Loading...
12-07-2010 - Appeal HearingConditional Use Permit No. 10-10Appl - Item No 14 Attach 11 (2).docCity of West Covina Memorandum A G E N D A ITEM NO. E-1 DATE: September 21, 2010 TO: City Manager and City Council FROM: Jeff Anderson Acting Planning Director SUBJECT: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 10-10 1030 East Merced Avenue (Bethel Christian Fellowship Church) Wireless Communication Facility RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that Conditional Use Permit No. 10-10 to allow the installation of a wireless communications tower designed in the shape of a cross (monocross) be referred back to the Planning Commission due to new information being presented by neighboring residents that was not available at the time of Planning Commission review. DISCUSSION: The proposal consists of a conditional use permit to allow the installation of a wireless telecommunication facility designed as a cross (monocross) in the landscape area of an existing religious facility (Bethel Christian Fellowship). Three panel antennas and three parabolic antennas are proposed inside the monocross. The proposed monocross will be located in the landscape area on the northeast side of the church property. A Montessori pre-school is located at the rear of the property. The property is owned by the operators of the Montessori school. The owner of the property appealed the Planning Commission decision (Attachment 6). The appellant did not speak at the Planning Commission hearing nor did anyone submit written comments to the Planning Department raising any concerns. On September 15, 2010, staff received a letter from the appellant stating that they had worked out their differences and no longer had a concern with the proposed monocross (Attachment 9). However, since the appeal was filed and notices sent to the residences in the vicinity of the subject property, staff has been contacted by five area residents that reside within 300 feet of the subject site. Two of these residents have submitted letters of concern (Attachments 7 & 8). Both of the letters indicate concern for the height and scale of the monocross. Therefore, there is still a need for the public hearing. The applicant is proposing a 60-foot tall monocross. The monocross is proposed in an area that is currently improved with a concrete slab. The cross member of the monocross would be 27 feet in width and 43 feet in height. The pole of the monocross has a proposed diameter of 3.5 feet. The antennas would be placed inside of the pole and would be located above the cross member. Although only one carrier is proposed pursuant to this application, the plans indicate that additional antennas could be installed inside the pole below the cross member. A 10-foot square foot landscape area is proposed at the base of the monocross. The church site is surrounded by residential properties. The nearest residential property is separated from the monocross by more than 100 feet as required by the Municipal Code. For more detailed information on the project, the Planning Commission staff report of August 24, 2010 is attached (Attachment 4). The proposed monocross is different in design than any previous wireless facility proposal. Staff discussed alternate designs with the applicant, including a monolithic tower with a cross (such as the one existing at West Covina Methodist Church located at Azusa Avenue and Cameron Avenue) or a carillon tower. It was staff’s concern that the proposed 60-foot tall monocross was not in proportion to the approximately 25-foot tall church building and not compatible with the residential neighborhood. Staff recommended the monolithic tower design because the design would not be as noticeable as the proposed monocross and would be more consistent with the design of the building. A monopine design was also discussed as a feasible alternative. The applicant’s preference was to move forward with the monocross design and a public hearing before the Planning Commission was scheduled. The applicant has stated that Clearwire has an ambitious schedule and they are eager to obtain approval as soon as possible. PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION: On August 24, 2010, the Planning Commission voted 4-1 (Commissioner Stewart voting “no”) to approve the conditional use permit. In approving the proposal, the majority of the Commission expressed the opinion that proposed monocross was a good and proper fit for the site because of the church. In voting “no,” Commissioner Stewart expressed the opinion that the size of the cross was not in proportion to the adjacent church building. In addition, Commissioner Stewart expressed that he would be in support of the monocross if it were smaller and in proportion to the existing church building. A resident of the City, Fred Sykes, was the only speaker that spoke in opposition at the hearing. ALTERNATIVES: Approve Conditional Use Permit No. 10-10 upholding the Planning Commission decision to approve the installation of a wireless communications tower designed in the shape of a cross (monocross). (A resolution of approval is included as Attachment 1.) Deny Conditional Use Permit No. 10-10. (A resolution of denial is included as Attachment 2) FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed wireless facility would require a building permit and business license, both of which would generate fees for City. ______________________________ _______________________________________ Prepared by: Ron Garcia Reviewed/Approved by: Jeff Anderson Planning Associate Acting Planning Director Attachments: Attachment 1 – Conditional Use Permit (Monocross) Resolution Attachment 2 – Conditional Use Permit Resolution for Denial Attachment 3 – Planning Commission Resolution No. 10-5384 Attachment 4 - Planning Commission Staff Report dated August 24, 2010 Attachment 5 – Planning Commission Minutes dated August 24, 2010 Attachment 6 – Appeal Letter, September 2, 2010 Attachment 7 – Letter of Concern, Mr. And Mrs. Lungstrum, September 14, 2010 Attachment 8 - Letter of Concern, Mr. And Mrs. Venzor, September 14, 2010 Attachment 9 – Withdrawal of Appeal, September 15, 2010