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98SN0269.PDF· ........... CPC August 26, 1998 BS REQUEST ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION 98SN0269 Triton PCS, Inc. Bermuda Magisterial District 9710 Chester Road REOUEST: Conditional Use Planned Development to permit a communications tower and height and rear yard setback exceptions in an Agricultural (A) District. PROPOSED LAND USE: A 199 foot communications tower, located within twenty (20) feet of the western (rear yard) property boundary, is planned. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMEND APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS ON PAGES 2 THROUGH 4. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Recommend approval for the following reasons: The proposed tower site lies within the boundaries of the Jefferson Davis Highway Corridor Plan which suggests the request property, and surrounding area, between Route 288 to the north, Old Lane to the south, Chester Road to the east and a railroad right of way to the west, are appropriate for light industrial use. In addition, the request property and adjacent properties to the north and west are occupied in part by Virginia Power electrical transmission easements with several tall electrical transmission structures. The proposed tower location conforins to the Public Facilities Plan which suggests that communications towers should generally be located to minimize the visual impact of the towers on existing or planned areas of residential development by co-locating and/or grouping energy and communications facilities, whenever feasible, in industrial or remote areas. The tower would be located adjacent to a Virginia Power electrical transmission easement and in proximity to several transmission structures. (STAFF/CPC) (STAFF/CPC) (STAFF/CPC) (STAFF/CPC) (STAFF/CPC) (STAFF/CPC) 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 intbrmation 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 Comtnunications and Electronics staff. (GS) 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. The tower shall not be lighted unless lighting is required by FAA. If lighted, tower 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) 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 Development Standards Manual relative to architectural treatment of building exteriors and screening of mechanical equipment. (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 equipment from the property. (P) 3 98SN0269/WP/AUG26P UTII..i_TIE S The tower and associated equipment Will not be a manned facility; therefore, the use of the public water and wastewater systems is not required. ENVI~ 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 FA~ Fire Service and Transportation: The proposed tower and associated equipment 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, 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) 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) 5 98SN0269/WP/AUG26P 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) C__Q.N_C LUSIONS The proposed tower site lies with/n the boundaries of the Jefferson Davis Higiway Corridor Plan winch suggests the request property and surrounding area, between Route 288 to the north, Old Lane to the south, Chester Road to the east and a railroad right of way to the west, are appropriate for light industrial use. In addition, the request property and adjacent properties to the north and west are occupied in part by Virginia Power electrical transmission easements with several tall electrical transmission structures. The proposed tower location conforms to the Public Facilities Plan which suggests that communications towers should generally be located to minimize the visual impact of the towers on existing or planned areas of residential development by co-locating and/or grouping energy and communications facilities, whenever feasible, in industrial or remote areas. The tower would be located adjacent to a Virginia Power electrical transmission easement and in proximity to several transmission structures. The proposed tower site also lies in the vicinity of the Chester Road/Route 288 interchange. While the Guidelines for Review of Substantial Accord Determinations and/or Zoning Approval for Communications Tower Locations suggest that communications towers should generally be located away from areas of high visibility, such as the intersections of major roads, the request property and surrounding area, in the southwest quadrant of Chester Road and Route 288, is already occupied by several tall Virginia Power utility structures. The addition of the communications tower in proxin~ty to these structures, should not generate a visual impact on area development or roads that is significantly greater than the visual impact of the existing Virginia Power electrical transmission structures. In addition, approval of the requested rear yard setback exception will allow the tower to be located as remotely as possible from Chester Road, thereby further mitigating its visual impact, and the recommended conditions 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. 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. 7 98SN0269/WP/AUG26P D A OLD )269 = C.U..PD. ~_____:. 2:5 ProPoseD LEASE AREA SEE DETAIL 1 BRICK i-1/2 ~TORY FRAME N WR~N~Z ~,q-f OVERALL HEiGHT=lg9 FEET~i~ . TOWER HElGHT=195 FEET PROPOSED PANEL ANTI~N NAS PROPOSED MONOPOLE- COLOR: NEUTRAL GRAY PROPOSED EOUIPME_NT PROPOSED 8' CHAIN UNK FENCE WITH 3 STRANDS BARBED WIRE ON TOP-'--, P.C.S. DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS TOWER 98SN0269 In Bermuda Magisterial District, TRITON PCS, INC. requested Conditional Use Planned Development and amendment of zoning district map to permit a communications tower with height and setback exceptions in an Agricultural (A) District. A 199 foot communications tower is planned. The density of such amendment will be controlled by zoning conditions or Ordinance standards. The Comprehensive Plan suggests the 8/2S/98 98 631 property is appropriate for light industrial use. This request lies on 1.83 acres known as 9710 Chester Road. Tax ID 787 666 3707 (Sheet 23). Mr. Jacobson presented a summary of Case 98SN0269 and stated that the Planning Commission and staff recommends approval subject to the conditions. He noted that the proposed tower site lies within the boundaries of the Jefferson Davis Highway Corridor Plan. Mr. Ed Kidd, representing the applicant, stated that the recommendation is acceptable. There was no opposition present. On motion of Mr. McHale, seconded by Mr. Barber, the Board approved Case 98SN0269 subject to the following conditions: 1 The base of the tower shall be enclosed by a minimum six (6) foot high fence, designed to preclude trespassing. The fence shall be placed so as to provide sufficient room between the fence and the property line to accommodate evergreen plantings having an initial height and spacing to provide screening of the base of the tower and accessory ground mounted equipment or structures from adjacent properties. A detailed plan depicting this requirement shall be submitted to the Planning Department for approval in conjunction with final site plan review. (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) 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) 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 8/2S/98 98 632 notification by the Chesterfield County Communications and Electronics staff. (GS) The color and lighting system for the tower shall be as follows: a. The tower shall be grey or another neutral color, acceptable to the Planning Department. b. The tower shall not be lighted unless lighting is required by F~. If lighted, tower 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) 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 © and 19 595 of the Development Standards Manual relative to architectural treatment of building exteriors and screening of mechanical equipment. (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 equipment from the property. (P) 9. The tower and associated improvements shall be located on the property generally as depicted on the plan entitled Triton PCS Inc., prepared by Charles H. Fleet and Associates, P. C., dated May 14, 1998. (P) 10. In conjunction with the approval of this request, a forty nine (49) foot exception to the 150 foot height limitation for communications towers in Agricultural (A) Districts shall be granted. (P) 11. In conjunction with the approval of this request, a thirty (30) foot exception to the fifty (50) foot rear yard setback requirement for communications towers in Agricultural (A) Districts shall be granted. (P) Ayes: Humphrey, Warren, Barber, and McHale. Nays: None. Absent: Daniel. 8/2S/98 98 633