ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA

Transcription

1 ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA County Board Agenda Item Meeting of December 12, 2015 DATE: December 1, 2015 SUBJECT: SP-84-U-15-1 USE PERMIT ASSOCIATED WITH A SITE PLAN for a telecommunications facility; located at 2200 Columbia Pike (2200 Columbia Pike Apartments) (RPC# ). Applicant: T-Mobile Northeast LLC John Moore, Project Manager Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, Maryland C.M. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the subject use permit for installation of rooftop telecommunications equipment, subject to the conditions provided in the staff report, and with no further scheduled County Board review. ISSUES: This is a use permit request for T-Mobile Northeast LLC to install rooftop telecommunications equipment at 2200 Columbia Pike Apartments, located at 2200 Columbia Pike. No issues have been identified. SUMMARY: The applicant, T-Mobile Northeast LLC, is proposing to install a telecommunications facility on the rooftop of an existing apartment building located at 2200 Columbia Pike. The proposed telecommunications equipment includes nine (9) panel antennas on three (3) sectors of the existing rooftop along with two (2) radio equipment cabinets on an elevated platform. The applicant states in their use permit application that the facility is needed in order to replace a site at The Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel located at 900 S. Orme St. because the agreement was terminated at that location. The proposed telecommunications facility would serve the residential neighborhoods and commercial areas along Columbia Pike west of the Pentagon and north of I-395. The applicant s engineers determined that 2200 Columbia Pike Apartments would be the best location for the facility in order to adequately replace coverage for County Manager: ##### County Attorney: ***** Staff: Nicole R. Boling, DCPHD, Planning Division 6. PLA-7136

2 customers in the immediate vicinity. The applicant has agreed to conditions that will ensure that the proposed antennas and related equipment additions will be designed to match the appearance of the existing building which will create minimal visual impact on the area. The applicant has also agreed to identify a community liaison to be available to address any concerns regarding the project. T-Mobile Northeast LLC is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (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. Therefore, staff recommends that the County Board approve the subject use permit, subject to the conditions of the staff report and with no further scheduled County Board review. BACKGROUND: The subject property is developed with a 218-unit apartment building, known as 2200 Columbia Pike Apartments. This apartment building was approved by the County Board in The first eight (8) stories were constructed by right and the four (4) additional floors were approved as part of Site Plan #84. The following provides additional information about the site and location: Site: The 176,677 square foot site includes a 218-unit apartment building (2200 Columbia Pike Apartments) that was approved in March The site is primarily surrounded by residential uses in all directions. Columbia Pike is located to the north of the site with 12 th Street South to the south, South Wayne Street to the west, and South Courthouse Road to the east. Zoning: The site is zoned RA6-15 Multiple Family Dwelling District. Land Use: The site is designated on the General Land Use Plan (GLUP) as Medium Residential (37-72 units/acre). Neighborhood: The site is located in the Columbia Heights Civic Association, and adjacent to the Penrose Neighborhood Association. Staff contacted both associations regarding the application. As of the date of this report, staff has not received a response from the Columbia Heights Civic Association. Staff received a response from one (1) resident in the Penrose neighborhood that expressed concerns related to environmental health in regards to the application for a telecommunications facility. As explained before, Federal law prohibits localities from basing a decision on the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions if the facility complies with FCC regulations. SP-84-U T-Mobile Telecommunications Facility PLA-7136

3 2200 Columbia Pike Apartments Source: Bing Maps Columbia Pike Apartments Source: Bing Maps 2015 SP-84-U T-Mobile Telecommunications Facility PLA-7136

4 DISCUSSION: The applicant is requesting a use permit for a telecommunications facility at 2200 Columbia Pike Apartments. The new telecommunications facility would replace an existing facility that has gone off-air at The Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel located at 900 S. Orme St. The proposed facility would replace coverage for their customers in the immediate vicinity. This coverage area includes residential and commercial uses along Columbia Pike west of the Pentagon and north of I-395. The applicant is proposing to install nine (9) panel antennas on three (3) sectors of the existing rooftop with two (2) radio equipment cabinets on an elevated platform. The overall height of the existing structure will not be extended. The existing building rooftop height (including the high penthouse) is approximately 138 above ground level (AGL). The top of the proposed antennas will not exceed a height of approximately 124 (AGL). The elevation drawings and rooftop plan designed by Entrex Communication Services, Inc. provide additional details regarding the placement of the antenna 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 proposed antenna and associated equipment will match the exterior appearance of the existing building (Condition #1). The applicant also agreed to staff s proposal to provide contact information for the facility s community liaison to the Columbia Heights Civic Association, Penrose Neighborhood 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 cessation of use (Condition #3). The applicant shall provide photo documentation and a letter detailing the removal of this equipment to the Zoning Administrator. The facility will be unstaffed and require only infrequent visits by maintenance personnel. The applicant states that a representative from T-Mobile will visit the site approximately one (1) time per month to ensure the equipment is safe and functioning properly. T-Mobile Northeast LLC is required to operate this facility in full compliance with Federal, State, and County ordinances. Furthermore, the Interim Guidelines for Telecommunications Facilities on County-Owned Property (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 antenna 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 Communication Services, Inc. and dated October 7, CONCLUSION: The proposed use permit is compliant with the County s Telecommunications Guidelines and with FCC requirements, as well as with the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO). The proposed antennas and related equipment will be designed to match the appearance of the existing building and a community liaison will be available. Therefore, staff recommends that the County Board approve the subject use permit, subject to the conditions of the staff report and with no further scheduled review. SP-84-U T-Mobile Telecommunications Facility PLA-7136

5 Conditions (T-Mobile Northeast LLC Telecommunications Facility): 1. The applicant agrees that the T-Mobile Northeast LLC telecommunications facility on the existing building at 2200 Columbia Pike, consisting of nine (9) panel antennas on three (3) sectors on the rooftop and two (2) radio equipment cabinets on an elevated platform, and other related equipment will be installed as shown on plans dated October 7, 2015 prepared by Entrex Communication Services, LLC. The applicant agrees that the abovereferenced antennas and equipment shall be painted and/or designed to match the existing building. The applicant further 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 will approve such administrative changes if she finds 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 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 Columbia Heights Civic Association, Penrose Neighborhood Association, and 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 T-Mobile Northeast LLC antennas on the roof of the existing building shall be removed at the time of installation of any proposed new T-Mobile Northeast LLC antennas. The applicant further agrees that, in the future, any T-Mobile Northeast LLC antennas on the site shall be removed within ninety (90) days after the 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 demonstrating removal of non-functioning equipment. SP-84-U T-Mobile Telecommunications Facility PLA-7136

6 PREVIOUS COUNTY BOARD ACTIONS: August 1961 Designated High-Medium Residential on the General Land Use Plan (14-39 dwelling units per acre). February 6, 1968 Approved rezoning request (Z ) for 2108, 2200, and 2208 Columbia Pike to be rezoned from RA8-18 to RA6-15. February 4, 1971 Denied a rezoning (Z ) request for 2108, 2200, and 2208 Columbia Pike and 1100 South Court House Road to be rezoned from RA6-15 to C-O. March 13, 1971 January 8, 1972 December 1983 November 15, 1986 December 17, 2002 February 25, 2003 February 22, 2004 Approved Site Plan (Z-1890) for additional four (4) stories on an eight (8) story apartment building permitted by right. Approved a Site Plan Amendment (Z-1890) for apartment building located at 2200 Columbia Pike. The modified plan proposed a 29.5 easement for 12 th Street South, a reduced sidewalk width from 10 feet to 6 feet, a reduced 12 th Street South pavement width from 25 feet to 23 feet, and a relocated garage wall structure. Designated Medium Residential on the General Land Use Plan (31-72 dwelling units per acre). General Land Use Plan amended to include the Columbia Pike Special Revitalization District. Columbia Pike Special Revitalization District boundaries amended on the General Land Use Plan. Columbia Pike Form Based Code (Section 20 of Zoning Ordinance) adopted. Columbia Pike Street Space Plan adopted (amending the Form Based Code). May 15, 2004 SP#84 and U deferred to the June 12, 2004 meeting. June 12, 2004 SP#84 and U deferred to the July 10, 2004 County Board meeting. July 10, 2004 SP#84 and U deferred to the September 18, 2004 County Board meeting. SP-84-U T-Mobile Telecommunications Facility PLA-7136

7 September 18, 2004 SP#84 and U deferred to the November 16, 2004 County Board meeting. November 16, 2004 SP#84 and U deferred to the January 29, 2005 County Board meeting. February 1, 2005 Denied Site Plan Amendment (SP #84) to permit the development of 21 additional units using the Columbia Pike Form Based Code with modifications of use regulations for additional density at 2200 Columbia Pike; and a Use Permit (U ) for approval under the Columbia Pike Form Based Code, with appropriate modifications for building placement and streetscape details at 2112 and 2200 Columbia Pike (RPC # , -027). SP-84-U T-Mobile Telecommunications Facility PLA-7136

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22 R-10T 9TH ST S C-O S WAYNE ST R C RA S VEITCH ST COLUMBIA PIKE S COURTHOUSE RD C RA S WAYNE ST TH ST S RA RA R-6 SP-84-U Columbia Pike 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