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Home My WebLink AboutPLN-11-00069 sr STAFF REPORT PLANNING DIVISION CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA DATE: JUNE 15, 2011 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: BRIAN SAEKI, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT KEVIN NGUYEN, ASSISTANT PLANNER SUBJECT: PLN-11-00069 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT) – A REQUEST BY AT&T WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS TO INSTALL TWELVE (12) WIRELESS ANTENNAS AT A HEIGHT OF 47’-4” TO THE EXISTING 61’-3” HIGH BELL TOWER ON PROPERTY AT 12348 PARAMOUNT BLVD, ZONED R-1 5,000 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) CEQA Staff has reviewed the proposed expansion of use for compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Upon completion of this review, staff determined that this request is categorically exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Guideline Section No. 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities). Categorical Exemptions are projects, which have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment and have been exempted from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. Class 1, includes minor expansion of uses such as this request. In staff’s opinion, installing the proposed wireless antenna panels to the existing tower structure will not have a significant effect on the environment; thereby qualifying for the Class 1 exemption. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the following titled resolution: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PLN-11-00069 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT), A REQUEST BY AT&T WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS TO INSTALL TWELVE (12) ANTENNA PANELS AT A HEIGHT OF 47’-4” WITHIN AN EXISTING 61’-3” TALL CHURCH (ST. RAYMOND’S) BELL TOWER ON PROPERTY AT 12348 PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD, ZONED R-1 5,000 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) CODE AUTHORITY The applicant’s request and the Planning Commission’s authority to consider the request are set forth in Municipal Code Section 9824 (Conditional Use Permit). PLN-11-00069 – 12348 Paramount Blvd June 15, 2011 -Page 2 SITE LOCATION 12348 PARAMOUNT BLVD SITE DESCRIPTION A. Subject Property 1. Property Information Site Location: 12348 Paramount Blvd AIN: 6259-011-050 2. Applicant Information Property Owner: Representative: Rev. John W. Higgins St. Raymond Catholic Church 12348 Paramount Blvd Downey, CA 90242 Justin Robinson AT&T Mobility Services 1750 E. Ocean Blvd # 906 Long Beach, CA 90802 3. CEQA Determination: Categorical Exemption (Class 1) 4. Noticing Information Applicant Notification: Required Action Date: May 31, 2011 July 30, 2011 B. Surrounding Properties Zone Use North C-2 – General Commercial Retail (formerly Alin Party Depot) South R-1 – Single-Family Residential Single Family Homes West C-2 – General Commercial Single Family Homes East C-2 – General Commercial Single Family Homes PLN-11-00069 – 12348 Paramount Blvd June 15, 2011 -Page 3 C. Photograph of the Subject Site BACKGROUND AT&T Wireless Communications requests approval of PLN-11-00069, for the installation of twelve (12) antenna panels on the bell tower at Saint Raymond Catholic Church, 12348 Paramount Boulevard. The subject site is a 3.3 acre irregular-shaped lot that is located on the east side of Paramount Boulevard, between Quoit Street and Conrad Street. The site is zoned R1-5,000 (Single-Family Residential) with a General Plan land use designation of S-PR (School – Private). It is currently developed with the Saint Raymond church and several church office & school buildings. Parking lot for this site is centrally located to the east and south sides of the buildings. On March 25, 1998, the Planning Commission approved Zone Variance No. 98-15, to construct an assembly building and a 61’-3” high bell tower at the subject site. On March 10, 2011, a representative for AT&T, Justin Robinson, submitted a Land Use application for PLN-11-00069 (Conditional Use Permit). Staff deemed the application complete on May 31, 2011. On June 3, 2011, notice of the pending public hearing was sent to all property owners within 500’ of the subject site and published in the Downey Patriot. DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS The applicant is proposing to install twelve (12) antennas within an existing church bell tower, which measures 61’-3” tall. Also, an equipment cabinet will be constructed on the ground within the existing bell tower. All proposed antennas will be behind the screen wall completely, and the height of all antennas will not exceed the height of the existing bell tower structure (see attached photo simulation). Section 9426 of the Downey Municipal Code (DMC) regulates the standards for all wireless communications facilities. Subsection 9426.04(b)(10)(ii) states:  Antennas that are collocated onto an existing standalone/tower facility, or on the side of a building, may be permitted at any height, provided the height of the standalone/tower or existing building is not increased and the antennas do not exceed the existing height of the standalone/tower facility or building. Staff finds that the proposed design will utilize the existing screen wall on the church bell tower, by mounting all twelve (12) antennas behind the screen wall upon it. As such, all proposed antenna panels will be completely located behind the existing screen wall. Staff believes that the proposal is consistent with what other wireless companies have done to install antennas at other locations. PLN-11-00069 – 12348 Paramount Blvd June 15, 2011 -Page 4 In evaluating the application, staff supports the proposal. However, in order to mitigate aesthetic impacts, staff is recommending a condition of approval, which reads:  All wireless antennas shall not extend above the existing bell tower structure and they shall not be mounted on the outside of the tower’s facade. FINDINGS Pursuant with Section 9824 of the Downey Municipal Code, staff has reviewed the proposal and has developed the following findings to support the approval of PLN-11-00068: 1. That the requested conditional use permit will not adversely affect the purpose and intent of this chapter or the City’s General Plan or the public convenience or general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood thereof. General Plan Policy No. 2.7.1 states that the City should “Provide adequate utility and communications infrastructure.” Approving this project will help achieve this policy by increasing the capacity of the existing communications network. 2. That the requested use will not adversely affect the adjoining land uses and the growth and development of the area in which it is proposed to be located. The subject site is in a fully developed area of the City, with no vacant properties in the adjacent area. Installation of the antenna panels will not prevent surrounding properties from further being developed. Moreover, in order to mitigate aesthetic impacts on surrounding properties, the proposal has been designed to hide the antennas behind the existing “bell” tower structure. 3. That the size and shape of the subject property proposed for the use is adequate to allow the full development of the proposed use in a manner not detrimental to the particular area. The subject site is an irregular shaped lot that is improved with Saint Raymond Church. The proposed project will be located within the existing 61’-3” high bell tower structure. The location of the antennas and all related equipment will not interfere with the use of the property. Thus, the site has sufficient shape and size to accommodate the proposed project. 4. That the traffic generated by the proposed use will not impose an undue burden upon the streets and highways in the area. The proposed project is an unmanned wireless communications facility, which typically requires a single site visit once a month for maintenance. The adjoining street (Paramount Boulevard frontage) has sufficient capacity to absorb any additional traffic the requested use may create. CORRESPONDENCE As of the date that this report was printed, staff has not received any correspondence regarding this matter. CONCLUSION Staff supports the proposal and recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving PLN-11-00069 (Conditional Use Permit), subject to the conditions of approval as stated in Exhibit A of the Planning Commission Resolution.