99SN0234REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
April 28, 1999 BS
99SN0234
Chesterfield County Planning Commission
(Robert Eanes)
Bermuda Magisterial District
Off west line of Jefferson Davis Highway
REQUEST: Conditional Use Planned Development to permit a communications tower with
height exception in an Agricultural (A) District.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A 400 foot communications tower with accessory equipment is planned. The
proposed tower would be part of Chesterfield County's enhanced emergency
communications trunked system and would be designed to provide improved
emergency communications service to the area. In addition, with approval of this
request, the antennas of other wireless communications service providers could be
located on the tower.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS ON PAGES 2 AND 3.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval for the following reasons:
The request property lies within the boundaries of the Jefferson Davis Corridor
Plan which suggests the request property and surrounding area are appropriate for
general industrial uses. In addition, the request property lies in a portion of the
County where industrial development is anticipated. The proposed tower conforms
to the siting criteria of the adopted Guidelines for Review of Substantial Ac99rd
Determinations and/or Zoning Approval for Communications Tower Locations
which suggest that towers should be located in remote, general commercial or
general industrial locations, away from existing or anticipated areas of residential
development and high visibility areas.
There exists a need for a new tower in this area to serve the County's enhanced
emergency communications system.
Co
The conditions recommended herein will further minimize the possibility of any
adverse impact on existing or future area development, as well as on the
Chesterfield County Public Safety Trunked 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 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) 2.
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, a copy of
FAA approval shall be submitted to the Planning Department prior
to the release of a building permit. (P)
(STAFF/CPC) 3.
The tower and equipment shall be designed and installed so as not
to interfere with the Chesterfield County Public Safety Trunked
System. At the time of site plan review, the owner/developer of
equipment that is not part of the County system 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 equipment. 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)
(STAFF/CPC) 4.
The owner/developer of equipment that is not part of the County
system shall be responsible for correcting any frequency problems
which affect the Chesterfield County Public Safety Trunked System
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99SN0234/WP/APR28P
caused by their equipment. Such corrections shall be made
immediately upon notification by the Chesterfield County
Communications and Electronics staff. (GS)
(STAFF/CPC)
The treatment, color and lighting system for the tower shall be as
follows:
ae
The tower shall be gray or another neutral color, acceptable
to the Planning Department.
bo
The tower shall not be lighted unless lighting is required by
the 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. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)
Any building or mechanical equipment shall comply with Sections
19-570 (b) and (c) and 19-603 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 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)
o
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)
o
In conjunction with the approval of this request, a 250 foot
exception to the 150 foot height limitation for communications
towers in Agricultural (A) Districts shall be granted. (P)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
Off the west line of Jefferson Davis Highway, north of Kingsland Road. Tax ID 787-679-
Part of 6176 (Sheet 23).
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A
0.23 acre
Existing Land Use:
Federal Government (Defense Supply Center, Richmond - warehouses)
Adjacent Zoning & Land Use:
North, South, East and West - A; Federal Government (Defense Supply Center, Richmond
- warehouses)
The proposed tower and associated equipment will not necessitate a manned facility; therefore,
the use of the public water and wastewater systems is not required.
ENVIRONMENTAl,
Drainage and Erosion:
There are no existing or anticipated drainage or erosion control 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.
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99SN0234/WP/APR28P
As noted herein, this tower would become a part of the County's enhanced communications
system. A condition should be imposed to ensure that the communications equipment of non-
County communications service providers is designed and constructed so as not to interfere with
the Chesterfield County Public Safety Trunked System (Condition 4). Once the tower is in
operation, if interference occurs, the owner/developer of such equipment should be required to
correct any problems. (Condition 4)
COLINTY AIR.PORT
A preliminary review of this tower proposal has indicated that the facility will not interfere with
the operation of the County Airport; however, as a further precaution, any necessary FAA
approvals for this facility should be obtained prior to the release of a building permit. (Condition
3)
LAND USE
Comprehensive Plan:
The request property lies within the boundaries of the Jefferson Davis Corridor Plan which
suggests the request property and surrounding area are appropriate for general industrial
use.
Area Development Trends:
The request property is part of a large, agriculturally zoned parcel owned by the Federal
Government and occupied by the Defense Supply Center, Richmond. It is anticipated that
this property will continue to be used for Federal Government uses.
The tower site consists of an acreage parcel lying off the west line of Jefferson Davis
Highway. Access to the property will be provided via an existing road network and
driveway serving the warehouse facilities located on the property. Consistent with past
actions on similar facilities, the base of the tower should be secured with a fence to
discourage trespassing. (Condition 2)
Architectural Treatment:
The request property lies within the Jefferson Davis Highway North Post Development
Area. A condition should be imposed to require compliance with Post Development
Growth requirements relative to architectural treatment of buildings and screening of
mechanical equipment. (Condition 6)
5 99SN0234/WP/APR28P
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 7)
CONCLUSIONS
The request property lies within the boundaries of the Jefferson Davis Corridor Plan which
suggests the request property and surrounding area are appropriate for general industrial uses.
In addition, the request property lies in a portion of the County where industrial development is
anticipated. The proposed tower conforma to the siting criteria of the adopted Guidelines for
Review of Substantial Accord Determinations and/or Zoning Approval for Communications
Tower Locations which suggest that towers should be located in remote, general commercial or
general industrial locations, away from existing or anticipated areas of residential development
and high visibility areas. In addition, there exists a need for a new tower in this area to serve the
County's enhanced emergency communications system.
Given these considerations, approval of this request would be appropriate.
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (3/16/99):
The applicant accepted the recommendation. There was no opposition present.
On motion of Mr. Cunningham, seconded by Mr. Marsh, the Commission recommended
approval of this request subject to the conditions on pages 2 and 3.
AYES: Unanimous.
Further, for the reasons 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.
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99SN0234/WP/APR28P
iI!!111~1
KINGSLAND, ROAD
99SN0'254
C.U.P.D.
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