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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLEARWIRE, COLLINDALE GOLF COURSE WTF - PDP - 11-10 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT(11) Access Roadways: The existing access drive into the Collindale Golf Course maintenance facility, which will serve as the access drive to this wireless facility, is capable of supporting repair equipment and emergency response equipment of the Poudre Fire Authority. (12) Foothills and Hogbacks: This proposal is not in or near the foothills. (13) Airports and Flight Paths: The proposed monopole is not located near an airport or within a flight path. (14) Historic Sites and Structures: The proposed facility is not located on a historic structure, nor is the site located within a historic district. (15) Stealth Technology: The facility is designed with a stealth sheath cover for the array which is much less visually intrusive than traditional triangular antenna arrays. A mimic structure was not appropriate in this location because of the context in which it is located. The.pole will simulate the existing golf course netting poles adjacent to it. The proposed design has been used successfully elsewhere in Fort Collins. 4. Article 4 — Districts Division 4.13 Public Open Lands (POL) - Wireless telecommunication facilities are permitted in the POL District, subject to an Administrative Hearing. FINDINGS OF FACT / CONCLUSIONS After reviewing the Clearwire Wireless Telecommunications Facility @ Collindale Golf Course, PDP, staff makes the following findings of fact and conclusions: 1. The Project Development Plan complies with all applicable administrative standards contained within Article 2 of the Land Use Code. 2. The Project Development Plan complies with all applicable General Development Standards contained in Article 3 of the Land Use Code. 3. The Project Development Plan complies with all applicable district standards of Division 4.13 of the Land Use Code, Public Open Lands District (POL). RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the Clearwire Wireless Telecommunications Facility @ Collindale Golf Course, Project Development Plan - #11-10. on existing power poles but declined Clearwire's proposal, stating that they no longer allow wireless carriers to collocate on their highline poles. Given the fact that Collindale Golf Course is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and no other viable candidates for collocation exist in the area, the City of Fort Collins was approached to enter into, and has subsequently approved, a lease for this site on the golf course. If approved, the Applicant may not prevent future telecommunication carriers from further co -locating upon this structure. Standards [Section 3.8.13 (C)] - (1) Setbacks: The proposed monopole will be set back from the South Lemay Avenue right-of-way (ROW) by 340 feet. The total height of the proposed facility is 50 feet, which requires a 50 foot setback from property lines (also ROW). A future co -location may be placed on this facility, assuming it meets all other standards. (2) Wireless Telecommunication Facilities: The proposed monopole will be painted a gray/bronze color to match the existing netting poles for the Collindale Golf Course driving range in order to minimize visual impacts. The equipment at the ground level will be screened by a 6 foot high solid wood fence. (3) Wireless Telecommunication Equipment: Not applicable. (4) Landscaping: Landscaping, in the form of 8 Four -wing Saltbush shrubs, around the exterior of the enclosure will be provided. There is a substantial amount of trees and shrubs existing in the surrounding area. (5) Fencing: As mentioned, a 6 foot high solid wood fence will enclose the ground equipment. (6) Berming: Not applicable. (7) Irrigation: Not applicable. (8) Color. The proposed tower will be painted a gray/bronze to match the existing netting poles for the Collindale Golf Course driving range. The 6 foot high solid wood fence will be a natural wood color. The materials and colors proposed are intended to minimize visual impacts to the surrounding residential neighborhoods. (9) Lighting: Not applicable. (10) Interference: The proposed facility will not interfere with other types of electronics or wireless providers. If there are problems, the Applicant will be responsible for repairing the equipment. Color [Section 3.5.1 (F)] - The proposed tower will be painted a gray/bronze to match the existing netting poles along the south end of the driving range. The 6 foot high solid wood fence enclosure will be a natural wood color. The materials and colors proposed are intended to minimize visual impacts to the surrounding residential neighborhoods. Building Height Review [Section 3.5.1 (G)] - Special Height Review/Modifications: The section establishes a special review process for buildings or structures which exceed 40 feet in height. The proposed wireless facility meets the review standards including: Views: The tower is proposed to be located on the east side of South Lemay Avenue at the south end of the Collindale Golf Course driving range. There are no affected views of the foothills from the residential neighborhoods to the south and 'southwest. The residences most affected are oriented to the north and east and are 400 feet to 500 feet away. The proposed tower, being 50 feet high, is the same height as the existing golf course netting poles and existing trees. Therefore, it would not interfere with any views. Light and Shadow: The tapered tower is 18 inches to 30 inches (top to bottom) in diameter and 50 feet tall. Shadows cast from this structure will not have any adverse impact on neighboring properties. Privacy: Since the proposed tower is not habitable, no privacy issues will result. Also, the closest residence is 400 feet to 500 feet away. Neighborhood Scale: The proposed tower is similar to the height and diameter of the existing netting poles for the Collindale Golf Course driving range and incorporates stealth technology so that it is not much more obtrusive than those existing poles. Land Use Transition [Section 3.5.1(H)]: A gradual transition, to include distance and existing vegetation, is provided to the closest residential neighborhoods to the south and southwest. Also, the development plan is, to the maximum extent feasible, achieving compatibility through compliance with the rest of the standards of this section, including color and operational standards, which this project has provided for as described below (in Section 3.8.13). Section 3.8.13, Wireless Telecommunication Location and Co -location [Section 3.8.13 (A) and (B) - The wireless telecommunication facility, including tower, is proposed to be ground mounted within the POL, Public Open Lands District. The Applicant made a good faith effort to locate with these proposed facilities in other locations within the vicinity with no success. The local power company was approached to allow collocations COMMENTS 1. Background The surrounding zoning and existing land uses are as follows: N: POL, Public Open Lands (Collindale Golf Course); and, MMN, Medium Density Mixed -Use Neighborhood (existing multi -family residential) S: POL, Public Open Lands (Collindale Golf Course); and, RL, Low Density Residential (existing single-family residential) E: POL, Public Open Lands (Collindale Golf Course) W: RL, Low Density Residential (existing Warren Park and existing single- family residential) The Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 restricts municipalities' ability to deny telecommunications equipment installations. A municipality may not deny a wireless facility because it does not want such development in the community or because of concerns about negative health consequences from radiation emitted by wireless facilities. Cities can stipulate in which zone districts wireless facilities are permitted. Fort Collins allows wireless telecommunications facilities only in zone districts which are primarily commercial, industrial or in public open lands. 2. Article 2 — Administration The Clearwire Wireless Telecommunications Facility @ Collindale Golf Course complies with the applicable requirements of the Land Use Code, including the procedural requirements located in Division 2.2 — Common Development Review Procedures for Development Applications; and Division 2.4 — Project Development Plan. 3. Article 3 — General Development Standards The Clearwire Wireless Telecommunications Facility @ Collindale Golf Course complies with the applicable requirements of the Land Use Code, including those located in Division 3, General Standards, as noted below. Section 3.5.1, Building Standards Purpose [Section 3.5.1 (A)] - The purpose of the building standards section is to ensure that the physical and operational characteristics of proposed buildings and uses are compatible when considered within the context of the surrounding area. There is no building proposed for this facility. IS City Collins of Planning, Development & Transportation Community Development & Neighborhood Services 281 North College Avenue P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580 970.416.2740 970.224.6134- fax fcgov.com PROJECT: Clearwire Wireless Telecommunications Facility @ Collindale Golf Course, Project Development Plan - #11-10 APPLICANT: Advanced Integrated Services, Inc. C/o Victor McAlister 3443 South Galena Street, #300 Denver, CO 80231 OWNER: City of Fort Collins 300 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80522 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This is a request to construct a wireless communications facility on the east side of the existing maintenance facility for the City of Fort Collins Collindale Golf Course. It is at the south end of the driving range, being outside of and adjacent to the existing netting and poles; and, is 340 feet from the east edge of South Lemay Avenue. The proposed facility would contain a 50 foot high tapered monopole, 18 to 30 inches in diameter, with antennas in a sheath 30 inches in diameter on the upper 14 feet of the pole. There would be a 6 foot high solid wood fence enclosure, 25 feet x 25 feet, at the base of the pole to screen ground -mounted equipment. The facility is located on the east side of South Lemay Avenue, just south of East Horsetooth Road, and is in the POL, Public Open Lands Zoning District. Wireless telecommunications facilities are permitted in this District subject to compliance with standards set forth in Section 3.8.13 of the City's Land Use Code and development review and public hearing in front of a Hearing Officer. RECOMMENDATION: Approval EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Wireless telecommunication facilities are permitted in the POL, Public Open Lands District, subject to an Administrative Hearing. This Project Development Plan (PDP) complies with the applicable General Development standards of 3.8.13 and the zone district standards of the Neighborhood Commercial District.