HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Use Permit to allow a Wireless Communication Facility in conjunction with a Basic Utility at 901 N. 4th StreetC I I 'Y C11?r t H11" I �111'11',,
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CASE NO. 20-22
GEOCODE NO. 09-03-483-045
KKI10 ILI 1,0113 =1 I [Ilk's Kxv 11111 am 104 DECISION & ORDER
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Planner Ray Anderson presented the application for a Special Use Pen -nit to the Board. MetroNet
Fiber, LLC, is requesting approval of a Special Use Pen -nit to allow a Wireless Communications
Facility, i.e, a communications towner, and associated shelter(s) for equipment related to a basic
utility.
MetroNet is requesting the approval of a Special Use Permit by the Zoning Board of Adjustment
to allow a Wireless Communications Facility, i.e. a communications tower, and associated
shelter(s) for equipment related to a Basic Utility use. The site is located at 901 N. 4th Street in
the Highway -Oriented Commercial (HOC) Zoning District. On March 24"', City Council reviewed
and approved a Major Site Development Plan on March 24t" that pen -nits a basic utility use at the
site.
The proposed communications tower is constructed of galvanized steel, with a height of
approximately 70 feet, is of a monopole design, and includes antennas Mounted on the tower for
television signal reception. The tower will extend an additional 10 feet below ground. The
proposed antennas are between four and eight feet in length projecting perpendicular from the
pole. The tower includes spline ball ionizer lightning terminals extending approximately six feet
beyond the top of the tower. The base of the tower will be approximately 21 inches in diameter
with a slight taper at the top of the tower. Coax cable from the tower base to the top of the tower
is enclosed in electric conduit to meet wireless facility standards. The tower will be located on the
property to meet the minimum required setback of 35 feet (one-half of the tower height) from all
property boundaries of the site. A seven -foot tall closed slat wood fence will enclose the tower,
shelter(s), and a generator for back-up power.
MetroNet intends to construct one "market shelter" to house the MetroNet equipment necessary to
provide internet fiber optic service to the community, with the potential for a second shelter in the
future. One parking space is required for this facility to provide a place for a service vehicle to
park. A 16-foot wide driveway will be paved between the street and the fence gates, so there will
adequate room to park a vehicle in the area between the fence and the front property line, which is
20 feet. No additional paved parking is proposed at this time. A sidewalk will be required along
North 4th Street.
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Non-residential landscape standards apply to the site. The front yard landscaped area requires a
minimum of one overstory tree per 50 lineal feet of street frontage, as well as eight shrubs and 12
ornamental grasses per 1,000 square feet of front yard area. The proposed site plan meets the
minimum front yard landscaping requirements.
Staff concluded that the proposed Special Use Permit met the requirements for a communication
tower with antennas and with the general and specific commercial standards required for granting
the permit. As a result, Planner Anderson stated that staff recommended that the Board approve
the Special Use Pen -nit for a communication tower with antennas based on the findings of fact and
conclusions provided in the staff report.
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The Board considered the facts as detailed above and as provided in the staff report and found that
all of the relevant standards in Section 29.1503 were met and established by the Applicant.
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the Applicant is GRANTED, pursuant to Section 29.1503
of the Ames Municipal Code, a Special Use Pen -nit to allow a communications tower with antennas
located at 401 N. 4th Street.
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 25 1h day of March 2020.
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a 4 ue'A g 11' 1 s
Se4etary"bo the Board
Amelia Schoeneman
Chair