Staff Notes SP 49-2019 & SUP 2-2019 Verizon_8 27 19 Town of Queensbury Planning Board
Community Development Department Staff Notes
August 27, 2019
Site Plan 49-2019 VERIZON WIRELESS
Special Use Permit 2-2019 347 Aviation Road / NC – Neighborhood Commercial / Ward 3
SEQR Type II
Material Review: application, site drawings, coverage data, special use permit.
Parcel History: Site Plan 7-2019
__________________________________________________________________________________________ Requested Action
Planning Board review and approval to remove an existing small cell wireless facility on the roof of an existing Stewart’s Shops store. The applicant proposes a new small cell facility
to be located on a proposed light pole to be installed with the new store.
Resolutions
1. PB decision
Project Description
Applicant proposes to remove an existing small cell wireless facility on the roof of an existing Stewart’s Shops store. The applicant proposes a new small cell facility to be located
on a proposed light pole to be installed with the new store. The project includes lease of a 10 x 10 sq. ft. area with the light pole and cell facility height at 31 ft. 9 inches –
light pole at 15 ft. 6 inches. Pursuant to Chapter 179-5-130 and 179-10 of the Zoning Ordinance, telecommunication towers shall be subject to Planning Board review and approval.
Staff Comments
Location-The project is located at 347 Aviation Road at the proposed new Stewart’s Store.
Arrangement- The proposed tower is to be located on a proposed light pole to be located on the east side of the parking lot.
Site Design- The existing site will have a new Stewart’s store, fuel canopy, associated parking, landscaping and lighting.
Site conditions-The proposed small cell wireless facility is to be located on a lease area of 100 sq ft with a 20 ft easement for the applicant to access and provide maintenance to
the cell facility.
Grading and drainage plan, Sediment and erosion control – The Stewart’s store has been previously approved and there are no changes to the drainage plan or erosion control to the site.
Landscape plan – The landscaping for the store has been previously approved for the Stewart’s store and there are no changes.
Site lighting plan – The lighting for the store has been previously approved for the Stewart’s Store and there are no changes.
Utility details- The small cell facility will obtain power through the store.
Elevations – The plans show the elevation of the tower and heights of the light, tower and tower equipment.
Waivers-Planning staff has reviewed the applicants request for waivers that include items g. site lighting, h. signage, j. stormwater, k. topography, l. landscaping, n traffic, o. commercial
alterations/ construction details, p floor plans, q. soil logs, r. construction/demolition disposal s. snow removal.
The waivers requested–Staff finds it reasonable to request a waiver as these items are addressed with the Stewart’s Store approval.
Pursuant to Section 179-9-050 the Planning Board may grant waivers on its own initiative or at the written request of an applicant. The Board is to review the waivers and to determine
if they are to be granted.
Section 179 – Small Cell Facilities
Small cell facilities restrictions in other areas:
Up to three small cells will be allowed per utility pole if technically feasible and if in the determination of the Planning Board there are no safety or aesthetic concerns. –One small
antennae is proposed
Not allowed on ornamental street lighting poles. -Cell facility is being places on an interior light pole on a commercial property.
New poles may not exceed 50 feet and a pole may be required to be of a smaller height if the initial proposal is deemed out of character with the neighborhood as determined by the Planning
Board.- The proposed cell facility is to be 31.75 ft and includes the 15 ft 6 in light pole
In commercial zones only, may be permitted on buildings, signs or other existing structures once the Planning Board has reviewed for visual impacts and approved. -The cell facility is
compliant as it is located in the Neighborhood Commercial Zone and is to be located on the proposed light pole.
Placement on Town-owned streetlights, other than ornamental, is allowed after receiving review and approval for a special use permit. -The cell facility is to be located on light pole
within Stewart’s Store property.
All lighting on small cell facilities is not allowed unless required by law. – No lighting is proposed on the top of the antenna.
Not permitted within 200 feet of a residence. -The proposed cell facility is to be 172.5 ft from the nearest residence and the applicant is applying for an area variance to be less than
200 ft.
No part of the facility may project into areas that pedestrians use and may inhibit their use or jeopardize their safety, like sidewalks and other designated pedestrian designated areas.
– The cell facility is located on a light pole interior to the Stewart’s Store and will not interfere with pedestrians.
(i) The Planning Board is empowered to condition the issuance of a special use permit, such as the use of stealth technologies or other measure which mitigate visual effect. – The cell
facility is a single tower and the board may consider mitigating the visual effect if determined to be necessary.
Special Use Permit (General Criteria) Section 179-10-070
Harmony with the Comprehensive Plan – The applicant has indicated the small cell facility is consistent with the comprehensive plan by providing communication access across the community.
Compatibility- The small cell facility is considered compatible with the neighborhood as it designed to be compact and fits with the proposed parking lot lighting.
Access, circulation and parking –The small cell facility is to be located on a proposed light pole that was previous approved and would not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
Infrastructure and services – The small cell facility is to use existing infrastructure for power and is to connect to the fiber optic network of the proposed building.
Environment and natural features – The small cell facility is designed to fit on a light pole to minimize impacts to the environment.
Long-term effects –The applicant has indicated the small cell facility will provide coverage to the surrounding community and the Queensbury school district campus.
Nature of Variance
Granted 8/21/19. The applicant proposes to install a small cell facility on a proposed light pole to be 172.5 ft from the nearest residence where 200 ft is required.
Summary
The applicant has completed a site plan application for the installation of a small cell facility on a proposed light pole in the Stewart’s Store parking area.
Meeting History: PB: 8/20/19; ZBA: 8/21/19;