HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-21; Planning Commission; ; CUP 96-06 - PCS 150 MOUNT KELLY'' 'I
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l ~ The liity of CARLSBAD Planning Department -rf? U
A REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
P.C. AGENDA OF: August 21, 1996
ItemNo. ®
Application complete date: May 29, 1996
Project Planner: J. Gibson
Project Engineer: M. Shirey
SUBJECT: CUP 96-06 -PCS 150 MOUNT KELLY -Request for approval of a Negative
Declaration and Conditional Use Permit to allow the installation of six ground
mounted Personal Communication System equipment cabinets, six panel
antennas, and one ten inch oval Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna
mounted on a 54.6 foot high replacement monopole, all at the Ellery Reservoir
Facility. The site is located at 2237 Janis Way in the R-A-10-Q Zone, in Local
Facilities Management Plan Zone 1.
I. RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning Commission ADOPT Planning Commission Resolution No. 3974
APPROVING the Negative Declaration issued by the Planning Director, and ADOPT Planning
Commission Resolution No. 3975 APPROVING the Conditional Use Permit, CUP 96-06, based
on the findings and subject to the conditions contained therein.
II. INTRODUCTION
This application is a request for a conditional use permit (CUP) to allow Personal
Communication System (PCS) equipment cabinets and antennas at the Carlsbad Water District's
Ellery Reservoir site on Janis Way. The site is zoned R-A-10-Q which means that accessory
public and quasi-public utility buildings and facilities are permitted with a CUP. All findings
required for the approval of this CUP can be made.
III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND
Cox California PCS, Inc. is a PCS company and is a public utility licensed to operate in
California by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Cox California PCS Inc. is in
the process of building a PCS network throughout San Diego County to service it's local
subscribers. PCS telecommunications technology (digital wireless) is emerging as an important
emergency service and business tool, as well as being convenient for personal and family use.
The network is similar to a cellular telephone network, with digital technology improving on the
sound quality of cellular.
The project site is approximately 300 square feet in size and is located adjacent to the southern
side of the water reservoir tank at the 1.44 acre Ellery Reservoir Facility. The property contains
the very large 33.5 foot high circular water tank with accessory water pumping equipment, an
existing 54.5 foot high monopole containing public safety radio communication whip antennas,
CUP 96-06 -PCS 150 :tv1JUNT KELLY
AUGUST 21, 1996
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an asphalt access road around the entire water tank, and a chain link security fence around the
entire perimeter of the reservoir property. The project site is located between the 33.5 foot high
water tank directly to the north and a 13 foot high manufactured cut slope planted with existing
lush ornamental landscaping directly to the south. The entire Ellery Reservoir Facility is
surrounded by existing single-family homes with access provided to the property by Janis Way.
The residential development located directly south and west of the project site is approximately
13 feet higher in elevation and the residential development directly east is approximately 13 to
20 feet lower in elevation. The project site contains no native habitat and there is ornamental
landscaping, including groundcover, trees and shrubs, planted along the slopes and 'the perimeter
access road surrounding the water tank.
The proposed project includes six equipment cabinets, each with dimensions of 3' wide x 3' deep
x 5' high, that would be ground mounted and screened by a retaining wall. The cabinet enclosure
would face the existing water tank, be screened by the retaining wall and the adjacent
topography, and would not be visible from the surrounding residential property. In addition,
there would be a total of six panel antennas and one ten inch oval GPS antenna, all mounted on a
54.5 foot high replacement monopole. The new replacement monopole would be the same
height as the existing monopole, constructed in the same location, and the public safety whip
antennas would be reattached at the top of the pole. The new monopole would be structurally
stronger to accommodate the added weight of the new PCS antennas that would be located at an
elevation of approximately 48 feet on the pole.
This proposed project is subject to the following regulations:
A. R-A-10-Q -Residential Agricultural Zone (Chapter 21.08 of the Carlsbad
Municipal Code);
B. Conditional Use Permit Regulations (Chapter 21.42 of the Carlsbad Municipal
Code); and
C. Growth Management.
IV. ANALYSIS
Staff is recommending approval of this project for the reasons stated in the staff report.
Consequently, this analysis section was developed by analyzing the project's consistency with the
applicable plans, policies, regulations and standards listed above and presented through the use
of the following text.
A. R-A-10-Q-Residential Agricultural Zone
Chapter 21.42.010(2)(J)(Conditional Uses -Permitted Uses) allows accessory public and quasi-
public buildings and facilities in all zones, including residential zones, by approval of a CUP.
CUP 96-06 -PCS 150 MO~ 1 KELLY
AUGUST 21, 1996
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B. Conditional Use Permit
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Conditional land uses such as PCS facilities possess unique and special characteristics which
make it impractical to include them as permitted uses "by right" in any of the various zoning
classifications, i.e. residential, and industrial. The authority for the location and operation of
these uses is subject to Planning Commission review and the issuance of conditional use permits.
The following facts are found to exist for this conditional use permit:
1. The requested use is necessary and desirable for the development of the community, in
that the community benefits of PCS include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Wireless communication will improve telecommunication service by providing
mobile voice and data transmissions;
• Potentially provide enhanced emergency response for police, fire and paramedic
services;
• Improve voice and data quality through the use of all-digital technology, which
will eliminate fading, dropping and crackling that can interrupt regular wireless
calls;
• Provide one personal portable phone number for voice, voice mail, pager, data
and facsimile; and
• This PCS facility has been designed to accommodate approximately 2,460 calls at
peak hour capacity and provide service to the community within approximately ½
to 2 miles.
2. The proposed project is consistent with the Residential Low Medium (RLM) General
Plan designation in that the proposed use will allow continued provision of wireless
communication facilities for the community and region as a whole, including
communication for public safety entities. Further, the utility land use is permitted in all
zones subject to approval of a CUP.
3. The 1 ocation of the use is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the utility use and
all features necessary to adjust the use to the existing public utility facility have been
provided, in that the equipment cabinets would be placed behind a wall for screening and
would not block the driveway access around the water tank. The panel antennas would
be placed on a structurally stronger replacement monopole in the same location as the
existing monopole. Because the equipment cabinets are screened from view and a large
portion of the monopole would be screened by the existing water tank, surrounding
topography, and the existing mature landscaping located around the property, there will
not be adverse visual impacts from the addition of the PCS equipment and antennas.
CUP 96-06 -PCS 150 MvUNT KELLY
AUGUST 21, 1996
PAGE4
4. The accessory utility use is located at an existing public utility facility and will not
generate significant additional traffic, therefore, the street system serving the use is
adequate to properly handle any traffic generated by the use. The use will require
occasional maintenance trips (1 trip approximately every 3 months) and the proposed
facility can be operated from an off site central facility.
C. Growth Management
The proposed site is located within Local Facilities Management Plan Zone 1 in the northwestern
quadrant of the City. The installation of the communication equipment cabinets and antennas at
an existing public utility facility will not result in increased public facilities demands and
therefore, the project will not exceed performance standards for public facilities.
V. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Cox California PCS, Inc. is licensed by the FCC to transmit in the 1930-1945 MHz frequency
band. Based on a preliminary engineering PCS Emission Report on file in the Planning
Department, the facility would be in compliance with radio frequency power density standards
(American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(IEEE) C95 .1-1992) for the general public. In addition, there are no residential structures within
approximately 62 feet of the base of the 54.5 foot high monopole. The Planning Director has
detennined that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and has
published a public notice for a Negative Declaration per the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act and Title 19 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code. The Negative
Declaration was publicly noticed for 30 days, beginning July 5, 1996, and no public comments
were received during this public review period. The decision to issue a Negative Declaration
was based on the findings of the Environmental Assessment Part-II (Initial Study), the
preliminary PCS Emission Report, and a field survey by staff.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Planning Commission Resolution No. 3974
2. Planning Commission Resolution No. 3975
3. Location Map
4. Background Data Sheet
5. Disclosure Statement
6. Reduced Exhibits
7. Exhibit "A" -"E", dated August 21, 1996
Aus I, 1996 JG:bk
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\
PCS 150 MOUNT KELLY
CUP 96-06
BACKGROUNDDATASHEET \
CASE NO: -=C:;.,.;:UP~9-=6.....;-0:-6 _________________________ _
CASE NAME: PCS 150 Mount Kelly
APPLICANT: Cox California PCS Inc.
REQUEST AND LOCATION: Conditional Use Permit to allow installation of 6 equipment cabinets and 7
PCS antennas on a replacement monopole.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Parcel 1 of Map No. 878. City of Carlsbad, County of San Diego. State of
California, filed in July 3. 1972. in the office of the San Diego County Recorder.
APN:_---'1~6~7-~5~4~0-~5_2 __
(Assessor's Parcel Number)
Acres 1.44 Proposed No. of Lots/Units n/a
GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING
Land Use Designation Residential Low Medium {RLM)
Density Allowed -"'n/"""a _______ Density Proposed ..::.:n/::....:a=---
Existing Zone R-A-10-O Proposed Zone -"'n/"""a _____ _
Surrounding Zoning and Land Use: (See attached for information on Carlsbad's Zoning Requirements)
Zoning Land Use
Site R-A-10-Q Public Utility
North R-A-10-Q Single-family Residential
South R-A-10-Q Single-family Residential
East R-A-10-Q Single-family Residential
West R-A-10-Q Single-family Residential
PUBLIC FACILITIES
School District Carlsbad Water District Carlsbad Sewer District Carlsbad
Equivalent Dwelling Units (Sewer Capacity) -'-n"""/a ________________________ _
Public Facilities Fee Agreement, dated -=-n=/a=-------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
__x_ Negative Declaration, issued __ J'""u'"'"ly...__5.._. """'I 9a..a9 .... 6 _____________________ _
_ Certified Environmental Impact Report, dated ____________________ _
_ Other,--------------------------------------
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City of Carlsbad
■:;; 61 ,i ,ii ,t• I •l~l-i=i, i, ,t§ ,II
DISCWSURE STATEMENT
APPLICANT'S STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN OWNERSHIP INTERESTS ON ALL APPLICATIONS WHICH WILL REQUIRE
DISCRETlONARY ACTION ONT HE PART OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OR ANY APPOINTED BOARD, COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE.
(Please Print)
The following information must be disclosed:
I. Applicant
List the names and addresses of all persons having a financial interest in the application.
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2. Owner
List the names and addresses of all persons having any ownership interest in the property invol~ed.
c.+~ £ C-~:5~
3. If any person identified pursuant to ( 1) or (2) above is a corporation or partnership, list the names and addresses of all
individuals owning more than 10% of the shares in the corporation or owning any partnership interest in the partnership.
4. If any person identified pursuant to (1) or (2) above is a non-profit organization or a trust, list the names and addresses
of any person serving as officer or director of the non-profit organization or as trustee or beneficiary of the trust.
FRM 13 4/91
2075 Las Palmas Drive • Carlsbad, California 92009-1576
Page 1 of 2
• (li19)438-1161
(Over/
Disclosure Statement Page 2
5. Have you had more than $250 worth of business transacted with any member of City staff,
Boards, Commissions, Committees and Council within the past twelve months?
Yes _ No -A-If yes, please indicate person(s) _________________ _
PERSON is defined as: "Any individual, firm copartnership, joint venture, association, social club, fraternal organization, corporation, estate,
trust, receiver, syndicate, this and any other county, city and county, city municipality, district or other political subdivision, or any other
group or combination acing as a unit."
(NOTE: Attach additional pages as necessary.)
'Signatare of. app!icant/deS
Rick Scott
Print or type name of applicant·
FRM 13 4/91 Page 2 of 2