98SN0259.PDF,~,ly ,~,, ,~, CPC
August 26, 1998 BS
REQUEST ANALYSIS
AND
RECOMMENDATION
98SN0259
Sprint PCS
Dale Magisterial District
9601 Alfaree Road
REQUEST: Conditional Use Planned Development to permit a communications tower and
height exception in a Residential (R-7) District.
PROPOSED LAND USE:
A 143.5 foot communications tower and associated improvements are planned
within a Virginia Power electrical transmission line easement. Specifically, the
tower would be incorporated into the structure of an existing electrical transmission
structure located on the property.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMEND APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS ON PAGES 2 AND 3.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommend approval for the following reasons:
The Public Facilities Plan suggests that communications tower locations should
generally be located to minimize the impact on existing or planned areas of
development, and that energy and communications facilities should co-locate
whenever feasible. The tower would be incorporated into an existing, permitted
Virginia Power electrical transmission structure. The addition of the
conununications facilities into the existing transmission structure would not
generate a visual impact on area residences that is significantly greater than the
visual impact of the existing Virginia Power electrical transmission structure and
conforms to the co-location criteria of the Plan.
Incorporating the commmfications facilities into an existing Virginia Power electrical
transmission structure will eliminate the need for an additional freestanding
communications tower in the area, thereby minimizing tower proliferation.
Similar conmqunications tower/Virginia Power structure co-locations have occurred
throughout the County, with no known adverse impacts on nearby development.
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.)
CONDITIONS
(STAFF/CPC)
1. There shall be no signs permitted to identify this use. (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, prior to
release of a building permit, a copy of FAA approval shall be
submitted to the Planning Department. (P)
(STAFF/CPC) 3.
The tower and equipment shall be designed and installed so as not
to interfere 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 equipment. Prior to release of a building permit the study,
if required, shall be submitted to, and approved by, the Chesterfield
County Conununications and Electronics staff. (GS)
(STAFF/CPC) 4.
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
inm~ediately upon notification by the Chesterfield County
Communications and Electronics staff. (GS)
(STAFF/CPC)
5. The color and lighting system for the tower shall be as follows:
2 98SN0259/WP/AUG26L
The tower shall be gray or another neutral color, acceptable
to the Planning Department.
b. The tower shall not be lighted. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)
All driveways and parking areas shall be graveled or paved and
maintained to minimize dust problems and provide ease of ingress
and egress. (P)
(STAFF/CPC)
Any building or mechanical equipment shall comply with Sections
19-570 (b) and (c) and 19-595 of the Development Standards
Manual relative to architectural treatment of building exteriors and
screening of mechanical equipment. (P)
(NOTE: This condition would require the screehing of mechanical
equipment, located on, or associated with, any building from
adjacent properties and public rights of way. Screening would not
be required tbr the tower or tower-mounted equipment or for
ground-mounted equipment cabinets.)
(STAFF/CPC)
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)
In conjunction with the approval of this request, a 93.5 foot
exception to the fifty (50) foot height limitation tbr communications
towers in Residential (R-7) Districts shall be granted. (P)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location:
Fronts the east line of Alfaree Road, north of Verlinda Drive and is better known as 9601
Alfaree Road. Tax ID 784-667-Part of 4971 (Sheet 23).
Exist ing_g_O, gi_~:
R-7
Size:
0.6 acre
3 98SN0259/WP/AUG26L
Existing Land Use:
Virginia Power transmission tine
Adjacent Zoning & Land Uses:
North; East; and West - R-7; Single family residential and Virginia Power transmission
line
South - R-7; Single family residential
UTILITIES
The tower and associated equipmen~ will not require the use of the public water and wastewater
systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Drainage and Erosion:
No existing or anticipated on- or off-site drainage or erosion problems with the
improvements to accommodate the tower. A land disturbance permit is not 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:
This use will have a minimal impact on these facilities.
COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS
The Development Standards Manual 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 communication system; however, as a further precaution, 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 3). Once the
tower is in operation, if interference occurs, the owner/developer should be required to correct
any problems. (Condition 4)
4 98SN0259/WP/AUG26L
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, as a further precaution, if this request is approved,
any necessary FAA approvals for this facility should be obtained prior to the release of a building
permit. (Condition 2)
LAND USE
Cgmprehensive Plan:
The request property lies within the boundaries of the Central Area Land Use and
Transportation Plan which suggests the property is appropriate for residential use of 1.0
to 2.5 units per acre.
The Public Facilities Plan, an element of the Comprehensive Plan, suggests that energy and
conunuhications uses should be located to minimize impacts on existing and future areas
of development and that such uses should co-locate whenever feasible.
Area Development Trends:
The request property is part of a recorded lot in Kendale Acres Subdivision which is
occupied by a single family residence and a Virginia Power electrical transmission
structure within a Virginia Power electrical transmission easement. Surrounding properties
are also developed as single family residences on lots in Kendale Acres.
As noted herein, adjacent property along the northern boundary of the request site is
occupied by a single family residence and a Virginia Power electrical transmission
structure within a Virginia Power electrical transmission easement, similar to that which
exists on the request property. In 1997, the Board of Supervisors approved a similar
communications tower/Virginia Power structure co-location on this adjacent property.
This tower is currently in place.
Site Design:
As noted herein, the request property is occupied by a Virginia Power electrical
tra~smission structure. The proposed communications tower site would be located within
the transmission structure. Access for the tower site is provided via a driveway to Alfaree
Road.
Given the proxim/ty of area residences, the tower should be gray or other neutral color and
should not be lighted. (Condition 5)
5 98SN0259/WP/AUG26L
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 associated mechanical equipment
(Condition 7). However, imposition of Condition 7 would not require screening of the
tower or tower-mounted equipment or ground-mounted equipment cabinets.
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 8)
CONCLUSIONS
The Public Facilities Plan suggests that communications towers should be located to minimize the
impact on existing or planned areas of development and that energy and communications facilities
should co-locate whenever feasible. Specifically, the communications tower would be
incorporated into an existing, permitted Virginia Power electrical transmission structure and
conforms to the co-location criteria of the Plan. The addition of the communications facilities into
the structure of the existing transmission tower does not generate a visual impact on area
residences that is significantly greater than the visual impact of the existing Virginia Power
electrical transmission tower and will eliminate the need for an additional freestanding
communications tower in the area, thereby minimizing tower proliferation.
As noted herein, similar communications tower/Virginia Power structure co-locations have
occurred throughout the County, with no known adverse impacts on nearby development. In
particular, a similar co-location was approved by the Board of Supervisors on property adjacent
to the northern boundary of the request site, in Kendale Acres, and has existed since 1997.
In addition, the recommended conditions will further minimize the possibility of any adverse
impact on area development, as well as on 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 (7/21/98):
The applicant accepted the recommendation. There was no opposition present.
6 98SN0259/WP/AUG26L
On motion of Mr. Marsh, seconded by Mr. Cunningham, the Comanission recommended
approval of this request subject to the conditions on pages 2 and 3.
AYES: Messrs. Shewmake, Marsh, Cunningham and Gulley.
ABSENT: Mr. Miller.
Further, the Commission found the proposed tower to be in Substantial Accord with the
Comprehensive Plan.
The Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, August 26, 1998, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will take
under consideration this request.
7 98SN0259/WP/AUG26L
FLO(
KENDALE
ACRES
98SN0259
In Dale Magisterial District, SPRINT PCS requested a
Conditional Use Planned Development and amendment of zoning
district map to permit a communications tower with height
exception in a Residential (R 7) District. A 143.5 foot
communications tower is planned. The density of such
amendment will be controlled by zoning conditions or
Ordinance standards. The Comprehensive Plan suggests the
property is appropriate for residential use of 1.0 to 2.5
8/2S/98
98 625
units per acre. This request lies on 0.6 acre known as 9601
Alfaree Road. Tax ID 784 667 Part of 4971 (Sheet 23).
Mr. Jacobson presented a summary of Case 98SN0259 and stated
that the Planning Commission and staff recommends approval
subject to conditions.
Mr. Chuck Rothenberg, representing the applicant, stated
that the recommendation is acceptable.
When asked about co location of the communications tower and
the Virginia Power transmission line tower, Mr. Jacobson
stated that staff is comfortable with the location and
supports the idea of co location on Virginia power lines.
There was no opposition present.
On motion of Mrs. Humphrey, seconded by Mr. McHale, the
Board approved Case 98SN0259 subject to the following
conditions:
1 There shall be no signs permitted to identify this
use. (P)
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, prior to
release of a building permit, a copy of FAA approval
shall be submitted to the Planning Department. (P)
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 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)
4 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)
5 The color 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.
8/26/98
98 626
b. The tower shall not be lighted. (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)
Any building or mechanical equipment shall comply with
Sections 19 570 (b) and (c) and 19 595 of the
Development Standards Manual 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 for ground
mounted equipment cabinets.)
At such time that the tower ceases to be used for
con~nunlcatlons 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)
In conjunction with the approval of this request, a
93.5 foot exception to the fifty (50) foot height
limitation for communications towers in Residential
(R 7) Districts shall be granted. (P)
Ayes: Humphrey, Warren, Barber, and McHale.
Nays: None.
Absent: Daniel.
8/2S/98
98 627