HomeMy WebLinkAbout22165 - RESOLUTIONS - 3/5/2008 RESOLUTION NO. 22165
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 5.1080 TO INSTALL A 44
FOOT TALL COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATION ANTENNA
DESIGNED AS A MONOPOLE WITH EQUIPMENT
CABINETS AND A VARIANCE TO EXCEED THE 15 FOOT
ANTENNA HEIGHT MAXIMUM LOCATED AT 505 EAST
INDUSTRIAL PLACE.
WHEREAS, Sprint Nextel (`Applicant") has filed an application with the City pursuant to
Section 94.02.00 of the Palm Springs Zoning Code (PSZC) for the installation of a
commercial communications antenna on a forty-four foot high slim-line monopole and
an application pursuant to Section 94.06.00 of the PSZC to exceed the fifteen foot
antenna height maximum located at 505 East Industrial Place, C-M Zone, Section 23;
and
WHEREAS, notice of public hearing of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm
Springs to consider the application for Conditional Use Permit 5.1080 and Variance
6.492 was given in accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on January 23, 2008, a public hearing on the application for Conditional
Use Permit 5.1080 and Variance 6.492 was held by the Planning Commission in
accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on January 23, 2008, the Planning Commission recommended approval of
Conditional Use Permit 5.1080 and Variance 6.492 to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, notice of public hearing of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs to
consider the application for Conditional Use Permit 5.1080 and Variance 6.492 was
given in accordance with applicable law; and
WHEREAS, on February 20, 2008, a public hearing on the application for Conditional
Use Permit 5.1080 and Variance 6.492 was held by the City Council in accordance with
applicable law; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Conditional Use Permit is categorically exempt from the
provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section
15332 (Class 32 — In-Fill Development) of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA); and
WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence
presented in connection with the hearing on the project, including, but not limited to, the
staff report, and all written and oral testimony presented.
Resolution No. 22165
Page 2
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE
AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1_ The City Council finds that this Conditional Use Permit is Categorically
Exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15332 (Class 32 -- In-Fill
Development) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Section 2. State law requires four (4) findings be made for the granting of a variance.
Pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 94.06.01 of the Zoning Code, the City
Council finds as follows:
1. Because of the special circumstances applicable to the subject property,
including size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, the strict
application of the Zoning Code would deprive subject property of
privileges enjoyed by other properties in the vicinity and under identical
zone classification.
The subject property is developed with buildings that exceed heights of
twenty-five feet to the north, east and west, and an antenna height of
fifteen feet will not allow the cellular provider to supply its users with
adequate coverage. The study provided by the applicant, as required in
Section 93.08.03(B) of the Palm Springs Zoning Code, indicates that a
fifteen foot antenna will not satisfy the necessary coverage due to
inhibiting factors. These factors include terrain variations, foliage and
man-made structures in the vicinity and under identical zone classification.
2. Any variance granted shall be subject to such conditions as will assure
that the adjustment thereby authorized shall not constitute a grant of
special privilege inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in
the vicinity and zone in which subject property is situated.
A similar antenna of fifty-five feet tall was granted for another provider at a
property located at 495 East Sunny Dunes Road. The site is within the
same vicinity and zoning designation as the proposed facility. Many of the
conditions of approval are similar to those required by this applicant.
Therefore, the approval of this Variance would not constitute a grant of
special privilege that is inconsistent with the limitations placed upon other
providers in the vicinity and zoning designation.
3. The granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental to the pubic
health, safety, convenience, or welfare or injurious to property and
improvements in the same vicinity and zone in which subject property is
situated.
Resolution No. 22165
Page 3
The increase in antenna height above the fifteen foot maximum has been
shown by another provider within the vicinity to not be materially
detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or injurious to property
in the vicinity. All other development standards are met by this proposal.
4. The granting of such variance will not adversely affect the general plan of
the city.
The proposed project has been analyzed against the policies of the
General Plan and no inconsistencies have been found.
Pursuant to Section 93.08.03(B) of the PSZC, in cases involving applications for
height limit variances, no such variance shall be granted unless the director
makes make the following finding in addition to those required above:
5. That in the area involved, transmission or reception is adversely affected
by obstructions and, as verified by at least one (1) person holding a valid
radio-telephone first-class operator's license issued by the Federal
Communications Commission, it is not feasible to achieve and maintain
satisfactory communications within the specified height limitations.
The applicant (Sprint Nextel) provided a study that shows that the height
limit of fifteen feet will not provide the necessary coverage objectives. A
Federal Communications Commission licensed radio frequency engineer
provided diagrams that show the top of the antenna at a height of fifteen
feet compared to forty-four feet. The forty-four foot high antenna would
provide more than double the amount of geographical coverage than that
of a fifteen foot high antenna at the subject site. The maximum height of
fifteen feet does not appear to achieve and maintain satisfactory
communications with the specified height limitations.
Section 3. Pursuant to Zoning Ordinance Section 04.02.00, the City Council finds that:
1. The use applied for at the location set forth in the application is properly
one for which a conditional use permit is authorized by the City Zoning
Ordinance.
Pursuant to Section 94.02.00(A)(2)(f) of the Palm Springs Zoning
Ordinance, a commercial communications antenna is authorized within the
C-M Zone with the approval of a Type II Conditional Use Permit.
2. The use applied for is necessary or desirable for the development of the
community, is in harmony with the various elements or objectives
Resolution No. 22165
Page 4
of the General Plan, and is not detrimental to existing uses or to future
uses specifically permitted in the zone in which the proposed use is to be
located.
The development of adequate cellular phone levels of services serves the
ultimate benefit of the community. The antenna will be located within 600
feet of another monopole and in a commercial-industrial area, which is an
acceptable environment for the location of wireless communication
antennas. The antennas will be entirely concealed within the monopole.
The proposal is unlikely to be detrimental to existing or future uses
permitted within the zone.
3. The site for the intended use is adequate in size and shape to
accommodate said use, including yards, setbacks, walls or fences,
landscaping and other features required in order to adjust said use to
those existing or permitted future uses of the land in the neighborhood.
The proposed communication antenna is located in a parking lot that will
be required to meet the current Zoning Code with the construction of the
monopole in order to adjust said use to the existing and permitted future
uses of the land. Landscaping will be added to soften the appearance of
the equipment wall.
4. The site for the proposed use related to streets and highways is properly
designed and improved to carry the type and quantity of traffic to be
generated by the proposed use.
The only traffic generated to and from the site will be for servicing the
antenna and equipment; the existing infrastructure is anticipated to
accommodate the traffic necessary for the maintenance of the facility.
5. The conditions to be imposed and shown on the approved site plan are
deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety and general
welfare, including any minor modifications of the zone's property
development standards.
The project is unlikely to have a significant impact on the proposed project
site or its surroundings. Conditions to ensure the protection of public
health, safety and general welfare are required to be fulfilled by the
applicant for approval and will include, but are not limited to, removal of
antenna upon use-change or abandonment of the subject property and
compliance with all Federal Airport Administration requirements.
Resolution No. 22165
Page 5
Section 4. The City Council approves Conditional Use Permit Case No. 5.1080 and
Variance Case No. 6.492, subject to those conditions set forth in Exhibit A, which are to
be satisfied unless otherwise specified.
ADOPTED this 5th day of March, 2008.
t
David H. Ready, Ci#y M r
- _ ATTEST:
es Thompson, City Clerk
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 22165 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on the 51" day of March, 2008, by
the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Mills, Councilmember
Weigel, and Mayor Pro Tem Foat.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Pougnet.
ABSTAIN: None.
es Thompson, City Clerk -- )
ity of Palm Springs, California��I2o/1005
Resolution No. 22165
Page 6
EXHIBIT A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 5.1080
VARIANCE 6.492
SPRINT NEXTEL
505 EAST INDUSTRIAL PLACE
MARCH 5, 2008
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Before final acceptance of the project, all conditions listed below shall be completed to the
satisfaction of the City Engineer, the Director of Planning, the Chief of Police, the Fire
Chief or their designee, depending on which department recommended the condition.
Any agreements, easements or covenants required to be entered into shall be in a form
approved by the City Attorney.
1. The applicant shall submit a final landscape plan that will screen the equipment and
parking area, subject to approval by the Director of Planning Services and/or
designee. Two live palms shall be incorporated with the plan and additional live
palm trees may be required as determined by the Director of Planning Services.
Final landscape plans shall be approved by the Riverside County Agricultural
Commissioner's Office prior to submittal.
2. Prior to issuance of building permit, the applicant shall submit a re-paving and re-
striping plan for the parking lot to the Department of Planning Services for review and
approval. The plan shall be consistent with Section 93.06.00 of the Palm Springs
Zoning Code to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning Services. The parking lot
shall be re-paved and re-stripped prior to issuance of Certificate of Occupancy.
3. The proposed development of the premises shall conform to all applicable regulations
of the Palm Springs Zoning Ordinance, Municipal Code, or any other City Codes,
ordinances and resolutions which supplement the zoning district regulations.
3a.The owner shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Palm Springs, its
agents, officers, and employees from any claim, action, or proceeding against the City
of Palm Springs or its agents, officers or employees to attach, set aside, void or annul,
an approval of the City of Palm Springs, its legislative body, advisory agencies, or
administrative officers concerning Case 5.1080 — CUP and 6.492 — VAR. The City of
Palm Springs will promptly notify the applicant of any such claim, action, or
proceeding against the City of Palm Springs and the applicant will either undertake
defense of the matter and pay the City's associated legal costs or will advance funds
to pay for defense of the matter by the City Attorney. If the City of Palm Springs fails
Resolution No. 22165
Page 7
to promptly notify the applicant of any such claim, action or proceeding or fails to
cooperate fully in the defense, the applicant shall not, thereafter, be responsible to
defend, indemnify, or hold harmless the City of Palm Springs. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the City retains the right to settle or abandon the matter without the
applicant's consent but should it do so, the City shall waive the indemnification herein,
except, the City's decision to settle or abandon a matter following an adverse
judgment or failure to appeal, shall not cause a waiver of the indemnification rights
herein.
4. Commencement of use or construction under this Conditional Use Permit shall be
within two (2) years from the effective date of approval. Extensions of time may be
granted by the Planning Commission upon demonstration of good cause-
6- The antennas shall be completely concealed within the monopole.
6. If the communications antennae, monopole, monopole or equipment are ever
proposed to be modified in any manner such as the inclusion of other antennae,
satellite dishes and/or other support equipment, the proposed modifications shall be
submitted to the Director of Planning Services for review and approval prior to
installation.
T If the technology regarding the communications antennae changes in where the
antennae and/or equipment building as approved become obsolete, then the
antennae shall be removed.
8. If the use of the subject property is ever changed, the City reserves the right to
modify or revoke this Conditional Use Permit application.
9. The maximum height of the commercial communication antenna shall be forty-four
feet (44'), as indicated on the conceptually approved plans, as measured from
finished grade to the highest point of the palm fronds.
10. If the antenna is ever abandoned or if this Conditional Use Permit ever expires, the
antennae, pole, and equipment shelter shall be removed within 30 days.
11.Manufacturer's cut sheets of the proposed antennae shall be submitted to the
Director of Planning Services prior to the issuance of permits for installation of the
commercial communications antennae.
12.This project shall be subject to Chapters 2.24 and 3.37 of the Municipal Code
regarding public art. The project shall either provide public art or payment of an in
lieu fee. In the case of the in-lieu fee, the fee shall be based upon the total building
permit valuation as calculated pursuant to the valuation table in the Uniform Building
Code, the fee being 1/2% for commercial projects or 1/4% for residential projects
with first $100,000 of total building permit valuation for individual single-family units
I
Resolution No, 22165
Page 8
exempt_ Should the public art be located on the project site, said location shall be
reviewed and approved by the Director of Planning Services and the Public Arts
Commission, and the property owner shall enter into a recorded agreement to
maintain the art work and protect the public rights of access and viewing.
13.The applicant shall comply with the requirements of the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA). Proof of compliance shall be provided to the Director of
Aviation to the Director of Planning Services prior to the issuance of building permits.
The applicant needs to file a 7460 for with the FAA for an obstruction of airspace
review to determine any frequency interference with the Air Traffic Control Tower,
14.The City may require one obstruction light on the tallest point of the structure
extending 12" - 24" above the highest point of the tower as deemed necessary by
the Director of Aviation and the Director of Planning Services.
15.The applicant/operator of the facility shall agree to allow the co-location of
equipment of other wireless communications providers at this site when applications
are received by the City and it is considered feasible, subject to an agreement
between the applicant/operator, the other proposed wireless communications
provider, and the property owner.
16.Concrete walks with a minimum width of two (2) feet shall be installed adjacent to end
parking spaces as required by Section 93.06.00(E)(6) of the Palm Springs Zoning
Code.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
17.Developer shall comply with Section II of Chapter 8.04 of the Palm Springs
Municipal Code.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
18.Prior to any construction on-site, all appropriate permits must be secured.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
19.Premises Identification: Approved numbers or addresses shall be provided for all
new and existing buildings in such a position as to be plainly visible and legible from
the street or road fronting the property. (901.4.4 CFC) Numbers shall be a minimum
4 inches, and of contrasting color to the background.
20.Fire Extinguisher Requirements: As determined necessary by the Chief of Fire,
provide one 2-A:10-&C portable fire extinguisher for every 75 feet of floor or grade
travel distance for normal hazards. (1002.1 CFC) Extinguishers shall be mounted in
Resolution No. 22165
Page 9
a visible, accessible location 3 to 5 feet above floor level. Preferred location is along
the path of exit travel or near an exit door. Extinguishers located outdoors must be
installed in weather and vandal resistant cabinets approved for this purpose.
21.Emergency Key Box: Knox key box(es) are required. Box(es) shall be mounted at 6
feet above grade. Show location of box(es) on plan elevation views. Show
requirement in plan notes. Contact the Fire Department at 760-323-8186 for a Knox
application form. (902.4 CFC)
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
None
END OF CONDITIONS