HomeMy WebLinkAboutALTA VISTA WTF (903 BUCKINGHAM ST.) - PDP - PDP160004 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PROJECT NARRATIVEobtained from the city's Landmark Preservation Commission as required by Chapter
14 of the City Code.
It is not believed that the proposed location is located on any historic site or
structure. NEPA and Phase I environmental studies are currently being
performed at the site and will conform the lack of any historical significance at
the site location.
(15) Stealth Technology. To the extent reasonably feasible, the applicant shall employ
"stealth technology" so as to convert the wireless telecommunication facility into
wireless telecommunication equipment, as the best method by which to mitigate
and/or camouflage visual impacts. Stealth technology consists of, but is not limited
to, the use grain bins, silos or elevators, church steeples, water towers, clock
towers, bell towers, false penthouses or other similar "mimic" structures shall have a
contextual relationship with the adjacent area.
Atlas is proposing a stealth silo in order to blend with the existing use of the
parcel and the surrounding industrial area, which houses several breweries
with vertical storage tanks.
CONCLUSION
This narrative represents required and supplementary information to document the technological,
economic, and social necessity and benefits of a new 80' stealth silo tower at 903 Buckingham St., Fort
Collins, CO 80524. The information provided highlights the advantages associated with a
telecommunications facility at our proposed location.
Atlas Tower Holdings respectfully requests the approval of our Wireless Telecommunication Facility
Application.
Best Regards,
Caleb Crossland
Atlas Tower Holdings, LLC
4450 Arapahoe Ave., Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80303
Office (303) 448-8896
Atlas Tower Holdings, LLC
(7) Irrigation. Landscaping and berming shall be equipped with automatic irrigation
systems meeting the water conservation standards of the city.
Atlas acknowledges and accepts this requirement. The telecommunications
facility as proposed does not have vegetation and therefore would not need
automatic irrigation systems.
(8) Color. All wireless telecommunication facilities and equipment shall be painted to
match as closely as possible the color and texture of the wall, building or
surrounding built environment. Muted colors, earth tones and subdued colors shall
be used.
The proposed stealth silo will be painted to match the buildings on existing
parcel, which are muted, subdued earth tones.
(9) Lighting. The light source for security lighting shall be high-pressure sodium and
feature down -directional, sharp cut-off luminaries so that there is no spillage of
illumination off -site. Light fixtures, whether freestanding or tower -mounted shall not
exceed twenty-two (22) feet in height.
Atlas is not currently proposing any lighting in the facility, but acknowledges
and accepts this requirement. Any lighting will follow the requirements of this
section.
(10) Interference. Wireless telecommunication facilities and equipment shall operate in
such a manner so as not to cause interference with other electronics such as radios,
televisions or computers.
Atlas Tower will not be installing any radio frequency emitting equipment on
the tower, but will ensure that any carrier installinq on the tower will follow all
applicable local, State, and Federal interference regulations.
(11) Access roadways. Access roads must be capable of supporting all of the
emergency response equipment of the Poudre Fire Authority.
Current access roads are via paved and gravel surfaces capable of supportina
emergency response equipment.
(12) Foothills and Hogbacks. Wireless telecommunication facilities and equipment
located in or near the foothills bear a special responsibility for mitigating visual
disruption. If such a location is selected, the applicant shall provide computerized,
three-dimensional, visual simulation of the facility or equipment and other
appropriate graphics to demonstrate the visual impact on the view of the city's
foothills and hogbacks.
It is not believed this provision applies to this application, but photo
simulations have been provided with this application.
(13) Airports and Flight Paths. Wireless telecommunication facilities and equipment
located near airports and flight paths shall obtain the necessary approvals from the
Federal Aviation Administration.
Prior to building permit submittal, Atlas will obtain all applicable FAA 7460-1
Obstruction Approvals and FCC required Antenna Structure Registration.
(14) Historic Sites and Structures. Wireless telecommunication facilities and equipment
shall not be located on any historic site or structure unless permission is first
Atlas Tower Holdings, LLC
building. All wireless telecommunication equipment shall be located as far from the
edge of the roof as possible. Even if the building is constructed at or above the
building height limitations contained in Section 3.8.17, the additional fifteen (15) feet
is permissible.
This tower will be a new stealth silo, and will not be attached to an existing
building or roof.
Whenever wireless telecommunication equipment is mounted to the wall of a
building structure, the equipment shall be mounted in a configuration as flush to the
wall as technically possible and shall not project above the wall on which it is
mounted. Such equipment shall, to the maximum extent feasible, also feature the
smallest and most discreet components that the technology will allow so as to have
the least possible impact on the architectural character and overall aesthetics of the
building or structure.
All antenna mounted to the stealth silo will be mounted behind the skin of the
silo, and therefore will not be visible from the outside.
Roof and ground mounted wireless telecommunication equipment shall be screened
by parapet walls or screen walls in a manner compatible with the building's design,
color and material.
Please see fencing detail on Do. C-4 of the enclosed drawings. All around
equipment will be screened by a 6' wooden fence.
(4) Landscaping. Wireless telecommunication facilities and ground -mounted wireless
telecommunications equipment may need to be landscaped with landscaping
materials that exceed the levels established in Section 3.2.1, due to unique nature of
such facilities. Landscaping may therefore be required to achieve a total screening
effect at the base of such facilities or equipment to screen the mechanical
characteristics. A heavy emphasis on coniferous plants for year-round screening
may be required.
with a wooden fence, but not use vegetation.
If a wireless telecommunication facility or ground -mounted wireless
telecommunication equipment has frontage on a public street, street trees shall be
planted along the roadway in accordance with the policies of the City Forester.
The proposed telecommunications facility does not have frontage on a public
street.
(5) Fencing. Chain link fencing shall be unacceptable to screen facilities. Fencing
materials shall consist of wood masonry, stucco or other acceptable materials and
be opaque. Fencing shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.
Fencinq detail can be seen on pg. C-4 of the enclosed Zoning Drawings. A 6'
wooden fence is proposed around the facility.
(6) Berming. Berms shall be considered as an acceptable screening device. Berms
shall feature slopes that allow mowing, irrigation and maintenance.
Not applicable.
Atlas Tower Holdings, LLC
(B) Co -location. No wireless telecommunication facility or equipment owner or lessee or
employee thereof shall act to exclude or attempt to exclude any other wireless
telecommunication provider from using the same building, structure or location. Wireless
telecommunication facility or equipment owner or lessees or employees thereof, and
applicant for the approval of plans for the installation of such facilities or equipment, shall
cooperate in good faith to achieve co -location of wireless telecommunication facilities and
equipment. Any application for the approval of a plan for the installation of wireless
telecommunication facilities or equipment shall include documentation of the applicant's
good faith efforts toward such cooperation.
Atlas Tower acknowledges and accepts this requirement. The proposed tower is
designed to accommodate up to three wireless carriers. Atlas is an independent
(C) Standards.
(1) Setbacks. With respect to a wireless telecommunication facility that is a tower or a
monopole, the setback of the facility from the property lines shall be one (1) foot for
every foot of height. However, to the extent that it can be demonstrated that the
structure will collapse rather than topple, this requirement can be waived by the
Director. In addition, the setbacks for the ground -mounted wireless
telecommunication equipment shall be governed by the setback criteria established
in Articles 3 and/or 4.
The proposed tower is located approximately 3' from the nearest parcel line.
However, the tower will be designed to collapse rather than topple. Prior to
submitting the building permit application, final tower drawings will be
produced showing the tower's ability to collapse rather than topple. The
nearest ground -mounted equipment will be located approximately 3' from the
Eastern Parcel line.
(2) Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. Whether manned or unmanned, wireless
telecommunication facilities shall be consistent with the architectural style of the
surrounding architectural environment (planned or existing) considering exterior
materials, roof form, scale, mass, color, texture and character. Such facilities shall
also be compatible with the surrounding natural environment considering land forms,
topography and other natural features. If such facility is an accessory use to an
existing use, the facility shall be constructed out of materials that are equal to or
better than the materials of the principal use.
The tower is proposed as a stealth silo, to fit the surrounding structures that
include breweries with tall vertical tanks and holding vats. We are proposing a
wooden fence, as depicted in page C-4 of the Zoning Drawings enclosed with
this application. Atlas can paint or stain the fence whatever color is
recommended by Fort Collins planning staff.
(3) Wireless Telecommunication Equipment. Wireless telecommunication equipment
shall be of the same color as the building or structure to which or on which such
equipment is mounted.
Atlas acknowledges and accepts this requirement. Atlas Tower plans to paint
Whenever a wireless telecommunication antenna is attached to a building roof, the
height of the antenna shall not be more than fifteen (15) feet over the height of the
Atlas Tower Holdings, LLC
This site is consistent with the intent of the long-range master plans for the local community. The site,
once developed, will provide critical local and regional network coverage and was designed to
minimize visual and noise impacts.
a. Increased coverage and network speeds. Residential customers will experience
faster connectivity, less dropped calls, and overall better voice and data service.
b. Increased capabilities of emergency service responders. Many emergency service
responders use devices that operate over cellular networks to communicate valuable
information during an emergency. A tower in this location guarantees more reliable
service for emergency services providers responding to an emergency.
c. Greater carrier competition that will result in lower wireless costs for consumers. This
tower would allow multiple carriers to provide coverage to this area, and thus to
compete for local customers.
d. Greater economic growth. Cities that encourage wireless technological advancement
and coverage growth will foster economic activity as increased wireless and data
connectivity promote ease and growth of commerce.
e. Advanced technologv for smart phone and tablet users. Many companies are
developing smartphone and tablets that incorporate LTE technology. This tower will
house LTE equipment and further the capabilities of smartphone and tablet users by
optimizing increased functionality in LTE capable wireless devices (i.e. customers will
be able to browse the internet and talk on the phone at the same time).
Land Use
Our proposed use is in harmony with the current use of the parent parcel and is a permitted use in an
Industrial Zone.
Facility & Traffic
This site is unmanned and only occasionally visited by maintenance personnel. Therefore, it does not
require public facilities or services greater than presently available. Given the limited visits to the facility
approximately 1-2 monthly, there is no distinguishable impact on existing infrastructure or pedestrian or
vehicular traffic flow.
Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Communications Commission
We have applied for FAA approval and this site will maintain all applicable FAA 7460-1 Obstruction
Approvals and FCC required Antenna Structure Registration.
Noise. Safety, and Public Health
Our proposed uses will not cause any measurable increase in noise levels in the surrounding area,
any detriment to the health, safety, and general welfare of the persons residing or working in the
vicinity, and will not create any reasonable public health concerns.
Fort Collins Land Use Code 3.8.13
(A) Location. Subject to the requirements of paragraph (B) of this Section, wireless
telecommunication equipment ay 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.
The proposed facility is a new communication tower and is proposed to be located
on a parcel in the Industrial Zone, that is used for industrial purposes.
Atlas Tower Holdings, LLC
Supplementary Narrative — Alta Vista
January 15, 2016
Planning Department
Fort Collins Planning Services
281 North College Avenue,
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Attn: Clay Frickey
RE: Supplementary Narrative — Proposed 40' Stealth Silo Communications Tower
To Whom It May Concern:
We are submitting a Commercial Radio Service Facility Application for a proposed
telecommunications facility build at 903 Buckingham St, Fort Collins, CO 80524. This facility will be
2,000 square feet and house a 80' silo communications tower that can accommodate up to three
wireless carriers. This request is made in an effort to bring quality voice and data services to an
area lacking reliable coverage.
Land Owner:
GTG Investments, LLC
903 Buckingham St.,
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Applicant:
Atlas Tower Holdings, LLC
4450 Arapahoe Ave., Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80303
PROPOSAL SUMMARY
Site Details:
Address:
903 Buckingham St., Fort Collins, CO 80524
Coordinates:
400 35' 26.600" N. 1050 03' 41.951" W
Lease Area:
2,000 Sq. ft.
Zoning:
Industrial
The purpose of this request is to build a telecommunications tower housed within a 2,000 sq. ft.
wireless facility. This facility will provide critical wireless coverage to the surrounding area. This is a
developing industrial and residential area where coverage is reaching its capacity limits and there is a
growing need for advanced quality voice and data services. This tower and facility will be used for
structural support of up to 3 wireless providers. Each provider will install antennas and on -the -ground
base station equipment.
SITE ANALYSIS
We strive to design our facilities and locate parcels that create the least amount of community
disturbance. We studied several prospective locations for this site. This location is located in an
industrial are and has ample separation distance from any residential structures.
ZONING & COMMUNITY COMPLIANCE
Comprehensive Plan