Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Resolution 2015-17 10/13/2015RESOLUTION NO. 2015-17 CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE PLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW FOR A MAJOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY LOCATED AT 1383 NORTH MCDOWELL BOULEVARD APN 007-110-042 FILE NO. PLMA-15-0002 WHEREAS, the applicant, AT&T Wireless, submitted an application for Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan and Architectural Review, on behalf of property owner, Redwood Business Center, LLC, for a new Major Telecommunications Facility to be located at 1383 N. McDowell Boulevard ("Project"); and WHEREAS, the Project is to be located on top of the existing Cyan building at 1383 North McDowell Boulevard, and includes the following components: (1) installation of three antenna arrays behind new screen walls at three corners of the existing building; and (2) installation of supporting equipment behind a separate existing screening wall on the roof of the existing building; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to consider the Project on October 13, 2015 and a copy of the notice was published in the Argus -Courier and mailed to residents and occupants within 500 feet of the site, in compliance with state and local law; and WHEREAS, all operators of existing permitted wireless telecommunication facilities within a one (1) mile radius were provided notice in accordance with Municipal Code § 14.44.340. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: A. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated by reference. B. Based on the staff report, staff presentation, comments received and the public hearing, the Planning Commission makes the following findings based on substantial evidence in the record: California Environmental Quality Act 1. The Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) because it involves minor modifications to the exterior of an existing structure and since none of the exceptions to the use of a Categorical Exemption stipulated at CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.2 apply to the Project. General Plan 2. The Project is, for the reasons described in the Planning Commission staff report dated October 13, 2015, consistent with Petaluma General Plan Policies 7-P-7 and 7 - Planning Commission Resolution No, 2015-17 Page 1 M Municipal Code 3. The Project is, for the reasons described in the Planning Commission staff report dated October 13, 2015 and with the incorporation of conditions of approval included at Exhibit A to this resolution, consistent with requirements of Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 14.44 (Telecommunications Facility and Antenna Criteria). Implementing Zoning Ordinance 4. The project is consistent with the Redwood Technology Center Planned Unit Development since it adheres to all development standards including, but not limited to, maximum building height and building setbacks. 5. All the required findings for Site Plan and Architectural Review found at Implementing Zoning Ordinance Section 24.010(G) (1) can be made, as follows: a. The Project includes the use of quality materials and is in harmony with and in proportion with the overall design through its use of corrugated metal screen walls that will match the existing rooftop equipment enclosure. b. The Project's architectural style is appropriate and compatible with the overall character of the neighborhood because it consists of an existing three-story office building with existing rooftop equipment enclosures surrounded by other commercial structures. c. The Project's building siting on the property is compatible with the siting of other structures in the immediate neighborhood because the screen walls will match the color and materials of the existing building. d. There is no signage proposed as part of this project. e. The Project's bulk, height, and color of the proposed structures are consistent with the bulk, height, and color of other structures in the immediate neighborhood because includes a color palette that will mimic nearby commercial structures including through the use of corrugated metal and colors to match the existing building and rooftop equipment screening. This project is on a currently developed site with associated landscape improvements and does not propose to remove or add any additional landscaping. g. The Project's ingress, egress, internal circulation for bicycles and automobiles, off- street automobiles and bicycle parking facilities and pedestrian ways promote safety and convenience, and conform to approved City standards because the Project maintains existing ingress, egress, and internal circulation movements. 6. All the required findings for Conditional Use Permit Approval found at Implementing Zoning Ordinance Section 24.030(G) can be made, as follows: The siting of the building or use, and in particular: a. The siting of the building and use is adequate to accommodate the proposed Planning Commission Resolution No. 2015-17 Page 2 telecommunication facility and all associated maintenance. b. No outdoor activities are proposed as part of this Conditional Use Permit, c. All activities shall occur on the existing building and shall not interfere with the outlook, light, air or peace and quiet of the surrounding tenants. d. No displays of goods or services are proposed as part of this Conditional Use Permit. e. The telecommunication facility will be a low intensity activity in that there will be no public access and only routine maintenance will be performed. Traffic circulation and parking, and in particular: a. There are adequate streets and thoroughfares to accommodate the anticipated traffic for the proposed use. b, The adequacy of, convenience, and safety of provisions for vehicular access and parking, including the location of the driveway entrance and exits will not be changed or altered by the inclusion of the telecommunication facility to the site, c. Truck traffic is not proposed as part of this use, therefore truck traffic and timing will not be an issue. The compatibility of the proposed building or use with its environment and in particular: a. Customer traffic is not proposed as part of this use. Activity levels will be reduced to routine maintenance only. Schools, Libraries, playgrounds, churches and hospitals are not located within the immediate vicinity of the telecommunication facility and will not be impacted by this use. b. Hours of operation will be 24 hours a day 7 days a week, however this is an unmanned facility and will not create an impact for other users within the existing commercial buildings. c. The telecommunication facility will be located on the existing building and will therefore noise, odors, light and glare will be minimized. d. There are no anticipated hazards to arise from the intended use. e. The portion of the total space utilized for the telecommunication facility is compatible with the building and the surrounding environment. C. Based on its review of the entire record herein, including the October 13, 2015 Planning Commission staff report, all supporting, referenced, and incorporated documents and all comments received and foregoing findings, the Planning Commission hereby approves Site Plan and Architectural Review and a Conditional Use Permit, subject to the conditions attached hereto as Exhibit A. Planning Commission Resolution No. 2015-17 Page 3 ADOPTED this 13th day of October, 2015, by the following vote: Commission Member Aye No Absent Abstain Councilmember Barrett X Vice Chair Benedetti-Petnic X Gomez X Chair Lin X Marzo X Pierre X Wolpert X ATTEST: pY f'f ` J f` Hegfi _ er dines, Com fission Secretary Joel n Lin, Cha' APPROV S TO FORM: i Andrea Visveshwara, Assistant City Attorney Planning Commission Resolution No. 2015-17 Page 4 AT&T Major Telecommunications Facility 1383 North McDowell Boulevard APN 007-110-042 File No. PLMA-15-0002 CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL Planning: Exhibit A 1. Plans submitted for building permit shall be in substantial conformance with plans date stamped September 28, 2015. 2. Prior to issuance of a Building Permit, the applicant shall revise the site plan or other first sheet of the office and job site copies of the Building Permit plans to list these Conditions of Approval as notes. 3. Plans submitted for purposes of obtaining a building permit shall show compliance with the following Municipal Code sections: a. §14.44.160 (Telecommunications Facilities— Structural Requirements); b. §14.44,180 (Critical Disaster Response Facility); and c. §14.44,250 (Fire Prevention). 4. Prior to Building Permit issuance, the applicant shall submit final color samples for the equipment screening for review and approval by the Planning Department. Colors shall match the existing building. 5. The applicant shall register the Major Telecommunication Facility authorized by this permit with the City of Petaluma in accordance with Municipal Code § 14.44.040. 6. This Conditional Use Permit shall be effective for a period of ten (10) years. Continuation of the Major Telecommunication Facility beyond this period shall require a new Conditional Use Permit pursuant to Municipal Code §14.44.150. If at any time the facility becomes nonoperational all antennas and associated equipment shall be removed. 7. This Conditional Use Permit does not authorize the installation and operation of outdoor lighting or a back-up generator to serve the Major Telecommunication Facility. 8. The applicant shall be subject to all applicable development fees. Said fees are due at time of issuance of building permit at which time, other pertinent fees that may be applicable to the proposed Project may be required. Planning Commission Resolution No. 2015-17 Page 5