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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-21; Planning Commission; ; CDP 96-14 - MARJA ACRES PCS FACILITYme City of CARLSBAD Planning Departing A REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION Item No. P.C. AGENDA OF: MAY 21,1997 Application complete date: Project Planner: Project Engineer: January 13, 1997 Elaine Blackburn Clyde Wickham SUBJECT: CDP 96-14 - MARJA ACRES PCS FACILITY - Request for a Coastal Development Permit to allow the installation of six (6) PCS panel antennas mounted on individual poles, one (1) global positioning antenna, and six (6) ground-mounted radio equipment cabinets, on property located at 4901 El Camino Real in the C-2 and the R-A-10 Zones, in Local Facilities Management Plan Zone 1. I. RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission ADOPT Planning Commission Resolution No. 4104 APPROVING the Coastal Development (CDP 96-14) based on the findings and subject to the conditions contained therein. II.INTRODUCTION This application is a request for a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) to allow Personal Communication System (PCS) antennas mounted on individual poles and associated radio equipment cabinets on a site located in the Coastal Zone in the undeveloped slopes behind an existing commercial building (the "Country Store"). The project site is located on the south side of El Camino Real just east of Kelly Drive. The project is to be located on two adjacent parcels zoned C-2 (the commercial building site) and R-A-10 (the undeveloped slope area). The Planning Commission approved a required Conditional Use Permit (CUP), Hillside Development Permit (HDP), and Special Use Permit (SUP) for this project on December 4, 1996. The Coastal Development Permit could not be heard at that hearing because of the transitioning of authority to issue coastal permits at that time. The City now has the authority to issue such permits. Staff has concluded and recommends that all findings required for the approval of this CDP be made. III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND Cox California PCS, Inc., is a Personal Communications System (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 its local subscribers. PCS telecommunications technology (digital wireless) is emerging as an important emergency response 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 applicant proposes to lease a small portion of two larger parcels (5.2 acres and 14.6 CDP 96-14 - MARJA ACk^S PCS FACILITY MAY 21, 1997 PAGE 2 acres) which currently contain a commercial use (the Country Store) and some undeveloped slopes behind the commercial use. The project site is surrounded by agricultural fields to the south, an existing single-family residential development located approximately 800 feet to the west, and an existing mobile home park approximately 600 feet to the east. El Camino Real is located approximately 300 feet to the north of the site, beyond the Country Store. The northernmost of the two subject parcels has a General Plan designation of N (Neighborhood Commercial) and is zoned C-2 (General Commercial). This parcel contains the Country Store. The second parcel, immediately south of the first, has a General Plan designation of RLM (Residential Low Medium) and is zoned R-A-10 (Residential Agricultural). The portion of the sites to be utilized for the proposed project contains disturbed non-native habitat. In the general vicinity of the project site, the roadway elevation of El Camino Real is at a topographical low point and is surrounded by foothills in the area around Tamarack Avenue, Kelly Drive and the Country Store. In addition, there are no tall industrial or commercial buildings along this portion of the corridor, which is primarily zoned for residential land uses. As a result of these circumstances, and the need to fill a gap in the PCS telecommunications network along this segment of El Camino Real, Cox California PCS, Inc., is requesting approval to install six PCS panel antennas mounted on individual poles, one global positioning antenna, and six ground-mounted radio equipment cabinets. The proposed antenna poles will be placed in the undeveloped slopes behind the Country Store (the parcel zoned R-A-10). The six poles will range in height from 22'3" to 26'6". They will be placed in two clusters of three poles each and will be placed at elevations of between 76' and 81' above mean sea level. In each cluster, the taller poles will be placed at the lower elevation points, and the shorter poles at the higher elevation points. The top of the nearby ridgeline of the larger site is at an elevation of approximately 103'. Therefore, none of the six poles will be visible above the ridgeline. (Staff has included a condition of approval to ensure that the poles are installed in this manner.) The site where the poles will be placed is approximately 25 feet higher than the roadway elevation of El Camino Real. The poles will be set into the ground in individual concrete piers. (There will be no flat "pad" area.) Each pole will be round and will be a maximum of 6 5/8" in diameter. The poles will be painted a "camouflage" color to blend in with the surrounding vegetation. Each of the two pole clusters (three poles in each cluster) will be enclosed by a 6' high vinyl- coated chain link fence in a color to match surrounding vegetation. Each of the enclosure areas will be approximately 80 square feet in size (approximately 16' long by 5' wide). The original CUP approval (CUP 96-05) conditioned the project to provide landscaping in the form of trees and shrubs around the pole enclosures to further diminish visibility of the project. The project was also conditioned to establish a 30' wide open space easement around the base of the poles to ensure that no future structures would be damaged should the poles fall due to natural disaster or other unforeseen conditions. The proposed antennas include six panel antennas and one oval global positioning antenna. The panel antennas are each approximately 4'6" high and 6" wide. These six antennas will be CDP 96-14 - MARJA ACkiiS PCS FACILITY MAY 21, 1997 PAGE 3 mounted on the upper portion of the six poles (one antenna per pole). The antennas will not project above the tops of the poles. The global positioning antenna is an oval shape of approximately 10". This antenna will be mounted on the top of the vinyl chain link fence adjacent to pole "F". Electrical power to the facility will be provided by underground electrical lines. The proposed equipment cabinets will be placed in the lower portion of the undeveloped slopes directly behind the Country Store (the parcel zoned C-2). Each cabinet will be approximately 5' high, 3' deep, and 3' wide and will be constructed of an all-weather material. The cabinets will be mounted on a concrete slab platform, and will be fully enclosed. The enclosure will be 8' high and will be constructed of split-face concrete block on the three exposed sides. (The back side of the enclosure will also be constructed of concrete block, unless it is determined that some other material is necessary to ensure structural stability of the enclosure. In any case, the back wall will be recessed into the slope and, therefore, will not be visible.) The enclosure will be painted a brown color to blend in with the surrounding vegetation. The use of split-face concrete block painted in this manner will ensure that the enclosure blends in with the native vegetation and is compatible with the generally rustic appearance of the site and the appearance of the existing development. A security grill will be placed on the top of the enclosure. The grill will be of aluminum and will not be visible. The total size of the cabinet enclosure area will be approximately 300 square feet. This proposed project is subject to the regulations contained in the Mello II Segment of the Local Coastal Program. IV. ANALYSIS Staff is recommending approval of this project for the reasons stated in the staff report. This analysis section was developed by analyzing the project's consistency with the applicable plans, policies, regulations and standards listed above and discussed in detail in the following text. A. Mello II Segment of the Local Coastal Program The project site is within the Mello II Segment of the Local Coastal Program. However, the proposed project does not involve, and will not be visible from, any coastal waterways, beaches, wetlands, coastal bluffs, or deed restricted open space areas. Therefore, it will not have a significant impact on the scenic character of the Coastal Zone. The project site does not contain any sensitive resources as the site contains only previously disturbed non-native vegetation and does not include any designated prime or non-prime agricultural land. The project is consistent with all applicable regulations and policies of the Mello II segment of the LCP. All Mello II findings required for development of the project in the slope area (25-40% slopes) can be made and will be addressed in the Coastal Development Permit. At the time this application was submitted, the City did not yet have the authority to issue the Coastal Development Permit for the project. Consequently, the Coastal Permit could not be processed concurrently but will need to follow any approvals which may be granted by the Planning Commission. CDP 96-14 - MARJA ACk^S PCS FACILITY MAY 21, 1997 PAGE 4 V. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW Cox California PCS, Inc., is licensed by the FCC to transmit in the 1850 - 1990 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 and all requirements of the FCC regarding radio frequency interference, and health, safety and welfare. This project was reviewed for compliance with CEQA regulations when the related CUP, HDP, and SUP were processed, and a negative Declaration was approved for the project. This CDP application complies with those previously approved environmental documents. ATTACHMENTS; 1. Planning Commission Resolution No. 4104 2. Location Map 3. Background Data Sheet 4. Disclosure Statement 5. Planning Commission Resolution No. 4026 dated December 4,1996 6. Planning Commission Resolution No. 4027 dated December 4,1996 7. Planning Commission Resolution No. 4028 dated December 4, 1996 8. Exhibits "A"-"H" dated May 21, 1997. MARJA ACRES PCS FACILITY CDP 96-14 -~ BACKGROUND DATA SHEET CASE NO: CDP96-14 CASE NAME: Maria Acres PCS Facility APPLICANT: Cox California PCS. Inc. REQUEST AND LOCATION: Conditional Use Permit to allow installation of a Personal Communications System (PCS) facility at 4901 El Camino Real. The facility consists of 6 antenna poles, each topped with one panel antenna, and 6 ground-mounted equipment radio cabinets with a global positioning antenna to be enclosed by a 6' high fence. The heights of the poles with antennas will range in height from 22'3" to 26'6". The equipment cabinet area will occupy an area of about 300 sf. LEGAL DESCRIPTION; Parcel 1 of Parcel Map 3451. in the City of Carlsbad. County of San Diego. State of California filed January 31, 1975, in the office of the County Recorder of San Diego County, and That portion of Parcels 2 and 3 of Parcel Map 3451, in the City of Carlsbad. County of San Diego, State of California, filed on January 31, 1975. APN: 207-101-16 & 19 Acres n/a Proposed No. of Lots/Units n/a (Assessor's Parcel Number) GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING Land Use Designation N ((Neighborhood Commercial and RLM (Residential Low Medium') Density Allowed n/a Density Proposed n/a Existing Zone C-2 and R-A-10 Proposed Zone n/a Surrounding Zoning and Land Use: (See attached for information on Carlsbad's Zoning Requirements) Zoning Land Use Site C-2; R-A-10 Undeveloped North C-2 Country Store South R-A-10 Undeveloped; Agricultural East R-1,RMHP Single-family Residential & Mobile Home Park West R-1 -10, R-1 -8 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 November 1. 1996 Certified Environmental Impact Report, dated. Other, Gitv of Carlsbad Planning Department DISCLOSURE STATEMENT APPLICANTS STATEMENT Of DISCLOSURE Of CERTAIN OWNERSHIP I^^^ERESTS ON ALL APPUCATiONS WHICH WILL REQUIRE DISCRETIONARY ACTION ON THE PART OF THE CTTY COUNCIL, OR ANY APPOINTED BOARD, COMMISSION OR COMMf (Pteaa* Print) The following information must be disclosed: i. Applicant List the names and addresses of all persons having a financial interest in the application. California PCS, Inc. 2381 Morse Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 - Tier List the names and addresses of all persons having any ownership interest in the property involved. F. and Marvon D Hoffman 4901 El Camino Real Carlsbad, CA 3.If any person identified pursuant to (1) or (2) above is a corporation or partnership, list the names and addresses of ail individuals owning more than 10% of the shares in the corporation or owning any partnership interest in the partnership. - 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 ..._.- ^RMOOQ.1 12/91 2O75 Las Palmas Drive - Carisbad, California 92OO9-1576 - (619) 438-1161 f. (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 A/o X // yes, please indicate person(s) • Parson ia defined aa: 'Any individual, firm, eopartnerahip, joint venture, aaaociation, tocial eiub, fratamaj organization, corporation, estate, tnuc recaiv* syndicate, thia and any other county, city and county, city municipality, district or other political tubdtviaion, or any other group or combination acting aa unit' (NOTE: Attach additional pages as necsssary.) SF^hature of Print or (type name bf dwner Signatofe' of applfSant/date Stephen M. Laub Print or type name of applicant FRM0001 12/91