31A - CUP 2010-02 - 1209 EAST WAKEHAM AVENUE

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CUP No. 2010-02 April 12, 2010 Page 2 The proposed wireless facility will be for three arrays with four panel antennas on each side, for a total of 12 panel antennas which will be camouflaged as a Canary Island Pine Tree to be located within the base enclosure. The leased site is behind the industrial building at the very back corner of the property almost 300 feet back from the street. The entire east side of the property is the wall of an adjacent building and other industrial buildings surround this 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. These antennas also require the approval of a conditional use permit. A monopine design will provide the greatest stealth for this facility in this area. The facility is located in an industrial area and is not near residential uses. In addition, the structure will be designed to allow co-location by another provider. Further, all wiring and conduit will be underground or hidden within the interior of the monopole. The applicant has explored alternatives to this monopine, including providing a roof mounted facility on the existing building and co-locating on another facility. The height of the building does not provide the necessary height for transmission and there are no facilities close enough to provide the necessary coverage and capacity that T-Mobile requires. A facility designed as a monopine would provide the best stealth possible for this location, This location is also optimum to provide the coverage necessary for existing and expanding service. The proposed cellular antennas will provide a benefit to Santa Ana residents, businesses and motorists who subscribe to T-Mobile by closing service gaps in the area. Equipment for the facility will be located in a new enclosure at the base of this monopine and will be screened with a wrought iron fence and additional landscaping. The proposed wireless facility complies with the City's Wireless Communications Facility Ordinance and will provide needed service to this area of the City. The project is consistent with the goals and objectives of the General Plan. Further, the project has been designed to accommodate potential future users on this facility. Based upon the above analysis and findings, staff recommends approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 2010-02 as conditioned.