CC approval on 10/22/91 AGENDA REQUEST FORM
ITEM CAPTION:
PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration and approval of a zoning change request, Case ~S-1054, from
(II) Light Industrial, to (H-SUP) Light Industrial with a Special Use Permit f~r a Metrocel Cellular
Telephone Communication Tower, on property located east of Denton Tap Road, and approximately
212 feet north of Beltline Road, at the request of Metrocel Cellular Telephone Company.
OTHER REP.:
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[~VAI.UATrON OF ITEM: DATE:
Date of P~m.i~,g & Zoai. g Meeting: September 19, 1991
Decision of planning & Zoning Commi~ion: Approved (3-1, Gross opposed) with the condition
that if at any time this use ceases, all strnctures
and equipment will be removed from the location.
This item was taken under advisement by the City Council at its October 8 meeting, to be con-
sidered on October ZZ. Issues to be resolved included height and location of the tower, and whether
landscaping should be required. The applicant was asked to review his proposal with assistance
provided by Councilman Cowman. The attached memo from the Councilman outlines the result
of that review.
CIT? CO JN$1L
BUDGET AMT. N/A AMT. ESTIMATED
AMT +/- BUDGET FINANCIAL REVIEW BY ~
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COMMENTS:
LEGAL REVIEW BY: REVIEWED BY CM: ~~->·
REQUEST FOI~M ~ 1/91
Councilman Thom~is seconded the motion. The motion carded 6-0, with Mayor Pro Tem
Smothermon and Councilmen Weaver, Thomas, Morton, Cowman, and Nelson voting in favor.
Item 15 PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration and approval of a zoning change request,
Case #S-1054, from (LI) Light Industrial, to (LI-SUP) Light Industrial with a
Special Use Permit for a Metrocel Cellular Telephone Communication Tower, on
property located east of Denton Tap Road, and approximately 212 feet north of
Belfline Road, at the request of Metrocel Cellular Telephone Company.
The public hearing was left open from the October 8 Council Meeting. Mayor Wolfe closed the
public hearing. Gary Sieb spoke in favor of the item. Brief discussion followed regarding the
height of the tower. Councilman Cowman moved to approve zoning change request, Case #S-
Iq54~ from (LI) Light Industrial, to (LI-SI~.t-) i [~,;,: industrial with a Special Use Permit foi a
Metrocel Cellular Telephone Communication Tower, on property located east of Denton Tap
Road, and approximately 212 feet north of Belfline Road, at the request of Metrocel Cellular
Telephone Company. Councilman Nelson seconded the motion. The motion was amended to
include that if the area ceases to be used by Metrocel then the tower and all structures and
equipment be removed. The motion was also amended to include a 75' height restriction, plus
there be no outside storage at the location other than the construction. The motion with the two
amendments carried 6-0, with Mayor Pro Tern Smothermon and Councilmen Weaver, Thomas,
Morton, Cowman, and Nelson voting in favor of the motion.
Item 16 Discussion of the Tax Abatement Policy requested by Mayor Pro Tem Bill
Smothermon.
Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon made a presentation to the Council regarding the possible revision
of the Tax Abatement Policy for the City. This policy would provide a 25 percent tax abatement
for five years to a company which adds $5.5 million to our tax roll, or to grant a 50 percent tax
abatement for five years if a company adds an enhanced tax value of more than $10 million to
our tax roll. He also stated that this simplified program be in effect for two years; at that time,
unless renewed by Council, it would no longer be in effect; and that this proposal has been
discussed with the Industrial Development Task Force, the Economic Development Board, and
the primary development community. Following discussion, staff was directed to proceed with
drafting of an ordinance to revise the Tax Abatement Policy for the city.
Item 17 Discussion of Freeport Goods requested by Mayor Pro Tem Bill Smothermon.
Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon stated that he has been approached by members of the business
community regarding the Freeport tax situation. Legislature has provided an opportunity for
cities to not charge ad valorem tax on certain items within their jurisdiction. At the present time
the City of Coppell does not provide that abatement. If the resolution is ever provided, it is
forever. He requested Council's consensus that the Council refer this issue back to the
Economic Development Board for their research and input. At the present time the City would
not have a very significant impact from this tax, however, the school district would be
significantly affected; and the abatement cannot apply to a selected area or zone. Freeport,
Texas is the city that got the law passed. The name Freeport does not mean the same as
freeport zones as in import or export.
Item 18 Discussion and consideration of report from special study committee regarding
sales tax.
Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon stated that he would like to defer most of the discussion on this
item until a time when a full Council was present, however, he gave a status report on the
project and asked the Economic Development Board to review. '" :- --
Item 19 Discussion and coa~idet-alion of re-scheduling and/or canceling the following
.
regular City cou,~! MecCas: · -~:~,.
A. November 26, 1991 - regular City Cmmeil meetin~
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on the property east of this development, and if this development meets city requirements
concerning drainage. Councilman Thomas moved to approve a preliminary plat request for
Riverview Estates Addition, on property located approximately 320 feet east of Riverchase
Drive, and 237 feet south of Sandy Lake Road, at the request of Huffines and Partners with the
following conditions: 1) they include a flag stone or similar entrance with irrigated divider;
2) a homeowners association be formed to maintain common open spaces such as landscaping,
screening fences, etc.; and, 3) no alley behind lots 9-28, Block A. Councilman Nelson
seconded the motion. The motion carried 6.0 with Councilmen Weaver, Thomas, Morton,
Cowman, Robertson and Nelson voting in favor of the motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon returned to Council.
Item 19 Consideration and approval of a zoning change request, Case #S-1054, from
Light Industrial, to (LI-SUP) Light Industrial with a Special Use Permit for a
Metrocel Cellular Telephone Communication Tower, on property located east of
Denton Tap Road, and approximately 212' north of Belfline Road, at the request
of Metrocel Cellular Telephone Company.
Planning and Community Services Director Gary Sieb made a presentation to Council. Steve
Dunnaway, representing Metrocel Cellular Telephone Company, was also present to address
Council. Mayor Wolfe declared the Public Hearing open and asked if there were any persons
who wished to speak in favor of or in opposition to the zoning change request. There being
none who wished to speak at this time, Mayor Wolfe closed the Public Hearing (following
discussion of this item, the Public Hearing was leR open until October 22, 1991). Charles
Crane of Metrocel Cellular Telephone Company was also present to address the technical issues
of the request. He stated that a 75' to 100' tower is what will be needed. Councilman Nelson
moved to approve a zoning change request, Case #S-1054, from Light Industrial, to (LI-SUP)
Light Industrial with a Special Use Permit for a Metrocel Cellular Telephone Communication
Tower, on property located east of Denton Tap Road, and approximately 212' north of Beltline
Road, at the request of Metrocel Cellular Telephone Company, with the condition that if at any
time this use ceases, all structures and equipment will be removed from the location.
Councilman Weaver seconded the motion. The motion failed 3-4 with Councilmen Weaver,
Robertson and Nelson voting in favor of the motion and Mayor Pro Tern Smothermon and
Councilmen Thomas, Morton and Cowman voting in opposition to the motion. Following
further discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon moved to postpone further consideration of this
item until October 22, 1991 with the Public Hearing being left open. Councilman Cowman
seconded the motion. The motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon and
Councilmen Weaver, Thomas, Morton, Cowman, Robertson and Nelson voting in favor of the
tion.
Item 20 Consideration and approval of a replat request of Northlake Woodlands East #12,
Lot 6-R, Block F, for the purpose of combining two lots to allow the construction
of a 6,000 square foot home, on property located north of Beltline Road, and
west of Mockingbird Lane, at the request of Don Tipton Engineers.
Planning and Community Services Director Gary Sieb made a presentation to Council. Mayor
Wolfe declared the Public Hearing open and asked if there were any persons who wished to
speak in favor of or in opposition to the replat request. There being none who wished to speak,
Mayor Wolfe closed the Public Hearing. Councilman Robertson moved to approve a replat
request of Northlake Woodlands East #12, Lot 6.R, Block F, for the purpose of combining two
lots to allow the construction of a 6,000 square foot home, on property located north of Beltline
Road, and west of Mockingbird Lane, at the request of Don Tipton Engineers with the condition
that after the underground line (if Staff is comfortable with the time frame, the line to be
installed by ~lune, 1992) is installed, that the homeowner of the rezoned lot will be, at that time,
allowed to build a sport court type of structure with a concrete slab and without vertical walls
over the easement without any future engineering requirements from the City of Coppell. Mayor
Pro Tem Smothermon seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-1 with Mayor Pro Tern
FROM GTE 10olS.1991 10:37 P. 3
To Mayor Wolf
City counoil
City Manager
City staff
From Jim Cowman
On Friday Ootober 11, 1991 I met with Charles Crane, Radio
and Steve Dunaway, Real Estate Coordinator for MStroCel cellular
and Kris Howerton ~TE Cellular A=count Manager to discuss the
loca~o~ of MetroCel proposed cell site. It was determined, after
a lengthy discussion, the proposed location behind Shake & shingle
would be a suitable site for this 75 foot radio tower. If you
at ~he location you will notice there are 120 foot eleotric
transmission line directly behind the homes in Creekview. TAese
transmission lines set between the homes in this subdivision and
the proposed tower site, plus with the number of trees directly
behind the Creskv~ew will block the view of the tower.
As MetroCel stated they must have their cell site ~n this location
eo p~ovide good servioe to their end users and both Kris and I
agree with their reasoning.
Kris Howerton talked with the president of the Cree~vtsw home
owners association and he did not see a problem with the tower
location.
Based on all the fa~s at hand, I rsoom~end we approve this request
for & new eel1 site at the requested
CITY OF COPPELL
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
CASE #: S-1054 - (TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION TOWER)
P & Z HEARING DATE: September 19, 1991
C. C. HEARING DATE: October 8, 1991
LOCATION: East of Denton Tap Road, and approximately 212' north of
Beltline Road.
SIZE OF AREA: .08 Acres (60' X 60' Site)
REQUEST: Zoning change request from (LI) Light Industrial to
(LI-SUP) Light Industrial with a Special Use Permit, for a
Metrocel Cellular Telephone Communication Tower.
APPLICANT: Metrocel Cellular Telephone Company
Mr. Steve Dunnawa¥
17300 N. Dallas Parkway
Suite #1000
Dallas, Texas 75248
(214) 407-6236
HISTORY: There is no recent zoning history on the subject site.
TRANSPORTATION:
Denton Tap Road is a six-lane divided thoroughfare, built
to standard.
SURROUNDING LAND USE & ZONING:
North - undeveloped (LI) Light Industrial, and developing
single family (PD-SF-7 & 12) across railroad
track
South - vacant; City of Dallas
East - developed industrial use in (LI) Light Industrial
zoned district
West - developed (LI) Light Industrial zoning
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
Indicates commercial development for this site.
ITEM 8
ANALYSIS: ° There are three majors concerns staff has with this
proposal; height, location, and physical facility.
The applicant is requesting a tower of 100 feet. As you
will recall, on a similar request of Southwestern Bell, a
65 foot height limit was imposed. Because this is only the
second request for such use, and based on the fact that we
established height guidelines on the Southwestern case,
staff feels a 65 foot limit is appropriate for any and all
such proposed towers located in Coppell.
Location of this facility is a second concern. Less than
225 feet off of Beltline Road, we have difficulty
recommending this use without reflecting a more sensitive
relationship to Beltline Road - one of our primary
streetscape arteries.
Finally, as seen by reviewing the applicant-provided
photograph of a typical installation, these facilities are
rather unattractive. Staffs concern is that no attempt has
been made to "soften" the austere appearance of this
proposal. At the very least, a landscape plan needs to be
included to insure that this use reflects the aesthetic
sensitivity of this community. We would point out that
with proper landscaping it is possible that the tower would
be somewhat more compatible with the on-site warehouse use
which already has basic landscaping.
Although there have been representations by the applicant
that the surrounding community supports this request, staff
has received numerous telephone calls regarding the
application, and anticipates written opposition to this
request based on the same concerns expressed by staff
above. We feel more detailed planning needs to be
undertaken on this proposal and would recommend holding the
case under advisement until the issues outlined above are
resolved (probably the October 17 Planning Commission
meeting.)
ALTERNATIVES: 1) Approve the zoning change
2) Deny the zoning change
3) Modify the zoning change
4) Hold under advisement for additional information
ATTACI~"NTS: 1) Site Plan for telephone communication tower
2) Xerography photo of typical facility
S1054.STF