HomeMy WebLinkAboutBackground ReportBACKGROUND REPORT
The project site is a 14,357 square foot property located on the southeast corner of the
Highland Avenue and 20th Street intersection, in the General Commercial (CG) zone. The
lot is developed with a U-shaped office building consisting of several different commercial
suites. The lot also has a 15 space surface parking lot with access from both Highland
Avenue and the alley to the rear.
A Conditional Use Permit was approved in 2003, allowing Cingular Wireless to construct
a penthouse on the rear of the building's roof to house a wireless facility (CUP-2003-4).
Ownership of this facility has since been transferred and it is now being used by T-
Mobile. In addition, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP-2006-2) for the same project as you
are reviewing was approved in January of 2008. However; the facility was never
constructed and the CUP has since expired.
The applicant is proposing to install a 43-foot faux artificial palm tree with 12 antennas
along the eastern property line. Plans propose to remove and rebuild an existing trash
enclosure at the rear of the parking lot, relocating it three feet closer to 20th Street. The
telecommunications equipment that serves the "mono -palm" would be located in a suite
inside the office building, with all wiring between the tree and equipment trenched
across the parking lot. There would be no loss of parking spaces and the only visible
portion of the project would be the 43 foot mono -palm.
This project is intended to increase wireless service in this area and would be considered
an example of a stealth facility, as encouraged by City policy, since the facilities are on
a mono -palm structure, the equipment shelter would be inside the existing building, and
the mono -palm is situated to the rear of the site with substantial additional landscaping
proposed. The previous approval required the installation of live palm trees to help
disguise the mono -palm. A Condition of Approval has been included requiring the
installation of three Mexican fan palms (26-foot brown trunk height), to help the facility
blend with the surrounding area. The facility is only expected to generate one to two
trips per month for maintenance staff and is unlikely to have any impacts on adjacent
streets.
During processing of the previous permit (CUP-2006-2), the applicant had submitted a
proposal for a second cupola; however, it would have been located on the front of the
building, while the existing cupola is on the rear of the building. Staff encouraged moving
the cupola back or redesigning the project as a facade -mounted or other architecturally -
incorporated facility. The applicant responded with the mono -palm design, which was
ultimately approved.
City policy encourages applicants to pursue co -location of wireless facilities. Although there
is an existing T-Mobile wireless facility on the building roof, the applicant has indicated that
structure could not accommodate their requirements for the site. They feel they are still
making an attempt at co -location by locating on the same site as another provider and also
placing their equipment inside the existing office building.
The proposed wireless communications facility is an example of a stealth facility as
required by City policy. In addition, the facility will provide expanded service to local AT&T
customers. The use will be installed completely upon an artificial tree and within an existing
building, therefore not placing a burden on existing facilities, businesses or City streets.
Furthermore, Conditions of Approval will ensure that the facility functions effectively and
without impact to surrounding uses.
City Council set this item for hearing at the April 19, 2011 meeting after discussing the
proposal, with emphasis given to the lack of condition language requiring maintenance
of three required palm trees. Condition of approval number 19, requiring a landscape
plan and the additional trees, has been modified to require ongoing maintenance of the
additional landscaping for the life of the facility.