ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA. County Board Agenda Item Meeting of January 28, 2017

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1 ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA County Board Agenda Item Meeting of January 28, 2017 DATE: January 7, 2017 SUBJECT: U USE PERMIT for a telecommunications facility on the rooftop of Heather Apartments; located at th St. N. (RPC# ). Applicant: Smartlink, LLC c/o Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless Lauren Bettis, Real Estate Manager 1362 Mellon Road Hanover, MD C.M. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the use permit for the installation of two (2) small cell antennas and related equipment on the rooftop of Heather Apartments; located at th St. N., subject to the proposed conditions of the staff report and with no further scheduled County Board review. ISSUES: This is a new use permit for a telecommunications facility to be installed on the rooftop of Heather Garden Apartments, located at th St. N., and no land use issues have been identified. SUMMARY: The applicant requests approval of a use permit to allow Verizon Wireless to install two (2)small cell antennae and related equipment on two non-penetrating ballast mounts on the rooftop of a residential building (Heather Apartments). The applicant states the proposed facility is designed to directly improve data services for the immediate residential and military area, and will contribute to an improved wireless network for the people who live and visit the surrounding area. County Manager: ##### County Attorney: ***** Staff: Nicole R. Boling, DCPHD, Planning Division Molly O Connell, DCPHD, Planning Division 16. PLA-7464

2 BACKGROUND: The subject site is the Heather Apartments located at th Street North. The following provides additional information about the site and location: Site: The 11,250 square foot site is located along 12 th Street North. The subject property is surrounded by multi-family apartment complexes, and backs up to the boundary of Fort Meyer. Zoning: The site is zoned RA6-15 Multiple Family Dwelling District in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO). Land Use: The subject site is designated in the General Land Use Plan (GLUP) as Medium Residential (37-72 units/acre). Neighborhood: The site is located within the boundaries of the Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights Civic Association. Staff and the applicant contacted the civic association in October and December of 2016; the civic association did not identify any land use concerns related to the application. U Verizon Telecommunications (Rosslyn 28) PLA-7464

3 Figure 1: Location of Verizon Wireless Proposed Telecommunications Facility Heather Apartments th St N. N O R T H Source: Bing Maps DISCUSSION: The applicant requests approval of a use permit to allow Verizon Wireless to install two (2) small cell antennae and related equipment on two non-penetrating ballast mounts on the rooftop of Heather Apartments. The proposed antennae will be approximately four (4) feet tall and 1.5 feet wide and their mounting structures will cover approximately a 10x10 area, respectively. The drawings designed by Entrex Communication Services, Inc. of the proposed telecommunications facility provide additional details regarding the placement of the antennas and related equipment. The resulting visual impact to the site and surrounding area will be minimal. The applicant has agreed to conditions that will ensure that the two (2) proposed antennas and related equipment will match the exterior appearance of the existing structure (Condition #1). The applicant also agreed to staff s proposal to provide contact information for the facility s community liaison to the Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights Civic Association and Zoning Administrator prior to the issuance of a building permit for the telecommunications equipment (Condition #2). In addition, the applicant agrees to remove any non-functioning or inactive antennas within 90 days after the cessation of use (Condition #3). The applicant shall also provide photo documentation and a letter detailing the removal of this equipment to the Zoning Administrator. U Verizon Telecommunications (Rosslyn 28) PLA-7464

4 The facility will be unmanned and require only infrequent visits by maintenance personnel. The applicant states that a representative from Verizon Wireless will visit the site approximately one (1) to two (2) times a month to ensure that the equipment is safe and functioning properly. Verizon Wireless is required to operate this facility in full compliance with Federal, State, and County ordinances. Furthermore, the Telecommunications Guidelines was used to evaluate the application. Along with direction in the way of design, visual impact, and compliance with FCC regulations; the Telecommunications Guidelines encourages the location of new antennas on existing structures, as opposed to constructing a new pole. The proposed antennas and equipment meet these criteria. The proposed location and appearance of the new antennas and related equipment are depicted on the attached plans designed by Entrex and dated October 11, 2016 and revised on October 18, Verizon Wireless is licensed by the FCC and is required to operate in full compliance with FCC rules and regulations. Federal law prohibits localities from basing a decision on the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions if the facility complies with FCC regulations. Furthermore, the proposal is consistent with the Interim Guidelines for Telecommunications Facilities on County-Owned Property, which also applies to private properties and encourages the placement of antennas on existing structures. The use will not: (1) adversely affect the health or safety of persons residing or working in the surrounding neighborhood, (2) be detrimental to the public welfare or (3) be injurious to property or improvements in the neighborhood. Staff recommends including standard use permit conditions for telecommunications facilities and the applicant has agreed to the conditions. The proposed use is in compliance with the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO) and the General Land Use Plan (GLUP). CONCLUSION: The proposed use permit is compliant with the County s Telecommunications Guidelines and with FCC requirements, as with the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance. The two (2) antennas and related equipment will be designed to match the appearance of the existing building and surrounding site. A community liaison will be available to address any concerns related to the operation of the facility. Additionally, the use will provide needed enhancement to Verizon s service delivery without producing undue, adverse impacts to the surrounding residential community. Therefore, staff recommends that the County Board approve the use permit, subject to proposed Conditions #1-3, with no further scheduled County Board review. Proposed Conditions (Verizon Telecommunications Facility at Heather Apartments): 1. The applicant agrees that the Verizon Wireless telecommunications facility on the existing building at th Street North will be installed as shown on plans dated October 11, 2016, and that the telecommunications facility, consisting of two (2) small cell antenna and other associated equipment, will be constructed as shown on the application package dated October 28, 2016, and approved by the County Board on January 28, The applicant agrees that the above-referenced antenna and equipment shall be painted or designed to match the existing building. The applicant agrees that any additional installation of antennas or related equipment on the site shall be subject to review, and approval, by the Zoning Administrator through the administrative change process. The Zoning Administrator may approve such administrative changes if she finds U Verizon Telecommunications (Rosslyn 28) PLA-7464

5 that the additional antennas or equipment are contained within the limits of height and space allowed in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO) for the existing building and match the colors and/or exterior materials of the existing building. 2. The applicant agrees to identify a community liaison who shall be available to address any concerns regarding the facility operation. The name, telephone number, and electronic mail address of the liaison shall be provided to the Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights Civic Association and the Zoning Administrator prior to the issuance of a building permit for installation of equipment related to the telecommunications facility. 3. The applicant agrees that any non-functioning Verizon Wireless antennas on the roof of the building shall be removed at the time of installation of any proposed new Verizon Wireless antennas. The applicant further agrees that, in the future, any Verizon Wireless antennas on the site shall be removed within ninety (90) days after cessation of use. The applicant agrees to submit to the Zoning Administrator a letter (within the aforementioned ninety (90) day period) listing the number and type of antennas and other related equipment that shall be removed including photo documentation demonstration removal of non-functioning equipment. U Verizon Telecommunications (Rosslyn 28) PLA-7464

6 PREVIOUS COUNTY BOARD ACTIONS: October 19, 2002 February 12, 2005 Approved Resolution Authorizing Preliminary Assessment for Local Improvements under Virginia Code $ et. Seq., and $ and Establishing Sidewalk, Curb, and Gutter Project #2002-1: High Density and High Pedestrian Maintenance Program Repair Project. Approved Final Assessment for Local Improvements under Virginia Code Section et. Seq., concerning High Density and High Pedestrian Concrete Maintenance Program, Concrete Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter ( Improvements ) for Project No U Verizon Telecommunications (Rosslyn 28) PLA-7464

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18 0 1' 2' 3' 6' SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0" 9' TELEGENT ENGINEERING INC Rockledge Drive, Suite 550 Bethesda, MD PHONE: (202) FAX: (202) A-4

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21 N PIERCE ST N QUEEN ST SHERMAN RD C-1-R N ODE ST 1209 FORT MYER DR 12TH ST N 1215 RA N OAK ST CUSTER RD FENTON CIR FENTON CIR STEWART RD FENTON CIR STEWART RD S-3A MARSHALL DR U th St N RPC # Scale: ICase Location(s) 1:1,800 Note: These maps are for property location assistance only. They may not represent the latest survey and other information. Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development County Use Only Date Placard Posted By Removed