HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Use Permit to allow a new cellular tower at 600 South Maple AvenueCITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMHNJ
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF VERIZON WIRELESS FOR A SPECIAL
USE PERMIT, § 29.1503, AMES
MUNICIPAL CODE, TO OPERATE
A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
'TOWER ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 600 SOt1'1'I1 MAPLE AVENUE
.FACTS
CASE NO. 15-05
Fr
0 c' 1- 9 �('15
CITY CLERK
GE,OCODE NO. 09-10-275-000
DECISION & ORDER
The applicant, Verizon Wireless, represented by Michael I lowley with Insite IU,, Inc., 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. The new tower and associated equipment shelter would be located in a
lease area along the north boundary of the property with an access easement to the South Maple
Avenue right-of-way (see Attachment A: location. Map). The site is in a wooded area and will
require removal of approximately 24 trees. Access is frorn Maple Street via park access roads.
Access to the lease area is via an existing gravel access road into the woods. As an existing park
access road, it is not required to be paved to serve the proposed monopole. The VcrIz0I`1
improvements will be within a 33 feet by 59 feet corripound. The leased premises are 33 feet by
84 feet, which includes all area for the future inclusion of two additional carriers. Within the
Verizon area will be a 120 foot tall monopole (129 foot with the lightning rod) and an elevated
equipment platform. '1-'he pole has all eight -foot diameter at its base. The monopole will be
8 feet at the base. While the applicant does not indicate a paved parking space oil the site plan,
staff is recommending a condition of approval to include updating the site plan to show a 9 foot
by 19 foot parking space to meet zoning requirements. The equipment platform is 17.33 feet by
35.33 teet and will rise I') 1'ect above ground. There are I'llUltil.)IC C011,11rills supporting the
platform. 'File platform will contain the eqLllplllCflt cabinets and emergency generator inside a
shelter. The shelter provides security and screening for the equipment. Access to the platform is
by stairs on the north side of the platform. A security fence is located along the top of the
platform. Mr. I lowley noted that the ccfl tower was necessary to improve service to customers.
Staff noted that neighboring property owners within 200 feet were notified and no phone calls or
comments were received. Staff recommended approval with two conditions: a) the required
Conditional Use Permit in the Floodway is also approved, and b) the site plan is amended to
include a 9 foot by 19 foot parking space.
DECISION
The Board considers the facts above, and the standards in Ames Municipal Code section
29.150-3)(4)(a), (c) and (e), as well as the standards for wireless con-in'11,1111CLItiOnS ftIC111tieS in
section 29.1307, and rinds that the application ineets all of` the standards. The Board establishes
the following conditions on its approval: a) that the required Conditional Use Permit in the
Floodway is also approved, and b) that the site plan is amended to include a 9 loot by 19 Im
parking space.
ORDER
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is GRANTED, section 29.1503 of' the
Ames Municipal Code, a Special Use Permit for a wireless communications tower and f1acillities
on the property located at 600 SOLI[h Maple Avenue.
Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a court of' record may do so within '10 days after
the filing ot'this decision.
Done this 24th day of August, 2015.
Erin Cam
Secretary to the Board
,Shelby E M1
Chair