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Conditional Use Permit No. 2015 -06 <br />August 24, 2015 <br />Page 2 <br />Project Background <br />In February of 2004, Sprint PCS submitted plans to install the current wireless facility at Monte <br />Vista Elementary. In January of 2005, Conditional Use Permit No. 2004 -29 was approved for the <br />project. The conditional use permit allowed for the construction of the current monopine and <br />equipment enclosure. The monopine was designed to mimic an evergreen tree and was located <br />near an existing group of 20400t tall evergreen California Pepper and Bisbane Box trees. <br />Additionally, two 24 -inch box Canary Island Pines were planted to screen the monopine, while <br />materials used to construct the equipment enclosure were selected to match those found on the <br />nearby concession stand building located in Jerome park, ensuring architectural consistency with <br />the existing structures near the site. <br />In March of 2015, Sprint PCS, represented by Core Development Services, proposed to modify the <br />existing monopine to replace obsolete antenna panels and equipment with antennas and <br />equipment that reflect current technology. Staff review of the proposal revealed that Conditional <br />Use Permit No. 2004 -29 that allowed for the establishment of the wireless facility on the site had <br />expired. SAMC Section 41- 198,13 states that major wireless communication facilities shall be <br />approved for a period not to exceed five years, although subsequent Federal legislative acts have <br />required that such facilities be approved for a period not less than 10 years. As the current facility <br />is more than 10 years old, the applicant was required to apply for a new conditional use permit in <br />order to proceed with the proposed modifications and upgrades as required by the SAMC. After a <br />review of the proposal, staff acknowledged that the submittal met all SAMC requirements for <br />wireless facilities. <br />General Plan and Zoning Consistenc <br />The General Plan land use designation for the site is Institutional (INS), which allows for City facilities <br />and institutions such as schools. Uses such as wireless facilities are consistent with this General <br />Plan land use designation. <br />The zoning for the site is Open Space (0). The Open Space zoning district allows for school <br />buildings and facilities, public utilities, and quasi - public and service facilities. The proposed use is <br />also consistent with the zoning designation. <br />Project Analysis <br />In July 1998, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. NS -2356, which established regulations for <br />wireless communication facilities throughout the City. Major wireless communication facilities such <br />as the Sprint PCS facility are required to have a stealth design and be located in an area that <br />provides the greatest amount of visual screening. Further, these major facilities require the approval <br />of a conditional use permit. Also, Section 41 -198.4 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) <br />identifies several site improvements that may be required at sites with major wireless facilities. <br />31 C -4 <br />