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


9/11/2008
Honorable Mayor and Councilors
City Manager
City Attorney
Clerk of Council

Subject: (SEU0808-1) Special Exception Use request to construct a wireless

communications facility at 425 Old Buena Vista Road.



TCD Services, LLC submitted an application for the Special Exception Use cited

above. The property is located in an LMI (Light Manufacturing Industrial)

District. The purpose of the Special Exception Use is to construct a wireless

communications facility. The applicant wishes to construct a 195-foot monopole

cell tower. New towers are permitted in an LMI 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?



Access to the property is adequate for the proposed use.



(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?



Yes, the compound will be secured by a six-foot chain link fence, with three

rows of class III barbed wire.



(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?



Yes, the proposed tower is approximately 195 feet in height and conforms to the

maximum allowable height of 200 feet for monopoles in an LMI zoning district.



(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?



Yes, the proposed tower is more than 300 feet from the nearest residential

structure.



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

landscaping and screening of the compound and equipment area?



The site plan submitted for the project shows landscaping and screening of the

area.



(9) Setbacks: Is the proposed tower at least one third of its height from any

public right of way?



Yes, the proposed tower is approximately 65 feet from the road right of

way



Eleven (11) property owners within 300 feet of the parcel were notified by

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

did not receive any comments regarding the Special Exception Use request.

The Planning Advisory Commission recommended approval at the September 3, 2008

meeting.



The Planning Department recommends that the Council approve the use because the

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



Respectfully,

Respectfully,

Rick Jones, AICP
Director, Planning Department


SEU0808-1




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