HomeMy WebLinkAboutWIRELESS TELECOM. EQUIP. (SPRINT), CITY PARK - PDP/FDP - 29-97 - DECISION - FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS & DECISIONFINDINGS. 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 antenna meets the Land Use Code definition of wireless
telecommunication equipment.
2. Wireless telecommunication equipment is a permitted use in the POL - Public
Open Lands zoning district subject to administrative review.
3. The proposal meets the requirements of Section 3.8.13 of the Land Use Code,
Wireless Telecommunications including the applicable development standards of
Section 3.8.13(C)
DECISION
Based on the findings and conclusions, the request to place wireless
telecommunications equipment on a lightpole in City Park, file #29-97 is APPROVED
WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITION:
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 $175.00 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.
Dated this 23rd day of December, 1997, per authority granted by Sections 1.4.9(E) and
2..1 of the Land Use Code.
Robert E. Blanchard, AICP
Current Planning Director
docfiI\hearing s\29-97.h rg
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 an antennae on the light standard for the right field
light on the north ball field. The total height of the light standard and the antennae
would be approximately 90 feet.
Section 3.8.13 of the Land Use Code provides the standards for wireless
telecommunication equipment and facilities. Only Section 3.8.13(C)(4), (5), (8), (10)
and (11) apply to this application:
3.8.13(C)(4) - Landscaping: The immediate base of the light pole to which the
antenna is attached will not be landscaped as required in the Code since it is in
an active recreation area that requires a clear area. Rather, landscaping will be
placed nearby, within City Park, based on the recommendation of the City
Forester.
Based on what would be required to create a solid screen as required in the
Code, six to ten trees will be placed in the nearby vicinity. A value will be
assigned by the City Forester to the total cost of planting the trees and this
amount placed in escrow so construction can begin. In the spring, the applicant
will pay for the cost of the planting materials and labor from the escrow account.
A condition to this effect is included in the final decision.
3.8.13(C)(5) - Fencing: The area around the base of the light fixture will be
fenced with chainlink fencing, eight feet in height to match the existing outfield
fence of the ball diamond.
3.8.13(C)(8) - Color: The standard requires that the colors of the antennas match
as closely as possible the color and texture of the wall, building or surrounding
built environment. The light fixture will be constructed out of concrete and
painted gray. The antenna array will be painted to match the light pole.
3.8.13(C)(10) - Interference: The standard requires that equipment operate in
such a manner so as not to cause interference with other electronics. This type
of interference is also prohibited by federal code.
3.8.13(C)(11) - Access Roadways: Access will be gained via a 20 foot wide
access easement connecting to Mountain Avenue, east of the Fort Collins
Housing Authority building.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: Notice of public hearing was made on December 3,
1997 by mailing to property owners within 500 feet of
the subject property.
The public hearing was advertised in the Coloradoan
on December 10, 1997.
PUBLIC HEARING
After reviewing the Staff Report and recommendation, a public hearing was held on the
subject application at 3:00 PM on December 18, 1997. The hearing was held in the
main conference room at 281 North College, 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
Tim Buchanen, City Forester
From the applicant:
Nathan Foster, SBA of Denver
From the Community:
None
Written Comments:
None
City of Fort Collins
Comm,.nity Planning and Environmenta. iervices
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 Telecommunications Equipment - City Park
North Ballfield PDP/Final
CASE NUMBER: 29-97
APPLICANT: Sprint PCS
c/o Mr. Nathan Foster
SBA of Denver
7600 East Arapahoe Road
Suite 210
Englewood, CO 80112
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 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 the Fort
Collins Housing Authority office. The request
includes base equipment, fencing and landscaping.
The height would be 90 feet.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATION AND DECISION:
Staff recommendation
Hearing Officer Decision:
ZONING DISTRICT:
Approval
Approval with condition
POL - Public Open Land
281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6750 • FAX (970) 416-2020