HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Board Of Adjustment - 10/23/2002 VD • 202122
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES 0� �,�s*
October 23,2002 OP-
Board Members Present: Peter Mahaffey, Chairman ‘`eoi
Thomas McDonald, Vice-Chairman 6'.i9 5 £t
Louis Alvarado
Robert Broadway
Charles Schibi
Staff Present: Miguel S. Saldana, AICP, City Planner
Erma Ramirez, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Mahaffey opened the public hearing at 1:35 p.m. in the Council Chambers at
City Hall and explained the procedure to be followed.
Voice Stream: Appeal No. ZBA1002-01
Request: A special use exception to erect an 85-foot telecommunications
monopole tower on Joslin Tract, Block A, being 900 square feet out of
Lot 8, located on the south side of McArdle Road, approximately 950
feet west of Ennis Joslin Road.
Mr. Miguel Saldana, City Planner, stated that the appellant, Voice Stream, is requesting a
special use exception to erect an 85-foot telecommunication tower. Mr. Saldafia described the
surrounding land use by means of a computerized slide presentation. He also presented a
detailed site plan provided by the appellant showing the proposed location for the cell tower. He
stated that the proposed tower would be built within a 900 foot square area behind a
manufactured home park area. The monopole tower would be galvanized steel and would be
surrounded by a solid wood fence. They have colocations on three other sites in the vicinity
which are in Flour Bluff, Saratoga Boulevard, and Airline Road. Mr. Saldana presented a
drawing showing the current coverage area and the coverage with the proposed tower. There
will be less dropped calls.
Eleven (11) notices were mailed to property owners within a 200-foot radius, of which
none were returned in favor or in opposition. The subject property owner submitted a notice in
favor.
Chairman Mahaffey inquired about who covers the Naval Air Station area.
Mr. Saldana stated that there have been several providers looking at the area for possible
towers, but it has been very difficult getting in the base, especially since September 11.
SCANNED
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Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 25, 2002
Page 2
Board Member McDonald inquired if the request could be made for a taller tower in
order to have more providers. Mr. Saldana stated that in residential districts they are limited to a
height of 85 feet.
Chairman Mahaffey opened the public hearing.
Mr. Michael Baty, representative for Voice Stream Wireless, stated that a lot of their calls
are coming from the Texas A&M - Corpus Christi University area. He presented a drawing and
pointed to a "search ring" area which does not have the capacity to include more calls. They
have been searching for sites, whether it be a rooftop or existing tower to colocate with but have
been unsuccessful. They have been picking up more traffic and if the problem is not addressed
now, the potential for people being able to address their network immediately will be delayed
until a channel becomes free. Their proposed compound will be screened with a solid wood
fence and will be landscaped with shrubs 4 feet on center. He asked for the Board's support in
granting an 85-foot tower to correct their existing problem.
No one appeared in opposition, therefore, the public hearing was closed.
Chairman Mahaffey then asked for Staff's recommendation.
Mr. Saldana stated that Staff had a concern about the location of the tower being too
close to the public right-of-way. Since the applicant has offered to provide solid screening
instead of a chain link fence and additional landscaping, Staff has no objection to the request.
Motion by Board Member McDonald, seconded by Broadway, that the request be
approved as per the submitted site plan. Additional conditions are to provide a solid
screening fence in lieu of the chain-link fence, and extensive landscaping along the McArdle
Road frontage. Motion passed unanimously.
NOTE: For detailed information on testimony, refer to the tape retained on file in the Planning
Department.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes for the September 25 2002 meeting were approved as amended.
The correction was to add the word "under" on page 2, paragraph 2, which in part reads:
..... and Sprint could not let go of that tower while under construction."
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 25,2002
Page 3
The October 23, 2002 Board of Adjustment Minutes were approved as written on
November 20, 2002.
ATTEST:
Peter B. Mahaffey, Chairman
H:\PLN-D IR\ERMA\WORD\ZBA\MINUTES\102302ZBAMINUTES.DOC
AID
Board of Adjustment Minutes
September 25,2002
Page 3
The October 23, 2002 Board of Adjustment Minutes were approved as amended on
November 20, 2002.
ATTEST:
Peter B. Mahaffey, Chairman
H:\PLN-DIR\ERMA\WORD\ZBA\MINUTES\102302ZBAMINUTES.DOC