HomeMy WebLinkAboutA1 r I
RCCEIVED
Application Form Last Updated: December 30,2014
APR 0 2 2015
c F AMES,Iowa Cell Site with Antenna
DEPT..OF OF PLANNING&HOUSING
Special Use Permit Application Form
p
For a Site in a Zone other than Residential or Commercial
(This form must be filled out completely before your application will be accepted.)
1. Property Address for this Special Use Permit: te�'ry) %Z' z .
2. l (We) the undersigned, do hereby respectfully request the Ames Zoning Board of
Adjustment to grant a Special Use Permit to allow a "Cell Site with Antenna"at the property
address fisted above.
3. Legal Description (attach, if lengthy): _ C1`►r�d�
4. Property Owner: i �� T '�I I, S , Au� r� re cye.,fu' ve - �;�,� /��4zta r'S Nee
-
Business: s I 0 An"fs ,
Address: A en,it A S4 5c�o I o
(Street) (City) (State) (Zip)
Telephone: I5 " 7 S'q �5/.S" 2. 'f
(Home) (Business) (Fax)
5. Applicant: V i I,> jV/R°�� -�
Business: '51*X 15 -
Address:dIi'����f r(S7 Pyf' f�,,( //�E It-IT, r2?-W
(Street) V (City) j /06e (State) (Zip)
Telephone: (03e1z'ye:3a,T3
(Home) (Business) (Fax)
6. Contact Person: _ /C1f,4.F-6
Business:.¢ S/72F- Z//C
Address:/_�4 , 960VA&76 - d
(Street) SvrT /1/0 (City)) (State) (Zip)
Telephone: _�o/';�h/4 3a- 'S!"3
(Home) (B siness) �(Fax)
E-mail address:
2
Application Form Last Updated: December 30, 2014
This Special Use Permit will not be granted unless sufficient facts are presented with
the application, and at the Planning and Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of
Adjustment meetings, to support a finding that all the general and speck standards
for granting a Special Use Permit have been met
Obtaining this Special Use Permit does not absolve the applicant from obtaining all other
applicable permits, such as Building Permits, MOT access permits, etcetera.
I(We) certify that I(we) have submitted all the required information to apply for a Special Use
Permit and that the information is factual.
Signed by: E��k� Date:
Property Owner(s)
Print Name
(Note: No other signature may be substituted for the Property Owner's Signature.)
3
Application Form Last Updated: March 25, 2013
Cell Site with Antenna
Special Erse Permit Sl1J)J7ol'ti17g b1fol-171000117
For o .Site in a Zone other 1`17ari Residential or Commercial
(This form must be filled out completely before your application will be accepted.)
Section 29.1307(4) of the Zoning Ordinance states that a Special Use Permit is required for a
cell site with antenna that is either not mounted on an existing tall structure or is more
than 20 feet higher than the tall structure on which it is mounted. Such a cell site with
antenna shall not be permitted except pursuant to a Special Use Permit issued by the Zoning
Board of Adjustment in accordance with Sections 29.1503 and 29.1307.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment cannot approve a Special Use Permit unless all of the
"General Standards" and the "Cell Site with Antenna" standards are met. In order to
facilitate review of this application for a Special Use Permit, the applicant must address each of
the "General Standards"set forth in Section 29.1503, and in addition, the standards for a "Cell
Site with Antenna"set forth in Section 29.1307(7)of the Zoning Ordinance.
(Note: The applicant's explanation of how the request meets each standard may be attached
on a separate sheet if sufficient space is not provided.)
1. General Standards. The Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of
Adjustment shall review each application for the purpose of determining that each proposed
use meets the following standards, set forth in 29.1503(4)(a), and in addition, shall find
adequate evidence that each use in its proposed location will:
(a) Be harmonious with and in accordance with the general principles and proposals
of the Land Use Policy Plan (LUPP).
The Verizon proposal will be harmonious and in accord with the city of Ames Land Use Policy
Plan (LUPP). The granting of the Special Use will not impede, substantially hinder, or
discourage the development and use of adjacent land and buildings given the proposed
location of the facility on the subject parcel. In addition, reliable utility networks such as
electric,gas, water and wireless networks are essential to the development of any
community further supporting the interpreted recommendations of LUPP. In addition,
enhanced wireless communication capabilities will have a positive influence on the economic
development of the City of Ames which improves the overall experience for both commercial
and residential interests resulting in a product that is consistent with the LUPP.
Application Form Last Updated: March 25, 2013
(b) Be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained so as to be harmonious in
appearance with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity and that
such use will not change the essential character of the area in which it is
proposed.
Verizon has been sensitive in selecting a site that will minimize the impact of the surrounding
property. The subject proposal will not alter the essential character of the area because
Verizon has been sensitive to selecting a location that is a significant distance from residences
and in an area that is heavily wooded and somewhat remote. The proposed tower is
adjacent to the Iowa Department of Transportation storage yard.
(c) Not be hazardous or disturbing to existing or future uses in the same general
vicinity.
The granting of the Special Use will not impede, substantially hinder, or discourage the
existing or future uses as the proposed facility is located a considerable distance from existing
development. Indeed, given the proposed location, it is difficult to envision how this
proposal could negatively impact future development since it is such a small footprint in the
rather spacious public park. Verizon's operational technology is heavily regulated and
routinely managed so as not to interfere with any form of communication or utility and will
satisfy all existing and future FCC and FAA mandated operational restrictions.
In addition,with such a small footprint, enhanced wireless communication capabilities will
have a positive influence on the development of the City of Ames, which improves the overall
experience for both commercial and residential
(d) Be served adequately by essential public facilities and services such as highways,
streets, police, fire protection, drainage structure, refuse disposal, water and
sewage facilities, and/or schools.
The proposed facility will be unstaffed and, upon completion, will require only infrequent
maintenance visits (approximately one or two times a month) by a service technician. The
facility is entirely self-monitored by sophisticated computers which connect directly to a
central office to alert personnel to equipment malfunction or breach of security. Hence,the
facility will not have any material impact on traffic, parking or storm water control nor will
the proposed facility create any substantial adverse effect on public safety. Moreover, no
Application Form Last Updated: March 25, 2013
material noise, glare, smoke, debris,traffic flow or any other nuisance will be generated by
the proposed facility. Existing police and fire protection are more than adequate to provide
security for this facility.
(e) Not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities
and services.
No drainage, sanitation, refuse removal, parks, library, public safety or municipal services will
be necessary for this facility. This facility will be entirely self-monitored and will connect
directly to a central office where sophisticated computers alert personnel to any equipment
malfunction or breach of security.
(f) Not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment, or conditions of
operation that will be detrimental to any person, property, or general welfare by
reason of excessive production of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare, or odors.
The proposed facility will be an unmanned installation and, upon completion will require
infrequent maintenance visits (approximately one or two times per month) by a service
technician. Thus,the proposed facility will not cause an adverse effect on traffic congestion.
Moreover, no material noise,glare,smoke, fumes or odor or any other nuisance will be
generated by the proposed facility.
(g) Be consistent with the intent and purpose of the Zone in which it is proposed to
locate such use.
Verizon designed a site that will be in harmony with the appropriate, orderly development of
the zoning district in which it is located. The establishment, maintenance and operation of
the proposed facility will be wholly contained within a 59' x 33' lease area. Due to the size of
the lease area and the nature of wireless technology, there will be little impact on the orderly
development of the surrounding properties. Similar to other reliable utility networks such as
electric, gas and water, wireless networks are essential to the development of any
community. Access to the proposed facility will be via a public gravel road so no major
grading, earth moving or environmental impact will be sustained. There will be no impact on
the existing traffic patterns nor will there be any traffic hazards or nuisances generated.
Application Form Last Updated: March 25, 2013
2. Standards for a Cell Site with Antenna: The Planning and Zoning Commission and
Zoning Board of Adjustment shall review each application for the purpose of determining
that the following standards, set forth in 29.1307(7), which are listed below, have been met,
in addition to the `General Standards"and the "Commercial Zone Standards
(a) Necessity. The wireless communications company shall demonstrate, using
technological evidence, that the antenna must be located where it is proposed in
order to satisfy the antenna's function in the company's grid system.
Verizon is seeking approval for a wireless communications facility detailed in the
application in order to bring improved wireless coverage and capacity to wireless
subscribers in the surrounding area. The attached maps show a deficiency in the
coverage objective as determined by the Verizon RF Engineering Department who
have analyzed the network. In the current maps, the engineers determined that the
network is experiencing a growing deficiency in this area thereby requiring the
proposed wireless facility. Please refer to the attached maps which show current
coverage deficiency and the anticipated improved coverage that would improve the
network in the surrounding area.
(b) Co-location Effort. If the wireless communications company proposes to build a
tower (as opposed to mounting the antenna on an existing tall structure), it shall
demonstrate that it contacted the owners of tall structures within a one-quarter-
mile radius of the site proposed, asked for permission to install the antenna on
those tall structures, and was denied for reasons other than failure to agree on
compensation. The Zoning Board of Adjustment may deny the permit if it
concludes that the applicant has not made a good faith effort to mount the
antenna on an existing tall structure.
There is no adequate existing structure within 1/4 mile of the proposed tower that
would be suitable for Verizon's antennas. As such, Verizon sought locations for a
new tower that would have the least impact upon the surrounding neighborhood.
(c) Antenna Height. The applicant shall demonstrate, to the reasonable satisfaction
of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, that the antenna is the minimum height
required to function satisfactorily. No antenna that is taller than this minimum
height shall be approved.
Application Form Last Updated: March 25, 2013
As explained in the attached letter from the radio frequency engineer, the proposed
antenna height is the minimum height required to function satisfactorily. The
proposed height of the monopole is 120'.
(d) Setbacks from Base of Antenna Support Structure. The minimum distance
between the base of the support or any guy anchors and any property line shall be
the largest of the following:
(i) 50% of antenna height;
(ii) The minimum setback in the underlying Zone; or
(iii) 60 feet.
The required setbacks for the site are satisfied per the attached site plan drawings.
(e) Antenna Support Structure Safety. The applicant shall demonstrate, to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, that the proposed
antenna and support structure are safe and the surrounding areas will not be
negatively affected by support structure failure, failing ice or other debris, or radio
frequency interface. All support structures shall be fitted with anti-climbing
devices, as approved by the manufacturers.
A certified structural analysis will be provided for the proposed tower and will
support that the structure will be safe and that there will be no negative impact on
the surrounding areas. Further,the attached structural letter address all the above
mentioned antenna support structure safety issues. The attached letter from the
radio frequency engineer demonstrates that the site will not cause radio frequency
interference with communications in the surrounding area.
(f) Fencing. An opaque fence constructed of wood or masonry material, or other
substantial material, that is consistent with the existing structures on the
proposed site and approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, shall be installed
around the antenna support structure and other equipment unless the antenna is
mounted on an existing structure.
The Verizon proposal includes a 6' high black vinyl coated chain-link fence with
black vinyl slats.
Application Form Last Updated: March 25, 2013
(g) Co-location. In order to reduce the number of antenna support structures needed
in the community in the future, the proposed support structure shall be required
to accommodate other users, including other wireless communications
companies and local police, fire, and ambulance companies.
The proposed wireless telecommunications facility will be designed to allow for
future wireless carriers to collocate on the tower. In addition,the tower will be
constructed to accommodate the needs of local first responders.
(h) FCC License. The wireless communications company shall provide proof that it is
licensed by the Federal Communications Commission.
See Verizon FCC license numbers at bottom of RF engineer letter.
(i) Required Parking. If the cell site is fully automated, adequate parking shall be
required for maintenance workers. If the site is not automated, the number of
required parking spaces shall equal the number of people on the largest shift.
The proposed facility will be an unmanned installation and, upon completion,will
require infrequent maintenance visits (approximately one or two times per month)
by a service technician. The site plans display a proposed gravel parking and
turnaround area.
(j) Painting. Antenna support structures should be painted in such a manner as to
reduce the visual impact and create a harmonious appearance with its
surroundings.
The proposed tower will be a dull grey color that most find a harmonious color in
this region of the country. Not painting the tower also is recommended since there
is no concern about peeling paint and regular maintenance.
Application Form Last Updated: March 25, 2013
(k) Site Plan. A full site plan shall be required for all cell sites, showing the antenna,
antenna support structure, building, fencing, buffering, and access.
A full site plan is provided within the Verizon application.
(1) Air Safety. Support structures 200 feet in height or taller, or those near airports,
shall meet all Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
The proposed tower is 120'.
Application Form Fast Updated: December 30, 2014
Cell Site with Antenna
Special Use Permit for a Site in a Zone other than
Residential or Commercial
Permission to Place a "Zoning Action Pending" Sign
on Private Property
(This form must be filled out completely before your application will be accepted.)
Section 29.1500(2)(d)(iii) of the Zoning Ordinance, requires that notice shall be posted by the
City on the subject property. One notice sign shall be posted for each property. Required
signs shall be posted along the perimeter of the subject property in locations that are highly
visible from adjacent public streets prior to the public hearing.
The owner of property at a6)0 S/ P /{ "a6" - hereby grants the City of Ames
permission to place "Zoning Action Pending" signs on the property for the purpose of informing
interested persons of the request for action by the City of Ames.
1 understand that the signs will be placed on the property several days prior to action on
the request to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, or the
City Council, and may remain on the property until the request has been approved or
denied by the City.
PB,
Signed by: �+-�` � Date: 7- A �'� /57
Property Owner
,— is'I Pit;I OIL
Print Name
(Nate: No other signature may be substituted for the Property owner's Signature.)
15