Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1. PLN-14-00231 - 8336 Second StSTAFF REPORT PLANNING DIVISION DATE: JANUARY 21, 2015 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION SUBMITTED BY: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REVIEWED BY: WILLIAM E. DAVIS, CITY PLANNER PREPARED BY: KEVIN NGUYEN, ASSISTANT PLANNER SUBJECT: PLN-14-00231 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT) - A REQUEST BY VERIZON WIRELESS TO INSTALL A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY ON THE ROOF OF AN EXISTING VERIZON-OWNED SWITCHING BUILDING LOCATION: 8336 SECOND STREET ZONING: DDSP (DOWTOWN DOWNEY SPECIFIC PLAN) REPORT SUMMARY The proposed Land Use Permit Application (PLN-14-00231) is a request for approval of a conditional use permit to install a wireless communications facility on the roof of the Verizon telecommunication switching station at 8336 Second Street. The proposed project involves adding twelve (12) new panel antennas to various locations on the rooftop of the building. Based on the analysis contained within this report, staff feels that all required findings to approve a conditional use permit can be made in a positive manner. As such, staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the following titled resolution: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PLN-14-00231, FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE INSTALLATION OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY, INCLUDING TWELVE (12) PANEL ANTENNAS, A 4 -FOOT DIAMETER MICROWAVE ANTENNA, AND TWO (2) EQUIPMENT CABINETS, ON THE ROOF OF A VERIZON-OWNED SWITCHING BUILDING, AT 8336 SECOND STREET, ZONED DDSP (DOWNTOWN DOWNEY SPECIFIC PLAN). BACKGROUND The subject property is located on the south side of 2nd Street, just east of the newly constructed “The View” project. It is zoned DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan) with a General Plan Land Use Designation of “Mixed Use”. The subject property is developed with a 12,600 square foot two-story Verizon owned switching building. The surrounding properties include First Baptist Church to the north (across 2nd Street), the south side of the project site is developed with retails and services, the View exists to the west, and Wells Fargo Bank’s parking lot is to the east of the project site. Agenda Page 1 On November 12, 2014, Ms. Marilyn Warren, a representative for Verizon, submitted a Land Use Permit Application for PLN-14-00231 (Conditional Use Permit). After a careful review of the proposal, staff deemed the application complete on December 18, 2014. On January 8, 2015, staff sent notice of the pending public hearing to all property owners within 500’ of the subject site and the notice was published in the Downey Patriot. DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS Pursuant to Section 9314.04, Table 9.3.5 of the Downey Municipal Code, the installation and operation of wireless communication facilities require approval of a conditional use permit by the Planning Commission. In order to provide better signal strength in the area and to provide their customers improved service, Verizon Wireless is proposing to install 12 panel antennas on the roof of the building. The antennas are broken into three sectors, with four antennas per sector. Each of the panel antennas are eight feet tall and 12 inches wide. In addition to the panel antennas, the applicant is proposing to install a 4-four diameter microwave antenna. The microwave antenna is not used to connect to cell phones, but rather is used for backhaul and allows the site to communicate with other sites. All related electrical equipment cabinets will be located within a lease area on the roof of the subject building. Since the building has an emergency generator already, the applicant is not proposing to add a generator to the site. The building measures 41 feet from the ground level to the top of the parapet. PLN-14-00231 proposes to add a nine-foot tall FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) screen walls to the top of the parapet, on each of the four corners of the building to conceal the antennas. This screen walls will measure fifty feet (50’) above grade. Note that the maximum building height in the DDSP zone is 75’. As submitted, PLN-14-00231 proposes to configure the screen walls into box-like shapes on three corners of the building. However, on the revised plans submitted to staff on January 12, 2015, the Applicant has agreed to provide a fourth screen box above the southeast corner of the building. This will create a balanced appearance and enhance the overall aesthetics of the building. The proposed wireless communication facility meets all of the development standards of the DDSP zone and the wireless communication standards set forth in Municipal Code Section 9426.04. In addition, the project is consistent with the previously approved wireless facilities in the City. Furthermore, staff feels that the approval of this conditional use permit will help to increase the capacity of the existing communications network in the area. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Staff has reviewed the proposed antennas for compliance with the 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 including this request. It is staff’s opinion that the installation of new wireless panel antennas on the rooftop of Agenda Page 2 a building will not have a significant effect on the environment; thereby qualifying for Class 1 exemption. FINDINGS Pursuant to the requirements of the Downey Municipal Code Section 9824.06, the Planning Commission must make the following findings to approve a conditional use permit: 1. 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. The subject site has a General Plan Land Use Designation of Mixed Use, which is being implemented by the DDSP zone. General Plan Policy 2.7.1 states, “Provide adequate utility and communication systems.” The project is consistent with this General Plan policy since it will provide better wireless communication connectivity and services to those who live and work in the area. Approving this project will help achieve this policy by increasing the capacity of the existing communications network. In addition, the project complies with all requirements of the Municipal Code, all while providing proper screening of the antennas and enhancing the overall appearance of the building . 2. 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. The proposed wireless communication facility will locate 12 panel antennas, one 4-foot diameter microwave antenna, and two equipment cabinets for Verizon Wireless on the roof of the existing building. The requested use will not affect neighboring land uses because all of the antennas will be located behind the FRP screen walls, and the screen walls will be comprised of a color and design to match the building façade. The screen walls will hide the antennas from the public right-of-way and will not be visible from other properties. 3. The size and shape of the site 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 a rectangular-shaped lot that is improved with a two-story Verizon- owned telecommunication switching facility that has been existence since 1983. The antennas will be mounted to the screen walls on top of the building and will not require an expansion of the building floor area. Additionally, the location of the antennas and all related equipment cabinets will not interfere with the use of the building or reduce the amount of available parking. Thus, the site has sufficient shape and size to accommodate the proposed project and will not be detrimental to adjacent uses. 4. 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 telecommunications facility, which typically only requires a single site visit once a month for maintenance. The adjoining Agenda Page 3 Agenda Page 4 Exhibit ‘A’ PROJECT LOCATION SITE PHOTOGRAPH Agenda Page 5 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH ZONING MAP SUBJECT PROPERTY Agenda Page 6 RESOLUTION NO. 15-____ A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PLN-14-00231, FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE INSTALLATION OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY, INCLUDING TWELVE (12) PANEL ANTENNAS, A 4-FOOT DIAMETER MICROWAVE ANTENNA, AND TWO (2) EQUIPMENT CABINETS, ON THE ROOF OF A VERIZON-OWNED SWITCHING BUILDING, AT 8336 SECOND STREET, ZONED DDSP (DOWNTOWN DOWNEY SPECIFIC PLAN). THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Downey does hereby find, determine and declare that: A. An application was filed by Marilyn Warren (hereinafter "applicant") requesting approval of PLN-14-00231 (Conditional Use Permit), to install a wireless communication facility (Verizon) on the roof of an existing Verizon-owned switching building, on property at 8336 Second Street, and zoned DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan) (hereinafter “subject property”) (Assessor Identification No. 6254-020-808); and, B. On January 8, 2015, notice of the pending public hearing was sent to all property owners within 500’ of the subject site and the notice was published in the Downey Patriot; and, C. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on January 21, 2015 and, after fully considering all oral and written testimony and facts and opinions offered at the aforesaid public hearing, adopted Resolution No. 15-____, subject to conditions of approval (Exhibit A). SECTION 2. The Planning Commission further finds, determines and declares the environmental impact of the proposed development has been reviewed and has been found to be in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is categorically exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Guideline Section No. 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities). SECTION 3. Having considered all of the oral and written evidence presented to it at said public hearings, the Planning Commission further finds, determines and declares that: A. 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. The subject site has a General Plan Land Use Designation of Mixed Use, which is being implemented by the DDSP zone. General Plan Policy 2.7.1 states, “Provide adequate utility and communication systems.” The project is consistent with this General Plan policy since it will provide better wireless communication connectivity and services to those who live and work in the area. Approving this project will help achieve this policy by increasing the capacity of the existing communications network. In addition, the project complies with all requirements of the Municipal Code, all while providing proper screening of the antennas and enhancing the overall appearance of the building. Agenda Page 7 B. 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. The proposed wireless communication facility will locate 12 panel antennas, one 4-foot diameter microwave antenna, and two equipment cabinets for Verizon Wireless on the roof of the existing building. The requested use will not affect neighboring land uses because all of the antennas will be located behind the FRP screen walls, and the screen walls will be comprised of a color and design to match the building façade. The screen walls will hide the antennas from the public right-of-way and will not be visible from other properties. C. 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 a rectangular-shaped lot that is improved with a two-story Verizon-owned telecommunication switching facility that has been existence since 1983. The antennas will be mounted to the screen walls on top of the building and will not require an expansion of the building floor area. Additionally, the location of the antennas and all related equipment cabinets will not interfere with the use of the building or reduce the amount of available parking. Thus, the site has sufficient shape and size to accommodate the proposed project and will not be detrimental to adjacent uses. D. 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 telecommunications facility, which typically only requires a single site visit once a month for maintenance. The adjoining streets (2nd Street and Dolan Avenue) have sufficient capacity to absorb any additional traffic the requested use may create. SECTION 4. Pursuant to Downey Municipal Code Section 9426.04(b)(4), the Planning Commission further finds, determines and declares that: i. All antennas and equipment that are located on the side, roof, and/or penthouse of an existing building are properly integrated into the subject building’s design so that they are not identifiable as such by a casual observer. The proposed antennas will be located on the roof of the building surrounded by FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) screen walls that will have a finish to match the building. This design will allow the screen walls to blend into the existing building, thus looking like an extension of the building. As a result, the casual observer will not recognize the extension as a wireless facility. SECTION 5. Based upon the findings set forth in Sections 1 through 4 of this Resolution, the Planning Commission of the City of Downey hereby approves PLN-14-00231 (Conditional Use Permit), subject to conditions of approval attached hereto as Exhibit A, which are necessary to preserve the health, safety and general welfare of the community and enable the Planning Commission to make the findings set forth in the previous sections. The conditions are fair and reasonable for the accomplishment of these purposes. Agenda Page 8 SECTION 6. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of January, 2015. _________________________ Hector Lujan, Vice Chairman City Planning Commission I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof held on the 21st day of January, 2015, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: _________________________ Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission Agenda Page 9 Agenda Page 10 9) The owner/applicant shall be required to complete a construction & demolition (C&D) waste management plan per Article V, Chapter 8 of the Downey Municipal Code. 10) The owner/applicant shall provide that all construction graffiti created as part of this project in the public right of way to be removed. FIRE 11) If applicable, the applicant/owner shall install a Knox® Rapid Entry System for the project. 12) The owner/applicant shall obtain all required permits and necessary inspections prior to beginning operation of the wireless facility. BUILDING 13) The owner/applicant shall provide that all construction shall comply with the 2015 California Building Code and Title 24 of the California Energy Code. 14) Prior to the beginning installation of antenna panels, the owner/applicant shall obtain all required permits and necessary inspections prior to beginning operation of the wireless facility. H:\Community Development\Nguyen\CASES\CUP\2014\8336 Second (Verizon wireless)\14-00231 reso-approve.doc Agenda Page 11 Ag e n d a Page 12 PL N - 1 4 - 0 0 2 3 1 - 8 3 3 6 S e c o n d S t r e e t Ja n u a r y 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 - P a g e 8 Ag e n d a Page 13 PL N - 1 4 - 0 0 2 3 1 - 8 3 3 6 S e c o n d S t r e e t Ja n u a r y 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 - P a g e 9 Ag e n d a Page 14 PL N - 1 4 - 0 0 2 3 1 - 8 3 3 6 S e c o n d S t r e e t Ja n u a r y 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 - P a g e 1 0 Ag e n d a Page 15 PL N - 1 4 - 0 0 2 3 1 - 8 3 3 6 S e c o n d S t r e e t Ja n u a r y 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 - P a g e 1 1 Ag e n d a Page 16