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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES PC 2009 548 2009 0922 RESOLUTION NO. PC-2009-548 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2008-09, A REQUEST TO INSTALL A MINOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY WITH TWELVE PANEL ANTENNAS ON AN EXISTING THIRTY- TWO FOOT TALL WATER TANK AND FOUR EQUIPMENT CABINETS IN A PARTIAL SUBTERRANEAN MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE AT A VENTURA COUNTY WATER WORKS DISTRICT NO. 1 WATER TANK SITE SOUTH OF TIERRA REJADA ROAD BETWEEN THOMASVILLE COURT AND SUNNYSLOPE PLACE, ON THE APPLICATION OF VINCE AMAYA FOR VERIZON WIRELESS WHEREAS, at duly noticed public hearings on November 25, 2008, January 27, 2009, and September 22, 2009, the Planning Commission considered Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 2008-09 on the application of Vince Amaya for Verizon Wireless, requesting approval of a minor wireless communications facility with twelve panel antennas on an existing Waterworks District No. 1 water tank and a partial subterranean mechanical equipment enclosure located south of Tierra Rejada Road, between Thomasville Court and Sunnyslope Place; and WHEREAS, at its meetings of November 25, 2008, January 27, 2009, and September 22, 2009 the Planning Commission considered the agenda reports and any supplements thereto and written public comments; opened the public hearing and took and considered public testimony both for and against the proposal, closed the public hearing and reached a decision on this matter; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission concurs with the Planning Director's determination that this project is Categorically Exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to Section (15303) as a Class 3 exemption for New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures. NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FINDINGS: Based upon the information set forth in the staff report(s), accompanying studies, and oral and written public testimony, the Planning Commission makes the following findings in accordance with City of Moorpark, Municipal Code Section 17.44.040: A. The proposed use is consistent with the provisions of the General Plan, zoning ordinance, and any other applicable regulations in that the proposed use, height, setbacks, and improvements are consistent with City Code requirements. Resolution No. PC-2009-548 Page 2 B. The proposed use is compatible with both existing and permitted land uses in the surrounding area, in that the antennas will be attached to an existing water tank and the utility site has been designated by the city as an appropriate location for the co-location of cellular sites. C. The proposed use is compatible with the scale, visual character and design of surrounding properties, in that it is designed so as not to detract from the physical and visual quality of the area. The color of the antennas and conduit sleeve is conditioned to be painted to blend in with the existing water tank. In addition, the proposed equipment area is conditioned to be placed partially subterranean, behind the water tank. D. The proposed use would not be obnoxious or harmful, or impair the utility of neighboring property or uses, in that the proposed use is designed to blend with the colors of the existing water tank; therefore, the visual impact of the facility is minimized and would not present any impacts on adjoining uses. E. The proposed use would not be detrimental to the public health, safety, convenience, or welfare, in that the project has been conditioned to protect the public's health and safety. SECTION 2. WIRELESS FACILITIES FINDINGS: Based upon the information set forth above, it is determined that this application with the attached special and standard conditions, meets the requirements of the City of Moorpark Municipal Code Section 17.42.060 in that: A. The proposed facility will not create any significant blockage to public views, as the cellular facility will be placed on an existing water tank. B. The proposed facility will be an enhancement to the City due to its ability to provide additional communication capabilities in the southern part of the City. C. The proposed facility will be aesthetically integrated into its surrounding land uses and natural environment since it will be painted a color that will be compatible with the color of the existing water tank. D. The proposed facility will comply with FCC regulations regarding interference with the reception or transmission of other wireless service signals within the City and surrounding community. E. The proposed facility will operate in compliance with all other applicable Federal regulations for such facilities, including safety regulations, in that, Verizon Wireless operates its wireless network in compliance with its FCC license and FCC rules and regulations concerning frequency emissions and/or radio frequency interference. The transmission densities emanating from the facility will not exceed current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommended Resolution No. PC-2009-548 Page 3 maximum exposure levels for wireless transmission frequencies which do not have the potential to significantly impact the community. In all cases, Effective Radiated Power (ERP), and its associated electromagnetic (EM) radiation power densities are a small fraction of the maximum permissible exposure set by ANSI, or the more restrictive exposure standard put forth by the National Commission on Radiation Protection and Measurement (NCRP). F. The public need for the use of the facility has been documented consistent with California law, in that, the proposed cell site will provide a substantial increase in the coverage area (an increase from weak coverage to good coverage in the target area). G. The applicant will provide at its own expense a field survey or other method consistent with Federal law to provide written verification that the facility is in compliance with applicable Federal regulations regarding electromagnetic frequency emissions. This radio-frequency (RF) report shall also include signal strength exhibits, including calculations and measurements under maximum loading conditions. Such field survey shall be provided to the City upon request, not to exceed one such request in any 24-month period. SECTION 3. PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL: the Planning Commission herby approves Conditional Use Permit No. 2008-09 subject to the Standard and Special Conditions of Approval found in Exhibit A attached. SECTION 4. FILING OF RESOLUTION: The Planning Director shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the book of original resolutions. The action of the foregoing direction was approved by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Bagwell, Taillon, Vice Chair Landis, and Chair Hamous NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioner Di Cecco PASSED, AND ADOPTED this 22nd Day of September,))( 4/‘2,&63 Bruce Hamous, hair David A. Bobardt, anning Director Exhibit A: Standard and Special Conditions of Approval Resolution No. PC-2009-548 Page 4 EXHIBIT A STANDARD AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) No. 2008-09 STANDARD CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL The applicant shall comply with Standard Conditions of Approval for Conditional Use Permits as adopted by City Council Resolution No. 2009-2799 (Exhibit B), except as modified by the following Special Conditions of Approval. In the event of conflict between a Standard and Special Condition of Approval, the Special Condition shall apply. SPECIAL CONDITIONS 1. Prior to approval of a Zoning Clearance, the antenna shall be designed to ensure that the visual appearance matches the surrounding uses by including design and/or landscaping elements, as determined by the Planning Director. The Director may require additional screening after the installation of the antenna, if it is deemed necessary. 2. In the event that this antenna array is abandoned, the applicant shall remove the facility within ninety (90) days at the request of the Planning Director. 3. The applicant shall paint all panel antennas, and any other exposed Verizon Wireless cellular equipment to match the color of the existing water tank to the satisfaction of the Planning Director prior to the approval of a zoning clearance for the final approval of the facility. 4. The mechanical equipment must be shown on the plans to be located within a partial-subterranean enclosure, south of the existing water tank, so it will not be visible from the adjacent properties, to the satisfaction of the Planning Director prior to issuance of a zoning clearance for building permits. 5. A shroud for screening coaxial cables on the water tank which connect the antennas to the support equipment must be provided, and the applicant shall paint the shroud conduit sleeve a non-reflective paint to match the color of the existing water tank to the satisfaction of the Planning Director prior to the approval of a zoning clearance for the final approval of the facility. 6. The applicant shall submit a security fencing plan for the water tank property, for review and approval, to the satisfaction of the Planning Director, prior to approval of a zoning clearance for building permits for the wireless communications facility. Resolution No. PC-2009-548 Page 5 OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS 7. Prior to the issuance of a Zoning Clearance for construction, the applicant shall submit all construction plans for review and approval by the Planning Division. 8. The applicant shall obtain a permanent access agreement or contract from the Ventura County Water Works District to ensure accessibility to the site for maintenance and the final agreement or contract shall be provided to the City of Moorpark prior to issuance of a Zoning Clearance for building permits. 9. This facility is approved as an unmanned operation. Following construction of the facility, traffic generated by this use shall be limited to periodic and emergency maintenance of the facility. LANDSCAPING 10. Prior to operation of the use, the applicant shall replace at the applicant's expense, any vegetation or landscaping removed or damaged as a result of the installation or operation of this facility. The replacement shall be to the satisfaction of the Planning Director. 11. Prior to the issuance of a Zoning Clearance for construction, a Landscape Plan shall be submitted to the Planning Division to enhance the water tank property, for review and approval by the Planning Director. The applicant shall pay any cost of landscape plan review at the time of submittal. Landscaping shall be provided to screen the proposed antennas and any equipment associated with this communications facility. 12. In the event that the uses under this Conditional Use Permit are determined to be abandoned, the City of Moorpark may, at its discretion, initiate revocation procedures for cause per the provisions of Section 17.44.080. For purposes of this condition, "abandoned" shall mean a cessation of a business or businesses which would render the use unavailable to the public for a period of 180 or more consecutive days. Initiation of revocation procedures may result in the revocation of the permit or modification of the permit, based upon the evidence presented at the hearing. A surety, in an amount subject to the review and approval of the Planning Director, shall be provided to the City prior to the approval of a Zoning Clearance for construction, to guarantee removal of equipment and structures, if the City determines the facility to be abandoned and/or a public nuisance. 13. Removal or relocation of any and all of the facilities shall be at the facility owner's expense, and at no cost to the City. Should the facility be removed or relocated by the City, the facility owner hereby waives any claims, damage, or loss (including, but not limited to, consequential damages) resulting from the city's removal or relocation of the facility. Resolution No. PC-2009-548 Page 6 14. The applicant shall provide, at its expense, post installation Radio Frequency field testing to demonstrate actual compliance with the applicable Federal Communication Commission regulations and safety rules for uncontrolled/general population Radio Frequency exposure. Such field survey shall be provided to the City upon request, not to exceed one (1) such request in any 24-month period, following City approved installation. -End-