PC RES 2017-025 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES DENYING, WITHOUT PREJUDICE,
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY ASG NO. 33 FOR
THE INSTALLATION OF 14-FOOT TALL REPLACEMENT STOP SIGN
POLE TO ACCOMMODATE PANEL ANTENNA ENCASED IN A 2'
TALL CANISTER WITH A 3.5' TALL TAPERED CANISTER SHROUD
AT THE TOP OF THE POLE WITH RELATED VAULTED MECHANICAL
EQUIPMENT AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF CHARTRES DRIVE
AND CARTIER DRIVE.
WHEREAS, Chapter 12.18 of the Rancho Palo Verde Municipal Code (RPVMC or
Municipal Code) governs the permitting, development, siting, installation, design, operation and
maintenance of wireless telecommunications facilities ("WTFs") in the City's public right-of-way
("PROW") (RPVMC § 12.18.010);
WHEREAS, beginning in May of 2016, Crown Castle (the "Applicant") applied to the City
for an Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit ("WTFP"), pursuant to Section 12.18.040(A)
of the Municipal Code, to install 26 antennas in the public right-of-way (PROW) to service AT&T
customers throughout the City (the "Project") including ASG No. 33 at the northeast corner of
Chartres Drive and Cartier Drive;
WHEREAS, the original proposal called for a new 14-foot tall steel pole with 21.4-inch
panel antennas;
WHEREAS, the alternative proposal calls for a replacement 14-foot tall stop sign pole
measuring 12" in diameter with panel antennas encased in a 2' tall canister with a 3' tall tapered
canister shroud;
WHEREAS, the Project also includes vaulted mechanical equipment including the radio
and auxiliary equipment, as well as the SCE meter box in a secondary vault. The project
consists of a total of three vaults measuring approximately 43 square feet;
WHEREAS, because the Project's location is within a residential zone and within the
PROW of local streets as identified in the General Plan, approval of a WTFP also requires an
Exception under Section 12.18.190 of the Municipal Code;
WHEREAS, the Project is exempt from review under the California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") because the Project constitutes a small scale installation of a new facility
(14 CCR § 15303(d)).
WHEREAS, on July 25, 2017, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present
evidence.
WHEREAS, on July 25, 2017, the Planning Commission continued the public hearing to
August 8, 2017;
WHEREAS, on August 8, 2017, the Planning Commission continued the public hearing
to August 22, 2017;
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WHEREAS, on August 22, 2017, after considering testimony and evidence presented
at the public hearings, the information and findings included in the Staff Report, and
other records of proceedings, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes moved to deny, without prejudice, ASG No. 33 and directed Staff to come back
with a denial resolution for adoption at its August 30, 2017 meeting;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The proposed project is a request to:
A. Install a WTF at the northeast corner of Chartres Drive and Cartier Drive,
B. Replace an existing 11' tall stop sign pole with a 14' tall steel stop sign pole
measuring 12" in diameter to be painted brown to visually blend with the
surrounding environment. A 2' tall and 2' outside diameter cylinder-shaped
canister with a 3' tall tapered canister shroud that encases the panel antennas
and wires, will be placed at the top of the pole; and,
C. Install vaulted mechanical equipment including the radio and auxiliary equipment,
as well as the SCE meter box in a secondary vault for a total of three vaults
measuring approximately 43 square feet in surface area.
Section 2: The findings required to be made by the Planning Commission for
the approval of a WTF permit, as set forth in Chapter 12.18 of the RPVMC, have not
been made as follows:
A. The Project does not meet the Findings required by Section 12.18.090,
Subsection B, of the Municipal Code, which particularly requires that "[t]he
proposed facility has been designed and located in compliance with all
applicable provisions of this chapter," as follows:
12.18.080(A)(1)(a): The applicant shall employ screening, undergrounding and
camouflage design techniques in the design and placement of wireless
telecommunications facilities in order to ensure that the facility is as visually
screened as possible, to prevent the facility from dominating the surrounding area
and to minimize significant view impacts from surrounding properties all in a
manner that achieves compatibility with the community and in compliance with
Section 17.02.040 (View Preservation and Restoration) of this code.
The immediate neighborhood does not have above ground utilities, with the
exception of street regulation signs, and the proposed replacement pole with the
antennas affixed to the top of the pole albeit contained in a canister shroud, at a
height of 14', does not blend with the surrounding environment and would visually
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impact the character of the neighborhood as experienced from the public right-of-
way.
The proposed installation and support equipment does not meet the "non-
dominant design" standard requiring a facility to be compatible with the
surrounding environment. The overall size of the proposed antenna and canister
shroud on top of a stop sign, in its proposed location, is a dominant feature that is
out-of-character to the surrounding neighborhood as there are no other structures
or natural features in the immediate area with a similar size and shape that would
lend themselves to screening or blending the facility into the built environment.
The proposed antenna design is of a size and shape that the stop sign itself
would be dominated by said antenna, and there are no similar vertical elements in
the neighborhood, thus making the proposed facility the dominant feature at this
residential intersection. A preferred design would present equipment that is
seamlessly integrated into the sign pole or a "slim-line" design that does not
present the antenna nodes as the dominate feature on this stop sign.
12.18.080(A)(1)(b): Screening shall be designed to be architecturally compatible
with surrounding structures using appropriate techniques to camouflage, disguise,
and/or blend into the environment, including landscaping, color, and other
techniques to minimize the facility's visual impact as well as be compatible with
the architectural character of the surrounding buildings or structures in terms of
color, size, proportion, style, and quality.
The area in which this project is proposed consists of non-dense, upscale
residential structures with well-maintained manicured landscaping and parkways.
The proposed steel color and materials of the proposed replacement stop sign will
not visually blend with the surrounding environment. The replacement stop sign
pole, at a height of 14', is visually intrusive as there are no similar vertical
elements in the neighborhood, thus making the proposed facility the dominant
feature at this residential intersection. The "industrial-utility" looking style of the
proposed facility is incompatible with the style and quality of the surrounding
residential neighborhood. Additionally, the antenna shroud is much wider than
the sign pole at the point of attachment. This has the effect of creating greater
mass and bulk than now exists and will have the negative effect of being more
visible. By drawing more attention, these facilities will reduce the desirability of
this residential neighborhood.
The proposed installation and support equipment is not compatible with the
surrounding environment. The overall size of the proposed antenna on top of a
stop sign, in its proposed location, is a dominant feature that is out-of-character to
the surrounding neighborhood as there are no other structures or natural features
in the immediate area with a similar size and shape that would lend themselves to
screening or blending the facility into the built environment. The City of Rancho
Palos Verdes' streets, parkway- and median- landscaping, and public utilities
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within the rights-of-way have been planned and constructed to achieve an
attractive appearance which includes minimizing the number and appearance of
utilities and related equipment, particularly in residential areas. In addition, the
introduction of the antenna and underground equipment necessary for this project
may lead to a proliferation of utility equipment that would otherwise not be located
in the right-of-way. Therefore, this project will detract from the visual appearance
of the streetscape. These incremental changes to the improvements in the right-
of-way will lead to the deterioration of the City's well-maintained streetscapes, and
will establish a precedent for additional facilities in the public right-of-way.
Consequently, the proposed facility is not sufficiently compatible with matters of
urban design and the long-term maturation of this residential neighborhood—
especially in light of the fact that the Applicant did not establish the presence of a
significant gap in coverage that would necessitate the proposed facility (discussed
below).
12.18.080(A)(5): Equipment. The applicant shall use the least visible equipment
possible. Antenna elements shall be flush mounted, to the extent feasible. All
antenna mounts shall be designed so as not to preclude possible future
collocation by the same or other operators or carriers. Unless otherwise provided
in this section, antennas shall be situated as close to the ground as possible.
The record presented no evidence of the proposed antennas being situated as
close to the ground as possible. The replacement stop sign pole will be 3' taller
than the existing pole and approximately 12" wide in diameter, and has not been
designed to resemble the existing pole to the maximum extent feasible. The
proposed 14' tall stop sign pole that will house the panel antennas in a cylinder
shaped canister measuring approximately 2' tall with a 3' tall tapered shroud
sleeve has not been designed to be slim to an extent that maximally blends with
the verticality of the pole, and is not the least intrusive design based on industry
standards found for other antenna poles.
12.18.080(A)(6)(e): Replacement Poles. If an applicant proposes to replace a pole
in order to accommodate a proposed facility, the pole shall be designed to
resemble the appearance and dimensions of existing poles near the proposed
location, including size, height, color, materials and style to the maximum extent
feasible.
The immediate neighborhood does not have above ground utilities, with the
exception of street regulation signs, and the proposed replacement pole with the
panel antennas affixed to the top of the pole albeit encased within a canister, at a
height of 14', does not blend with the surrounding environment and would visually
impact the character of the neighborhood as experienced from the public right-of-
way.
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The proposed installation and support equipment does not meet the design
standard requiring a facility to be compatible with the surrounding environment.
The overall size of the proposed antenna on top of a stop sign, in its proposed
location, is a dominant feature that does not resemble in appearance or
dimension any other features in the surrounding neighborhood because there are
no other structures or natural features in the immediate area with a similar size
and shape that would lend themselves to screening or blending the facility into the
built environment. The proposed antenna design is of a size and shape that the
stop sign itself would be dominated by said antenna, the intersection at which the
pole is proposed would be dominated by the antenna, and there are no similar
vertical elements in the neighborhood, thus making the proposed facility a non-
conforming feature in appearance and dimension. A preferred design would
present equipment that is fully integrated into the sign pole or a "slim-line" design
that much more closely resembles an actual residential street sign, as opposed to
a sign topped with a utility transformer.
12.18.080(A)(7): Space. Each facility shall be designed to occupy the least
amount of space in the right-of-way that is technically feasible.
The replacement pole would take up much more right-of-way space compared to
the existing street sign/stop sign pole, with the antennas on top of the
replacement pole occupying much more air space above the right-of-way than
other feasible "slim-line" or pole-integrated designs found in the industry.
12.18.080(9): Obstructions. Each component part of a facility shall be located so
as not to cause any physical or visual obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular traffic,
incommode the public's use of the right-of-way, or safety hazards to pedestrians
and motorists and in compliance with Section 17.48.070 (Intersection Visibility) so
as not to obstruct the intersection visibility triangle.
The proposed stop sign pole design may cause an obstruction to the public's use
of the PROW, constitute a safety hazard, and/or interfere with a City-defined
intersection visibility triangle. Specifically, the proposed antenna design is of a
size and shape that the stop sign itself would be dominated by said antenna,
detracting from the visibility and discernibility of the stop and directional signage,
thus making the proposed facility a potential distraction to drivers.
B. The Project does not meet the Findings required by Section 12.18.190,
Subsection B.2, of the Municipal Code, which particularly requires that
"[t]he applicant has provided the city with a clearly defined technical
service objective and a clearly defined potential site search area," as
follows:
The "technical service objective" identified by the Applicant in all application
documents is the coverage of a "significant gap" in coverage. The wireless
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service area to be served by the proposed facility only encompasses about 20-30
homes and is not located upon a major highway or thoroughfare serving many in-
vehicle users. To the extent any dead zone or dropped-call area was found to
exist, such area was found to be very small, possibly no larger than the size of the
street intersection itself. The Applicant is not entitled to seamless or perfect
coverage in every area it serves, and the existence of a small "dead spot" in
coverage is hereby found to be an insignificant deficiency in Applicant's existing
coverage in the area.
C. The Project does not meet the Findings required by Section 12.18.090,
Subsection E, of the Municipal Code, which particularly requires that "[t]he
applicant has provided the city with a meaningful comparative analysis that
includes the factual reasons why the proposed location and design is the
least noncompliant location and design necessary to reasonably achieve the
applicant's reasonable technical service objectives," as follows:
The Applicant has not provided a meaningful alternative comparative analysis and
the proposed project is not found to be the preferred design. See above
discussions in regards to RPVMC §12.18.080 for further detail, which discussions
are incorporated here.
Furthermore, there is inadequate documentation to support a conclusion that no
other design alternative exists that might better conceal the proposed facilities
from public view and/or minimize the addition of vaulted equipment within the
PROW. Opportunities to locate wireless facilities in remote locations deserve
greater consideration as an alternative. This could result in the identification of
remote wireless installations that provide adequate coverage to homes in this
residential neighborhood.
Section 3: Pursuant to Section 12.18.060 of the Municipal Code (referencing
Chapter 17.80 of the Municipal Code), any interested person aggrieved by this decision
or any portion of this decision may appeal to the City Council. The appeal shall set forth
the grounds for appeal and any specific action being requested by the appellant. Any
appeal letter must be filed within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of this decision,
or by 5:30 PM on Thursday, September 14, 2017. The Council-approved appeal fee
must accompany any appeal letter. If no appeal is filed timely, the Planning
Commission's decision will be final at 5:30 PM on Thursday, September 14, 2017.
Section 4: For the foregoing reasons and based on testimony and evidence
presented at the public hearings, the information and findings included in the Staff
Report, Minutes and other records of proceedings, the Planning Commission of the City
of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby denies, without prejudice, ASG No. 33 for the proposed
wireless telecommunication facility installation at the northeast corner of Chartres Drive
and Cartier Drive.
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 30th day of AUGUST 2017, by the following
vote:
AYES: Commissioners Bradley, Nelson, Emenhiser, and Chairman Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
RECUSALS: None
ABSENT: Commissioners Leon and Tomblin, and Vice-Chair James
ohn M. Cruikshank
6411
Chairman
Ara Mih ,
Community Development Director; and,
Secretary of the Planning Commission
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