HomeMy WebLinkAboutFTC WALMART MAGNOLIA WTE VERIZON - BDR190004 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - PLANNING OBJECTIVESLRK CONSULTING ON BEHALF OF VERIZON WIRELESS
March 11, 2019
Wireless-Telecommunications Equipment (Co-location) BDR Review: Planning Objectives
Walmart Fort Collins Magnolia located at 1250 E. Magnolia, Parcel ID# 8707343001
OVERVIEW:
Verizon Wireless wishes to submit an application for Wireless-Telecommunications Equipment that
will be located on a one-story Walmart building located along East Magnolia and just east of Lemay
Avenue. The installation of this new equipment will provide critical 4G-LTE voice and data services to
the nearby neighborhood including improved indoor coverage of the existing Walmart. Verizon has
worked with the owner, Walmart Real Estate Business Trust, to provide community network
improvements without the need for any new free-standing wireless facilities in the immediate area.
The co-location of equipment on the building is a win-win for everyone since visual impact is limited.
DESIGN:
Specifically, my client proposes the installation of the following equipment:
• (2) panel antennas on standoff mount to exterior wall of existing building (painted to match,
not higher than wall it is mounted on, and as flush as technically possible to the wall)
• (1) remote radio head and (1) over-voltage protection unit on unistrut mounted to interior
wall of building (not visible to public)
• (1) equipment cabinet mounted to exterior wall (painted to match)
• (1) 30A, 2P, 15kVA transformer and panel (painted to match)
• New underground fiber in 2" conduit from equipment cabinet to new underground fiber vault
located near property line (no ROW work proposed)
• New 2" conduit routed along ceiling within the existing building from existing electrical room
to proposed transformer to provide power to new equipment
• New 4" conduit routed along ceiling within the existing building between equipment cabinet,
over-voltage protection unit, remote radio head, and antenna
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN & WIRELESS CODE:
In accordance with the Communications and Technology section of the City Comprehensive Plan, this
new wireless equipment will provide citizens access to high-quality, reliable wireless service in a part
of the city that faces significant coverage and capacity demands. Access to this improved service will
continue to be a critical component for community interactions as well as economic growth now that
4G-LTE has become widely utilized and as the nation begins to transition into 5G capabilities that will
usher in new smart city technologies. This private investment is a critical step towards maintaining
the city’s wireless capabilities, which has quickly become the number one priority for most cohorts.
LRK CONSULTING ON BEHALF OF VERIZON WIRELESS
Furthermore, this design carefully took into consideration and meets the standards as outlined in
Paragraph C Standards of Chapter 3.8.13 of the Municipal Code. Specifically, the proposed equipment
utilizes existing building colors and materials through paint to match techniques, is mounted as flush
to the wall as technically possible, and does not project above the wall on which it is mounted on.
During the pre-app review, it was asked if we could decrease the separation between the two
antennas by bringing them closer to the corner of the building. Verizon is unable to accommodate
this request due to regulations by Walmart that require a buffer between any proposed antennas and
existing security cameras. The presence of these existing cameras can be seen in the photo
simulations and elevations. Another request for the antennas to be flush mounted instead of on
standoff mounts. Verizon is also unable to accommodate this request. The standoff mounts are
required in order to angle the proposed antennas towards the direction requiring the service
improvements. Therefore, the standoff mounts with their required minimum gap of 12” from
antenna to wall are as flush as they can technically be installed.
SUMMARY:
Verizon is proposing this project based on capacity projections, actual use, and existing site
thresholds identified during thorough analysis. The façade mount installation on this building will
provide critical 4G-LTE voice and data services for the local businesses including inside the Walmart,
the traveling public, and emergency responders in the vicinity.
The co-location of this equipment on the wall of the existing building is a great way to avoid any new
freestanding wireless facilities, while still improving wireless services in the immediate area.
Additionally, this new facility will help to offload users from other existing facilities by bringing nearby
users onto a more localized location and subsequently improving those previously utilized facilities
along the way. I look forward to working with your department as Verizon Wireless continues to
invest in reliable, fast, and strong wireless services in Fort Collins now and in the future.