HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Use Permit to allow a cell tower on the property located at 600 South Maple AvenueCITY OF AMES, IOWA F
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMANI
IN THE MATTER OF THE
APPLICATION OF VERIZON WIRELESS
FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, § 29.1503,
AMES MUNICIPAL CODE, TO
OPERATE CELL TOWER ON THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 600 SOUTH
MAPLE AVENUE.
FACTS
H L E
J U L 2 6 2017 D
CITY CLERK
CITY OF AMES. IOWA
CASE NO. 17-05
GEOCODE NO. 09-10-275-000
DECISION & ORDER
Verizon Wireless is seeking to construct a new monopole cell tower on the property located at
600 S. Maple Avenue, which is within City -owned park land. City Council approved a lease on
October 9, 2014 subject to approval of a SUP.
On June 24, 2015, Verizon was granted a SUP and an accompanying Conditional Use Permit in
the Floodway, however construction did not commence within the 12-months as required by
Ames Municipal Code. Two 30-day extensions were granted. The extensions expired and
Verizon is seeking a new approval of the SUP similar to the request that was approved in 2015,
now with equipment fencing and a slight amendment to the parking area. Subsequent to the
2015 approval, the Ames Municipal Code was amended to require development in the Floodway
to receive Major Site Development Plan approval from the City Council rather than a
Conditional Use Permit in the Floodway. Following review by the Zoning Board of Adjustment
for the SUP, the project must be reviewed through the Major Site Development Plan process.
The new tower and associated equipment would be in a lease area along the north boundary of
the property with an access easement to the South Maple Avenue right-of-way. The site is in a
wooded area and will require removal of approximately 24 trees. The Verizon improvements will
be within a 33 feet by 59 feet compound. Within the Verizon area will be a 120-foot tall
monopole (129 foot with the lightning rod) and an elevated equipment platform. The pole has an
eighty -foot diameter at his base. The equipment platform will rise 13 feet above ground with
multiple columns used for support. The platform will contain the equipment cabinets and an
emergency generator inside a shelter. Access to the platform is by stairs on the north side and a
security fence is located along the top. The plan includes a paved parking space to meet zoning
requirements.
The tower will be about 300 feet into a heavily wooded area which makes it nearly invisible to
the immediately adjoining properties. The Iowa Department of Transportation maintenance
garage facility lies immediately to the north and will likely have a view of the equipment
platform. The.tower will likely be seen from South 4h Street and from the golf course on the
south side of Squaw Creek, but only a portion will appear over the trees.
The site is zoned S-GA (Special-Government/Airport) which has no use restrictions concerning
wireless carriers. The adjacent land is zoned A (Agriculture), RH (High -Density Residential),
and UCRM (Urban Core Medium Density Residential), all of which allow wireless carrier
towers with a SUP. The equipment tower is elevated to meet flood plain standards. Fencing will
be located around the equipment shelter only.
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The Board considers the facts as detailed above, and the relevant standards in Ames Municipal
Code Section 29.1503(4)(a-f) and Section 29.1307 and finds that the application meets these
standards and that the Special Use Permit shall be granted.
I�r
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the applicant is GRANTED, per section 29.1503 of the
Ames Municipal Code, a Special Use Permit for a cellular communications tower at the property
located at 600 S. Maple Avenue.
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 121h day of April, 2017.
Heidi Petersen
Secretary to the Board