HomeMy WebLinkAboutWIRELESS TELECOM. EQUIP. (SPRINT), CITY PARK - PDP/FDP - 29-97 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTSbuild a network that provides maximum coverage while stressing co -location and thereby,
minimizing the impact on the community.
The need for a site is governed by capacity and coverage requirements for the- specific
geographic area to .be served. PCS facilities operate at a lower power and a higher frequency
than cellular, and therefore, rely more. on line -of -sight coverage. Line -of -sight is, the ability of
radio waves to have a clear unobstructed path, free. of trees, buildings, or signs, to a PCS
phone. The Sprint PCS system require.s'a customer to be communicating with two sites at any
given time to reduce dropped calls, therefore, sites need to be within close proximity of one
another. Although, coverage will extend beyond major traffic corridors, locating sites along
these corridors is preferred due to the high volume of users. However, coverage needs are not
limited to those corridors and often extend beyond these areas. Capacity requirements for a
PCS system are governed by the number of customers using a given site. When the number of
customers increases beyond the capacity of one site then an additional site will be needed to
help alleviate the increased capacity.
The selection of a specific site in .a target area or "search" area is determined by the following
factors: local topographic and geographic factors (RF design location), ability to mitigate the
site's visual impact, compatibility with existing land uses, agreeable local zoning, and the ability
to negotiate a mutually beneficial lease with a property owner.
Because all the sites in the network function together, the location of one site affects the
coverage area surrounding that particular site as well as the coverage areas of all adjacent.
network sites. Integrating the proposed PCS facility into the network will ensure that. Sprint
PCS is able to meet its commitment to the public to provide the highest quality of uninterrupted
wireless service.
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Given the existing of a.8-foot chainlink fence and the current use of the property,
Sprint PCS feels the. fence and its screen is the most compatible and visually,
acceptable way to mitigate the visual impact of the BTS equipment.
Pursuant to , the above mentioned Land .,Use.' Code, both Wireless
Telecommunication. Equipment and Wireless .Te%communication Facilities are
allowed per an administrative review in the P-O-L zone district.
Conclusion
The proposed Sprint PCS site utilizes a compatible co -location design and creates minimal visual
impact on the surrounding community. This proposal meets. the aesthetic intent of the City.of
Fort Collins Ordinance as it pertains to Wireless Telecommunication Equipment. As proposed,
this design goes to great lengths to meet the degree of architectural compatibility and visual
mitigation that is desired, therefore, Sprint PCS requests administrative approval of this request.
Sprint PCS Background Information
Personal Communication Services
PCS (Personal Communication Services) is the. name that has been given to the band .of radio
spectrum located between 1850 and, 1990 MHz. PCS enables the next generation of wireless
telecommunications including familiar technologies such as mobile phones, paging, and wireless
fax as well as new innovations such as wireless PBX, wireless LAN, and mobile data. The Sprint
PCS network uses a digital technology as opposed to the analog technology. The advantages
are higher voice quality, increased privacy, and a significant increase in call capacity. .
Unlike major broadcasting systems which operate at very high power in an attempt to reach as
many people as possible, PCS facilities operate at a very low power in an attempt to limit the
signal to the small area it is intended to cover. The repeated use of the same. channels increases
the number of telephone calls that can be handled by the system.
The PCS systems use a lightweight, multi -function, portable telephone. This telephone will offer
a number of features such as call screening, call waiting, voice mail, and text paging. Sprint
PCS's goal is to integrate mobile services with fixed communication networks by combining.
local, long distance and wireless services.
Sprint PCS Site Selection Process
To ensure development of a community -compatible .network, Sprint PCS engaged in an
innovative "pre -design" process. Traditionally, development of communication networks have
been driven by Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering. Engineers determined where the network
needed sites regardless of zoning, community and strategic planning needs.
Sprint PCS has retained the services of SBA of Denver for the acquisition and planning of PCS
sites in Colorado. Their innovative, community friendly approach, utilizes the existing zoning to
form the basis for the design of the network. The first step was to identify favorable zoning
districts which allow or encourage PCS facilities. Second, an inventory was completed of all
existing structures that were community -friendly and realistic from a structural standpoint. RF
Engineers first utilized existing structures located within favorable zone districts then considered
new monopoles to fill-in required coverage areas. Through this process, Sprint PCS is able to
Project Summary.
Sprint PCS proposes to place wireless telecommunication equipment. on a new replacement
lightpole located at the north ball field of City Park. This proposal includes antennas and
BTS. equipment needed to transmit and, receive signals for digitalwireless communication.
Sprint PCS is leasing a 1,200 square foot area for equipment. The proposed lease area will
be developed with five equipment cabinets and enclosed within a 8-foot high chain link
fence with a welded wire roof for security. A green, tennis, wind screen will be attached to
the fence to reduce potential glare from the chainlink.fence.
Zoning & Land Use
The property is zoned Public Open Lands. (P70-L) and is developed as a city park. The
portion of the park where this proposal lies contains two baseball/softball fields. Both ball
fields contain_ approximately 14, 80-foot lightpoles.
Visual Impact and Screening
The Parks and Recreation Department plan on replacing the existing wood lightpoles with
concrete lightpoles. As a result of this plan, Sprint PCS is replacing the wooden right field
lightpole with a concrete lightpole to create visual continuity around the field. This new
concrete lightpole is made by the same manufacture, Sherman Utility Pole, Co. as the City's
future concrete lightpoles. This coordination will create design consistency with all the
fields lightpoles.
Enclosed is a photo simulation of the proposed new light pole, and antennas. The picture i.s
representative of the, existing .conditions of, the property. (Le. wood lightpoles). As stated
above, the existing wood poles will be replaced with lightpoles similar to the one proposed.
Placing the proposed, antennas .on a new lightpole allows Sprint PCS. to mitigate the
traditional impacts sometimes associated by freestanding facilities.
The proposed BTS equipment will be located immediately east of the new lightpole.. The
BTS equipment will be enclosed, by a new. 8-foot chainlink fence on the east, west and
north sides; the existing fence to the south will be used to complete the equipment.
enclosure. To help mitigate the potential for glare and to provide compatible screening, a
green tennis screen fabric will be attached to three.sides of the chainlink fence. A pitched,
welded wire roof is proposed to keep balls out of the equipment area.
Compliance With Ordinance
This City of Fort Collins has developed very precise design requirements for wireless
telecommunication equipment. This proposal clearly meets the objectives and intent of the
City of Fort Collins Land Use Code, Article 3, Section 8.13, Standards (C), paragraph (3)
...[Antennas] shall be the same color as the ... structure to which or onto which such
equipment is mounted.
Roof and ground mounted wireless telecommunication equipment shall utilize screen
walls in a manner compatible with the buildings design, color, and material.
SPRINT PCS
Administrative Wireless Telecommunications Services .
......:Equipment Review
City of Fort Collins
City Ball Fields Site
Project Contacts
Applicant:.
Sprint PCS . ' . Agent: SBA of Denver, Inc..
4700 South Syracuse 7600 E. Arapahoe Rd.,
Street, Suite 600 Ste. 210
Denver, CO 80237 :. Englewood, CO.80112
(303) 488-9396 .(303) 770-3830 X334
Contact: Jill Jelinek Contact: Nathan Foster
Owner:
City of Fort Collins, Architect/Engineer: URS Greiner
300 LaPorte Ave. 1099 18th Street .
Fort Collins, CO 80521 Suite. 700
(970) 221-6365 Denver, CO 80202
Contact: Virgil Taylor, (303) 296-9700 .
Contact: Jack Bartels
Project Development Information
Legal:
Portion of SW 1/4 of Sec. 10, T7N,.R69W .
Location:
211 S. Bryan Ave.
Ownership:
City of Fort Collins
Space under lease:
1,200 SF
Lessee:
Sprint PCS
Zoning:
P-p-L
Land Use:
Athletic Field
Antennas:.
To adequately transmit and receive Sprint PCs's digital signal 9
antennas.are required. The dimension of each antenna is
approximately 6"w x 4"d x 60"h. The antennas will be mounted to'a
new lightpole structure.
Equipment:
Five equipment cabinets contain all,of the PCS equipment necessary
to run the communication site including radio transceivers, batteries, .
cooling fans and an interior monitoring system. Each.PCS.cabinet is
approximately 60"h x 30"w x 30"d, and will be enclosed by an 8-foot
chainlink fence with a welded wire roof for security.
City of Fort Collins
Comn ity Planning and Environments ervices
Current Planning
MEMORANDUM
TO: Bob Blanchard, Current Planning Director
FROM: Ted Shepard, Senior Planner
DATE: December 18, 1997
RE: Telecommunications Equipment - City Park Ballfield
Condition of Approval
At today's Administrative Hearing for Wireless Telecommunications Equipment - City Park
North Ballfield P.D.P./F.C., #29-97, a Condition of Approval was added. This condition relates
to installing landscaping in the Spring based on the criteria of the City Forester. Since City Park
is considered the City's arboretum, and since the landscape materials cannot be placed
immediately in front of the ground base equipment due to proximity to the ball diamond, the
landscape plan will be drawn up by the City Forester.
The applicant, S.B.A., on behalf of Sprint P.C.S., agreed in the public hearing to establish an
escrow in the amount of $175 per tree. The number of trees are to be determined by the City
Forester in the range of 6 to 10.
The Condition of Approval reads as follows:
At the time of Building Permit Issuance, the applicant shall provide an escrow to the City of Fort
Collins to secure the installation of the landscaping in the Spring. Further, the landscaping will
consist of six to 10 trees the exact quantity, species, and size to be determined by the City
Forester. Further, the applicant shall provide an escrow in the amount of $175 per tree. The
location of the trees shall also be determined by the City Forester since the area to be landscaped
is City Park. Minimum size trees shall be two inches in caliper for deciduous, 1.5 inches in
caliper for ornamentals, and six feet in height for evergreens.
281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6750 • FAX (970) 416-2020
Wireless Telecommunications Equipment - City Park North Ballfield, PDP/FC, #29-97
December 18, 1997 Administrative Hearing
Page 4
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of City Park Ballfield Wireless Telecommunication
Equipment, #29-97.
Wireless Telecommunications Equipment - City Park North Ballfield, PDP/FC, #29-97
December 18, 1997 Administrative Hearing
Page 3
Parks and Recreation requires that public facilities located within parks be as
maintenance -free and vandal -free as possible. Since the site is public and accessible,
the fencing must be such that it is durable and does not attract graffiti. Since the light
fixture is not considered a monopole, and thus a "facility," chainlink fencing is not
prohibited.
D. Color:
The light fixture will be constructed out of concrete and painted gray. The antenna
array will be painted gray to match the pole.
E. Lighting:
There will be no security lighting associated with the light fixture or base equipment.
F. Access Roadway:
Access will be gained via a 20 foot wide access easement that connects to Mountain
Avenue, just east of the Fort Collins Housing Authority office building.
4. Neighborhood Compatibility:
A neighborhood information meeting was held on November 24, 1997. The one
concern that was raised related to interference with other electronic equipment such as
radios, t.v.'s, computers and garage door openers. In response, the frequency of the
wireless telecommunications equipment is between 1850 and 1950 megahertz which is
substantially separated from the frequencies of the aforementioned electronic
equipment.
5. Findings of Fact and Conclusion:
A. The request is considered "wireless telecommunication services equipment" that
would be co -located with a ballfield light fixture.
B. Wireless telecommunication equipment is permitted in the P.O.L., Public Open
Lands, Zone District, as an administrative review.
C. The 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.
Wireless Telecommunications Equipment - City Park North Ballfield, PDP/FC, #29-97
December 18, 1997 Administrative Hearing
Page 2
2. Zoning:
The site is zoned P.O.L., Public Open Land. This zone allows Wireless
Telecommunication Equipment as a permitted use subject to administrative review.
3. Compliance with the Land Use Code:
The Land Use Code requires that request for Wireless Telecommunications Equipment
comply with a prescribed set of standards as outlined in Article Three, Division 8,
Section 13. The applicable standards are discussed below:
A. Co -location:
The 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 the owners or
lessees shall not act to exclude any other wireless telecommunication provider from
using the same existing structure.
B. Landscaping:
The light fixture is located in a park setting next to a softball field. There is a need by
Parks and Recreation to keep the area immediately around the light fixture clear as an
active recreation area for baseball and softball teams to warm-up. It is important for
Parks and Recreation to maintain a strict schedule for starting times and it is necessary
for teams to begin games already warmed -up. In addition, Parks and Recreation
requires that the immediate area be maintained by large mowing equipment and not
rely on hand -mowing.
Therefore, the base of the light fixture is not immediately landscaped. Rather,
landscaping will be placed nearby, within City Park, as per the recommendation of the
City Forester. This new landscaping enhances the general area and will be irrigated
and maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department.
C. Fencing:
The area around the base of the light fixture will be fenced with chainlink fencing, eight
feet in height. This matches the existing fencing and height around the outfield of the
ball diamond. In fact, the southern face of the fencing will actually be shared with the
outfield fence. Also, due to the location next to a ballfield, the base equipment will be
protected by a welded wire cover.
d
ITEM NO.
'- MEETING DATE
STAFF
Citv of Fort Collins PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD
STAFF REPORT
PROJECT: Wireless Telecommunications Equipment - City Park North
Ballfield P.D.P./F.C., #29-97
APPLICANT: Sprint PCS
c/o Mr. Nathan Foster
SBA of Denver
7600 East Arapahoe Road
Suite 210
Englewood, CO 80112
OWNER: City of Fort Collins
c/o Mr. Virgil Taylor
Parks and Recreation Department
281 North College Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80524
DESCRIPTION:
This is a request to install wireless telecommunications equipment as an accessory to a
ballfield light fixture at City Park. The light fixture would be located in right field of the
north ball diamond, just south of Fort Collins Housing Authority office. The request
includes base equipment, fencing and landscaping. The height would be 90 feet. The
antenna array would be placed above the ballfield lights in order to clear the tree line.
The property is zoned P.O.L., Public Open Land.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval
COMMENTS:
Definition:
The request is considered to be "wireless telecommunication services equipment." 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 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.
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 281 N. College Ave. P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 (970) 221-6750
PLANNING DEPARTMENT