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Plan Review Detail

Plan Number: T14SE00075
Parcel: Unknown

Review Status: Completed

Review Details: REZONING - IPC

Plan Number - T14SE00075
Review Name: REZONING - IPC
Review Status: Completed
Review Date Reviewer's Name Type of Review Description Status Comments
10/06/2014 STEVE SHIELDS ZONING REVIEW Completed PDSD TRANSMITTAL

TO: Rezoning Division
Re: Acceptance of Information for Plan Compliance (IPC)

FROM: Steve Shields
Lead Planner

PROJECT: Verizon Cell Tower - New Cell Site
7825 E SPEEDWAY BL, Parcel 133-09-5060 - C-1
Special Exception - SE-14-75

TRANSMITTAL: October 6, 2014

The proposed "Wireless Communication, limited to wireless communication towers and antennae", located on parcel 133-09-5060 , zoned C-1. The use falls under UDC Table 4.8-4 PERMITTED USES COMMERCIAL AND MIXED USEZONES - Permitted as Special Exception Use, [1] Mayor and Council Special Exception Procedure, Section 3.4.4 . The following Use Specific Standards apply: 4.9.13.O & 4.9.4.I.2, .3, & .7.

1. The following dimensional Standards apply see UDC TABLE 6.3-4.A: DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE C-1, C-2, C-3, OCR-1, & OCR-2 ZONES
a. Minimum site area = 0 Sq. Ft.
b. Proposed site area = 144,324 sq. ft.
c. Maximum building height allowed = 30 feet
d. Building height proposed = 9'-10"

2. The submitted plan, showing the proposed Wireless Communication is acceptable to continue the review for the zoning examiner's report.

If you have any questions about this transmittal, please call Steve Shields, (520) 836-4956 or email Steve.Shields@tucsonaz.gov.
10/13/2014 ELEIBOL1 ENGINEERING REVIEW Completed Engineering has reviewed the proposed Special Exception SE-14-75 for a proposed 55-foot tall wireless communication monopalm with associated ground equipment in an existing self-storage facility. The adjacent jurisdictional floodplain within Udall Park Wash is located on the parcel and therefore floodplain use permit for the improvements would be required. Engineering Review does not find any substantial issues that would deny this proposed Special Exception.
- Elizabeth Leibold P.E., CPM, CFM
10/14/2014 KEN BROUILLETTE FIRE REVIEW Approved
10/15/2014 PMCLAUG1 COMMUNITY PLANNING REVIEW Completed PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
SE-14-75 IPC Verizon - Speedway Boulevard
C-1 Special Exception
Plan Tucson and Pantano East Area Plan (PEAP)
10/14/14 JB/rh

Background: This proposal is for a Special Exception use in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial zone on a 3.31 acre site developed with a self-storage use to allow a 55 foot wireless communication facility in the form of a stealth monopalm and an associated ground equipment area. The site is an upside down "L" shaped site located at 7825 E Speedway Boulevard approximately 390 feet west of the Speedway Blvd. and Pantano Road intersection. The proposed WCF is located approximately 125 feet north of Speedway Boulevard. Three self-storage units will be demolished to make room for the installation of the proposed ground equipment within an eight feet four inches (8'-4") tall masonry wall designed to match existing self-storage unit buildings. Access to the wireless communication facility will be from Speedway Boulevard.

A similar request on this site for a wireless communication facility (WCF) with a monopole of 45 feet in height (SE-03-26 T-Mobile) was applied for in 2003. Following the public hearing on January 15, 2004, the Zoning Examiner denied the request for lack of compatibility with the area plan. There are two key differences between the current request and 2003 case:
1. The proposed 2003 WCF location was approximately 255 feet from single-family residential property to the north and the current request is approximately 375 feet from the residential property to the north, a difference of 120 feet;
2. The proposed 2003 WCF was a monopole and the current request is for a stealth design monopalm, which will reduce the visibility of the WCF.

According to the Major Streets and Routes Plan, Speedway Boulevard is designated an arterial street.

Surrounding Zoning and Land Uses: To the west is the El Camino Baptist Church in the RX-1 Suburban Low-density Residential zone; to the north across Udall Park Wash is a low density residential neighborhood with single-family single story homes in the RX-1 Suburban Low-density Residential zone; to the east are commercial retail and auto service land uses in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial zone and C-2 Community Commercial zones; to the south across Speedway Boulevard are retail and office land uses in the C-1 commercial zone. The nearest single-family residential property is located directly to the north approximately 375 feet from the proposed WCF site, while the nearest residential unit is approximately 450 feet away.

Rezoning Presubmittal Meeting: The applicant attended a presubmittal conference meeting on July 16, 2014.

Neighborhood Meeting: The applicant has provided the required neighborhood meeting material: mailing notification, copy of labels, notice letter, meeting summary, and sign-in sheet. The applicant held a neighborhood meeting, on September 4, 2014 from 5 PM to 6 PM at the proposed WFC site, 7825 E Speedway Boulevard. The meeting was attended by two neighbors and a council aid from the Ward 2 Office. Discussion focused on the neighbors desire to have the WFC located on another site in the vicinity.

Land Use Policies: Policy direction is provided by Plan Tucson (PT) the Pantano East Area Plan (PEAP).

Plan Tucson (PT)
PT indentifies the Special Exception site as in an area designated on the Future Growth Scenario Map as "Existing Neighborhoods".
LT1 Integrate land use, transportation, and urban design to achieve an urban form that supports more effective use of resources, mobility options, more aesthetically-pleasing and active public spaces, and sensitivity to historic and natural resources and neighborhood character.
LT28.1.2 Require telecommunications facilities be located, installed, and maintained to minimize visual impact and preserve views. Cabling and fiber optics should be installed underground where possible, and the visual impact of cellular towers should be a prime consideration in the City's acceptance and approval.
LT28.1.3 Improve the appearance of above-ground utilities and structures and extend access to high-tech wireless communications facilities throughout the city.
LT28.2.13 Support infill and redevelopment projects that reflect sensitivity to site and neighborhood conditions and adhere to relevant site and architectural design guidelines.
LT28.2.14 Protect established residential neighborhoods by supporting compatible development, which may include other residential, mixed-use infill and appropriate nonresidential uses.

PEAP
Commercial Policy 1 supports commercial developments in appropriate locations in the area along arterial streets when adjacent uses are adequately buffered.
Commercial Policy 2 supports the integration of adjoining commercial uses and should be designed to be in harmony with adjacent residential uses.

Assessment: The applicant proposes a wireless communication facility within an existing self-storage facility located at 7825 E. Speedway Boulevard, in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial zone. The applicant is proposing to install a monopole at a height of fifty-five (55) feet in the form of a stealth monopalm and associated ground equipment area within an eight foot tall masonry wall designed to match existing self-storage unit buildings.

Since the 2003 WCF denial for a monopole, the monopalm stealth design concept has been accepted as an approach that improves visual disguise and reduces visual impacts. In addition the ground level equipment will be screened with a masonry wall to match on-site self-storage unit buildings. The nearest residential neighborhood use is located adjacent to the self-storage facility and directly north across Udall Park Wash approximately 450 feet from the proposed monopalm WCF site.

Given the use of current monopalm design, the location of the related equipment in a structure design to replicate existing structures on the self-storage site, the distance from existing residential structures, and the intervening structures and vegetation associated with Udall Park Wash mitigating visual awareness; the applicant has addressed Plan issues of compatibility and view sheds from the adjacent residential neighborhood to the north. Staff also acknowledges that the proposed WCF will help improve telecom services to the established neighborhoods and businesses in the area which addresses Plan policy. Therefore, the request is consistent with the Pantano East Area Plan and Plan Tucson policy direction. This request for a WCF does not require a plan amendment.

Summary.
In general, the proposal is consistent with the Plan Tucson and the Pantano East Area Plan and in keeping with the character of the area. The proposal meets the intent of the policy direction, regarding compatibility with the scale, density and character of the surrounding development.

Recommendation
In general, the proposal is consistent with the direction provided by Plan Tucson and the Pantano East Area Plan and is keeping with the character of the area. A plan amendment is not required. Staff recommends that the rezoning application be distributed for further processing.