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Home My WebLink AboutPOUDRE HIGH SCHOOL, WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS (U.S. WEST WIRELESS) - PDP/FDP - 58-98A - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTSI V V "LlL SCHOOL DISTRICT March 3, 2000 City of Fort Collins Mr. Ted Shepard Current Planning Department P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO. 80522 Ref: US West Wireless MAR 1 3 2000 D The purpose of this letter is to request that the City of Fort Collins will permit US West Wireless to install chain link fence around their equipment at the Poudre High Schaool baseball field. The School District prefers chain link to wood for fences. Sincerely, On Dag e Property Manager Property Management 2407 LaPorte Avenue • Fort Collins, CO 80521-2297 • (970) 482-7420 Conclusion U S W EST's commitment to a long-term presence in the community is the driving force behind its system design and site selection process. Its engineers are actively involved in testing new technologies, which will provide significant benefits and better services to the consumer. The proposed PCS facility is essential for U S WEST to construct a seamless PCS wireless network. Increasingly, consumers rely on advanced technology to meet their communication needs. U S WEST is pleased to have this opportunity to introduce its regional PCS network to the area and stands by the fact that the construction, maintenance and operation of this facility will in no way be detrimental to the health, safety or well-being of the community. • PROJECT DESCRIPTION U S WEST proposes to install cellular antennas to an existing light pole in the baseball field. The equipment will be placed at the base of the pole, behind an existing dugout. The equipment will be enclosed in a chain link fence as requested by the school. Coverage Objective U S WEST's objective is to provide seamless coverage in the Fort Collins area. Site Analysis Impact on Surrounding Residents The selection of this site for a PCS facility was made with the goal of minimizing the impact to the citizens in the area. The site will be placed on an existing structure, so the visual impact will be minimal. Facility Specifications Equipment Cabinets The two proposed equipment cabinets contain all the PCS equipment necessary to run a communication site, including radio transceivers, batteries, cooling fans and an interior monitoring system. The cabinets are pre -fabricated, weather -resistant, self-contained units specifically manufactured to house PCS equipment. Each cabinet is approximately 2' 6" square and 5' 0" tall. There will be space allowed for one additional cabinet for growth. Antenna The antenna will be mounted on the existing light pole. Facility Maintenance The facility is generally serviced once a month by a small passenger vehicle. The service visit will take up to two hours and is typically for preventative maintenance purposes. Grading/Utilities Some trenching will be required to run cables to power and telephone. Development Assurances 1. The proposed facility will emit no noxious odors, heat, noise or other pollutants. 2. Traffic to the facility will be negligible. Local, full-time trained employees of U S WEST will be Responsible for regular inspection and maintenance of the site (approximately once a month or in an emergency). Access to the site will be restricted. 3. Construction of the facility will exceed industry safety standards, and all construction will comply with all applicable local and state building codes and regulations. 4. The proposed facility has been designed with consideration to local wind and weather conditions. 5. The proposed facility will comply with all applicable FCC and FAA regulations. 6. The facility will not interfere with television or radio reception. 7. Normal household electric service (single phase 220 volt/100 amp) will be brought to the facility. 8. The facility will not require sewage disposal, water or garbage service. 6 PROJECT CONTACTS Applicant: U S WEST Wireless, L.L.C. 4301 East Colfax, Room 314 Denver, CO 80220 (720)363-3397 Contact: Lisa Morian Property Owner: Poudre School District No. R-1 2407 Laporte Ave Ft. Collins, CO 80521 Contact: Ron Daggett (970)490-3509 PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION Legal Description: Also known as 201 Impala Dr., Ft. Collins, CO 80521 Ownership: Poudre School District Lessor: Poudre School District Space under lease: 10 x 18 area at the base of a light pole in the baseball field Lessee: . U S WEST Wireless, L.L.C. Zoning: R-L Current Use: Baseball field U S WEST WIRELESS SITE NUMBER: SITE NAME: FTC-230A POUDRE HIGH SCHOOL WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT PROPOSED u S E6r NAOEPs PROPOSED u S YES7 NawwS TOP Of EIOSiWC LIGIR POLE TOP a EXPSMO L POLE � ar unENNL t, Y DUSTING LIGHTS PROPOSED V S PEST rUNPE U11UNA [It61YM U" POE' LaHrs PROPOSED U S'EEST uU S RES PROPOSED U S WEST ERUUVFM CN3N E1FC/IFlLO PIEK PROPOSED PROPOSED r NCR PR)PRSFD r Nw aww Lm PENCE PROPOSEDSTEP DOEM nuESPa+IEEn MN a w EWWAFENCE nlll U Lm PENCE PROPOSED u 5 MFSr CUM OM ENURE LAG COVED Ol [MIRE NIEA MERED com UDLE my TO UGM POLE PORT Exismc aaaur �UOSnNG BAnm WE IX6'IWG DU:OI/r PROPOSED STEP OOIRI TNUGiORLEUt IXSTNG DENN uEM FENCE ❑ ❑ IX6TNC TEE PEDESCLL OROLIND LEVEL J, �� L O'-0' SOUTH ELEVATION 2 EfYE—' P/LP• .. LT— EAST ELEVATION anaE � S/rP . 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SIZE xAME: FOIDIE NeN SCHOOL ,la M rwas,otmMtrAlae mIr1DR mru S tOlmm AT NUL I /mro O ro�inE cam ouoart ; tEau noctrTnN. aaFS 1cJ 'o=1i'.7ts.'4t 7s't7' a � vin FOR Z VES �I PROJECT INFORMATION WE AOoras: xol rOUI ne CaLI. iS. CO DOOTI I ZpIID nA4rMATlOIu R-L 1 A j ArtA 6 Ca6lmKneN (60 M: IEO SF r • I r _ _ OCCUYANLY CLAWFICA N U (IM %M fFRpPoSm lrnt• aTsulc a/IlasaVe6 WLEC IRR =NS FACIRY) LEw — �1Easnlo Mtne va PROJECT DIRECTORY LOT PUN } z OWNER PODRE SCHOOL OTSTRRo APPL'QC` U S WESTWrdLESS UC E. OIr sl I.1....• 2w7 uramE AYE OEayq OD 8Om0 FORT OMLM& 00 t l (yly) ire_pN (cloNao_Teor oAoom CONTACT: us.A MOMNpm)su-Tstl CaNua: EN21eflt: u s ww mI1E= LlC 4 l L COLF0 ALE- ROOK 314 DfMdPmMHD u t 1RA (] ) Lr- l FM WEMa CONTICT: RNIDALL MNNE (M) 2r0-I OtSRe oMm IN SIGNATURE BLOCK L,— DTSnIe SASmYL alJsalrt n AteemFDTDnL m ItltllmMNov.' aRlfY m trDmRlla C9wm MS 6 WrEENMAcm IAaPOSiD u S t Mao® V S r6i n6/inf.D M PRIME om" OWNER GATE r-----RpA15FD--------------- F, OEM Iltmt SLOWADED AND sMORN M tEFORE ME MS —DAY OF the �1 IIdYO� U 9 r6T B! ryyL¢ENSEp M1� NRFMPS AS AND DS tr Na A3 aF 1 PDOIM (I) 4'-0' (:V6�• —•— U(M fdF A CORPORATMkl. WffNESS POGO OFI`K� SEAL u s ow t� — TIV06m u t t6T cm �SW1�DmW l 1a.lr LDM rYAcn S®L � m m _.� I ._.—.—�.—.—.—.—.—.—.r• Rla®u s mR NDTMY RLH10 Pm I jI IN rFIE110F NMI , DarNMr usnt I OYM Um iCR n + cmM Ilm nm COn I Ion am nx= ANA AOORM ` I ' Pro=uleODmWe I DIRECTOR OF PLANNING nwlL MTAOAD m WE Mara a R a m m or Rn mote, mmm cTalw tom OmTue MTnxt rim I� FmeTA. DmeerOle a T4,uNINo ruaomeum SHEET INDEX calm sa SITE pLA z z-1 xnNm Cam WEET E1o<TtA),MIBOCEt M„Ny Z-T EIEWTNINS 'vvvoavv DESIGN T1PE ANTENNAS ON EXISTING UGHT POLE slat >mE TITLE SHEET SR tiONMTmM POUDRE HIGH SCHOOL m1 Wn OR FORT WILK m $=I FfC-230A SNm NINmu w 1of2 cl as No Text Poudre High School Ballfield, Wireless Telecommunications Equipment, (U.S. West Wireless), PDP, #58-98A April 20, 2000 P & Z Meeting Page 5 6. Findings of Fact and Conclusion: In reviewing the request for wireless telecommunications equipment as a co - location on the Poudre High School ballfield light fixture, Staff makes the following finding of facts: A. The request is defined as "wireless telecommunications equipment." B. Wireless telecommunications equipment is permitted in the R-L, Low Density Residential, Zone District, subject to review by the Planning and Zoning Board. C. The installation, including the ground -mounted equipment, meets the applicable design standards. D. The installation of the equipment is compatible with the neighborhood and will not cause interference with other electronic equipment that is typically found in a residential neighborhood. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Poudre High School Ballfield Wireless Telecommunications Equipment (U.S. West Wireless), P.D.P., #58-98A, subject to the following condition: Approval of the Wireless Telecommunications Equipment, as a co - location on an existing ballfield light fixture, is conditioned on the fact of the ballfield light fixtures remaining as the principal use. If the ballfield light fixtures are to be removed by Poudre School District, whether voluntarily or by court order or for any reason, then the Wireless Telecommunications Equipment shall be removed as well. Poudre High School Ballfield, Wireless Telecommunications Equipment, (U.S. West Wireless), PDP, #58-98A April 20, 2000 P & Z Meeting Page 4 surrounding property owners. The primary issue was the extent of illumination and light spillage from the fixtures onto adjacent residential properties. A compromise was reached between PSD and the affected property owners that allows night baseball for 47 evenings per year. This compromise was reviewed and ratified by the School Board. During the negotiations between PSD and the surrounding property owners, there were statements made regarding diminution of adjacent residential property values due to excessive illumination and possible legal action as a remedy. If a court order requires the removal of the light fixtures, and since the U.S. West Wireless equipment is a co -location on these light fixtures, then the City would be in the awkward position of having approved the telecommunications equipment as a secondary use which would then become a principal use. As a principal use, the U.S. West Wireless equipment would then be defined as a monopole which is not allowed in the R-L, Low Density Residential Zone District. Staff, therefore, recommends the following condition of approval in case a court order requires the removal of the ballfield light fixtures: Approval of the Wireless Telecommunications Equipment, as a co - location on an existing ballfield light fixture, is conditioned on the fact of the ballfield light fixtures remaining as the principal use. If the ballfield light fixtures are to be removed by Poudre School District, whether voluntarily or by court order or for any reason, then the Wireless Telecommunications Equipment shall be removed as well. Staff has experience with placing wireless telecommunications equipment near residential areas. In addition to the existing Nextel equipment at the ballfield, there is a monopole next to Fairway Estates (southeast corner of College Avenue and Harmony Road) and there is a co -location of equipment in City Park. The primary compatibility issue raised during the review process of these three requests was radio interference. In response, the frequency of wireless telecommunications equipment is between 1850 and 1950 megahertz which is substantially separated from the frequencies used by other electronic devices such as radios, t.v.'s, computers and garage door openers. Since the installation of numerous wireless telecommunications equipment, Staff has not received one complaint from surrounding residents regarding electronic interference. Poudre High School Ballfield, Wireless Telecommunications Equipment, (U.S. West Wireless), PDP, #58-98A April 20, 2000 P & Z Meeting Page 3 A. Co -location: The U.S. West Wireless request is for "equipment" to be attached to an existing structure whose primary use is for ballfield lighting. A note has been attached to the plans stating that the owners or lessees shall not act to exclude any other wireless telecommunication provider from using the same existing structure. B. Landscaping: The telecommunication equipment is co -located on an existing light fixture which is located in an athletic field complex on a high school campus. There is no public view of the ground -mounted base equipment. As such, there is no need for additional landscaping. C. Fencing: The area around the ground -mounted equipment will be fenced with a six foot high chainlink enclosure. In addition, to protect the equipment from foul balls, the base equipment will be covered with a chainlink wire mesh. This is similar to the existing enclosure for Nextel located along the right field line. Since the site is on public property and is accessible for a variety of users, the use of chainlink allows the enclosure to be as maintenance -free and vandal -free as possible. The co - location of the equipment is on an existing light fixture and, therefore, the use of solid enclosure is not required. Solid fencing is only required for free-standing monopoles. D. Color: The existing pole is galvanized which matches the other poles. E. Lighting: There will be no security lighting associated with light fixture or base equipment. 5. Neighborhood Compatibility: No neighborhood meeting was held for this request. The construction of the ballfield light fixtures in 1999 by Poudre School District, however, was very controversial and resulted in extensive negotiations between PSD and the Poudre High School Ballfield, Wireless Telecommunications Equipment, (U.S. West Wireless), PDP, #58-98A April 20, 2000 P & Z Meeting Page 2 COMMENTS: 1. Background: The surrounding zoning and land uses are as follows: N: R-L; Poudre High School Campus S: R-L; Existing Single Family Residential E: L-M-N; Existing Single Family Residential W: (County) FA-1; Existing Rural Residential Poudre High School was constructed in 1964 and opened in 1965. The campus includes buildings, parking lots and athletic fields. A major expansion was approved in 1993 adding a new gym, classrooms and offices and closing Impala Drive to through traffic. In 1999, the Poudre School District and the surrounding neighborhood agreed that the baseball diamond could be used for night games 47 times per year. Based on this agreement, light fixtures for night baseball were installed. 2. Definition: The Land Use Code defines "wireless telecommunications equipment' as any equipment used to provide wireless telecommunication services, but which is not affixed to or contained within a wireless telecommunication facility (monopole or tower), but is instead affixed to or mounted on an existing building or structure (or substantially similar replacement structure) that is used for some other purpose. 3. Zoning: The entire high school campus is zoned R-L, Low Density Residential. In this zone district, wireless telecommunications equipment is a permitted use, subject to review by the Planning and Zoning Board. 4. Compliance with Applicable Standards: 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 (Article Three, page 151). The applicable standards are discussed below. STAFF REPORT PROJECT: Poudre High School Ballfield, Wireless Telecommunications Equipment, (U.S. West Wireless), P.D.P., #58-98A APPLICANT: U.S. West Wireless C/o of Ms. Lisa Morian 4301 East Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 80220 OWNER: Poudre School District C/o Mr. Ron Daggett 2407 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80521 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Request to mount wireless telecommunications equipment as a co -location on an existing ballfield light fixture on the campus of Poudre High School. The light fixture is located in the southwest portion of the campus, behind the left field dugout of the baseball diamond. The height of the pole is approximately 90 feet. The antenna array would be placed above the lights. There would be nine antennas arranged in three arrays of three. The property is zoned R-L, Low Density Residential. RECOMMENDATION: Approval with Condition EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The ballfield light fixtures are existing. The request to co -locate wireless telecommunications equipment in the R-L zone must be reviewed by the P & Z Board. Ground -mounted equipment will be placed behind the dugout and screened by a chainlink fence, with a cover, to protect from foul balls and vandalism. The installation of the light fixtures has been controversial but is not under the jurisdiction of the City of Fort Collins. A condition of approval is recommended in case the light poles are to be removed due to a court order or for any reason. Because of the low frequencies, there will be no electronic interference with typical electronic appliances found in a residential neighborhood. This would be the second telecommunications provider to co - locate on an existing light fixture at the Poudre High School baseball field. COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 281 N. College Ave. P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 (970) 221-6750 PLANNING DEPARTMENT