04SN0243-May26.pdfMay 26, 2004 BS
STAFF'S
REQUEST ANALYSIS
RECOMMENDATION
04SN0243
Token Tower,'L.L.C.
Bermuda Magisterial District
Off the eastern terminus of Station Road
REQUEST:
Revocation of an Amendment to Conditional Use Planned Development-(Case
03SN0283) (deletion of a proffer) which permitted a_540, foot communications
tower in an Agricultural (A) District.
PLANNING coMMIsSiON RECOMMb3XiDATiON
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
AYES:.
ABSENT:
Messrs. Litton, BaSs, Gulley and Wilson
Mr. G-ecker
STAFF. RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval for the following reason:
The approved communications tower would be highly visible from Interstate 95, Jefferson
Davis Highway and Falling Creek Ironworks and the associated Special Purpose Park. The
Public Facilities Plan and County's Tower Siting. Policy suggest that communications
towers should generally be located away from high visibility areas, such as major traffic
corridors, rivers, parks, community recreational facilities and similar uses and' that towers
should be designed for shared use,:In addition, the .Jefferson Davis COrridor Plan suggests
that measures should be taken to improve the appearance of the COrridor. With the 540 foot
tower located on adjacent property to the east and a 400 foot tower which is approved on the
request property, co-location oppommifies exist Which negate the need for this additional
540 foot.tower. -
Providing a FIRST CHOICE Community 'Through Excellence 'in Public Service.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
Eastern terminus of Station Road. Tax ID 792-685-5662 (Sheet 12).
.Existing Zoning:
Agricultural (A) with Conditional Use to permit non-metallic mineral and' wood.products
manufacturing; and, with. Conditional Use Planned Development, as amended, to permit a'
400 foot communications tower and a 540 foot communications tower.
12.5. acres'
Existing Laud Use:
Vacant (Closed construction/demolition/debris landfill)
Adjacent Zoning and Land Use:
North I-2; Industfial'(Falling Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility)
South '- A; Public/semi~public (Falling Creek Ironworks Park)
East. -A with Conditional Use Planned Development and
West
I-2; A-. 540 foot
telecommunications tower and industrial (Falling Creek Wastewater Treatment
'Plant)
-1-2; Industrial
UTILITIES; ENVIRONMENTAL; PUBLIC FACII.ITIRg;
COUNTY CO--CATIONS AND COUNTY' AIRPORT
This revocation will have no impact on these facilities.
LAND USE
General Plan:'
Lies within the boundaries of the Jefferson Davis Corridor Plan which designates the
property for general indUStrial: USe.- 'The Plan strongly encourages the revitalization of:the
properties within'the CorridOr to include improvingthe phySical appearance ofthe COrridor.
The-Plan also designates the intersection of Jefferson DavisI-Iighway and Chippenham--
Parkway .as a critical "GateWay'' location. The "Gateway,' plays an important 'role:in
conveying first impressions to visitors from Chippenham Parkway and Interstate 95~
2 04SN0243-MAY 26-BOS
The Public Facilities Plan, an. element of the Comprehensive Plan, suggests that
communications uses should be located in areas so as to minimi?e impacts on existing and
furore, areas of development and minimize locations adjacent to planned or existing
residential development.
Area. Development Trends:
The property to the north of'the request property is zoned General Industrial (I-2) and
occupied by a public wastewater treatment facility. Property to the .east is zoned
Agricultural (A) with Conditional Use Planned Development and is occupied by a 540 foot
telecommunications tower, Property to the west is zoned~Geneml IndUStrial (1-2) and is
occupied by industrial uses and the CSX RailrOad. Property to the south is. zoned
Agricultural (A) and is the site of the County's Falling Creek Ironworks Park developed
along the banks of Falling Creek. This portion of Falling Creek has historic significance.
Property to the southwest, along the south bank of Falling Creek, has Historic Landmark
Designation. (Falling Creek Ironworks, Case 87I-IP001)
Zoning History:
On April' 26, 1995, the Board of Supervisors, upon a favorable recommendation by 'the
Planning Commission, approved a Conditional Use .Planned Development (95SN0239) to
permit a. 540. foot communications tower on property which, at the. time, included the
request site. This property was subsequently subdivided which excluded the request
property..Amendments to this 'Conditional Use Planned Development were approved by the
Board of Supervisors on March~ 27, 1996, relative to tower.lighting and power line
easements (Case 96SN0185). These amendments allowed higher intensity lighting than that
typicallY allowed on other tall-structures in the County.
On July 24, 2002, the Board of Supervisors, upon a-favorable recommendation by the
Planning Commission, approved.a Conditional Use Planned Development (02SN0166) to
permit a 400 foot commilnications tower on the request site.. COnditions of approval
included a note indicating that the applicant.intended to seek an amendment to Conditional'
Use:Planned DevelOpments 95SN0239 and 96SN0185 to remove the right for a toWer on the
adjacent property and to concurrently seek approval for a second tower on :the subject
property.
On August 27, 2003, the Board of SUPervisors, upon.a'favorable recommendation from the
Planning COmmission, approved an amendment to-Conditional. Use'Planned Development
(Case 02SN0166) to permit a second tower on the property at a height of 540 feet (Case
03SN0283). With the approval, allother conditions of Case 02SN0166 remained in effect.
CONCLUSIONS
The communications tower would be highly visible from Interstate 95, Jefferson Davis Highway
and Falling Creek Ironworks and the associated SpeCial Purpose Park. The Public Facilities Plan
and County's ToWer Siting Policy suggest that communications.-towers should generally'be located
3 04SN0243-MAY 26-BOS
away from high visibility areas,
recreational faCilities and similar, uses and that towers should be designed'for shared use. :In
addition, :the Jefferson Davis Corridor Plan suggests that measures should be taken to impr0vethe
appearance of the Corridor. With the 540foot tower located On adjacent property to the east' and a
400 foot tower which is approved on the request property, co-location-oppOrtunities exist Which
negate the need for this additional 540 foot tower. . .- . _
Cdven these considerations, reVocation of the Conditional Use planned ··Development :is
recommende& Conditions of Case 028N0166 will. remain in place.
such as major traffic corfidors~ rivers, parks, community
CASE HISTORY
Planning ·CommissiOn Meeting (5/18/04):
The applicant accepted the recommendation. There was no opposition present.
On.motion of Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Gulley, the Commission recommended
approval.
AYES.: Messrs; Litton, Bass, Gulley and Wilson
ABSENT: Mr. Gecker '
The BOard-of SuperVisors, on Wednesday; May 26, 2004, beginning, at 7:·00 p.m., will take :Under
consideration this request. '
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04SN0243-MAY 26-BOS
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