Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/5/2016 - MinutesCommissioners Present: Mr. Wayne Bower Mr. Don Butzer Mr. Rick James Mr. Gene Marrano Mr. Jim Woltz Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Peter Lubeck, Senior Assistant County Attorney Ms. Megan Cronise Ms. Becky James Mr. Tori Williams Mr. Brian Hughes Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary Work Session Mr. James called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Marrano made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 5-0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Butzer made a motion to approve the minutes of March 1, 2016, which passed 4-0-1, with: Mr. Marrano abstaining. Mr. Bower made a motion to approve the minutes of March 15, 2016, which passed 5-0. Consent Agenda Mr. Hughes provided an overview of the Star City Church of Christ petition, including a brief history of the property, current zoning, and future land use designation. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Hughes, and the Commission discussed the impacts and regulations regarding the proposed use of the property. Mr. Hughes provided an overview of the petition of Julie Abernethy, Friendship Apartment Village Corporation, including the concept plan, surrounding zoning, future land use designation. He reviewed the design standards, including issues regarding traffic, parking, lighting, and sanitation. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Lubeck, and the Commission discussed noise regulations and restrictions. Mr. Hughes stated a community meeting Page 1 of 5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 5, 2016 will be held on April 11, 2016, at Roanoke County Fire Station #1, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 P.M. Mr. Woltz made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which passed 5-0 Citizen Comments There were none. Commissioners' and Staff Comments Mr. Thompson discussed protocol regarding discussion of the petitions with outside entities prior to the public hearing. He stated all media inquiries need to be directed to Ms. Amy Whitaker, Roanoke County Public Information Officer. Mr. Marrano discussed meetings which are being held by Roanoke City regarding future wireless communications and increased data usage in the area. Mr. James adjourned the meeting for site viewing at 4:39 p.m. EVENING SESSION Mr. James called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Marrano gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. The petition of David B. McClure, Apex Towers, LLC to obtain a Special Use Permit for a broadcasting tower (cell tower) approximately 154 feet in height in a 1-2, High Intensity Industrial, District on approximately 4.58 acres, located at 5119 Hollins Road, Hollins Magisterial District. Ms. James presented the staff report, including the concept plan, property access, buffering, and suggested conditions. She reviewed citizen input which was received at the community meeting, including concerns regarding visibility, location of tower, and service issues. She stated the reports from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Federal Aviation Association (FAA), and propagation maps, have been reviewed by Mr. George Condyles and staff. Mr. Bower inquired about lighting requirements. Ms. James stated the FAA does not require lighting for the tower. Mr. David McClure, Apex, LLC, provided a PowerPoint presentation, including a history of the company and description of the 150 broadcasting tower and 4 foot lightening rod. He stated the tower will be designed for co -location of multiple tenants. He stated the proposed tower would increase Verizon's capacity and improve coverage and public safety access. He discussed providing more in - building coverage, noting the need for data service has increased. He reviewed the site map, noting the nearest residence is approximately 1,000 feet from the tower. He reviewed the propagation maps for the surrounding service area, including maps with the proposed tower and without the proposed tower. He stated the proposed tower will close the coverage gap in the area. He reviewed photo simulations of the proposed tower. He reviewed the disclosures, noting Page 2of5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 5, 2016 there are no habitable structures within 300 feet of the tower, no other towers are nearby which will provide adequate service, and the proposed tower will have no adverse environmental effects. He discussed abandonment issues, promoting co -location, and providing additional coverage. He stated many homes no longer have land -lines, relying totally on wireless service. Mr. James inquired about the status of a cellular carrier agreement. Mr. McClure discussed the status of the Verizon contract process. Mr. Marrano inquired about the propagation map. Mr. McClure reviewed the map, discussing coverage issues with other sites. He stated additional towers may be needed in the future due to the increasing use of data services. He stated transmission issues are due to the topography and shadowing effect in the area. Mr. Marrano inquired about camouflaging towers. Mr. McClure discussed this issue, noting seasonal changes affect the visibility of the tower. Mr. Marrano noted the viewshed is important to this area. Mr. McClure suggested the County begin planning where towers will be allowed due to the increasing volume of data transmission. Mr. George Condyles, Atlantic Technology Consultants, Inc., provided an overview of the application, requirements and reports, including the findings of the NEPA study, Section 106 study, and FAA study. He discussed the Affordable Housing Act provision allowing the tower to be raised 20%. He stated the tower meets the current ordinance for not requiring lighting. He reviewed the use of wireless router. He discussed existing buffering and topography. He compared the proposed monopole tower to other towers in the area. He stated the proposed tower will be constructed according to breakpoint technology which insures the tower will fall upon itself. He reviewed the propagation maps. He stated the wireless carrier is the tenant of the property on which the tower is located. He stated the proposed tower meets requirements and recommended approval based on its own merits. Mr. Marrano inquired if other carriers can co -locate on the site. Mr. Condyles discussed this issue. He suggested creating an inventory of sites to determine areas future towers should be constructed to provide complete coverage for the area. He discussed the installation of tall towers, mini -towers, and micro -cells. Mr. Marrano inquired about broadband service. Mr. Condyles discussed this issue. Mr. Marrano suggested having wireless facilities meetings. Mr. James opened the public hearing for public comment. Ms. Barbara Montrose, 1508 Beaumont Road, inquired about consideration for health concerns. She stated citizens need to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the towers. Mr. Condyles stated the FCC is responsible for radiowave allocation. He discussed the FCC frequency chart and license requirements for ionizing and non -ionizing radiation. He stated the proposed Page 3of5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 5, 2016 tower type emits non -ionizing radiation. He noted the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors are not permitted to take this issue into consideration. With no other citizens requesting to speak, Mr. James closed the public hearing. Mr. Lubeck and the Commission discussed the suggested conditions, noting the petitioner would be required to come back to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors if Federal regulations change regarding tower height and lighting requirements. Mr. Butzer made a motion to recommend approval of the petition with the following conditions: 1. Total height of the tower shall not exceed 154 feet. 2. Lighting on the broadcasting tower shall not be permitted, unless required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Mr. Lubeck and the Commission discussed conditions, noting the petitioner would be required to come back to the Planning Commission if regulations change. Mr. Thompson called the roil and the motion passed (5-0) with the following vote: AYES: Bower, Butzer, James, Marrano, Woltz NAYES: None ABSTAIN: None Citizen Comments There were none. Commissioners' and Staff Comments Mr. Thompson provided a status update regarding the Strategic Plan process. He stated the third meetings will be held on April 7, 2016, for the Economic Development Focus Group at the Vinton War Memorial and the Transportation Focus Group will be at the Public Safety Building. He provided an overview of the fourth meetings which will be held on April 25, 2016 and April 28, 2016, Mr. Thompson stated a community meeting regarding the petition of Julie Abernethy, Friendship Apartment Village Corp., will be held on April 11, 2016, at Roanoke County Fire Station #1, 150 Hershberger Road, from 6:00 p.m. -- 8:00 p.m. Final Orders 1. The petition of Drew Patterson (Verizon Wireless Agent) to obtain a Special Use Permit for a broadcasting tower (cell tower) approximately 150 feet in height in a I- 1, Low Intensity Industrial, District on approximately 64.62 acres, located at 7014 Page 4 of 5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 5, 2016 Old Mountain Road, Hollins Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at a Public Hearing on March 22, 2016. With no further business or comments, Mr. James adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: �A Susan McCoy Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission 6i , 'd, Philip T ompson Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission 14. �—Q �n Rick James Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 5 of 5