PC Resolution 2012-014PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2012-014
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT FOR A SINGLE -POLE DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM
(DAS) AT EISENHOWER PARK
CASE NO.: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2011-138
APPLICANT: CROWN CASTLE
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta,
California, did, on the 241h day of July, 2012, hold a noticed Public Hearing
to consider a request by Crown Castle, to permit the construction and
placement of thirty-five (35) foot tall pole for lighting and an antenna
distribution system at Eisenhower Park, located at the northeast corner of
Calle Colima and Eisenhower Drive, in the La Quinta Cove and in the RC
(Residential Cove) zoning district, more particularly described as:
APN: 774-091-009, 010, 011, 012
WHEREAS, the Planning Department published the public
hearing notice in the Desert Sun newspaper on the 10" day of June, 2012,
for the 261h day of June, 2012, Planning Commission meeting as prescribed
by Section 9.200.110 (Public Notice Procedure) of the Zoning Code, and by
mailing a copy of said public hearing notice to all property owners and
residents within 500 feet of the site; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission continued the public hearing on
June 26, 2012, to their meeting on July 10, 2012, and subsequently
continued the public hearing to July 24, 2012, to allow City Council review
of lease terms prior to Planning Commission review of the Conditional Use
Permit; and
WHEREAS, the co -location of antennas and lighting on a new pole will
minimize adverse visual effects of the antennas and pole structure and will
decrease the need for additional towers and equipment on the surrounding
area; and
WHEREAS, the telecommunication facility will improve
telecommunication service options within this portion of the City of La
Quinta; and
WHEREAS, at said Public Hearing, upon hearing and considering all
testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be
Planning Commission Resolution 2012-014
Conditional Use Permit 2011-138: Crown Castle
July 24, 2012
heard, said Planning Commission did make the following mandatory findings
pursuant to Section 9.210.020 of the Zoning Code to justify approval of said
Conditional Use Permit:
1. Consistency with the General Plan: The design and improvements of
the proposed pole and equipment are consistent with La Quinta
General Plan (Chapter 7) that requires utilities and communication
facilities to blend in with the surrounding improvements and insures
residents have access to reliable telecommunication services such as
wireless telephones. The co -location of antenna equipment and lighting
on a single pole at this site will have a negligible impact on the
surrounding public thoroughfares and land uses.
2. Consistency with the Zoning Code: The placement of the pole and
equipment are consistent with current standards of the Zoning Code
(Chapter 9.90 and 9.170) in that the potential adverse visual effects
have been mitigated, and all perimeter setback requirements have been
met.
3. Compliance with CEQA: The placement of a new pole for antenna and
lighting co -location has been determined to be exempt from CEQA,
under Guidelines Section 15332 (Infill Development), in that the site is
developed as City park surrounded by urban infrastructure
improvements (e.g., roads, water, sanitation, etc.).
4. Compatibility with Surrounding Uses: The proposed improvements are
located on an existing built site. The proposed tower and equipment
do not conflict with the surrounding park improvements.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of
the City of La Quints, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the
findings of the Planning Commission for this Conditional Use Permit;
2. That it does hereby approve Conditional Use Permit 2011-138 for the
reasons set forth in this Resolution and subject to the attached
Conditions of Approval;
Planning Commission Resolution 2012-014
Conditional Use Permit 2011-138: Crown Castle
July 24, 2012
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La
Quinta Planning Commission held on this 241" day of July, 2012, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Weber, Wilkinson, Wright, and
Chairperson Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
KATIE BARROWS, Chairperson
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
JOHNSON
ning Director
of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2012-014
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2011-138
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
JULY 24, 2012
GENERAL
1. The applicant agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of La
Quinta (the "City"), its agents, officers and employees from any claim, action
or proceeding to attack, set aside, void, or annul the approval of this
Conditional Use Permit. The City shall have sole discretion in selecting its
defense council.
The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any claim, action or
proceeding and shall cooperate fully in the defense.
2. Prior to the issuance of a grading, construction or building permit, the
applicant shall obtain applicable permits and/or clearances from the following
agencies, if applicable or required:
• Riverside County Fire Marshall
• Public Works Department (Grading Permit, Improvement Permit)
• Planning Department
• Riverside County Environmental Health Department
• Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
• Federal Communication Commission (FCC)
• Federal Aviation Agency (FAA)
• Desert Recreation District
The applicant is responsible for all requirements of the permits or clearances
from the above listed agencies and departments. If the requirements include
approval of improvement plans, the applicant shall furnish proof of said
approvals prior to obtaining City approval of the plans.
IMPROVEMENT PLANS
As used throughout these Conditions of Approval, professional titles such as
"engineer," "surveyor," and "architect," refer to persons currently certified or
licensed to practice their respective professions in the State of California.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2012-014
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2011-138
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
JULY 24, 2012
3. Improvement plans shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of
qualified engineers and/or architects, as appropriate, and shall comply with
the provisions of LQMC Section 13.24.040 (Improvement Plans).
4. The following plans shall be submitted to the Building and Safety Department
for review and approval. The plans shall utilize the minimum scale specified,
unless otherwise authorized by the Building and Safety Director in writing.
Plans may be prepared at a larger scale if additional detail or plan clarity is
desired. Note, the applicant may be required to prepare other improvement
plans not listed here pursuant to improvements required by other agencies
and utility purveyors.
A. On -Site Commercial Building and Precise Grading Plan (as required by
the Building and Safety Department) 1 " = 30' Horizontal
Other engineered improvement plans prepared for City approval that are not
listed above shall be prepared in formats approved by the City Engineer prior
to commencing plan preparation.
5. Upon completion of construction, and prior to record drawing submittal of
the improvements by the City, the applicant shall furnish the City with
reproducible record drawings of all improvement plans which were approved
by the City. Each sheet shall be clearly marked "Record Drawing" and shall
be stamped and signed by the engineer or surveyor certifying to the accuracy
and completeness of the drawings. The applicant shall have all approved
mylars previously submitted to the City, revised to reflect the as -built
conditions. The applicant shall employ or retain the Engineer Of Record
during the construction phase of the project so that the EOR. can make site
visits in support of preparing Record Drawings. However, if subsequent
approved revisions have been approved by the City Engineer and reflect said
"As -Built" conditions, the Engineer Of Record may submit a letter attesting
to said fact to the City Engineer in lieu of mylar submittal.
PROPERTY RIGHTS
6. Prior to issuance of any permit(s), the applicant shall acquire or confer
easements and other property rights necessary for the construction or proper
functioning of the proposed installation. Conferred rights shall include
irrevocable offers to dedicate or grant access easements to the City for
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2012-014
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2011-138
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
JULY 24, 2012
emergency services and for maintenance, construction and reconstruction of
essential improvements. Pursuant to this condition, the applicant shall
comply with the applicable lease agreements entered upon with the City of.
La Quinta.
UTILITIES
7. The applicant shall comply with the provisions of LQMC Section 13.24.110
(Utilities).
PARKING/ACCESS POINTS
8. The applicant shall protect existing hardscape along the proposed
Communication equipment building and monopole construction area to
include but not limited to garden walls, landscaping, irrigation systems, curb
and gutter, sidewalk and pavement. Restoration to any damaged hardscape
shall be to the satisfaction of the City of La Quinta.
MAINTENANCE
9. The applicant shall comply with the provisions of LQMC Section 13.24.160,
and shall make provisions for continuous, perpetual maintenance of all on -
site improvements, perimeter landscaping, access drives, and sidewalks. The
applicant shall maintain required public improvements until expressly released
from its responsibility by the appropriate public agency.
FEE AND DEPOSITS
10. The applicant shall pay the City's established fees for plan checking and
construction inspection. Fee amounts shall be those in effect when the
applicant makes application for plan checking and permits.
MISCELLANEOUS
11. The applicant shall secure a lease agreement with the City of La Quinta for
the placement of the telecommunication tower and equipment within City
property prior to issuance of a building permit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2012-014
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2011-138
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
JULY 24, 2012
12. Total tower height shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet measured from
finished grade, and shall not exceed a diameter greater than twelve (12)
inches.
13. The tower shall accommodate the relocation of existing park lighting
improvements to the tower. Park lighting shall be incompliance with the
City's Outdoor Lighting Ordinance (L.Q.M.C. Section 9.100.150) and shall
minimize light pollution on surrounding properties. Park lighting shall be
attached to the pole at a maximum height of twenty (20) feet.
14. The placement of the pole shall not interfere with the existing infrastructure
and improvements at this location. The pole shall not be placed on a public
paths -of -travel and must be located in an existing landscaped area.
15. Panel antennas shall be flush -mounted and be attached securely to the
tower. The panel antennas shall be painted to match the tower, and shall not
be placed higher than twenty-nine (29) feet on the tower. All panel antennas
are limited to a maximum of thirty (30) inches in height. A single antenna is
permitted to be placed on top of the tower. The antenna shall not exceed a
height greater than six (6) feet in height and shall be painted to match the
tower.
16. The applicant shall negotiate in good faith for shared use by third parties; an
owner generally will negotiate in the order in which requests for information
are received, except an owner generally will negotiate with a party who has
received an FCC license or permit before doing so with other parties.
17. The entire facility shall be maintained in a condition consistent with the
conditions of this approval and, if the facility is not so maintained this
approval is subject to revocation or other correcting actions as determined
appropriate by the City.
18. This permit shall expire ont July 24, 2014, unless a building permit has been
finalized and/or a time extension is applied for and granted by the Planning
Commission pursuant to Section 9.200.080 of the Zoning Code.
19. That the required facility's services shall be located either within or near the
existing on -site utility cabinet.