HomeMy WebLinkAbout1045 RTE 28 - VERIZON MONOPOLE - COMPLETE DRC PACKET 0418171
Williams, Kathleen
From:Williams, Kathleen
Sent:Tuesday, April 11, 2017 2:03 PM
To:Charles Adams (adams2430@gmail.com); Chris Vincent
(christophervincent@comcast.net); Dick Martin (dick@dickmartinera.com); Jack
McCormack (johnhmccormackjr@comcast.net); Sara J Porter (sjparch@comcast.net)
Subject:DRC Meeting April 18, 2017 at 4 PM in Room A
Attachments:DRC Application Materials.pdf; Photo Renderings.pdf;
Yarmouth_South_MA_ZD_Rec12186_01262017_Stamp.pdf; 041817 Agenda Formal
1045 Rte 28 - Verizon Monopole TC.pdf
Hi Guys,
Please find attached the Agenda for the April 18th DRC meeting and the application for a Verizon wireless monopole
to be located at 1045/1067 Route 28 (between Ryan Family Amusement and the Post Office). The applicant had
previously received approval to locate antennas inside a proposed cupola on top of the post office building, but it
was later determined that the building could not structurally handle the loads. The equipment shelter was to be
located behind the post office and would not be visible from Route 28.
The location of the proposed monopole and the fenced in utility area/generator is located between the two
buildings, rather than behind the post office building, maximizing visibility from Route 28 and for those entering the
plaza. The electrical panel is also located on the outside of the fencing and protected by bollards, providing a very
utilitarian look. There are no plantings proposed.
Although monopoles are allowed by Special Permit they need to meet certain criteria and be designed and sited so
as to have the least adverse visual effect on the environment (section 408.7.1). I would suggest that the applicant
locate the monopole and the fenced in equipment area behind the post office building so it is not visible from
Route 28. If the communications facilities can’t be camouflaged from public view by existing buildings or
structures, they are required to be surrounded by a vegetated buffer of sufficient height and depth to effectively
screen the facility (Section 408.7.10.3). I’m not sure the bylaw allows them to have a 75’ pole, but that is
something that will be addressed as part of SPR. It should also be noted that the previous DRC comments and the
Special Permit required the planting of three buffer trees along Route 28 which I think we should continue to
recommend.
We were able to snag Room A. Everyone has indicated they will be able to make the meeting.
Thanks,
Kathy
----------------------------------------
Kathy Williams, PE
Yarmouth Town Planner
1146 Route 28
South Yarmouth, MA 02664-4492
(508) 398-2231 Ext 1276
kwilliams@yarmouth.ma.us
GEHRING & ASSOCIATES, LLC
Wireless Planning & Zoning
Post Office Box 98 860-536-0675
West Mystic, CT 06388 wireless@gehringzone.com
_______________________________________________________________________
April 5, 2017
Design Review Board
Town of Yarmouth
1146 Route 28
Yarmouth, MA 02664
RE: Application for Design Review submitted by Cellco Partnership d/b/a
Verizon Wireless concerning the Installation of a new Personal Wireless
Service Facility at 1045 Route 28, Assessor's Map 50, Lots 116 and 117.1, in
the B2 & VC-4 Zoning District.
Dear Members of the Design Review Board:
Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Applicant") is pleased to submit the attached
application for Design Review regarding the proposed installation of a new free-standing
Personal Wireless Service Facility at 1045 Route 28, Assessor's Map 50, Lots 116 and
117.1 ("Subject Property"). The Subject Property is located in the B2 (and VC-4) zoning
districts.
Verizon Wireless had proposed, and received approval, to re-install a cupola in the center
of the Post Office building on site, but that proposal encountered structural and
construction related issues rendering it impractical and no longer feasible. Accordingly,
new solutions were explored and the decision was made to construct a free-standing
stealth pole towards the rear of the site to accommodate both Verizon Wireless as well as
an additional wireless co-locator. The installation, as designed, is exempt from Cape Cod
Commission review.
The radio equipment needed to operate the Applicant’s antennas, as well as a stand-by
power generator, are proposed to be located in a ground compound at the base of the
stealth pole hidden behind a solid wood fence. The stealth pole will house antennas
hidden inside and will be painted a flat white color, or any other color as may be directed
and approved by the Town.
Design Review Board
Town of Yarmouth
April 5, 2017
Page 2 of 2
Enclosed for your review and consideration are the following materials which are
incorporated into and made part of this Application:
Tab 1 - Application for Design Review
Tab 2 - Statement in Support of Application
Tab 3 - Landowner Authorization
Tab 4 - Photo-simulations
Tab 5 - Site Plans and Elevation Drawings
The Applicant looks forward to receiving your approval so that Site Plan Review and
Zoning Board Applications may follow.
Sincerely,
Gehring & Associates, LLC
By ________________________
Carl W. Gehring, on behalf of Verizon Wireless
Enclosures
cc: Sean Mahoney – Verizon Wireless Real Estate Department
X
x
April 18, 2017
4 PM, Room B
1
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATION
FOR A
DESIGN REVIEW
Applicant: Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless
Subject Parcel: 1045 Route 28, Assessor's Map 50, Lots 116 and 117.1
Zoning District: B2 & VC-4
Proposed: Install a new stealth free-standing personal wireless service facility
with accessory ground equipment inside a fenced base compound
at the rear of the Subject Property.
Requested: Design Review Approval pursuant to Section 103.4 and other
applicable sections of the Town of Yarmouth Zoning
Bylaw and 47 U.S.C. 332(c)(7)(B)(i)
Date: April 5, 2017
________________________________________________________________________
A. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED INSTALLATION
Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless proposes to install a new stealth free-standing
personal wireless service facility at the rear of the Subject Property. A few years ago,
Verizon received zoning approval to reconstruct a cupola on the roof of a building on site
which would have resembled an historic cupola that used to occupy the same building.
Unfortunately, that idea encountered practical difficulty once in-depth structural studies
were performed on the subject building.
The new plan now is to construct a so-called stealth pole where the antennas will be
hidden inside the structure behind fiberglass sheathing. The radio equipment cabinets
needed to service those antennas will be placed at the base of the pole inside an
equipment compound that will be surrounded by a solid fence. A natural gas-fueled
stand-by generator will be placed on-grade inside the compound as well. No equipment
shelter is proposed, but instead outdoor weather-proof cabinets are proposed.
The proposed design will remain below the Cape Cod Commission review thresholds for
new free-standing wireless facilities in that it will be less than 80 feet in height, will
contain less than1300 square feet of compound area, and will be built to accommodate
two (2) wireless carriers (Verizon plus one other).
B. DESIGN REVIEW
2
The goals and objectives of Design Review are outlined in Section 103.4 of the Town of
Yarmouth Zoning Bylaw (“Bylaw”). In order to demonstrate the Applicant’s compliance
with the Bylaw, the various goals and objectives are enumerated below (in italics) with
the Applicant’s responses thereto (in plain text) as follows:
103.4.3 Goals and objectives. The goals of the design review process shall be to
revitalize all commercial uses south of Route 6 by:
1. Improving the aesthetic quality of buildings and sites therein;
The aesthetic quality of the subject site and building will be unchanged by installation of
the proposed stealth pole in the rear. However, as far as wireless “towers” are concerned,
the proposal is to utilize a design of the highest aesthetic quality available in the wireless
business in that all the subject antennas will be hidden inside stealth sheathing so that all
that will be visible will be a single fat pole. The ground equipment needed to service the
proposed antennas will be hidden behind a solid fence totally out of view.
2. Promoting attractive and viable commercial districts, and;
The installation of the proposed cell site will improve wireless communications in the
neighborhood. With so many businesses being dependent on reliable communications
this improvement will help promote the viability of commercial interests in the area.
Wireless communications are also beneficial to home-based businesses so the improved
signal coverage in the area generally will help improve commerce.
3. Providing a process for review of all changes in land use, the appearances of
structures, or the appearances of sites within the districts. The objectives of the
design review process are to:
1. Preserve the natural and cultural patterns of the surrounding landscape
whenever possible.
This objective is not impacted by the installation of a simple stealth wireless pole in the
rear of the property. The fact that the ground equipment will be hidden behind a solid
fence will have no negative impact on the surrounding landscape which in the subject
plaza is primarily commercial.
3
2. Encourage incorporation of public amenities, including, but not limited to,
sidewalks, benches, and bike racks within commercial developments. Encourage
clustering of buildings in large developments to retain more open space.
Not Applicable. This objective is neither promoted nor derogated by the proposed
installation of an unmanned, unoccupied, remotely-monitored wireless telephone utility
installation. Although, in the sense that enhanced and reliable wireless connectivity is a
“public amenity,” the proposed installation is in harmony with this objective.
3. Building is encouraged to be of a style which complements and promotes
traditional Cape Cod architectural styles and character with proper scale,
proportion and roof pitch. Traditional building materials (clapboards and cedar
shingles) are recommended for usage. Colors of clapboard and trim should be
muted colors of traditional usage, not designed to shock or stand out.
While the proposed stealth pole cannot be considered “traditional Cape Cod architecture”
it is indeed compliant with the Cape Cod Commission guidelines regarding cell towers in
that it is specifically exempt from their review by virtue of its low height, stealth design
and minimal ground disturbance.
4. Identify the internal parking circulation system in a manner which will reduce
curb cuts, improve landscaping and traffic flow, allow for proper turning radius
and parking space, encourage pedestrian uses and access, screen trash
receptacles, and minimize any accessory signage.
Not Applicable. The proposed wireless facility will be unmanned, unoccupied, and host
no employees, visitors or guests. Occasionally, perhaps once per month, a maintenance
technician will check on the site. The person performing these maintenance checks will
typically drive a normal passenger vehicle which can be temporarily parked adjacent to
the proposed facility at the rear of the building out of the way of normal traffic
circulation. There will be no rubbish produced on-site therefore trash receptacles are not
needed. There will be no business signage as part of the installation.
C. CONCLUSION
Verizon Wireless's proposal, to erect a simple stealth monopole at the rear of the Subject
Property conforms to the requirements set forth in the Town of Yarmouth’s Zoning
Bylaw and is specifically compatible with the goals and objectives of Design Review.
The proposed installation will not be detrimental to the character and aesthetics of the
neighborhood and it will actually serve as a public safety benefit by providing enhanced
wireless services to the area.
4
In addition to state and local law, certain provisions of federal law are also applicable to
Verizon's proposal in that Verizon Wireless is a federally licensed wireless
communications provider. Pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 ("TCA"),
Verizon Wireless is afforded certain protections in the analysis of local land use issues
which, in effect, act as a federal overlay on a local board or municipal authority's review
process. Among other provisions, the TCA provides specifically in 47 U.S.C. Section
322(c)(7)(B)(i) that a local government’s review process must not "have the effect of
prohibiting" its service in the area. Such prohibition would violate the protective
provisions of the TCA relating to this Application. The Applicant requires the proposed
installation to be able to continue to close significant coverage gaps and capacity gaps in
its wireless network that would exist in this area of the Town of Yarmouth if a site could
not be located here.
In the present case, the Applicant is proposing an installation that is compatible with the
surrounding area. A stealth type of tower is being proposed. The Subject Property will
not be adversely impacted by the Applicant's installation and the installation will not alter
or impact the character of surrounding properties. The proposed installation will give off
no dust, odor, glare, smoke or nuisance of any kind. The Applicant is simply proposing a
remotely monitored, unmanned wireless telephone utility installation that will actually
serve a public safety benefit by continuing to provide enhanced wireless communications
to the area.
For all the foregoing reasons the Applicant respectfully requests Design Review approval
pursuant to the submitted Application and Plans.
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