ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA. County Board Agenda Item Meeting of April 22, 2017

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ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA County Board Agenda Item Meeting of April 22, 2017 DATE: April 10, 2017 SUBJECT: U-3481-17-1 USE PERMIT for a telecommunications facility located at 1200 Fort Myer Drive

1 ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA County Board Agenda Item Meeting of April 22, 2017 DATE: April 10, 2017 SUBJECT: U USE PERMIT for a telecommunications facility located at 1200 Fort Myer Drive (RPC# ). Applicant: Verizon Wireless By: Smartlink, LLC c/o Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless Brian Taylor, Real Estate Specialist 1362 Mellon Road, Suite 140 Hanover, MD C.M. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the use permit request for the installation of one (1) small cell antenna and related equipment on the northern corner of the apartment building located at 1200 Fort Myer Drive, subject to the proposed conditions of the staff report and with no further scheduled County Board review. ISSUES: This is a new use permit request for telecommunications equipment to be mounted to the northern corner of the existing apartment building located at 1200 Fort Myer Drive, and no issues have been identified. SUMMARY: The applicant requests approval of a use permit to allow Verizon Wireless to install one (1) small cell antenna and related equipment on the northern corner of the two-story apartment building, located at 1200 Fort Myer Drive. The applicant states the proposed facility is designed to directly improve data services for the immediate 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 15. PLA-7530

2 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 County s Guidelines for Telecommunications Facilities, which 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). Therefore, staff recommends that the County Board approve the use permit, subject to proposed Conditions #1-3, with no further scheduled County Board review. BACKGROUND: The subject site is an existing two-story apartment building located at 1200 Fort Myer Drive. The following provides additional information about the site and location: Site: The 13,818 square foot site is located at the intersection of Fort Myer Drive and 12th Street North. The property is surrounded by a variety of multiple-family dwelling uses and is directly adjacent to The Quarterdeck restaurant. Zoning: The subject site is zoned C-1-R in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO). Land Use: The subject property is designated as Medium Residential (37-72 units/acre) on the Arlington County General Land Use Plan (GLUP). Neighborhood: The proposed telecommunications facility is located within the Fort Myer Heights Civic Association. The civic association responded to staff regarding the subject use permit request and no land use issues were identified regarding the applicant s proposal. U Use Permit VZW Telecommunications Facility PLA-7530

Verizon Wireless to pipe-mount one (1) small cell antenna and related equipment to the northern corner of the existing apartment

3 Figure 1: Location of Proposed Verizon Wireless Telecommunication Facility Existing Apartment Building 1200 Fort Myer Drive N Source: Bing Maps Figure 2: Street View Source: Bing Maps DISCUSSION: The applicant requests approval of a use permit to allow Verizon Wireless to pipe-mount one (1) small cell antenna and related equipment to the northern corner of the existing apartment building at 1200 Fort Myer Drive. The top of the proposed antenna will be U Use Permit VZW Telecommunications Facility PLA-7530

4 approximately 27 2 above ground level (AGL). The main roof height of the existing apartment building is approximately 20 4 AGL. In addition, the applicant is proposing the installation of a 5 x 5 equipment cabinet located on the ground adjacent to the apartment building. The attached drawings designed by Morrison Hershfield of the proposed telecommunications facility provide additional details regarding the placement of the antenna and related equipment. The applicant has agreed to conditions that will ensure that the small cell antenna 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 Fort 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. 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 were 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 Morrison Hershfield dated January 4, 2017, and revised January 11, 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 one (1) small cell antenna 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 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 1200 Fort Myer Drive): 1. The applicant agrees that the Verizon Wireless telecommunications facility on the existing building at 1200 Fort Myer Drive will be installed as shown on plans dated January 4, 2017, and revised March 30, 2017 and that the telecommunications facility, consisting of one (1) small cell antenna and other associated equipment, will be constructed as shown on the application package dated January 24, 2017, and approved by the County Board on April 22, The applicant agrees that the above-referenced antenna and equipment shall be painted or designed to match the existing building. The U Use Permit VZW Telecommunications Facility PLA-7530

5 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 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/Fort 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 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 nonfunctioning equipment. U Use Permit VZW Telecommunications Facility PLA-7530

6 PREVIOUS COUNTY BOARD ACTIONS: There are no past County Board actions on the site. U Use Permit VZW Telecommunications Facility PLA-7530

10 From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Nicole Boling Re: VZW Telecommunications Facility: 1200 Fort Myer Drive Tuesday, March 28, :32:20 PM Nicole, Could you please let me know how much Verizon pays the building for siting the VZW antenna at that location. Thanks. Stan In a message dated 3/27/ :57:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, nboling@arlingtonva.us writes: Thank you for your comments, Stan. I will reach out to Verizon and will have them contact you regarding their site selection process. Nicole Nicole R. Boling Associate Planner All correspondence sent to and from Arlington County Government is subject to the public record laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please delete it and immediately notify us by or by phone. Thank you. From: Dcstan@aol.com [mailto:dcstan@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, March 23, :28 PM To: Nicole Boling <nboling@arlingtonva.us> Cc: ctlloyd@mindspring.com Subject: Re: VZW Telecommunications Facility: 1200 Fort Myer Drive Why are my frequent requests for a VZW facility on my condo building, at 1510 N, 12th Street, keep being ignored in favor of other buildings in my immediate area? I have been in touch with Verizon numerous times in the past six months about this. If I cannot get a reasonable explanation I am going to oppose this facility at the County Board meeting. Stan Karson In a message dated 3/23/ :02:18 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, nboling@arlingtonva.us writes: Good morning, I am starting the use permit application reviews for the April 2017 County Board meeting. I wanted to give you some information on one of the applications I am currently reviewing that is located within the Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights Civic Association. This application is a request to install a small cell telecommunications facility at 1200 Fort Myer Drive. The application is currently scheduled to be considered by the County Board at the April 22, 2017 County Board meeting. If possible, please let me know if there are any issues or concerns in the community with this use permit request by Friday, April 14, I am attaching the zoning drawings of the proposed facility that were submitted by the applicant, along with the full use permit application. Location Details: Telecommunications Facility: One (1) small cell antenna pipe mounted to the northern corner of the building Use Permit #: U Address: 1200 Fort Myer Drive (shown below, image from Google maps)

11 Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Thank you! Nicole Nicole R. Boling Associate Planner 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 700 Arlington, VA Phone: (703) All correspondence sent to and from Arlington County Government is subject to the public record laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is

12 strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please delete it and immediately notify us by or by phone. Thank you.

7160047 ROSSLYN 027 1200 FORT MYER DR ARLINGTON, VA 22209 Proposed weather head Proposed Verizon Wireless panel antenna mounted on

Wireless 5-0 x5-0 metal security cage on h-frame; and meter and disconnect on Proposed 8 tall board on board fence with (2) 4 ft wide

13 ROSSLYN FORT MYER DR ARLINGTON, VA Proposed weather head Proposed Verizon Wireless panel antenna mounted on new wall mount; paint to match building Proposed Verizon Wireless fiber; paint to match building Before Installation Proposed Verizon Wireless 5-0 x5-0 metal security cage on h-frame; and meter and disconnect on Proposed 8 tall board on board fence with (2) 4 ft wide gates After Installation 2 S. University Drive #245 Plantation, FL Tel: Fax:

7160047 ROSSLYN 027 1200 FORT MYER DR ARLINGTON, VA 22209 Proposed Verizon Wireless panel antenna mounted on new wall mount; paint to match building Proposed weather head Proposed Verizon Wireless

14 ROSSLYN FORT MYER DR ARLINGTON, VA Proposed Verizon Wireless panel antenna mounted on new wall mount; paint to match building Proposed weather head Proposed Verizon Wireless fiber; paint to match building Before Installation Proposed Verizon Wireless 5-0 x5-0 metal security cage on h-frame; and meter and disconnect on new h-frame within fence Proposed 8 tall board on board fence with (2) 4 ft wide gates After Installation 2 S. University Drive #245 Plantation, FL Tel: Fax:

19 N ODE ST 1215 N QUEEN ST 1220 N PIERCE ST C-1-R FORT MYER DR RA N 12TH ST FENTON CIR CUSTER RD SHERMAN RD STEWART RD S-3A FENTON CIR U Fort Myer Dr I RPC # Scale: Case Location(s) 1:1,200 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

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

ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA. County Board Agenda Item Meeting of January 28, 2017 ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA County Board Agenda Item Meeting of January 28, 2017 DATE: January 7, 2017 SUBJECT: U-3473-16-1 USE PERMIT for a telecommunications facility on the rooftop of Heather Apartments;