TO: Chair and Planning Commission
FROM: Jeremy Knapp, Community Development Director
Paul Michaud, Planning Manager
George Burton, Senior Planner
DATE: April 7, 2020
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
Staff Contact George Burton, Senior Planner, 480-348-3525
End
AGENDA TITLE:
Title
SUP-20-03. Discussion of Crown Castle Intermediate Special Use Permit Amendment.
Body
Background
Request:
The applicant requests an Intermediate Special Use Permit (SUP) Amendment to replace the faux rock screens with equipment cages at 3 streetlight pole locations.
Background:
History
In July of 2010, Crown Castle (formally NewPath Networks) received SUP approval from the Town Council for a Distributed Antenna System in the Town’s right-of-way (via Ordinance 625). The Distributed Antenna System (DAS) consists of a fiber-optic backbone that connects a series of antenna nodes that wireless carriers may use to improve system capacity, coverage, voice quality, high speed data, and internet access.
The DAS system in Paradise Valley consists of 42 signal antenna nodes located above ground on vertical structures including two traffic signal nodes, three streetlight pole nodes, and thirty-seven faux cactus nodes. Each node has ground equipment such as a fiber vault, an electrical meter with disconnect, and a faux rock battery backup.
Scope of Request
Crown Castle is upgrading the equipment at 3 streetlight pole locations. These light poles and equipment are located in the right-of-way at:
§ H219 - 7300 N. Tatum Blvd.
§ H228 - 6401 E. McDonald Dr.
§ H232 - 5395 N. Invergordon Rd.
To accommodate the upgraded equipment and to dissipate heat from the new equipment at these 3 sites, the applicant is proposing to relocate the equipment and replace the faux rock screen with a concrete pad on grade and a 3’ x 3’ x 3’ equipment cage. The new equipment cage consists of one solid panel and three mesh panels. The mesh panels will vent the heat generated by the equipment and eliminate the need for fan-cooled equipment (which may require larger insulated cabinets to dampen the noise generated from the fans). The screens may be orientated in any direction and painted any color the Town prefers. Creosote bushes will be placed around the H228 and H232 sites to provide additional screening. The new landscaping will be maintained by a landscaper for one year to help ensure the Creosote bushes take root and survive. Landscaping will not be placed around the H219 equipment cage since it will be placed behind and partially screened by the existing utility cabinets. New landscaping at this location may also obstruct or impede access to the existing utility cabinets.
In summary, the applicant is proposing the following changes:
H219 - 7300 N. Tatum Boulevard. The applicant is proposing to replace the faux rock and relocate the equipment from the corner of Tatum Blvd and Clearwater Pkwy several feet northwest of the streetlight. The new equipment and cage will be located approximately 14’ away from the existing faux rock location (placed between the existing fence wall and existing utility cabinets). The new equipment cage is 3’x3’x3’ in size (with 1 solid and 3 mesh panels).
H228 - 6401 E. McDonald Drive. The applicant is proposing to replace the faux rock and relocate the equipment from the corner of Invergordon Rd and McDonald Dr further south on Invergordon Rd. The new equipment and cage will be located approximately 60’ further south from the existing faux rock location. The new equipment cage is 3’x3’x3’ in size (with 1 solid and 3 mesh panels) and will be screened with 3 creosote bushes.
H232 - 5395 N. Invergordon Road. The applicant is proposing to replace the faux rock and relocate the equipment from the corner of Invergordon Rd and Jackrabbit Rd further south on Invergordon Rd. The new equipment and cage will be located approximately 50’ further south from the existing faux rock location. The new equipment cage is 3’x3’x3’ in size (with 1 solid and 3 mesh panels) and will be screened with 3 creosote bushes.
Discussion:
Statement of Direction (SOD)
On March 26, 2020, the Town Council issued a SOD on the updated equipment screens by a vote of 7 to 0. The SOD is summarized as follows:
1. Equipment Cages/Screens. The equipment modification will improve service and will not change the use of the SUP. However, the new cages/screens will change the aesthetics. The Planning Commission shall evaluate the color and/or type of material (such as rusted metal) of the equipment screens/cages.
2. Orientation, Location, and Mitigation. The Planning Commission shall: 1) evaluate the location and the orientation of the equipment screens/cages and 2) identify how the equipment cages can be visually mitigated. This includes identifying the location of underground utilities and potential conflicts, identifying the best location that will conceal the screen/cage, and identifying the appropriate orientation at each site (such as having the solid portions of the screen face the street and/or locating the equipment to a less visible area).
However, the costs associated with the different mitigation factors must be considered. The Commission shall provide effective and cost-efficient options that will visually mitigate the new equipment cages and minimize project costs. This includes the use of vegetation around the equipment cages/screens, evaluate if vegetation is needed at all 3 locations, and identity the type, quantity, and location of all applicable plants.
3. The Planning Commission must complete their review by May 5, 2020.
Please reference Attachment D for the complete SOD.
Zoning Ordinance Compliance:
The proposed improvements are consistent with the DAS Special Use Permit, which require screening of the equipment. Due the aesthetic change, an Intermediate SUP Amendment is required. Since this is an Intermediate SUP Amendment, the Planning Commission will forward a recommendation to the Town Council.
Intermediate AMENDMENT CRITERIA:
An Intermediate Amendment to a Special Use Permit shall include any proposal which does not:
1. Change or add any uses; or
2. Increase the floor area of the project by more than 40% upon the existing or, if still under construction, approved floor area square footage of the affected SUP property, with any such increase to be measured cumulatively over a sixty-month period; or
3. Have any significant material effect on the adjoining property owners that is visible, audible, or otherwise perceptible from adjacent properties that cannot be sufficiently mitigated.
Stipulation No. 2 on the Crown Castle SUP states that, “….Aesthetic changes to the approved antenna equipment or the addition of new antenna nodes shall require an Intermediate Amendment to the Special Use Permit.” The proposed improvements do not change the use of the SUP, do not affect floor area, and should be mitigated with the type of screen and landscaping.
Next Steps
The applicant will make any needed updates in accordance with any Planning Commission direction. If deemed necessary by the Commission, a second work study session may be held on April 21st. This application is scheduled public hearing on May 5th. Also, as part of the Intermediate SUP Amendment process, the application will hold a Citizen Review Meeting on April 20th. After the Citizen Review Meeting, the applicant will provide staff and Commission with a copy of the meeting minutes for reference.
ATTACHMENT(S):
A - Application
B - Vicinity Map & Aerial Photo
C - Narrative & Plans
D - Statement of Direction (SUP-20-03)
E - Ordinance 625 (Crown Castle DAS Special Use Permit)