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City Park Ballfields WTE, PDr
Administrative Hearing
April 13, 2001
Page 6 of 6
C. The proposed facility meets the applicable criteria in the zone district standards
in Article 4 of the LUC.
D. The proposed equipment meets the applicable design standards in Article 3 of
the LUC.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval The City Park Ballfield, Wireless Telecommunication
Equipment — P.D.P., File # 12-01
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
After reviewing the staff report and the record of the public hearing, the Hearing Officer
makes the following findings and conclusions:
A. This application is subject to the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code.
B. The request is defined as a "wireless telecommunications equipment."
C. Wireless telecommunications equipment is permitted in the Public Open Lands
(POL), Zone District, subject to administrative review.
D. The proposed installation meets the applicable design standards and regulations
in the Land Use Code pertaining to wireless telecommunications equipment.
E. The installation of the equipment is compatible with the neighborhood and will
not cause interference with other electronic equipment that is typically found in
the surrounding neighborhoods.
DECISION
Based on the findings and conclusions, the request to co -locate wireless
telecommunications equipment on an existing 90-foot tall ballfield light pole located at
137 North Bryan Street, within the City Park ballfield complex, is approved.
Dated this 25th day of April 2001, per authority granted by Sections 1.4.9(E) and 2.1 of
the Land Use Code. -1-7 /� .
Cameron Gloies
Current Planning Director
< < City Park Ballfields WTE, PDr-
Administrative Hearing
April 13, 2001
Page 5 of 6
E. 3.8.13(C)(5) —Fencing. The ground equipment is contained within a structure like a
"faux" batting cage; therefore this standard is not applicable. See compliance with
Section 3.8.13(C)(15) Stealth Technology
F. 3.8.13(C)(9) — Lighting. The applicant does not propose any new lighting; therefore
this standard is satisfied.
G. 3.8.13(C)(7) — Irrigation. The LUC states that "landscaping and berming shall be
equipped with automatic irrigation systems meeting the water conservation
standards of the city." The landscaping is included in the existing irrigation system
for City Park; therefore this standard is satisfied.
H. 3.8.13(C)(10) — Interference. The primary compatibility issue typically raised during
the review process of telecommunications requests is radio interference. The
applicant has stated the frequency of wireless telecommunications equipment are
designed not to interfere with frequencies used by other electronic devices such as
radios, televisions and in no way be detrimental to the health, safety and well-being
of the community. Since the installation of numerous wireless telecommunications
equipment, Staff has not received one complaint from surrounding residents
regarding electronic interference.
I. 3.8.13(C)(15) —Access Roadways. The ground equipment and poles can be
accessed from the parking lot used for City Park Softball Fields and the Fort Collins
Housing Authority. The equipment is within 50 feet of the parking and therefore the
standard for fire access is met.
J. 3.8.13(C)(15) — Stealth Technology. The applicant proposes to expand the
existing faux batting cage to house the ground equipment. The antennae will be
mounted on a ballfield lighting pole. All of the equipment is to attached to or hidden
within a "mimic structure" as specifically provided for in the code. Therefore staff
finds that this standard is met.
5. Findings of Fact and Conclusion:
In reviewing the request for the City Park Ballfield, Wireless Telecommunication
Equipment — P.D.P., staff makes the following findings:
A. The request is defined as "wireless telecommunications equipment."
B. Wireless telecommunications equipment is permitted in the Public Open Lands
Zone District, subject to administrative review.
City Park Ballfields WTE, PG1
Administrative Hearing
April 13, 2001
Page 4 of 6
existing building or structure that is used for some other purpose."
The pole to which the equipment is to be attached is a structure (pole) that is used
primarily for lighting a softball field.
3. Zoning [Division 4.101:
The site is zoned Public Open Lands (POL). In this zone district, wireless
telecommunications facilities are permitted, subject to administrative review. The Land
Use Code defines "fireless telecommunication facility' as "any freestanding facility,
building, pole, tower or structure used to provide only wireless telecommunication
services, and which consists of, without limitation, antennae, equipment and storage
and other accessory structures used to provide wireless telecommunication services."
4. Compliance with Applicable Standards [Section 3.8.131:
The Land Use Code requires that a request for wireless telecommunications equipment
comply with a prescribed set of standards as outlined in Section 3.8.13 of the code.
The applicable standards are discussed below.
A. 3.8.13(A) - Location. Subject to the requirements of paragraph (B) of this Section,
wireless telecommunication equipment may be attached to or mounted on any
existing building or structure (or substantially similar replacement structure) located
in any zone district of the city. Wireless telecommunication equipment shall not,
however, be permitted to be attached to or mounted on any residential building
containing four (4) or fewer dwelling units. This proposal is to locate the equipment
on an existing structure. The structure is a ballfield light pole. This request is
considered a co -location and therefore complies with section 3.8.13(A).
B. 3.8.13(C)(1) — Setbacks. Setbacks do not apply to this structure because it is a
ballfield light pole; however, the pole meets the setback requirement. The ground
equipment is also in compliance with setback requirements of the POL zone district.
C. 3.8.13(C)(3) — Wireless Telecommunications Equipment. The Land Use Code
states that " wireless telecommunication equipment shall be of the same color as the
building or structure to which the equipment is mounted." The pole is a gray/silver
galvanized metal and so is the proposed equipment.
D. 3.8.13(C)(4) — Landscaping. Four existing small evergreen trees screen the fenced
area around the ground -mounted equipment and the applicant proposes to add four
more evergreens. These evergreens will screen the north and east sides of the
equipment area.
City Park Ballfields WTE, PL,
Administrative Hearing
April 13, 2001
Page 3 of 6
many neighbors' work schedules. She further noted that the letter also did not address
that the proposed equipment is co -located with other wireless facilities.
Ms. Sullivan asked about the health hazards associated with radio waves. The
applicant's Engineer, Chris Tenny, responded by stating that they operate under FCC
and EPA regulations. All of their Colorado facilities, which number more than 300,
operate within the standards. A typical home microwave, for example, is in excess of
1000 watts and at higher frequencies (by comparison, the proposed facility operates at
20 watts). In addition, emissions severely decline as you get further away from the
equipment. Sites considered an "uncontrolled environment" are when human contact
can occur within 20 feet on an antenna; with a pole height of 90 feet, there will be
virtually no chance of harmful effects to residents.
There are limited emissions below the antennae. Proposed antennas are directional;
therefore they don't radiate in a 360-degree view. Each antenna has a small sector and
the focus beam is about 65 degrees horizontally and 4 degrees vertically.
Ms. Sullivan questioned whether recently installed light poles and electrical lines were
completed as part of this new equipment installation. Mr. Taylor responded that new
poles and lights are being installed to replace existing equipment that is over 40 years
old. He further stated that all of the recently installed poles would be replaced
regardless of this project going forward due to their age and condition.
BACKGROUND
1. Background:
The surrounding zoning and land uses are as follows:
Existing Zoning
Existing Land Use
North
POL
Fort Collins Housing
Authority
South
POL
City Park
East
LMN
Single Family Residential
West
POL
City Park
2. Definition [Section 5.1.21_
"Wireless telecommunication equipment shall mean any equipment used to provide
wireless telecommunication service, but which is not affixed to or contained within a
wireless telecommunication service facility, but is instead affixed to or mounted on an
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: Notice of public hearing was made on March 30, 2001
by mailing to property owners within 500 feet of the
subject property.
The public hearing was advertised in the Coloradoan.
PUBLIC HEARING
After reviewing the Staff Report and recommendation, a public hearing was held on the
subject application at 3:00 PM on April 13, 2001. The hearing was held in Conference
Room D at 281 North College, Fort Collins, Colorado.
HEARING TESTIMONY, WRITTEN COMMENTS AND OTHER EVIDENCE:
The following is a list of those who attended the meeting:
From the City Current Planning Department:
Brian Grubb, City Planner
From the applicant:
Virgil Taylor, Park Manager
Stephanie Brennan, VoiceStream Wireless
Chris Tenny, Radio Frequency Engineer, Voice Stream Wireless
Joy Rutherford, Voice Stream Wireless
From the Community:
June Sullivan, 1700 W. Mountain Avenue #1
Written Comments:
None
Public Comments:
June Sullivan, a resident of Mountain Avenue, located immediately north of the
proposed facility, raised questions and concerns about the public process and health
impacts from the equipment's operation. Her first comment was in regard to the public
notification process. She noted that the meeting was being held on April 13 at 3:00,
which happens to also be Good Friday. Ms. Sullivan contends that it was inappropriate
to schedule the hearing on a holiday and that the 3:00 hearing time conflicted with
City of Fort Collins
Commt :y Planning and Environmental rvices
Current Planning
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER
TYPE I ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND DECISION
HEARING OFFICER: Cameron Gloss
Current Planning Director
PROJECT NAME: City Park Ballfield, Wireless Telecommunication
Equipment - P.D.P.
CASE NUMBER: File # 12-01
APPLICANT: Voicestream Wireless
c/o Stephanie Brennan
2323 Delgany Street
Denver, CO 80216
OWNER: City of Fort Collins
c/o Virgil Taylor, Parks Manager
281 North College Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
This is a request to co -locate wireless telecommunications equipment on an existing
90-foot tall ballfield light pole. The proposed equipment is located at 137 North Bryan
Street at the City Park Ballfields. The pole is located behind the right -center field fence
of the northernmost ballfield.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATION AND DECISION:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval
HEARING OFFICER DECISION: Approval
ZONING DISTRICT:
POL, Public Open Lands
281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6750 • FAX (970) 416-2020