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Home My WebLink AboutDRAKE CROSSING SHOPPING CENTER, FT. COLLINS CARWASH, WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY (VERIZON) - PDP - 35-96C - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTSNo Text FBob Barkeen - Feb 25th cell phone tower meeting st Blevms Jr.'High School __ Page 1 From: <jim_hulings@agilent.com> To: <bbarkeen@fcgov.com> Date: 2/26/04 3:42PM Subject: Feb. 25th cell phone tower meeting at Blevins Jr. High School Dear Bob, I was not able to attend the Wednesday evening meeting about the cell tower. I did want to pass on my opinion, even though I missed the meeting. I support this tower, even though I don't have the details. I, and almost all members of my family, now have cell phones, as do most people in town. For us to want the benefits of cell phones, but to ask to put the "plumbing in someone else's neighborhood" is not fair. I would be interested in any info you can give me on the tower, particularly what cell phone providers will be broadcasting from the tower. Please send some sort of a reply so I at least know that you received this email. Thanks Jim Hulings Jim Hulings Agilent Technologies VLSI Design Engineer 1-970-288-4813 ASIC Products Division telnet 1-288-4813 jim_hulings@agilent.com Bob Barkeep Cell Phone Tower at Drake Crossing Page 1 From: Phil Pringle <philpring@juno.com> To: <bbarkeen@fcgov.com> Date: 1 /23/04 2:41 PM Subject: Cell Phone Tower at Drake Crossing Dear Bob, I am interested in participating in the cell tower approval/disapproval process. I own and operate Pringle's Fine Wines and Spirits at the Corner of Taft Hill and Drake Roads. Having yet another cell tower( there are two within a half mile on Drake that are clearly visible from the corner of Taft Hill and Drake Roads. ) in close proximity to the store and our neighborhood would be a detriment to the quality of our shopping center and the neighborhood surroundings. Furthermore, I believe that it will negatively impact the small wetland assumably required by the city in the original landscape plan ) next to the proposed tower. Please let me know what I can do to oppose this location for the tower. Sincerely, Phil Pringle C A Petition We the undersigned residents of Fort Collins are opposed to the location of a 65- foot cellular tower at the corner of Taft Hill Road and Valley Forge Drive. We urge city officials to ask Verizon to find an alternate location for this tower. There are already two cell towers in our neighborhood along Drake Road less than 1/2 mile from this proposed site. rJ Cr= V0,,-=5 iJOT p4sc---r R&-Qur ak-D C Sr 54-r 'Ar K UMIl� WARM ig !/.II: I,. ' T kv �M''. /�aa.:�� '�/� lid► �_�� i i � .� MMMIF11„ IEd UMa: CelffowerPetitionF62004 3. 8.13 G� SjuL.,�o�A.R.c V.4 , cac=-n- I A Petition We the undersigned residents of Fort Collins are opposed to the location of a 65- foot cellular tower at the comer of Taft Hill Road and Valley Forge Drive. We urge city officials to ask Verizon to find an alternate location for this tower. There are already two cell towers in our neighborhood along Drake Road less than 1/2 mile from this proposed site. Cl S a Ncr dAJeE-TT' (ZE 4•v rt� 6 sr 5 r3�,ct� V>JR�2 J ROMI ffl♦ /I .CIA/i.�Ii ,��.CL,11.i //i IM�-Two 10�GE7 A& FAMP-MMAM-04-MMMORMI MAN MAIM MR, MR MEN ROOMINAAME '0.: �;��rM,�':�,>i�� i MAII(A2/rla'N�� N CellTowerPetitionF62004 3.8.(3 G.2 site to be used by Verizon may mean that we may have a taller (75-85 feet?) and possibly uglier tower at this site in the future. For these multiple reasons we ask the Planning and Zoning Board to reject a permit for Verizon to build on this site. If the P&Z Board approves the siting despite our opposition, we will appeal the decision to the Fort Collins City Council. We are also prepared to organize a neighborhood boycott of the car wash that plans to gain economically from the location of the tower on their property, and encourage a citywide boycott of Verizon's wireless services. With number portability this year, it is much easier now for wireless consumers to switch to competing services. Thank you again, Bob, for giving up another of your weeknights to hold this public meeting. We appreciate your efforts and those of Verizon consultant Ann Closser to provide information to us about this proposed tower location. Sincerely, Pete Seel for the Rolland Moore West Neighborhood Network 1837 Scarborough Drive Fort Collins, CO 80526 970-484-7062 pete.seel@colostate.edu cc: City Council representative Marty Tharp Ann Closser, Closser Consulting (for Verizon Communications) The Rolland Moore West Neighborhood Network steering committee Lloyd Walker Pete Seel Melisse and Paul Anderson Doug Brobst Dan MacArthur Mary Paule 1756 Concord Drive 1837 Scarborough Drive 2107 Constitution Avenue 1625Independence Road 2424 Sheffield Circle 1707 Constitution Court 221-0489 Lloyd@engr.colostate.edu 484-7062 pete.seel@colostate.edu 482-5658 goglobal@frii.com 407-9773 brobst@peakpeak.com 490-1574 azarmac@juno.com 493-6005 marv.paule@colostate.edu Celffowert,etterWarch2004 The Rolland Moore West Neighborhood Network Maintaining neighborhood vitality and livability March 6, 2004 Bob Barkeen Current Planning Office City of Fort Collins PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 Dear Mr. Barkeen, Thank you for co -hosting the public meeting on the proposed cellular tower held on Wednesday, February 25th at Blevins Junior High School. As you know, Verizon Communications proposal to construct a 65-foot cellular communications tower at the southwest corner of Taft Hill Road and Valley Forge Drive is opposed by our organization. We collected 37 signatures at that meeting for our most recent petition opposing this siting' (see attached copies). The Rolland Moore West Neighborhood Network opposes this tower siting for three important reasons: There are already two other cell towers along the southern edge of our neighborhood attached to 90-foot power poles on Drake Road. One of these was just installed in the past month. So our reaction to the new tower is not another case of NIMBYism, but rather PIMBYism--Plenty In My BackYard. 2. The site does not meet city zoning requirements that such a tower must have a one -foot setback from the property line for each foot of height. Instead of a needed 65-foot setback, this location only has 15 feet. This is a potential safety hazard. If a careless motorist pulling into the car wash were to strike the base of the fiberglass tower, it could collapse onto the car wash or the gas station next door. We urge the city Planning and Zoning Board to NOT grant this variance to existing city code for these safety reasons. 3. While this monopole tower design has no visible antenna structure on its top (it is inside the fiberglass pole), federal law would allow possibly one or even two other cellular companies to "co -locate" their cellular antennas on top of the existing one. Allowing this Rolland Moore West Neighborhood Network January 28, 2004 Bob Barkeen Current Planning Office City of Fort Collins PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 Dear Mr. Barkeen, RECEIVED J AN 30 P004 CURRENT PLANNING On behalf of the Rolland Moore West Neighborhood Network, an association representing over 100 homes in this part of the city, we want to go on record in opposition to the siting of a cellular tower by Verizon Communications at the corner of Taft Hill Road and Valley Forge Drive. This 65-foot tower will be a major intrusion on the quality of life in our neighborhood and we will use all political and economic means at our disposal (e.g., a possible boycott of Verizon communication services) to oppose~its, location at this site. I •will act as''the contact for our association and we plan to mobilize the neighborhood in opposition to this siting plan. Please keep us appraised of the date for the planned neighborhood meeting and the appeals process in this matter and I will inform our membership. Thank you for posting the sign notifying the neighborhood of this project and allowing the opportunity to provide our opinion of this ill-advised siting decision by Verizon. Sincerely, Pete Seel 1837 Scarborough Drive Fort..Collins, CO 80526 .;:.: .... cc: City Council representative Marty Tharp CellTowerLettedan2004 � 6aj � 7 C" r — 2 — February 12, 2004 separate lease would be initiated with P.R.P.A. for use of the pole), but later indicated he was not interested due to future development plans for the property. Alt. 9, Dixon Creek Substation, SW corner S Overland Trail and W Drake Rd, contact: Tom McCormick, P.R.P.A., (970) 229-5311. VZW proposed to place antennas on an existing pole within the substation or on a VZW stealth pole with equipment to be located at the NW comer of die fenced substation facility. In an e-mail dated 4/7/03 Tom McCormick stated "Management's answer is still no with regards to placing cellular facilities within our substation site". Alts Two and Three (2550 S Taft Hill Rd, Fellowship Bible Church and 1900 S Taft Hill Rd, Immanuel Christian Reformed Church) were sent a letter of interest via FedEx on 8/12/03. Neither church responded to the letters of interest or two follow-up phone calls. Department. Current Planning Issue Contact. Bob Barkeen [l /2G/04] I would strongly encourageyou to work with otherpossible candidates as much as possible, including the CSU monopole site, other electric towers orpossibly the monopole at the northwest corner of Harmony Road and Taft Flill Road. Verizon Wireless response: Jose Valdes of CSU was contacted and responded that a Request for Proposals was going out to all carriers for placement of wireless facilities on CSU property. The timeline for the RFP was undetermined at that time, and no wireless leases or proposals were being considered. This was not a viable candidate. The monopole at Harmony Rd and Taft Hill Rd is well out of VZW's required search area. A telecommunications site needs to be located between the borders of Prospect Rd. to the North, Drake Rd. to the South, Taft Hill Rd. to the East and Overland Tr. to the West to provide the needed coverage and to address complaints in the abovementioned area from residents unhappy with the lack of coverage. In addition to the properties and contacts listed above please review the attached property contact map that lists all of the 12 properties pursued for this site. All viable contacts were exhausted in the search area. The Ft Collins Car Wash signed a lease with Verizon Wireless on 1/21/04. Approval of the Wireless Telecommunications Facility Review and Modification of Standards by the City of Ft Collins will allow Verizon Wireless to move forward with the proposed stealth cell site and provide much needed cellular coverage in the area. You may reach me at 303-748-0599 with any questions or concerns. Please let me know if you require any additional information. Thank you. Sincerely, �1 Kelly Harrison Site Acquisition and Zoning Consultant 1917 LOWELL BLVD • DENVER/COLORADO • 80204 MOBILE: 303-748-0599 • OFFICE: 303-561-2881 VERIZON WIRELESS February 12, 2004 Bob Barkeen City of Fort Collins Current Planning 281 North College Fort Collins, CO 80521 RE: Proposed Verizon Wireless Telecommunications Facility 2451 S Taft Hill Rd, Ft Collins, CO (Verizon Project Name: FTC -Lobo, Alt 4) Dear Mr. Barkeen, I am writing to respond to the Staff Project Review comments issued on 1/26/04 for the proposed Verizon Wireless (VZW) stealth monopole to be located at 2451 S Taft Hill Rd — City of Ft Collins project name DRAKE CROSSING SHOPPING CENTER, FT. COLLINS CARWASH, WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY Department: Advance Planning Issue Contact: Pete Wray Section 3.8.13 (A) Location Staff requests the applicant abandon this proposed location and co -locate either on a neiv Church steeple (east side of Taft Hill Road), or on exisling overhead ponver transmission line pole adjacent to West Drake Road. Tivo other existing telecommunication facilities are located on these poles 112 mile to the east. Verizon Wireless response: Please see the attached site contact map. Alternates four, five, eight and nine are all P.R.P.A. installation proposals, and all were abandoned due to the land owner denying Verizon Wireless's request to locate on the property. Alt's two and three were both proposed church installations, and were abandoned due to no response from the land owner. Please see detailed information regarding each Alternate below. Alt. 4, 1212 Raintree Dr., The Preserve Apartments, 970-416-8946. A letter of interest was sent to the Preserve Apartments via FedEx on 8/12/03 detailing VZW's proposal to place a second wireless facility on the P.R.P.A. electric poles located on their property. The letter and two subsequent phone calls elicited no response from the land owner. Alt. 5, 2160 W Drake Rd., Walgreen's/P.R.PA. tower., ZTI Development Group, contact: Debbie Tamlin (970) 493-4105. ZTI Group initially worked with VZW for the placement of the VZW equipment shelter located to the rear of Walgreen's (a separate lease was initiated with P.R.P.A. for use of the pole). Multiple site visits were performed and drawings were developed for zoning submittal. Between May, 2003 and August, 2003, the landlord stopped all communication with VZW. Lease negotiations were dropped, and VZW had to walk away from the project after spending a considerable amount of money on site services due to the landlord's refusal to move forward. Alt 8, 2430 S Overland Tr., P.R.P.A. tower on vacant land owned by Herring Properties L.L.C., contact: Cameron Thomas Herring 970-568-3311. A letter of interest was sent to Mr. Herring on 3/26/04. He initially considered the proposal to place equipment on his property (a Mppg1JES? �- I ' S f Y19� _ -1 900ft Resd4r�ass Ct Y Lake Stlt #11 - 2345 W Pro em spct = i 1 W Lake St BanderElemen #7 - 302] W � Eve reen Dr W Prospect Rd rg 1l Self Storage Prospect Rd Io W Pros Rd g C tthbraok Dr 0 MCD *�6 7i. Cl? lestgh y+j yCo e Y Ct a 900 Taft lHill Rd CO 5 u mac 6t C.I. �ffo lk #12 - Colorado ! 6e05!. o�/ - - b, "1 �- N W Stuart St State University ( �� Mu �a doss p :ne IB #10 - 2102 S Taft liu tilift ' n Hill Rd Blevins It n ,e t CoasdalaCt Jo t�+ -" , �qyj Manch4esterD.r� PipsstoWe Dr z ° C' . �4 - n� �f� #6 - 2160 W�h'�_-� al Taft Hill Rd #8 - 2430 S L �' $ Drake Rd I IsY � p{4j Av j f o - Overland Tr Blue `mPt Shopping Center r 43 -�- 3` _a o arn49hite c,�q° P W [',rake Rd _D' ake.Rd ec ojg— Water B Ln #9 Dixon Creek ti r�$� t— #2 - 2550 S Substation I�`` - Moss \40*0w0 Dt� Taft Hill Rd r Hull St #5-2160W 02003 MavQuestoom, Inc.; 02003 GDT Drake Rd Walgreen's/P.R .P.A. tower #4- 1212 Raintree ***All site locations are approximate Dr. The Preserve Apartments All contacted properties Number corresponding to map 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Verizon Wireless site FTC -Lobo PronetV Contact List Owner Response to Verizon Wireless' Site Address: Business/Entity Name: proposal for a telecommunications site on ro e Ft Collins Car Wash Current candidate 2451 S Taft Hill Rd, Ft Collins, CO 80526 2550 S Taft Hill Rd, Ft Fellowship Bible Church No response —not interested Collins, CO 80526 1900 S Taft Hill Rd, Ft Immanuel Christian No response —not interested Collins, CO 80526 Reformed Church Declined 1212 Raintree Dr, Ft The Preserve Apartments Collins, CO 80526 2160 W Drake Rd, Ft Walgreen's/P.R.P.A. power Declined Collins, CO 80526 2160 W Drake Rd, Ft tower Strip mall/commercial center Declined Collins, CO 80526 3021 W Prospect Rd, Ft Self storage Declined —taking up alternate business Collins, CO 80526 2430 S Overland Tr, Ft P.R.P.A. power tower/vacant venture . Declined — will be developing the property Collins, CO 80526 land Owned by Thomas Herrin No address — Dixon Creek P.R.P.A. Substation — P.R.P.A. does not allow cell sites within Substation, Ft Collins, CO P.R.P.A. contact Tom confines of substations McCormick 2102 S_Taft Hill -Rd, Ft Blevins Jr. High School - Pete District has issued moratorium on all new . CollinsCO Hall, Director of Facilities cellular builds on school ro er , 2345 W Prospect, Ft Bander Elementary -Pete District has issued moratorium on all new Collins, CO Hall, Director of Facilities cellular builds on school property Colorado State University Jose Valdes CSU working on RFP for cellular facilities. Not ready to move forward immediately with anv cell site. (2) the granting of a modification from the strict application of any standard would, without impairing the intent and purpose of this Land Use Code, substantially alleviate an existing, defined and described problem of city-wide concern or would result in a substantial benefit to the city by reason of the fact that the proposed project would substantially address an important community need specifically and expressly defined and described in the city's Comprehensive Plan, or in an adopted policy, ordinance or resolution of the City Council, and the strict application of such a standard would render the project practically infeasible; or Verizon Wireless Response: The proposed Verizon Wireless telecommunications site, has been proposed to provide much needed Verizon Wireless cellular coverage in the City of Ft "llins area bordered to the North by W Prospect Road; to the East by S Taft Hill Road; to the South by W Drake Road and to the West by S Overland Trail. Due to the highly residential nature of the aforementioned area, the area's few commerciI areas were targeted for a telecommunications site. Please see attached Property Contact List for a list of those property owners who were contacted and were not interested in pursuing a telecommunications site with Verizon Wireless. (3) by reason of exceptional physical conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional situations, unique to such property, including, but not limited to, physical conditions such as exceptional narrowness, shallowness or topography, or physical conditions which hinder the owner's ability to install a solar energy system, the strict application of the standard sought to be modified would result in unusual and exceptional practical difficulties, or exceptional or undue hardship upon the owner of such property, provided that such difficulties or hardship are not caused by the act or otnission,of the applicant. ' Verizon Wireless Response: As stated above, the location of the proposed telecommunications stealth monopole was selected due to the narrow shape of the subject lot and easements existing on the property. Verizon Wireless is requesting a Modification of Standards of the City of Ft Collins setback requirements in order to avoid the drainage and manholes and well established trees located on the East side of the car wash building, and to mitigate views of the site from S Taft Hill Road. Any finding made under subparagraph (1), (2) or (3) above shall be supported by specific findings showing how the plan, as submitted, meets the requirements and criteria of said subparagraph (1), (2) or (3). ylEy' f wireless Division 2.8 Modification of Standards (by the Planning and Zoning Board) 2.8.1 Purpose and Applicability The Planning and Zoning Board is empowered to grant modifications to the General Development Standards contained in Article 3 and the Land Use Standards and Development Standards contained in Article 4 and any separation or proximity standards that are established as a specific measurement of distance in the District Permitted Uses contained in Article 4, either for: (1) overall development plans and/or project development plans which are pending approval at the time that the request for proposed modification is filed, or (2) overall development plans and/or project development plans which the applicant intends to file, provided that such plans are in fact filed with the Director as development applications within one (1) year following the determination of the decision maker on the request for the proposed modification, or (3) development plans approved under prior law and which are sought to be amended (either as a minor or major amendment) pursuant to Section 2.2.10. 2.8.2 Modification Review Procedures A request for modification to the standards shall be processed according to, in compliance with and subject to the provisions contained in Division 2.1 and Steps 1 through 12 of the Common Development Review Procedures (Sections 2.2.1 through 2.2.12, inclusive) as set forth below.. A modification may (at the option of the applicant) be processed in a consolidated application and reviewed concurrently with the development application to which it applies, in which event the decision maker shall be the Planning and Zoning Board for both the modification and the development application to which it applies, even if such development application would otherwise have been subject to administrative (Type 1) review. Once a modification is approved, it shall be controlling for the successive, timely filed, development applications for that particular development proposal only to the extent that it modifies the standards pertaining to such plan. (1-1) Step 8 (Standards): Applicable, and the Planning and Zoning Board may grant a modification of standards only if it finds that the granting of the modification would not be detrimental to the public good; Verizon Wireless Response: The proposed Verizon Wireless facility will not be detrimental to the public good, rather it will provide much needed Verizon Wireless cellular service in the area. (1) the plan as submitted will promote the general purpose of the standard for which the modification is requested equally well or better than would a plan which complies with the standard for which a modification is requested; or Verizon Wireless Response: Due to the shape of the subject lot and easements existing on the property, Verizon Wireless is requesting a Modification of Standards of the City of Ft Collins setback requirements. Verizon Wireless selected the "rear" (West) side of the car wash building in order to avoid the drainage and manholes and well established trees located on the East side of the car wash building, and to mitigate views of the site from S Taft Hill Road. • Verizon Wireless Response: The Ft Collins Car Wash located at 2451 South Taft Hill Road is not a designated historic site or structure. (15). Stealth Technology: To the extent reasonably feasible, the applicant shall employ "stealth technology" so as to convert the wireless telecommunication 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 of grain bins, silos, or elevators, church steeples, water towers, clock towers, bell towers, false penthouses or other similar "mimic" structures. Such "mimic" structures shall have a contextual relationship to the adjacent area. • Verizon Wireless Response: The proposed Verizon Wireless monopole will be designed to completely conceal the wireless antennas. A canister will be used for antenna concealment. The Verizon Wireless equipment shelter will be concealed within an"addition" to the cat wash. facility. It will match the car wash in architectural design, building materials and height. (1) Irrigation. Landscaping and berming shall be equipped with automatic irrigation systems meeting the water conservation standards of the city. • Verizon Wireless Response: Since no landscaping is proposed, no irrigation is proposed. (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. • Verizon Wireless Response: The Verizon Wireless equipment shelter shall be constructed of brick to match the existing car wash facility. (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. • Verizon Wireless Response: There is no lighting proposed for this site. (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. • Verizon Wireless Response: The Verizon Wireless telecommunications site shall pose no interference issues with other electronics. (I1) Access Roadways. Access roads must be capable of supporting all of the emergency response equipment of the Poudre Fire Authority. • Verizon Wireless Response: The proposed Verizon Wireless design will not precipitate any changes to access roads to the Drake Crossing Shopping Center or Ft Collins Car Wash. (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. • Verizon Wireless Response: Foothills or Hogbacks are not an issue for this site. (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. • Verizon Wireless Response: The proposed wireless telecommunication equipment is not located near an airport or flight path. (14) Historic Sites and Structures. Wireless telecommunication facilities and equipment shall not be located on any historic site or structure unless permission is first obtained from the city's Landmark Preservation Commission as required by Chapter 14 of the City Code. atop the monopole. The Verizon Wireless equipment shelter will be attached to the existing car wash, and will match the architectural design, height and building materials of the existing car wash facility. (3) Wirrias 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 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 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. Whenever wireless telecommunication equipment is mounted to the wall of a building or 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. 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. • Verizon Wireless Response: The Verizon Wireless equipment shelter shall be designed to exactly match the car wash facility. (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 the 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. If a wireless telecommunication facility or ground -mounted wireless telecommunication equipment has frontage on a public street, street trees shallbe planted along the roadway in accordance with the policies of the City Forester. • Verizon Wireless Response: The proposed site for the equipment shelter will be an extension of the existing car wash — it will appear to be part of the wash bay. The equipment will also be concealed from S Taft Hill Road due to its proposed location at the West side of the wash bays. (5) Fencing. Chain link fencing shall be unacceptable to screen facilities. Fencing material shall consist of wood, masonry, stucco or other acceptable materials and be opaque. Fencing shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. • Verizon Wireless Response: Verizon Wireless is not proposing a method of fencing around the equipment shelter as the shelter is secured and completelyself contained. (6) Berming. Berms shall be considered as an acceptable screening device. Berms shall feature slopes that allow mowing, irrigation and maintenance. • Verizon Wireless Response: Because the equipment will not be visible from a public right of way, no berming is proposed. the existing car wash building and will match the building in architectural design, building materials and height. (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 owners or lessees or employees thereof shall cooperate in good faith to achieve co -location of wireless telecommunication facilities and equipment with other wireless telecommunication providers. • Verizon Wireless Response: Verizon Wireless will not act to exclude or attempt to exclude any other competitor from using the subject stealth monopole for the location of other antenna or other telecommunication equipment. (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 ground -mounted wireless telecommunication equipment shall be governed by the setback criteria established in Articles 3 and/or 4. • Verizon Wireless Response: Due to the shape of the subject lot and easements existing on the property, Verizon Wireless is requesting a Modification of Standards of the setback requirements. Additionally, the layout of the subject lot in relation to the surrounding lots and their uses should be examined. The Ft Collins Car Wash is located on one lot that makes up the Drake Crossing Shopping Center containing a Safeway Grocery Store, Walgreen's and other commercial businesses at the Northwest corner of Drake Road and S Taft Hill Road. The Verizon Wireless stealth monopole is proposed to be located 15' from the west property line of the Ft Collins Car Wash lot, however it is well within the property lines of the commercial center. Taken as a whole, the commercial center allows for the proposed Verizon Wireless cellular facility to be located well within the commercial boundaries of the area. Verizon Wireless respectfully requests a Modification of Standards of the setback requirements in light of the surrounding uses. The location of the ground mounted equipment shelter equipment fully complies with the setback criteria established in Articles 3 and/or 4. (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. • Verizon Wireless Response: The proposed Verizon Wireless monopole is designed to be stealth in nature. The antennas will be completely concealed within a canister �r r% 0/lwireless PLANNING OBJECTIVE Verizon Wireless is seeking approval from the City of Ft Collins Current Planning Department to allow the installation of a 65-foot stealth monopole located at 2451 S. Taft Hill Road, Ft Collins, Colorado. According to City of Ft Collins Planning Staff, Verizon Wireless must obtain Wireless Telecommunications Facility Review and Modification of Standards approval in order to proceed with the installation. The proposed site will be part of continuous telecommunications network covering the greater Ft. Collins area. The facility is necessary to provide continuous radio coverage to the City of Ft Collins and surrounding municipalities. Verizon Wireless is currently proposing several sites within the City of Ft Collins and a favorable decision from Planning Staff will allow Verizon Wireless to meet its federally mandated obligations under the license, granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996. PROJECT INFORMATION Applicants Information: Verizon Wireless, 8350 E Crescent Pkwy, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Representative Kelly Harrison, Leasing and Zoning Consultant, Verizon Wireless,1917 Lowell Blvd., Denver, CO 80204, 303-748-0599. Land Owner Information: Ft Collins Car Wish, Charles Anderson, 5671 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80221,303-832-7900. Engineering, firm nrWanng Site Plan: T-Rex Architex, 146 Madison, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80206, 303-388-2918 Name of nroiect FTC -Lobo, Alt. 4 Address of Project 2451 S Taft Hill Rd, Ft Collins, CO 80526 RESPONSE TO SECTION 3.8.13 — REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION 3.8.13 Wireless Telecommunication requirements of paragraph (B) of this Section, wireless telecommunication egwpm y 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. (A) Location Subject to the ent ma • Verizon Wireless Response: The proposed design calls for a stealth monopole with canister -enclosed (concealed) antennas. The equipment shelter will be attached to Existing Yew FTC - Lobo Photosimulation 2451 S. 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YYa/1 w�� ab L�7 Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Facility, File #35-96C May 20 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Page 7 E. Granting the requested modification to Section 3.8.13(C)(1) would not be detrimental to the public good because the pole will be structurally sound and will not present a safety factor to the adjacent properties. F. By reason of exceptional physical conditions (the limited size of the lot and lack of available open area) the strict application of Section 3.8.13(C)(1) would result in undue hardship upon the owner of the property because a monopole that was compliant with the setback would be too short to be functional. 5. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends consideration of the modification request to Section 3.8.13(C)(1) of the LUC and Project Development Plan for the Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Facility, File #35-96C. Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Facility, File #35-96C May 20 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Page 6 Will other carriers be able to use the pole as well? If so, will this ultimately lead to the increase in pole height? The location is very visible from Taft Hill Road and the adjacent neighborhood. Can the pole fail if hit by a car? Neighbors do not want to see additional poles within the area. There is concern that the health impacts from the pole will not be evident for another twenty years, which will be too late to correct any impacts that may have already been done. Residents feel the City should plan for targeted `cell sites' within the City, which would limit their location to these specific areas. In addition, several petitions have been submitted to the City expressing opposition to the tower. Letter and emails have been submitted as well. All correspondence is included as attachments to the report. 4. FINDINGS OF FACT/CONCLUSION: After reviewing the Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Facility Project Development Plan, #35-96C, staff makes the following findings of fact and conclusions: A. The proposed land uses are permitted in the Neighborhood Commercial district. B. The Project Development Plan complies with all applicable district standards of Section 4.91 of the Land Use Code, Neighborhood Commercial zone district. C. The Project Development Plan does not comply with all applicable General Development Standards contained in Article 3 of the Land Use Code, specifically Section 3.8.13(15) Stealth Technology, where the applicant has not pursued to the extent reasonably feasible all attempts to co -locate the telecommunication equipment onto existing structures within the vicinity. D. The request for a modification to the Land Use Code is subject to review by the Planning and Zoning Board. Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Facility, File #35-96C May 20 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Page 5 of the standard sought to be modified would result in unusual and exceptional practical difficulties, or exceptional or undue hardship upon the owner of such property, provided that such difficulties or hardship are not caused by the act or omission of the applicant. " 1. APPLICANT'S REQUEST A. Applicant's Justification for 3.8.13(C)(1) (1) Not detrimental to the public good. The applicant has stated that the pole and structure foundation has been designed to sustain twice the recommended wind speed for Ft Collins. With this design, the pole would fail only under such extraordinary conditions, that the adjacent structures would be destroyed as well. While the possibility exists that a vehicle could strike the pole causing a collapse, given the location within a parking area, it is unlikely vehicles would be traveling with a great enough speed to cause the pole to fail. The pole has also been designed to `break' at certain points along the pole, rather than the entire pole toppling over. Therefore, the reduced setback is not detrimental to the public good. (2) Exceptional situation unique to property. The monopole is proposed in the rear of the property. The property is developed with buildings, parking, driveways and landscaped areas. The monopole and accessory ground equipment is proposed to be located at the west end of the lot, between the existing car wash and the access drive into the center. The area available to locate the monopole is within 15 feet of the adjacent lot line, which is located at the east end of the access drive, between the car wash and Safeway. Locating the monopole on the east side of the building adjacent to Taft Hill Road would result in unacceptable visual impact to the streetscape. Please see the attached letter for additional points of justification by the applicant. 3. Neighborhood Information Meeting Two neighborhood meetings have been held for this application. The first meeting was held on February 25, 2004, the second meeting was held on May 7, 2004. Both meetings were held at Blevins Jr. High School. There were approximately 45 neighbors in attendance at the meeting. Issues and concerns include: Were other sites considered? Would like to see the equipment located elsewhere on an existing tower (ie the power poles similar to the other antenna in the area). Concern that other sites were not pursued. Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Facility, File #35-96C May 20 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Page 4 the PRPA power poles. All of these organizations have in the past participated in co -locations at other sites. The applicant has pursued locating equipment on these locations, however, they have not been successful in obtaining the permission to proceed. Attached is a list of possible locations the applicant pursued but did not proceed based on complications with the individual site or lack of permission. The area also includes three other equipment/facilities. There are two sets of antenna located along the north side of Drake Road, on the top of two PRPA power poles. There is an existing wireless monopole at the Colorado State University Hughes Stadium Parking lot. This would be an ideal site to locate additional equipment upon, however CSU has issued a temporary moratorium on campus while the campus completes a telecommunications master plan. 2. MODIFICATION REQUEST Division 2.8 MODIFICATION OF STANDARDS As specified in the LUC Section 2.8.2 Modification Review Procedures (H) (Standards), the Planning and Zoning Board shall review, consider, and approve, approve with conditions, or deny an application for a modification based upon: ". granting of the modification would not be detrimental to the public good; and that: the plan as submitted will advance or protect the public interests and purposes of the standard for which the modification is requested equally well or better than would a plan which complies with the standard for which a modification is requested, or The granting of a modification from the strict application of any standard would, without impairing the intent and purpose of this Land Use Code, substantially alleviate an existing, defined and described problem of city-wide concern or would result in a substantial benefit to the city by reason of the fact that the proposed project would substantially address an important community need specifically and expressly defined and described in the City's Comprehensive Plan, adopted policy, ordinance or resolution of the City Council, and the strict application of such a standard would render the project practically infeasible; or By reason of exceptional physical conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional situations, unique to such property, including , but not limited to, physical conditions such as exceptional narrowness, shallowness or topography, or physical conditions which hinder the owner's ability to install a solar energy system, the strict application Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Facility, File #35-96C May 20 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Page 3 installation of all future wireless equipment within the campus. Recent conversations with CSU have indicated the likelihood exists that the moratorium may be lifted sometime this month, allowing the applicant to apply for a co -location on this pole. The applicant may not prevent future telecommunication carriers from co - locating upon this structure. All parties involved must negotiate in good faith to achieve co -location of telecommunication equipment on existing structures. Setbacks — Setbacks for a monopole shall have one foot of setback for every foot of pole height. This setback is exceeded for the property lines north, south and east of the proposed facility. The western setback is 15 feet, 50 feet less than required by this Section. The applicant has requested a modification for this setback. The ground equipment will be within a 12 x 25 feet enclosure adjacent to the car wash building. This will be part of the structure, and will have a 9-foot setback from the adjacent property line. This setback is consistent with the requirements in Section 3.5.3 of the Land Use Code. Wireless Telecommunication Facilities — Wireless facilities will incorporate similar architectural style as the adjacent environment. The equipment enclosure utilizes the same building material (red brick) as the adjacent car wash. Landscaping and Fencing — With the equipment located within an enclosed building, additional fencing and landscaping is not provided. Lighting — There is no exterior lighting proposed with this facility. Historic Sites and Structures — The wireless telecommunication equipment is not located on a historic structure, nor is the site located within a historic district. 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, including the use of church steeples, clock towers, false penthouses or other mimic structures. The primary issue with the application lies in the interpretation of this section. There are other possible locations within the area to locate wireless antennas upon, including the church at the northeast corner of Drake Road and Taft Hill Road (across Taft Hill Road from this site), the existing Safeway store or Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Facility, File #35-96C May 20 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Page 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The project development plan has been reviewed in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Land Use Code (LUC): The process located in Division 2.1 — General Procedural Requirements, Division 2.2 — Common Development Review Procedures for Development Applications, and Division 2.4 - Project Development Plan located within Article 2 — Administration; and the design standards located within Article 3 — General Development Standards; and the standards located in Section 4.19, Neighborhood Commercial (NC) of Article 4 — Districts. FINDINGS and ANALYSIS 1. BACKGROUND The surrounding zoning and land uses are as follows: N: NC — Children's World; E: RL — Church; S. NC — gas station; W: NC — Safeway The property was annexed into the City as part of the Brown Farm First Annexation in 1971. 1. Division 4.19 of the Land Use Code Neighborhood Commercial District The proposed use of wireless telecommunication facility is permitted in the Neighborhood Commercial zone district subject to Administrative Review. 2. Division 3.8 Supplemental Regulations A. Section 3.8.13, Wireless Telecommunication Location — The wireless telecommunication equipment is proposed on a new facility within the NC zone district. Co -location — There are no other existing wireless telecommunication facilities or equipment within the immediate vicinity which the applicant may co -locate upon. There is an existing wireless telecommunication facility (monopole) located west of Overland Trail within the parking lot for Hughes Stadium. The applicant initially considered a co -location on this pole, however, at the time, CSU had implemented a temporary moratorium on the ITEM NO. 9 MEETING DATE 5/20/04 iiA STAFF Bob Barlkeen Citv of Fort Collins PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD STAFF REPORT PROJECT: Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Facility, Project Development Plan, File #35-96C OWNER: Fort Collins Car Wash C/o Charles Anderson 5671 Tejon Street Denver, CO 80221 APPLICANT Closser Consulting C/o Kelly Harrison 1917 Lowel Blvd Denver, CO 80204 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Facility PDP is a request for a 65-foot wireless telecommunication facility located at the northwest corner of Drake Road and Taft Hill Road, within the Drake Crossing Shopping Center. The facility has been designed to limit impacts on the surrounding properties, by mounting the antennas within a canister located at the top of the pole. This canister is the same diameter of the supporting pole. The associated ground equipment is located in an enclosure next to the pole. The enclosure is attached to the east end of the Fort Collins Car Wash Building, and will use the same brick that is found on the car wash building. The property is zoned Neighborhood Commercial. A request for a modification is accompanying the PDP. This modification is for the setback criteria within Section 3.8.13(C)(1) of the Land Use Code — Setbacks for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. The pole is located within 15 feet of the adjacent property line. Section 3.8.13(C)(1) requires a setback of one foot for every foot of pole height. This would yield a setback of 65 feet. RECOMMENDATION: Consideration of the modification of standard to Section 3.8.13(C)(1) and consideration of the Drake Crossing Wireless Telecommunication Equipment Project Development Plan. COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 281 N. College Ave. PO. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO80522-0580 (970) 221-6750 PLANNING DEPARTMENT