HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-13 City Council (18)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:
FROM:
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT:16PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:NOVEMBER 13, 2001 CMR:413:01
SUBJECT:2425 EMBARCADERO WAY (01-PC-03): APPLICATION OF
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS TO AMEND PLANNED
COMMUNITY (PC) ZONING DISTRICT PC-3020 TO ALLOW
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES. VERIZON COMMUNICA-
TIONS’ PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW EIGHT PANEL-TYPE
ANTENNAS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT, ATOP A TWO-
STORY, STORAGE BUILDING LOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST
SIDE OF EMBARCADERO WAY.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff and the Planning and Transportation Commission recommend that the City Council
adopt the attached ordinance (Attachment A), amending Planned Community (PC) Zoning
District PC-3020 to allow telecommunication facilities.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The 1.02-acre project site is located on the east side of Embarcadero Way and is the location
of the California Self Storage facility. The Perroton Trust owns the site and buildings.
Adjacent parcels include commercial and industrial buildings to the north and to the west.
The Palo Alto Recycling Center abuts the property to the south and east.
The applicant, Verizon Wireless, is proposing to construct and operate a wireless
telecommunications facility atop the self-storage facility at the western end of the roof
structure. Since the site’s existing PC zoning does not allow the operation of
telecommunications facilities, Verizon has submitted a PC zoning amendment application
which would add telecommunications facilities to the PC zone’s allowable uses. The pre-
fabricated equipment building will be on the site inside one of the storage units and will not
be visible from the public right of way.
CMR:413:01 Page l of 3
The addition of cellular antennas and related equipment constitutes a new use, described as
a "telecommunication facility," and the addition of these facilities in PC zones requires an
amendment to the allowed uses in each PC district.
As proposed, Verizon’s facility would consist of two sectors of four antennas each, for a total
of eight panel-type antennas mounted at two sides of a proposed five-foot high parapet on
the roof. Four antennas will be attached to the western side of the proposed parapet facing
Embarcadero Way. The second set of four antennas will be attached to the north-facing wall
of the proposed parapet, located at the northwest portion of the roof.
The antennas measure approximately 48 inches high by 8 inches wide and, when mounted,
would project approximately 12 inches from the face of the parapet. The antennas would
appear to be part of the building parapet, which is to be painted and finished to match the
existing structure. The telecommunication facility includes an equipment shelter, measuring
9.4 feet by 22.7 feet (213 square feet) to be located in one of the existing storage units.
Verizon’s telecommunications facility is designed to provide network wireless services using
radio waves operating in the 800 MGz band of the electromagnetic spectrum.
If the attached ordinance is adopted amending this zone district, additional building-mounted
telecommunications facilities will be permitted, subject to design approval through the
Architectural Review process.
BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Planning Commission reviewed the proposal on November 7, 2001 and recommended
by a vote of 5-0-0-2 (Commissioners Griffin and Schmidt absent) that ~he City Council
approve the PC Zoning District amendment application. The Commission also found that
installing telecommunication facilities at this site, in the manner allowed by the ordinance,
is a public benefit consistent with Comprehensive Plan policies. The height of the existing
storage facility is ideally suited for placement of telecommunication antennas in order for the
equipment to function properly. The provisions of on-site telecommunications facilities will
result in a public benefit through improved wireless communication services in this
geographical area of Palo Alto. The public benefit findings are included in Attachment E of
this report.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A:
Attachment B:
Attachment C:
Attachment D:
Proposed Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 3020
Location Map
Planning Division Staff Report dated November 7, 2001 (w/o att.)
PC Zoning District Public Benefit Findings
Plans (Council Members only)
CMR:413:01 Page 2 of 3
PREPARED BY:
Carolynn Bis~tt, Pla~r- - ° -
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:
LES WHITE
Interim Director of Planning and Community
Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL~soN
Assistant City Manager
Bonnie Medina-Jawad, Verizon Communications, 4000 Executive Parkway, Suite
515, San Ramon, CA 94583
Bette Perroton, 1011Hutchinson Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
CMR:413:01 Page 3 of 3
Attachment A
ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF ThE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AMENDING SECTION 18.08.040 OF THE PALO ALTO
MUNICIPAL CODE (THE ZONING MAP)TO CHANGE THE
CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY AT 2425 EMBARCADERO
WAY, FROM PC PLANNED COMMUNITY 3020 TO PC
PLANNED COMMUNITY
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as
follows:
SECTION !. Section 18.08.040 of the Palo Alto Municipal
Code, (the Zoning Map), is hereby amended by changing the zoning of
certain property at 2425 Embarcadero Way from PC Planned Community
3020 to PC Planned Contmunity The subject property,
consisting of approximately 1.02 acres, is shown on the map labeled
Exhibit "A" attached to this ordinance and made a part of it.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby finds that:
(a) The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3020
establishing PC-3020 on October 3, 1977. The principal use
authorized was a two-story public warehouse, with a live-in
attendant, and associated parking. Telecommunications facilities
were not a permitted use.
(b) The Planning Commission, after a duly noticed public
hearing held November 7, 2001 has recommended that Section
18.08.040 (the Zoning Map) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code be
amended to permit telecommunications facilities on the subject
property.
(c) The proposed amendment is in the public interest and
will promote the public health, safety and welfare, as hereinafter
set forth.
(d) Modification of the existing PC Planned Community 3020
District to permit building-mounted telecommunications facilities
on the site is consistent with the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan and
is compatible with existing and potential use on adjoining sites
and in the general vicinity. In particular:
(i) Establishment of building-mounted telecom-
munication facilities in developments such as the California Self
Storage is supported by the following Comprehensive Plan Policies:
the development
a. Business and Economics Policy B-13: Support
of technologically-advanced communications
O11106 s)~a 0090884
infrastructure and other improvements that will facilitate the
growth of emerging telecommunications industries.
b. Business and Economics Policy B-14: Work with
electronic information network providers to maximize potential
benefits for Palo Alto businesses, schools, residences, and other
potential users.
(ii) Building-mounted telecommunications facilities
are a conditionally permitted use in City zoning districts. Palo
Alto Square has buildings suitable for telecommunications
facilities.
(e) The site is so situated, and the use or uses proposed
for the site are of such characteristics that the application of
general districts or combining districts will not provide
sufficient flexibility to allow the proposed development. The
majority of building-mounted telecommunication facilities must be
placed at a height significantly above surrounding development in
order to function properly. The site which is surrounded by light
industrial uses and the City recycling facilities. There is no
nearby residentia! development, with the exception of the on-site
caretaker facility. The two-story, thirty-four foot California Self
Storage building, with the addition of a parapet which will conceal
the antennas, will provide sufficient clearance for transmission
and reception without being significantly taller than surrounding
buildings.
(f) Development of the site under the provisions of the PC
planned community district will result in public benefits not
otherwise attainable by application of the regulations of general
districts or combining districts. The subject site is already
deve!oped in accordance with the existing PC Zoning District
standards and the proposed inclusion of telecommunications
facilities as a permitted use will not materially alter the
physical or aesthetic appearance of the site. Moreover, the
provision of on-site telecommunications facilities will result in
a benefit to the public through improved and more wide ranging
wireless communication services without having an adverse effect on
neighboring properties.
(g) The use or uses permitted, and the site development
regulations applicable within the district are consistent with the
Palo Alto comprehensive plan, and are compatible with existing and
potential uses on adjoining sites or within the general vicinity.
Comprehensive Plan Policies B-13 and B-14 promote the establishment
of technologically advanced telecommunications infrastructure that
wil! benefit the City’s residents, schools, and businesses.
Permitting building-mounted telecommunication facilities at the
subject site is consistent with these Comprehensive Plan Policies.
On this site, the antenna can be effectively screened from public
view and is compatible with surrounding land uses.
2
O11106 syn 009088.-4
SECTION 3. The Council has reviewed and considered the
proposed Negative Declaration, including the initial study,
prepared for this project, on file with the Department of Planning
and Community Environment, together with the comments received
during the public review period. The City Counci! finds, on the
basis of the whole record, that there is no substantial evidence
that the project will have a significant effect on the environment.
The City Council further finds that the negative declaration
reflects the independent judgment of the City. The Negative
Declaration is hereby adopted.
SECTION 4. The diagrams prepared by A. J. Turner on
August 22, 1977, and the diagrams prepared by Baek Young Ahn,
Architect dated June 27, 2001, copies of which are on file with the
Planning Department of the City of Palo Alto, are incorporated
herein by this reference and hereby are approved pursuant to
Section 18.68.070 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code subject to the
following conditions:
I.Permitted Uses.
O11106 s.~ 0090884
(a)
(b)
(d)
Public warehouse with live-in attendant.
The public interest, convenience and general
welfare require that the present zoning
classification of L-M-D is appropriate except
that the recommended P-C (Planned Community
District) zoning classification makes better use
of the subject property. Therefore, in the
event that this P-C Development Plan is not
constructed within the time prescribed by this
ordinance, the P-C (Planned Community District)
zoning shall lapse and the zoning of the subject
property shall automatically revert to L-M-D as
previously zoned or equivalent zoning as applied
to surrounding property by the forthcoming new
zoning ordinance.
No outdoor storage, including the storage of
vehicles of any kind, is permitted. Parking
spaces and loading zones are to be used
exclusively for people who lease space to stop
for a brief period to load and un!oad.
Interior storage shall be limited to dead storage
only, and no building, manufacturing, garages
sales or activities other than the loading and
unloading of dead storage shall be permitted.
Furthermore, no hazardous materials shall be
stored.
(e)Adequate loading zones near the entrances to the
second stories of both Building A and Building
B shall be maintained.
(f)One or more telecommunication facilities, the
design of which has been approved by the
Director of Planninq and Community Environment
after desiqn review.
2.Conditional Uses. No conditional uses shall be
allowed.
3.Development Schedule. Construction of the public
warehouse and live-in quarters has previously been
completed.Construction of telecommunications
facilities shall be completed within the time
prescribed by the Director when approvinq the
design of the facilities.
SECTION 5. This ordinance shall be effective on the
thirty-first day after the date of its adoption.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Senior Asst. City Attorney
Mayor
City Manager
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
O11106 syn 0090884
EXHIBIT "A"
~ Embarcadero R0’~
~ii 2425 Embarcadero Road . o th
~~iii!! PC amendment to add a Ctty of Pato Alto GIS ~’~
EXHIBIT "A"
Palo A1 to
[:~ddress: 2425 Embarcadero Way
File No(s): 01-PC-03
Proposal: Amendment to PC 3020
to allow addition of tele-
communications facility
s :\Plan\P~adN\Cu rrentP~a nning\Site_Lo~t~on_Na ps\Emba,’~adero2425scale200.pdf
Date: 10/25/01
0’100’200’
Attachment C
PLANNING DIVISION
STAFF REPORT
TO:
FROM:
PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
Carolynn Bissett DEPARTMENT:
Planner
Planning
AGENDA DATE:
SUBJECT:
November 7, 2001
2425 Embarcadero Way, Verizon Wireless [01-PC-3]: Planned
Community (PC) Zoning District by Verizon Wireless to amend
Zoning District PC-3020 to allow a new use, telecommunication
facilities. Verizon Wireless’ proposal would allow 2 sectors of 4,
panel-type antennas, and associated equipment, to an existing two-
story, storage building. Environmental Assessment: Exempt from
the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Guidelines. Zone District PC-3020.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning and Transportation Commission recommend City
Council approval of the Planned Community (PC) Zoning District amendment.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The 1.02-acre project site is located on the east side of Embarcadero Way and is the
location of the California Self Storage facility. The Perroton Trust owns the site and
buildings. Adjacent parcels include commercial and industrial buildings to the north and
to the west, the Palo Alto Recycling Center abuts the property to the south and east.
The applicant, Verizon Wireless, is proposing to construct and operate a wireless
telecommunications facility atop the self-storage facility at the west side of the roof
structure. Since the site’s existing PC zoning does not allow the operation of
telecommunications facilities, Verizon has submitted the subject PC zoning amendment
application which would add building-mounted telecommunications facilities to the
district’s allowable uses. The pre-fabricated equipment building will be on the site inside
one of the storage units and would not be visible from the public right of way.
City of Palo Alto Page 1
The addition of cellular antennas and related equipment constitute a new use described as
a "telecommunication facility" and the addition of these facilities in PC zones requires an
amendment to the allowed uses in each PC district.
As proposed, Verizon’s facility would consist of two sectors of four antennae each for a
total of eight panel-type antennas mounted at two sides of a proposed five-foot high
parapet on the roof. Four antennas will be attached to the western side of the proposed
parapet facing Embarcadero Way. The second set of four antennas will be attached to the
north-facing wall of the proposed parapet, located at the northwest portion of the roof.
The antennas measure approximately 48 inches high by 8 inches wide and, when
mounted, would project approximately 12 inches from the face of the parapet. All
antennas would be shielded from view by being attached to the parapet, which is to be
painted and finished to match the existing structure. The telecommunication facility
includes an equipment shelter, measuring 9.4 feet by 22.7 feet (213 square feet) to be
located in one of the existing storage units. Verizon’s telecommunications facility is
designed to provide network wireless services using radio waves operating in the
800MGz band of the electromagnetic spectrum.
BACKGROUND
The California Self-Storage site was rezoned from the "LM (D)" zoning district to the
Planned Community Zoning District by Ordinance No. 3020 on October 3, 1977. This
PC zoning designation has remained in effect since that time. Ordinance No. 3020
enumerates the allowable uses of the site, which includes public warehouse with live-in
attendant, office and ancillary space and parking. As noted, any land use, such as
Verizon’s building-mounted telecommunications facility, proposed for the California Self
Storage site not already allowed by the ordinance requires an amendment to the PC
Zoning District.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The proposed PC zoning amendment is consistent with the Policies, Programs, and text of
the Comprehensive Plan. Policies specifically relevant to the project are noted below:
¯Policy B-13: Support the development of technologically advanced communications
infrastructure and other improvements that will facilitate the growth of emerging
telecommunications industries.
¯Policy B-14: Work with electronic information network providers to maximize
potential benefits for Palo Alto businesses, schools, residences, and other potential
users.
City of Palo Alto Page 2
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Given the technology being used and the range of telecommunications services that
Verizon’s facility is designed to provide, the facility must be established at a location that
provides considerable height and line-of-sight to client locations. At two stories with the
proposed five-foot high parapet, the California Self-Storage site is a suitable, location for
telecommunication facilities. The key issue in locating any type of equipment atop a
prominent structure is the visual appearance of such equipment. As proposed, all of the
Verizon’s antennas would be hidden on the proposed parapet that matches the building.
The proposed equipment enclosure is located inside an individual storage unit and will
not be visible to the general public. While the addition of the new telecommunications
antennae will alter the building’s appearance, it will not constitute a major physical
change and the telecommunications use itself is largely an ancillary one to those primarily
undertaken on the site.
The installation of telecommunication facilities, in the manner allowed by the proposed
ordinance, is a public benefit. Public benefit findings are included in Attachment C.
TIMELINE
After the Planning Commission hearing, a staff level architectural review of the antennas,
screens and equipment enclosure shall be completed. No further review by the Planning
Commission will be required. City Council is tentatively scheduled to make a final
determination on this project on November 13, 2001
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notice of this project was provided by publication of the agenda in a local
newspaper of general circulation and via mailed notifications to surrounding property
owners and occupants within 300 feet of the site.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
The plans submitted for Building Permit shall be in substantial conformance with plans
dated July 31,2001. These conditions of approval shall be printed on the cover sheet of
the plan set submitted for the Building Permit application.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Proposed Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 3020
Attachment B: Project Description Letter and Location Map
Attachment C: Public Benefit Findings
Project plans (Planning Commissioners only)
City of Palo Alto Page 3
Prepared By:Carolynn Bissett, Planner
Manager Review:John Lusardi, Current Planning Manager
DEPARTMENT/DIVISION HEAD APPROVAL:
LISA GROTE
Chief Planning Official
City of Palo Alto Page 4
Attachment D
PUBLIC BENEFIT FINDINGS
2425 Embarcadero Way
PC Zoning District Amendment Permitting
Building-Mounted Telecommunication Facilities
[01-PC-3]
go The site is so situated, and the use or uses proposed for the site are of such
characteristics that the application of general districts or combining districts will
not provide sufficient flexibility to allow the proposed development. The majority
of building-mounted telecommunication facilities must be placed at a height
significantly above surrounding development in order to function properly. This
often requires that telecommunication antennae be located on or behind a roof
screen and be located above the surrounding building heights. The subject site is
developed with a 34 foot high, two-story industrial building and is ideally suited to
accommodating such facilities.
No Development of the site under the provisions of the PC planned community district
will result in public benefits not otherwise attainable by application of the
regulations of general districts or combining districts. The subject site is already
developed in accordance with the existing PC Zoning District standards and the
proposed inclusion of telecommunication facilities as a permitted use will not
materially alter the physical or aesthetic appearance of the site. Moreover, the
provision of on-site telecommunication facilities will result in a benefit to the
public through improved wireless communication services.
Co The use or uses permitted, and the site development regulations applicable within
the district shall be consistent with the Palo Alto comprehensive plan, and shall be
compatible with existing and potential uses on adjoining sites or within the general
vicinity. Comprehensive Plan Policies B-13 and B-14 promote the establishment
of technologically advanced telecommunications infrastructure that will benefit the
City’s residents, schools, and businesses. Permitting building-mounted
telecommunication facilities at the subject site is consistent with these
Comprehensive Plan Policies. Additionally, telecommunication facilities are
compatible with surrounding land uses, which consist of commercial and office-
research and development uses.
City of Palo Alto Page 5