15SN0616
CASE NUMBER: 15SN0616
APPLICANT: PI Telecom Infrastructure, LLC
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
STAFF’S ANALYSIS Magisterial District: BERMUDA
AND
RECOMMENDATION
Board of Supervisors (BOS)
Public Hearing Date:
May 27, 2015
BOS Time Remaining:
365 DAYS
Applicant’s Agent:
WILL SHEWMAKE
(804-783-7595)
Applicant’s Contact:
N. BYRD
(703-971-3934)
Planning Department Case Manager:
ROBERT CLAY (804-796-7122)
APPLICANT’S REQUEST
Conditional use to permit a communications tower in an Agricultural (A) District
A 154 foot monopole communications tower with flush mounted antennas is planned.
(NOTES: A. Conditions may be imposed or the property owner may proffer conditions.
B. Proffered conditions are located in Attachment 1.
C. Plan and elevation are located in Attachment 2.)
RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
PLANNING
Adequate vegetation and setbacks from I-295 to minimize
COMMISSION
visibility
(4/21/15)
No community opposition noted
RECOMMEND DENIAL
Does not comply with thePublic Facilities Plan
STAFF
Does not comply with the Telecommunications Tower Siting
Policy
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
SUMMARY OF IDENTIFIED ISSUES
Department Issue
Does not complywiththe Public Facilities Plan
Located in a high visibility area with limited vegetation
o
PLANNING
Does not comply with Telecommunications Tower Siting Policy
Not meeting minimum setback requirement from I-295
o
right-of-way
FIRE -
CDOT -
VDOT -
UTILITIES -
ENVIRONMENTAL
-
ENGINEERING
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Map 2: Comprehensive Plan
Classification: SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL II
The designation suggests the property is appropriate for residential development of 2.0 to 4.0 dwellings per
acre.
Map 3: Surrounding Land Uses & Development
Cobb’s Point
Subdivision
Point of Rocks Estates
Subdivision
I-295
Subject Property with
existing Church use
Enon Church Road
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PLANNING
Staff Contact: Robert Clay(804-796-7122) clayr@chesterfield.gov
PROPOSAL
A 154-foot monopole communications tower with flush mounted antennas is proposed on a
parcel occupied by a church use.
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 Plansuggests 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 tower on area properties:
General Overview
Requirements Details
As depicted in Attachment 2.
Setback of proposed tower is not meeting the Policy.
Policy requires minimum setback of 75 feet from
Location
public rights-of-way. Tower setback is proposed at 50
feet from I-295.
Proffered Condition 1
No signage permitted
Signage
Proffered Condition 2
Policy
Requires 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.
Proffered Conditions 3 & 5
Policy
Requires the tower to be:
Brown or another neutral color that is approved
by the Planning Department;
Not be lighted;
Tower Design
Monopole design with flush mounted antennas;
Satellite and microwave dish antennas restricted
in size
Proffered Condition 4
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 6
Policy
Not to exceed 154 feet.
Tower Height
Proffered Condition 7
Requires removal of tower and equipment if use ceases
for more than twelve (12) months.
Cessation of Use
Proffered Condition 8
Policy
Site to be graded to drain in direction of I-295 or Enon
Site DrainageChurch Road.
Proffered Condition 9
Along western property line.
Tree Retention
Proffered Condition 10
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The location and design of the communications tower does not comply with the
Comprehensive Plan. The location is highly visible and with little vegetation. As such,
architectural incorporation or a stealth tower design that is in character with the surrounding
area would be the only viable alternatives that would make this location comply with the
Comprehensive Plan. Further, the location does not meet setback requirements as establish in
the Policy.
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 Enon Station, Company Number 6
EMS Facility The Rivers Bend Fire Station, Company Number 18
When the property is developed, the number of hydrants, quantity of water needed for fire
protection, and access requirements will be evaluated during the plans review process.
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Jim Banks (804-748-1037) banksj@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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COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS
Staff Contact: Robert Vest (804-717-6950) vestr@chesterfield.gov
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 impacts regarding
interference to Chesterfield County Radio and Microwave Systems. This determination must be
made prior to construction of the communications tower.
COUNTY AIRPORT
Staff Contact: Jeremy Wilkinson (804-768-7700) wilkinsonj@chesterfield.gov
This request will have no impact on the County Airport. The County Airport recommends the
submittal of a 7460 form to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by the applicant at time
of site plan submittal. This form will provide notification to the FAA of the tower installation.
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 Yes 6”No
Wastewater Yes 8”No
The proposed request will not impact the public water and wastewater systems.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
Drainage, Erosion and Water Quality
Staff Contact: Doug Pritchard (804-748-1028) pritchardd@chesterfield.gov
Stormwater
Issue Discussion/Conditions
Geography Virtually no natural fall in elevation on this property.
Achievement of adequate surface drainage on the adjacentCobbs
Point Subdivision was quite difficult.
Surface
This site should be located and graded away from Cobbs Point so
o
Drainage
as to drain in the direction of the toe ditch along I-295 and/or the
road side ditch of Enon Church Road.
Proffered Condition 9
Water Quality Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations
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CASE HISTORY
Applicant Submittals
11/4/2014 Application submitted
3/25/15 & Revised proffers were submitted
4/6/15
4/17/15“Fall Zone” certification submitted
4/21/15 Deferral fee paid
Community Meetings
2/9/15 Field Meeting with Applicant and Bermuda District Commissioner
Issues Discussed
Review of field location of proposed tower
Visibility
Area residential development
3/3/15 Community Meeting with Applicant, Staff, Bermuda District Commissioner
and Adjacent Property Owners
Issues Discussed
Residential area, but providing service with minimal impact on community
Tower design
Visibility from adjacent properties
Installation time frame
Planning Commission Meetings
2/17/15 The applicant requested the case be deferred to the Commission’s April 21,
2015 public hearing.
Action –Deferred to April 21, 2015
4/21/15
Citizen Comments
No citizens spoke to this case.
Commission Discussion
Mr. Patton indicated support for request, noting:
Existing vegetation adjacent to the proposed tower, and setbacks
from the closest drive lanes, mitigate visual impacts from I-295
Existing towers within state right of way
No opposition noted at community meeting or public hearing
Recommendation – APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE
PROFFERED CONDITIONS IN ATTACHMENT 1
Motion: Patton; Seconded: Wallin
AYES: Gulley, Waller, Brown, Patton and Wallin
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The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will consider
this request.
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ATTACHMENT 1
PROFFERED CONDITIONS
Note:
“STAFF/CPC” – Recommended by Planning Commission
(STAFF/CPC)1. The tower shall be located as generally depicted on the plans prepared by
B C Architects Engineers,dated October 23, 2014, and titled “Proposed
150’ Brown Stealth Monopole in a New Fenced Compound” .(P)
(STAFF/CPC) 2. There shall be no signs permitted to identify this use. (P)
(STAFF/CPC) 3. The base of the tower shall be enclosed by a minimum six (6) foot high
fence designed to preclude trespassing. The fence shall be placed so as to
provide sufficient room between the fence and the lease boundary line to
accommodate evergreen plantings having an initial height and space to
provide screening of the base of the tower and accessory ground-
mounted equipment or structures from adjacent properties. 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) 4. The color, design and lighting system for the tower shall be as follows:
a. The tower shall be brown or another neutral color, acceptable to
the Planning Department;
b. The tower shall not be lighted;
c. The tower shall be a monopole structure with flush mounted
antennas; and
d. Any satellite dish and microwave dish antennas attached to the
telecommunications tower shall not exceed six (6) feet in
diameter and shall be of a neutral color with no logos. (P)
(STAFF/CPC) 5. 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)
(STAFF/CPC) 6.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 file
with the Planning Department.(P)
(STAFF/CPC) 7.The tower shall not exceed a height of 154 feet, which includes a 4 foot
lighting rod. (P)
(STAFF/CPC) 8.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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(STAFF/CPC)9. The site shall be located and graded away from the adjacent Cobbs Point
Subdivision so that it will drain in the direction of I-295 and/or the road
side ditch of Enon Church Road.(EE)
(STAFF/CPC) 10. A forty foot wide tree preservation area shall be provided along the
western property line. Within this area, trees a minimum of four inches
in caliper shall be retained. Such area shall comply with the requirements
of the Ordinance for tree preservation. (P)
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ATTACHMENT 2
PLAN AND ELEVATION
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ATTACHMENT 2
PLAN AND ELEVATION
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