Title
PLN170058 - AT&T (CALTRANS)
Public hearing to consider design review for minor equipment additions and upgrades, including installation of an equipment enclosure with a 6-foot high wood fence, to an existing wireless communications facility.
Project Location: State Route 1 and Riley Ranch Road, within the State Route 1 (Highway 1) right-of-way, Carmel Area Land Use Plan, Coastal Zone
Proposed CEQA Action: Categorically Exempt per Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Zoning Administrator adopt a resolution to:
a. Find the project categorically exempt per Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines; and
b. Approve a Design Approval to allow replacement of two (2) panel antennas and one (1) conduit riser; installation of one (1) pole riser, two (2) H-Frame (bracket), two (2) Remote Radio Units, one (1) cabinet, and 6-foot high wood fence to an existing wireless communications facility.
The attached draft resolution includes findings and evidence for consideration (Exhibit B).
PROJECT INFORMATION:
Agent: AT&T
Property Owner: Caltrans
APN: 000-000-000-000
Zoning: Unclassified (Caltrans right-of-way)
Plan Area: Carmel Area Land Use Plan
Flagged and Staked: Not required due to minor scope of proposed project.
SUMMARY:
The proposed project includes various minor additions and upgrades to an existing wireless communications facility. The proposed project does not expand the existing site, which is fully within the Caltrans right-of-way along SR-1 (Highway 1). Due to the minor nature of the project, it was originally set to be processed administratively. After noticing for administrative review, the County received two requests for public hearing (Exhibit D). Therefore, this item was set for public hearing and consideration before the Zoning Administrator.
The concerns expressed by the public involve possible impacts to visual resources, safety, and noise. As proposed, the project will not create a substantially adverse visual impact when viewed from a common public viewing area. As proposed, the two 4-foot panel antennas on the utility pole would be replaced with two 6-foot panel antennas. The site’s existing ground equipment consists of several cabinets mounted on a large H-Frame bracket which is unscreened from the traveling public on Highway 1. The proposed 6-foot high fence enclosure would screen both existing and new ground equipment from view, and the natural wood material would blend with the surrounding environment of trees and vegetation. The natural exterior finish would also assure visual integrity and protection of the public viewshed. The identified noise and safety concerns are existing impacts, and would not be increased by this project. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the project as proposed. See Exhibit A for a detailed discussion.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
No other County agencies or departments reviewed this project. Based on the requests for a public hearing (Exhibit D), the project was referred to the Carmel Unincorporated/Highlands Land Use Advisory Committee (LUAC) for review. The LUAC reviewed the proposed project at a duly-noticed public meeting on April 17, 2017, and voted 3 - 0 to recommend approval provided the enclosure fence be natural wood and no more than 6 feet in height. Both these recommendations have been proposed by the Applicant.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301 categorically exempts the minor alteration of existing public or private structures and facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination.
Prepared by: Joe Sidor, Associate Planner, x5262
Reviewed by: Brandon Swanson, RMA Services Manager &
Jacqueline R. Onciano, RMA Chief of Planning
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, RMA Director
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Discussion
Exhibit B - Draft Resolution, including:
• Site Plan and Elevations
Exhibit C - Vicinity Map
Exhibit D - Public Hearing Requests
(Whisler, dated March 15, 2017; and Larsen, dated March 16, 2017)
cc: Front Counter Copy; California Coastal Commission; Carmel Highlands FPD; RMA-Public Works; RMA-Environmental Services; Environmental Health Bureau; Water Resources Agency; Joseph Sidor, Planner; Brandon Swanson, RMA Services Manager; Caltrans, Property Owner; AT&T Mobility (Jennifer Hightower), Applicant; Beacon Development (Jason Osborne and Christopher Roth), Agent; Whisler Land Planning (Pat Whisler), Interested Party; Rich and Daryl Larsen, Interested Party; The Open Monterey Project (Molly Erickson); LandWatch; Project File PLN170058