HomeMy WebLinkAboutA9 CITY OF AMES, IOWA J U L 2 5- 2016
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTME
CITY CLERK
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF CASE NO. 15-
VERIZON WIRELESS FOR A 60-DAY
EXTENSION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, GEOCODE NO. 09-10-275-000
§ 29.1503(5) AMES MUNICIPAL CODE, TO
OPERATE A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DECISION & ORDER
TOWER ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT
600 SOUTH MAPLE AVENUE.
FACTS
The applicant, Verizon Wireless is seeking to construct a new monopole cell tower on the
property located at 600 South Maple Avenue. The property is zoned "SGA" (Special
Government-Airport). This is located within City owned park land for which the City Council
approved a lease on October 9, 2014, subject to approval of a special use permit. Jerrod
Hanaman of Minnetonka, Minnesota represented Verizon at the hearing.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a Special Use Permit for a proposed Verizon cell
tower at 600 South Maple Avenue on June 24, 2015. The Board also approved a Conditional Use
Permit in the Floodway on that same date.
Ames Municipal Code, Section 29.1503 (5) states that Special Use Permits shall expire 12
months after the date of approval unless a building permit is issued AND actual construction
begun. The Board may grant a 60-day extension upon written request.
Verizon provided a written request on June 7, 2016. If the Special Use Permit expires, the
applicant would need to submit a new application. Verizon has obtained a building permit but
has not yet received all the other regulatory reviews; specifically a finding from the Federal
Communications Commission of no significant impact for being in the flood plain. They
anticipate receiving this within 60 days and then mobilize for construction.
The applicant has made progress on obtaining the required permits of their project and there has
been no change in conditions with the site or project since granting of the original approval. Staff
believes a 60-day extension is warranted and would recommend that the Board grant it.
Mr. Hanaman testified that the federal approvals are taking longer than anticipated.
DECISION
The Board considers the testimony and evidence and the requirements of Ames Municipal Code
section 29.1503(5), and finds that unusual circumstances have prevented compliance with the
Special Use Permit time requirement, and that granting a 60-day extension is appropriate.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is GRANTED, section 29.1503(5) of the
Ames Municipal Code, a 60-day extension of the Special Use Permit issued on June 24, 2015 to
operate a wireless communications tower for the property located at 600 South Maple in Ames.
Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a court of record may do so within 30 days after
the filing of this decision.
Done this 22"d day of June, 2016.
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Erin Cain 6§helb el
Secretary to the Board Chairj