2015-61 REZONING PROPERTY 1096 West Decatur Street

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Excerpts from Plan Commission Meeting of October 1, 2015: Cal. No. 15-46 Petition of THOMAS JEMILO, to rezone property located at 1096 WEST DECATUR STREET from B-2 Commercial District to R-6 Multiple Dwelling District and for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for a rooftop cell tower. Mrs. Joselyn Stewart was sworn in by Mrs. Poland. Mrs. Stewart presented the recommendation of staff: The subject site is developed as a multi-family residence and located at 1096 West Decatur Street. The petitioner proposes to rezone from B-2 Commercial District to R-6 Multiple Dwelling District on the west half of their property to allow for all those uses permitted in the R-6 Multiple Dwelling District. The east half of the site is already zoned R-6 Multiple Dwelling District therefore rezoning the west half of the property to R-6 Multiple Dwelling District will make the parcel uniform with one zoning district and the current use being in compliance with the current Zoning Ordinance. The petitioner is also requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow Verizon Wireless to co-locate antennas on the rooftop of the existing structure. Verizon sought out this existing structure as an attempt to avoid construction of a new telecommunication tower. According to Verizon there were no existing towers within the search radius and this building proved to be the best suited candidate in terms of radio frequency needs. The proposed antennas will be mounted onto the existing penthouse. The height of the existing building is 46' At Ground Level (A.G.L.); the distance to the top of the penthouse will be 53' A.G.L.; and the distance to the center of the proposed antennas will be 57' A.G.L. An equipment shelter will also be constructed for the use of the antennas. The proposed lease area will be 20' x 36' and the proposed equipment shelter which has an internal generator will be 11'6" x 21' 9 '/z". The shelter will be located on the ground at the southeast corner of the building. The surrounding zoning includes R-6 Multiple Dwelling District and B-2 Commercial District to the north and south, R-6 Multiple Dwelling District to the east and B-2 Commercial to the west. The Macon County and Decatur Comprehensive Plan shows this area as Retail, Residential — Low Density and Schools — Public and Private. The permitted land uses in the R-6 Multiple Dwelling District are compatible with the surrounding land uses and zoning districts. Section XXII.A.3. lists three standards which must be met in order to grant a Conditional Use Permit. The first standard requires the applicant to show that the use is "necessary for the public convenience at the location." The proposed use is generally compatible with the neighborhood and provides a service which can be utilized by area residents. Verizon will be able to provide improved coverage to their customers. The proposed use also meets the second standard. The proposed rooftop tower is located and designed to be operated in a manner that the public health, safety and welfare will be protected.