Minutes - 19980824 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

proposed amendment in order to evaluate the status of natural and cultural resources. The Eno River study mentioned by Hervey McIver will be included in this evaluation VOTE: UNANIMOUS County Manager John Link mentioned that this will be returned for Public Hearing as soon as the review is complete, possibly as early as November. 2. CLASS A SPECIAL USE PERMITS The following Class A Special Use Permits were Chaired by Commissioner Margaret Brown. All participants in the following Special Use Permits were required to take an oath prior to giving their testimony. A list of those taking the oath given by Deputy Clerk Kathy Baker follows: Planner Eddie Kirk, Russ Townsley, Edward M Mann, Jr., Rob Davis, Violet DeKnikker, David Kronener, Gregory Moors, Joe Smathers, Jim Cain, Francois Deprez, Christine Deprez, Marina Heatiz, John Davis, Ken Carter, Dan Southwick, Richard Bessley, David W. Smith, Fred Stipe, Ann Pearson, Alex McIver, and Inna Deng. a. SUP-1-98 Gearon Communications (site east of Lloydtown Road) This item was presented by Planner Eddie Kirk for the purpose of receiving evidence on a Class A Special Use Permit application for the construction of a telecommunication tower. The property is located in Bingham Township approximately 450 feet east of Lloydtown Road (SR 1960) with the access proposed from a 50' private easement. The entrance from Lloydtown Road is approximately 2000 feet south of N.C. 54 West. A 4.4 acre tract is proposed with a 10,000 square foot leased area and an additional area designated as a fall zone easement. The property is zoned Agricultural-Residential (AR) and is not located in a designated watershed. The applicants are requesting a Class A Special Use Permit under Article 8.8.17a of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance to construct a 270 foot telecommunication tower, an equipment cabinet, and an area for future additional telecommunication carriers. The tower will be a free standing lattice structure and light steel gray in color. A type C 40 foot landscaped buffer will be provided around the facility with Leyland Cypress and Loblolly Pines to be planted. The site is in an open field with a tree line located along the northern property line. This tree line will be left undisturbed. There are no existing towers within one mile of this site on which the applicants could co-locate, however, the application indicates this tower can structurally accommodate 5 users. Gearon has indicated they are willing to negotiate with other users to attach additional communication facilities provided they do not interfere with the primary purpose of the tower. QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Halkiotis asked how many of the towers listed in the report are taking advantage of collocation. Eddie Kirk indicated that he did not know but would find out and report on that. He also mentioned that the guarantee that the tower will be removed if it ceases to be used is assured with a bond. QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE PLANNING BOARD: None PRESENTATION BY APPLICANT: Jim Cain, is an employee of Gearon Communication, spoke in support of this proposal. He indicated that it now common to collocate for both financial and environmental reasons. Most communication companies are no longer building their own towers, but rather turning to companies like Gearon Communication to provide the towers. He mentioned that this tower would be built to accommodate 5 users. One result of collocation is that the towers are considerably taller due to the FCC space 4