HomeMy WebLinkAboutUSE-2163-2015 (898 Higuera)_RedactedCommunity Development
(\ 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 -3218
/ 805-781 7170
July 29, 2016
Crown Castle Communication, Inc.
965 River Oaks Parkway
San Jose, CA 95134
SUBJECT: USE-2163-2015, 2166-2015, 2169-2015, 2171-2015, 2173-2015, and 2175-
2015 (995 Higuera Street)
Gentlemen:
On Monday, July 29, 2016, 1 conducted a public hearing on your request for a Use Permit
to allow installation and operation of a small -cell wireless communications facility at the
above -listed location.
After reviewing the information presented, I have approved your request, subject to the
following conditions:
Conditions
Planning
1. Conformance to approved plans. Final plans submitted for construction permits
shall be in substantial compliance with the plans approved by this application. Any
change to the approved design, including any additional antennas, equipment,
cabling and wiring, or other visible elements, or changes to the location in which
equipment is installed, shall be subject to the review and approval of the
Community Development Director, or architectural review, as appropriate (except
as noted in Condition #6 for an alternate design for Site 5, adjacent to 698
Higuera).
2. Street poles. The pole -mounted equipment depicted on the approved plans shall
be mounted on the poles currently existing at each location, or on a suitable
replacement pole of the same design or of a City -standard design, to the
satisfaction of the Public Works Director. Any proposed replacement of existing
poles with poles of a substantially different design shall be subject to modification
of this use permit and to architectural review.
3. Camouflage and screening. Pole -mounted equipment, including but not limited to
antennas, remote radio units, and converters, shall be of the same color as the
pole on which it is mounted. Equipment shall, where feasible, be partially screened
from view by placement behind banner sign locations. All associated hardware,
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995 Higuera Street
Page 2
such as mounting straps, brackets, conduit, and cable shrouds shall be of the
same color as the pole and equipment. The color of pole -mounted equipment and
associated hardware shall be refreshed as necessary in response to weathering,
fading, or other changes in color, to maintain consistency with the color of the pole.
4. Cabling and wiring. All cabling and wiring associated with pole -mounted equipment
shall be installed in a neat and orderly manner, and travel to the ground within the
pole. The amount and extent of cabling and wiring outside the pole shall be the
minimum possible. All cabling and wiring shall be shielded from view with
shrouding, of the same color as the pole and equipment, such that no cabling or
wiring is visible. Shrouding shall be maintained in good physical condition, and
shall be repaired or replaced as necessary in response to deterioration,
weathering, fading, or change in color, and to maintain consistency with the color
of the pole and equipment.
5. Converters. Final plans submitted for construction permits shall include details
about the "low -volt converters" depicted in the approved plans, including their
dimensions, weight, and appearance. Converters installed on the poles shall be of
the least practical obtrusive size and appearance, and shall in no event be larger
in size than those depicted on the approved plans, subject to the approval of the
Community Development Director.
6. Meter Pedestal (Site 5). The meter pedestal proposed adjacent to 698 Higuera
(Site 5) shall be designed to the minimum practical size, and consistent with the
City's standards for utility infrastructure in the Downtown, to the satisfaction of
Public Works and relevant utility companies. All equipment shall be contained
within the pedestal structure, with no appurtenant items such as cabling, wiring, or
antennas, visible on its exterior. In the event that the mRRUs and converter cannot
be contained within the pedestal structure, that equipment may be mounted on the
pole, as on similar poles in the facility, subject to the approval of the Community
Development Director.
7. Radio frequency report. An updated radio frequency radiation report shall be
prepared for the facility and submitted with construction permits. This report must
demonstrate that the facility, in conjunction with any other facilities in the vicinity,
will not produce radio frequency radiation in excess of the standards for
permissible human exposure, as required by Zoning Regulations §
17.16.120 (F) (14).
8. Signs. Signage shall be limited to required safety and RF warning signage. To the
extent possible under applicable safety regulations, signage shall be designed and
oriented to minimize its visibility to the casual observer, including pedestrians and
building occupants. The fewest number of the smallest permitted signs shall be
used, using subdued colors and contrasts, and matte surfaces. Bright colors,
highly contrasting colors, and reflective surfaces shall be avoided. Plans and
drawings prepared for construction permits for this facility will include details about
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995 Higuera Street
Page 3
the type and location of required explanatory warning signs, sufficient to determine
compliance with this condition and with applicable conventions and standards.
9. Lighting. The facility shall be unlit, except when authorized personnel are present
at the facility, and by emergency lighting during emergency situations.
Public Works
10.The encroachment permit plan set shall clarify the power supply configuration
(needed before the Agreement can be approved by City Council.) An overall plan
shall be provided to show all existing and proposed infrastructure for power and
telecom. All plan notes and details shall be consistent and the City shall agree to
whether the power supply shall come from the street lighting flat rate circuit or shall
be metered. If flat rate, the applicant shall enter into a separate City authorized
utilization agreement with PG&E. The applicant shall complete research of
underground utilities as locations may be significantly different depending upon
existing conditions, which could affect work hours and traffic control.
11. The required plans shall be approved by the City and pertinent utility companies
prior to encroachment permit issuance. The encroachment permit plan submittal
shall include a completed application, supporting documentation, and the base
public improvement plan review fee. A separate encroachment permit (inspection)
fee will be required prior to encroachment permit issuance.
12.All work and construction staging within the public right-of-way shall be in
accordance with City Engineering Standards. The final plans shall show and note
compliance with City Standards for minimum sidewalk removals, replacement with
Mission Style Sidewalk, and for color/type of boxes in accordance with the
Downtown Mission Sidewalk District standards. See Standard Specification
Section 73 and Engineering Standard 4220. All poles and above grade boxes shall
be finished in accordance with the Downtown standard color.
13. The final agreement for any authorized above- or below -grade equipment cabinets,
boxes, and appurtenances shall include temporary encroachment agreement
language in a format approved by the Public Works Department.
14.The final plan submittal shall include documentation verifying that the proposed
mRRUs and panel antennas will not interfere with the City bandwidths or traffic
signal functionality.
15. The means of powering the system shall be clarified. The City would prefer that a
new power supply and conduits located within the public right-of-way be avoided.
The City would consider an option for a connection to the secondary power supply
located within each streetlight or traffic signal pole. The applicant shall contact the
City to discuss possible acceptable points of connection prior to final plan
submittal. New conduit run locations and placement method shall be approved by
the City. Directional boring vs. open cut trenching will be evaluated when complete
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995 Higuera Street
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plans have been submitted showing all existing City infrastructure. The proposed
conduit locations may need to be located entirely within the adjoining sidewalk
areas and not within the street paving. If allowed within the street paving, additional
requirements may apply for any trench repair to leave the newly paved street in an
aesthetically consistent condition by micro-seal/Type II slurry.
16. The applicant shall provide a written summary of the proposed system
functionality, technology, EMF risk assessment, etc. as necessary.
Transportation
17. The project has not been reviewed from an engineering and constructability
standpoint; there may be various issues which would require modifications of the
project proposal or that may conflict with other conditions of project approval.
Complete construction plans shall be submitted to the Public Works department
for review and approval prior to issuance of encroachment permits. If modifications
result in deviation from the approved plans or preclude the project from satisfying
other conditions the revised project shall be subject to further review by the
Community Development Department, and modification of this use permit
application and the associated architectural review application.
18. Prior to issuance of encroachment permit the applicant shall enter into an
agreement with the City in regards to provisions and responsibilities for
maintenance and modifications to the satisfaction of the Public Works Department.
Indemnity
19. The Owner / Applicant shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City or its
agents or officers and employees from any claim, action or proceeding against the
City or its agents, officers or employees, to attack, set aside, void, or annul, in
whole or in part, the City's approval of this project. In the event that the City fails to
promptly notify the Owner / Applicant of any such claim, action or proceeding, or
that the City fails to cooperate fully in the defense of said claim, this condition shall
thereafter be of no further force or effect.
Code Compliance Notes
Planning
1. Conformance to Wireless Telecommunications Facilities standards. Installation
and operation of this facility must at all times comply with the standards and
limitations set forth in § 17.16.120 of the City's Zoning Regulations.
2. Architectural review. The new wireless telecommunications facility is subject to
architectural review, and architectural review approval is required before
construction permits may be issued to construct the facility. Significant modification
of the installation shall require administrative use permit approval and architectural
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995 Higuera Street
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review. Architectural review is also required for minor modification of the
installation or co -location of a new facility with this installation (Zoning Regulations
§ 17.16.120 (D)).
Public Works
3. Structural Calculations will be required with encroachment permit submittals.
There are new standards for pole strength including ability to withstand higher wind
loads. Poles and foundations need to be verified as complying with these
standards for the new loading condition created by the addition of new hardware
or the extension of the existing poles.
My decision is final unless appealed to the Planning Commission within 10 days of the
action. Any person aggrieved by the decision may file an appeal. Appeal forms are
available in the Community Development Department or on the City's website
(www.slocity.org). The fee for filing an appeal is $281 and must accompany the appeal
documentation.
If you have any questions, please call Walter Oetzell at (805) 781-7593.
Sincerely,
Doug Davidson
Hearing Officer
cc: SLO County Assessor's Office
Tricia Knight