HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 Staff Report Director's Decision 07.09.15TYPE OF REVIEW:
PROPOSAL:
APPLICANT/OWNER:
REPRESENTATIVE:
PROPERTY:
ZON!NG:
Director's Decision 7 19 I L5
PUD Amendment PDAA-8355
GH
PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
Minor Modification to the Colorado Mountain College
Planned Unit Development
Addition of Telecommunication Tower as a Permitted Use
Colorado Mountain Junior College District (CMC)
Julie Hansen, Beattie, Chadwick and Haupt, LLP
Peter Waller, Facilities Director
CMC Spring Valley Campus, located approximately 4 miles
off of Highway 82 on County Road 114. Physical address is
3000 County Road 114.
Planned Unit Development (PUD)
BACKGROUND . DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL
Colorado Mountain College is proposing an amendment to the PUD Guideline for the
CMC PUD to add Telecommunication Tower as a permitted use. The original PUD
zoning was put in place prior to the use of cellular phones and similar
telecommunication devices. The amendment would allow the installation of a tower up
to 70 ft. in height. Any additional towers would require review by the County. The
allowance for the tower will significantly improve communication on campus and in the
surrounding area for a variety of purposes including education, personal
communication, public cellular phone use, and access to 911 emergency services. The
Application proposes that the following text be included in the PUD Guideline:
PROPOSED SIVIEI{EMENTS TO P.U D PI-AN
Apsiaaffprpgmas to rcdxPage 2 of the P,U,D. to addth foltowiag laagrage,
Pmnined Usr" Thc cmsflctiof, rnd installrtion of orc (t) teletomnrunictbon to$er- not lo
ex*rd seru$' {?0} fEfl *all be Fauitud by right with ud m fi.ntk rutict*' b}' ffield
Couoty" Aay addibwal tclemuicatiso towers uithia the P-U-D" shrll EquirE rwion- by
Guficld Coumtr'.
The current PUD Guideline lists the Proposed
Uses in the PUD to include Educational
Facilities, Student Apartments and Common
Open Space. An excerpt from the Guideline is
attached to this Staff Repoft. Staff review and
Pre-Application conferences have confirmed the
need for an amendment to the PUD Text as
Telecommunication Tower is not listed currently
as a permitted use.
The Applicant's proposed language would be
added as a new section on page two under
proposed uses. The Application includes details
on the tower that is currently proposed and
provides an example of what could be a
permitted subject to the proposed amendment.
The currently proposed tower is a 56 ft. tall free
standing monopole tower described as a "Lite-
Site Quick Deploy Cell Site". lt will be located
within an approximately 50 ft. by 50 ft. lease
area and will have electrical power and minor
support facilities such as communication cables
and an equipment shed or cabinet.
The current tower proposal obtained Planning
Commission Location and Extent Approvals at a
public hearing held on July 8th.
II. AUTHORITY - CRITERIA
This request is being considered in accordance
with Garfield County Land Use and
Development Code, Section 6-203 PUD Zoning
Amendment. Subsequent to the Pre-
Application meeting the Director of the
Community Development Depafiment made the
determination that the request is a Minor
Modification to the PUD. Said determination
was formalized in the Pre-Application summary
a copy of which was included in the Application
submittal. The Application has been processed in accordance with Section 6-203(B)(a)
including submittal of an application, completeness review, scheduling of the date for
the Director's Decision on the request, and public notice. The Review Criteria is
contained in Section 6-203(C) and fufther detailed in the Staff Analysis section of this
Staff Repoft.
III. STAFF REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
1. Public notice required for the Minor Modification to the PUD including mailing to
property owners within the PUD and any mineral rights owners within the PUD has been
completed with documentation provided by the Applicant. The Applicant has also
conducted a neighborhood information meeting. No public comments have been
received at this time.
2. Section 6-203(C) Review Criteria including Comprehensive Plan Excerpts are
addressed in the following sections. The criteria and Comprehensive Plan Excerpts are
shown in italics and staff analysis shown in bold.
Section 6-203(C)(1). Conform to the Comprehensive Plan
The Planning Commission at a pubtic hearing hetd on Juty 8th made a
determination that a Location and Extent request for a telecommunication tower
to be located on the CMC Spring Valley campus was in conformance with the
Comprehensive Plan. Additional information on the Comprehensive Plan
compliance is noted below including an excerpt from the Future Land Use Map.
The Garfield County Comprehensive Plan 2030 designates the site as Village
Center. lt also is included in a Water and Sewer Service Area.
Chapter 2 Future Land lJse - Growth in Designated Centers - Village Centers
Vitlage Centers are areas where there is a concentration of residential development and
commerciat development that is intended primarily for the convenience needs of
surrounding residential devetopment. This mix of uses may include educational,
institutional and civic uses.
The addition of a tetecommunication tower as a permitted use and the
improvement to cellular telecommunication is consistent with the designation as
a Village Center. ln the case of CMC the uses are primarily educational and
institutional, including student housing and services. lmproved emergency
response and access to 911 services is also consistent with the Village Center
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Designation and an improvement benefitting the health, safety and welfare of the
residents of the County.
Chapter 3 lJrban Growth Areas and lntergovernmental Coordination
lssue No. 5: The County is not well set up to provide urban seruices organizationally or
fiscatly. Therefore, another entity is required to provide seruices if and where urban
types of development occur in the unincorporated areas - either a municipality, a special
district or metropolitan seruice district.
The Minor PUD Modification will allow CMC to move forward independently to
provide the upgraded service which will also be available to the general public
(see propagation map in the submittals)
Chapter 3 Section 4 - Economics, Employment and Tourism
Vision: The County has encouraged economic opportunity and diversity to develop in
strategic locations by designating a variety of areas as employment and commerce
centers....The County has played a key role in providing traditionaland communication
infrastructure to specific commerce centers.
Modern communication infrastructure needs include cellular telephone and
telecommunication service that was not in existence when the College was
originally formed. The CMC Campus is an important component of Garfield
County's economy and economic development. The Minor PUD Modification is
appropriate to fit the current needs of the college and changes in communication
technology.
Chapter 3 Section I - Natural Resources
/ssue No.l: Tourism is an integral component of the economy of Gartied County.
Therefore, it is important for economic development to respect the natural environment
that brings residents and visitors to the county
The proposed tower information provided in the Application including a summary
provided by the Applicant's consultant, Comnet LLC reflects a design that
tessens visibitity and impacts on scenic views. The current Location and Extent
Approval witl limit the tower to a location within the PUD already devetoped with
infrastructure improvements (water tank & power lines). The PUD Guideline
should require compliance with the Applicant's representations and Location and
Extent approval.
Section 6-203(C)(2| /s consistent with the efficient development and the
preseruation of the character of the development;
The proposed Minor PUD Modification will enhance the overall development and
will be consistent with the visual character of the PUD provided the 70 ft. height
limit is adhered to and consistency with representations in the Application is
ensured.
View of Proposed
Tower Location
Section 6-203(C)(3). Do not increase the density
The proposed Minor PUD Modification will not change the density of the
development.
Section 6-2Og(C)(4). Do not decrease the amount of dedicated Open Space
The proposed Minor PUD Modification will not effectively change the amount of
dedicated Open Space provided it maintains a smallfootprint such as the 50 ft. by
50 ft. leased area similar to as proposed for the current tower.
Section 6-2Og(C)(5). Do not affect, in a substantiatly aduers_e manner, either the
enjoyment of in6'hnd abutting upon or across the road from the PUD or the public
interest;
The proposed Minor PUD Modification subject to compliance with the Applicant's
representations and Location and Extent approvals should enhance the
enjoyment of adjoining properties through the provision of upgraded cellular
phone service while minimizing visual impacts.
section 6-209(c)(6). Do not change the use category of the PUD between
residential, commercial, or industrial uses
The proposed Minor PUD Modification will not change the use category and the
primary-use within the PUD shall remain an educational facility.
Section 6-2OS(C)(7). Witt not be granted sotety to confer a special benefit upon
any person
The proposed Minor PUD Modification addresses overall needs of the PUD and
the primary use of educational facility. No special benefit to an individual person
would be granted.
Section 6-203(CXB). Shatl not affect the rights of the residents, occupants, and
owners of the PUD to maintain and enforce those provisions at law or in equity.
The proposed PUD Modification is being considered in accordance with the Land
Use and Development Code. Other than the addition of a permitted use, the
rights of owners, residents, or occupants within the PUD remain unchanged.
IV. SUGGESTED FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL
The following are suggested findings for approval of the Minor Modification to the CMC
PUD.
That proper public notice was provided as required for the Director's Decision.
That consideration by the Director was extensive and complete, that all peftinent
facts, matters and issues were submitted or could be submitted and that all
interested parties were provided the opportunity to have input on the request.
That for the above stated and other reasons, approval of the Minor PUD
Modification request by the Colorado Mountain Junior College District is in the
best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Garfield County'
That the Minor PUD Modification has been determined to be in general
conformance with the Comprehensive Plan 2030, as amended'
5. That subject to compliance with conditions of approval the Minor PUD
Modification is in conformance with the Review Criteria contained in Section 6-
203(C), Review Criteria of the Garfield County Land Use and Development
Code, as amended.
V. RECOMMENDATION
Staff supports an approval by the Director of the Community Development Depaftment
subject to the above findings and the following conditions of approval.
1. That all representations made by the Applicant in the Application shall be
conditions of approval unless specifically altered by the conditions of approval contained
herein.
2. That the Applicant's proposed PUD Text shall be modified to include provisions
related to compliance with all applicable regulations governing this type of use, Location
and Extent Review, and tower designs that Iessen visual impacts. The Text shall be
amended to read as follows subject to final review and approval by the County
Attorney's Office.
Permitted lJse. The construction and installation of one (1)
telecommunication tower, not to exceed seventy (70) feet, shall be
permitted by right with no further review by Gafield County, subiect to the
following standards:
A. That the Facility shatt be operated in accordance with all applicable
Federal, State, and local regulations governing the operation of this type
of facility including any FCC and FAA regulations.
B. That the location of the facility shall be subject to County Planning
Commission Location and Extent Approval and any representations
contained in said aPPlication.
1.
2.
3.
4.
3. That the original CMC PUD Guideline and Amended PUD Guideline shall be
recorded with the Garfield County Clerk and Recorders Office.
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' B U. D. APPLIC,ATION
COI.OMDO MOI,JI{TAIN @LLEGE
SPRING VALTEY
The foltornlug narrative and supporting documents are' in accordance : . -
with the Planned uait Devetopment Amendmenf to the Garfield county :"
Zoning Resolution dated November ll, lgl4, The p,roposed P. U, D.
is iu conformity with the Gouut5r's general plan.
Ouaerehip - All the pr-operty itrcluded in the proposed P. U. D. is solely
owned or ln the process of cmnership by the Colorado Motmtain Junior
Cotlege pistrict rryith the exceptiou of a five (5) acre tract ouoed by
Ihvid and James Watts who purchased the propeffy, built and operate
a s.htdeBt apartment complex. Thewatts.Brothers have given ttre col.lege
written consent for this P. U..D. application.
4an - The planning cotrcepts supporf,ipg the request are for the pqrpose ..
of allowing the coltege to.develop in accbrdance with our lvlaster Phn
which was completed september, 1972 W a firm called "Itrter Plan" and
receEt rerlsions to this plan by the architectural.finn of @udtll Associates.
There are .,922 acres to be included in the proposed p. U. D, Tte
prineipal use or this property is to support a two year community college.
The hrildings Bor1, on the property and those to be built would be: class.
troom8r laboratoties, teachingand'admfolstrative offices; student recreation,
social and houslng; learning ceuter and ancillary hrildingu for coltege
maiutenauce
fuelung ulE - Tte term drpeltrng units in tirie application is intended to
mean ehrdent apartmentd. The college bd prevlotrsly sold five (S) acreg
to a prirrate commerctal devetoper who hrilt and reuts apaftment6 to our
studenfs. fr i6 the iffatlmi of tbe coltege to conthrp thls prac6ce.'. Tte
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. preseat apadment complex caued thg pinou Arps is composed bf nro
apartment buildings and a supportfug recreatioa centei, It bae forty-
. . lour (44) one bedroom unfts and tweaty-niue (Z9l Lwobedroom apartments
rvith a totar shrdent capacrty. of one hundred ninety-six (Ig6) students, .. Onr ptanning projects a heed for apartments to horse an qdditional ooe ,
hundred-twenty (r20) shrdents fur the 7g75-T6academlc ye,f, another
"5 hundred-twenty (120) students by rgg0.gr, and an additional one
' hundred-forty-seren (r47) ior qrr maximum capacify durihg the year .
.2000. This wiII give us
'tugeil housin! &r sg3 students dnd wiu .equire ,
co*struction of rg3 niw apartrngtrt uuits- orr sfudent horrsing is pro-
jected on housing one;third of our fufl time Btudentq on campu' .
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commoa open $paci - Ttre twenty-five per qent r-ntolmum will be greatry
exceeded.
Proposed Uses -
orr request,
allartments qrned aud managed by private euterprlse.
I-Eilities - The preseut utilities are tro*' in exirsleoce and iri use: .
of which hiyo ere being used to sdrve pur preseat operaUon. A
. 6001000 gallon storage tank, bowter pumps, chrorination equip-' ment as well as a 251000. eif* hck-up storage tank
tg - The system is comprised of g" tnruk mains fiuhg tnto
. 'tlvo sewege lagoooe. Tte:primary rag.oou has gqragm equ$meut
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' ft^*:-^- tu^- ^--. Gommon Qlea Space ,
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Iuterual Cirqrlitioa Systems - See lvhp # Three .
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