04SN0304-Jan26.pdfJanuary 26, 2005 BS
STAFF' S
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
04SN0304
Omnipoint Communications
CAP Operations, LLC
Clover Hill Magisterial District
North tine of South Providence Road
REQUEST: Conditional Use to permit a communications tower in an Agricultural (A) District.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A communications tower and associated improvements are planned. Since the
tower would not meet the restrictions for towers in a residential district, a
Conditional Use permit is required.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS ON PAGES 2 AND 3.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval ibr the following reasons:
The proposal conlbrms to the Public Facilities Plan which suggests that
communications tower locations should generally be located to minimize the
impact on existing or future areas of development.
The proposal contbrms to the Tower Siting: Policy which suggests if a tower is to
be located in the vicinity of existing or planned areas of development the tower
should be located as remotely as possible from such areas and on property which
is densely wooded with. mature vegetation.
'Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public sen, ice
Cd
The recommended conditions will l~rther 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 OV~'2,JER MAY PROFFER
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 THE PLANq'~tNG COMMISSION.)
CONDITIONS
(STAFF/CPC)
I. There shall be no signs permitted to identify this use. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)
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
property line to accommodate evergreen plantings having m~ initial
height and spacing to provide screening of the base of the tower
and accessory ground-mounted equipment or structures from
adjacent properties. In conjunction with site plan submission, or
prior to release of a building permit, whichever occurs first, a
landscaping plan depicting this requirement shall be submitted to
the Planning Department for review and approval. (P)
(STAFF/CPC) 3.
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 m.ade
immediately upon notification by the Chesterfield County
Communications and Electronics staff: (GS)
(STAFF/CPC)
4. The color and lighting system for the tower shall be as fbllows:
The tower shall be gray or another neutral color, acceptable
to the Planning Department.
b. The tower shall not be lighted.
The tower shall be a monopole structure with flush-mount
antenna arrays and shall be designed to accommodate a
maximmn of three (3) carriers. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)
Any building or mechanical equipment shall comply with Sections
t9-595 and 19-570 (b) and (c) of the Zoning Ordinance relative to
2 04SN0304*JAN26-BOS
architectural treatment of building exteriors and screening of
mechanical equipment. (P)
(NOTE: Section 19-570 (b) and (c) would require the screening of
mechanical equipmem 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.)
(STAFF/CPC)
6. The tower shall not exceed a height of i50 fbet. (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)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
North line of South Providence Road, across fi'om Poco Drive. Tax ID 755-700~Part of
7767 (Sheet 7).
Existing Zoning:
A with Conditional Use Planned Development and Conditional Use
Size:
1.0 acre
Existing Land Use:
Public/Semi-Public (Providence Golf Course)
Adjacem Zoning and Land Use:
North, South, East and West - A, A with Conditional Use Planned Development and
Conditional Use and R-15; Single family residential, Public/Semi-Public (Providence
Golf Course) or vacant
'UTILITIES; ENVIRONMENTAL:~ PUBLIC FACILITIES
The 'requested amendment wilt have no impact on these facilities.
3 04SN0304~JAN26~BOS
COUq~TY COMMUNICATIONS
The Zoning Ordinance requires that any structure over eighty' (80) feet in height be reviewed by
the County's Public Saf~ety Review Team for potential detrimental impacts the structure could
have on the County's Radio Communications System microwave paths. This determination must
be made prior to construction of the communications tower.
A preliminary review of this proposal has indicated that the facility will not interfere with the
County's communications system. Once the tower is in operation, if interference occurs~ the
owner/developer should be required to correct any problems. (Condition 3)
CO LrlqTY AIRPORT
A preliminary review of this proposal indicates that, given the approximate location and
elevation of the proposed installation, it appears there will be no adverse affect on the County
Airport.
LAND USE
Comprehensive Plan:
The request property lies within the boundaries of the Eastern Midlothian Land Use Plan
which suggests the property is appropriate for residential use of 2.51 to 4.0 units per acre.
The Public Facilities Plain, an element of the Comprehensive Plan, suggests that
communications uses should be located so as to minimize impacts on existing and future
areas of development.
Area Development Trends:
Adjacem properties are zoned Agricultural (A) and Residential (R-15) and are occupied
by single family residential uses or Providence Golf Course thcilities or remain vacant. It
is anticipated that single family residential uses will continue in the area, as suggested by
the Eastern Midlothian Land Use Plan.
Dwellings wqthin 2,000 feet of the tower are shown, on the Attachment. It is important to
note that residential structures on this map were placed according to aerial photographs
taken in 2002 and thereibre may not fully represent all the structures in the area.
Development Stan.dards:
The request property lies within an Emerging Growth Area. The purpose of the Emerging
Growth District standards is to promote high quality, well-designed projects. However,
because fne property is zoned Agricultural (A), development is not required to meet the
development standards for Emerging Growth Areas. A condition should be imposed to
4 04SN0304-JAN26-BOS
require compliance with Emerging Growih Area requirements re!ative to the architectural
treatment of the proposed equipment building. (Condition 5)
The proposed communications tower will be located on the Providence Golf Cou.rse,
adjacent to a maintenance facility for the golf course. Topographical differences i.n the
area will mitigate the visual impact of the tower. The height of the tower is not to exceed
150 feet (Condition 6). Access to the tower ske will be via an existing golf course
access to South Providence Road. Consistent with past actions on similar facilities,
should this request be approved, the base of the tower should be secured with a fence to
discourage trespassing (Condition 2). Due to the proximity to South Providence Road, the
communications 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 7)
CONCLUSIONS
The proposal conIbrms to the Public Facilities Plan, which suggests that communications towers
should be located to minimize the impact on existing or futura areas of development. In addition,
the proposal conforms to the Tower Siting Policy which suggests if a tower is to be located in the
vicinity of existing or planned areas of development the tower should be located as remotely as
possible from such areas and on property which is densely wooded with mature vegetation.
The proposed tower is to be located on the Providence Golf Course, adjacent to a maintenance
facility and will be located and designed in such a manner as to minimize the impact on area
residents. Further, topographical differences will mitigate the visual impact of the tower :from
area residents. The recommended conditions will fBrther minimize the possibility of any- adverse
impact on area development, the County Communications System or the County Airport.
Given these considerations, approval of this request is reconu'nended.
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (1 I/16/04):
At the request of the applicant, the Commission deferred this case to December 13, 2004.
5 04SN0304-JAN26-BOS
Staff (I 1/17/04):
The applicant was advised in writing that any significant, new or revised in~brmation
should be submitted no later than November 22, 2004, for consideration at the
Commission's December 13, 2004, public hearing.
Also, the applicant was advised that a $230.00 deferral fi:e must be paid prior to the
Commission's public hearing.
Applicant (12/10/04):
The deferral fee was paid,
Planning Commission Meeting (12/13/04):
The applicant accepted the recommendation. There was no opposition present.
On motion of Mr. Gulley, seconded by Mr. Wilson, the Commission recommended
approval subject to the conditions on pages 2 and 3.
AYES: Unanimous.
The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, January 26, 2005, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will take
under consideration this request.
6 04SN0304-jAN26-BOS