31B - CUP - 601 S SANTA FE ST - Laserfiche WebLink

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CUP No. 2015 -23 December 14, 2015 Page 2 at the front of the industrial building will be repainted to address paint fading that has taken place over time. Equipment for the wireless facility will continue to be contained within an enclosure that measures approximately seven feet by 30 feet for a total of 210 square feet. This enclosure is located at the rear (northeast) of the existing building, adjacent to an existing trash enclosure, while the mono - palm itself will remain in its current location within the enclosure at the rear of the building. An existing, mature palm tree will remain adjacent to the facility to assist with stealthing, with other vegetation planted along the perimeter of the equipment enclosure and railroad tracks to remain (Exhibits 4, 5 and 6). ,,,. In June 2005, the Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit No. 2004 -34 to allow construction of the subject mono -palm and equipment enclosure. Since its construction, the facility has provided cellular coverage to the immediate area. SAMC Section 41- 198.13 states that major wireless communication facilities shall be approved for a period not to exceed five years, although subsequent State legislative acts have required that such facilities be approved for a period not to exceed 10 years. As the current facility is now over 10 years old, the applicant is required to apply for a new CUP in order to maintain the current facility. The site is owned by Maxine and Harold Findley and is developed with an industrial building that was constructed in 1968. The building is currently occupied by a sign manufacturer. (Project Analysis In July 1998, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. NS -2356, which established regulations for wireless communication facilities throughout the City. Major wireless communication facilities such as the SBA Communications facility are required to have a stealth design and be located in an area that provides the greatest amount of visual screening. Further, these major facilities require the approval of a conditional use permit. Staff has reviewed the applicant's request to operate a major wireless communication facility at this location. In analyzing the conditional use permit request, staff believes that the following analysis warrants staff's recommendation of approval for the conditional use permit. As part of the development review of the project, staff worked closely with the applicant to identify improvements to enhance the overall appearance of the site. These improvements include replacement of existing palm fronds that have faded since the facility's construction 10 years ago, and restriping of the parking area at the front of the building for safety purposes. Pursuant to provisions contained within Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief Act [47 U.S.C. § 1455(a)], local agencies are preempted from requiring additional screening or stealthing of the facility if such screening or stealthing was not required at the time of original construction. Staff believes that replacement of the existing fronds will enhance the appearance of the mono -palm and that restriping of the front parking area will enhance safety and functionality for clients and employees of the industrial use at the property. 31 B -4