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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-04; Planning Commission; ; CUP 99-14A - T-MOBILE-CARLSBAD HIGH SCHOOL WCThe City of Carlsbad Planning Department A REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION Item No. P.C. AGENDA OF: February 4, 2009 Application complete date: October 21, 2008 Project Planner: Dan Halverson Project Engineer: Tecla Levy SUBJECT: CUP 99-14(A) - T-MOBILE-CARLSBAD HIGH SCHOOL WCF - Request for approval of a Conditional Use Permit Amendment to allow the removal of an existing Wireless Communication Facility (WCF) from an athletic field sports light standard, the placement of a temporary mobile WCF on site during the construction phase of improvements, and the installation, operation, and maintenance of an unmanned Wireless Communication Facility consisting of three (3) sectors of four antennas, (12 total), mounted to a new athletic field sports light standard with an equipment enclosure at the base of the light pole. The project site is located at 3557 Monroe Street, within Carlsbad High School grounds and in Local Facilities Management Zone 1. I. RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission ADOPT Planning Commission Resolution No. 6528 APPROVING CUP 99-14(A) for a period often (10) years, based on the findings and subject to the conditions contained therein. II. INTRODUCTION This application is a request for a Conditional Use Permit Amendment to allow the removal of an existing Wireless Communication Facility (WCF) from an athletic field sports light standard, the placement of a temporary mobile WCF on site during the construction phase, and the installation, operation, and maintenance of an unmanned Wireless Communication Facility consisting of three (3) sectors of four antennas, (12 total), mounted to a new athletic field sports light standard. The high school is zoned Open Space (OS) and Wireless Communication Facilities are permitted in this zone by Conditional Use Permit (CUP). All required findings for the CUP can be made for the proposed WCF, and staff recommends approval of the proposed facility. III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND The Carlsbad High School site is a large parcel (29 acres) that is bordered by Basswood Avenue to the north, Chestnut Avenue to the south, Monroe Street to the east, and Valley Street to the west. The school site is currently undergoing renovations which include the relocation of the school's athletic field, bleachers, and sports lights from the center of the campus to the northeast section of the school property near Basswood Avenue and Monroe Street. The school property is surrounded by single-family residences, multi-family apartments, and several churches. The Conditional Use Permit (CUP 99-14) for the existing WCF was first approved by the Planning Commission on November 17, 1999 and allowed for the installation of six panelo CUP 99-14(A) - T-MOBILE-CARLSBAD HIGH SCHOOL WCF February 4, 2009 Page 2 antennas on a 70 foot tall sports light standard, on the east side of the existing athletic field. Because of the technology at the time of installation the existing antennas are approximately five feet from the light pole. The equipment cabinet is located at the foot of the light, 25 feet to the northeast, and is enclosed with a 6 foot chain link fence and landscaping to screen the enclosure. Through CUP 99-14 (A) this WCF will be removed with the removal of the light standard and relocated to the new light standard at the southeast corner of the new athletic field. The WCF proposal consists of three (3) sectors of four (4) antennas (12 total) mounted to a 100 foot tall steel light pole. The antenna sectors will be located approximately 70 feet up the light standard to the center of the antennas. The antennas are mounted at this height range to meet the Radio Frequency (RF) calculations of clearance from solid interference (obstructions) and FCC standards. The 12 antennas are approximately 1 foot wide by 4 !/2 feet long and will be attached to the pole with brackets that extend from the light pole 3 to 5 feet. The 3 foot separation is as close as feasible to the light pole as the technology allows and will be painted to match and blend in with the light pole. The new light pole and antennas will still be internally located on the site and with newer technology allowing the antennas to be in tighter to the light pole will be an improvement over the existing pole antennas thus creating a more stealth appearance and thus conforming to City Council Policy 64. Also as part of the permit a 10 by 20 foot equipment area is proposed. The proposed equipment area will contain the equipment cabinets (3), power and telco cabinets (2), and a cable housing cabinet. The equipment area will be located adjacent to the light pole and surrounded by an 8 foot chain link fence. The school is providing minimal landscaping to screen the area from the public view but the site is internal to the school grounds, located next to the grandstand bleachers, and will not be seen from outside the school grounds. A temporary Wireless Facility is proposed to be located on-site at the intersection of Basswood Avenue and Monroe Street during construction of the athletic field. This temporary site will include a 45 foot antenna which has the equipment self-contained and mobile so that the T- Mobile service in the area will not be interrupted. The location of the temporary antennae in close proximity to Basswood Avenue and Monroe Street intersection and approximately 80-100 feet from the nearest residence is proposed for several reasons. First, since the northeast corner of the school property is already planned as a construction staging area during the remodel, the location of a temporary WCF in this area will not significantly impact surrounding residences. This area will be fenced and secured so that the WCF will not be disturbed during construction. The applicant has submitted a noise study that shows that the equipment noise at 18 feet away meets the City's Noise Guidelines of 45 dBA CNEL since the nearest residence is 80 to 100 feet away no noise impacts will occur. Furthermore, in that the necessary power connections for the facility are located within the street right-of-way the area is optimal for power source and connection for the temporary WCF to operate. Finally, the area is on a higher grade then other sites on school grounds and will offer the best uninterrupted service for the temporary WCF. The temporary WCF will be eliminated when the proposed new WCF is constructed and working. The proposed project is subject to the following regulations: A. H - High School General Plan Land Use Designation; B. OS - Open Space Zone (Chapter 21.33 of the Zoning Ordinance); C. Conditional Use Permit regulations (Chapter 21.42 of the Zoning Ordinance); CUP 99-14(A) - T-MOBILE-CARLSBAD HIGH SCHOOL WCF February 4, 2009 Page 3 D. Wireless Communication Facilities Policy (City Council Policy Statement No. 64); and E. Growth Management. IV. ANALYSIS A. High School General Plan (H) Land Use Designation The project site is designated High School (H) on the City's General Plan Land Use Map. The proposed WCF project is consistent with the High School General Plan Land Use designation in that the High School Land Use designation does not preclude the provision of WCF uses. The WCF was a previously permitted use and this application is amending the CUP to allow it to continue the use. The proposed WCF use will also serve the residential, business community, and region as a whole, including emergency services. Therefore, the proposed WCF use is consistent with the High School General Plan Land Use designation. B. Open Space (OS) Zones, Chapter 21.33 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code The proposed WCF is located within the Carlsbad High School grounds, which is in the Open Space (OS) Zone. Wireless Communication Facilities, such as the proposed project, are allowed in all zones including the Open Space (OS) Zone with approval of a CUP. The required CUP findings (discussed in Section C below) can be made for the proposed WCF as it is a desirable public convenience and is compatible with its surroundings. The proposed WCF is mounted to an existing 100 foot tall athletic field sports light standard at a maximum height of 68 feet, which exceeds the maximum 25 foot height limit permitted by the OS Zone; however, a higher elevation may be approved through a CUP issued by the Planning Commission. Therefore, with Planning Commission approval of this CUP (CUP 99-14(A)) the proposed project complies with the development standards of the O-S zone. C. Conditional Use Permit Regulations, Chapter 21.42 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code Conditional uses such as WCFs possess unique and special characteristics that make it impractical to include them as permitted uses "by right" in any of the various zoning classifications (i.e. residential, commercial, office, industrial). The authority for the location and operation of these uses is subject to City Council Policy Statement No. 64 - Wireless Communication Facilities Policy (see discussion D below), Planning Commission review, and the issuance of CUP. Staff has reviewed the proposed project and found that all the necessary findings can be made to approve the CUP Amendment. The required findings and satisfaction of these findings are provided in Table 1 below. CUP 99-14(A) - T-MOBILE-CARLSBAD HIGH SCHOOL WCF February 4, 2009 Page 4 TABLE 1 - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FINDINGS FINDING PROJECT CONSISTENCY That the requested use is necessary or desirable for the development of the community, is essentially in harmony with the various elements and objectives of the General Plan, including, if applicable, the certified Local Coastal Program, Specific Plan, or Master Plan The requested use is necessary and desirable for the development of the community because of the benefit and demand for digital communications and data transmissions for businesses, individuals, public agencies, and emergency service systems. The proposed use is consistent with the General Plan in that the High School Land Use designation does not preclude the provision of WCF uses, nor is it detrimental to existing permitted uses in the vicinity in that the WCF is integrated into a light standard, is designed so that the antennas will be 3 feet apart and attached as close to the light standard as allowed thus exhibiting stealth design while only minor alterations to the site are proposed to install the WCF. That the requested use is not detrimental to existing uses or to uses specifically permitted in the zone in which the proposed use is to be located. That the use is not detrimental to existing "uses or to uses specifically permitted in the zone in which the proposed use is to be located in that visual impacts will be minimal as the proposed equipment area is only seen by internal users of the school, is located adjacent to the grandstand bleachers, and will not be seen from outside the school grounds. The panel antennas are not considered detrimental to the existing residential uses in that the 12 panel antennas are proposed to be mounted to a 100 foot tall steel light pole and the antennas are mounted as close to the light pole as technology will allow thus reducing an outward noticeable appearance thereby minimizing any visual impacts. The temporary WCF is not detrimental to surrounding existing residences in that it will be located within an existing construction staging area, the project has submitted a noise study that shows that the equipment noise at 18 feet away meets the City's Noise Guidelines of 45 dBA CNEL and the nearest residence is 80 to 100 feet away, and the temporary WCF will only exist until the permanent WCF is constructed and operating. CUP 99-14(A) - T-MOBILE-CARLSBAD HIGH SCHOOL WCF February 4, 2009 Page 5 TABLE 1 - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FINDINGS CONTINUED FINDING PROJECT CONSISTENCY That the site for the proposed conditional use is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the yards, setbacks, walls, fences, parking, loading facilities, buffer areas, landscaping and other development features prescribed in this code and required by the planning director, planning commission or city council, in order to integrate the use with other uses in the neighborhood. The equipment area complies with the OS Zone development standards, exhibits stealth type design, and is screened by minor landscaping to further reduce its visibility from public view. The location of the panel antennas on the light pole will reduce the visual impact of the WCF by eliminating the need to install a new separate pole structure to achieve the needed height to provide WCF coverage for the area. The O-S zone contains only one relevant development standard: a 25-foot maximum height unless a higher elevation is approved by a CUP issued by the Planning Commission. The antennas are mounted at a height of 68 feet to meet the Radio Frequency (RF) calculations of clearance from solid interference (obstructions) and FCC standards. The antenna panels will be mounted as close to the pole as technologically feasible and are conditioned to be painted to match and blend in with the light pole. The site for the temporary WCF meets all setbacks and will be screened by construction fencing. That the street system serving the proposed use is adequate to properly handle all traffic generated by the proposed use. The use generates very little traffic, requiring only routine monthly maintenance visits and occasional visits in response to operational problems. The existing street system is adequate to properly handle any traffic generated by the use. D. City Council Policy Statement No. 64 - Wireless Communication Facilities The project is consistent with City Council Policy No. 64 Wireless Communication Facilities in that the location is considered "preferred" given that the WCF is being installed on Public Property, and the project is placing the equipment area internal to the site, reducing any potential for visibility to the surrounding public. The WCF has been designed using "stealth" design techniques to the extent feasible and is consistent with the Design Guidelines listed in City Council Policy Statement No. 64. The 12 panel antennas are mounted as close to the light pole as technologically feasible and will be painted to match the color of the light pole, thereby minimizing any visual impacts. While the temporary WCF is not "stealth" in design it will only be there for a limited duration until the permanent WCF is constructed and operating. CUP 99-14(A) - T-MOBILE-CARLSBAD HIGH SCHOOL WCF February 4, 2009 Page 6 E. Growth Management The proposed WCF is located in Local Facilities Management Plan Zone 1. Installation of the facility on the existing site and monthly facility maintenance visits will not result in increased public facilities demands; therefore, the proposal will not exceed performance standards for public facilities. V. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Planning Director has determined that the project belongs to a class of projects that the State Secretary for Resources has found do not have a significant impact on the environment, and it is therefore categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents pursuant to Section 15303 (Construction and installation of small new equipment facilities or structures) - of the State CEQA Guidelines. Additionally, as T-Mobile must comply with FCC regulations, radio frequency emissions from the proposed facility are below levels established as acceptable by the FCC, and are therefore not considered a health hazard. In making this determination, the Planning Director has found that the exceptions listed in Section 15300.2 of the State CEQA Guidelines do not apply to this project. ATTACHMENTS; 1. Planning Commission Resolution No. 6528 2. Location Map 3. Background Data Sheet 4. Disclosure Statement 5. Reduced Exhibits , 6. Exhibits "A" - "J" dated February 4, 2009 NOT TO SCALE SITEMAP T-Mobile Carlsbad High WCF CUP 99-14(A) BACKGROUND DATA SHEET CASE NO: CUP 99-14(A) CASE NAME: T-MOBILE-CARLSBAD HIGH SCHOOL WCF APPLICANT: T-Mobile REQUEST AND LOCATION: To allow the removal of an existing Wireless Communication Facility (WCF) from an athletic field sports light standard, the placement of a temporary mobile WCF on site during the construction phase, and the installation, operation, and maintenance of an unmanned WCF consisting of three (3) sectors of four antennas, (12 total), mounted to a new athletic field sports light standard with an equipment enclosure at the base of the light pole. The project site is located at 3557 Monroe Street, within Carlsbad High School grounds and in Local Facilities Management Zone 1. LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Portions of Tracts 248 and 249 of Thum Lands, in the City of Carlsbad. County of San Diego, State of California, according to map thereof No. 1681, filed in the office of the San DieRO County Recorder on December 9, 1951 APN: 205-140-25 Acres: 29.36 Proposed No. of Lots/Units: N/A GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING Existing Land Use Designation: High School - H Proposed Land Use Designation: N/A Density Allowed: N/A Density Proposed: N/A Existing Zone: OS Proposed Zone: N/A Surrounding Zoning, General Plan and Land Use: General Plan Current Land Use Site OS H Carlsbad High School North R-l RLM Single-Family South R-l RLM Single Family, Church East R-l RLM Single Family, Multiple Family, Church West R-l RLM Single-Family LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM Coastal Zone: I I Yes IXI No PUBLIC FACILITIES School District: Carlsbad Unified Water District: Carlsbad Sewer District: Carlsbad Equivalent Dwelling Units (Sewer Capacity): N/A Revised 01/06 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Categorical Exemption, 15303 - Existing Facilities (Construction and installation of small new equipment facilities or structures) - of the State CEQA Guidelines. Revised 01/06 r City of Carlsbad Planning Department DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Applicant's statement or disclosure of certain ownership interests on all applications which will require discretionary action on the part of the City Council or any appointed Board, Commission or Committee. The following information MUST be disclosed at the time of application submittal. Your project cannot be reviewed until this information is completed. Please print. Note: ^~ , % 71" - "*.•'• v ~C»r " '-- Person is defined as:"Any individual, firm, co-partnership, joint venture; association, social club, fraternal organization, corporation^ estate^" trust, receiver, syndicate, in this and any other county,' city and county, city municipality, district or other political subdivision or any other group or combination acting as a unit" ~ "•» Agents may, sign this document; however, the legal name and entity of the applicant and property owner must be provided below^, ,. ~ 1 . APPLICANT (Not the applicant's agent) Provide the COMPLETE. LEGAL names and addresses of ALL persons having a financial interest in the application. If the applicant includes a corporation or partnership, include the names, title, addresses of all individuals owning more than 10% of the shares. IF NO INDIVIDUALS OWN MORE THAN 10% OF THE SHARES,. PLEASE INDICATE NON-APPLICABLE (N/A) IN THE SPACE BELOW. If a publiciv-owned corporation, include the names, titles, and addresses of the corporate officers. (A separate page may be attached if necessary.) Person v\(»3- _ ; Corp/Part (V\a i 'po;JT T- fry? BiL^ 2, Title Title Address Address \C>\$6 OWNER (Not the owner's agent) Provide the COMPLETE. LEGAL names and addresses of ALL persons having any ownership= interest in the property involved. Also, provide the nature of the legal ownership (i.e, partnership, tenants in common, non-profit, corporation, etc.). If the ownership includes a corporation or partnership, include the names, title, addresses of all individuals owning more than 10% of the shares. IF NO INDIVIDUALS OWN MORE THAN 10% OF THE SHARES, PLEASE INDICATE NON-APPLICABLE (N/A) IN THE SPACE BELOW. If a publicly-owned corporation, include the names, titles, and addresses of the corporate officers. (A separate page may be attached if necessary.) Person >3JA ' Title Address Coro/Part (LAfti-AflAi) OiSiAgp Title _ Address fe-'T^S £U 1635 Faraday Avenue • Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 • (760) 602-4600 • FAX (760) 602-8559 • www.ci.catlsbad.ca.us 3. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OR TRUST If any person identified pursuant to (1) or (2) above is a nonprofit organization or a trust, list the names and addresses of ANY person serving as an officer or director of the non-profit organization or as trustee or beneficiary of the. Won Profit/Trust Non Profit/Trust Title Title: Address Address. 4. Have you had more than $500 worth of business transacted with any member of City staff, Boards, Commissions, Committees and/or Council within the past twelve (12) months? {__] Yes jXj No If yes, please indicate person(s):_ NOTE: Attach additional sheets if necessary. I certify that all the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Signature of owner/date Signature of applicant/date Print or type name of owner Print or type name of applicant Signature of owner/applicant's agent if applicable/date M* Kg" Print or type name of owner/applicant's agent H:ADWIIN\COUNTEWD1SCLOSURE STATEMENT 12/06 Page 2 Of 2 arlsbad Unified School District 6225 El Camino Real-Carlsbad, CA 92009 ... . ft (760) 331-5000 • FAX (760) 431-6707 ... a wortd class distort April 2, 2008 City of Carlsbad 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008-1989 To Whom It May Concern: T-Mobile is currently under agreement with the Carlsbad Unified School District for wireless transmission at Carlsbad High School that includes ground equipment and an antenna that is mounted on an existing stadium light pole. T-Mobile is operating under a CUP that we understand will expire in 2009 or 2010. CUSD is undergoing modernization that includes replacement of the existing stadium with a new one, in an adjusted footprint and with new light poles. CUSD gives permission to T-Mobile to apply for a new or an amended CUP to extend the term of their CUP and modify the location of the equipment and the antenna to fit with the new Stadium plans. Any questions by the City to CUSD may be directed to Eitan Aharoni, AIA, Sr. Project Manager (760) 331-5022 or email at eaharoni@gafcon.com Thank you, Walter Freeman Assistant Superintendent, CUSD -0- * = oil Is s i l l s n! P ° 8 w I? 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