08SN0168
January 15, 2008 CPC
February 27, 2008 BS
STAFF?S
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
08SN0168
Richmond 20 MHz LLC
Clover Hill Magisterial District
North line of Arboretum Parkway
REQUEST:Conditional Use to permit a communications tower in a Corporate Office (O-2)
District.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A communications tower designed as a flagpole is planned to be located on top of
an existing building.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS ON PAGE 2.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval for the following reasons:
The tower designed as a flagpole conforms to the Tower Siting Policy which
A.
suggests that towers in the vicinity of existing or planned areas of development
should possess design features that maskthe utilitarian nature of the tower.
B.The recommended conditions will further minimize the impact on area
development.
(NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNER MAY PROFFER
CONDITIONS. THE CONDITIONS NOTEDWITH "STAFF/CPC" WERE AGREED UPON
BY BOTH STAFF AND THE COMMISSION.CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A "STAFF" ARE
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
RECOMMENDED SOLELY BY STAFF. CONDITIONS WITH ONLY A "CPC" ARE
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.)
CONDITIONS
(STAFF/CPC)1.The flagpole/tower shall be located as generally depicted on the plans and
elevations prepared by Clough Harbour & Associates LLP, titled NTELOS
I.D: RMB-0041 Arboretum and identified as Exhibits A and B in the
?Request Analysis and Recommendation?. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)2.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 be designed and erected as a flagpole atop the
existing building and shall not exceed an elevation of 105 feet above
ground level.
c.The tower shall not be lighted. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)3.At such time that the towerceases 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:
Northwest quadrant of Arboretum Parkway and Arboretum Place and known as 300
Arboretum Place. Tax ID 753-704-9059 (Sheets 6 and 7).
Existing Zoning:
O-2 with Conditional Use
Size:
8.0 acres
Existing Land Use:
Office and Public/semi-public (communications tower)
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Adjacent Zoning and Land Use:
North ? O-2, C-3 and C-5; Office and commercial
South and East ? O-2; Office
West ? R-7 and O-2; Multifamily residential and office
UTILITIES; PUBLIC FACILITIES;TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL
This request will have no impact on these facilities.
COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS
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 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.
COUNTY 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 Northern Area Plan which suggests
the property is appropriate for office use.
ThePublic Facilities Plan, an element of the Comprehensive Plan, suggests that
communications tower locations should generally be located to minimize the impact on
existing or future areas of development. Also, the Tower Siting Policy suggests that
towers in the vicinity of existing or planned areas of development should possess design
features that maskthe utilitarian nature of the tower.
Area Development Trends:
The subject property is occupied by an office building in the Arboretum Office Park.
Adjacent properties are zoned and developed for a mix of residential, office and commercial
uses, within and adjacent to the Arboretum. It is anticipated that office uses will continue in
the area, as suggested by the Plan.
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Development Standards:
To ensure that the equipmentassociated with the tower does not become a maintenance
problem or an eyesore, the equipment should be removed at such time that the tower ceases
to be used for communications purposes. (Condition 3)
CONCLUSIONS
The tower designed as a flagpole conforms to the Tower Siting Policy which suggests that
towers in the vicinity of existing or planned areas of development should possess design features
that mask the utilitarian nature of the tower.
Given these considerations, approval of this request is recommended.
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (1/15/08):
The applicant accepted the recommendations. There was no opposition present.
On motion of Mr. Gulley, seconded by Mr. Bass, the Commission recommended
approval subject to the conditions on page 2.
AYES: Messrs. Gulley, Bass, Brown, Hassen, and Waller.
The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will take
under consideration this request.
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Exhibit A
08SN0168-1
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Exhibit B
08SN0168-2