From
Monica Espinoza
Title
Z200901 - Zoning Change - AT&T Cellular Tower (City Council District 1). Planned Development (zoning) and Site Plan request for (130' height monopole) cellular tower location. 0.057 acre tract (approximately 2,500 SF) situated in the James W. Harris Survey, Abstract No. 1072, zoned Single Family-1 (SF-1) District and located in State Hwy 161 (SH-161) Overlay Corridor District. The property is generally located southeast of Lower Tarrant Road and approximately 1,530 feet east of State Hwy 161 Service Road. (On September 14, 2020, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of this request by a vote of 9-0).
Presenter
Savannah Ware, AICP, Chief City Planner
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
SUMMARY:
Consider approval of a Planned Development-Office Zoning District and Site Plan to allow for a 130’ height (monopole) cellular communications tower location. The 0.057-acre property situated in the James W. Harris Survey, Abstract No. 1072, zoned Single Family-1 (SF-1) District and generally located southeast of Lower Tarrant Road and approximately 1,530 feet east of State Highway 161, specifically addressed as 1700 Lower Tarrant Rd. The property is within the SH 161 Corridor Overlay District.
PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The purpose of the request is to create a Planned Development District with a base zoning district of Office that allows a cell tower greater than 85 ft. by right. The applicant intends to construct and operate a 130’ (monopole) cellular tower. Cell towers greater than 85 ft. in height typically require approval of a Site Plan.
PROPOSED USE CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTION:
In accordance with the applicant’s Operational Plan, the location, design and functions of the 130’ steel monopole will serve growing wireless users within the SH 161 corridor. In addition, it will provide a critical link to Nation’s FirstNet system and allow for dedicated frequencies for Grand Prairie’ First Responders. The closest cellular tower is nearly two miles (7,050 ft.) to the east along Wildlife Pkwy.
The site is located just south of the City of Grand Prairie’s utility facility along Lower Tarrant Road and approximately 530’ north of the Trinity River. The 3,350 sq. ft. site consists of the proposed tower and a small unmanned (elevated) utility structure, housing generators and miscellaneous communication equipment. The site shall be secured with minimum six-foot chain-link fence with overhead barbed wire along the perimeter.
CONFORMANCE WITH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
The subject property is designated as appropriate for Open Space/Drainage uses on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM). Open Space/Drainage designations are typically located in 100 yr. flood plain and floodway areas. The proposal is inconsistent with the FLUM.
Acknowledging the growing need for critical location of wireless communication facilities with the increase demand for 5G and secured public safety systems, considerations should be weighed in as to the appropriateness of the site.
APPLICABLE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS:
This site shall conform to:
• FAA standards for communication towers.
• Flood plain development requirements for structures located within the 100 yr. flood plain as determined by the Engineering Department.
REQUESTED APPEALS BY APPLICANT:
• Exception to the ratio of 3’ to 1’ height setback distance from residential zoned district.
• Telecommunications facilities be located on a platted lot.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 9-0.
Due to the benefits of the proposed increase in service to residents and first responders, staff is amenable to the proposed request for a Planned Development-Office District and Site Plan approval for construction and operation of a 130’ Monopole Cellular Tower subject to conformance with:
• FAA standards for communication towers.
• Flood plain development requirements for structures located within the 100 yr. flood plain as determined by the Engineering Department.
The Commission granting the following exceptions:
• Exception to the ratio of 3’ to 1’ height setback distance from residential zoned district.
• Telecommunications facilities be located on a platted lot.
Body
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND MAP TO REZONE 0.174 ACRES OF LAND OUT OF THE JAMES W. HARRIS SURVEY, ABSTRACT NO. 1072, CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS FROM SINGLE FAMILY-ONE DISTRICT TO A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR OFFICE USE; SAID ZONING MAP AND ORDINANCE BEING ORDINANCE NUMBER 4779 AND PASSED ON NOVEMBER 20, 1990, REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; CONTAINING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND TO BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL.
WHEREAS, the owners of the property described herein below filed application with the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, petitioning an amendment of the Zoning Ordinance and map of said city so as to rezone and reclassify said property from its classification of Single Family-One District to a Planned Development District for Office Use; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission of Grand Prairie, Texas, held a public hearing on said application on September 14, 2020, after written notice of such public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission on the proposed rezoning had been sent to owners of real property lying within 300 feet of the property on which the change of classification is proposed, said Notice having been given not less than ten (10) days before the date set for hearing to all such owners who rendered their said property for City taxes as the ownership appears on the last approved City Tax Roll, and such Notice being served by depositing the same, properly addressed and postage paid, in the City Post Office; and
WHEREAS, after consideration of said application, the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas voted 9 to 0 to recommend approval to the City Council of Grand Prairie, Texas, of the request that the hereinafter described property be rezoned from its classification of Single Family-One District to a Planned Development District for Commercial and Multi-Family Uses; and
WHEREAS, Notice was given of a further public hearing to be held by the City Council of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, in the City Hall Plaza Building at 6:30 P.M. on October 13, 2020, to consider the advisability of amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and all citizens and parties at interest were notified that they would have an opportunity to be heard, such Notice of the time and place of such hearing having been given at least fifteen (15) days prior to such hearing by publication in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Grand Prairie, Texas, a newspaper of general circulation in such municipality; and
WHEREAS, all citizens and parties at interest have been given an opportunity to be heard on all the matter of the proposed rezoning and the City Council of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, being informed as to the location and nature of the use proposed on said property, as well as, the nature and usability of surrounding property, have found and determined that the property in question, as well as, other property within the city limits of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, has changed in character since the enactment of the original Zoning Ordinance from its classification of Single Family-One District to a Planned Development District for Office Use; and, by reason of changed conditions, does consider and find that this amendatory Ordinance should be enacted since its provisions are in the public interest and will promote the health, safety and welfare of the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. THAT Ordinance Number 4779, being the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, showing the locations and boundaries of certain districts, and said Zoning Ordinance and Map having been made a part of an Ordinance entitled:
“AN ORDINANCE AMENDING IN ITS ENTIRETY CHAPTER 28 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, AS PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE 20TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1990, TOGETHER WITH ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO AND ENACTING A REVISED ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR ZONING REGULATIONS; CREATING USE DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN…”
and passed and approved November 20, 1990, as amended, is hereby further amended so as to rezone from its classification of Single Family-One District to a Planned Development District for Office Use; as described and depicted in Exhibit A - Boundary Description.
SECTION 2. THAT the purpose of this planned development is to establish appropriate restrictions and development controls necessary to ensure predictable land development, safe and efficient vehicular and pedestrian circulation, compatible uses of land and compliance with appropriate design standards.
SECTION 3. THAT the following shall apply to development in the Planned Development District:
A. Development shall comply with Exhibit B - Site Plan.
B. Office (O) District shall be the base zoning district for this Planned Development District.
C. Development shall comply with the use and development standards for Office (O) District, as may be amended, and with the exceptions and additions included in this section.
D. A freestanding monopole telecommunications tower greater than 85 ft. in height shall be allowed by right, without the requirement of a Specific Use Permit.
E. As part this Planned Development request, City Council grants the exception and variance listed below.
a. Exception to the requirement that telecommunication facilities be located on a platted lot to allow the location of the cell tower to locate on unplatted property.
b. Variance to the minimum 3 to 1 distance to height ration from a single-family residential district to allow the cell tower at the proposed location.
SECTION 4. THAT it is further provided, that in case a section, clause, sentence, or part of this Ordinance shall be deemed or adjudged by a Court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, then such invalidity shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. THAT all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are specifically repealed.
SECTION 6. THAT this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, this the 13th day of October, 2020.
Ordinance No. 10917-2020
Zoning Case No. Z200901
Planned Development No. 404