HomeMy WebLinkAbout625 E. HARMONY (TELECOM. FACILITY) - PDP - 27-98 - DECISION - FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS & DECISIONDECISION
Based on the findings and conclusions, the request to place wireless
telecommunications equipment on the roof of the existing Front Range Baptist Church
at 625 East Harmony Road file #27-98 is approved with the following condition:
In order to comply with Section 3.8.13(C)(3) of the Land Use Code pertaining to
the permissible color of the poles, either a Modification of Standard must be
processed through the Planning and Zoning Board according to Division 2.7 of
the Code or the poles must be painted the same color as the building. Since
there are different colors on the building, the applicant must meet with the
Project Planner to determine the appropriate color.
Dated this 14th day of September, 1998, per authority granted by Sections 1.4.9(E) and
2..1 of the Land Use Code.
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Robert E. Blanchard, AICP
Current Planning Director
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3.8.13(C)(3) - Roof Setback: The standard requires that the antennae be located
as far from the edge of the roof as possible. This proposal locates the antennae
close to the center of the roof. The setbacks are 20 feet from the north edge of
the roof, 26 feet from the south edge of the roof, 60 feet from the west edge of
the roof and 65 feet from the east edge of the roof.
3.8.13(C)(3) - Screening - The standard requires that roof mounted wireless
telecommunication equipment be screened by parapet walls or screen walls in a
manner compatible with the building's design, color and material. An existing
parapet wall exists on this application which screens the lower portion of the
antennae and the entire satellite dish.
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND DECISION
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
After reviewing the staff report and the record of the public hearing, the Hearing Officer
makes the following findings and conclusions:
1. The proposed antennae meet the Land Use Code definition of wireless
telecommunication equipment.
2. Wireless telecommunication equipment and satellite dish antennae greater than
thirty nine (39) inches in diameter are permitted use in Section 4.21 of the Land
Use Code, the HC - Harmony Corridor zoning district.
3. Section 4.21 of the Land Use Code identifies wireless telecommunication
equipment and satellite dish antennae greater than thirty nine (39) inches in
diameter as permitted uses subject to administrative review.
4. The application meets all applicable requirements of the Land Use Code except
for the color requirements.
5. The Land Use Code requires that the color of the antennae be the same color as
the building on which they will be mounted. The color of the building is of
brownish and beige color. The color of the antennae is "horizon" blue.
Applicant Response:
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BACKGROUND
The Land Use Code defines wireless telecommunications services equipment as any
equipment used to provide wireless telecommunication services, but which is not
affixed to or contained within a wireless telecommunication services facility, but is
instead affixed or mounted on an existing building or structure that is used for some
other purpose.
This particular request is to mount wireless telecommunications equipment for a paging
system in the form of three whip antennas on the roof of the existing Front Range
Baptist Church at 625 East Harmony Road. Each antenna would be a single pole, 1.5
inches in diameter and 15 feet six inches in height as measured from the top of the
parapet wall. Each antenna would be painted blue to blend with the sky when viewed
from below. The request also includes locating a four foot wide diameter satellite dish
on the roof.
Section 3.8.13 of the Land Use Code provides the standards for wireless
telecommunication equipment and facilities. The following are considered applicable to
this application:
3.8.13(C)(3) - Height: The standard limits the height of the equipment to a
maximum of 15 feet over the height of the building. These antennae are each
15 feet, 6 inches in height exceeding the criteria by 6 inches. However, the
building includes two gable features, each over eight feet in height, on the north
elevation that mitigates the appearance of the height of the antennae. With the
location of the antennae centered on the roof, the gable features will limit the
appearance of the antennae for both east and west bound traffic on Harmony
Road.
3.8.13(C)(3) - Color: The standard requires that the antennae be the same
color as the building or structure to which it is mounted. In this instance, the
color of the antennae will be "horizon" blue which is designed to blend into the
background of the sky does not meet criteria. While, in the opinion of the
Hearing Officer, the color of the antennae is appropriate and would meet the
criteria contained in Division 2.7, Modification of Standards, this decision must be
made by the Planning and Zoning Board. Without a modification, this application
must receive either a conditional approval relating to the color of the poles or be
denied.
Two letters were received in opposition from:
Chuck Panella, President
Fairway Estates Property Owner's Association
Harold Swope
4925 Hogan Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Community Concerns:
The letter from Chuck Panella, President of the Fairway Estates Property
Owner's Association, expressed concern with the proliferation of wireless
telecommunication antennae within the Harmony Corridor. Specific concerns
include an additional "flock" of antennae in light of a recent addition to the Fire
District antenna at Fire Station 5.
The letter from Harold Swope expresses similar concerns.
At the hearing, Mr. Swope questioned what would be on top of the poles
expressing concern with the appearance of telecommunication antennae with the
large triangular portion at the top and also questioned the appearance of the
satellite dish. As in his letter, Mr. Swope expressed concern with the
proliferation of these antennae in the Harmony Corridor. He noted that he was a
member of the Citizen Advisory Committee that helped develop the Harmony
Corridor Plan and that one of their primary concerns was aesthetics along the
corridor.
City Response:
Ted Shepard responded to community concerns with an explanation that these
poles are not the same as the one at Fire Station 5. These poles are for paging
systems not personal communication systems or cellular phones. The poles will
be whip antennae, 1.5 inches in diameter and 15 feet, 6 inches in height above
the parapet wall. The poles are blue in color to blend in with the sky when
viewed from below. The satellite dish is totally screened by the parapet wall.
(Mr. Swope noted that his concern with the appearance was minimized upon
learning that they are limited in size).
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: Notice of public hearing was made on August 27,
1998 by mailing to property owners within 500 feet of
the subject property.
The public hearing was advertised in the Coloradoan
on September 9, 1998
PUBLIC HEARING
After reviewing the Staff Report and recommendation, a public hearing was held on the
subject application at 1:30 PM on September 10, 1998. The hearing was held in
Conference Room D at 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado.
HEARING TESTIMONY, WRITTEN COMMENTS AND OTHER EVIDENCE:
The following is a list of those who spoke at the meeting:
From the City:
Ted Shepard, Senior City Planner
From the applicant:
Steven Schiffman
Liberty Wireless, Inc.
730 17th Street, Suite 830
Denver, CO 80202
From the Community:
Harold Swope (Fairway Estates Neighborhood)
4925 Hogan Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Written Comments:
Citv of Fort Collins
Comm>1_.Ay Planning and Environmental services
Current Planning
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER
TYPE I ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND DECISION
HEARING OFFICER: Bob Blanchard
Current Planning Director
PROJECT NAME. Wireless Telecommunication Facility
625 E Harmony (Front Range Baptist Church)
CASE NUMBER: 27-98
APPLICANT: PageNet
6300 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 500
Englewood, CO 80111
c/o Ms. Gayle Emrich
Liberty Wirestar
730 17th Street, Suite 830
Denver, CO 80202
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Request to mount wireless telecommunications
equipment for a paging system in the form of three
whip antennas on the roof of the existing Front Range
Baptist Church at 625 East Harmony Road. The
request also includes locating a four foot wide
diameter satellite dish on the roof.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATION AND DECISION:
Staff recommendation
Hearing Officer Decision
ZONING DISTRICT:
Approval
Approval with condition
HC - Harmony Corridor
281 North College Avenue • PO. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6750 • FAX (970) 416-2020