99SN0225April 28, 199[} ga
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
99SN0225
Triton PCS, Inc.
(Larry Horton)
Matoaca Magisterial District
Northeast quadrant of Claypoint Road and Route 288
REQUEST: Conditional Use Planned Development to permit a communications tower and
height exception in an Agricultural (A) District.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A 199 foot communications tower with accessory equipmem is planned.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS ON PAGES 2 THROUGH 4.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval for the following reasons:
Ao
While the subject property lies within the boundaries of the Central Area Plan
which suggests the request property and surrounding area are appropriate for
residential use of 1.0 to 2.5 units per acre, the site is densely wooded and located
approximately 1,040 feet off of Claypoint Road and approximately 700 feet off of
Route 288 and includes enough acreage to accommodate provision of a buffer
consisting of mature trees. Further, the tower site lies adjacent to a Resource
Protection Area (RPA) which will further provide separation from the
improvements and future area development. Subject to the recommended buffer
condition, the tower site conforms to the siting criteria of the adopted Public
Facilities Plan and Guidelines for Review of Substantial Accord Determinations
and/or Zoning Approval for Communications Tower Location.q which suggest that
communications towers should generally be located away from areas of anticipated
residential development as well as from high visibility areas, such as major arterial
roads, or otherwise be designed to minimize the visual impact.
Bo
The recommended conditions will further minimize the possibility of any adverse
impact on area developmem, the Chesterfield County Public Safety Tmnked
System or the County Airport.
(NOTE: CONDITIONS MAY BE IMPOSED OR THE PROPERTY OWNER 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 PLANNING COMMISSION.)
(STAFF/CPC) 1.
The tower shall be located in the area as generally depicted on the
plan entitled Tresler Rawland RI-1-092E, prepared by Atlantis
Group, Inc. and dated January 7, 1999. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)
2. 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. 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)
In conjunction with site plan submission, the owner/developer shall
submit documentation as to whether FAA approval is required for
the erection of the tower. If FAA approval is required, prior to
release of a building permit, a copy of FAA approval shall be
submitted to the Planning Department. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)
The tower and equipmem shall be designed and installed so as not
to imerfere with the Chesterfield County Public Safety Tmnked
System. At the time of site plan review, the owner/developer shall
submit information as deemed necessary by the Chesterfield County
Communications and Electronics staff to determine if an
engineering study should be performed to analyze the possibility of
radio frequency interference with the County system, based upon
the frequencies and effective radiated power generated by tower-
mounted equipmem. Prior to release of a building permit the study,
if required, shall be submitted to, and approved by, the Chesterfield
County Communications and Electronics staff. (GS)
2
99SN0225/WP/APR28L
(STAFF/CPC)
(STAFF/CPC)
(STAFF/CPC)
(STAFF/CPC)
(STAFF/CPC)
10.
The developer shall be responsible for correcting any frequency
problems which affect the Chesterfield County Public Safety
Trunked System caused by this use. Such corrections shall be made
immediately upon notification by the Chesterfield County
Communications and Electronics staff. (GS)
The color and lighting system for the tower shall be as follows:
The tower shall be grey or another neutral color, acceptable
to the Planning Department.
bo
The tower shall not be lighted unless lighting is required by
FAA. If lighted, lighting during daylight hours shall be
limited to medium intensity strobe lights with upward
reflection and lighting during night time hours shall be
limited to soft blinking lights.
c. The tower shall be of a monopole design. (P)
All driveways and parking areas shall be graveled or paved and
maintained to minimize dust problems and provide ease of ingress
and egress. (P)
With the exception of the tower and antennas or other tower-
mounted equipment, any building and/or mechanical equipment
shall comply with Sections 19-570 (b) and (c) and 19-595 of the
Zoning Ordinance relative to architectural treatment of building
exteriors and screening of mechanical equipment. (P)
(NOTE: This condition would require the screening of mechanical
equipment located on, or associated with, any building from
adjacent properties and public rights of way. Screening would not
be required for the tower or tower-mounted equipment or ground-
mounted equipment cabinets.)
A minimum 100 foot buffer shall be maintained around the
perimeter of the tower site. Except for access and utilities, which
may be extended generally perpendicular through this buffer,
existing healthy trees having a minimum caliper of 2.5 inches
within this buffer shall be preserved and maintained. These trees
shall be supplemented where necessary to minimize the views of the
tower and associated equipment from adjacent properties and public
rights of way. Additional plantings shall consist of trees of species
3 99SN0225/WP/APR28L
having an average minimum mature crown spread of greater than
thirty (30) feet and a minimum caliper of 2.5 inches at the time of
planting, to achieve minimum density of one (1) tree for each 300
square feet of cleared area. At the time of site plan review, a
landscaping plan depicting this requirement shall be submitted to the
Planning Department for approval. (P)
(STAFF/CPC) 11.
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)
(STAFF/CPC) 12.
In conjunction with the approval of this request, a forty-nine (49)
foot exception to the 150 foot height limitation shall be granted. (P)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
Northeast quadrant of Claypoint Road and Route 288. Tax ID 743-674-7086 (Sheet 21).
Existing Zoning:
A
17.0 acres
Existing Land Use:
Vacant
Adjacent Zoning & Land Use:
North, South, East and West - A; Single family residential or vacant
The proposed tower and associated equipmem will not require the use of the public water and
wastewater systems.
99SNO225/WP/APR28L
ENVIRONMENTAL
Drainage and Erosion:
No existing or anticipated on- or off-site drainage or erosion problems. A land
disturbance permit will not be required if less than 2,500 square feet of land area is
disturbed by the construction of the tower and associated improvements.
PUBLIC FACILITIES
Fire Service and Transportation:
The proposed tower and associated equipment will have a minimal 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 erection of the proposed communications tower.
A preliminary review of this tower proposal has indicated that the facility will not interfere with
the County's communications system; however, if this request is approved, a condition should be
imposed to ensure that the tower is designed and constructed so as not to interfere with the
Chesterfield County Public Safety Trunked System (Condition 5). In addition, once the tower is
in operation, if interference occurs, the owner/developer should be required to correct any
problems. (Condition 6)
COUNTY AIRPORT
A preliminary review of this tower proposal has indicated that the facility will not interfere with
the operation of the County Airport; however, if this request is approved, any necessary FAA
approvals for this facility should be obtained prior to the release of a building permit. (Condition
4)
Comprehensive Plala:
The request property lies within the boundaries of the Central Area Plan which suggests
the request property and surrounding area are appropriate for residential use of 1.0 to 2.5
units per acre.
5 99SN0225/WP/APR28L
Area Development Trends:
The request property is located in an area characterized by single family residences on
acreage parcels and vacant land. It is anticipated that properties in the vicinity of the
request site will eventually be zoned and developed for residential use, in accordance with
the Central Area Plan recommendations.
As proposed, the tower would lie approximately 1,040 feet east of Claypoint Road and 700
feet off of Route 288. Access to the tower would be provided via a driveway to Claypoint
Road. Consistent with past actions on similar facilities, the base of the tower should be
secured with a fence to discourage trespassing. (Condition 3)
Architectural Treatment:
The request property lies within an Emerging Growth Area. A condition should be
imposed to require compliance with Emerging Growth requirements relative to
architectural treatment of buildings and screening of mechanical equipment (Condition 9).
However, imposition of Condition 9 would not require screening of the tower or tower-
mounted equipment.
In addition, consistent with past actions on similar facilities, the tower should be removed
at such time that it ceases to be used for communications purposes to ensure that the tower
does not become a maintenance problem or an eyesore. (Condition 11)
CONCLUSIONS
While the subject site lies within the boundaries of the Central Area Plan which suggests the
request property and surrounding area are appropriate for residential use of 1.0 to 2.5 units per
acre, the site is densely wooded and located approximately 1,040 feet off of Claypoint Road and
approximately 700 feet off of Route 288 and includes enough acreage to accommodate provision
of a buffer consisting of mature trees. Further a Resource Protection Area (RPA) lies within the
northeast quadrant of the tower site. This RPA will further provide separation from the tower site
and future area development. Subject to the recommended buffer condition, the tower site
conforms to the siting criteria of the adopted Public Facilities Plan and Guidelines for Review
of Substantial Accord Determinations and/or Zoning Approval for Communications Tower
Locafio~ which suggest that communications towers should generally be located away from areas
of anticipated residential development as well as from high visibility areas, such as major arterial
roads, or otherwise be designed to minimize the visual impact.
The recommended conditions will further minimize the possibility of any adverse impact on area
development, the Chesterfield County Public Safety Trunked System or the County Airport.
6
99SNO225 /WP / APR28L
Given these considerations, approval of this request is recommended.
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (3/16/99):
The applicant accepted the recommendation. There was no opposition present.
On motion of Mr. Marsh, seconded by Mr. Ctmning~, the Commission recommended
approval of this request subject to the conditions on pages 2 through 4.
AYES: Unanimous.
Further, for the reasom stated herein, the Commission found this request substantially in
accord with the Comprehensive Plan. The Code of Virginia, as amended, grants the
Board the authority to "overrule the action of the Commission by a vote of the majority
of the membership thereof".
The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, April 28, 1999, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will take
under consideration this request.
7 99SN0225/WP/APR28L
FAMILY
/5
N
/
/
Z¢
99SN0225
C.U. RD.
SH. 21
CHESAPEAKE BAY
RESOURCE PROTEC'IION AREA
'", a= U.I /
/
L. tMIT$ O-
666
TAX ID: 743674708600000
BRE~IDA J. & IMLUAM F. TRESLER
5~01 CLAYP(3NT ROAD
CHESTERFIEZD. VA 23832
DEED BOOK 1357 PAGE 2,36
LOT AR---~ 17 AC~ES
ID: 743674485100000
REGENA V. HALL
10741 GRUBHILL CHURCH ROAD
AMELIA, VA 23002
Dr*r'n BOOK 642 PAGE 355
c~ cl $1',l O Z E S - I