3.1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

3,1 • Town Of Los Altos Hills September 23, 1998 Staff Report to the Planning Commission RE: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR SPECIALIZED MOBILE RADIO (SMR) TELEPHONE ANTENNA FACILITY; NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS; LANDS OF FOOTHILL COLLEGE; 12345 EL MONTE ROAD (#154-98-ZP-SD-CUP) FROM: Curtis Williams, Planning DirelV RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission: Recommend to the City Council approval of the proposed project, subject to the conditions of approval outlined in Exhibit"A" (attached), and citing the findings outlined in Exhibit"B" (Conditional Use Permit). BACKGROUND In 1996 and 1997, the Planning Commission and City Council approved telecommunication facilities for Sprint Spectrum and Cellular One to locate antennas on the parapets of the gymnasium and/or locker room buildings at Foothill College. The antennas were painted to match the existing buildings and are now in place. GTE Mobilnet also has an existing facility at Foothill College, but that comprises a large monopole and antennas elsewhere on the campus. Nextel Communications has one other facility in Los Altos Hills, at the Fenwick property on Elena Road at its north end near Hwy. 280. That permit is under review as a separate item on this agenda. DISCUSSION The proposed project consists of the placement of eight (8) panel antennas on roof parapets of the auxiliary gymnasium (to the north of the Main Gym and pool) on the Foothill College campus, and a 10 foot by 16 foot fenced enclosure of equipment cabinets, located under the eaves on the north side of the auxiliary gymnasium, immediately adjacent to the existing Sprint Spectrum enclosure. Each panel antenna would measure 4 feet in height and 12 inches in width and the antennas would be installed in groups of four, mounted on the north and south side parapets and painted to match the parapet color(dark brown). The Foothill College property is a 136.44 acre parcel south of Hwy. 280 in Los Altos Hills. The equipment facility would occupy only 160 square feet of the site on the northeast side of the campus. A detailed analysis of development and floor area was not requested of the applicant, as information used in the recent past for development on the campus indicated considerable square footage allowable on the site, in compliance with the Town's Zoning Code. Similarly, setbacks far exceed the Town's required minimums. Wireless Communications Facilities Policy The proposed project would be located on a non-residential parcel, as encouraged by the Town's adopted policy. It would also have very little visual impact, as called for by the policy. The antennas are being co-located with Sprint on this building, and in close proximity to the locker room building, which also contains antennas for Sprint and for Cellular One. Standard conditions of approval include a 3-year renewal term, a