HomeMy WebLinkAboutWIRELESS TELECOM. EQUIP. (SPRINT PCS) AT DMA PLAZA - PDP/FDP - 21-97 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTSSprint 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 build 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 requires 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.
Proiect Summary
Sprint PCS proposes to place a wireless telecommunication site on the DMA Plaza Retirement
building located at 300 Remington Street in Fort Collins. This site will consist of antennas needed to
transmit and receive signals for digital wireless communication.
Sprint PCS is leasing a 310 square foot area for equipment. The proposed lease area will be
developed with five equipment cabinets and nine digital antennas flush mounted to the penthouse
and rooftop's stair access located on the roof of the building. The equipment cabinets will be
enclosed within a 7-foot high screen designed to be architecturally compatible with the existing
building.
Visual Impact and Screening
Placing the proposed antennas on an existing structure will mitigate the visual impact that a
freestanding facility could have on the City of Fort Collins. With the proposed screening, and the
flush mounted antennas the potential visual impact of this proposal is further reduced.
The proposed BTS equipment will be located immediately north of the existing penthouse. The BTS
equipment will be enclosed with a solid equipment screen that will match the color and general
appearance of the penthouse.
The north facing antenna sector (00 azimuth) will be flush mounted to the rooftop's stair access on
the north side of the building and painted to match. The southeast and southwest facing antenna
sectors (1200 and 2400 respectively), will be flush mounted to the penthouse and painted to match.
The proposal is further mitigated by the fact that the surrounding land use is mostly commercial.
This structure is in an area of tall buildings and dense land use; therefore, it would be difficult for this
proposal, even without a screening design, to attract visual attention from the public.
The proposed screening will provide architectural compatibility without compromising the functional
use of the proposed site.
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);
...[Elequipment shall be the same color as the building or structure to which or onto which
such equipment is mounted.
...[Elequipment 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.
Roof and ground mounted wireless telecommunication equipment shall be screened by parapet
walls or screen walls in a manner compatible with the buildings design, color, and material.
Conclusion
The design of the proposed Sprint PCS site incorporates screening elements which will reduce the
proposal's potential visual impact and 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 that is desired, therefore, Sprint PCS requests
administrative approval of this request.
SPRINT PCS
Administrative Wireless Telecommunications Services
Equipment Review
Citv of Fort Collins
DMA Plaza Retirement Site
Proiect Contacts
Applicant: Sprint PCS
4700 South Syracuse
Street, Suite 600
Denver, CO 80237
(303)488-9396
Contact: Jill )elinek
Owner: DMA Plaza, Inc.
300 Remington Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 493-7727
Contact: Cathy Sanfort
Project Development Information
Agent: SBA of Denver, Inc.
7600 E. Arapahoe Rd.,
Ste. 210
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 770-3830 X334
Contact: Nathan Foster
Architect/Engineer:
URS Greiner
1099 18th Street
Suite. 700
Denver, CO 80202
(303)296-9700
Contact: Jack Bartels
Legal:
Portion of Lots 9,10,1 1, 81 12, Blk 133, City of Fort Collins
Location:
300 Remington Street
Ownership:
DMA Plaza, Inc.
Space under lease:
310 SF
Lessee:
Sprint PCS
Zoning:
D
Land Use:
Elderly care facility
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 the penthouse and rooftop's stair
access without exceeding the height and painted the same color.
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 the proposed equipment screen.
No Text
300 Remington Street (DMA Plaza), Wireless Telecommunications Equipment,
Administrative Review, #21-97
October 2, 1997
Page 3
C. The proposed antenna arrays will be flush -mounted on the north, east and west
building elevations of the DMA Plaza building.
D. The proposed equipment is not mounted on a residential building containing four
or fewer dwelling units.
E. The proposed equipment meets the applicable standards of Section 3.8.13[C] of the
Land Use Code.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff finds that the request to install a 310 square foot (15 feet by 20 feet),
enclosed/screened base transmission station on the east edge of the rooftop; to install
three Sprint antenna arrays with three antennas each (nine total antennas) flush mounted
on the north , east and west building elevations; and to install a two -foot tall GPS antenna
on top of the penthouse/elevator equipment room of the DMA Plaza located at 300
Remington Street is in compliance with the City's Land Use Code. Staff, therefore,
recommends approval of the 300 Remington Street (DMA Plaza), Wireless
Telecommunications Equipment, Administrative Review, #21-97.
300 Remington Street (DMA Plaza), Wireless Telecommunications Equipment,
Administrative Review, #21-97
October 2, 1997
Page 2
(Type 1) review. Section 3.8.13 of the Land Use Code permits wireless
telecommunications equipment to be attached to or mounted on any existing or structure
located in any zoning district in the City. Wireless telecommunications equipment shall not,
however, be permitted to be attached to or mounted on any residential building containing
four or fewer dwelling units.
C. Standards
The request meets the following applicable standards for wireless telecommunication
equipment as found in the Land Use Code under Section 3.8.13:
3.8.13[C][3] - Color: The color of the antennas will match the existing structure.
3.8.13[C][3] - Height: The proposed GPS antenna is 2 feet over the height of the
DMA Plaza building (the Land Use Code allows a maximum of 15 feet over).
3.8.13[C][3] - Wall Mounted Equipment: Three Sprint antenna arrays with three
antennas each (nine total antennas) are proposed to be flush mounted on the north,
east and west building elevations. None of the antenna arrays project above the
wall on which they are mounted.
3.8.13[C][3] - Screening: The 310 square foot (15 feet by 20 feet) base transmission
station equipment will be screened by a seven foot tall screen wall that is
compatible with the building's design, color, and material. None of the base
transmission station equipment exceeds six feet in height.
3.8.13[C][8] - Color: The color of all proposed telecommunications equipment will
be painted to match as closely as possible the color and texture of the walls and
building.
All other standards are non -applicable.
2. Findings of Fact:
In review and consideration of this request, Staff makes the following findings of fact:
A. The proposed antennas, and base transmission equipment are defined as wireless
telecommunications equipment.
B. Wireless telecommunications equipment is permitted in the D, Downtown District
(Civic Center Subdistrict).
Commut. f Planning and Environmental -vices
Current Planning
City of Fort Collins
PROJECT: 300 Remington Street (DMA Plaza), Wireless Telecommunications
Equipment, Administrative Review, #21-97.
APPLICANT: Sprint PCS
c/o Jill Jelinek
4700 South Syracuse Street, Suite 600
Denver, CO 80237
OWNER: DMA Plaza, Inc.
c/o Cathy Sanfort
300 Remington Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Request to install a 310 square foot (15 feet by 20 feet), enclosed/screened base
transmission station on the east edge of the rooftop; to install three Sprint antenna arrays
with three antennas each (nine total antennas) flush mounted on the north , east and west
building elevations; and to install a two -foot tall GPS antenna on top of the
penthouse/elevator equipment room of the DMA Plaza located at 300 Remington Street.
COMMENTS:
Land Use:
A. Definition
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 (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.
B. Zoning
The site is zoned D, Downtown District (Civic Center Subdistrict). Wireless
telecommunication service equipment is permitted in this district subject to administrative
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