Plan Review Detail
Review Status: Completed
Review Details: REZONING - IPC
Plan Number - T09SE00063
Review Name: REZONING - IPC
Review Status: Completed
| Review Date | Reviewer's Name | Type of Review | Description | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/21/2009 | DAVE MANN | FIRE | REVIEW | Approved | |
| 12/22/2009 | MATT FLICK | ENGINEERING | REVIEW | Completed | The request contains sufficient information to determine Santa Cruz Area Plan compliance, and a plan amendment is not required. The proposed telecommunications site is located within Key Parcel 7 of the SCAP. A key component of development within this area is that industrial and commercial uses are contingent upon resolution of vehicular access problems. Subsequent to the preparation of the SCAP, roadways in the area (Silverlake Road and Santa Cruz Lane) were improved to provide all-weather access. El Puente Lane, from which the proposed telecommunications site takes access, is identified as"Driveway #6 on the "I-10 improvement plans" (I-2002-047) and was improved as part of the I-10 improvements. A new culvert and other drainage improvements were also constructed on Santa Cruz Lane about 350 feet north of El Puente Lane. |
| 12/23/2009 | TERRY STEVENS | ZONING | REVIEW | Denied | CDRC TRANSMITTAL TO: Development Services Department Rezoning Section FROM: Terry Stevens Lead Planner PROJECT: Clearwire - El Puente Ln 889 W. El Puente Ln I-1 Zoning Special Exception Case Number - SE-09-63 TRANSMITTAL: December 22, 2009 1. The proposed use falls under the LUC Sec. 2.7.2.3 Special Exception Land Uses, Commercial Services Use Group, Sec. 6.3.5. Communications "36", subject to: Sec. 3.5.4.20.B, .C, and .E.1 or .E.2, or Sec. 3.5.4.20.B, .C, and .E.3, or Sec. 3.5.4.20.B, .C, and .F.2, or Sec. 3.5.4.20.B, .C, and .G 2. This project has been applied for under the Zoning Examiner Full Notice Procedure. As provided on the submitted plan the cell tower does not meet the requirements of LUC Sec. 3.5.4.20.F.2.2.c A new tower is set back at least two (2) times the height of the structure from the boundary of any property zoned residential or office. 3. The required ingress/egress easements are not indicated on the plan as well as easements for the utilities. 4. The plan does not indicate the required technician parking space. Zoning has reviewed this proposal for compliance with The City of Tucson Development Standard Land Use Code (LUC) and does not recommend approval. If you have any questions about this transmittal, please call Terry Stevens, (520) 836-4961 or email Terry.Stevens@tucsonaz.gov. |
| 12/24/2009 | MPADILL1 | COMMUNITY PLANNING | REVIEW | Completed | DEPARTMENT OF URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN SE-09-63 Clearwire - El Puente Lane I-1 Zone, Special Exception Santa Cruz Area Plan and the General Plan 12/22/09 msp This proposal is for a special exception use in the I-1 zone, to allow a new wireless communication facility. The applicant is proposing to construct a new 70-foot tall monopole in an industrial parcel developed as a radio station facility at 889 W. El Puente Lane. The 3.3-acre site is located southeast of the Silverlake Road and Santa Cruz Lane intersection. El Puente Lane is between Santa Cruz Lane and Interstate-10. According to the Major Streets and Routes Plan, El Puente Lane functions as a local street. The monopole is proposed in the northeast area of the 3.3-acre site, adjacent to the radio station buildings and carports. Ground equipment will be located within a 25' x 30' lease area adjacent to the monopole. The ground equipment lease area is proposed with chain link fence and landscape plants to screen ground equipment. Surrounding Land Uses and Zoning-The site is located along the south side of El Puente Lane between Santa Cruz Lane and Interstate-10. The site is developed as a radio station facility with two radio towers and zoned I-1 light industrial, east of the site is a vacant parcel zoned R-1 residential, south of the site is a mix of residential units and some legal non-conforming industrial uses zoned R-1 residential, west of the site are residential units and some industrial uses zoned I-1 light industrial, and to the north across El Puente Lane are industrial businesses fronting Silverlake Road zoned I-1 light industrial. Policy Summary-The Santa Cruz River Area Plan and the General Plan both provide land use guidance for this site. Generally, the Plans support the requested use when visual impacts, setbacks, and landscaping and buffering elements are addressed. The proposed monopole communication tower will be placed in close proximity to existing buildings and existing radio station towers. Surrounding structures in excess of one-hundred (100) feet in height include existing radio towers and Interstate lighting. The antennas on the monopole will be required to be painted to blend with existing environmental surroundings and ground equipment and shelter will be constructed and painted to match the existing buildings. The General Plan - General Plan Policy 3.7 (Element 4) requires that, if possible, telecommunications facilities be located, installed and maintained to minimize visual impacts and preserve views. Visual impacts are a key consideration during the review process. The Plans support requested land uses, when visual design elements and buffering techniques to mitigate the potential negative impacts of more intense development on established neighborhoods are employed. The proposed 70 foot-tall monopole will have the antennas brought in close to the tower base and painted to blend with surroundings including area residential uses in the R-1 residential zone Summary- The general vicinity of the site is southeast of the Silverlake Road and Santa Cruz Lane intersection and in between Santa Cruz Lane and Interstate-10. Access is from El Puente Lane, a private unpaved access lane and not a street. El Puente Lane is located on City of Tucson and Arizona State Land owned parcels. The applicant attended a presubmittal meeting with staff on September 9, 2009, in which they were informed that El Puente Lane can not remain unpaved and the existing twenty-two (22) foot width does not meet minimum street standards and this issue will need to be addressed in the Special Exception process. In addition, the applicant held the required neighborhood meeting on November 18, 2009. Three area residents attended and had no objection to the proposed use. A fourth person, Mr. Paul Diaz contacted the applicant by phone prior to meeting to state he supported the project. The applicant is proposing to construct a new 70-foot high monopole and ground equipment within a lease area of 25' X 30' in the northeast area of the 3.3-acre site. The area has a mix of land uses which includes industrial, residential, and legal non-conforming industrial uses in residential zoned parcels. The area is mostly underdeveloped with both residential and industrial parcels. The proposed site is an industrial site adjacent to residential uses and will require proper screening of the ground equipment to mitigate visual impacts toward the residential uses located south of the site. The nearest residential use is approximately 300 feet from the monopole location. The vertical height and minimal mass of the monopole is comparable to the two existing radio towers that are approximately one hundred and forty five (145) and one hundred and sixty two (162) feet in height respectively. Also, the site has a pole of approximately ninety (90) feet in height with radio station communication dishes. In addition, the Interstate-10 interchange with Interstate-19 is directly east of the site, which includes interstate street lights that rise approximately one hundred and sixty three (163) feet above finish grade and are suspended over interstate ramps for the I-10 and I-19 interstate loop. In general the Plans support requested land uses when visual design elements and buffering techniques are used to mitigate the potential negative impacts of more intense development on established neighborhoods. The proposed wireless communication facility will be designed to mitigate visual impacts with the antenna arrays located close to the monopole base and painted to blend with the surrounding colors. Therefore, the proposed project is in general compliance in keeping with the intent of these Plans. Recommendation-Based on the applicable meeting information and the preliminary development plan, sufficient information has been provided to determine that the proposed project is in substantial compliance with Plan policies and a Plan amendment is not required. Staff will review plans for this proposal based on but not limited to location of the monopole and ground equipment on the site, color of monopole, massing and scale of antenna arrays, and screening of ground equipment. Also, staff will defer to the Department of Transportation, for a full assessment of appropriate access to the site and any required road improvements. Plan Policy General Plan Element 4:Community Character and Design Policy 3: Preserve scenic views of natural features and community landmarks. Supporting Policy 3.7: Require that, whenever possible, telecommunications facilities be located, installed, and maintained to minimize visual impact, preserve views, and be consistent with the City's adopted land use plans and policies. Cabling and fiber optics should be installed underground where possible, and the visual impact of cellular towers will be a prime consideration in the City's acceptance and approval. Policy 5: Promote neighborhood identity and visual character 5.5 A Consider incentives for telecommunications providers to install infrastructures, not only in the newer areas, but also in older neighborhoods to increase opportunities for all citizens to have access to high-tech telecom services. Santa Cruz Area Plan The Plan is intended to guide future development and coordinate governmental actions when developing the Santa Cruz River and its immediate environs as a major cultural and recreational resource, while stabilizing and improving adjacent neighborhoods. Development Policies, General Development, Policy 7 New development within or near existing neighborhoods should be designed and scaled to be compatible with existing neighborhood characteristics. Design Guidelines Manual e. Design Context and Neighborhood Character (1.B.2.e) Intent - Improve the character of new projects and reinforce existing architectural character in established neighborhoods. Solution - Harmonize new buildings with existing buildings by incorporating design elements of the adjacent architecture including the following: " Scale and massing of structure " Finishes, materials, and colors " Site amenities such as walls and landscaping s:\caserev\SP-ECPT\SE09-10\ SE-09-63 Clearwire - El PuenteLane.ipc |