Plan Review Detail
Review Status: Completed
Review Details: REZONING - ZE HEARING
Plan Number - T10SE00121
Review Name: REZONING - ZE HEARING
Review Status: Completed
| Review Date | Reviewer's Name | Type of Review | Description | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/07/2010 | MARTIN BROWN | FIRE | REVIEW | Approved | |
| 10/13/2010 | JOHN BEALL | COMMUNITY PLANNING | REVIEW | Completed | PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT SE-10-121 AT&T - Speedway Boulevard C-2 - Special Exception Alvernon-Broadway Area Plan and Miramonte Neighborhood Plan, and the General Plan 10/8/10 JB This proposal is for a special exception use in the C-2 zone, to allow a 65-foot monopalm on a 1.84 acre site that has two existing commercial buildings and parking lot. According to the Major Streets and Routes Plan, Speedway Boulevard is an arterial street. The monopalm would be set back from Speedway Boulevard approximately 230-feet along the western property boundary. The lease area will be approximately 207' x 35' located southwest of two existing commercial buildings. Access to the site will be from Speedway Boulevard, with one parking space made available for the technician. Surrounding Land Uses and Zones: To the north of the site, is C-2 zoning; to the east is C-2 zoning; to the west is C-2 zoning; and to the south is C-2/R-3 zoning. Commercial uses are to the east, west, and north; while multi-family residential uses are to the south. Policy Summary: The site is within the bounds of the Alvernon-Broadway Area Plan and Miramonte Neighborhood Plan. While these Plans provide no specific policy direction for cell tower proposals, the Miramonte Neighborhood Plan does include a policy that calls for mitigating clutter and unattractive visual elements. Both Plans make reference to creating attractive transitions between residential and commercial areas. The location of this site is an area identified for commercial uses in the Alvernon-Broadway Area Plan. More specific policy direction is provided by the General Plan, in Element 4, Character and Design, under supporting Policy 3.7 that requires, 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. General Plan, Element 4, under 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. 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. Analysis The applicant is proposing to construct a 65-foot high monopalm wireless communication facility on a commercial site with two existing buildings and a parking lot located at 3620 E. Speedway Boulevard. According to the Major Streets and Routes and Plan, Speedway Boulevard is an arterial street. The stealth design concept consists of a proposed 65-foot high monopalm with top of antenna height of 62-feet. The monopalm will be set back from Speedway Boulevard approximately 230-feet at the corner of the southwestern property line. The lease area will be approximately 207' x 35', with access from Speedway Boulevard, and one parking space made available for a technician. There are existing palm trees on adjacent properties to the southeast, which should provide some 'tree context' for the monopalm. From Speedway Boulevard the monopalm will be located behind the two existing commercial buildings, with one of the buildings approximately 24-feet in height. The applicant by providing a stealth design monopalm with faux bark the entire length of the trunk, and locating the wireless facility at the rear of two commercial buildings will help mitigate any negative visual impacts of this facility on the surrounding area. The General Plan calls 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. The applicant points out that there is a need for more voice and data service for AT&T customers. The Alvernon-Broadway Area Plan calls out that non-residential uses be limited to locations shown on the Conceptual Land Use Map, which the subject site is within an area designated for commercial uses. The Miramonte Neighborhood Plan encourages good design for successful transitions between commercial and residential uses. The applicant's monopalm and faux bark design should provide a successful transition given the adjacent palm trees to the southeast and along Speedway. All these Plans encourage good design that mitigates clutter and unattractive visual elements. These Plans in general support the requested land use when visually appropriate design elements are implemented. The proposed wireless communication facility appears to respond to the characteristics of the surrounding area, as the communication tower will have a stealth monopalm design with faux bark, adjacent to other palm trees, and partially shielded from Speedway Boulevard behind two existing onsite commercial buildings. Recommendation The proposed special exception land use for an unmanned AT&T wireless communication facility can be supported and is in general compliance with applicable policy and goals of the General Plan, Alvernon-Broadway Plan, and Miramonte Neighborhood Plan. The following special exception conditions are recommended in support of applicable policies. 1. Ground equipment wall shelter enclosure to be textured and colored to blend with the existing onsite buildings. Development plan to include detail showing all four-sides, identifying dimensions and colors, graffiti resistant. · GP, Element 4, Policy 4.6 · MNP, Goals 3 and 4 2. Monopalm wireless communication tower not to exceed 65-feet in height. Entire length of monopalm pole not covered by fronds shall be finished in faux bark. · GP, Element 4, Policy 4.6; Policy 5 · MNP, Goals 3 and 4 3. Frond placement and density shall create a stealth design to screen the antenna array. Replacement of damaged or missing fronds shall occur as soon as possible. · GP, Element 4, Policy 4.6; Policy 5 · MNP, Goals 3 and 4 Plan Policy General Plan 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 is to design and maintain streets to enhance their overall functional and aesthetic quality. Supporting Policy 4.6 is to promote the coordination of efforts of government, private developers, and utility firms to improve the appearance of necessary above ground utility lines 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. Alvernon-Broadway Area Plan C. Nonresidential Policies: Policy 2 - Limit new office, commercial uses and redevelopment of existing uses to the locations shown on the Conceptual Land Use Map where all of the following are met: a. Primary access can be provided from an arterial street. b. All parking and maneuvering requirements can be met onsite or, if offsite, on locations that have been historically used for parking in conjunction with the site. c. Screening and buffering for adjacent residential uses can be provided onsite. d. New development complies with the General Design Guidelines. Miramonte Neighborhood Plan Goal #3: Neighborhood Transitions Policy 3.1 - Encourage good design to help make successful transition between commercial and residential uses. Goal # 4: Neighborhood Infrastructure Enhancement Policy 4.2 - Make the Neighborhood more attractive by mitigating clutter and unattractive visual elements. s:\caserev\SP-ECPT\SE10-11\ SE-10-121 AT&T - Speedway Blvd |
| 10/14/2010 | MATT FLICK | ENGINEERING | REVIEW | Completed | PDSD Engineering has no objection or adverse comment to approval of a Special Exception for installation of a 65' monopalm and associated communications equipment. The proposed site lies within a fully-developed lot within a parking area for a Truly Nolen business. Access to the site is via an existing curb opening on Speedway Boulevard, an MS&RP Arterial. Site drainage goes northward towards Speedway Boulevard. The site is unaffected by a mapped floodplain or erosion hazard area. Since the site lies within the Christmas Wash watershed (a non-designated watershed) and the proposed telecommunications installation will not increase the site's imperviousness, neither detention nor threshold retention are required. No conditions are requested. |
| 10/15/2010 | TERRY STEVENS | ZONING | REVIEW | Completed | CDRC TRANSMITTAL TO: Development Services Department Rezoning Section FROM: David Rivera for Terry Stevens Principal Planner PROJECT: AT&T - Speedway Boulevard. 3620 E. Speedway Boulevard - C-2 Zoning Special Exception Case Number - SE-10-121 TRANSMITTAL: October 15, 2010 1. The proposed use falls under the LUC Sec. 2.5.4.3 Special Exception Land Uses, Commercial Services Use Group, Sec. 6.3.5. Communications "31", limited to wireless communication towers and antennae, subject to: Sec. 3.5.4.20.B, .C, and .G Development designator "31" requires or allows the following: Minimum site required = 0 sq. ft Floor area ratio = 0.90 Lot Coverage = n/a Maximum building height = 40 feet Interior perimeter yard indicator = DD Off-Street Parking: One technician parking space required. Off-Street Loading: 0 required Bicycle Parking: 0 required Pedestrian Access: Not required. Zoning has reviewed this proposal for compliance with The City of Tucson Development Standard Land Use Code (LUC). The following comments need to be addressed: A complete site plan which includes the property boundary with distance and bearings, all parking spaces, locations of dumpsters and loading zones, bicycle parking, and pedestrian sidewalks, Full vehicle parking calculation count which includes the number of required and provided parking spaces, Info stating how all the development criteria is met, A copy of the last approved site or development plan must accompany the next submittal to verify certain code approved requirements such as vehicle parking, locations of dumpster and loading zones Pedestrian sidewalks etc., If you have any questions about this transmittal, please call Terry Stevens, (520) 836-4961 or email Terry.Stevens@tucsonaz.gov. |
| 10/19/2010 | JOE LINVILLE | LANDSCAPE | REVIEW | Approved | |
| 10/19/2010 | JOSE ORTIZ | DOT TRAFFIC | REVIEW | Completed | TDOT-Traffic has no objections to the proposed 65' tall monopalm cell tower. |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | ENV SVCS | REVIEW | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | TUCSON WATER NEW AREA DEVELOPMENT | REVIEW | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | JULIE YBARRA | SIGNS | SIGN CODE REVIEW | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | DOT ENGINEERING | REVIEW | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | REZ AGENCY REVIEW | PARKS & RECREATION | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | REZ AGENCY REVIEW | OFFICE OF CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | REZ AGENCY REVIEW | PIMA ASSN OF GOVTS | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | REZ AGENCY REVIEW | PIMA CNTY WASTEWATER | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | REZ AGENCY REVIEW | SCHOOL DISTRICT | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | REZ AGENCY REVIEW | ADOT | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | REZ AGENCY REVIEW | TDOT RTA | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | REZ AGENCY REVIEW | TDOT STREETS | Completed | |
| 10/26/2010 | PMCLAUG1 | REZ AGENCY REVIEW | OTHER AGENCIES | Completed |