HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOUDRE VALLEY PLAZA WTF (AT&T) - PDP - 6-09 - REPORTS - PLANNING OBJECTIVESResponse: Because of its diameter and the enclosure of its base within a wall and
building, the tower will not be disproportionately tall. From the street or adjacent
residences, the tower will be viewed against a backdrop of existing buildings and mature
landscaping. The tower itself will be painted a neutral color to further reduce its visual
impact.
(b) Submittal Requirements. All development plans proposing building or structure
heights in excess of forty (40) feet shall, at a minimum, include the following
information:
1. a shadow analysis that indicates on the project development site plan the
location of all shadows cast by the building or structure (with associated dates of the
yea');
2. a visual analysis that:
a. identifies the extent to which existing views may be blocked;
b. depicts in graphic form views before and after the project, utilizing
photographs of the area and neutral drawings derived from at least two (2) points from
which the proposal will be commonly viewed, one (1) of which should be a vista towards
the foothills; and
c. indicates these points of observation on an inset map or plan of the area;
and
3. a summary of the key conclusions of the shadow and visual analysis, and
steps to be taken to comply with the review standards set forth above.
See attached photosimulation and responses to criteria listed above.
AT&T Wireless Telecommunication Facility/Poudre Valley Plaza shopping center
Following are the applicable Height Review criteria From Section (G) Building Height
Review, with AT&T's responses in italics:
(a) Review Standards. If any building or structure is proposed to be greater than
forty (40) feet in height above grade, the building or structure must meet the following
special review criteria:
1. Views. A building or structure shall not substantially alter the opportunity for,
and quality of, desirable views from public places, streets and parks within the
community. Desirable views are views by the community of the foothills, mountains
and/or significant local landmarks (i.e., Long's Peak, Horsetooth Mountain). Techniques
to preserve views may include, but are not limited to, reducing building or structure mass,
changing the orientation of buildings and increasing open space setbacks.
Response: The tower would be located on the north east corner of the Poudre Valley
Plaza center, in the parking lot. Its height (55 ) requires at least a I to I setback from
adjacent property lines. The structure will be 120 feet from the eastern property line, and
85 feet from the northern property line. The closest residence is approximately 163 feet
away. As the tower is a cylinder, 30" diameter at its widest point, and painted a neutral
color, its effects on views will be minimal.
2. Light and Shadow. Buildings or structures greater than forty (40) feet in
height shall be designed so as not to have a substantial adverse impact on the distribution
of natural and artificial light on adjacent public and private property. Adverse impacts
include, but are not limited to, casting shadows on adjacent property sufficient to
preclude the functional use of solar energy technology, creating glare such as reflecting
sunlight or artificial lighting at night, contributing to the accumulation of snow and ice
during the winter on adjacent property, and shading of windows or gardens for more than
three (3) months of the year. Techniques to reduce the shadow impacts of a building may
include, but are not limited to, repositioning of a structure on the lot, increasing the
setbacks, reducing building or structure mass or redesigning a building or structure's
shape.
Response: The tower is 30 " diameter at it widest point, and therefore casts a minimal
shadow. Please see the attached photosimulation.
3. Privacy. Buildings or structures greater than forty (40) feet in height shall be
designed to avoid infringing on the privacy of adjacent public and private property,
particularly adjacent residential areas and public parks. Techniques to improve the level
of privacy in a neighborhood may include, but not be limited to, providing landscaping,
fencing and open space, and changing building or structure orientation away from
adjacent residential development.
Response: The tower is not an occupied structure and presents no privacy issues.
4. Neighborhood Scale. Buildings or structures greater than forty (40) feet in
height shall be compatible with the scale of the neighborhoods in which they are situated
in terms of relative height, height to mass, length to mass, and building or structure scale
to human scale.
(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.
Response: The site is not located near an airport, nor within any 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.
Response: This site is not within an historic site.
(15) 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. 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.
Response: The proposed facility incorporates a stealth tower design. It is a 55 foot high
pole, 20" in diameter for the first 23 feet, with a 30" diameter shroud enclosing the top
22 feet. The shroud encloses the antennae, and will be painted the same color as the pole
and adjacent buildings.
This design has been approved and installed in at least two other locations within the
City of Fort Collins.
Response: A .six foot high masonry wall, finished in stone to match nearby structures, will
enclose the base area.for the tower. A masonry shelter, finished in stucco, will enclose
the equipment.
(6) Berming. Berms shall be considered as an acceptable screening device. Berms shall
feature slopes that allow mowing, irrigation and maintenance.
Response: There is insu.ficient room on the site for Berming.
(7) Irrigation. Landscaping and Berming shall be equipped with automatic irrigation
systems meeting the water conservation standards of the city.
Response: The existing irrigation system will be extended to provide water to new
plantings.
(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.
Response: Colors will be consistent with nearby structures.
(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.
Response: No security lighting will be provided on site. Service lighting may be installed,
using an approved cut-off luminaire and controlled by a timer. The mounting height
would not exceed 8 feet if mounted to the building. This lighting would only be used in the
event of technicians performing emergency repairs after sundown.
(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.
Response: This facility will be designed and operated in accordance with FCC
regulations. Cellular communications typically do not interfere with adjacent electronic
devices. However, if any interference is reported to AT&T, it will conduct testing and
make appropriate adjustments to correct the interference.
(11) Access Roadways. Access roads must be capable of supporting all of the emergency
response equipment of the Poudre Fire Authority.
Response: The facility will be within a paved parking lot of an existing shopping center,
and will be accessible to vehicles and emergency equipment on all four sides.
(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.
Response: n/a
use, the facility shall be constructed out of materials that are equal to or better than the
materials of the principal use.
Response: The proposed base facility will of masonry construction consisting of a stucco
finished building and a stone wall to enclose exposed equipment. These materials, as well
as the access doors, will match those used on the existing dumpster enclosures nearby.
Landscaping will be added consistent with existing landscaping.
(3) Wireless 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. Such
equipment shall, to the maximum extend feasible, also feature the smallest and most
discreet components that the technology will allow so as to have the least possible impact
on the architectural character and overall aesthetics of the building or structure.
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.
Response: This will be a freestanding facility, but will use the same colors as those used
on the adjacent buildings. The ground -mounted equipment will be screened with a shelter
and walls finished in materials consistent with those used in nearby structures.
(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 shall be planted along the roadway
in accordance with the policies of the City Forester.
Response: The existing trees and shrubs will remain on the west end of the facility. Five
additional juniper shrubs and one pine will be planted on the east end of the facility, to
complement existing landscaping.
(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.
Poudre Valley Plaza /AT&T Wireless Telecom Facility
Planning Objectives
The planning objectives for the proposed wireless telecommunications facility are based
upon the found in Article 3, supplemental regulations, of the City of Fort Collins Land
Use Code.
3.8.13 Wireless Telecommunication
(A) Location. Subject to the requirements of paragraph (B) of this Section, wireless
telecommunication equipment may 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.
Response: Because of the architectural design, and the locations and height of the
buildings in the Poudre Valley Shopping Center, it was not feasible to attach the
equipment or antennae to an existing structure.
(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 or equipment owners or lessees or employees thereof, and
applicants for the approval of plans for the installation of such facilities or equipment,
shall cooperate in good faith to achieve co -location of wireless telecommunication
facilities and equipment. Any application for the approval of a plan for the installation of
wireless telecommunication facilities or equipment shall include documentation of the
applicant's good faith efforts toward such cooperation.
Response: As indicated on the project plans, the design of the stealth tower does
accommodate at least one additional carrier. Additional ground space would have to be
provided for placement of the related 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.
Response: The 55 foot high tower is set back approximately 85 feet from the property line
along Horsetooth Road, and 120 feet from the property line along Century Drive.
(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