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Home My WebLink About1995-P DATE: July 27, 2009 TO: Planning Commission and City Council FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager SUBJECT: Consider a request for an amended specific use permit to allow the construction of an equipment shelter at the existing cell tower facility in an RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District FILE: 1995-P STAFF REPORT The Planning Manager recommends approval subject to the following conditions: 1. A five (5) foot building setback for the equipment shelter must be adhered to along the east property line. 2. Provision of an 8' wooden privacy fence along the east property line. 3. Maintain the fencing surrounding the property. Shep Poland, representing Verizon Wireless, has applied for an amended specific use permit to allow the construction of an equipment shelter at the existing cell tower facility in an RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District. The property is located at 360 E. Alma. In August, 1995, City Council approved a specific use permit to allow this cell tower. The property had been used by Southwestern Bell for equipment storage and as a regulator station since the 1960's. Mr. Poland states that Verizon Wireless needs to add a cell tower site in this area of Beaumont in order to provide service to its customers. Verizon would prefer to utilize the existing tower rather than construct a new tower. In order to expand usage of the tower, an equipment shelter must be placed at the existing facility to house radio equipment. The proposed shelter is 11'8" x 28'. The shelter is unmanned but will be visited by technicians approximately 5 to 7 times per month during regular business hours. The shelter is monitored from a remote location for entry, temperature and equipment malfunction. The equipment shelter would be constructed on the lease area, north of the cell tower location. Within the existing cell tower compound, there is a monopole tower, equipment cabinets and diesel generator. An 8' tall wood fence exists along the west and south lines of the lease area. That fence is now covered with graffiti. The Planning Manager recommends the maintenance of the fencing. That would include removal of the graffiti. Exhibits are attached. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Notices mailed to property owners 26 . Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition . LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES Being Lot 5, Block 1, Lucian Harris Addition, City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, containing 0.215 acres, more or less. ANALYSIS CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL OF SPECIFIC USE PERMIT (SECTION 30-26.E, ZONING ORDINANCE) Application Application is in is not in Comments Compliance Compliance Attached CONDITIONS: 1. That the specific use will be compatible with and not injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property, nor significantly diminish or impair property values within the immediate vicinity; X X 2. That the establishment of the specific use will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding vacant property; X 3. That adequate utilities, access roads, drainage and other necessary supporting facilities have been or will be provided; X 4. The design, location and arrangement of all driveways and parking spaces provides for the safe and convenient movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic without adversely affecting the general public or adjacent developments; X 5. That adequate nuisance prevention measures have been or will be taken to prevent or control offensive odor, fumes, dust, noise and vibration; X 6. That directional lighting will be provided so as not to disturb or adversely affect neighboring properties; X 7. That there are sufficient landscaping and screening to insure harmony and compatibility with adjacent property; and X 8. That the proposed use is in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. X ANALYSIS continued This application is in conformance with all eight conditions necessary for approval. Comments on Condition 1 follow: 1. The proposed equipment shelter will not negatively affect surrounding properties. The cell tower has been in existence since 1995. Prior to that, Southwestern Bell used the property since the 1960's for equipment storage. Verizon Wireless states that without the new equipment shelter, it will be required to construct a new cell tower to serve this area of Beaumont. A new cell tower at another location would more negatively affect the City as a whole. GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES APPLICANT: Shep Poland for Verizon Wireless PROPERTY OWNER: GTE Mobilnet of South Texas dba Verizon Wireless LOCATION: 360 E. Alma EXISTING ZONING: RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District PROPERTY SIZE: 0.215 acres, more or less EXISTING LAND USES: Cell tower facility FLOOD HAZARD ZONE: A X @ - Area determined to be outside 500-year floodplain SURROUNDING LAND USES: SURROUNDING ZONING: NORTH: Residential, vacant, MLK Parkway GC-MD (General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) District EAST: Bar, MLK Parkway GC-MD SOUTH: Residential RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District WEST: Residential RS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Conservation and Revitalization STREETS: Alma Street - Local street with a 60' wide right-of-way and a 20' pavement width GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES continued DRAINAGE: Open ditch WATER: 2" water line SANITARY SEWER SERVICE: 6" sanitary sewer line PROPERTY OWNERS AHMED SYED AINSWORTH BRYAN AULBAUGH ANN BOOKER RAYMOND C & TRACIE D CHEVIS ANDREA FAREL CHRISTINE FITZHENRY RICHARD M FLOWERS CARL & SANDRA GOLDEN GARY D GUIDRY MICHAEL F ET UX HAGLER SUZANNE RANDALL HARDY JOSEPH JR JOHNSON CHRISTOPHER W SR JOSEPH HERMAN & PAULINE G KENDRICK ROY MICKENS IRVIN SR MOBIL OIL CORP MOSBY YVONNE ORLANDO DONALD RICHARD ROBERT L & DEBRA K SMR SYSTEMS INC TAYLOR ELIZABETH A WILLIAMS