HomeMy WebLinkAbout1927RESOLUTION NO. 1927
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DENYING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
APPLICATION NO. CUP 13 -18 AND OAK TREE ENCROACHMENT
PERMIT APPLICATION NO. TRE 14 -49 FOR A PROPOSED NEW
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY WITH A 50' -0" TALL MONOPOLE
ANTENNA STRUCTURE CAMOUFLAGED AS AN ELM TREE AND A 230
SQUARE -FOOT, 12' -6" TALL EQUIPMENT SHELTER AT THE
NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE SANTA ANITA RACE TRACK PROPERTY
AT 285 W. HUNTINGTON DRIVE
WHEREAS, on November 20, 2013, an application was filed by Ms. Brittany Pell of
Coastal Business Group on behalf of AT &T Mobility for a Conditional Use Permit for a new
wireless communication facility with a monopole antenna structure and an equipment
shelter at 285 W. Huntington Drive, Development Services Department Case No. CUP 13-
18; and
WHEREAS, on August 5, 2014, an application was filed by Ms. Brittany Pell of
Coastal Business Group on behalf of AT &T Mobility for an Oak Tree Encroachment Permit
for the proposed new wireless communication facility to encroach into the protected area of
four, on -site oak trees at 285 W. Huntington Drive, Development Services Department Case
No. TRE 14 -49; and
WHEREAS, on November 6, 2014, Planning Services completed an environmental
assessment for the project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), and determined that the project could qualify as Categorically Exempt under
CEQA, per Section 1 5061(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (Review for Exemption) if the project
has no potential to cause a significant effect on the environment, and because it consists of
new construction of a small structure of less than 10,000 square -feet in area per CEQA
Guidelines Section 15303; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held by the Planning Commission on December 9,
2014, at which time all interested persons were given full opportunity to be heard and to
present evidence.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the factual data submitted by the Development Services
Department in the staff report dated December 9, 2014, are true and correct.
SECTION 2. This Commission finds, based upon the entire record:
a. That the granting of such Conditional Use Permit could be detrimental to the
public health or welfare and/or injurious to the property or improvements in such zone or
vicinity.
FACT: The proposed wireless facility could be detrimental to the surrounding
properties because of its close proximity to existing single - family residences northwest of
the site. The proposed location of the wireless facility would be within 200 feet of several
single- family residential properties, and could negatively impact the esthetics and value of
those properties.
b. That the use applied for at the location indicated is properly one for which a
Conditional Use Permit is authorized.
FACT: The zoning of the Santa Anita Race Track property is a mixture of S -1,
Special Uses, and R -1, Second One - Family Zones. Arcadia Municipal Code Sections
9288.6, and 9273.1.19, authorizes a standalone wireless facility at the proposed location,
subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit.
c. That the site for the proposed use is inadequate in size and /or shape to
accommodate said use, and all yards, spaces, walls, fences, parking, loading, landscaping,
and other features required to adjust said use with the land and uses in the neighborhood.
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FACT: The proposed location is an undeveloped hillside at a corner of the Santa
Anita Race Track property that is part of the larger landscaped backdrop to the racetrack as
viewed from the grandstands and infield. There is an existing private, paved access road
on the property within the vicinity of the proposed wireless facility location, and a gravel
access road is proposed as part of this project to provide direct access to the wireless
facility. The proposed location of the wireless facility is problematic due to its proximity to
several residences from which the proposed cell tower that is to be camouflaged as an
artificial elm tree will be readily visible. There will be a negative aesthetic impact by the
incongruous cell tower facility on the nearby residences with resulting deleterious impact on
the value of those residential properties. It has not been demonstrated that the proposed
installation will integrate with the land and uses in the neighborhood. Nor has it been
demonstrated that the site is the only, or optimum, situation that will meet the applicant's
needs with the least intrusion on the neighborhood.
d. That the site abuts streets and highways adequate in width and pavement type to
carry the kind of traffic that would be generated by the proposed use.
FACT: The Santa Anita Race Track property is accessed from Colorado Place,
Huntington Drive, and Baldwin Avenue. These streets are adequate in width and pavement
type to carry the traffic generated by the current and proposed uses. The proposed project,
as an unmanned wireless facility, would need only occasional access for maintenance after
construction, and would not impact the surrounding streets and highways.
e. That the granting of such Conditional Use Permit would adversely affect the
comprehensive General Plan.
FACT: The General Plan Land Use Designation of the subject site is HR, Horse
Racing, which provides for the continued operation of the Santa Anita Park racetrack for
horse racing and related activities. Approval of the new unmanned wireless facility would
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not adversely affect the horse racing activities at the location, or the esthetics of the
backdrop to the racetrack as the facility will be located in an unused corner of the property
with minimal visibility from the racetrack grandstands and infield. However, approval of the
proposed unmanned wireless facility could adversely affect the esthetics and value of the
single - family residential properties in the vicinity, and as such, is inconsistent with the Land
Use and Community Design Element of the General Plan as it pertains to protection and
preservation of existing residential neighborhoods.
SECTION 3. For the foregoing reasons the Planning Commission denies
Conditional Use Permit Application No. CUP 13 -18, and Oak Tree Encroachment Permit
Application No. THE 14 -49, for a proposed new wireless communication facility with a 50' -0"
tall monopole antenna structure camouflaged as an elm tree, and a 230 square -foot, 12' -6"
tall equipment shelter at 285 W. Huntington Drive.
SECTION 4. The Secretary shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
Passed, approved and adopted this 13th day of January, 2015.
Chairman, P - nning Commission
ATTEST:
Secr= ary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
P. z i
Stephen P. Deitsch
City Attorney
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) §:
CITY OF ARCADIA
I, Jim Kasama, Secretary of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, hereby
certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 1927 was passed and adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Arcadia, signed by the Chairperson and attested to by the
Secretary at a regular meeting of said Planning Commission held on the 13TH day of
January, 2015, and that said Resolution was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Baerg, Chan, Chiao, Lin and Falzone
NOES: None
Secr ry of the Planning Commission