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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLN-11-00088 sr STAFF REPORT PLANNING DIVISION CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA DATE: JUNE 15, 2011 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: BRIAN SAEKI, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT JESSICA J. FLORES, ASSOCIATE PLANNER SUBJECT: PLN-11-00088 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT) – ADOPT A NEGATIVE RESOLUTION AND APPROVE THE INSTALLATION, MAINTAINANCE, AND OPERATION OF A NEW WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY (9 ANTENNAE) ON AN EXISTING SCE HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION TOWER, AND THE INSTALLATION OF SIX (6) NEW EQUIPMENT CABINETS BENEATH THE TOWER ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 10901 FLORENCE AVENUE, ZONED C-2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL). CEQA In accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), staff prepared an Initial Study for a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact (attached hereunto as Exhibit 3). Although CEQA identifies a number of statutory and categorical exemptions, the proposed wireless communications facility does not qualify for a CEQA exemption. Nevertheless, as a result of the analysis contained in the Initial Initial Study, it is staff’s opinion that the proposed project would not have a significant effect on the environment resulting in the recommended Negative Declaration. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the following titled resolution: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND APPROVING PLN 11-00088 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT), ALLOWING THE INSTALLATION, MAINTAINANCE, AND OPERATION OF A NEW WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY (9 ANTENNAE) ON AN EXISTING SCE HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION TOWER, AND THE INSTALLATION OF SIX (6) EQUIPMENT CABINETS BENEATH THE TOWER ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 10901 FLORENCE AVENUE, ZONED C-2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL). CODE AUTHORITY The applicant is making their request pursuant to the provisions of Municipal Code Sections 9318.04 and 9426, which allow the operation of a wireless communication facility subject to the PLN-11-00088 – 10901 Florence Ave. June 15, 2011 -Page 2 approval of a Conditional Use Permit. The Planning Commission’s authority to consider the request is set forth in Municipal Code Section 9824 (Conditional Use Permit). SITE LOCATION 10901 Florence Ave. SITE DESCRIPTION A. Subject Property 1. Property Information Site Location: 10901 Florence Ave. (AIN: 6391-026-805) 2. Applicant Information Owner: Representative: Southern California Edison Co. 4900 Rivergrade Road Bldg. 2-B, 1st Floor Irwindale, CA 91706 Aaron Anderson Sequoia Deployment Services, Inc. One Venture, Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92618 3. CEQA Determination: Negative Declaration 4. Noticing Information Applicant Notification: Required Action Date: April 29, 2011 October 21, 2011 PLN-11-00088 – 10901 Florence Ave. June 15, 2011 -Page 3 B. Surrounding Properties Zone Use North N/A High voltage transmission towers East N/A Caltrans maintenance facility and I-605 freeway South C-2 (General Commercial) Wilderness Park West N/A San Gabriel River C. Site Photograph South View of Subject Site DISCUSSION The subject property is located at 10901 Florence Ave. and is zoned C-2 (General Commercial). It is a triangular-shaped, 47,000 sq. ft. lot that is located on the north side of Florence Avenue, just west of the Interstate 605 freeway. The site is currently improved with a high voltage transmission tower. Adjacent to the subject site is also a Caltrans maintenance facility. The applicant, Aaron Anderson [Sequoia for T-Mobile], is proposing construction of a new wireless telecommunication facility located on an existing SCE high voltage transmission tower. The wireless telecommunication facility includes a minimal amount of equipment (nine (9) antennae) to be mounted on the existing SCE tower. It does not require the construction of any additional structures or poles at the site. In addition, the applicant proposes to install six (6) ground-mounted equipment cabinets behind a new wrought iron fence, located immediately beneath the tower. PLN-11-00088 – 10901 Florence Ave. June 15, 2011 -Page 4 Per Downey Municipal Code Section 9426.04(6), All accessory equipment associated with the operation of a wireless communication facility shall be located within a building enclosure, or in an underground vault […] If the equipment is to be located above ground, it shall be housed in a structure that is visually compatible with the surrounding buildings and include sufficient landscaping to screen the structure from view.” As such, staff recommends that the proposed wrought iron fence be screened from Florence Ave. view, with the planting of mature landscape. FINDINGS Pursuant to Municipal Code 9824, there are four (4) findings that must be adopted prior to Planning Commission approving of a Conditional Use Permit. A discussion of the findings follows: 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.” Inasmuch as the proposal will increase the capacity of the existing cellular network, staff believes that this approval will help achieve this policy. Furthermore, the additional network coverage will serve as a convenience to the public that utilizes T-Mobile, as it provides them with increased service. Accordingly, staff feels that this finding can be adopted. 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. Staff’s opinion is that the proposed tower mounted antennae will not prevent surrounding properties from being developed further. Aesthetic impact is a common concern with the construction of wireless facilities and the impact they may have on surrounding properties and the enjoyment of the properties thereof, particularly residential. To address this concern, the applicant has designed the wireless facility as part of the SCE high voltage tower. Staff believes that this design will avoid any aesthetic impacts on the adjoining properties, thereby avoiding adverse affects thereto. As such, staff feels that this finding can be adopted. 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 property is a triangular-shaped, 47,000 sq. ft. lot that is located on the north side of Florence Avenue, just west of the Interstate 605 freeway. The site is currently improved with a high voltage transmission tower. The location of the antennae and all related equipment will not reduce the amount of available parking or conflict with on-site circulation. Thus, staff believes that the subject site has sufficient shape and size to accommodate the proposed use and that this finding can be adopted. PLN-11-00088 – 10901 Florence Ave. June 15, 2011 -Page 5 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 only requires a site visit only once a month for maintenance. It is staff’s opinion that this is not a significant increase in vehicle trips and the adjoining streets have sufficient capacity to absorb this de minimis amount of vehicles. As such, staff feels that the proposed use will not impose an undue burden upon the streets and highways in the area and that this finding can be adopted. CONCLUSION Staff supports the proposal and recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a Negative Declaration and resolution approving PLN-11-00088 (Conditional Use Permit), allowing the installation, maintenance, and operation of a new wireless telecommunication facility (9 antennae) on an existing SCE high voltage transmission tower, and the installation of six (6) new equipment cabinets beneath the tower on property located at 10901 Florence Avenue, zoned C-2 (General Commercial).