Plan Review Detail
Review Status: Completed
Review Details: REZONING - IPC
Plan Number - T10SE00002
Review Name: REZONING - IPC
Review Status: Completed
| Review Date | Reviewer's Name | Type of Review | Description | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/13/2010 | DAVE MANN | FIRE | REVIEW | Approved | |
| 01/19/2010 | MATT FLICK | ENGINEERING | REVIEW | Completed | The request contains adequate information to determine Grant-Alvernon Area Plan compliance and a plan amanedment is not required. |
| 01/20/2010 | JOHN BEALL | COMMUNITY PLANNING | REVIEW | Completed | DEPARTMENT OF URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN SE-10-02 Clearwire - Pima Street C-1 Zone, Special Exception Grant-Alvernon Area Plan and the General Plan 01/14/10 jb This proposal is a request for a special exception use in the C-1 Zone, to allow a new 55-foot monopalm. The special exception site is at 3843 E. Pima Street, in the northeast corner of the property behind Frank's Restaurant. Ancillary equipment for the facility will be enclosed by an 8-foot high CMU block wall. Issue- The facility was originally proposed as a co-location on an existing TEP utility pole. But through neighborhood input the applicant has changed the preliminary design to a stand alone 55-foot high monopalm, with three sectors of antennas, and ground equipment within an enclosed compound. A communications use of this type is subject to Section 3.5.4.20.G.1 of the Land Use Code, and requires approval through a Zoning Examiner Legislative Procedure, Sections 5.4.1 and 5.4.3. A public hearing before the Zoning Examiner is required. The Zoning Examiner will make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council, who will render a decision to grant the use, with or without conditions, or to deny the use. Surrounding Land Uses and Zoning - The subject site is within the Alvernon Road / Pima Street intersection sector, and is zoned C-1: to the east is C-1 zoning; to the south is C-1 zoning; to the west is R-2 zoning (office building); and to the north is a R-2/C-1 zoning (vacant parcel). The closest residential structures are approximately 215 feet to the west, and 202 feet to the southwest. Land Use Plan Policy Summary - Land Use Plan Policies. The site is within the bounds of the Grant-Alvernon Area Plan. That plan and the City's General Plan provide policy guidance applicable to this proposal. Grant-Alvernon Area Plan Office and Commercial Land Use Policy 2 encourages incorporating appropriate design elements and buffering techniques during the zoning application and associated plan review processes. Policy 6 is to discourage wireless communication antennae arrays unless concealed, disguised, or collocated on existing buildings or structures. 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 will be a key consideration during the review process. Policy 4.6 (General Plan, Element 4) promotes the coordination of efforts of government, private developers and utility firms to improve the appearance of above-ground utilities and structures. Action 5.5A is to consider incentives for telecommunications providers to install infrastructure in older as well as newer neighborhoods, to increase opportunities for all citizens to have access to high-tech telecom services. Sufficiency of Information to Determine Plan Compliance - The applicant attended a rezoning pre-submittal meeting on September 23, 2009. Staff said the formal application must include a detailed description of how the site will be designed to blend in with the surroundings. It was brought up that site is non-conforming and cannot reduce parking. Parking for technician must be a space that is not required parking. The applicant held a neighborhood meeting on November 17, 2009. According to the information submitted, fifteen notices attended. Per the applicant the prevailing sentiment at the meeting was to change the original design from a utility pole co-location to a monopalm. The proposed facility has been designed using a stealth application from neighborhood input. It was indicated through the prevailing opinion at the meeting that the proposed block wall enclosure creates a graffiti tagging nuisance and creates a hiding place for the homeless and criminals. Included in the Rezoning application packet is a Palm Tree Inventory aerial photo that indicated approximately 68 existing palm trees of varying heights surround the project site area. Summary - Sufficient information has been provided to demonstrate compliance with the land use plan policies. A plan amendment is not required. Staff recommends the application be distributed for further processing. As a condition of granting this special exception use, staff will recommend that the faux palm be maintained as needed to preserve its visual integrity and conceal the tower and antennas. LAND USE PLAN POLICIES Grant-Alvernon Area Plan o Office and Commercial Land Use Policy 2 encourages incorporating appropriate design elements and buffering techniques during the zoning application and associated plan review processes. § Policy 6 is to discourage wireless communication antennae arrays unless concealed, disguised, or collocated on existing buildings or structures. General Plan o Element 2 Policy 3 is to protect established neighborhoods by supporting compatible development. § Supporting Policy 3.9 is to support nonresidential uses, where the scale and intensity of use will be compatible with adjacent uses, including residential development, neighborhood schools and businesses. o Element 4, Supporting Policy 3.7 requires that, whenever possible, telecommunication 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 4.6 promotes the coordination of efforts of government, private developers and utility firms to improve the appearance of above-ground utilities and structures. § Policy 5 is to promote neighborhood identity and visual character. § Action 5.5.A is to consider incentives for telecommunications providers to install infrastructure, not only in newer areas, but also in older neighborhoods to increase opportunities for all citizens to have access to high-tech telecom services. s:\caserev\SP-ECPT\SE09-10\ SE-10-02 Clearwire - Pima Street.ipc |
| 01/21/2010 | TERRY STEVENS | ZONING | REVIEW | Completed | TO: Rezoning Division Re: Acceptance of Information for Plan Compliance (IPC) Clearwire - Pima St. 3843 E. Pima St. - C-1 Zoning Special Exception Case Number - SE-10-02 1. The proposed use falls under the LUC Sec. 2.5.3.3 Special Exception Land Uses, Commercial Services Use Group, Sec. 6.3.5. Communications "8", limited to wireless communication towers and antennae, subject to: Sec. 3.5.4.20.B, .C, and .G 2. The submitted plan, showing the proposed new cell tower is acceptable to continue the review for the zoning examiner's report. 3. The following needs to be addressed at this time. LUC Sec. 3.5.4.20.G.1.b. New towers require a minimum separation of one (1) mile from any existing tower, regardless of ownership, unless documentation establishes that no practical alternative exists. The information provided does not contain enough information to determine compliance with this section of the LUC. The plans as submitted do not indicate the required ingress/egress easement. Clearly indicate on the plans that the cell tower and enclosure do not interfere with or eliminate existing parking spaces. Should you have questions, contact me at 837-4961 please. Terry Stevens, Lead Planner City of Tucson, Development Services Department |