Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Website: www.columbusga.gov/planning


12/3/2013
Honorable Mayor and Councilors
City Manager
City Attorney
Clerk of Council

Subject: (EXCP-10-13-3159) Special Exception Use request to construct a 150-feet

Wireless Telecommunication Facility (Monopole) located at the Southwest Portion

of 5576 River Road

Respectfully,

Rick Jones, AICP
Director, Planning Department


RETEL Services/Kathy Kelly-Jacobs have submitted an application for the Special

Exception Use cited above. The property is located in a NC (Neighborhood

Commercial) zoning district. The site for the proposed cell tower is

approximately 1.0 acre. The applicants have submitted a site plan, which is

attached. Wireless telecommunication towers are permitted in the NC zoning

district only on a site-specific basis upon approval of the Council based upon

the following criteria and conditions:



(1) Access: Is or will the type of street providing access to the use be

adequate to serve the proposed special exception use?



River Road is classified as a four (4) lanes undivided arterial that will

provide adequate access for the proposed use. The proposed use will access the

site through the existing driveway along River Road.



(2) Traffic and Pedestrian Safety : Is or will access into and out of the

property be adequate to provide for traffic and pedestrian safety, the

anticipated volume of the traffic flow, and access by emergency vehicles?



There will be no impact to the transportation system, nor will there be any

impact to pedestrian safety.



(3) Adequacy of Public Facilities: Are or will public facilities such as

school, water, or sewer utilities and police and fire protection be adequate to

serve the special exception use?



N/A.



(4) Security: Will all towers and related equipment be enclosed by

decay-resistant security fencing not less than six feet in height, and equipped

with anti-climbing devices as appropriate to prevent unauthorized access?



The tower facility will be enclosed with a decay-resistant security fence not

less than 6' in height and shall be black in color. The tower will be equipment

with an anti-climbing devise as appropriate to prevent unauthorized access.



(5) Hours of Operation: Will the hours and manner of operation of the special

exception use have no adverse effects on other properties in the area?



N/A.



(6) Height Limitations: Does the height of the proposed structure conform to

the restrictions listed in the UDO?



The proposed 150-feet monopole tower conforms to the maximum allowable height

for telecommunication towers in the Neighborhood Commercial zoning district as

established in Table 3.2.11 of the UDO.



(7) Proximity to Residential Uses: Does the proposed tower conform to the

minimum distance requirement from residential structures and residential

district boundaries as set forth in the UDO?



The proposed tower does not come within 300 feet of the nearest residential

structure.



(8) Landscaping and Screening: Does the site plan incorporate proper

landscaping and screening of the compound and equipment area?



The tower facility will have a 10' buffer for any required landscaping and

screening. Since the subject property is densely wooded, they are planning to

leave as much natural vegetation as possible within the landscape buffer. They

also will be planting 8' evergreen trees along the east and north side of the

facility to ensure proper screening of the tower facility per Article 5 of

Chapter 4 of the UDO.



Council District: District 2 (Davis)





Eight (8) property owners within 1,000 feet of the property have been notified

by mail of the proposed Special Exception Use. To date, the Planning Department

has not received any calls or emails in regards to this request.





The Planning Advisory Commission recommended approval at the November 6, 2013

meeting.



The Planning Department recommends that the Council approves the use because

the application for a Special Exception use meets the criteria for approval.



Respectfully,





Rick Jones, AICP

Director, Planning Department






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