Plan Review Detail
Review Status: Completed
Review Details: REZONING - IPC
Plan Number - T20SE00012
Review Name: REZONING - IPC
Review Status: Completed
| Review Date | Reviewer's Name | Type of Review | Description | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/07/2020 | PMCLAUG1 | COMMUNITY PLANNING | REVIEW | Completed | Background: The proposed wireless communication facility (WCF) will be on church property located at 4216 S. 12th Avenue, on the west side of 12th Ave, approximately 1,400 feet south of Ajo Way. This is a special exception land use request in the O-3 zone to allow the installation and operation of a WCF consisting of a stealth design monoelm (faux broadleaf tree) tower, initially with six (6) antennas, at an overall height of seventy (70) feet. The monoelm will be located north of the existing church building and parking lot, within a lease area/easement of 10 feet by 10 feet, while the ground equipment will be located within a lease area/easement of 18 feet by 36 feet just to the east of the monoelm. An area for future wireless carrier equipment is reserved as a sub-lease area with the ground equipment compound and a future area for antenna colocation is shown on an elevation level just below the proposed T-Mobile antennas. Antennas should be painted or camouflaged to minimize visual impact and blend with the colors and shade patterns of the faux broadleaf tree. The lease area will be enclosed by an 8-foot masonry wall. No back-up generator is proposed. Plan Tucson: Policy is provided by Plan Tucson. The church property site for the proposed WCF disguised as a broad leaf tree (monoelm) is located within a "Neighborhood of Greater Infill Potential," area as identified by Plan Tucson's Future Growth Scenario Map. Neighborhoods of Greater Infill Potential are areas with greater infill potential, including residential neighborhoods and commercial districts for which there is potential for new development and redevelopment in the next several decades. In particular to wireless communication facility, Plan Tucson provides direction and support in Chapter 3 - The Built Environment, under Guidelines LT28.1.2, LT28.1.3 which state telecommunication facilities be installed and maintained to minimize visual impact and preserve views and to improve the appearance of above ground utilities and structures and extend access to high-tech wireless communication facilities through out the city. Visual impacts are a key consideration during the review process. Assessment: The proposed special exception request is to consider a 70' foot tall WCF disguised as a broadleaf tree (monoelm) and associated ground equipment, and will be located at 4216 S. 12th Avenue on church property, zoned O-3. The site is well over the required 400-foot set-back from Ajo Way, a designated Gateway Route on the City's MS&R Plan map. The submitted plan shows how the ground equipment lease area will be screened with an 8-foot high CMU wall. An existing juniper tree to the east of the compound is proposed to be preserved in place and a combination of vegetative screening and the proposed wall would be appropriate for softening and screening the compound. The proposed monoelm is considered a stealth design that helps mitigate and disguise the WCF. Staff recommends the ground equipment be enclosed by a masonry wall painted and textured to match existing church structure, with added vegetative screening as well. Plan policy supports the request provided there are minimal visual impacts through site design of the WCF, which will be considered at the time of full special exception submittal in the required Design Compatibility Report (DCR). The proposal is in general compliance with applicable Plan Tucson policies. The request to consider a WCF at this site does not require a plan amendment. The surrounding land uses and zones include C-1-zoned commercial and O-3 zoned office uses to the north, O-3-zoned religious use to the south, an R-2-zoned residential neighborhood to the west, and C-2-zoned commercial uses and vacant/undeveloped property to the east across 12th Avenue. The nearest residential lot is just west of the subject property, approximately 100 feet from the proposed WCF site. Access to the WCF for maintenance/technician vehicle parking is proposed by way of a 12-foot wide access easement from 12th Avenue through an existing curb-cut. 12th Avenue is designated on the City's MS&R Plan map as a major arterial street with a 100-foot right-of-way. The proposed WCF is subject to Unified Development Code Section 4.9.4.I.7 through a Mayor and Council Special Exception Land Use review and approval due to the overall height of the structure being exceeding 50 feet in the O-3 zone, and the location of the tower not meeting a 2-to-1 height setback from adjacent residential and office-zoned properties. |
| 12/16/2020 | PMCLAUG1 | ENGINEERING | REVIEW | Completed | |
| 12/16/2020 | ELISA HAMBLIN | ZONING | REVIEW | Completed | To: Rezoning Division Re: Acceptance of Information for Plan Compliance (IPC) Date: December 16, 2020 4216 S 12th Av 120-02-0179A O-3 (Special Exception) T20SE00012 (SE-20-12) The proposed commercial use falls under UDC Article 4.8.5, Table 4.8-3: Permitted Uses – Office Zones. Commercial Land Use Group with Land Use Class/Type: Communications: Wireless Communication, limited to communication towers and antennas subject to Use Specific Standards 4.9.13.K and 4.9.4.I.2, .3, & .7 The submitted plan, showing the proposed development, contains adequate information to determine plan compliance and a plan amendment is not required. Should you have questions, contact me at elisa.hamblin@tucsonaz.gov. Elisa Hamblin, AICP Principal Planner Planning and Development Services City of Tucson |
| 12/17/2020 | PMCLAUG1 | FIRE | REVIEW | Completed |