CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS IN SESSION:
ITEM #
MAY 9, 1996
PAGE 1
P95-109 CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SITE @ 62 VALINE COURT
REQUEST:
LOCATION:
A.
Negative Declaration
B.
Special Permit to locate six cellular antenna panels on
the roof of an *existing commercial building and two
12.2 square-foot equipment cabinets in the MultiFamily (R-2A) zone.
62 Valine Court
APN: 029-0244-018
Council District 4
ic Bell M obile
SUMMARY: The applicant is seeking the necessary entitlements to establish a cellular
(wireless) telecommunications site in a residential zone at the above location. The project
involves the attachment of six antenna panels to the inside wall of the existing building's
roof parapet and the installation of two equipment cabinets at ground level on the west
side of the building. The apparatus will be unmanned but will require occasional visits for
routine maintenance and repairs. The project will not affect the existing use of the
building as an athletic club.
RECOMMENDATION: The project's primary issues relate to land use compatibility,
aesthetics, and public health. The proposed antenna panels will extend 6.5 feet above
the roof of the existing two-story commercial building for a total of 31.5 feet above
ground level. The panels will measure only 55 inches tall, six inches wide, and three
inches deep. The beige-colored panels will be below the zone's 35-foot height limit and
be visually compatible with the nearby development. No significant environmental
impacts or public health risks are anticipated. Placement of antenna panels on top of an
existing commercial structure is consistent with the City's co-location policy. Staff
therefore recommends approval of the requested entitlements subject to conditions.
P95-109-
May 9, 1996
ITEM #
PAGE 2
PROJECT INFORMATION:
General Plan Designation:
Community Plan Designation:
Zone:
Existing Land Use of Site:
School District:
Low-Density Residential (4-15 du/na)
Medium Density (16-29 du/na)
Multi-Family (R-2A)
Two-Story Commercial Building
Sacramento Unified
Surrounding Land Use and Zoning (see Attachment 13):
North: Senior Housing Complex; R-2A
Health Club Parking Lot; R-2A
South: Duplex Development; R-2
Outdoor Recreational Area; R-2A
East:
Interstate 5; TC
West: Apartments; R-3
Duplexes; R-2
Property Area:
Property Dimensions:
Height of Existing Building:
Height of Proposed Antenna Panel(s):
Size of Proposed Antenna Panel(s):
Size of Proposed Equipment Cabinet(s):
Street Improvements and Utilities:
23,100 Square Feet (0.53± Acres)
Irregular
25 Feet
6.5 Feet (31.5 Feet Above Grade)
55"(h) x 6"(w) x 3"(l)
5'3"(h) x 4'3"(w) x 2'4"(I)
Existing
OTHER APPROVALS REQUIRED: In addition to the requested entitlement, the applicant
will be required to obtain the following permits or approvals, including but not limited to:
Permits
Building Permit
Operating License
Agency
Development Services Division
Federal Communications Commission
BACKGROUND: Section 2-F-18 of the zoning ordinance indicates that private clubs are
permitted in any zone subject to the granting of a Special Permit by the Planning
Commission. In accordance with the Section, the existing recreational building was
established and expanded as follows:
P-7758
On May 11, 1977, the Commission approved the original Special Permit to develop
the athletic club subject to conditions.
P-8003
On December 8, 1977, the Commission approved a modification of the design and
required additional landscaping.
P-8845
On December 13, 1979, the Commission denied a sign variance request.
P95-109'
P-9003
May 9, 1996
ITEM #
PAGE 3
On May 8, 1980, the Commission approved a Special Permit to allow the
construction of a pool and spa subject to conditions.
P82-078 On June 10, 1982, the Commission approved a Special Permit to allow the
development of two tennis courts subject to conditions.
P83-127 On July 28, 1983, the Commission approved a Special Permit to add three tennis
courts to the existing recreational facility and a Variance to allow one tennis court
and two chainlink fences within the 25-foot setback subject to conditions.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The subject site is part of a proposed area-wide telecommunications system owned and operated by Pacific Bell Mobile Services (PBMS). The site
will work in conjunction with four other PBMS sites to provide coverage for the lower-City
region (Attachment 6). The system in turn will be an integral part of a state-wide system.
The four other sites are listed below.
Proiect #
P96-001
CUPO4-095
Z95-120
P96-016
Address
3225 Freeport Blvd
City of West Sacramento
7248 S. Land Park
2328 Florin Road
Orientation from Proiect
Northeast
North/Northeast
South/Southeast
Southeast
Status
Approved by CPC 4/25/96
Pending CPC Action
Approved by ZA 4/16/96
Pending CPC Action
PBMS is presently providing no service in the area (Attachment 4). The second map
(Attachment 5) shows the area of service which would be provided by the subject site.
Attachment 6 shows the service area provided by the subject site in conjunction with the
four other PBMS sites. Attachment 7 shows the same service area without the subject
site. The applicant claims that the subject site will provide significant coverage; without
it, there would be areas without PBMS service.
Within the City and County of Sacramento, PBMS anticipates establishing 60 individual
sites. PBMS has already applied for 20 of the 21 sites to be located within the City of
Sacramento.
STAFF EVALUATION: Staff has the following comments:
A.
Policy Considerations
General/Community Plan.
The subject site is designated as "Low-Density
Residential (4-15 du/na)" by the General Plan. The Pocket Community Plan
designates the site for "Medium Density Residential (16-29 du/na)." The
applicant's proposal would not result in a change to the present or anticipated land
use of the site or density of the region. The proposal is considered to be
compatible with the goals of the General Plan which encourage land use
compatibility, promote sensitivity to design, and "continue to improve and provide
communication & utility services to all areas of the City" (Sec. 7-11).
P95-109-
May 9, 1996
ITEM #
PAGE 4
Zoning. The subject site is zoned "Multi-Family (R-2A)" which is defined by the
zoning ordinance as a multi-family residential zone. The height limit of the R-2A
zone is 35 feet. Section 2-G-10 of the zoning ordinance indicates that a Special
Permit is required to allow the addition of antennas or other similar structures to
any existing building located in a residential zone when the antennas are not
devoted to the exclusive use of the building's residents. The antennas may not
rise more than 12 feet above the topmost portion of the building and may not
extend more than six feet in any other direction. A further discussion of the
project's design characteristics is provided below.
Co-Location. The City of Sacramento encourages the co-location and the
utilization of existing structures for wireless telecommunication systems to
minimize the number of towers, monopoles and similar structures in the City.
Therefore, such projects are required, where feasible, to co-locate with existing
telecommunications facilities or be designed to support additional future facilities.
The proposed antenna panels will be located on the roof of an existing commercial
building. Staff recommends that the applicant be required to allow additional
cellular companies to co-locate additional cellular facilities at this location subject
to City approval. The nearest existing telecommunications site belongs to AT&T
in the City of West Sacramento at 1155 South River Road. The next nearest site
(monopole) belongs to Airtouch Cellular in the City of Sacramento at 1415 47th
Avenue just West of Freeport Boulevard (P91-135).
B.
Site Plan / Design
The proposed antenna panels and equipment cabinets will be located on top of and
next to the two-story recreational facility, respectively. The six panels will be
situated in three pairs on the building's west, south, and east sides. The two
cabinets will be centered on a 6-inch concrete slab situated about four feet from
the building and 14 feet from the west property line (Exhibit 1A).
The panels and cabinets will be visible from ground level. The panels will rise 6.5
feet above the roof (for a total height of 31.5 feet) (Exhibits 1B-1D). The panels
will measure 55 inches tall, 6 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. Each of the 12.2
square foot, steel, cabinets will be about 5'3" tall, 4'3" wide, and 2'4" deep. The
cabinet doors will open to the west. The panels will be painted beige, and the
cabinets will be painted forest green.
The panels and cabinets are compatible with the subject site's zoning,
development, and surrounding land uses. The panels will not exceed 35 feet, rise
more than 12 feet, nor extend six feet in any other direction. The project is
consistent with the City's co-location policy. The equipment will be unmanned and
require only occasional visits for routine maintenance and repairs. The equipment
P95-109
May 9, 1996
ITEM #
PAGE 5
will not interfere with the operations of the facility nor nearby land uses. The color
of the equipment will match the building and landscaping. The scale of the
equipment is appropriate for the building, site, and area. Staff is therefore
supportive of the requested Special Permit subject to conditions.
PROJECT REVIEW PROCESS:
A.
Environmental Determination
In the past, a significant amount of public concern has been raised about the health
risks associated with EMF (electromagnetic frequency) radiation. Staff therefore
reviewed the applicant's proposal for potential impacts to human health and the
environment. A Negative Declaration has been prepared, and due to the minor
scale of the proposal, and due to the lower power level of the proposed PBMS
equipment, no impacts to human health or to the environment were identified. No
mitigation measures have been required. Staff therefore recommends that the
Commission ratify the Negative Declaration for the project.
B.
Neighborhood Resoonse
The project application was routed to the Greenhaven / Pocket Business
Association (Tim Skillman), the South Sacramento Neighborhood Association (Mary
Brill), and the Land Park Neighborhood Association (Steve Kahn). Staff followed-up
with a phone call to these organizations.
The Land Park Community Association, Sacramento County Alliance of
Neighborhoods, and South Sacramento Neighborhood Association remain opposed
to the City approving any new wireless telecommunication facilities until a
comprehensive City policy has been adopted.
C.
Summary of Agency Comments
The project has been reviewed by several City Departments and other agencies.
No specific concerns or comments were received.
PROJECT APPROVAL PROCESS: The Planning Commission has the authority to approve
or deny the requested entitlement. The Commission action may be appealed to the City
Council within 10 days following the Commission's action. Any modification to the
project shall be subject to review and approval by Planning staff prior to the issuance of
building permits.
P95-109"
ITEM # 4
PAGE 6
May 9, 1996
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Planning Commission take the following
action:
A.
Ratify the Negative Declaration
B.
Approve the Special Permit to locate six cellular antenna panels on the roof
of an existing commercial building and two 12.2 square-foot equipment
cabinets in the Multi-Family (R-2A) zone subject to conditions and findings
of fact.
Report Reviewed By,
Report Prepared By,
Mike Dale, Associate Planner
<-(5 (rit_DTA
Barbaral... Wendt, Senior Planner
Attachments
Attachment 1
Exhibit 1A
Exhibit 1 B
Exhibit 1 C
Exhibit 1D
Attachment 2
Attachment 3
Attachment 4
Attachment 5
Attachment 6
Attachment 7
Notice of Decision & Findings of Fact
Site Plan / Roof Plan
West Elevation
South Elevation
East Elevation
Vicinity Map
Land Use and Zoning Map
Existing Service Area
Proposed PBMS Site Service Area
Service Area Provided by Proposed PBMS Site in Conjunction with
Neighboring Sites
Service Area Without Proposed PBMS Site
4
P95-1o9-
May 9, 1996
ITEM #
PAGE 7
ATTACHMENT 1:
NOTICE OF DECISION AND FINDINGS OF FACT FOR
CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SITE 0 62 VALINE COURT
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA IN THE
MULTI-FAMILY (R-2A) ZONE. (P95-109)
At the regular meeting of May 9, 1996, the City Planning Commission heard and
considered evidence in the above entitled matter. Based on verbal and documentary
evidence at said hearing, the Planning Commission took the following actions for the
location listed above:
A.
Ratified the Negative Declaration
B.
Approved the Special Permit to locate six cellular antenna panels on the roof
of an existing commercial building and two 12.2 square-foot equipment
cabinets in the Multi-Family (R-2A) zone. •
These actions were made based upon the following findings of fact and subject to the
following conditions:
FINDINGS OF FACT
A.
Negative Declaration: The Negative Declaration is aoProved based upon the
following findings:
1.
The Negative was prepared and circulated for the above-identified project
pursuant to the requirements of CEQA;
2.
The proposed Negative Declaration and comments received during the
public review process were considered prior to the action being taken;
3.
Based upon the Initial Study and the comments received during the public
review process, there is no substantial evidence that the project will have
a significant effect on the environment.
Special Permit: The Special Permit to locate six cellular.antenna panels on the roof
of an existing commercial building and two 12.2 square-foot equipment cabinets
P95-1
oa
May 9, 1996
ITEM # 4..
PAGE 8
in the Multi-Family (R-2A) zone is aooroved subject to the following findings of fact
and conditions:
1.
The Special Permit, as conditioned, is granted upon sound principals of land
use in that:
a.
b.
c.
2.
3.
The project will utilize a commercially built location;
The project will not adversely affect the surrounding land uses; and
The proposed equipment will be located on top of a 2-story
commercial building.
The Special Permit, as conditioned, will not be detrimental to the public
health, safety or welfare, or result in the creation of a nuisance in that:
a.
Low-energy radio waves have been judged by the FCC to have an
insignificant risk associated with radio frequency radiation;
b.
Any increase in power level will require proper authorization from the
FCC;
c.
The Fire Department will be properly notified of the exact location
and contents of the proposed equipment cabinets; and
d.
The roof area, Where the panel antennas are located will be
unaccessible to the tenants of the building and the general public.
The Special Permit, as conditioned, complies with the objectives of the
General and Community Plans in which it is to be located in that:
a.
The project will not alter the present or anticipated density of the
subject site or region; and
b.
The project is in furtherance of policies to "continue to improve and
provide communication and utility service to all areas of the City."
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
B.
The Special Permit to locate six cellular antenna panels on the roof of an existing
commercial building and two 12.2 square-foot equipment cabinets in the MultiFamily (R-2A) zone is hereby approved subject to the following conditions:
B1.
The applicant shall obtain all necessary building permits prior to
commencing construction.
P95-109
May 9, 1996
ITEM # 41
PAGE
B2.
Prior to the issuance of building permits, the Fire Department shall be
properly notified of the exact location and contents of the proposed
equipment cabinets.
B3.
Any modification to the project shall be subject to review and approval by
Planning staff prior to the issuance of building permits.
B4.
The panels shall be painted beige to match the color of the existing building.
The equipment cabinets shall be painted forest-green. The applicant shall
use non-reflective paint on the antenna dishes to prevent glare.
B5.
Any additional antennas shall require a modification of the Special Permit.
{Six antennas are approved)
86.
Within three months from the termination of the lease or discontinuance of
use of the cellular antennas, the applicant shall remove the antennas from
the building.
B7.
The applicant shall allow additional cellular companies to co-locate cellular
facilities on the commercial building located at 62 Valine Court.
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
SECRETARY TO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
DATE (P95-109)
Attachments
Exhibit 1A
Exhibit 1B
Exhibit 1C
Exhibit 1D
Site Plan / Roof Plan
West Elevation
South Elevation
East Elevation
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P95-109-
May 9, 1996
ITEM #
PAGE fg
Attachment 3
Land Use and Zoning Map
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P95-109
ITEM # q_
PAGE 16
May 9, 1996
Attachment 4
Existing Service Area
NEWS
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EXISTING SERVICE
Fruitridge Road
SUBJECT SITE
Florin Road
Franklin Boulevard
Freeport Boulevard
Interstate 5
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03/29/96 16:42
P95-109
ITEM #
PAGE 17
May 9, 1996
Attachment 5
Proposed PBMS Site Service Area
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LAT:38-30-52N L0N:121-31-21W
GE: 13ft
STN:V1 ORTN:15 'TN TX4T:29 ft
E:199.92 W ANT:56000
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STN:V2 ORTN:135 'TN TXHT:29 It
E:199.92 Vf NT:56000
DT:OE HW:0 LO: 100
STN:V3 ORTN:255 'TN TXHT:29 ft
ERP:199.92 V 141:56000
DT:DE HW:0 LD:100
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03/29/96 16:15
P95-1 Oa
ITEM #j
PAGE 18
May 9, 1996
Attachment 6
Service Area Provided by Proposed PBMS Site
in Conjunction with Neighboring PBMS Sites
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03/29/96 16:14
P95-109
ITEM #
PAGE 19
May 9, 1996
Attachment 7
Service Area Without Proposed PBMS Site
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