Title
Body
MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Michalyn DelValle, Community Development Director
Mireya G. Turner, Associate Planner
DATE: January 24, 2019
SUBJECT: Major Use Permit, UP 18-01; Initial Study, IS 18-06 for 85-foot broad leaf mono-tree telecommunications tower; project located at 9475 Mojave Trail, Kelseyville (APN 009-004-21)
Supervisor District 5
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Vicinity Map
2. Proposed Project Packet (plans included)
3. Initial Study, IS 18-06
4. Proposed Conditions of Approval
5. Letters of Support - California Highway Patrol, Kelseyville Fire Protection District, and Lake County Sheriff’s Office
6. Agency Comments
7. Public Comments (a-e)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The project proposes to construct, operate and an unmanned 85 foot tall green mono-broad leaf wireless telecommunication tower, built to accommodate up to four (4) wireless communication carriers. Each carrier would be able to lease an area of approximately 300 (12’ x 25’) square feet in size. The proposed mono-broad leaf communication facility would allow up to four (4) - thirty-six (36) panel antennas, each approximately 8’ x 18”; and up to eight (8) microwave dish antennas, approximately 36” in diameter. The proposed facility and supporting ground equipment, including each carrier’s leased area would be contained within an area of approximately 2,500 (50’ x 50’) square feet in size each, and would be fenced in with a six foot (6’) chain link fence.
Currently, the project site is accessible from an existing eight foot (8’) to twelve foot (12’) wide private dirt/gravel access easement/road located off of Mojave Trail. Mojave Trail is a County maintained road for only 0.02 miles, 105 feet, the length of the parcel bordering the Clear Lake Riviera, Unit 11 Subdivision. The access easement would be increased to a minimum of twenty feet (20’) wide, with a minimum of ten feet (10’) of improved surfacing, pursuant to Article 71 (Communication Towers & Antennas); Section 71.8 (#13) “Access shall be provided to the communication tower and communication equipment building by means of a public street or easement to the public street. The easement shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width and shall be improved to a width of at least 10 feet with a dust free, all weather surface for its entire length.”
The proposed tower would offer additional wireless service coverage in the Clear Lake Riviera Subdivision area.
The utilities (electricity and telephone) would be extended from the existing utility providers’ points of connection, to the site and then accessed by the individual carriers through underground connections. Some grading would take place for the improvement of the access to the site.
According to the applicant a technician would conduct a site visit approximately once a month to ensure the facility is in working order and perform any necessary repairs/maintenance. A standby generator for maintenance purpose and during power outages and/or natural disasters is not proposed at this time.
Once construction begins, it takes approximately ninety (90) days to complete.
Staff Recommends approval of Major Use Permit, UP 18-01.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Mitigated Negative Declaration
I move that the Planning Commission find on the basis of the Initial Study No. 18-06 prepared by the Planning Division and the mitigation measures which have been added to the project, that the Use Permit, UP 18-01 as applied for by Horizon Tower, LLP will not have a significant effect on the environment and therefore a mitigated negative declaration shall be issued with the findings listed in the staff report dated January 24, 2019.
Major Use Permit
I move that the Planning Commission find that the Use Permit, UP 18-01 applied by Horizon Tower, LLP on property located at 9475 Mojave Trail, Kelseyville, further described as APN: 009-004-21 does meet the requirements of Section 51.4 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance and grant the Major Use Permit subject to the conditions and with the findings listed in the Staff Report dated January 24, 2019.
Wireless Communication Facility Approval
I move that the Planning Commission find that the Wireless Communication facility applied for by Horizon Tower, LLP on property located at 9475 Mojave Trail, Kelseyville, further described as APN: 009-004-21 does meet the requirements of Section 71.13 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance and that the Planning Commission has reviewed and considered the Mitigated Negative Declaration which was adopted for this project and the Wireless Communication Facility be granted subject to the conditions and with the findings listed in the staff report dated January 24, 2019.
NOTE: The applicant or any interested person is reminded that the Zoning Ordinance provides for a seven (7) calendar day appeal period. If there is a disagreement with the Planning Commission, an appeal to the Board of Supervisors may be filed. The appropriate forms and applicable fee must be submitted prior to 5:00 p.m. on or before the seventh calendar day following the Commission's final determination