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Home My WebLink About~Master - Special Use Permit to allow a portable cellular tower at 1325 South 4th Street (2)CITY OF AMES, IONVA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTME IN T II E MATTER 0 FTI I E APPLICATION OF IOWA RSA 10, LLC, FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, § 29.1307, AMES MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ALLOW A PORTABLE CELLULARTOWER ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1325 SOUTH FOURTH STREET FACTS CASE NO. 12-19 G,EOCODE NO. 09-10-250-010 ----- - - . . . .. ....... - DUAIA SION & ORDER I The property at this address is a tract of' undeveloped (level oped land 1111111C(liatCly Cast of SCILI,1W Creck and abutting -al). This location sits butting the north side of` fourth Street. It is zoned "A." (Agricultural). I generally to cast of the Iowa State University cohSCLIrn and fbothall StadiUrn Complex. In past years, because this site is open gI-0LInd and is a short distance to the northeast. of':lack Trice stadium, it has been used for overflow VChICLdar parking on footbdl weekends. 'I"hose same football crowds put extraordinary demands on the ce1ILIlar telephone network, which generally provides good coverage in the city. The major cellular con-irininication providers are aware of this phenomenon and in the past have brought in additional equipment to supplement the existing network during the football season. This is done with portable triiler-borne towers, called "COWS" in the industry, which is short for "cell on wheels." These have been placed in areas near the sta.diurri JUSt prior to the beginning of -the football season and have usually been oil ISU property. This year, ISLJ was not able to reach agreement with all providers, leading them to search for alternative sites. The tower siting contractor working lor VerIzOn was One of' those searching for a location, and identified this site as a desirable location for a Since this is a privately owned site, a Special Use Permitfor a cellular communication facility is being, sought for the con,ipany to locate its COW there through the duration of' the football season. Their C(ILIP'nent Will ii-ICIUCIC a PrICUrnatically operated tower that rises to a height of'69 feet. It Is bare alLI11111IL1111 finish and will not be supported by guy wires. Its base is a trader that also contains the associated electronic eqUipment, for the tower, and there are electrical distribution lines in the area that will provide the power for the COW. The trailer will be parked at a. fixed location for the season and it will be surrounded by a six Im tall wooden 1'ence with gates. Tlie trailer's location will be 112 feet from the nearest property line and will be accessed by a gravel drive. The applicant searched the vicinity for a suitable tall structure for collocation, but this search did not yield anything suitable. This tower will not itself` support collocation. The proposed tower has been determined to pose no hazard to air navigation. DEICISION The Board has heard and considered the evidence concerning this application in light of the standards applicable to all Special Use Permits as well as those applicable to CCI]Ular coululUnIcation facilities. In this instance,, the need for this SUI)PICInCutal tower is evident. The opportunities for collocation have been researched Without success, but this proposed site is not near any other development, meets the setback requirements and will be in place only for the duration ol'the football season. The tower will be fenced. The tower does not create any need for public infrastructure and should not be disturbing as it is quite distant from Inhabited Structures. In light of the explanation that this will be temporary, the Board will adopt the findings of facts and grant this permit based on the approved site plan with conditions to assure it IS ]lot disruptive and that it does not become a permanent fixture Without meeting additional requirements. ORDER WIIEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is Granted a Special Use Permit, section 29.1503 of' the Allies Municipal Code, to allow a Portable Cellular coillril Lill Ications tower, subject to the following condition: The required landscaping and paving be del'erred until May 1, 2013, provided that the applicant submits an engineer's estimate of probable cost of improvements that satisfies the City's (level opi nent Standards, and Submits 1111anCial Security In cl f'orrn acceptable to A the City for that .111101,111t. Said Security Would be valid until drawn upon by the City or returned to the applicant, all for the property located at 1325 South Fourth Street. Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a Court of' record may do so within 30 clays after the fifing of this decision. Done this 8"' day of'AUgust, 2012. . ........ ............. ---- -------- Emily Burton' Secretary to the Board ........... Bruce (,,alhOLIII Chair 53323UE� 515 Clark Avenue, P. 0. Box 811 Ames, IA 50010 Phone: 515-239-5105 Fax: 515-239-5142 October 2, 2012 Iowa RSA 10, LLC Attn: Nathan Ward 1200 Riva Ridge Racine, WI 53402 Enclosed please find the Decision and Order which has been issued by the Ames Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding your application for a Special Use Permit. This document is for your information and future reference. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the City Clerk's Office. Sincerely, Emily A. Burton Deputy City Clerk Secretary to the Board Enclosure