associated improvements are planned.
(NOTES: A. Conditions may be imposed or the property owner may proffer conditions.
B. Under the Federal Telecommunications Act, localities cannot regulate cell towers on the basis of
possible health or environmental effects of radio frequency emissions.
C. Proffered conditions and plans and elevationsare located in Attachments 1 and 2.)
RECOMMENDATION
PLANNING RECOMMEND APPROVAL
COMMISSION
(2/19/15)
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
STAFF
Complies with Public Facilities Plan
Consistent with Telecommunications Tower Siting Policy
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
SUMMARY OF IDENTIFIED ISSUES
Department Issue
PLANNING -
FIRE -
CDOT -
VDOT -
UTILITIES -
ENVIRONMENTAL
-
ENGINEERING
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RD
N
LO
IL
D
NL
Y
Map 2: The Comprehensive Plan
Classification: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
The designation suggests the property is appropriate for single family dwellings on lots of approximately 1 acre.
Single family dwellings on lots smaller than 1 acre are appropriate provided usable open space is provided.
Map 3: Surrounding Land Uses & Development
Reeds Landing Subdivision
City of Richmond
Old Gun RoadEast
Queenspark
Subdivision
Ramsgate
Subdivision
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PLANNING
Staff Contact: Robert Clay(804-796-7122) clayr@chesterfield.gov
PROPOSAL
A 100-foot communications tower is proposed. Proffered conditions limit the proposed tower
to a “slick stick” monopole design. This provides for the antennas to be internally mounted.
PUBLIC FACILITIES PLAN
The Public Facilities Plan, an element of the Comprehensive Plan, encourages:
co-location on existing telecommunications towers, or
architectural incorporation into existing building features
Where co-location or architectural incorporation is not feasible, in areas designated for
residential development, the Plan suggests that towers should be located and designed to
conceal these facilities to the greatest degree feasible and minimize their visual impact. The
visual presence should be minimized by:
Locating where natural features such as topography or forested areas exist and
will be maintained.
Obscuring or blocking views with other existing structures.
Using stealth designs to disguise and camouflage the appearance. When this is
not feasible, the tower should be of a monopole design.
TOWER SITING POLICY
The Policy establishes guidelines for design, setbacks and security. Elements of the Policy are as
follows:
Discourages sectored arrays in residential areas
Limits size of satellite and microwave dish antennas
Requires certification of structural integrity
Requires setbacks from existing off-site dwellings, and public rights-of-way (not
withstanding Ordinance setback requirements)
Prohibits signs, except as required by state or federal guidelines
Requires security fence to preclude trespassing
Provides for screening of tower base and ground mounted equipment
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The following provides an overview of conditions offered by the applicant to mitigate the impact
of the toweron area properties:
General Overview
Requirements Details
Tower is located approximately 2300 feet from Old Gun
Road East, and approximately 200+ feet from closest
Location
adjacent residential developmentboundaries.
Plan and Policy
Requires the tower to be:
Grayor another neutral color that is approved by
the Planning Department;
Not be lighted;
Tower Design
Designed as a monopole with internally mounted
antennas (“slick stick”);and
No satellite and microwave dish antennas
Proffered Condition 3 and Policy
No signage permitted
Signage
Proffered Condition 1 and Policy
Requires board on board security fence to
preclude trespassing
Meet screening requirements of tower base and
ground mounted equipment for development in
Fencing and Screening of Tower Base
O, C or I Districts:
Board on board fence
Tree retention/landscaping around fenced
compound (north, west and south sides)
Proffered Conditions 2 & 4 and Policy
Requires the submittal of a report, verified by a
registered professional engineer, to ensure the
Structural Integrity
structural integrity of the tower.
Proffered Condition 5 and Policy
Not to exceed 100 feet.
Tower Height
Proffered Condition 6
Requires removal of tower and equipment if use ceases
Cessation of Use for more than twelve (12) months.
Proffered Condition 7 and Policy
As proffered, the proposed communications tower complies with the Comprehensive Planand
is consistent with the Telecommunications Tower Siting Policy criteria. The tower has been
located and designed to conceal the facility to the greatest degree feasible and to minimize the
visual impact.
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PUBLIC FACILITIES
FIRE SERVICE
Staff Contact: Greg Smith (804-706-2012) smithgd@chesterfield.gov
Nearby Fire and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Facilities
Fire Station The Bon Air Fire Station, Company Number 4
EMS Facility The Bon Air Fire Station, Company Number 4
This request will have minimal impact on Fire and (EMS)
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Jim Banks (804-748-1037) banksj@chesterfield.gov
Staff Contact: Steve Adams (804-751-4461) adamss@chesterfield.gov
The Comprehensive Plan, which includes the Thoroughfare Plan, identifies county-wide
transportation needs that are expected to mitigate traffic impacts of future growth. The
anticipated traffic impact of the proposal has been evaluated and it is anticipated to be
minimal.
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Brian Lokker (804-674-2384) brian.lokker@vdot.virginia.gov
VDOT Land Use Regulations
-
Traffic Impact Analysis (24VAC30-155)
-
Access Management (24VAC30-73)
-
Subdivision Street Acceptance (24VAC30-91/92)
-
Land Use Permit (24VAC30-151)
No comments
Summary
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WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS
Staff Contact: Jamie Bland (804-751-4439) blandj@chesterfield.gov
Theproposal’s impacts on the County’s utility system are detailed in the chart below:
Water and Wastewater Systems
Currently Size of Existing LineConnection Required by County Code?
Serviced?
Water No 8”No
Wastewater No NA No
The proposed request will not impact the public water and wastewater systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Drainage, Erosion and Water Quality
Staff Contact: Doug Pritchard (804-748-1028) pritchardd@chesterfield.gov
Environmental Engineering has not comment on this request.
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CASE HISTORY
Applicant Submittals
12/1/14 Application submitted
1/16/15 Revised proffers and an enhanced plan depicting a buffer were submitted
Community Meetings
12/9/14Community Meeting with Applicant, Staff, Midlothian District Commissioner
and Adjacent Property Owners
Issues Discussed
Results of balloon test
Residential area, but providing service with minimal impact on community
Tower design
Other locational considerations
Visibility from adjacent properties
Installation time frame
1/13/15Field Meeting with Applicant, Staff, Midlothian District Commissioner and
Adjacent Property Owners
Issues Discussed
Review of field location of proposed tower
Planning Commission Meeting
2/17/15 The Planning Commission meeting scheduled for February 17, 2015 was
rescheduled to February 19, 2015 due to inclement weather.
2/19/15Applicant Comments
Parcel is of significant size to locate tower in compliance with Plan/Policy
Last ridge line before elevation drops to James River
Higher parcel elevation permits shorter tower
Location minimizes tree removal
Enough separation from existing towers to prevent signal degradation
Citizen Comments
In Opposition
Robious Athletic Complex provides higher parcel elevation away from
residential
If located further east on parent parcel, remains on ridge line, but
greater horizontal and vertical separation from area residential
Mr. Waller indicated the following:
Balloon test with several property owners in attendance
Meeting on-site with neighboring owners to assess impacts
Considered separation from residential, topography, vegetation
(hardwoods), proffered tower design, fencing and landscaping in
minimizing visual impacts
Applicant’s diligent efforts in locating suitable site
Comfortable proposal meets Plan and Policy
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Recommendation –APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROFFERED
CONDITIONS IN ATTACHMENT 1
Motion: Waller Seconded: Brown
AYES: Gulley, Waller, Brown, Patton and Wallin
The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will consider
this request.
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ATTACHMENT 1
PROFFERED CONDITIONS
Note:
(STAFF/CPC) – Recommended by the Planning Commission and Staff
The property owner and applicant in this rezoning case, pursuant to Section 15.2-2298 of the
Code of Virginia (1950 as amended) and the Zoning Ordinance of Chesterfield County, for
themselves and their successors or assigns, proffer that the property under consideration (the
“Property”) will be developed according to the following proffers if, and only if, the rezoning
request submitted herewith is granted with only those conditions agreed to by the owner and
applicant. In the event this request is denied or approved with conditions not agreed to by the
owner and applicant, the proffer shall immediately be null and void and of no further force or
effect.
(STAFF/CPC) 1. There shall be no signs permitted to identify this use. (P)
(STAFF/CPC) 2. The base of the tower shall be enclosed by a wood board-on-board fence
designed to preclude trespassing and to screen the base of the tower and
ground-mounted equipment from adjacent properties (the “Fence”). The
Fence shall have a height equal to or greater than the height of the tallest
ground-based equipment or shelter (excluding the tower) installed within
the 50’ x 50’ fencedcompound. A twenty-five (25) foot wide buffer shall
be provided around the northern, western, and southern sides of the 50’
x 50’ fenced compound (the “Buffer”) as shown on the site plan attached
hereto. This buffer shall meet the planting requirements of “perimeter
landscaping C” of the Zoning Ordinance. A detailed plan depicting this
requirement shall be submitted to the Planning Department for approval
in conjunction with final site plan review.(P)
(STAFF/CPC) 3.The color, design and lighting system for the tower shall be as follows:
a. The tower shall be gray or another neutral color, acceptable to
the Planning Department.
b.The tower shall not be lighted.
c.The tower shall be a “slick stick” monopole structure with
antennas concealed within the structure.
d.No satellite dish and microwave dish antennas shall be attached
to the telecommunications tower. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)4. Any building or mechanical equipment shall comply with the Zoning
Ordinance relative to architectural treatment of building exteriors and
screening of mechanical equipment in O, C and I Districts. (P)
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(STAFF/CPC)5. Prior to use of this telecommunications tower, the owner of the tower
shall obtain approval of the structural integrity by a registered
professional engineer licensed in Virginia and a copy of the report filed
with the Planning Department.(P)
(STAFF/CPC) 6.The tower shall not exceed a height of 100 feet. (P)
(STAFF/CPC) 7. 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)
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ATTACHMENT 2
PLANS AND ELEVATION
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PLANS AND ELEVATION
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PLANS AND ELEVATION
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