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Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-17 February 11, 2008 Page 2 The equipment cabinets and GPS antenna will be enclosed by a six-foot six- inch high wrought iron fence that has a metal mesh screen material attached to it to screen the equipment. The surrounding area is concrete so there is no opportunity to use plant materials for screening. One 48- inch box Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) is proposed in a planter located west of the proposed monopine. This planter has visibility from the site entrance (Exhibit 5). T-Mobile would use the public access to gain entry to the site. Analysis of the Issues In July 1998, the City Council adopted an ordinance that regulates Wireless Communication Facilities throughout the City. Major wireless facilities are required to have a stealth design and be located on a building or in an area that provides the greatest amount of visual screening and requires the approval of a conditional use permit. The proposed wireless facility is located within an enclosed leased area and the equipment cabinets are screened by a six-foot, six-inch wrought iron fence. A 48-inch box Canary Island Pine will be planted near the monopine to provide additional visual screening. The proposed monopine is designed to allow for future co-location by another provider. The applicant has explored alternatives to the monopine structure such as locating the cellular antenna on the roof of an existing building in the area. Structures in the area, however, are not tall enough to meet the coverage needs of Metro PCS. The applicant was asked to explore co- location on an existing wireless facility located several blocks to the west at an industrial site. This site already has two carriers and does not meet the service area coverage for Metro PCS. A 60-foot tall facility is needed in order to improve cellular coverage and increase call capacity and quality. The proposed cellular antenna will provide a benefit to Santa Ana residents, businesses and motorists who subscribe to Metro PCS by closing service gaps in the area and providing additional calling capacity. Equipment for the monopine will be located in metal cabinets within the leased area. All wiring and conduit will be underground or hidden in the interior of the monopole. The proposed wireless facility complies with the City's Wireless Communications Facility Ordinance and will provide needed service to the south central section of the City. Based upon the above analysis and findings, staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-17 as conditioned. 31 A-3