Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-36• RESOLUTION NO.00-36 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 00-17, TO ALLOW A 60 FOOT CELLULAR MONOPOLE ANTENNA LOCATED AT 1155 WEST CENTRAL AVENUE oAS: iaiaoo WHEREAS, Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 41-198.3(b) requires a conditional use permit for major wireless facilities in the City; and WHEREAS, this Commission held a public hearing on October 9, 2000, on Conditional Use Permit No. 00-17, to install a 60 foot cellular monopole antenna located at 1155 West Central Avenue. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS: 1. Based upon the evidence submitted at the abovesaid hearing this Council finds and determines as follows: A. Will the proposed use provide a service or facility that will contribute to the general well • being of the neighborhood or the community? The height of the monopole will provide an improved cellular service to Santa Ana residential and business customers. The proposed stealth design, location, and new landscaping will reduce visual. impacts to the neighborhood and community to maintain the general well being of the neighborhood residents. B. Will the proposed use, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of persons residing or working in the vicinity. The Federal Communication Commission regulates the wireless telecommunication industry through the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Local jurisdictions are not permitted to address electrical magnetic emissions, as related to health issues, in considering land use issues. The subject site is located in a commercial district abutting commercial and an Edison substation. The proposed location meets the location guidelines for separation between the use and residential properties. The nearest residential development is 140 feet southeast of the subject property. Building permits are required for this project ensuring the project conforms to Federal, State, and local safety regulations for monopole installations. 1 • The monopole will be disguised as a Mexican Fan palm tree with a round trunk and artificial palm fronds that will visually obscure the antenna array allowing the monopole to contextually blend with the surrounding trees. In addition, two live palm trees at approximately 40 and 50 feet in height will be planted to correspond with the monopalm height and existing trees in the area. Shrubs will also be installed at the base of the monopalm, live palm trees and compressor to further screen the project and protect the commercial, residential neighborhood, and employees working in the area from visual intrusion and aesthetic impacts. C. Will the proposed use adversely affect the present economic development of property in the surrounding area. The proposed monopalm will allow the provider to improve the cellular communication service to the local residents and businesses. The economic values of the surrounding properties will not be affected by the proposed project since the stealth monopole will be disguised as a palm tree similar to the live palm trees of the same species in the area. The contextual setting is further enhanced by the two new palm trees and existing trees on the site and adjacent property. In the parking lot planters, shrubs will be installed around the base of the monopalm and live trees. • D. Will the proposed use comply with the regulations and conditions specified in this chapter for such use. The subject site does not conform to current code requirements. There are several signs that are not consistent with the zoning code. The signs will be removed prior to Conditional Use Permit No. 00-17 becoming valid and building permits issued. The proposed monopole complies with the Major Wireless Communication Facility development standards for height and screening. The project also meets the location guidelines for wireless facilities since a minimum distance of 140 feet separates residential properties and the subject property. Therefore, the proposed stealth design and additional landscaping will minimize the visual impacts to the commercial and residential neighborhood. E. Will the proposed use adversely affect the general plan of the city or any specific plan applicable to the area of the proposed use. • 2 • The proposed monopole is in compliance with the overall land use policies of the General Plan to provide services to the residents and the business community. The project also is in compliance with the goals and policies of the Urban Design Element that require cellular and similar facilities to be placed so that the facilities are not detrimental to the aesthetic quality, character, and image of the surrounding area. Other urban design policies promote improvements to the physical appearance of the community by providing a pleasant travel experience (Urban Design Element 1.0 and 3.0). The surrounding trees from adjacent properties will compliment the stealth palm tree design and reduce the aesthetic and visual impacts to the Bristol Street transportation corridor and residential neighborhood. • 2. Conditional Use Permit No. 00-17 is hereby approved as conditioned in Attachment A, attached hereto and incorporated herein. ADOPTED this _2 day of n~tc,h .r , 2000, by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Mondo, Nalle, Solorio, Verino, Cribb and Richardson NOES: Commissioners None ABSENT: Commissioners Doughty ABSTENTIONS: Commissioners None ATTEST: ,~ ~~' _~ Sharon McCain Johnson Commission Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: D ',Gary A. hea Assistant Cit tto ey `~ A ~~~., Gle Mondo Chairm •