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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBackground ReportBACKGROUND REPORT The project site is located at 1445 Tidelands Avenue, shown on the current zoning map as being in the Medium Industrial (IM) zone, and also within the Coastal Zone. The long, narrow, relatively flat parcel is located between Tidelands Avenue to the west and the railroad right-of-way to the east. The recent Land Use Code Update is not active in the Coastal Zone. This is due to the fact that the necessary changes in the City's Local Coastal Plan have not been approved by the Coastal Commission. Therefore, the City's previous zoning would generally apply. In this case the zone would have been MM-CZ (Medium Manufacturing — Coastal Zone) — essentially the same zone. There are two existing wireless facilities located at the same site; a Sprint facility approved in 2001 and an AT&T facility approved in 2005. Both are faux palm trees and are 40 and 50 feet tall respectively. Along with the respective equipment shelters, the site is also developed with several live palm trees. The quality of landscaping is fairly poor, with ground cover and vegetation sparsely located around the site. The applicant proposes to install a 60-foot tall faux palm tree and a 257 square -foot equipment shelter. Tree -mounted equipment includes twelve 6-foot tall panel antennas and a 4-foot diameter microwave dish. The new facility is proposed directly south of the existing facilities. No additional landscaping is proposed, although an existing palm tree would need to be relocated to accommodate the project. The facility also proposes to have an emergency generator in case of power failure. The generator would be on a concrete pad adjacent to the proposed equipment shelter. The proposal is a good example of a stealth facility, consistent with City policy. The antennas are proposed to project approximately three feet from the tree trunk but will be obscured by the fronds. Wiring between the tree and shelter uses an "ice bridge", which is a conduit between the two. The two existing facilities have underground wiring, consistent with City policy. A condition has been added to require that all wiring between the shelter and the tree trunk shall be placed underground. The equipment shelter would be covered with a smooth stucco coating to match the finish of the existing buildings on -site and would also be surrounded by chain link fence. The proposed shelter structure is similar in size to the existing shelters on -site. The proposed shelter is 24'-6" by 10'-6" feet in size (257 square feet) and approximately 11 feet high. The existing shelters for Sprint and AT&T are around 200 and 300 square feet respectively, and are both 10 feet high. To enhance the site, staff is proposing a condition of approval requiring that the applicant re -plant the areas on -site that have dead/dying or non-existent plant material. There are approximately eight live palm trees in the area of the wireless facilities ranging in height form 19-feet to 50-feet. With the existing palm trees and condition to replant nearby lower -lying landscape material, the proposed 60-foot high faux palm tree is expected to fit in well with the surrounding area. A condition has also been added to encourage the relocated palm tree to be placed south of the proposed site, in order to further screen the faux palm. To be further consistent with City policy, co -location with existing facilities was researched. Based on the `search ring', the applicant has stated that there was no ability to locate on the existing facility, but was able to locate the proposed facility adjacent to an existing facility on the same site. By locating adjacent to an existing facility, there is greater opportunity to camouflage the mono -palms with the cluster of palm trees and other vegetation. The facility is proposed to improve service between Interstate 5 and the waterfront to the west of the site. Based on the attached Coverage Map, the area currently has limited or weak service. The facility is expected to generate only one to two vehicle trips per month for maintenance staff and is unlikely to have any impacts on local traffic patterns. The project area is not within an area of retained Coastal Commission permit jurisdiction or in an area of appeal jurisdiction. It is also within an area generally exempted from the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) process. However, the required discretionary review (CUP) triggers a public hearing for the CDP also. As part of said discretionary review, the Planning Commission must find that the granting of the CDP is consistent with and implements the Certified Local Coastal Program. The project is compliant with this finding in that it involves a stealth wireless facility, a conditionally -allowed use in the MM-CZ zone, and will not prohibit coastal access or obstruct views. Comments were received from the Building Department and require compliance with current and new 2014 codes. Standard Conditions of Approval for wireless facilities are also included, requiring compliance with local, state, and federal codes, and that any external equipment is painted to match the surface on which it is mounted. Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on December 2, 2013. Commissioners asked questions regarding conditions of approval, facility design, landscaping, and property upkeep. The Commission voted to approve the Conditional Use Permit based on required findings and subject to Conditions of Approval. Council reviewed the Notice of Decision of the Planning Commission's approval at their meeting of December 17, 2013 and set the item for hearing in order to discuss the item. The proposed project is consistent with the Land Use Code in that it meets all applicable design requirements for wireless communication facilities. The project is considered `stealth' and blends in with existing facilities and nearby development. The new facility will help to provide coverage in an area with limited service and provide additional reception for Verizon Wireless customers.