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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDP 96-07; Marja Acres PCS Facility; Hillside Development Permit (HDP) (2)Consulting Group, Inc, TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES July 29,1996 Mr. Jeff Gibson Planning Department City of Carlsbad 2075 Las Palmas Drive Carlsbad, CA 92009-1576 HAND-DELIVERED Re: Marja Acres PCS Facility/SD154; CUP 96-05 Dear Mr. Gibson: Enclosed please find the following items for the referenced project: 1. 10 full-size copies and one reduced copy of the revised site, roof, and elevation plans. The following revisions have been made to the plans: The Base Transceiver Station (BTS) has been relocated from the top of the hill to the bottom of the hill. The new location, in the parking lot at the rear of the commercial building, will completely eliminate the visual impact of the BTS. Grading quantities have been added to Sheet A-1. The 26 cubic yards of excavation will be exported to a legal fill site. All existing easements which can be plotted have been added to the site plan, Sheet A-1. 2. A revised Project Description/Explanation reflecting the changes in the plans. 3. A copy of a Statement of Compliance with Radio Frequency Power Density Standards for the General Public ("Power Density Study"). This study provides the maximum exposure which may be encountered by the general public and compares it to the ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992 standard for maximum recommended exposure. The Power Density Study for the Marja Acres PCS Facility (CUP 96- 05) indicates a maximum exposure at 20.17% of the ANSI/IEEE 1992 standard. 4. A revised Land Use Review Application Form. This form now includes our application for a Special Use Permit and a Hillside Review Permit. Because no 3530 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 101 San Diego, California 92108 Telephone: (619) 283-2001 Fax: (619) 283-2010 Offices in: Santa Barbara, San Jose and San Francisco Page 2 Mr. Jeff Gibson July 26,1996 JUL 2 9 1996 items are required for the Special Use Permit which are not required for the Conditional Use Permit, please use the plot plan, legal description, environmental impact assessment, and other CUP documents as required for the Special Use Permit. 5. The following items for a Hillside Development Permit: 5 copies of a slope analysis signed and stamped by a registered civil engineer attesting to its accuracy 5 copies of a slope profile signed and stamped by a registered civil engineer attesting to its accuracy This Hillside Development Permit application does not include a Preliminary Landscape Plan because no landscaping is proposed. The new location of the BTS at the base of the hill removes it from view from El Camino Real, so it will not be screened by landscaping. The revised Site, Roof, and Elevation Plans submitted herewith (# 1 above) shall serve as the Site, Building, and Elevation Plans for the Hillside Development Permit. No grading is proposed with this proposal, therefore no Grading Plans are included. Please use the original Environmental Impact Assessment Form, Disclosure Statement, and Preliminary Title Report which were submitted with the application for CUP 96-05. 6 Our check number 15531 in the amount of $680.00 for the cost of Hillside Development Permit application ($400.00) and Special Use Permit application ($280.00). You have also requested information to support a Finding of Fact that this facility will provide a community benefit. In response to this request I have enclosed a document titled "Benefits of PCS" which describes the services PCS will provide to the community. Portions of this document are included in the enclosed Project Description, but it has been expanded to respond to your request. Please also note that each PCS cell site, including the Marja Acres PCS Facility, has been designed to accommodate approximately 2460 calls at peak hour capacity and will provide service to the community within a 1 to 3 kilometer radius (approximately 1/2 to 2 miles). Specifically, the Marja Acres PCS Facility will serve El Camino Real along a narrow geographical corridor between Tamarack Avenue and future Cannon Road. In response to your request for an explanation why there are no viable alternatives to the proposed site at Marja Acres, this paragraph will describe the process of our search for the most viable location. To the north of the Marja Acres PCS site, the Mount Kelly PCS site (CUP 96-06) has an effective range of approximately 1.5 miles, and reaches Page 3 Mr. Jeff Gibson July 26,1996 south to Tamarack Avenue. We conducted an extensive search for a suitable site to provide coverage beyond that range, including an analysis of zoning and land use between Tamarack Avenue and College Boulevard. Our first preference in such a search is industrial and commercial property. However, finding such locations in central Carlsbad is complicated by the Carlsbad General Plan and Zoning Ordinance which designate large tracts of the city east of 1-5 for residential or planned community uses. With few exceptions, the entire central city is zoned and/or developed as residential or open space use. The Marja Acres property, zoned C-2 and used for commercial purposes, was the only exception within the Tamarack Avenue to Cannon Road area. In summary, the Marja Acres is the only viable location for a PCS site to serve the central section of El Camino Real. The predominance of residential zoning in this area, combined with topographic patterns, and the large undeveloped areas, does not permit location of a stealth site in a non-residential zone. The location of the facility partially on a commercial property and placement of the antennas so that they will blend with the surrounding hillside will maximize compatibility with the existing community. Please call me at (619) 283-2001 if you require any additional information in order to schedule a hearing on this item. Sincerely, lM CONSULTING GROUP, INC. Enclosures cc: File PROTECT DESCRIPTION/EXPLANATION PROJECT NAME: Maria Acres PCS Facilitv/SD154 ,UL2 9 APPLICANT NAME: Cox California PCS, Inc. - cByy OF cAr4i”AO pU4NNlb Q Dim. INTRODUCTION Cox California PCS, Inc. is a Personal Communication Services (PCS) company operating throughout California, from San Luis Obispo, south along the California coast to the United States/Mexico Border, east to the Arizona state line, north to, and including, southern Nevada, then west through Kern County to San Luis Obispo. Cox California PCS, Inc. is a public utility licensed to operate in California by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Cox California PCS, Inc. is currently developing its network in the San Diego County area for its San Diego County subscribers. This document describes the scope of the proposed project by providing specific information regarding the project location, zoning, specifications, and required services. Cellular technology has existed for many years, and in particular, PCS technology is emerging as a necessary emergency service and business tool, as well as being convenient for personal and family use. Local zoning authorities frequently have questions regarding the technical aspects of a PCS network and PCS site selection. Provided with this application is information relative to general PCS systems and use. It is Cox California PCS, Inc.’s intention to work with the City of Carlsbad to ensure that the project is consistent with local ordinances and zoning regulations while providing PCS coverage critical for emergency, business and personal use. Project Goals The goal of the Cox California PCS, Inc. Marja Acres PCS facility site proposal is to provide enhanced PCS service for personal and emergency purposes to the north- central Carlsbad area and El Camino Real in an environmentally and socially sensitive manner consistent with all policies and ordinances of the City of Carlsbad. Application Request Plan The applicant is requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit pursuant to Section 21.42 of the City of Carlsbad Zoning Ordinance ”. RECEIVED GENERAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION Project Overview The applicant proposes to construct a PCS transceiver facility on property located in the City of Carlsbad, identified as APN 207-101-19. The applicant proposes to lease approximately 300 square feet of ground space located at the at the rear of the parking lot behind an existing commercial building for PCS equipment cabinets. The applicant also proposes to lease two locations on the side of the hill behind the parking lot for antenna placement. The equipment will include: 6 equipment cabinets; 0 6 panel antennas, 3 in each of 2 sectors; 0 One Global Positioning System (GPS) oval antenna. Cox California PCS, Inc. is currently negotiating a lease with the property owners which would allow for construction and maintenance of these facilities, as well as provide access to the site. Facility Specifications 0 EauiDment Cabinets Six equipment cabinets, with dimensions of 3’ wide x 3’ deep x 5’ high, will be installed in the rear of the parking lot behind an existing commercial building. The cabinets will be enclosed by a 6’ high fence and retaining wall built into the base of the hillside. The equipment cabinets will include a primary base transceiver station (BTS) cabinet, expansion BTS cabinet, primary power cabinet, battery cabinet and two future cabinets. 0 Antennas A total of six antennas will be placed on poles erected in the ground in two arrays of three antennas each. Utilities - The site will be supplied with telephone service and 100 amp electric circuit. 0 PCS Sites - The site will transmit and receive calls by radio waves operating in the 1850-1990 MHz block. Radio frequency generated by this facility is non- ionizing and is not harmful. GENERAL SITE ANALYSIS Zoning Designation The site is currently zoned C-2 and R-A-10 and is regulated by Chapter 21.28 and 21.08 of the City of Carlsbad Zoning Ordinance. A ground-mounted PCS transceiver site may be installed in the C-2 and R-A-10 zone on a case-by-case basis as determined by the City Planning Commission. Existing Use The subject area is identified as APN 207-101-16 and 207-101-19. The property is currently used for commercial and agricultural uses. Surrounding Land Uses and Zoning The surrounding land uses are : North - vacant South - residential East - commercial West - vacant The surrounding zones are: North - LC South - R-1 East - R-A-10 West - R-A-10 AccessKirculation The project site area would be accessed by the existing commercial driveway from El Camino Real. EasementsLJtilities Cox California PCS, Inc. is negotiating a lease with the property owners for construction and operation of a PCS facility within the identified area. This negotiation will include the rights for Cox California PCS, Inc. and their employees to gain access to the site. Power and telephone service will be brought to the equipment site in conduit from new power and telephone services. Visual Resources The Cox California PCS, Inc. installation is proposed to be placed at a location on the property that will facilitate the most efficient coverage with the least disturbance to the surrounding public viewshed. Extensive design options have been evaluated and numerous sites tested to create a proposal with the least visual impact, while still satisfying the desired coverage objectives. The BTS equipment will be enclosed by a six-foot-high, chain link fence with three- strand barbed wire across the top. The fence will have wood slats woven into the chain link in order to visually screen the equipment. The antennas will be placed on poles on the side of the hill. The overall height of the pole/antennas ranges from 22'3" to 27'6". However, the poles will be placed at elevations on the hillside in such a manner that the tops of the antennas will not extend above the top of the ridge. This design will preserve the visual integrity of the horizon line as seen from El Camino Real and beyond. The poles and antennas will be painted a camouflage tan/green mixture in order to visually blend with the existing vegetation of the hillside during either growth or dormant seasons. Jul, 23, 1996 5: 17PM R F-ENGINEERING - No. 496‘4 P. 2/9 COX California PCS, Inc. 2381 Mm Avenue Imine. Caltfamla 92714-82M ph 1714) 8809W fax (714) 4744884 COMMUNICATIONS Cox California PCS, Inc, (Cox) is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to construct and operate a Pmd Communications Services (PCS) network which is similar to a cellular telephone network. Cox’s network is being designed using CDIUZA, a low powered spread spectrum technology. cunrmtly, FCC licensees must meet exposure standard C95.1-1982 published by the American National Standards Institute, Inc, (ANSI). The FCC has proposed the adoption of a standard known as ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992, It will be shown that the proposed Cox PCS installation will easily satisfy both of these standards. (Note that ANSMEEE C95.1-1992 has already been adopted as the standard for San Diego County,) Cox is licensed to transmit in the 1930-1945 MHz fiequmcy bd. Using the existing ANSI C95.1-1982 standard, members of the gad public may be continuously exposed to a power dcnsity of no more than five milliwatts per square centimeter (SrnW/~rn~). Using the proposed ANSI/IEEE C95.X-1992 standard, members of the general public may be continuously exposed to a powa density of no more than 1.28 mW/cm;’. nus, the pmpostd standard is approximately four times more stringent than the existing standard. Power density is a measure of the amount of radio energy received by a unit of dace area. Power density is calculated and given in milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm2). The attachments show that for COX PCS site SD154, the maximum power density encountered by a member of the general public is calculated to be 0.030982 mW/cmz with no mechanical tilting of the antennas. This is less than 2.42% of the allowable ANSIDEEE (C95.1-1992) limit (see Figure 4). Our calculation is very conservative in that it assumes that all three CDMA transmittars at SD154 will be operating simultaneously and at maximum power. Statistidly this condition occurs only a small ptrmtage of the time. If the PCS site requires mechanical down tilt of the mtennas up to 15 degrees, the pwer density that a member of the general public will encounter is calculated to be 0.258215 mW/cm2. This is 5 times lower than the ANSIAEEE (C95.1-1992) limit (see Figure 5). I 07/23/96 - Jul, 23, 1996 5: 18PM R LENGINEERINC No, 4964 P. 3/9 Heage refer to attached Figures 1 to 5 for the specifics of the proposed installation and step-by-step power density calculations. Oiven the wnsBfvativc nature of the calculations and the fact that the results are well below the allowable limit, no adverse health impact is anticipated from the Cox PCS installation. 2 07/23/96 Jul. 23. 1996 5:18PM R UNGINEERING I No. 4964 P. 4/9 CALCULATION METBODOLOGX RADIO J!REOUENCY POWER DEIUSllW COMPUTATION cox CALIFORNIA PC$, INC. The following text provides au ovexview of the Cox PCS radio fkqucncy powr density calculation procedure. Please refer to Figure 2 attached. Figure 2 shows the proposed Cox PCS transmitting antenna supported by a pmic tower structure (actual appearance may vay). In order to computa the radio frequency (RF) power density illuminating a person standing on the ground, a straight line is drawn between the antenna and the subject under investigation. By drawing the line between the base of the antenna and the head ofthe individual, the shofiest possible distance will result. This will yield the patest calculated power dcnsity and thereby represent the most conservative calculation. For the purposes of this illustration, it will bc: assumed that the subject is seven Eat tall (Y-7 ft, worst case). The straight line distance C is calculated fkom the formula shown at the bottom of Figure 2. Paramctcrs B and X are contained if Figure 3 and Parameter A is found in Figurcs 4 and 5 ?he pow density calculations (Figures 4 and 5) arc made under the assumption that the subject starts at the tower base (A4 ft) and wallcs away from the base over a flat plane. RF power density is then computed by knowing the straight line distance between the subject and the anma (Parameter C) and by knowing the effective radiated power that the antenna casts toward the subject at each location (Parameter E). (Most antennas are designed to transmit strong signals in the horizontal plant and weak signals toward the ground near the tower base. For example, workers standing on the ground beneath a 5,0b0,000 watt UHF-TV transmitting antenna typically receive power densities that are well within the AEISUTEEE limit due to this “cone of silence” effect. It’s like standing off to the side of a searchlight; the light simply isn’t all that bright when you’re out of the main beam.) The actual radio frtqucllcy power dcnsity CaIculStions arc carried out by wing the formula atop page nine of FCC OST Bulletin 65. Basically, the effective radiated power cast toward an individual (Parameter E) is multiplied by a constant and divided by the distance to the antenna (Parameter C) g~uamd. This results in a power density figure expressed in units of milliwatts per square centimeter when the proper input dimensions are wed. 3 07/23/96 Jul. 23. 1996 5:18PM R E-ENGINEERING FIGURE 2 1 VERTICAL PI,AN..- COX CALIFORNIA PCS, INC. B - No, 4964 P, 5/9 A Y = Subject height X=Antennalength A = Distance from subject to point directly below nearest antenna B = center Line C = Distance fiom Subject to the nearest antenna base c = {(Ay + (B - x/2 - 11)2)OJ Note: 1.. Same calculation philosophy applies to rooftops and other structures. 4 07/23/96 ~~ Jul. 23. 1996 5:18PM R PENGINEERING FIGURE3 No, 4964 P. 6/9 cox CALWOIRNIA PCS, XNC. Site Name: Site ID: Marja Acres SD154 Number of Transmitting Antcrnnas at this Site: 3* Number of CDMA Carrim: 3 Antenna Input Power with dl Carriers On. 24 watts Transmit Frequency Band: 1 930- 1945 MHz Allgon 7182.07 4th 2" electrical downtilt Radiation Pattern: Dirtctional MaximumAntennaGain: 16 dBd Elevation of Antenna Center Line: 20' AGL (Parameter B) Antenna Polarization: vextical Note: The terrain In the vicinity of the antenna is uppropriate fir the use of jlatplane anulys1s (see Figure 2). * There will bs 3 septate trmrsmttting antemas at the site. They are so close together that forpurposes of calculutiom, we assume that the transmitter power of all thtee transmitters go into the anteplna which is nearest to the observer. 5 07/23/96 Jul. 23. 1996 5:18PM R LEMGINEERING 1 No. 4964 P, 7/9 4PQWERONS COX PCS SDl54 1 cox cALI[Fom Pes, mc. (No Mechanical Down Tilt) I Parameter A Paremeter C Found C05.1-1992 Densify to B dipole) (dBd) Horizon nearest Point Directly Percentage ANSlllEEE Power (referend Gain Below Subjectto Subject to Maximum . Percent of incident Incident ERP Antenna Angle Distance from Distance from Parameter E Below (%I Transmitters Eass(fi) Nearest (%I Standard (mWIcm2) with 3 (deg) Antenna Antenna (ft) Turn on (W) 6 07/23/96 cox CALIFORNIA pes, INC. (15 dcgreer Mechanical Down Tilt) Parameter A Parameter E Parameter C Distance from Distance from Found (94) C95.1-1992 Density to a dipole) (dBd) Horizon neamt Point Directly Percentage ANSMEEE Power (referenced Gain Below Subject to Subject b Maximum Percent of Incident Incident ERP Antenna Angle Below Standard (mWkm2) with 3 (deg) Antenna NeNl2St (%) * Transmitters Bawft) . Antenna (ft) Turn on (W) 07/23/96 Jul. 23. 1996 5:19PM R E-ENGINEERING No. 4964 P. 9/9 55 66.89 14.81 4.0 60.43 0.008939 0.54208 60 80.81 9.93 I .3 32.45 0.003148 0.24600 I 2000 I 2000.03 I 0.30 0.00008 0.000001 -4.4 I 8.73 I I I t I I I I I I I I 8 07/23/96