Agenda - 02-28-2011 - C.3 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3~ ISSUE: The problem, as staff understands it, is that there is a concern amongst members of the BOCC that towers developed on County owned properly are not required to adhere to many of the various application submittal requirements as contained within Section 8.8.17 (a) of the Ordinance, specifically: • The advertising and conducting of a balloon test in accordance with Section 8.8.17 (a) (1) (a) (i) of the Ordinance. 'This section makes reference to the advertising and conducting of a balloon test with certain time flames prior to a scheduled public hearing. Current language does not provide for such tests to be completed for administratively approved tower applications. • The lack of public hearing requirement for the review and approval of the proposed tower and the lack of notification (i.e. certified mail) informing local property owners within 1,000 feet of the property of the proposed project in accordance with Section 8.8.17 (a) (1) (a) (h). • There is apparently a concern that the development of towers on County owned property will not be required to adhere to the environmental analysis as denoted within Section 8.8.17 (a) (1) (a) (1) of the Ordinance. It should be noted that current language within this aforementioned section does not require any applicant to conduct an environmental assessment analysis. The existing Ordinance says that an applicant `may' be required to complete this task. It is up to staff to determine if such action is necessary. PROPOSAL: In order to address these concerns, the BOCC could adopt, through a formal resolution, a policy governing the development of towers on County owned property. Staff would suggest the following: a. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: Require that an environmental assessment be completed subject to the following: i. SITE INVESTIGATION: Once the applicant requests apre-development meeting to discuss the development of the tower, Planning staff will conduct an on-site inspection of the property to document existing conditions. Staff will be evaluating the property with respect to: 1. Presence of streams/floodplain areas, 2. Determine if the location of the proposed tower is in an area of the property where it will be more visible to adjacent property owners, 3. Presence of substantial trees or significant vegetation that ought to be preserved, 4. Determine if the project will impact any existing development on the property, and 5. Other relevant factors. ii. EVALUATION: Working with representatives of the Department of Environment Parks and Recreation (DEPR), Planning staff will analyze existing environmental conditions to determine if the environmental assessment is required.