HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3 - Staff ReportCHULA VISTA
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AGENDA STATEMENT
Item: 3
Meeting Date: 10/26/16
ITEM TITLE: Public Hearing: PCC -15-009 Conditional Use Permit for a Wireless
Telecommunication Facility (WTF) to replace an existing 31 -foot high
light standard with a 35 -foot high mono -pine to be located at 580 Hilltop
Drive. Applicant: Plan Corn Incorporated for Verizon Wireless
Resolution of -the City. of Chula Vista Planning Commission approving
Conditional Use Permit -PCC-15-009 to construct and operate an
unmanned wireless telecommunications facility at 580 Hilltop Drive.
SUBMITTED BY: Harold Phelps, AICP, Associate Planner
REVIEWED BY: Kelly Broughton, FASLA, Director of Development Services
INTRODUCTION
The Applicant has submitted a Conditional Use Permit application to replace an existing 31 -foot
high WTF light standard with 6 panel antennas with a 35 -foot high WTF mono -pine (faux pine
tree) supporting 3 sectors with 4 antennas and 4 Remote Radio Units (RRUs) on each sector for a
total of 12 antennas and 12 RRUs, and utilize the existing equipment building and stand-by
generator (Project). The site is located at Saint Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 580 Hilltop
Drive (see Locator Map, Attachment 1).
ENVIRONMENTAL. REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the Project for compliance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the Project
qualifies for a categorical exemption pursuant to Sections 15302 (replacement or reconstruction)
and 15303 (small structures or existing developed facilities) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Thus, no further environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PCC -15-009, approving the proposed
unmanned WTF, based on the findings and subject to the conditions listed in the attached
Resolution.
Planning Commission
PCC -15-009
October 26, 2016
Page No. 2
DISCUSSION
Project Site Characteristics:
The project site is located in the parking lot north of the Saint Mark's Evangelical Lutheran
Church, 580 Hilltop Drive. The proposed 35 -foot mono -pine will be located in the same place
that the 31 -foot light standard was located. The existing surrounding land uses are as follows:
General Plan:
Site: Residential Low Medium
North: Residential Low Medium
South: Residential Low Medium
East- Residential Low Medium
West: Residential -Low Medium
Project Description:
Zoning:
Current Land Use:
R-1
Saint Mark's Lutheran Church
R-1
Single Family Home
R-1
Single Family Home
R-1
Single Family Home
R-1
Single Family Home
Verizon Wireless proposes to replace an existing 31 -foot high WTF light standard with 6 panel
antennas with a 35 -foot high WTF mono -pine (faux pine tree) supporting 3 sectors with 4
antennas and 4 Remote Radio Units (RRUs) on each sector for a total of 12 antennas and 12
RRUs, and utilize the existing equipment building and stand-by generator.
ANALYSIS
In accordance with Chula Vista Municipal Code (CVMC) Chapter 19.89, Wireless
Telecommunications Facilities, wireless telecommunications facilities are allowed in any zone
subject to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Facilities that exceed the height limit within the
particular zone require approval of a CUP by the Planning Commission.
The project site is zoned Residential Single -Family (R-1), which has a maximum height limit of
28 -feet. The 35 -foot mono -pine exceeds the maximum height limit by 7 -feet. While the top of
the panel array of antennas is 31 -feet (same height as the existing light standard), faux pine
branches on the top of the faux pine tree reach 35 -feet in height. The additional height is needed
to provide a more aesthetically authentic looking faux pine tree or mono -pine.
The proposed mono -pine and associated equipment will be built to comply with the Wireless
Ordinance's development criteria and all other City zoning and building regulations. Access to
the site is kept at a minimum and conducted in a manner that does not negatively impact
residents. The unmanned facility is expected to only require monthly inspections and testing of
the stand-by generator.
A noise analysis of the stand-by generator was provided as part of this application and a third
party review on behalf of the City concluded there are no new or adverse noise impacts or noise
ordinance violations from temporary use of the generator to the residents within the vicinity. Of
note, only one residential dwelling (historical home at 33 "I" Street) is located less than 100 -feet
from the facility.
Planning Commission
PCC -15-009
October 26, 2016
Page No. 3
In accordance with CVMC Section 19.89.060, the proposed WTF complies with the
development criteria for height, design, and co -location of wireless facilities.
The height is increased from 31 -feet to 35 -feet in order to provide for a better stealth design of
the mono -pine. In addition, by providing a mono -pine to replace the existing light standard a co -
location of another WTF on the mono -pine could be accommodated. Saint Mark's Lutheran
church could also accommodate another WTF on the church building or other portions of the
parking lot in the event that another WTF carrier wished to establish a facility in the vicinity.
CONCLUSION:
The Project is consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan and associated
documents. Based on the preceding information in this report, the use is desirable to meet the
needsofthe residents in the surrounding areas.
Staff recommends the Planning Commission approve Conditional Use Permit, PCC -15-009, an
unmanned WTF consisting of 12 panel antennas and RRUs mounted on a 35 -foot high antenna
structure designed to resemble a pine tree and associated equipment, subject to the conditions
listed in the attached Resolution.
DECISION -MAKER CONFLICTS:
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the Planning Commission members and has found no
property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this
action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property -related financial
conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), for
purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code §87100, et seq).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Planning Commission
member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in
this matter.
FISCAL IMPACT
The application fees and processing costs are paid for by the Applicant.
Attachments:
1. Locator Map
2. Adjacent Property Owner September 6, 2016 Letter
3. Planning Commission Resolution PCC -15-009
4. Disclosure Statement
5. Project Plans