Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCPC Resolution 2017-01 03/14/2017RESOLUTION 2017 -01 CITY OF PETALUMA HISTORIC AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE APPROVING HISTORIC SITE PLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ONE (1) SEVEN -FOOT TALL TRI- SECTOR CYLINDRICAL ANTENNA & ASSOCIATED SUPPORTING EQUIPMENT MOUNTED ON THE EXISITNG BUILDING ROOF LOCATED AT 109 KENTUCKY STREET APN: 006 - 363 -020 FILE NO. PLMA -17 -0001 WHEREAS, Jay Gruendle of On Air LLC for Verizon Wireless, on behalf of the property owner, submitted applications for a Conditional Use Permit and Historic Site Plan and Architectural Review for the installation of one (1) seven -foot tall tri- sector cylindrical antenna and associated supporting equipment mounted on the existing building roof located at 109 Kentucky Street (APN 006 - 363 -020) (the "Project "); and WHEREAS, the project site is located within the boundaries of the Petaluma Historic Commercial District, a National Register District; and WHEREAS, the Project involves an alteration to an existing building within the historic district, and is subject to the requirements of Implementing Zoning Ordinance (IZO) § 15.050 (Alter Structures in Designated Areas), IZO § 15.070 (Construct, Alter, or Demolish Designated Structures or Structures in Designated Areas), and IZO §24.010 (Site Plan and Architectural Review), as well as review standards outlined at the Petaluma Historic Commercial District Design Guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings; and WHEREAS, on March 14, 2017, the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee held a duly noticed public hearing to consider the request for Historic Site Plan and Architectural Review approval at which time all interested parties had the opportunity to be heard; and WHEREAS, on March 14, 2017 and prior to acting on this request, the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee considered the staff report analyzing the application, including the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") determination included therein; and WHEREAS, public notice was published in the Argus Courier and mailed to residents and occupants within 500 feet of the project site in compliance with state and local law. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HISTORIC AND CULTURAL PRESERVTION COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AS FOLLOWS: 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference. 2. Pursuant to Implementing Zoning Ordinance §24.010, the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee hereby approves Historic Site Plan and Architectural Review for the Project based on the following findings: Implementing Zoning Ordinance § 15.070(A) (2) (Historic) a. The project will not adversely affect the exterior architectural characteristics or features of the property because it includes the addition of a telecommunications facility that will be minimally visible from various vantage points, and will not remove any existing historical features of the Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee Resolution No. 2017 -01 Page 1 building. Due to the placement and size of the antenna, and its location within an already developed area, it will not be noticeable from considerable distances because several structures and mature vegetation exist within the area. The project will not adversely affect the subject property's relationship in terms of harmony and appropriateness with its surroundings nor the historical, architectural, or aesthetic value of the district since other properties are present within the district that include visible rooftop mechanical equipment or similar features. More specifically, a prime example of a similar installation within the District is the Hotel Petaluma which has several rooftop telecommunication facilities similar to the proposed Verizon antenna. Since these features and other similar rooftop structures can already be found within the District, the addition of the proposed project will not on its own affect the District's value or interest as a whole. Implementing Zoning Ordinance Chapter 24 (SPAR) a. The project includes the use of quality materials and an appropriate color to ensure that the project is in harmony with and in proportion to the overall design. Telecommunication facility supporting equipment will be fully screened from view due to the presence of existing parapet walls at the building roof, and the antenna structure which is partially visible from the public right -of -way will be painted to match the existing building, as required through Condition of Approval #3. b. The architectural style of the proposed facility is appropriate for the project and compatible with the overall character of the neighborhood because it will be located on the roof of an existing three -story streamline commercial building with existing rooftop equipment. The project includes the removal of an existing 30 -foot high television antenna which is not in keeping with the building's architectural style, and therefore will achieve a more appropriate style for the neighborhood. c. The siting of the project on the property is consistent with the siting of other structures within the immediate neighborhood and District since other buildings exhibit visible rooftop equipment including antennas (e.g. Hotel Petaluma site). The telecommunications facility is sited at the rear corner of the building's rooftop near to the adjacent parking garage to reduce visual impacts from prominent corners of the building at Kentucky Street and Western Avenue. The siting of the project was determined to be the least visually intrusive location for the antenna. d. No signs or outdoor advertising structures are proposed as part of the project. e. The project's bulk, height, and color of the proposed structure is consistent with the bulk, height, and color of other structures within the immediate neighborhood since the project proposes an antenna one and one -half (1 -1/2) feet wide and seven (7) feet high which is less than the maximum allowed height of fifteen feet, and includes a color palette that will match the existing building's exterior paint color and will mimic nearby commercial structures. f. No landscaping is proposed as part of the project. g. The project does not propose any modifications to ingress, egress, internal circulation, or parking facilities. Petaluma Historic Commercial District Desiqn Guidelines Paint Color a. Although the project does not propose to paint the historic building itself, it does involve painting the proposed antenna which will be minimally visible from the public right -of -way. The antenna structure will be painted in a non - reflective, flat paint color to match the existing historic building. Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee Resolution No. 2017 -01 Page 2 The telecommunications facility will be confined to the rooftop at the existing elevator shaft, and will not alter or paint any exposed brick or other building materials. Further, the project would not result in any alteration or painting to primary building fagades nor would there be any removal of paint as part of this proposal. Mechanical Equipment b. The proposed telecommunications facility will be partially screened by solid building elements (i.e. existing parapet walls) at the building's rooftop. A portion of the antenna structure will be minimally visible from surrounding areas, however all supporting equipment (e.g., RRUs, equipment cabinet) will be fully screened by parapet walls. The project does not propose to install any additional screening that would appear as an after - the -fact feature. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation a. No change in use is proposed. b. The proposed installation will be confined to the rear corner of the building roof, the furthest point from the two main building frontages along Western Avenue and Kentucky Street. The new antenna and supporting equipment will be located on and near the elevator shaft at the roof in such a way that essential character defining features and materials will not be altered or obscured. c. The proposed telecommunications facility will be obviously new and will not be mistaken as a historic component of the subject building. d. The project does not propose the removal of any historic features and therefore is not expected to impact any later additions to a given building which may have obtained significance in their own right. e. The telecommunications facility will be confined to rooftop, non - character defining spaces of the building and will not obscure or remove any features, finishes, or construction techniques that contribute to the historic characterization of the property. f. No repair or replacement of historic features is proposed. g. No surface cleaning is proposed as part of this project. h. No disturbance of archeological resources is expected. i. The telecommunications facility will be a clearly new addition and easily differentiated from the historic building features. The sensitive placement of the antenna and supporting equipment, and avoidance of character defining features and spaces will ensure that the integrity of the subject building is retained. j. The new facility is proposed as a permanent installation. However, if removed in the future using appropriate methods the essential form and integrity of the subject property would be unimpaired. General Plan a. The project concerns a three -story commercial structure designed in the streamline modern style and within the Petaluma Historic Commercial District, a National Register District. The Project is, for the reasons described in the staff report dated March 14, 2017, consistent with the Petaluma General Plan. Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee Resolution No. 2017 -01 Page 3 3. The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA under CEQA Guidelines § 15303 (New Construction) because it involves construction of a telecommunications facility, which is considered a small new facility, in an area that is permissible by the IZO and an area in which the project is not environmentally sensitive. Additionally, the project does not trigger any of the exceptions to the exemption outlined in CEQA Guidelines § 15300.2. 4. Based on its review of the entire record herein, including the March 14, 2017 staff report, all supporting, referenced, and incorporated documents and all comments received and foregoing findings, the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee hereby approves Historic Site Plan and Architectural Review for the installation of one (1) seven -foot tall tri- sector cylindrical antenna and associated supporting equipment mounted on the existing building roof, subject to the conditions of approval at Exhibit 1. ADOPTED this 14th day of March, 2017, by the following vote: Commission Member Aye No Absent Abstain Councilmember Albertson X Benedetti- Petnic X Chair Gomez X Lin X Vice Chair Marzo X Pierre X Wolpert X Schlich X Perlis X ATTEST: Diana Gomez, air APPROVED AS TO FORM: H bTher Hines, CbmmissGn Secretary Lisa Tennenb um, Assistant City Attorney Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee Resolution No. 2017 -01 Page 4 HISTORIC SPAR CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL Verizon Wireless Telecommunications Project Located at 109 Kentucky Street APN: 006 - 363 -020 FILE NO: PLMA -17 -0001 Planning Division Exhibit 1 Plans submitted for Building Permit shall be in substantial conformance with plans date stamped February 16, 2017 and in conformance with all other supporting documentation for the Project as attached to the staff report. 2. Plans submitted for Building Permit shall include these Conditions of Approval as notes on the first sheet of the office and job site copies. 3. Prior to Building Permit issuance, the applicant shall show final color for the antenna structure on Building Permit plans for review and approval by the Planning Department. The antenna shall be in the manufacturer's "unpainted - gray" color, unless manufacturer specifications require painting of the antenna for longevity, in which case the antenna shall be paint- matched to the existing exterior building color. The antenna shall maintain the appearance of a "flat" and non - reflective color. 4. Prior to final inspection, the existing rooftop- mounted television antenna and associated guy wires shall, as noted on the approved plans, be removed from the site. 5. At all times the site shall be kept cleared of garbage and debris. No outdoor storage shall be permitted. 6. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City or any of its boards, commissions, agents, officers, and employees from any claim, action, or proceeding against the City, its boards, commissions, agents, officers, or employees to attack, set aside, void, or annul any of the approvals of the project, when such claim or action is brought within the time period provided for in applicable State and /or local statutes. The City shall promptly notify the applicants /developers of any such claim, action, or proceeding. The City shall coordinate in the defense. Nothing contained in this condition shall prohibit the City from participating in a defense of any claim, action, or proceeding and if the City chooses to do so appellant shall reimburse City for attorneys' fees by the City. Department of Public Works and Utilities 7. An encroachment permit shall be required for any work within the public right -of -way, including any crane staging and lading /unloading. Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee Resolution No. 2017 -01 Page 5