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HomeMy WebLinkAboutERC Report and CU-A Report and Decision 11-024 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REPORT & DECISION  ERC MEETING DATE: June 6, 2011  Project Name: AT&T Mobility Panther Lake  Owner: Michael James Kopick, 18809 116th Ave. SE, Renton, WA 98058  Applicant: AT&T Mobility, 16221 NE 72nd Way, RTC 3, Redmond, WA 98052  Contact: Sunny Ausink, PTS, 568 1st Avenue S. #605, Seattle, WA 98104  File Number: LUA11-024, ECF, CU-A  Project Manager: Vanessa Dolbee, Senior Planner  Project Summary: The applicant is requesting Environmental Review (SEPA) and a Conditional Use Permit to amend an existing wireless telecommunications facility with a new antenna that would provide 4G technology to the surrounding area. The existing monopole is located at 18809 116th Avenue SE in a Residential 8 (R-8) dwelling units per net acre zone. The proposal would add three new antennas, remote radio heads, and “SQUID” suppression onto the existing unstaffed wireless facility. The antenna would be 55.2” x 11.8” x 6.0” is size and would be located within an existing AT&T facility site which is approximately 270 square feet. The overall parcel area is 1.33 acres. The existing AT&T wireless facility is accessed via an access easement off of SE 188th Street, located just north of the subject site. The addition to the existing monopole would not impact any existing trees located at the subject site. No new landscaping or fencing is proposed. There are not critical areas located at the subject site. Currently the site has three cell tower spaces leased and one existing residence.  Project Location: 18809 116th Avenue SE  Exist. Bldg. Area SF: 1,540 SF Proposed New Bldg. Area (footprint): Proposed New Bldg. Area (gross): None None  Site Area: 1.33 acres Total Building Area GSF: 1,540 SF  STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff Recommends that the Environmental Review Committee issue a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS).   PART ONE: PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND EXHIBITS: Exhibit 1: Project file (“yellow file”) containing the application, reports, staff comments, and other material pertinent to the review of the project.  Exhibit 2: Vicinity Map  Exhibit 3: Site Plan  Exhibit 4: Existing Enlarged Site Plan  Exhibit 5: Proposed Enlarged Site Plan  Exhibit 6: Existing and Proposed East Elevation  Exhibit 7: Aerial Photograph winter (without foliage)  Exhibit 8: Aerial Photograph summer (with foliage)   GENERAL INFORMATION: Owner(s) of Record: Michael James Kopick, 18809 116th Ave. SE, Renton, WA 98058  Zoning Designation: Residential - 8 dwelling units/acre (R-8)  Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation: Residential Single Family (RSF)  Existing Site Use: Single family home and three wireless communication towers  Neighborhood Characteristics:   North: Benson Hill Elementary School(R-8 zone)  East: Single-family residential(R-4 zone)  South: King County Housing Authority - Single-family residential(R-8 zone)  West: Soos Creek water tower and Single-family residential (R-8 zone)  Access: Access easement off of SE 188th Street, located just north of the subject site  Site Area: 1.33 acres  HISTORICAL/BACKGROUND: Action Land Use File No. Ordinance No. Date  Comprehensive Plan N/A 5099 11/01/2004  Zoning N/A 5100 11/01/2004  Annexation N/A 5327 03/01/2008   PROJECT NARRATIVE: The applicant is requesting Environmental Review (SEPA) and an Administrative Conditional Use Permit to amend an existing wireless telecommunications facility with a new antenna that would provide 4G technology to the surrounding area. The existing 100-foot monopole is located at 18809 116th Avenue SE in a Residential 8 (R-8) dwelling units per net acre zone. AT&T holds a lease on the subject site for the exiting monopole in the northwest corner of the 1.33 acres parcel. In addition, to AT&T’s lease two other wireless companies have monopoles on the property. The existing leased area is 270 square feet in size and contains the monopole and a small existing equipment cabinet. The facility currently located at the subject site is an unmanned facility. Maintenance crews access the site via an access easement off of SE 188th Street located just north of the parcel. SE 188th Street intersects with 116th Avenue SE in the northeast corner of the subject site. The applicant is proposing to add three new antennas, remote radio heads, and “SQUID” suppression onto the existing unstaffed wireless facility. The antenna would be 55.2” x 11.8” x 6.0” in size and would be located within the existing AT&T facility on the existing monopole. In addition, a small “backpack equipment” box, 31”x20”x24”, is proposed to be added to the existing equipment cabinet. The applicant has not proposed to modify or expand any of the existing equipment located at the site. Pursuant to the project narrative, submitted with the application, the additional facilities would add 4G technology to the site and would expand AT&T’s network footprint into the City of Renton and the immediate surrounding area. The additional antenna would add on-street and in-car availability of 4G services and well as in-building 4G services in the immediate vicinity of the site. The addition to the existing monopole would not impact any existing trees located at the subject site or add any new impervious services. The only changes proposed at the site would be on the monopole and the small “backpack equipment” box. No new landscaping or fencing is proposed. There are no critical areas located at the subject site. PUBLIC SERVICES: Utilities Water: Water is provided by the Soos Creek Water and Sewer District. Sewer: Sewer is provided by the Soos Creek Water and Sewer District. Surface/Storm Water: No improvements are required for the proposed facility. Streets: The site is served by SE 188th Street. Fire Protection: Fire service is provided by the City of Renton Fire Department. PART TWO: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW In compliance with RCW 43.21C.240, the following environmental (SEPA) review addresses only those project impacts that are not adequately addressed under existing development standards and environmental regulations. ENVIRONMENTAL THRESHOLD RECOMMENDATION Based on analysis of probable impacts from the proposal, staff recommends that the Responsible Officials: Issue a DNS with a 14-day Appeal Period. MITIGATION MEASURES No additional mitigation measures are recommended. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The proposal was circulated and reviewed by various City Departments and Divisions to determine whether the applicant has adequately identified and addressed environmental impacts anticipated to occur in conjunction with the proposed development. Staff reviewers have identified that the proposal is likely to have the following probable impacts: Aesthetics Impacts: The proposed project would add additional wireless antennas to an existing 100-foot tall monopole. The proposed new antennas would be mounted on an existing triangular support structure located at the 80-foot level on the 100-foot monopole. Currently this support structure contains 6 antennas. The remote radio heads, and “SQUID” suppression system is proposed to be mounted directly to the monopole just below the 80-foot level. The wireless facility is currently visible from surrounding properties and roads. The addition of three antennas, remote radio heads, and “SQUID” suppression system would minimally change the existing visual impact to the neighborhood. Furthermore, just east of the site is an existing water tower that exceeds the height of the proposed location for the antennas, allowing the antennas to blend into the background as viewed from 116th Avenue NE. This water tower is surrounded by mature trees. The current monopole is located in the rear of the property approximately 275-feet from 116th Street. Between the existing monopole and equipment shelter is the single family residence, an accessory building, and a large number of mature trees. In addition, to the “natural” screening provide by the trees surrounding the facility the applicant has proposed to paint the new antennas and ancillary equipment to match the existing facility. Based on the existing vegetation, the presence of a water tower and the Applicant’s proposal to paint the facility, little to no aesthetic impacts are anticipated by the additional equipment proposed to be added to the existing facility. Mitigation Measures: No further mitigation is required. Nexus: None required. COMMENTS OF REVIEWING DEPARTMENTS The proposal has been circulated to City Department and Division Reviewers. Where applicable, their comments have been incorporated into the text of this report and/or “Advisory Notes to Applicant.” Copies of all Review Comments are contained in the Official File and may be attached to this report. PART THREE: ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVIEW APPLICABLE SECTIONS OF THE RENTON MUNICIPAL CODE: Chapter 2 Land Use Districts Section 4-2-020: Purpose and Intent of Zoning Districts Section 4-2-060: Zoning Use Table Section 4-2-110: Residential Development Standards Chapter 4 Property Development Standards Section 4-4-030: Development Guidelines and Regulations Section 4-4-140: Wireless Communication Facilities Chapter 9 Procedures and Review Criteria Section 4-9-030J: Special Decision Criteria for Wireless Communication Facilities In Lieu of Standard Criteria Chapter 11 Definitions APPLICABLE SECTIONS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Utilities Element: Policies U-100 and U-101  DEPARTMENT ANALYSIS: Environmental Review In compliance with RCW 43.21C.240, the Determination of Non-Significance issued on June 6, 2011 addresses only those project impacts that are not adequately addressed under existing development standards and environmental regulations. Compliance with ERC Mitigation Measures Not applicable. Staff Review Comments Representatives from various city departments have reviewed the application materials to identify and address issues raised by the proposed development. These comments are contained in the official file, and the essence of the comments has been incorporated into the appropriate sections of this report and the Departmental Recommendation at the end of this report. Consistency with Special Decision Criteria for Wireless Communication Facilities In Lieu of Standard Criteria The governing authority shall consider the following factors in determining whether to issue a conditional use permit, although the governing authority may waive or reduce the burden on the applicant of one or more of these criteria if the governing authority concludes that the goals of RMC 4-4-140, Wireless Communication Facilities, are better served thereby. Height of the proposed tower. The proposed project would add additional wireless antennas to an existing 100-foot tall monopole. The proposed new antennas would be mounted on an existing triangular support structure located at the 80-foot level on the 100-foot monopole. Currently this support structure contains 6 antennas. The remote radio heads, and “SQUID” suppression system is proposed to be mounted directly to the monopole just below the 80-foot level. The addition of the antennas and ancillary equipment would not increase the height of the structure. Proximity of the tower to residential structures and residential district boundaries. The proposed antennas and ancillary equipment would be mounted on an existing monopole located in the R-8 zone. Under the existing condition three monopoles are located on the subject site. The closest single-family residence to the existing AT&T facility is located on the same parcel and is approximately 130 feet from the monopole. To the south the closest residential structure is 250-feet away and to the west it is approximately 290 feet to the nearest residential structure. To the north the Benson Hill Elementary School is approximately 290 feet from the existing facility. The addition of the antennas and ancillary equipment would not increase the proximity to residential structures or residential district boundaries beyond current conditions. Nature and uses on adjacent and nearby properties. The adjacent and nearby properties are developed with primarily single-family residential homes, however just north of the site is the Benson Hill Elementary School and directly east is a Soos Creek water tower. Surrounding topography. The project site is relatively flat and the project proposal would not result in any ground disrupting activity. Surrounding tree coverage and foliage. Under current conditions, mature trees and vegetation exist to the east and west of the existing facility providing visional screening and improving the aesthetics of the area. Design of the tower, with particular reference to design characteristics that have the effect of reducing or eliminating visual obtrusiveness. There is no proposed new tower. The proposed antennas and ancillary equipment would be mounted on the existing monopole. All new equipment is proposed to be painted to match the existing facility. Proposed ingress and egress. Currently the site is access via an access easement off of SE 188th Street located just north of the parcel. SE 188th Street intersects with 116th Avenue SE in the northeast corner of the subject site. Site ingress and egress will not change as a result of the proposed project. Potential noise, light and glare impacts. No lights are included in the proposed project. No light, glare, or noise would be produced as a result of the installation of the proposed new equipment. Availability of suitable existing towers and other structures. The proposed antennas would be collocated on an existing monopole which currently has wireless antennas mounted on it. Compatibility with general purpose , goals, objectives and standards of the Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance and any other plan, program, map or ordinance of the City. The proposed project is compatible with the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance, and wireless communication facility regulations. FINDINGS: Having reviewed the written record in the matter, the City now enters the following: Location: The subject site is located at 18809 116th Avenue SE. Governing Regulations: The regulations pertaining to wireless communication facilities in the R-8 zone are covered under RMC 4-2-060 and RMC 4-2-110A. Review Criteria: The analysis of the proposal according to conditional use permit criteria for wireless communication facilities is found in the body of the staff report. Request: The applicant has requested approval for three new antennas, remote radio heads, and “SQUID” suppression on to the existing unstaffed wireless facility. Administrative Conditional Use Permit: The applicant’s administrative conditional use permit submittal materials comply with the requirements necessary to process a conditional use permit for a wireless communication facility. Zoning: The site is located in the Residential – 8 dwelling units per net acre (R-8) zone. Existing Land Uses: North: Benson Hill Elementary School(R-8 zone)  East: Single-family residential(R-4 zone)  South: King County Housing Authority - Single-family residential(R-8 zone)  West: Soos Creek water tower and Single-family residential (R-8 zone)  Topography: The site is flat and the project proposal would not result in any ground disrupting activity. CONCLUSION: The proposed antenna meets the 10 special decision criteria to be considered in making a decision on a conditional use permit request as specified in RMC 4-9-030J. Such criteria include the height of the proposed facility, proximity to residential structures and residential district boundaries, nature and uses on adjacent and nearby properties, surrounding topography, surrounding tree coverage and foliage, design, ingress and egress, potential noise, light and glare impacts, availability of other structures, and compatibility with the general purpose, goals, objectives and standards of the Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance, wireless communication facility regulations, and any other plan, program, map or ordinance of the City. DECISION: The AT&T Mobility Panther Lake, File No. LUA11-024, ECF, CU-A, is approved. DATE OF DECISION ON LAND USE ACTION: SIGNATURE: C. E. “Chip” Vincent, Planning Director Date TRANSMITTED this 10th day of June, 2011 to the Contact/Applicant/Owner(s): Contact: Applicant: Owner(s):  Sunny Ausink PTS, 568 1st Avenue S. #605 Seattle, WA 98104 AT&T Mobility 16221 NE 72nd Way, RTC 3 Redmond, WA 98052 Michael James Kopick 18809 116th Ave. SE Renton, WA 98058  TRANSMITTED this 10th day of June, 2011 to the Party(ies) of Record: None        TRANSMITTED this 10th day of June, 2011 to the following: Neil Watts, Development Services Director Kayren Kittrick, Development Services Jennifer Henning, Current Planning Manager Renton Reporter LAND USE ACTION APPEALS, REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION, & EXPIRATION The administrative land use decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within 14 days of the decision date. APPEAL: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the Hearing Examiner on or before 5:00 PM on June 24, 2011. An appeal of the decision(s) must be filed within the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Renton Municipal Code Section 4-8-110.B governs appeals to the Hearing Examiner. Appeals must be filed in writing together with the required fee to Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. Additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, Renton City Hall - 7th Floor, (425) 430-6510. RECONSIDERATION: Within 14 days of the decision date, any party may request that a decision on a short plat be reopened by the Administrator (Decision-maker). The Administrator (Decision-maker) may modify his decision if material evidence not readily discoverable prior to the original decision is found or if he finds there was misrepresentation of fact. After review of the reconsideration request, if the Administrator (Decision-maker) finds sufficient evidence to amend the original decision, there will be no further extension of the appeal period. Any person wishing to take further action must file a formal appeal within the 14-day appeal timeframe. EXPIRATION: The Administrative Conditional Use permit decision will expire two (2) years from the date of decision pursuant to RMC 4-8-100H. A single one (1) year extension may be requested pursuant to RMC 4-8-100I. THE APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS DOCTRINE: Provides that no ex parte (private one-on-one) communications may occur concerning the land use decision. The Doctrine applies not only to the initial decision, but to Appeals to the Hearing Examiner as well. All communications after the decision/approval date must be made in writing through the Hearing Examiner. All communications are public record and this permits all interested parties to know the contents of the communication and would allow them to openly rebut the evidence in writing. Any violation of this doctrine could result in the invalidation of the appeal by the Court. ADVISORY NOTES TO APPLICANT The following notes are supplemental information provided in conjunction with the administrative land use action. Because these notes are provided as information only, they are not subject to the appeal process for the land use actions. Planning: RMC 4-4-030C.2 limits the haul hours between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm Monday through Friday unless otherwise approved by the Planning Division. Commercial, multi-family, new single-family, and other non-residential construction activities shall be restricted to the hours between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm Monday through Friday. Work on Saturdays shall be restricted to the hours between 9:00 am and 8:00 pm. No work shall be permitted on Sundays.