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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/2/2003 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 2, 2003 Present: Mr. Al Thomason Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Don Witt Mr. Steve Azar Mr. Todd Ross Mr. John Murphy Mr. Chris Lowe Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary WORK SESSION: Session opened at 3:34 p.m. by Mr. Witt. Approval of Agenda Mr. Ross moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 5 -0. Approval of Minutes Ms. Hooker moved to approve the November minutes with changes. Motion passed 5 -0. Site Viewing The Commission left for site viewing at 3:39 p.m. and reconvened in the Board meeting room at 5:00pm for a worksession with the Board of Supervisors and Citizen's for Smart Growth. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Don Witt called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Mr. Witt gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. There was the petition of Cellco Partnership to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a broadcasting tower on 3.059 acres located at 6720 Thirlane Road, Catawba, Magisterial District. Mr. John Murphy, Roanoke County Planning, presented the Staff Report for this petition. Ms. Hooker asked about proposed lighting on the tower. Mr. Murphy stated that due to the proximity to the airport that lighting of some type will be required and that various levels of intensity are available. He stated options include barber pole, white strobe -light required during daylight and red lighting at night. Ms. Hooker asked if the tower currently being leased would be taken down if this petition is approved. Mr. Murphy requested the question be asked of the petitioner. Mr. Azar asked if the red strobe on the crane was for demonstration or was it a requirement. Mr. Murphy stated it was required. Mr. Azar requested information regarding the placement of the telecommunication facility. Mr. Murphy explained the site plan. He stated the petitioner would be able to subdivide the property for additional development. Mr. Thomason asked if the height limit of 127 feet is the absolute height limit. Mr. Murphy deferred the question to the petitioner. Mr. Thomason asked about the type of fencing to be installed around the site. Mr. Murphy stated it would most likely be chain link for security purposes. He stated 2 or 3 sides of the tower area would be surrounded by the building. Mr. Thomason expressed concern regarding the security of the children playing in the area. Mr. Richard Sayers, legal counsel for the petitioner, stated the petitioner plans to make this facility the hub of his operation. He introduced Mr. Jack Ellinwood from Engineering Concepts, Mark Stollinger, and Marshall Pearsall from Verizon. Mr. Ellinwood explained Verizon's operations including their requirements of the site. He stated the petitioner searched for a site that has capability and functionality for their operation. He stated 127 feet is the maximum height permitted by the FAA. He explained the site plan. He stated the original parcel consisted of 7 acres. He stated 314 of the building would house data machinery while the remaining space will be for administrative staff, He stated VDOT has approved the entrance and it has adequate site distance. He stated that utilities, water and sewer and storm water management have been researched with positive results. He stated the nearest residence is 350 feet away from the proposed cell tower site with the nearest commercial facility being 102 feet away. He stated to insure the security of the site, an 8 ft. fence with lockable access gates will be installed. He stated Exhibit G illustrates the increase of serviceability and reliability this site would offer. He stated Exhibit A shows how area coverage will be strengthened. He referred to 2 photos that illustrate how the terrain allows you to lose sight of the tower from a relatively short distance away from the tower. He explained some buffering already exists on the site. Mr. Ellinwood stated Verizon researched the lighting requirements. He stated that the FAA has approved a red beacon at night and white strobe lights during the day. He stated the red light is 2000 candelas, while the white light 20,000 candelas. He stated that in comparison a car's high beam lights are approximately 100,000 candelas. Ms. Hooker asked if it would be a steady red light at night. Mr. Ellinwood affirmed the red beacon would be a steady light. Ms. Hooker asked if a maximum of seven dishes would be on the tower. Mr. Pearsall stated initially only three dishes would be used although the tower is designed for seven dishes. Ms. Hooker asked if since they will be using the maximum height for the tower, would they have a need for additional towers more quickly. Mr. Pearsall stated the proposed tower fits their needs well. Mr. Stollinger referred to the last page of the proposal noting the increased coverage. Mr. Pearsall stated Verizon would become a world class network in this area with this facility being used as a telecommunication hub. He stated it would replace the network computer center which is now located at Valleypointe. He noted since "9 -11" more emphasis has been place on security. He stated their current facility could easily be penetrated. He stated this center will also be able to service land lines. He stated during Hurricane Isabel cell service survived when land lines did not. He noted this assisted emergency services. Mr. Azar asked the color of the microwave dishes to be installed on the tower. Mr. Pearsall stated usually the dishes are gray or whitish in color. Mr. Witt asked about the power supply noise. Mr. Pearsall stated a muffler will be installed for added quietness. Mr. Witt expressed concern the tower would interfer with the radio frequency of a neighboring church. Mr. Stollinger stated this problem would be very remote since they will be using top rate filters. He stated they would offer assistance to anyone having problems due to the tower. Mr. Matthew Allagas, 6828 Thirlane Road, stated he does not believe his house is 300 feet from the tower. He expressed concern his property value will decrease. He stated it is a predominantly black neighborhood. He asked why the tower was not being erected in a white neighborhood. Mr. Witt noted a tower was erected near the Hunting Hills subdivision. Mr. Azar asked Mr. Allagas, for reference purposes, which house was his residence. Mr. Allagas stated his home has the West Virginia flag on the property. Mr. Eric Lewis, 7008 Thirlane Road, stated he is interested in the betterment of his community. He stated vehicles speed through the neighborhood. He stated recently the police have been monitoring the speeding vehicles since Mr. Murphy reported the community's complaint to the Roanoke County Police Department. Mr. Lewis stated Connie Drive [c1 residences on one side of the road have no public water or sewer but nearby commercial properties do have public utilities. He stated he was told his area was rural like the Catawba area that does not have public water or sewer. He stated his home is 112 mile from Peters Creek Road. He stated nearby North Lakes subdivision also has public water. He stated only one fire hydrant has water in the neighborhood. He noted two houses have burned down in this area. Mr. Witt suggested the neighborhood organize a Community Group. Mr. Lewis stated there are very few residents in this area and most of them are older. He stated he represents the community. He stated the tower does not benefit his community. Ms. Hooker noted the Catawba district is expansive and has diverse types of issues. She expressed concern regarding dry fire hydrants. She stated she is pleased staff contacted the police department. Ms. Martha Hooker made a motion, reading from a finding of facts, for a favorable recommendation of the request with the following conditions: 1. The site and location of the broadcast tower shall be in substantial conformity with the concept plan prepared by Engineering Concepts, Inc. dated October 22, 2003. 2. The maximum height of the broadcast tower shall be 127 feet. 3. The broadcast tower shall only be constructed in conjunction with the proposed 17,000 square foot switching station. Mr. Witt requested the following conditions be added: 4. The broadcasting tower shall be monopole in design. 5. The lighting shall be as presented. Mr. Azar requested the following condition be included: 6. Any and all fixed antennas and microwave dishes shall be light gray in color to match the tower. AYES: Thomason, Hooker, Witt, Azar, Ross NAYS: None ABSENT: None Mr. Witt commended the petitioner on his presentation. Conditions were revised for the BOS Public Hearing as follows: (1) The site and location of the broadcast tower shall be in substantial conformity with the concept plan prepared by Engineering Concepts, Inc. dated October 22, 2003. (See Exhibit C in 0 Petitioner's Special Use Permit Application prepared by Engineering Concepts, Inc.) (2) The maximum height of the broadcast tower shall be 127 feet. (3) The broadcast tower shall only be constructed in conjunction with the proposed switching station. (4) The broadcasting tower shall be monopole in design. (5) The lighting shall be in accordance with the October 8, 2003, FAA approval, pertaining to Obstruction Markings and Lighting Regulations. (6) Any and all fixed antennas and microwave dishes shall be light gray in color to match the tower. 2. There was the petition of Berk, LLC to obtain a Special Use Permit to construct a mini warehouse facility on 4.0 acres located in the 5300 Block of Hollins Road, Hollins Magisterial District. Mr. Chris Lowe, Roanoke County Planning, presented the Staff Report for this petition. Mr. Sean Goldsmith, Providence Engineering, represented the petitioner. Mr. Ross asked the petitioner if they would agree with the suggested conditions. Mr. Goldsmith stated they would agree to the conditions with some minor modifications. Mr. Witt asked about Economic Development's opinion of this petition. Mr. Lowe stated Hollins Road is Priority 1 on the 6 -Year Road Plan. He stated Economic Development is concerned about the number of mini - warehouses being built in the county. He stated they would prefer a larger revenue producing business in this area since the road is to undergo costly expansion and improvements. Mr. Goldsmith stated the original parcel was 4 acres until VDOT purchased additional property for their right of way. He explained the Concept Plan to the commissioners. He stated the property is sloped towards the road. He discussed stormwater management and buffering. He stated they plan to use Option 2 from the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Ross inquired about the number of units to be in the facility. Mr. Goldsmith stated they are unsure of the exact number but they plan to have approximately 270 units. Mr. Ron Kessinger, Berk LLC, stated they also plan to have storage areas for motor homes and cars. Mr. Goldsmith stated the motor home and boat trailer units would most likely be on the backside of the normal units. Mr. Ross asked if the storage areas would be covered. Mr. Goldsmith stated yes and all units would have doors which can be locked. Mr. Ross inquired about buffering around the property. Mr. Lowe stated a 25 foot buffer would be Kest, but a 15 foot minimum would be acceptable. He stated Option 2 would be acceptable. Mr. Witt asked about the topography. Mr. Goldsmith stated on the upper level a 8 -9 ft. retaining wall will be constructed with additional landscaping behind the wall. Mr. Witt asked if the buildings would be neutral in color. Mr. Kessinger stated they have thought about using white or beige with blue trim. He noted 5 VDOT took approximately 2 acres of his land for the proposed road expansion. There were no citizen comments. Mr. Ross then made the motion for favorable approval of the special use permit with the following conditions: 1. A buffer yard shall be established to the rear of the property, utilizing Type B, Option 2 from the Screening, Landscaping, and Buffer Yards standards. 2. No off - premise advertising signs shall be constructed on the property. 3. A minimum 15' wide riparian buffer shall be designed and installed along the edge of pavement from the access point to the southern property line. This buffer shall be between the stormwater detention facility and the developed area and will help with stormwater quality for this site. This buffer shall be a combination of groundcover, shrubs, and trees. 4. 100% of the developed site and impervious development shall be detained in a stormwater detention facility. if for some reason because of site constraints, there is a portion of the site that cannot be detained in a facility, then the applicant shall to send a letter explaining the constraints of the property and receive permission from the Roanoke County Engineering Staff to take alternative measures for detention. 5, The buildings shall be neutral in color. AYES: Thomason, Hooker, Azar, Ross, Witt NAYS: None ABSENT: None Conditions were revised for the BOS Public Hearing as follows: (1) A buffer yard shall be established to the rear of the property, utilizing Type B, Option 2 from the Screening, Landscaping, and Buffer Yards standards. (2) No off - premise advertising signs shall be constructed on the property. (3) A minimum 15' wide riparian buffer shall be designed and installed along the edge of pavement from the access point to the southern property line. This buffer shall be between the storm water detention facility and the developed area and will help with storm water quality for this site. This buffer shall be a combination of groundcover, shrubs, and trees. (4) 100% of the storm water runoff from the developed site and impervious surfaces shall be detained in a storm water detention G'' facility. If there is a portion of the site's storm water runoff that cannot be detained in a storm water detention facility, then the applicant shall request written permission from the Roanoke County Engineering staff to take alternative measures for detention. (5) The buildings shall be neutral in color. Citizens Comments There were no citizen comments. Comments Ms. Scheid noted the Planning Commission attended the BOS Worksession regarding Smart Growth. She stated a Joint Worksession with the BOS will be held on December 16 Mr. Witt expressed concern regarding Comprehensive Plan timeline. Ms. Scheid noted attention to other issues has pushed the Comp Plan behind schedule. Ms. Hooker deferred her chairman of the Planning Commission appointment for 2004. It was noted Mr. Thomason is next in succession. Mr. Thomason stated he would accept the position for 2004. Ms. Scheid and Mr. Witt discussed the status of the proposed letter to Mr. Boone. Final Orders 1. The petition of Jeffrey Glick to Rezone .81 acres from R -1 Low Density Residential District to C -1 Office District in order to operate a general office, located in 2415 Electric Road, Windsor Hills Magisterial District was approved with conditions by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on November 18, 2003. 2. The petition of Buck Mountain Land, LLC to Rezone 1.88 acres from 1 -2 Industrial District to AR Agricultural /Residential District in order to construct single family dwellings, located on Eagle Crest Drive, Cave Spring Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on November 18, 2003. There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m. Respectfully Submitted C3 ------ Approved: Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission 7