ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Director of Community Development with a Recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission and Staff to Adopt an ORDINANCE Amending an Existing Special Use Ordinance No. 13,260, as Amended, in a Class C-2 (Large Scale Commercial) District for a Shopping Center to Add a WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TOWER for the Property Identified as Parcel Identification Nos. 14-05-203-004 (8919 N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-203-007 (8901 N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-252-004 (8727 N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-252-002, 14-05-278-011 (N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-252-005 (8727 N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-278-012 (8713 N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-278-010 (8711 N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-278-016 (N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-278-005 (8787 N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-278-015 (N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-203-008 (N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), 14-05-203-006 (8915 N. KNOXVILLE AVE.), Commonly Known as the NORTHPOINT SHOPPING CENTER, Peoria, IL. (Council District 5)
Body
BACKGROUND:
Proposal
The petitioner is requesting to amend an existing Special Use to construct a wireless communication tower on an undeveloped parcel within the Northpoint Shopping Center. This parcel is located on Hale Avenue and identified as Parcel Identification No. 14-05-278-011.
The proposed 145 foot tall tower and 50 foot by 50 foot fenced equipment lease area are located in the southeast corner of the parcel and meets the minimum required setback distances from the front, side and rear yard property lines. It is also in compliance with the required 50-foot setback from the residential properties located along the south property line. The Petitioner has provided a letter from the Federal Aviation Administration confirming that the tower will not create a hazard to air navigation for the Mt Hawley airport.
The proposed tower is designed to accommodate up to four wireless communication carriers. The tower will be constructed of galvanized steel and painted a silver/gray color and surrounded by a 7-foot tall wrought iron fence and 6-foot tall arbor vitae trees to create a landscaped screen.
A light will be installed on the equipment shelter for security purposes and shielded to direct light away from the residential neighbors to the south.
The site will be accessible from a proposed 12-foot wide asphalt access drive from Hale Avenue. A turn-around area/parking space is also provided at the end of the access drive.
Two signs, each approximately three square feet, will be placed at the site to provide notification of RF radiation and owner/operator contact information.
Current Development
Northpoint Shopping Center was developed in the early 1980's and contains approximately 24 acres of land, all zoned Class C-2 (Large Scale Commercial). The shopping center is surrounded by C-2 (Large Scale Commercial) to the north, C-2 (Large Scale Commercial) and I-2 (Railroad/Warehouse Industrial) zoning to the west, R-7 (Multi-Family Residential) zoning to the south, and O-2 (Exclusive Office Park) and R-3 (Single-Family Residential) zoning to the east.
Analysis and Recommendation
Staff recommends APPROVAL of the request subject to the following conditions:
1) A lighting plan must be submitted for review prior to issuance of a Zoning Certificate to ensure that exterior lighting does not exceed three foot candles when measured at the property line and is shielded or directed away from the residential properties to the south.
2) A 10-foot wide landscaped buffer surrounding the tower and equipment shelters must be maintained with plant materials that screens the view of the equipment shelters from adjacent street and/or residential properties.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS (at the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting): None
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ACTION: The Planning & Zoning Commission found that the request met the Findings of Fact and voted 7 to 0 TO APPROVE.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: A 145-foot tall wireless communication tower and accessory equipment building will be constructed within a 50 ft by 50 ft fenced area. The tower facility will be surrounded by a 7 ft tall wrought iron fence and 6-foot tall arbor vitae trees to create a landscaped screen. Access to the facility will be provided from Hale Avenue.
IMPACT IF DENIED: A wireless communication tower and equipment building will not be constructed on the parcel.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development