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ITEM 5 |
Planning & Zoning Commission Memorandum Development Services Memo No. 22-052
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Date: |
11/16/2022 |
To: |
Planning and Zoning Commission |
Thru: |
Kevin Mayo, Planning Administrator David de la Torre, Planning Manager |
From: |
Benjamin Cereceres, Planner |
Subject: |
PLH22-0005 Crown Castle Wireless |
Request: |
Request Use Permit approval to install a wireless communication facility. |
Location: |
2055 S. Stearman Drive at the southeast corner of Germann Road and Stearman Drive |
Applicant: |
Declan Murphy; VoloGroup |
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Proposed Motion: |
Move Planning and Zoning Commission continue PLH22-0005 Crown Castle Wireless to January 18, 2023 for the purpose of discussing the item in a Design Review Committee to be held on December 7, 2022, as recommended by Planning staff. |
Background Data: |
- Planned Area Development (PAD) for Business Park.
- Zoning code requires a use permit for a wireless facility that is not co-located on an existing pole and which creates a new pole holding a wireless facility.
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Surrounding Land Use Data: |
North |
Across Germann Road: PAD for commercial |
South |
Charter school |
East |
PAD for commercial |
West |
Across Stearman Drive: PAD for office and light industrial |
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Proposed Business Operations (for Use Permit) or Proposed Development (for PDP) |
Type of Tower |
Broadleaf Tree |
Total height to top of Broadleaf Tree |
80' |
Center of T-Mobile Antenna |
76' |
Center of Future Carrier (1) |
66' |
Center of Future Carrier (2) |
56' |
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Review and Recommendation: |
This Use Permit request is to establish a broadleaf tree wireless telecommunication facility. During review, Planning staff tried to work with the applicant to address a couple of concerns; 1) proposed height and 2) providing a facility that is visually unobtrusive and natural looking. Staff asked the applicant to reduce the height of the proposed 80' wireless facility to 65' and to enhance the design of the facility so that it is not considered visibly or physically intrusive. Historically the City of Chandler has approved wireless telecommunication facilities that are a maximum height of 65'. Planning staff has conducted research of approved wireless communication facilities since 2010 and the maximum height permitted within the last 12 years has been 62'. The applicant is required to provide a list of wireless communication facilities that are equal to or taller than the proposed height within 1 square mile of the proposed location. According to the applicant, there is one location that is within Maricopa County's jurisdiction and the height is called out at 70' which is still lower by 10' than the proposed 80' tall facility. In addition, an inventory of wireless communication facilities within two (2) miles of the site was provided with the tallest site being a light pole within the Town of Gilbert school property with a height of 75'. Staff finds that the proposed broadleaf tree design is visually obtrusive as it more closely resembles a pipe cleaner rather than a tree with a natural look. For this reason, staff asked the applicant to modify the tree type from a broad leaf tree to a palm. As an alternative to a monopalm, staff is also open to a more natural looking tree design. However, the applicant has stated that the proposed broadleaf tree is desired due to better screening of the proposed wireless provider equipment, and it provides co-location opportunities for a total of three (3) wireless facilities being able to locate on the broadleaf tree. Currently, no existing wireless telecommunication facilities exist on site. A wireless communication facility is not permitted by right and must receive Use Permit approval in order to have a wireless communication facility on the property that is not collocated on an existing pole. Staff has reviewed the request and finds that it's not consistent with the General Plan and Zoning code. |
Public / Neighborhood Notification |
- This request was noticed in accordance with the requirements of the Chandler Zoning Code.
- A neighborhood meeting sign was posted on the site and on social media via NextDoor.
- No neighborhood meeting was held since no residents live within the notification area.
- As of the writing of this memo, Planning staff is not aware of any opposition to the request.
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Recommended Conditions of Approval |
Planning staff recommends Planning and Zoning Commission continue PLH22-0005 Crown Castle Wireless to January 18, 2023 for the purpose of discussing the item in a Design Review Committee to be held on December 7, 2022. |
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