Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2010 01 14

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17.08.022 Alternative tower structure (ATS): ATS means an existing or proposed structure that is compatible with the natural setting and surrounding structures and that camouflages or conceals the presence of the antennae and can be used to house or mount CMRS antennae. Examples would include manmade trees, clock towers, bell steeples, light poles, silos, existing utility poles, existing utility transmission towers and other similar alternative design structures ". 17.08.047 Building mounted CMRS facility: "means any facility where the CMRS antennae are proposed to be mounted on an existing or proposed building, and excluding any facility meeting the definition of a freestanding CMRS facility or the definition of an alternative tower structure ". Staffs determination is the proposed CMRS facility meets the definition of a building mounted facility as the antennae are not mounted within, or camouflaged or concealed by a structure within the definition of ATS. As a building mounted facility in an AO zone district, the facility is required to secure authorization of a Special Review Use as defined in Section 17.40 of the LMC (SRU). SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL / STAFF COMMENTS: On November 10, 2009, Clearwire submitted an application to place roof mounted antennas on the existing office building located at 315 South Boulder Road. The applicant proposed a series of roof mounted antennae array with all support mechanical equipment to be located in the basement of the office building. Staff worked with Clearwire to revise design elements of the request to incorporate screening of the antennae. Screening was requested given the proximity of the antennae to the roof parapet and therefore the resulting visibility from the adjoining property lines. Given the location of existing roof top HVAC equipment, relocating the antennae with an increased setback from the parapet was not possible. The height of the existing building is 26'6 ". The overall height of the mounted antennae is approximately 32', which is less than maximum building height of 35'. On November 13, 2008, Planning Commission approved an SRU for AT &T to place nine (9) roof mounted antennas on the same building. These antennae were located on the northeast and southwest facades of the building. If approved, Clearwire will be placing the proposed antennae on the northwest and southeast corners of the building and screening the roof top mechanical equipment with the same parapet design as AT &T created for the 2008 application. CMRS Design Standards Section 17.42.030 of the LMC, defines design standards applicable to all CMRS facilities as well as those that are specific to roof mounted panel antennae. Under general standards, facilities are to be designed to be compatible in color, texture, and scale with surrounding buildings, and are to minimize adverse visual impacts. Building mounted structures are encouraged over free standing or tower CMRS facilities in the 3