Loading...
Findings - CC - 2001 - CU-10-96 MOD - Modificiation To Increase Height To 135' ORIGINAL BEFORE THE EAGLE CITY COUNCIL IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR) A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A ) 135-FOOT HIGH PERSONAL WIRELESS ) FACILITY FOR CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS) FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW CASE NUMBER CU-IO-96 MOD The above-entitled conditional use application came before the Eagle City Council for their action on August 14,2001. The Eagle City Council having heard and taken oral and written testimony, and having duly considered the matter, makes the following Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law; FINDINGS OF FACT: A. PROJECT SUMMARY: Cricket Communications, represented by Kirk Johnson with Pacific Telecom Services, LLC, is requesting a modification to the existing conditional use permit to increase the height of the existing 120-foot high monopole to 135-feet to accommodate the co-location of another cellular service provider. The existing pole is located at the Republic Mini- Storage facility at 8785 Horseshoe Bend Road approximately l;4-mile north of State Street. B. APPLICATION SUBMITTAL: The application for this item was received by the City of Eagle on May 3, 2001. c. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: Notice of Public Hearing on the application for the Eagle Planning and Zoning Commission was published in accordance for requirements of Title 67, Chapter 65, Idaho Code and the Eagle City ordinances on June 16, 2001. Notice of this public hearing was mailed to property owners within three-hundred feet (300-feet) of the subject property in accordance with the requirements of Title 67, Chapter 65, Idaho Code and Eagle City Code on June 13,2001. Requests for agencies' reviews were transmitted on May 4,2001 in accordance with the requirements of the Eagle City Code. Notice of Public Hearing on the application for the Eagle City Council was published in accordance for requirements of Title 67, Chapter 65, Idaho Code and the Eagle City ordinances on July 28, 2001. Notice of this public hearing was mailed to property owners within three-hundred feet (300-feet) of the subject property in accordance with the requirements of Title 67, Chapter 65, Idaho Code and Eagle City Code on July 25,2001. D. HISTORY OF RELEVANT PREVIOUS ACTIONS: On March 25, 1997, the Eagle City Council voted to approve a conditional use permit for this site (CU-1O-96) for a 120-foot tall personal wireless facility. E. COMPANION APPLICATIONS: DR-30-01 Page 1 of 12 \\EAGLENT1\COMMONIPlanning Dept\Eagle Applications\CU\2oo1\CU-10-96 MOD ccf.doc F. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE MAP AND ZONING MAP DESIGNATIONS: COMP PLAN ZONING LAND USE DESIGNATION DESIGNA TION Existing Business Park BP (Business Park) Cellular Tower Proposed No Change No Change No Change North of site Business Park RT (Residential- Ada Residence County designation) South of site Commercial C-3 (Highway Business Eagle Towne & Country District) Centre Shopping Center East of site Business Park BP (Business Park) Republic Mini Storage West of site Residential Three (up to 3- R-4 (Residential) State Highway 55 & Great units per acre max.) Sky Estates Subdivision G. DESIGN REVIEW OVERLAY DISTRICT: Not in the DDA, TDA or CEDA. H. EXISTING SITE CHARACTERISTICS: A 120-foot high cellular tower currently exists within the Republic Mini-Storage site. I. SITE DESIGN INFORMATION: SITE DATA PROPOSED REQ UIRED Total Acreage of Site .02-acres N/A Percentage of Site Devoted to Building Less than 50% 50% maximum Coverage Percentage of Site Devoted to N/A N/A Landscaping Number of Parking Spaces N/A N/A Front Setback 600-feet (approx) 20-feet minimum Rear Setback 600-feet (approx) 13.5-feet Side Setback 320-feet (approx) 13.5-feet Street Side Setback 320-feet (approx) 20-feet minimum J. GENERAL SITE DESIGN FEATURES: Number and Uses of Proposed Buildings: N/A Page 2 of 12 K:\Planning Dept\Eagle Applications\CU\2oo1ICU-10-96 MOD ccf.doc Height and Number of Stories of Proposed Buildings: The tower is to be a maximum of 135-feet (currently 120-feet). Gross Floor Area of Proposed Buildings: 100-square feet (concrete pad). On and Off-Site Circulation: The site is accessed through the Republic Mini-Storage facility from Horseshoe Bend Road. K. PUBLIC SERVICES AVAILABLE: No water or sewer services are required for this particular use. L. PUBLIC USES PROPOSED: None M. PUBLIC USES SHOWN ON FUTURE ACQUISITIONS MAP: No map currently exists N. SPECIAL ON-SITE FEATURES: Areas of Critical Environmental Concern - none Evidence of Erosion - no Fish Habitat - no Floodplain - no Mature Trees - no Riparian Vegetation - no Steep Slopes - no Stream/Creek: no Unique Animal Life - unknown Unique Plant Life - unknown Unstable Soils - unknown Wildlife Habitat - unknown O. SUMMARY OF REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PLAN (IF REQUIRED): Not required P. AGENCY RESPONSES: The following agencies have responded and their correspondence is attached. Comments, which appear to be of special concern, are noted below: Ada County Highway District Central District Health Eagle Fire Department Eagle Sewer District Q. LETTERS FROM THE PUBLIC: None received to date. R. EAGLE CITY CODE 8-7-3-2 GENERAL STANDARDS FOR CONDITIONAL USES: The Commission/Council shall review the particular facts and circumstances of each proposed Conditional Use in terms of the following standards and shall find adequate evidence showing that such use at the proposed location: Page 3 of 12 K:\Planning DeptlEagle Applications\CU\2oo1\CU-10-96 MOD ccf.doc A. Will, in fact, constitute a conditional use as established in Section 8-2-3 of this title (Eagle City Code Title 8) for the zoning district involved; B. Will be harmonious with and in accordance with the general objectives or with any specific objective of the Comprehensive Plan and/or this title (Eagle City Code Title 8); C. Will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity and that such use will not change the essential character of the same area; D. Will not be hazardous or disturbing to existing or future neighborhood uses; E. Will be served adequately by essential public facilities such as highways, streets, police and fITe protection, drainage structures, refuse disposal, water and sewer and schools; or that the persons or agencies responsible for the establishment of the proposed use shall be able to provide adequately any such services. F. Will not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities and services and will not be detrimental to the economic welfare of the community; G. Will not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment and conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons, property or the general welfare by reason of excessive production of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare or odors; H. Will have vehicular approaches to the property which are designed as not to create an interference with traffic on surrounding public thoroughfares; and 1. Will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural, scenic or historic feature of major importance. STAFF ANALYSIS PROVIDED WITHIN THE STAFF REPORT: A. B. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROVISIONS, WHICH ARE OF SPECIAL CONCERN REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL: (None) ZONING ORDINANCE PROVISIONS, WHICH ARE OF SPECIAL CONCERN REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL: . ECC Section 8-3-5 (S) (1) (a) In part states that wireless facilities are necessary in order to: 1) Facilitate the provision of wireless telecommunication services to the residents and businesses of the City; (2) Minimize adverse visual effects of spires, poles, antennas, steeples, towers, and other such structures through careful design and sitting standards; (3) Avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from spire, pole, antenna, steeple, tower, and other such structures' failure, through structural standards and setback requirements; and (4) Maximize the use of existing and approved towers and buildings to accommodate new Page 4 of 12 K:\Planning Dept\Eagle Applications\CU\2oo1\CU-10-96 MOD ccf.doc E. wireless telecommunication antennas in order to reduce the number of towers needed to serve the community. . ECC 8-3-5 (S) (3) (a) states in part that a proposal for a new commercial wireless telecommunication service tower in excess of thirty five feet (35') in height shall not be approved unless the City Council finds that the telecommunications equipment planned for the proposed tower cannot be accommodated on an existing or approved tower or building. . ECC 8-3-5 (S) (4) (a) All personal wireless facilities shall be required to obtain design review approval prior to construction. DISCUSSION: . With regard to the functional relationship of the structure and the site in relation to its surroundings, concerns arise as to whether it is appropriate to raise an existing 120-foot high pole to 135-feet, thus making what some consider an "eyesore" more conspicuous. However, if wireless facilities were not allowed to co-locate on an existing pole (which is required by Eagle City Code), multiple poles would be erected to service the communication needs of the community. Thus, one taller pole may be considered less invasive than multiple poles scattered across the landscape. . There is no impact to on-site traffic conditions or to contiguous streets as the site rarely needs to be accessed and is served by an existing driveway from the Republic Mini-Storage. Adjoining properties to the east and west are over 600-feet from this site, while the property to the north is rural in nature and the property to the south is a proposed commercial shopping center (Eagle Towne & Country Centre). The impact on adjoining properties may be considered minimal because there are no dense residential uses in the immediate area and the industriaVcommercial uses surrounding the site are more use-intensive than a personal wireless facility. . Staff has reviewed the particular facts and circumstances of this proposed conditional use and, in terms of Eagle City Code Section 8-7-3-2 "A thru I" (required findings for approval of a conditional use), has made the following conclusions: The proposed conditional use; A. Will, in fact, constitute a conditional use as established in Section 8-2-3 of Eagle City Code Title 8 as conditioned herein; B. Will be harmonious with and in accordance with the general objectives or with any specific objective of the Comprehensive Plan and/or this title (Eagle City Code Title 8) since there are no inconsistencies with the Comprehensive Plan and since the tower will be required to meet conditions of a design review application; c. Will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity and that such use will not change the essential character of the same area since this use will not only be required to meet the City's design review Page 5 of 12 K:\Planning DeptlEagle ApplicationsICU\2001\CU-10-96 MOD ccf.doc requirements, but is also utilizing an existing pole rather than constructing a new structure; D. Will not be hazardous or disturbing to existing or future neighborhood uses since no known complaints or safety issues have been received from the existing uses surrounding the tower and little change will be made to the tower that would warrant any subsequent concerns regarding these issues; E. Will be served adequately by essential public facilities such as highways, streets, police and fIfe protection, drainage structures, refuse disposal, water and sewer and schools; or that the persons or agencies responsible for the establishment of the proposed use shall be able to provide adequately any such services as noted in responses received by agencies providing the public services or as conditioned herein; F. Will not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities and services and will not be detrimental to the economic welfare of the community since the structure will be attached to an existing tower and will not require any additional services; G. Will not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment and conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons, property or the general welfare by reason of excessive production of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare or odors; H. Will have access on an existing vehicular approach to the property which is designed so as to not create an interference with traffic on surrounding public thoroughfares as required by the Ada County Highway District; and 1. Will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural, scenic or historic feature of major importance since none are apparent on this site. STAFF RECOMMENDATION PROVIDED WITHIN THE STAFF REPORT: Based upon the information provided to staff to date, staff recommends approval with the site specific conditions of approval and the standard conditions of approval provided within the staff report. PUBLIC HEARING OF THE COMMISSION: A. A public hearing on the application was held before the Planning and Zoning Commission on July 2, 2001, at which time testimony was taken and the public hearing was closed. The Commission made their recommendation at that time. B. Oral testimony in opposition to this proposal was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission by no one. C. Oral testimony in favor of this proposal was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission by no one (not including the applicant). Page 6 of 12 K:\PJanning DeptlEagle Applications\CU\2ooJ\CU-J0-96 MOD ccf.doc COMMISSION DECISION: The Commission voted 5 to 0 to recommend approval for a conditional use permit for a 135-foot high personal wireless facility for Cricket Communications with the site specific conditions of approval and standard conditions of approval shown within their Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law document dated July 16,2001. PUBLIC HEARING OF THE COUNCIL: A. A public hearing on the application was held before the City Council on August 14, 2001, at which time testimony was taken and the public hearing was closed. The Council made their decision at that time. B. Oral testimony in opposition to this proposal was presented to the City Council by no one. C. Oral testimony in favor of this proposal was presented to the City Council by no one (not including the applicants). COUNCIL DECISION: The Council voted 4 to 0 to approve CU-1O-96 MOD for a conditional use permit for a 135-foot high personal wireless facility for Cricket Communications with the following Planning & Zoning Commission recommended site specific conditions of approval and standard conditions of approval. SITE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: 1. Comply with the site specific conditions of approval and standard conditions of approval of DR- 30-01. 2. Comply with all applicable site specific conditions of approval and standard conditions of approval ofCU-1O-96. 3. The tower shall be a maximum of 135-feet high. 4. A zoninglbuilding permit is required prior to the construction and installation of the improvements to the personal wireless facility. 5. The applicant shall provide a letter from a qualified engineer stating the existing tower is structurally capable of accommodating the proposed height extension to the tower. STANDARD CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: 1. The applicant shall comply with all requirements of the Ada County Highway District and/or the Idaho Transportation Department, including but not limited to approval of the drainage system, curbs, gutters, streets and sidewalks. A letter of approval from the highway district having jurisdiction shall be submitted to the City prior to issuance of any building permits. 2. Idaho Department of Health & Welfare approval of the sewer and water facilities is required prior issuance of any building permits. Page 7 of 12 \\EAGLENT1\COMMONIPlanning Dept\Eagle Applications\CU\2oo1\CU-1Q-96 MOD ccf.doc 3. All permits from Central District Health, Eagle Sewer District & Eagle Fire District shall be secured prior to issuance of building permit. 4. Written approval of all well water for any shared or commercial well shall be obtained from the Idaho Department of Water Resources shall be submitted to the City prior to issuance of any building permits. 5. Unless septic tanks are permitted, wet line sewers will be required and the applicant will be required to furnish the City Engineer with a letter from the sewer entity serving the property, accepting the project for service, prior to issuance of any building permits. 6. The applicant shall submit a letter from the appropriate drainage entity approving the drainage system and/or accepting said drainage; or submit a letter from a registered professional engineer certifying that all drainage shall be retained on-site prior to issuance of any building permits or Certificate of Occupancy, whichever occurs fust. A copy of the construction drawing(s) shall be submitted with the letter. 7. The applicant shall submit plans and calculations prepared by a registered professional engineer to handle the satisfactory disposal of all storm drainage on the applicant's site. Drainage system plans shall be submitted to the City Engineer for review and approval prior to issuance of any building permits. The plans shall show how swales, or drain piping, will be developed in the drainage easements. The approved drainage system shall be constructed, or a performance bond shall be submitted to the City Clerk, prior to issuance of any building permits. The lot shall be so graded that all runoff runs either over the curb, or to the drainage easement, and no runoff shall cross any lot line onto another lot except within a drainage easement. All design and calculations shall meet the requirements of Ada County Highway District. Construction of the storm drain disposal system shall be complete before an occupancy permit is issued. 8. No ditch, pipe or other structure or canal, for irrigation water or irrigation waste water owned by an organized irrigation district, canal company, ditch association, or other irrigation entity, shall be obstructed, routed, covered or changed in any way unless such obstruction, rerouting, covering or changing has fust been approved in writing by the entity. A Registered Engineer shall certify that any ditch rerouting, piping, covering or otherwise changing the existing irrigation or waste ditch (1) has been made in such a manner that the flow of water will not be impeded or increased beyond carrying capacity of the downstream ditch; (2) will not otherwise injure any person or persons using or interested in such ditch or their property; and (3) satisfied the Idaho Standards for Public Works Construction. A copy of such written approval and certification shall be filed with the construction drawing and submitted to the City prior to issuance of any building permits. 9. Street light plans shall be submitted and approved as to the location, height and wattage to the City Engineer (if applicable) prior to issuance of any building permits or Certificate of Occupancy, whichever occurs first. All construction shall comply with the City's specifications and standards. The applicant shall provide a recorded easement, acceptable to the City Engineer, for the purpose of installing and maintaining street light fixtures, conduit and wiring lying outside any dedicated public right-of-way, prior to issuance of any building permits. Page 8 of 12 K:\Planning Dept\Eagle Applications\CU\2oo1\CU-10-96 MOD ccf.doc The applicant shall pay applicable street light inspection fees prior to Certificate of Occupancy. 10. Parking lot light plan shall be submitted and approved as to the location, height and wattage by the City Engineer. All construction shall comply with the City's specifications and standards. Lighting is required in the parking area and shall be properly illuminated to avoid accidents. Any lights used to illuminate the parking lot shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from the adjoining property. 11. The parking area shall be paved and shall be maintained in good condition without holes and free of all dust, trash, weeds and other debris. 12. One set of building plans, for any non single-family residential use, shall be submitted to the Eagle Fire Department for approval. An approval letter from the Eagle Fire Department shall be submitted to the City prior to issuance of any building permits or Certificate of Occupancy, whichever occurs fITst. The letter shall include the following comments and minimum requirements, and any other items of concern as may be determined by the Eagle Fire Department officials: a. "The applicant has made arrangements to comply with all requirements of the Fire Department. " The fITe hydrant locations shall be reviewed and be approved in writing by the Eagle Fire Department prior to the City Engineer signing the final plat. Minimum flow per hydrant shall be 1,000 gallons per minute for one and two family dwellings, 1,500 gallons per minute for dwellings having a fITe area in excess of 3,600 square feet, and 1,500 gallons per minute for non-residential uses (i.e.; Commercial, Industrial, Schools, etc.). Flow rates shall inspected in accordance with all agencies having jurisdiction, and shall be verified in writing by the Eagle Fire Department prior to issuance of any building permits or certificate of Occupancy, whichever occurs first. The proposed fITe protection system shall be reviewed and approved by the Eagle Fire Department prior to issuance of a building permit. b. c. d. 13. Any recreation area, greenbelt area or pathway area along the Boise River, Dry Creek or any other area designated by the City Councilor Eagle City Pathway/Greenbelt Committee for a path or walkway shall be approved in writing by the Eagle City Pathway/Greenbelt Committee prior to issuance of a building permit. 14. Conservation, recreation and river access easements (if applicable) shall be approved by the Eagle City Pathway/Greenbelt Committee and shall be shown on the final plat prior to issuance of a building permit. 15. The applicant shall comply with the provisions of the Eagle City Code, pertaining to floodplain and river protection regulations (if applicable) prior to issuance of a building permit. 16. The applicant shall obtain written approval of the development relative to the effects of the Boise River Flood Plain (if applicable) from the Corps. of Engineers prior to issuance of a building permit. 17. The applicant shall obtain approval of the development relative to its effects on wetlands or other natural waterways (if applicable) from the Corps. of Engineers and the Idaho Department of Water Page 9 of 12 K:\Planning Dept\Eagle Applications\CU\2oo1ICU-10-96 MOD ccf.doc 20. 21. 22. 23. Resources and/or any other agency having jurisdiction prior to issuance of a building permit. 18. Basements in the flood plain are prohibited. 19. The Americans with Disabilities Act, Uniform Building Code, Eagle City Code, and all applicable County, State and Federal Codes and Regulations shall be complied with. All design and construction shall be in accordance with all applicable City of Eagle Codes unless specifically approved by the Commission and/or Council. New plans, which incorporate any required changes, shall be submitted for staff approval. Staff may elect to take those plans to the Design Review Board and/or the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and approval. Any changes to the plans and specifications upon which this approval is based, other than those required by the above conditions, will require submittal of an application for modification and approval of that application prior to commencing any change. Any change by the applicant in the planned use of the property which is the subject of this application, shall require the applicant to comply with all rules, regulations, ordinances, plans, or other regulatory and legal restrictions in force at the time the applicant or its successors in interest submits application to the City of Eagle for a change to the planned use of the subject property. Approval of any Design Review shall expire without notice to the applicant on the date of expiration of the Design Review, as stipulated in Eagle City Code (one year from the City Council approval date). The City's actions on the application does not grant the applicant any appropriation of water or interference with existing water rights. The applicant indemnifies and holds the City harmless for any and all water rights, claims in any way associated with this application. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW: 1. The application for this item was received by the City of Eagle on May 3, 2001. 2. Notice of Public Hearing on the application for the Eagle Planning and Zoning Commission was published in accordance for requirements of Title 67, Chapter 65, Idaho Code and the Eagle City ordinances on June 16, 2001. Notice of this public hearing was mailed to property owners within three-hundred feet (300-feet) of the subject property in accordance with the requirements of Title 67, Chapter 65, Idaho Code and Eagle City Code on June 13, 2001. Requests for agencies' reviews were transmitted on May 4, 2001 in accordance with the requirements of the Eagle City Code. Notice of Public Hearing on the application for the Eagle City Council was published in accordance for requirements of Title 67, Chapter 65, Idaho Code and the Eagle City ordinances on July 28, 2001. Notice of this public hearing was mailed to property owners within three-hundred feet (300-feet) of the subject property in accordance with the requirements of Title 67, Chapter 65, Idaho Code and Eagle City Code on July 25, 2001. 3. The City Council has reviewed the particular facts and circumstances of this proposed conditional use and, in terms of Eagle City Code Section 8-7-3-2 "A thru I" (required findings for approval of a conditional use), has made the following conclusions: Page 10 of 12 K:\Planning Dept\Eagle Applications\CU\2oo1 \CU-la-96 MOD cd.doc The proposed conditional use; A. Will, in fact, constitute a conditional use as established in Section 8-2-3 of Eagle City Code Title 8 as conditioned herein; B. Will be harmonious with and in accordance with the general objectives or with any specific objective of the Comprehensive Plan and/or this title (Eagle City Code Title 8) since there are no inconsistencies with the Comprehensive Plan and since the tower will be required to meet conditions of a design review application; c. Will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity and that such use will not change the essential character of the same area since this use will not only be required to meet the City's design review requirements, but is also utilizing an existing pole rather than constructing a new structure; D. Will not be hazardous or disturbing to existing or future neighborhood uses since no known complaints or safety issues have been received from the existing uses surrounding the tower and little change will be made to the tower that would warrant any subsequent concerns regarding these issues; E. Will be served adequately by essential public facilities such as highways, streets, police and fIfe protection, drainage structures, refuse disposal, water and sewer and schools; or that the persons or agencies responsible for the establishment of the proposed use shall be able to provide adequately any such services as noted in responses received by agencies providing the public services or as conditioned herein; F. Will not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities and services and will not be detrimental to the economic welfare of the community since the structure will be attached to an existing tower and will not require any additional services; G. Will not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment and conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons, property or the general welfare by reason of excessive production of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare or odors; H. Will have access on an existing vehicular approach to the property which is designed so as to not create an interference with traffic on surrounding public thoroughfares as required by the Ada County Highway District; and 1. Will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural, scenic or historic feature of major importance since none are apparent on this site. Page 11 of 12 K:\Planning Dept\Eagle Applications\CU\2oo1\CU-10-96 MOD ccf.doc DATED this 28th day of August 2001. CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAGLE Ada Co ty, Idaho ~ ,............~ ~ 01 14ø. ~ .,.."""'°.. CJ¡ ...' o.~,. (t \~) ~~ Page 12 of 12 K:\Planning Dept\Eagle Applications\CU\2ool \CU-IO-96 MOD ccf.doc