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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLAKE SHERWOOD WTE - PDP - 40-02 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning and Zoning Board Minutes February 6, 2003 Page 10 Member Craig asked if more landscaping could be put in to block the fence from the neighborhood. Planner Barkeen reviewed site shots for the Board. The site shots showed the existing landscaping. There is some existing evergreen trees asn a variety of deciduous trees. Most of them are smaller type trees and have to remain small to eliminate any possible interference with the overhead wires. He thought that there would be some more vegetation out there. There should not be too much though as to crowd anything out. What is out there now is not mature and the trees will continue to get bigger. The new landscape will be on the sides which is intended screening for the recreation trail. Member Craig asked that if anymore landscaping is added she would like to see it be evergreen trees or junipers. She would like to leave it up to staff to determine if it is needed and where. Member Colton thought vaulting could be looked at with a potential Code change, but it would have to be looked at to see how expensive it would be for something like this. Member Gavaldon recommended approval of the Lake Sherwood Wireless Telecommunication project, #40-02 including the findings of fact on page four of the staff report. Member Colton seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6-0. There was no other business. The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m. Approved by the Board May 1, 2003. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes February 6, 2003 Page 9 Public Input Robert Burger, 1930 Lakeshore Circle spoke to the Board about his concerns. He thought that the pictures that are shown are not correct. They show a huge tree that happens to be on the other side of the railroad tracks. It is not going to be adjacent to the box there. He made a suggestion to Mr. Olson that they could go down to pole 314, which would put them right behind the Nelson Farms pool and tennis courts, not adjacent to any of the homeowners around there. There is open land and a trail next to it. He would like to see this go somewhere else because there is already irrigation ditch and railroad tracks there. Public Input Closed Chairperson Torgerson asked Mr. Olson if they had explored the location Mr. Burger spoke about. Mr. Olson replied that they had. It was listed in a letter that was sent out to the affected property owners. Several sites were considered for the location of this facility. The problem that is encountered with moving the site south to pole 314 is that it ends up'/4 miles south of the area where the pole is now. Their guidelines from Sprint define a very specific geographic quadrant and a radius around that quadrant, which they need the site to be placed so that it can work with the other sites that it will connect to in their network. Placing the facility 1/4 mile south will bring into conflict with the site that it would be nearest to the south and would cause it to interfere with the site at Harmony and Lemay. Mr. Olson also responded that he was not aware of any vehicle access back to the area of pole 314 or 315. There is a pedestrian path that goes under the bridge, as the road curves; there is not any vehicular access, which they would need, both for construction and an occasional visit from the maintenance technicians. Member Colton asked if the Board had any discretion in saying where they can locate. Deputy City Attorney Paul Eckman replied that we are limited by the Federal Telecommunications Act. Director Gloss would have to address whether he feels that there is anything in the Land Use Code that has not been complied with, with regards to this application. Beyond that we cannot impose conditions that make these things not function telecommunication wise under the Federal Law. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes February 6, 2003 Page 8 They are quite mindful that the community near Lake Shore Circle and Parkland Drive is a residential area and have worked to incorporate a design that minimizes any potential visual impact on the area. By utilizing the existing Platte River Power utility pole, the site will not introduce a new structure in the area to support the antenna. By the design elements he has already discussed, including concealing the antenna cables behind a shroud, which is painted to match the pole, the site will provide the coverage required by sprint with minimal impact to the character of the area as noted in the Boards staff report. The proposed facility has been found to be in substantial compliance with all applicable requirements of the Land Use Code and is a permitted use in this zone district. They respectfully requested the Board's approval of this development plan. Member Gavaldon asked about burying the apparatus below ground. Mr. Olson replied that there are several reasons why Sprint would prefer not to do that. A vault requires air conditioning units. Anytime the equipment is enclosed or sealed in a vault or shelter that is above ground, it requires air conditioning units to keep the equipment at a particular temperature. Those units have to be mounted above grade and therefore generate noise. There are no air conditioning units proposed with the design that the Board has tonight. Mr. Olson stated that the Land Use Code does not require vaulting. He thought that they have demonstrated in the photo simulations and in the plans in front of them, including the staff report concurring, that the existing mature trees and landscaping along Parkland Drive, in addition to the landscaping that they are adding, and the fencing that will be around the enclosure will be sufficient to screen it from public view. Mr. Olson stated that it would seem to him that it would be a burden to Sprint to require that the equipment be placed in a vault for a site that is located away from the arterial roads and is situated in a utility easement along a railroad track. In addition screened from public view with landscaping. Member Gavaldon stated that the reason he brought the issue up is because it has come up a number of times on past applications. He thought the question would continue to be asked to make sure the communications companies have looked at all the alternatives. Member Craig thanked Mr. Olson for the photo simulations provided. She felt they really helped. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes February 6, 2003 Page 7 Hearing Testimony, Written Comments and Other Evidence: Member Gavaldon asked Planner Barkeen to look into putting this in underground and could that be done. Planner Barkeen stated that he forwarded his concerns onto the applicant after worksession last Friday. He has not heard back from them about that, but they are here tonight. Steve Olson, Starbridge Communications, representing Spring PCS, 4255 Kitridge Road, Denver Colorado stated that they have worked with the Planning Department and the Parks Planning Division in the design of this facility to minimize its impact on the surrounding area. The search area defined by Sprint for them for this project was centered around the intersection of Drake Road and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. This site is needed by Sprint to provide and improve coverage from Prospect Road, south to Horsetooth Road and from Lemay Avenue, east to 1-25, with particular emphasis on the Drake Road Corridor As the materials in their submittal show, the site design calls for the use of an existing utility pole, which is encouraged by the zoning code and eliminates the introduction of a new structure to support the antennas. The antennas will be mounted below the top of the existing Platte River Power utility pole and will be painted to match the pole to minimize their appearance. The antennas will be attached to the pole using a single arm support mount, which is in keeping with the existing single support mounts used by Platte River Power for their electrical lines. No increase in the height of the existing utility pole is proposed. As required by Platte River Power, a structural analysis on pole number 312 and shows that the pole has sufficient integrity to support the antennas. Also at the request of Platte River, the ground equipment area has been placed approximately 50 feet south of the utility pole. They asked for the 50-foot setback so their crews can safely access the pole and perform work on the pole in the event that is requires maintenance. A natural colored cedar fence will enclose the ground equipment for this site in order to blend with the character of the area. The fence will be treated with an oil -based sealant in order to preserve its natural color. Existing mature trees at the intersection of Lake Shore Circle and Parkland Drive will provide the landscape buffer for the enclosed ground equipment. Trees would be added to the south side of the enclosure to further screen the area. The facility is unmanned and therefore would not generate any additional traffic in the area. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes February 6, 2003 Page 6 with sit down discussions, and face to face negotiations. Sadly, Mr. P is has pcgviously refused to do so. Membe avaldon moved that the board modify the co,Pdition that it imposed uO&Q the Harmony Ridge Second Filing pr urinary and final PUD, No. 49-95D at i ovember 4, 2002, meeting to r uire that the development agreement, final p s and final plat be fully cuted and delivered to the City on or before Septlmber 18, 2003, an at if said development agreement, final plans an ' al plat ar of so delivered, then the Harmony Ridge Second Filing prelimina final PUD No. 49-95D shall terminate, become null and void and of no r force and effect unless further extended by the Board. Member Carpenter s or the motion. �\ Member Colton ked Ms. Liley to agree to waive the right totbie argument that the plan wa riginally approved without condition and is therefo of subject to any requ' ment that it obtains extensions from the city before we go ead. MV.1iley replied that she would be delivering a written waiver to Mr. e has that. The Motion was approved 6-0. Project: Lake Sherwood Wireless Telecommunication Equipment, Project Development Plan, #40-02 Project Description: Request for a wireless telecommunication antenna to be located on the top of an existing 90-foot electric transmission pole. The pole is located within the Union Pacific Railroad Right of Way, between the railroad tracks and Parkland Drive, just north of Lake Shore Circle. The property is zoned RL, Low Density Residential. Recommendation: Approval Council Liaison: Karen Weitkunat Chairperson: Mikal Torgerson Vice Chair: Jerry Gavaldon Staff Liaison: Cameron Gloss Phone: (W) 416-7435 Phone: (H) 484-2034 Chairperson Torgerson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Roll Call: Meyer, Colton, Carpenter, Craig, Gavaldon, and Torgerson. Member Bernth was absent. Staff Present: Gloss, Eckman, Barkeen, Olt, Jones, Virata and Deines. Director of Current Planning Cameron Gloss reviewed the Consent and Discussion Agendas: 1. Minutes of the October 17, 2002 Planning and Zoning Board Hearings. (Continued) 2. Modification of Conditions of Final Approval. (Harmony Ridge) 3. Modification of Conditions of Final Approval. (Hearthfire PUD) 4. #40-02 Lake Sherwood Wireless Telecommunications — Project Development Plan. 5. #5-98A Ed Carroll Auto Dealership Parking Lot — Project Development Plan. Discussion Agenda: 6. Recommendation to City Council for the City Plan Update and the Transportation Master Plan Update characteristics for Future Size and Character of Fort Collins. (Continued). Jim Ringenberg, citizen pulled Item 2, Modification of Conditions of Final Approval for Harmony Ridge for discussion. Member Gavaldon pulled Item 4, Lake Sherwood Wireless Telecommunications for discussion. Member Gavaldon moved for approval of Consent Agenda items 3 and 5. Member Craig seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6-0.