99SN0257April 28,
1999 BS
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
99SN0257
Larry Horton, Triton PCS, Inc.
Matoaca Magisterial District
North line of Genito Road
REOUEST: 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
The proposal lies within the boundaries of the Upper Swift Creek Plan which
suggests the request property and surrounding area are appropriate for residential
use of 2.2 units per acre or less. However, the site consists of a densely wooded
property located at least 1,600 feet off of Genito Road and includes enough acreage
to accommodate provision of a buffer consisting of mature trees. 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 Locations
which suggest that communications towers should generally be located away from
areas of anticipated residential development as well as from high visibility areas,
Providing a FIRST CHOICE Community Through Excellence in Public Service
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 development, 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. There shall be no signs permitted to identify this use. (P)
(STAFF/CPC) 2.
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) 3.
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) 4.
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 shall
submit information as deemed necessary by the Chesterfield County
Communications and EIectronics 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)
2
99SNO257/WP/APR28Q
(STAFF/CPC)
(STAFF/CPC)
(STAFF/CPC)
(STAFF/CPC)
(STAFF/CPC)
o
o
The developer shall be responsible for correcting any frequency
problems which affect the Chesterfield County Public Safety
Tmnked 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.
be
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. (P)
c. The tower shall be of a monopole design. (P)
Ail 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
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
3 99SNO257/WP/APR28Q
(STAFF/CPC) 10.
(STAFF/CPC) 11.
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)
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 equipmem from the property. (P)
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:
North line of Genito Road, west of Weatherbury Place.
(Sheet 12).
Existing Zoning:
A
10.0 acres
Existing Land Use:
Vacant
Ad_iacem Zoning & Land Use:
Tax ID 709-689-Part of 3444
North, South, East, and West - A; Single family residential, agricultural or vacant
UTILITIES
The proposed tower and associated equipmem will not require the use of the public water and
wastewater systems.
99SN0257/WP/APR28Q
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 stmcture 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 communication 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 Tmnked System (Condition 4). In addition, once the tower is
in operation, if interference occurs, the owner/developer should be required to correct any
problems. (Condition 5)
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
3)
Cornprehensive Plan:
The request property lies within the boundaries of the Upper Swift Creek Plan which
suggests the request property and surrounding area are appropriate for residential use of
2.2 units per acre or less.
5 99SN0257/WP/APR28Q
Zoning History_:
On February 16,1999, The Planning Commission heard cases 99SN0215 and 99PD0252
to permit a 199 foot communications tower with accessory equipment on this site. The
Planning Commission approved the Substantial Accord request and recommended approval
of the Conditional Use Planned Development, Case 99SN0215, which is scheduled to be
heard by the Board on April 28, 1999. An individual expressed opposition at the
Commission hearing about the location of the proposed tower. In order to satisfy the
opposition, the applicant has fried the present case to relocate the tower further from the
road. The applicant has indicated that if this request is approved, Case 99SN0215 will be
withdrawn.
Area Development Trends:
The request property is located in an area characterized by single family residences on
acreage parcels, agricultural uses 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 Upper Swift Creek Plan recommendations.
As proposed, the tower would lie at least 1,600 feet north of Genito Road. Access to the
tower would be provided via a driveway to Genito Road. 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 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 8).
However, imposition of Condition 8 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 10)
CONCLUSIONS
The proposal lies within the boundaries of the Upper Swift Creek Plan which suggests the request
property and surrounding area are appropriate for residential use of 2.2 units per acre or less.
However, the site consists of a densely wooded property located at least !,600 feet off of Genito
Road and includes enough acreage to accommodate a buffer consisting of mature trees. Subject
to the recommended buffer condition, the tower site conforms to the siting criteria of the Public
99SN0257/WP/APR28Q
Facilities Plan and Gui0elines for Review of Substantial Accord Determinations and/or Zonine
Approval for Communications Tower Locations 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.
Given these considerations, approval of this request is recommended.
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting (4/20/99):
The applicant accepted the recommendation. There was no opposition present.
On motion of Mr. Marsh, seconded by Mr. Ctmningham, the Commission recommended
approval of this request subject to the conditions on pages 2 through 4.
AYES: Unanimous.
Further, for the reasons stated herein, the Commission found this proposal to be in
substantial accord with the Comprehensive Plan. The Code of Virginia grants the Board
the authority to "overule the action of the Comission 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 99SN0257/WP/APR28Q
II
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