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Conditional Use Permit No. 2009-01 <br />March 9, 2009 <br />Page 2 <br />wrought iron wall covered with Boston ivy vines and screened with a hedge <br />of shrubs. In addition, one 36-inch box Canary Island Pine tree will be <br />planted in the front yard landscape area (Exhibit 3). <br />The proposed wireless facility will include 12 panel antennas in three <br />sectors plus a four-foot diameter microwave dish camouflaged as a Canary <br />Island Pine Tree (Exhibits 4 and 5). The new wireless facility would <br />replace a 45-foot high existing monopole that was approved in 1996. <br />Analysis of the Issues <br />In 1998, the City Council adopted an ordinance that regulates Wireless <br />Communication facilities throughout the City. Major wireless facilities <br />are required to have a stealth design and be located on a building or in <br />an area that provides the greatest amount of visual screening. These <br />antennas also require the approval of a conditional use permit. The <br />proposed wireless facility will be located in an industrial area and would <br />replace an existing legal non-conforming monopole that is not stealthed. <br />The proposed monopine is designed to allow for future collocation by <br />another provider. <br />The applicant has explored alternatives to the monopine structure, such as <br />locating the cellular antenna on the roof of an existing building in the <br />area. Structures in the area, however, are not tall enough to meet the <br />coverage needs of T-Mobile. A 60-foot tall facility is needed in order to <br />improve cellular coverage and increase call capacity and quality. The <br />proposed cellular antenna will provide a benefit to Santa Ana residents, <br />businesses and motorists who subscribe to T-Mobile by closing service gaps <br />in the area and by providing additional calling capacity. Equipment for <br />the monopine will be located in the existing cabinets within the leased <br />area. All wiring and conduit will be underground or hidden in the <br />interior of the monopole. The proposed wireless facility complies with <br />the City's Wireless Communications Facility Ordinance and will provide <br />needed service to the southeast section of the City. <br />Based upon the above analysis and findings, staff recommends that the <br />Planning Commission approve Conditional Use Permit No. 2009-O1 as <br />conditioned. <br />31 A-3 <br />