15SN0645
CASE NUMBER: 15SN0645
APPLICANT: Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
STAFF’SANALYSISMagisterial District: MIDLOTHIAN
AND 13620 West Salisbury Road
RECOMMENDATION
Board of Supervisors (BOS)
Public Hearing Date:
JULY 22, 2015
BOS Time Remaining:
365 DAYS
Applicant’s Agent:
JEFFREY GEIGER
(804-771-9557)
Applicant’s Contact:
MELISSAHARRELD
(804-892-0310)
Planning Department Case Manager:
RYAN RAMSEY (804-768-7592)
APPLICANT’S REQUEST
Conditional use to permit a communications tower (data node antenna) in a Residential (R-40)
District.
An antenna (data node/small cell) mounted onan existing maintenance building within the
Salisbury Country Club is planned.
(NOTES: A. Conditions may be imposed or the property owner may proffer conditions.
B. Proffered conditions are located in Attachment 1.
C. Under the Federal Telecommunications Act, localities cannot regulate cell towers on the basis of
possible health or environmental effectsof radio frequency emissions.)
RECOMMENDATION
PLANNING RECOMMEND APPROVAL
COMMISSION
(6/16/2015)
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Complies with Comprehensive Plan
STAFF
Consistent with Telecommunications Tower Siting Policy
criteria
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
SUMMARY OF IDENTIFIED ISSUES
DepartmentIssue
PLANNING-
FIRE-
CDOT-
VDOT-
UTILITIES-
ENVIRONMENTAL
-
ENGINEERING
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Map 2: Comprehensive Plan
Classification: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
The designation suggests the property is appropriate for low density residential uses (maximum of
one (1) dwelling per acre).
Map 3: Surrounding Land Uses & Development
Maintenance Building
Salisbury Country Club
Single-family
West Salisbury Rd
residential uses
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PLANNING
Staff Contact: Ryan Ramsey (804-768-7592) ramseyrp@chesterfield.gov
PROPOSAL
An antennae (data node/small cell) mounted to an existing maintenance building within the
Salisbury Country Club is planned.
This proposal consists of a cylindrical antenna, approximately fifteen (15) inchesin diameter
and two (2) feet in height, top-mounted onto aneleven (11) foot stealth chimney mounted on
the side of maintenance building. To minimize visibility, the antenna will be paintedto match
the exterior of the building. (Proffered Condition 2.b.)
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.
TOWER SITING POLICY
The Policy establishes guidelines for design, setbacks and security. Elements of the Policy
applicable to the proposal are as follows:
Prohibits signs, except as required by state or federal guidelines
Provides for screening of ground mounted equipment
Requires certification of structural integrity
Requires removal when communications use ceases for more than twelve (12)
consecutive months
PENDING CODE AMENDMENT
Acknowledging small cells/data nodes are fast becoming a part of the telecommunications
landscape, and understanding the County has not directly addressed distinguishing between
small cells/data nodes and communications towers, the Planning Commission directed staff to
draft an Ordinance amendment to address where and under what circumstances these uses
might be allowed. The Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing to consider this
amendment for June 16, 2015.
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The following provides an overview of proffered conditions to mitigate the impact of the tower
on area properties:
General Overview
Requirements Details
Not permitted, unless otherwise required by
applicable (federal or state) law
Signage
Proffered Condition 1
Policy
Located on existing building, as shown on Attachment
2
Designed as shown on Attachment 3
Painted to match existing building
Location, Design, Colorand Lighting
Lighting not permitted
Limited to 1 antenna
Proffered Condition 2
Plan and Ordinance
External mechanical equipment screened per
ordinance
Screening
Proffered Condition 3
Policy
Provide certification prior to use
Structural Integrity
Proffered Condition 4
Policy
Not to exceed 3.5 feetabove the peak of the roofline
Height
Proffered Condition 5
Required if use ceases for more than 3 consecutive months
Removal
Proffered Condition 6
Policy
As proffered, the proposed communications tower complies with the Comprehensive Planand is
consistent with the Telecommunications Tower Siting Policyand Ordinance criteria.
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PUBLIC FACILITIES
FIRE SERVICE
Staff Contact: Anthony Batton (804-717-6167) BattenA@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
The Comprehensive Plan, which includes the Thoroughfare Plan, identifiescounty-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)
VDOT has no comment on this case. No
right-of-way impacts as the
Summary
communications equipment will be
installed on private property.
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COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS
Staff Contact: Robert Vest (804-717-6950) vestr@chesterfield.gov
The system installation may be approved when meeting the standard conditions regarding
interference to Chesterfield County Radio and Microwave Systems.
COUNTY AIRPORT
Staff Contact: Jeremy Wilkinson (804-768-7700) wilkinsonj@chesterfield.gov
This request will have no impact on the County Airport.
WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS
Staff Contact: Jamie Bland (804-751-4439) blandj@chesterfield.gov
The proposal’s impacts on the County’s utility system are detailed in the chart below:
Water and Wastewater Systems
Currently Sizeof Existing LineConnection Required by County Code?
Serviced?
WaterYes 8” Yes
WastewaterYes 12”Yes
Additional Information:
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 no comment on this request.
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CASE HISTORY
Applicant Submittals
4/3/15Application and proffers submitted
5/29/15Revised proffers were submitted
Community Meeting
3/16/15Issues Discussed
Midlothian Planning Commissioner, applicant, agentand staff attended this
meeting at the Salisbury Country Club
Location, size and shape of antenna
Coverage provided by the antenna
Planning Commission Meeting
6/16/15 Citizen Comments
No citizens spoke to this case.
Commission Discussion
The Commission noted their support for this case:
Community meeting was conducted
No opposition to request
Request is in accordance with Policy and pending small cell ordinance
Recommendation – APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE
PROFFERED CONDITIONS IN ATTACHMENT 1
Motion:WallerSecond: Brown
AYES: Gulley, Waller, Brown, Patton and Wallin
The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will consider
this request.
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ATTACHMENT 1
PROFFERED CONDITIONS
Note:
“STAFF/CPC” –Recommended by both staff and Planning Commission
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 other than those
required by applicable law and regulation. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)2. The color, design and lighting system for the communications tower (data
node antenna) shall be as follows:
a.The communications tower shall be a small cell/data node
structure mounted on the side of an existing building, generally as
located on Attachment 2 and designed on Attachment 3.
b.The components of the small cell equipment shall be concealed
inside a stealth chimney and have a durable finish color that
matches the building upon which it is located, as approved by the
Planning Department. The finish color of the stealth chimney
shall be maintained to address fading, flaking, or other finish
issues, as determined by the Planning Department, to include
matching any repainting of the building upon which it is mounted.
c.The communications tower (data node antenna) shall not be
lighted. (P)
d.A maximum of one (1) antenna is located on the building. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)3. Other than the data node antenna, any external mechanical equipment
shall comply with the Zoning Ordinance relative to screening of
mechanical equipment in O, C and I Districts. (P)
(STAFF NOTE: The Zoning Ordinance requires the screening of mechanical
equipment located on the building or ground from adjacent properties
and public rights of way.)
(STAFF/CPC)4. Prior to use of this communications tower (data node antenna), the
owner of the communications tower (data node antenna) shall obtain
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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)5. The communications tower (data node antenna), located on the side of
an existing building, shall not exceed a height of 3.5 feet above the peak
of the roof line. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)6. At such time that the communications tower (data node antenna) ceases
to be used for communications purposes for three (3) 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
SITE LAYOUT
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ATTACHMENT 3
DATA NODE/SMALL CELL ANTENNA ELEVATION
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ATTACHMENT 4
PHOTO SIMULATION
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