AGENDA
ITEM NO. 2.
DATE: October 11, 2022
ITEM NO. 2.
DATE: October 11, 2022
PLANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 22-02
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
APPLICANT: Joseph Maltese for T-Mobile
LOCATION: 625 E. Merced Avenue (Walmerado Park)
REQUEST: The applicant is requesting to modify an existing unmanned 60-foot tall wireless telecommunications facility currently designed as a flag pole. The proposal includes the expansion of an existing canister to accommodate new antennas and remote radio units. The ground footprint will not increase in size. The project is located in Walmerado Park.
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
APPLICANT: Joseph Maltese for T-Mobile
LOCATION: 625 E. Merced Avenue (Walmerado Park)
REQUEST: The applicant is requesting to modify an existing unmanned 60-foot tall wireless telecommunications facility currently designed as a flag pole. The proposal includes the expansion of an existing canister to accommodate new antennas and remote radio units. The ground footprint will not increase in size. The project is located in Walmerado Park.
BACKGROUND
The applicant is requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the modification of an existing wireless telecommunications facility. The subject property is in the Open Space Zone, and is located along E. Merced Avenue, northeast of its intersection with S. Walnut Avenue, in Walmerado Park.
On September 12, 2006, the Planning Commission approved CUP No. 06-16 and Variance No. 06-19, allowing the installation of an unmanned 60-foot tall wireless telecommunications facility to be designed as a flag pole located in Walmerado Park.
On September 12, 2006, the Planning Commission approved CUP No. 06-16 and Variance No. 06-19, allowing the installation of an unmanned 60-foot tall wireless telecommunications facility to be designed as a flag pole located in Walmerado Park.
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION |
| ZONING & GENERAL PLAN | Zoning: Open Space (O-S) General Plan: Parks and Open Space |
| SURROUNDING LAND USES | North: Residential Single Family (R-1), Civic: Schools South: Residential Single Family (R-1), Residential Agriculture (R-A) East: Residential Single Family (R-1) West: Residential Single Family (R-1), Residential Agriculture (R-A) |
| CURRENT DEVELOPMENT | Open Space (O-S), Walmerado Park |
| LEGAL NOTICE | Public Hearing Notices were mailed out to 93 owners and/or occupants of properties within a 300-foot radius of the subject site. In addition, the Public Hearing Notice was published in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune at least 10 days prior to tonight's meeting. |
DISCUSSION
The proposal consists of a CUP to allow for the modification of the existing wireless telecommunication facility (flag pole) that services one carrier (T-Mobile). A CUP is required due to the proposed change in the means of concealment of the existing flag pole. The modifications will include the expansion of the existing canister from 1 foot 6 inches, to 4 feet in width to accommodate 3 new antennas and 6 remote radio units. The dimensions of the new antennas and remote radio units have increased in size, resulting in the need for a wider canister. The flag pole will remain 60 feet in height. All existing and proposed equipment cabinets will remain in the same screened enclosure on site.
An additional carrier would not be able to co-locate at this facility due to the limited spacing on the flag pole.
Wireless Facility Location
Separation from Residential Uses
Wireless Facility Design
An additional carrier would not be able to co-locate at this facility due to the limited spacing on the flag pole.
Wireless Facility Location
The Zoning Code requires that freestanding wireless telecommunications facilities be located a minimum of one-half mile (2,640 feet) away from any other freestanding wireless telecommunication facility. The nearest existing wireless telecommunications facility is located within the same subject site (Walmerado Park) and is approximately 145 feet away from the existing flag pole. Both wireless telecommunication facilities do not comply with the current Zoning Code, as they were permitted through a Variance to deviate from the one-half mile distance required between facilities approved on September 12, 2006.
Separation from Residential Uses
The subject site is surrounded by residential properties on three sides with a school (Walnut Grove Intermediate School) to the north. The park is 5.53 acres and is on the northeast corner of E. Merced Avenue and S. Walnut Avenue. The subject site can be accessed off of E. Merced Avenue and S. Walnut Avenue. The existing wireless telecommunications facility is located approximately 120 feet from the southerly property line (E. Merced Avenue), 300 feet from the westerly property line (S. Walnut Avenue) and 315 feet from the easterly property line (single-family housing). The Zoning Code requires that wireless telecommunication facilities be at least 100 feet away from residential uses. Therefore, the wireless telecommunications facility is in compliance with the current Municipal Code separation requirement.
Wireless Facility Design
Staff has notified the applicant in writing that the proposed increase in canister width defeats the means of concealment and would no longer provide the required stealthing. Therefore, should be redesigned. The applicant has chosen to proceed with the Planning Commission hearing with the design as originally proposed.
The primary focus on any flag pole should be the flag that is being displayed. The increase in width defeats the means of concealment and is no longer considered stealth because the width of the shroud detracts from the visual display of the American flag. The flag appears out of scale and diminished in size due to the proposed 4-foot wide shroud. In addition, the presence of another flag pole on the same park that is markedly dissimilar and significantly narrower than the proposed flag pole design would make the telecommunication antenna appear to be more prominent.
The primary focus on any flag pole should be the flag that is being displayed. The increase in width defeats the means of concealment and is no longer considered stealth because the width of the shroud detracts from the visual display of the American flag. The flag appears out of scale and diminished in size due to the proposed 4-foot wide shroud. In addition, the presence of another flag pole on the same park that is markedly dissimilar and significantly narrower than the proposed flag pole design would make the telecommunication antenna appear to be more prominent.
In staff's opinion, an alternative design such as a faux tree to blend with other trees on the park, a small clock-tower, or a unique public art design will provide the necessary stealthing and will serve the park better. As the property owner, the City has not approved the proposed flag pole design.
REQUIRED FINDINGS
Before an application for a conditional use permit can be made, the following findings shall be made:
a.That such use will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, peace or general welfare or persons residing or working in the vicinity or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity.
b.That the site for the proposed use is adequate in size and is so shaped as to accommodate said use, as well as, all yards, spaces, walls, fences, parking, loading, landscaping, and any other features necessary to adjust such use with the land and uses in the neighborhood and make it compatible thereto.
c. That the site abuts streets and highways adequate in width and improvements to carry traffic generations typical of the proposed uses and the street patterns of such a nature exist as to guarantee that such generation will not be channeled through residential areas on local residential streets.
d.That the granting of such conditional use permit will not adversely affect the General Plan of the City, or any other adopted plan of the City.
e. The facility structures and equipment are located, designed and screened to blend with the existing natural environment or built surroundings to reduce visual impacts to the extent feasible considering the technological requirements of the proposed telecommunications service and the need to be compatible with neighboring residents and the character of the community.
f.The facility is designed to blend with any existing supporting structures and does not substantially alter the character of the structure or local area.
As proposed, staff is not able to make the Findings and because the increase in width of the shroud detracts from the visual display of the American flag and the proposed flag pole design would not blend in with the environment and other structures on the site. The project was not designed to reduce visual impacts.
a.That such use will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, peace or general welfare or persons residing or working in the vicinity or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity.
b.That the site for the proposed use is adequate in size and is so shaped as to accommodate said use, as well as, all yards, spaces, walls, fences, parking, loading, landscaping, and any other features necessary to adjust such use with the land and uses in the neighborhood and make it compatible thereto.
c. That the site abuts streets and highways adequate in width and improvements to carry traffic generations typical of the proposed uses and the street patterns of such a nature exist as to guarantee that such generation will not be channeled through residential areas on local residential streets.
d.That the granting of such conditional use permit will not adversely affect the General Plan of the City, or any other adopted plan of the City.
e. The facility structures and equipment are located, designed and screened to blend with the existing natural environment or built surroundings to reduce visual impacts to the extent feasible considering the technological requirements of the proposed telecommunications service and the need to be compatible with neighboring residents and the character of the community.
f.The facility is designed to blend with any existing supporting structures and does not substantially alter the character of the structure or local area.
As proposed, staff is not able to make the Findings and because the increase in width of the shroud detracts from the visual display of the American flag and the proposed flag pole design would not blend in with the environment and other structures on the site. The project was not designed to reduce visual impacts.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the proposed project is considered to be categorically exempt, pursuant to Section 15303 (Class 1, Existing Facilities) in that it consists of minor alterations of the existing structure in order to operate the requested use.
LEGAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission continue the item with direction to the applicant to redesign the proposed wireless telecommunications facility as a faux tree, or other structure to fit the existing landscaping of Walmerado Park.
OPTIONS:
Plans may be viewed at the West Covina City Hall Planning Division Counter at 1444 W. Garvey Avenue South, 2nd Floor - Room 208, West Covina CA 91790.
Submitted by:
Miriam Machado, Associate Planner