HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 10, 2003 AGENDACITY COUNCIL
MA YOR MEYERA E OB~RNDORF At-Large
VICE MA YOR LOUIS R dONES, Baystde -Dtstrtct 4
HARRY E DIEZ, EL, Kempsvtlle - Dtstrtt t 2
MARGARET L EURE, Centervdle -Dtstrtct I
REBA S McCLANAN, Rose Hall -Dtstrtct 3
RICHARD A MADDOX, Beach -Dtstrtct 6
JIM REEVE. Prtncess Anne -Dtstrtct 7
PETER W SCHMIDT, At-Large
RON A VILLANUEVA, At-Large
ROSEMA R Y WILSON, A t-Large
JAMES L WOOD Lynnhaven -Dtstrtct 5
JAMES K SPORE, Cay Manager
LESLIE L LILLEY, Cay Attorney
RUTH HODGES SMITH, MMC. Oty Clerk
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
"COMMUNITY FOR A LIFETIME"
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
10 June 2003
CITY HALL BUILDING I
2401 COURTHOUSE DRIVE
VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA 23456-8005
PHONE (757) 427-4303
FAX (757) 426-5669
E MAIL Ctycncl~vbgov corn
I CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFINGS
-Conference Room - 3:00 PM
A
Bo
EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT FOR VENDING OF BEVERAGES for C~ty of V~rginia Beach
Departments and Agencies
Steven T Thompson, Chief Financial Officer
HOMECOMING and WELCOMING CELEBRATION
Robert R Matthias, Assistant to the City Manager
II REVIEW OF AGENDA ITEMS
III. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
IV INFORMAL SESSION
- Conference Room - 4:30 PM
mo
B
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Meyera E. Obemdorf
ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL
C. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
V. FORMAL SESSION
- Council Chamber - 6:00 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Meyera E. Obemdorf
B. INVOCATION:
Reverend Frances Cooper
Pastor
Courthouse Umted Methodist Church
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
D. ELECTRONIC ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL
E. CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED SESSION
F. MINUTES
1. INFORMAL AND FORMAL SESSIONS
June 3, 2003
G. AGENDA FOR FORMAL SESSION
H. MAYOR'S PRESENTATION
HERO'S WALK - MEMORIAL DAY 2003 Bobby Melatt~, Director, Beach Events
Salem High School advanced Placement U.S History Students
I. PUBLIC HEARING
1. REAL AND PERSONAL TAX EXEMPT Requests:
ao
Heart Havens, Inc.
Cerebral Palsy of V~rg~ma, Inc.
J CONSENT AGENDA
II
K ORDINANCES
o
.
o
,
o
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) annual permit renewal:
ao
Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters
Eastern Shore Ambulance
Lifeline Ambulance Service, Inc
Medical Transport
Network Medical Systems, Inc.
Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance
Ordinance to AMEND FY 2003-2004 SCHOOLS' operating budget to revise categorical
appropriations; and, APPROPRIATE $2,792,632 in State funds and $158,000 fund balance
for site acquisition.
Ordinance to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE $137,540 in Federal funds from the State
Department of Social Services to the FY 2003-2004 operating budget of Virginia Beach
Social Services re the food stamp employment and training program.
Ordinances to AUTHORIZE TAX EXEMPTIONS on local real and personal property for
charitable purposes:
ao
HEART HAVEN INC.
CEREBRAL PALSY of VIRGINIA, INC.
Ordinance to AUTHORIZE a temporary encroachment into a portion of the right-of-way
at Atlantic Ocean and 34th Street by OCEAN BEACH CLUB, LLC to maintain a waterfall,
landscaping, covered walkways and porte cochere.
Lo
PLANNING
Apphcation of DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY for a Condlt~onal Use Permit to
expand an existing church in a shopping center at 3460, 3462 and 3464 Holland Road,
contalmng 4,000 square feet
( DISTRICT 3 - ROSE HALL)
Recommendation'
APPROVAL
.
Application of REED ENTERPRISES, INC. for a Conditional Use Permit to ADD an
automatic carwash to an automobile service station in conjunction with a convemence store
at 985 Chimney H~ll Shopping Center, containing 21,755 square feet
(DISTRICT 3 - ROSE HALL)
Recommendation:
APPROVAL
Application of JOHN SWEENEY for a Conditional Use Permit re firewood processing and
storage of wood at 2332 London Bridge Road.
(DISTRICT 7 - PRINCESS ANNE)
Recommendation:
DENIAL
Apphcatlons re property on the east side of Little Neck Road, north of Poplar Bend (864 Little
Neck Road), containing 5 319 acres
(DISTRICT 5 - LYNNHAVEN)
VOICESTREAM GSM II, L.L.C. for MODIFICATION to eliminate Proffers Nos.
1, 2 and 4 and, REVISE Proffer No. 3 re communication tower as a use on the Change
of Zoning in the apphcatlon of Hubert L. and Mona H. Dad from R-3 Restdenttal
Dtstr~ct to 0-1 Office Dtstrtct (approved by City Council on February 9, 1981)
bo
VOICE STREAM WIRELESS for a Conditional Use Permit re wtreless
communtcatton facthty and commumcatton tower
Deferred:
Recommendation:
APRIL 22, 2003
APPROVAL
Application of GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. on the north side of Edison Road, east of
General Booth Boulevard, containing 10.6 acres:
(DISTRICT 7 - PRINCESS ANNE)
ao
Change of Zoning District Classification from AG-1 and AG-2 Agricultural Dtstrtcts to
Condtttonal B-2 Communtty-Bustness Dtstrtct
b. Conditional Use Permit for a mini-warehouse faclhty
Recommendation
APPROVAL
o
Application of the City of Virginia Beach to AMEND the City Zoning Ordinance (CZO) re
building height regulations in the Agricultural and certain Residential zomng Districts.
Recommendation: APPROVAL
M. APPOINTMENTS
ARTS AND HUMANITIES COMMISSION
BEACHES AND WATERWAYS COMMISSION
HAMPTON ROADS PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION (HRPDC)
OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
SHORE DRIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TOWING ADVISORY BOARD
YOUTH SERVICES COUNCIL
N UNFINISHED BUSINESS
O. NEW BUSINESS
P ADJOURNMENT
City Council, in trying to be more responsive to the needs of citizens
~vho attend the meetings, has adopted the following time limits for future Formal
;essions
kpplicant or Applicant's Representative 10 Minute
kttorney or Representative for Opposition 10 Minutes
Other Speakers - each 3 Minutes
Applicant's Rebuttal 3 Minutes
THESE TIMES WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.
If you are physically disabled or visually impaired
and need assistance at this meeting,
please call the CITY CLERK'S OFFICE at 427-4303
Hearing impaired, call TDD only 427-4305
(TDD - Telephonic Device for the Deaf)
Agenda 06/05/03 slb-gw
www vbgov corn
IV. INFORMAL SESSION - Conference Room - 4:30 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Meyera E. Obemdorf
B. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL
C. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
V. FORMAL SESSION - Council Chamber- 6:00 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER- Mayor Meyera E. Obemdorf
B. INVOCATION:
Reverend Frances Cooper
Pastor
Courthouse United Methodist Church
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
D. ELECTRONIC ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL
E. CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED SESSION
F. MINUTES
1. INFORMAL AND FORMAL SESSIONS
June 3, 2003
G. AGENDA FOR FORMAL SESSION
CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED SESSION
VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL
WHEREAS: The Virginia Beach City Council convened into CLOSED SESSION,
pursuant to the affirmative vote recorded here and in accordance with the provisions of The
Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and,
WHEREAS: Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the
goveming body that such Closed Session was conducted in conformity with Virginia Law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Virgima Beach City Council
hereby certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (a) only public business matters
lawfully exempted from Open Meeting requirements by Virginia Law were &scussed in Closed
Session to which this certification resolution applies; and, Co) only such pubhc business matters
as were ~dentified in the motion convening this Closed Session were heard, discussed or
considered by Virginia Beach City Council.
H. MAYOR'S PRESENTATION
HERO'S WALK- MEMORIAL DAY 2003 Bobby Melatti, Director, Beach Events
Salem High School advanced Placement U.S. History Students
I. PUBLIC HEARING
1. REAL AND PERSONAL TAX EXEMPT Requests:
ao
Heart Havens, Inc.
Cerebral Palsy of Virginia, Inc.
J. CONSENT AGENDA
THE BEACON Thursday, June 5, 2003
K. ORDINANCES
.
.
.
.
.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) annual permit renewal:
al
Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters
Eastern Shore Ambulance
Lifeline Ambulance Service, Inc.
Medical Transport
Network Medical Systems, Inc.
Ordinance to AMEND FY 2003-2004 SCHOOLS' operating budget to revise categorical
appropriations; and, APPROPRIATE $2,792,632 in State funds and $158,000 fund balance
for site acquisition.
Ordinance to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE $137,540 in Federal funds from the State
Department of Social Services to the FY 2003-2004 operating budget of Virginia Beach
Social Services re the food stamp employment and training program.
Ordinances to AUTHORIZE TAX EXEMPTIONS on local real and personal property for
charitable purposes:
a,
HEART HAVEN INC.
CEREBRAL PALSY of VIRGINIA, INC.
Ordinance to AUTHORIZE a temporary encroachment into a portion of the right-of-way
at Atlantic Ocean and 34th Street by OCEAN BEACH CLUB, LLC to maintain a waterfall,
landscaping, covered walkways and porte cochere.
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
ITEM: Annual Permit Renewal for Area Pdvate, Municipal, and Non-Profit EMS Organizations
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
Background: Section 10.5-2 of the City code requires renewal of all existing Emergency
Medical Services agency permits which are issued throughout the year to the area
private, and non-profit organizations operating emergency medical services agencies or
vehicles within the city limits. Annual renewal begins July 1 of each year and expires
June 30 of the following year. Six emergency medical services agencies are requesting
renewal to continue their operations within the City of Virginia Beach providing those
levels of care currently authorized.
Considerations: The following applications have been received and processed by the
Department of Emergency Medical Services for the operation of basic and advanced life
support agencies: Eastern Shore Ambulance, Lifeline Ambulance, Children's Hospital of
the Kings Daughters; Network Medical Systems, Inc.; Nightingale Regional Air
Ambulance; and Medical Transport, Inc. During the previous twelve months, the pdvate
ambulance agencies performed non-emergency interfacility transports which include
both basic and advanced life support calls.
Public Information: The public will be notified of the pending action via the Council
Agenda as pdnted in the Beacon.
Altematives: This is an annual administrative action. Failure to renew permits would
halt all non-emergency medical transport services in the City. Dozens of patients daily
would be without transportation. This is not a function provided by the City's volunteer
rescue squads.
Recommendations: The' Department of EMS recommends approval of all permit
applications.
Attachments: Permit Applications.
Submitting Department/Agency:
City Manager: (~~~~~
Department of Emergency Medical Services
PERMIT APPLICATION
REVIEW SUMMARY
Orgamzauon:
Comments'
Orgamzauon:
Comments'
Organization:
Comments:
Orgamzation:
Comments:
Organization
Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (Roger Vaughan,
Manager)
601 Children's Lane
Norfolk, VA 23507
Recommend Approval
Recommend Demal
Eastern Shore Ambulance (Dennis Taylor, President)
8426 Sugarhill Lane
Sanford, VA 23426
Recommend Approval
Recommend Demal
Lifeline Ambulance Service, Inc. (James C. Jones, Jr., President)
310 Bell Road
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Recommend Approval
Recommend Demal
Medical Transport (Donald Jellig, President)
5792 Arrowhead Drive, State 200
Virg~ma Beach, VA 23462
Recommend Approval
Recommend Demal
Network Medical Systems, Inc. (Norman Pool, President)
1533 Technology Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Recommend Approval
Recommend Demal
Comments.
PERMIT APPLICATION
REVIEW SUMMARY
Organization:
Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance (David Bernd, President)
600 Gresham Drive
Norfolk, VA 23507
Recommend Approval
Recommend Demal
Comments:
EMS Regulation &,LL~nforcement
Division Chief
~hs . r:-.
Medical Dtrector
Ch~ie~.of EMS _ _ 5'-2 2-
FINAL DISPOSITION
Approval
Demal
Comments:
City Clerk
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
EMS AGENCY
PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION
AGENCY NAME: Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters
VIRGINIA OFFICE OF EMS AGENCY NUMBER: 315 EXPIRES:
VIRGINIA BEACH AGENCY CLASSIFICATION:
ALS Ground Transport
(Inter-facihty Emergency and
Non-emergency)
ADDRESS: 601 Children's Lane
Norfolk, VA 23507
PHONE: 668-7453
MANAGER: Roger Vaughan
NUMBER OF PERMITTED VEHICLES BY TYPE:
COMMENTS:
Does your agency comply with the minimum requirements as set forth in the Rules and
Regulations of the Board of Health Commonwealth of Virginia Governing Emergency
Medical Services 1990 as amended?
~ES [] NO
Nam~itle ,o
Date
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
EMS AGENCY
PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION
AGENCY NAME: Eastern Shore Ambulance
VIRGINIA OFFICE OF EMS AGENCY NUMBER:
EXPIRES:
VIRGINIA BEACH AGENCY CLASSIFICATION:
ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 6
8426 Sugarhill Lane
Sanford, VA 23426
PHONE: 787-824-5858
PRESIDENT:
Denms Taylor
VICE PRESIDENT:
Margaret A. Taylor
ALS Ground Transport
(Non-Emergency-Unrestricted
and Emergency-Restricted)
NUMBER OF PERMITTED VEHICLES BY TYPE:
COMMENTS:
Does your agency comply with the minimum requirements as set forth in the Rules and
Regulations of the Board of Health Commonwealth of Virginia Governing Emergency
Medical Services 1990 as amended?
~ES [] NO
Name/Titler '
Date
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
EMS AGENCY
PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION
AGENCY NAME: Lifeline Ambulance Service, Inc.
VIRGINIA OFFICE OF EMS AGENCY NUMBER:
EXPIRES:
, ~lx~,~ BEACIt AGENCY CLASSRm-I. CATION:
ALS Ground Tree, sport
(Non-Emergency-Unrestricted
and Emergency-Restricted)
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
310 Bell Road
Christiansburg, VA 24073
540-382-10~.4
PRESIDENT: James C. Jones, Jr.
VICE PP SmV. NT: Dc¢ _c C-
NUMBER OF PERMITTED VEHICLES BY TYPE:
COMMENTS:
Does your agency comply with the minimum requirements as set forth in the Rules and
Regulations of the Board of Health Commonwealth of Virginia Governing Emergency
Medical Services 1990 as amended?
~ES [] NO
Name/Title
Date
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
EMS AGENCY
PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION
AGENCY NAME: Medical Transport
VIRGINIA OFFICE OF EMS AGENCY NUMBER: 308
EXPIRES:
VIRGINIA BEACH AGENCY CLASSIFICATION:
ADDRESS: 5792 Arrowhead Drive, Suite 200
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
PHONE: 671-9302
ALS Ground Transport
(Non-emergency-Unrestricted)
and Emergency-Restricted)
PRESIDENT:
MANAGER:
Donald Jelhg
Russell Blow
NUMBER OF PERMITTED VEHICLES BY TYPE:
COMMENTS:
/'
Does your agency comply with the minimum requirements as set forth in the Rules and~'~t~ ~z/~.
Regulations of the Board of Health Commonwealth of Virginia Governing Emergency _~~
Medical Services 1990 as amended?
YES [] NO
Name/Title Date
CITY OF VIRGENIA BEACH
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
PRIVATE AMBULANCE AGENCY
PERMIT APPLICATION
In accordance with he provision of the Code of the City of Virginia Beach Chapter 10, Section
10 5-2, application is hereby made to operate an emergency medical agency or vehicle in the City
of Virginia Beach
REQUEST:
New Application
Renewal
Other (Revision of agency, location, change of officer, etc.)
L
/
TYPE OF AGENCY:
Sole Proprietor [~ Partnership [~ Municipal
~ Co~oration [~] Other- Speci~
MINIMUM REOUIREMENTS:
--
Does your agency comply with minimum requirements as set forth in the Rules and Regulations of
the Board of Health Commonwealth of Vir~nia Governing Emergency Medical Services 1990 as
[~]No
OFFICERS OF ORGANIZATION: (List all owners Use back if necessary)
Owner(s)' 2~rrr/~ -~ ,~o¢~ ~-~c~ (_
Address
City , ~ State d ~ Zip ~ ~~Phone
President
Address
City' State'__ Zip'
SSN' DOB ~[/g[5-
Phone
Vice-Presidenr
Address'
State ~fi~ Zip'
SSN: DOB
Secretary
Address
City
State Zip
SSN DOB
Phone
Treasurer~~_ ~ ~'/~,
City t~) ~'/rr~ 2~'(~ State
Zip
Phone
SSN DOB
CLASSIFICATION OF SERVICES CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED BY CITY COUNCIL:
Emergency First Responder
(Class A)
Basic Life Support
(Class B)
Advanced Life Support
(Class C)
Neonatal Transport (Class D)
Medical Wheelchair Transport
(Class E)
Rotary Wing (Class E)
Other (New Application)
(Class F)
CLASSIFICATION OF SERVICES PROVIDED:
Emergency First Responder
Basic Life Support
[3 Neonatal Transport
(A.L S)
D Medical Wheelchair Transport
~ Advanced Life Support
121 Other- Specify
Rotary Wing
(ALS)
CLASSIFICATION OF PERSONNEL:
Number of currently certified personnel employed
First Responder
Emergency Medical Technician - Ambulance
Emergency Medical Technician - Shock Trauma -2.
Emergency Medical Technician - Cardiac /5)
Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedtc
Other- Specify ~-i~/ ~
AGENCY'S STATISTIC SHEET:
Number of calls previous 12 momhs Date'
TIDEWATER REGION iTEMS & PEMSI
VIRGINIA BEACH
Basic Life Support
Basic Life Support
Advanced Life Support
Advanced Life Support
Total Number of Calls
INTERFACILITY TRANSPORTS: C ~o]-~pJ.t~ 3/e.~/%n J- Lt~, a'~fs ' '!
Ad gl Originating from Semara Bayside Hospital
Total Number of Calls
Originating from Virginia Beach General Hospital
Originating from outside the City of Virginia Beach
Total Number of Calls
I hereby swear or affirm under penalty of permit revocation, that all of the above
statements are tree to the best of my knowledge, information and beliefs It is
understood that my agency, upon approval of this permit, shall upon request, present
and/or relinquish records, files, calls sheet(s) and/or dispatching data Furthermore,
I agree to adhere to all policies promulgated by the city of Virginia Beach Departmem
of Emergency Medical Services
Signed by'
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
My Commission Expires
/ /
Title
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
EMS AGENCY
PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION
AGENCY NAME: Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance
VIRGINIA OFFICE OF EMS AGENCY NUMBER: 509 EXPIRES:
VIRGINIA BEACH AGENCY CLASSIFICATION:
A~r Ambulance
(Emergency-Restricted)
ADDRESS: 600 Gresham Drive
Norfolk, VA 23507
PHONE: 668-2500
PRESIDENT:
David Bemd
MANAGER:
Kathy Colantuono
NUMBER OF PERMITTED VEHICLES BY TYPE:
COMMENTS:
Does your agency comply with the minimum requirements as set forth in the Rules and
Regulations of the Board of Health Commonwealth of Virginia Governing Emergency
Medical Services 1990 as amended?
YES [] NO
Date
CITY OF VIRGINIA SEACn
AGENDA ITEM
TO:
FROM:
ITEM:
The Honorable Mayor and Members of Council
James K. Spore, City Manager
Request to Amend the FY 2003-04 Ordinance for Virginia Beach City Public Schools
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
Background:
On May 20, 2003, the School Board reviewed the categorical appropriation made by Council on May 13, 2003.
There were no changes to Operating Budget Revenue appropriations, however there was a re-alignment of the
expenditure appropriation as part of the reconciliation of the School Board budget adopted March 4, 2003 and
the Council appropriation on May 13, 2003.
Considerations:
The School Board has studied the recommended School Operating Budget in view of State and Federal
requirements, additional demand for space and operations, the strategic plan, priorities, expectations and the best
educational interests of its students and requests City Council approval of the following changes:
Approp~
Category
Administration, Attendance
And Health
Instruction
Operations and Maintenance
Pupil Transportation
Total
Appropriation Category
School Grants Fund
All Other SR Funds
18,899,361
423~825~993
68~095~411
23~522~956
534,343,721
$~ R~ .v~n~e Fsmds
46~007~752
39,406,141
Total 85,413,893
May20,-20~' ' -
19,165,766
422~554~544
69~238~040
23~385~371
534~343~721
48~800,384
39,564~141
88,364,525
~1': 13,'2003
May 20, 2003
266,405
(1~271,449)
1~142~629
,(137~85)
0
' .]~f~r. eaee-Apgr~ved
! -Reco~~¥1a]~ ~0~ 20.03
2~792~632
158,000
2~9507632
Public Information:
Public Information will be handled through the normal Council agenda process.
Alternatives: None
Recommendations:
That the City Council amend the Fiscal Year 2003-04 Operating Budget Ordinance to reflect the requested modifications to
the School Board0s Fiscal Year 2003-04 Operating Budget.
Attachments:
School Board Resolution dated May 20, 2003 for the Fiscal Year 2003-04.
Submitting Department/A_gency: Virgiqia~ Beac~h, City ]~ttblic Sck6~ls, Sul~fintendent
C~tyManager~ ~t ~ ~ 'u
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY'S FY
2003-04 OPERATING BUDGET TO REVISE
CATEGORICAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE
SCHOOL OPERATING FUND AND TO
APPROPRIATE $2,792 , 632 IN STATE
FUNDS AND $158 , 000 FROM FI/ND BALANCE
OF THE SCHOOL SITE ACQUISITION FUND
FOR EXPENDITURE BY THE SCHOOL BOARD
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
WHEREAS, the School Board has requested that the City's
Operating Budget, approved on May 13, 2003 by City Council, be
amended to revise appropriations in the categories established in
the School Operating Fund, and it has further requested the
appropriation of $2,792,632 in state funds and $158,000 of fund
balance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA:
1. That appropriations to the School Operating Fund in
the following categories are hereby revised in the FY 2003-04
Operating Budget as follows:
(a) appropriations to the Instruction category are
decreased by $1,271,449;
(b) appropriations to the Administration, Attendance and
Health category are increased by $266,405;
(c) appropriations to the Pupil Transportation category
are decreased by $137,585; and
(d) appropriations to the Operations and Maintenance
category are increased by $1,142,629.
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
4O
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
2. $2,792,632 in additional revenue is hereby
appropriated to the School Grants Fund in the FY 2003-04 Operating
Budget.
3. $158,000 of fund balance from the School Site
Acquisition Special Revenue Fund is hereby appropriated to the
School Site Acquisition Special Revenue Fund in the FY 2003-04
Operating Budget.
4. That, in the FY 2003-04 Operating budget, estimated
revenue from the state government is hereby increased by $2,792,632
and estimated revenue from the fund balance of the School Site
Acquisition Special Revenue Fund is hereby increased by $158,000.
Requires an affirmative vote by a majority of the members
of City Council.
Adopted by the Council of the City of Virginia Beach,
Virginia on the
day of 2003.
CA-8898
Ordin/Noncode/Schools FY 2004.ord.wpd
R3
June 3, 2003
Approved as to Content:
Approved as to Legal
Sufficiency:
City Attor~'s ffi~fice
IRGINIA BEACH CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
,
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
SCHOOL BOARD
Damel D. Edward~
I~slnct 1 - Ceflk~ie
1513 ~ Dnve
VA Beach. VA 23464
49,5-3551 (h). 717-0259 (ceil)
I~1L Rele
AI-Laqle
1337 Hams Road
VA Beach, VA 23452
463-3823 th) · 497-6633 (~)
Dstnct 6- Bea:h
VA Beach, VA 23454
425-1597
Emma L 'F.m" Dav~
DmnaS-L~
VA Beach, VA 23452
340-8911 (h)
A. aame~ 'J~m" DeBeli~
VA 8aac~ VA 23462
4b'7-2~'7 (h)
Daa R. Lewe
D~nct4.~m
,~17 Red Coat Road
VABea~,VA ~
490-3681 (h)
705 R~x~ Cmek Cou~
VA I~, VA 23462
490-8167 (h)
105 Bmnt~l<,3d C~
VA Beach, ¥^ 23452
4.9S-4303 {h) · 44,5.4637 (w)
VA Beach, VA 23455
C~
VA Bea~, V~ -Z34~
464.6~74
Lob $. ~. Pk.D.
VA Beach. W. 234SS
SUPERINTEndENT
2512 Geerge Maso~ Dram
VA Beac~ YA 23455
427-4326
BUDGET RESOLUTION
WItEREAS, the mission of the Vir~nia Beach City Public Schools, in partnership with
our entire community, is to ensure that each student is empowered with the knowledge
and skills necessary to meet the challenges of the furore; and
WltEREAS, the School Board has adopted a comprehensive strategic plan and school
improvement priorities to guide budgetary decisions; and
WHEREAS, mandates of federal and state governments have created additional
demands; and
WHEREAS, the School Board has studied the recommended School Operating Budget
in view of state and federal requirements, additional demands for space and operations,
the strategic plan, priorities, expectations, competitive compensation for employees and
the best educational interests of its students; and
WHEREAS, the School Board Proposed Operating Budget has been reconciled to meet
the Revenue Sharing Formula as adopted by City Council on May 13, 2003.
Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Vkginia Beach City School Board, on the 20th day of May
2003, requests a categorical appropriation of $ 534,343,721 from the City Council of
Virginia Beach for the 2003-2004 School Operating Budget, as outlined by category:
Instruction
Administration, Attendance and Health
Pupil Transportation
Operations and Maintenance
and be it further
$422,554,544
$19,165,766
$23,385,371
$69,238,040
RESOLVED: That the Virginia Beach City School Board requests an appropriation of
$88,364,525 for special grants, and other special revenue funds, for the 2003-2004 fiscal
year; and be it further
RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread across the official minutes of this
Board, and the Clerk of the Board is directed to deliver a copy of this resolution to the
Mayor, each member of City Council, the City Manager, and the City
Adopted by the School Board this 20th day of May
SEAL
Attest:
Dianne P. Alexander, C~ea'k of the Board
Daniel D. Edwards,
School Admsmstrat.:~ Building · 2512 George Mason Drive · R O. Box 6038 · Vir~ma Beach, VA 23456-0038
FY 2003/04 School Board Operating Budget
Expenditure Summary
May 20, 2003
Percent
Unit FY 1999-00 FY 2000=01 FY 2001-02 FY 2002-03 FY 2003-04 of
Code DESCRI~ON Actual Actual Acma! Budget Budget Total
50100 Elementary Classv0om $102,828,925 $101,891,04 g $100,122,856 $104.553,378 $106,884,789 20 01.3
50200 S~uor High Classroom 58,041,657 58,014,53 2 60,639,795 61,341,392 67,780,952 12 68%
50300 Tcchmcal and Careea'Ed Classroom 14,131,257 14,385,734 14.715,896 15,651,938 16,939,941 3 17%
50400 Gdted Education & M~gnet Schools 8,830,150 8,974,82 9 8,678,404 9,627,828 9,931,484 ! 86%
50500 Specml Education 47,763,865 49,728,452 51,566,323 53,995,612 57,671,097 10
50600 Smnmer School !,415,669 2;362,586 2,597,780 3,524,676 3,293,099 0 62*A
50700 Gtw, eral Adult F_duc.~on 1,512,063 !,550,408 !,612,385 1,917,770 1,848,585 0 35*/0
50800 Open Campus 646,388 896,708 1,109,787 1,686,064 1,779,64'/ 0 33%
50900 Student Ac'av~aes 2,513,686 2,772,96~ 3.329,159 4,797,603 5,170,298 0 97%
51000 Pnncq~ai - Elementa~ School 13,944,057 15,598,26,4 15,918,243 16,212,970 17,011,516 3 18%
51100 Principal - Semor I-hgh School 6,921,480 7,646,619 7,944,750 8,208,231[ 8,614,879 1 61%,
51200 Pnncq~al - Techmcal & Career Educaaon 523,147 518,029 402,294 400,09~ 427,513 0
51300 Cnadance Ser~ncus 12,071,194 12,477,823 12.532,728 13,059,88~ 13,726,609 2 57%I
51400 Soczai Work Serwces !,546,115 1,606,07'9 1,733,937 1,801,57~ 1,905,920 0 36'A
51500 Mecha & Communicaaous 949,613 979,870 999,036 1,104,954 1,288,765 0 24~
51600 ~ Technology 5,777,744 6,284,367 7,045,080 7,467,34(~ 7,763,377 1
51700 ~ Suppo~ 6,537,270 7,606,025 7,982,393 10,405,485 10,597,071 ! 98*3
51710 ~ Orgamzatmnal Development 0 472,790 554302 2,078,717 !,853,008 0 35%
51800 Special Educa~on Support 1,237,049 !,296,233 1,328,260 1,386,484 i,444,212 0 27%
51900 Cnfled Educaaon & Magnet Schools Suppm~ 535,436 670,058 91 !,.354 !,273,196 1310,341 0 26%
52000 Medza Sennce Supp~xt 10,573,581 10,191,093 10,001,109 10,420,011 10,972,713 2 05*3
52100 Accoumab&ty 1,098,557 1,083,804 !,336,427 1,708,948 2,001,840 0 37*3
52200 M~ddle School Clas~oom 47,411,082 47,066,084 48,704,806 48,712,540 52,215,988 9 77%
52300 Remedzai ~ !,743,079 !,688,899 2,975,091 3,802,910 3,986,351 0 75%
52400 Pnncapal - lVl~ldle School 6,848,064 7,326,392 7,084,729 7,058,404 7,5 ! 7,686 1.4 !
.52500 Homebom~ Setnnc~ 601,984 613,356 633,716 867,287 858,332 0 16%
52600 Teclamcal and Career ~ Support 662,884 677,828 667,864 718,261 737,117 0 14%
52700 Student I___~__ p 632,940 672,919 693,781 702,595 729,521 0 14%
:52800 Psychological Sonnces 2,102,672 2,252,719 2,543,886 2,475,197 2,633,991 0 49./~
1529o0 Au&olog~al Services 181,827 194,153 206,753 210,373 224,125 0 04%
53100 School Aam,,,,~-at~on 782,894 914,040 958,144 1,045,026 1,096,854 0 21%
153200 A~ernatr~F. ducatz~ 1,9707329 2~216~883 1,940,289 23OO#54 2~36,92~ 0 42%
INSTRUCTION 362,336~654 370~631r~4 379~4717758 400~417~706. 422,554~ 79.09%
.54100 Board, Legal aad Governmental Serwces 577,561 784,053 663,244 1,101,330 1,065,661 0 2(PA
54200 Supennteudent 398,703 464,110 522,485 634,446 720,097 0 13%
54300 Budget and Finance 1,813,047 2,125,971 2,130,251 2,524,391 2,717,588 0 51%
54400 Hmnaa Resources 2,431,268 2;314,155 2,698,697 3,284,846 3,457,037 0 65%
~54500 lntemal Anda! 229,144 243,841 256,585 263,360 274,857 0 05%
54600 Purchusmg Serv~es 620.586 698,769 691,048 725,995 774,798 0 14%
~54700 Organtzatmn~ Development 934,155 1,436,918 1,485,659 2,060,667 2,293,257 0 43%
54900 Technology 3,654,695 1,027,782 922,602 1,282,997 i,148,199 0 21%
!55000 Benefits 1,260,193 1,325,029 1,639,904 1,628,921 1,826,080 0 34%
55200 Health Services 3r492r388 4~029r376 . 4~257r878' 4~505,464. 4,888,192i 0 91%
ADMINISTRATION, ATTEND & HEALTH 15~411~740 14,450~004 15~.68~M 18~012~417 19~165~766 3.57%
56100 Management 904,312 1,051,703 1,155,619 1,448,131 1,524,5581 0 29*/,
'56200 Velucle ~ 15,145,136 14.897,335 15,820,077 17,213,790 17,538,020: 3 28%
56300 Velucle Maintenance 1,867,461 1,938,835 2,021,945 2,074,540 2,153,16~ 0
56400 Momtonng Ser~ce~ 1~743,638 I~928,579 I t854,682. 2,043~027 2~169~633' 0 41%.
PUPIL TRANSPORTATION 19,660,547 19,816~452 20,852r324 22~.779,488 23,385r.3711 4.38°A
57100 Facflmes Planning and C. onstruc~m 588,078 527,844 537,906 547,797 597,149i 0 1 !%
57200 School Plant 26,124,407 27,755,051 29,122,412 30,917,730 32,201,351' 6 04%'
57300 Supply Serwces 778,207 879,226 868,022 !,020,737 1,076,547 0
57400 Grounds Servtces 2,445,941 3,035,636 3,063,532 2,971,625 2,971,625~ 0 56%~
57500 Custochai Set, rices 16,088,372 16,700,035 18,030,013 18,872,564 19,474,407 3 64%
57600 Enwronmental Scr,nces 291,634 287,601 373,886 - 0 00%!
58100 Security Set,rices !,378,491 2,836,063 3,619,022 3,569,995 4,087,396 0 76%
58200 Velucle Services 1,389,678 876,306 440,903 835331 581,371 0 11%
~58300 Telecommumcat~ous 669,314 1,152,234 !,071,948 1,614,784 !,353,768 0 25%
58400 Technology Mamtenanc~ 0 3r707~437 4,871,779 6~043~i35 6t894~426 1 29%
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE 49,754,122 57,757~463 61,999,423 66,393,798 69,238,040 12.96%
TOTAL EXPENDITURF_,S $447,163,063 $462,655,503 $477,591,8S8 $507,603,409 $534,343,721 100 00%
FY 2003/04 School Board Operating Budget
Revenue Summary
May 20, 2003
Percent
FY 1999-00 FY 2000-01 FY 2001-02 FY 2002-03 FY 2003-04 of
REVENUE ACCOUNTS Actual Actual Actual Budget Budget Total
ii il i
Adult Basic Education $201,306 $252,33 i 308,298 $134,408 $134,408 0.03°A
Public Law 874 (Operation) 10,728,187 9,746,799 12,789,700 12,461,723 12,461,723 2.33~
Department of Defense (P.L. 486) 2,325,430 1,859,245 1,500,000 1,500,000 0 28%
Rebates and Refunds (IqJROTC) I 19,708 129,663 ! 43,679 100,000 100,000 0.02o,~
Other Federal Funds 326,419 330,454 315,870 175,000 ! 75,000 0.03%
FEDERAL REVENUE 13,701,050 10,459,247 15,416,792 14,371,131 14,371,131 2.69%
Basic School Aid 134,778,814 144,954,006 143,582,574 158,046,389 163,267,032 30.55%
State Sales Tax 49,490,165 51,889,329 52,074,158 54,039,394 53,697,320 10.05%
~mary supplement 8,353,259 2,393,903 3,979,916 - 1,975,960 0.00
Foster Home Children 242,709 144,530 207,738 145,345 145,345 0.03%
General Adult Education 59,211 62,447 62,249 122,846 122,846 0.02%
Gifted and Talented (SOQ) 1,690,541 1,758,786 ! ,747,280 1,750,555 1,763,857 0.33%
Special Education (SOQ) 10,383,840 12,563,162 12,521,730 13,583,249 13,726,728 2.57%
Special Education (Homebound) 168,860 133,840 123,452 139,790 148,770 0.03%
Special Education (Regional Tuitionl 3,785,016 4,283,942 4,868,286 4,430,167 4,782,741 0.90%
Remedial Summer School 940,844 962,109 1,206,981 1,228,823 1,244,177 0.23%
Remedial Education (SOQ) 2,006,539 2,336,168 2,201,085 2,549,923 2,567,589
Vocational Education (SOQ) 1,504,904 1,724,356 i,711,955 1,814,369 1,826,938 0.34%
Vocational Education-Categorical 236,952 303,866 144,026 335,757 190,988 0.04%
Social Security 7,954,787 8,502,703 8,449,011 8,206,135 8,281,014 1.55%
Virgama Retirement Syst~n 9,387,618 8,396,405 4,169,611 4,684,789 4,802,007 0.90%
State Employee Insurance - 355,161 275,339 -
Other State Funds 2,388,164 2,926,613 2,971,886 1,047,247 113,082 0.02%
English as a Second Language 203,439 199,396 - 233,4 ! 4 249,947 0 05%
At-RJsk Initiative 1,265,248 1,393,656 1,377,599 1,087,468 1,299,234 0.24%
Class Size Initiative 3,925,426 3,115,873 2,932,845 2,783,558 2,809,061 0.53%
Maintenance Reserves 745,827 732,828 728,033 - -
SOL Teaching Materials 994,436 488,552 485,356 - -
STATE REVENUE 240,506,599 249,621,631 245,821,110 256,229,218 263,014,636 49.23%
Local Contributions 191,157,513 208,189,338 206,096,679 234,769,396 254,754,290 47.68%
Rental of Facilities 593,645 458,189 476,631 480,000 450,000 0 08%
Summer School Tuition 551,573 624,034 596,994 637,689 637,689 0.12%
General Adult Ed. Tuition 201,577 155,140 204,542 142,839 142,839 0.03%
Vocational Adult Ed. Tuition 125,877 267,947 i 34,085 169,750 169,750 0.03%
Non-Resident Tuition 88,681 64,237 72, i 52 100,000 100,000 0 02%
Driver Education Tmtion 245,966 230,750 173,750 240,000 240,000 0.04%
LPN Tuition 27,617 24,990 17,320 25,575 25,575 0 00%
Open Campus Tuition 21,860 17,694 23,866 20,811 20,811 0.00%
Sale of School Vehicles 51,222 35,665 12,647 5,000 5,000 0.00%
Sale of Salvage Equipment 13,051 12,570 8,181 2,000 2,000 0 00%
Insurance Adjustments 63,118 37,787 104,476 - - -
Other Funds 112,838 11,459 i I 1,070 95,000 95,000 0.02%
Flexible Benefits Forfeitures 36,671 - 15,000 15,000 0.00%
Indirect Costs of Grants 220,274 329,665 411,934 300,000 300,000 0 06°/6
LOCAL REVENUE 193,511,483 210,459,465 208,444,327 237,003,060 256,957,954 48.08%
TOTAL REVENUE $447,719,132 $470,540,343 469,682,229 $507,603,409 $534,343,721 100.00%
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
ITEM: Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET)
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
Background: The Food Stamp Employment and Training Program (FSET) has
historically been managed and operated by the Virginia Beach Department of
Social Services (VBDSS). The Virginia Department of Social Services made a
decision to shift the program to the Workforce Investment Board's One Stop
Center located at the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) as one of their
fiscal year 2004 budget adjustments. For this reason, three positions (FTE) were
eliminated from the Social Services fiscal year 2004 budget. In early May, this
decision was reversed by the State, shifting FSET back to Social Services for
continued operation (See attachment). This information was not received in time
to include in the budget reconciliation process. Federal funds have been made
available to continue the program.
Considerations: The federal government mandates a program of employment
and training for food stamp recipients. Virginia Beach is one of 24 local agencies
that has been selected by the State to administer the FSET program. The
program is totally funded by federal funds. No local match is required.
Public Information: Public information will be handled through the normal
Council Agenda notification process.
Alternatives: A request could be made to the State that Virginia Beach be
exempt from providing employment and training services to recipients of food
stamps.
Recommendations: Receive and appropriate $137,540 in federal funds for
three (3) positions (FTE).
Attachments: Ordinance and May 1, 2003 letter from State Department of
Social Services
Recommended Action: Adopt Ordinance
Submitting Department/Agency: Department of Social Services
Noncode/Food Stamp arf. d~-
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AN ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT AND
APPROPRIATE $137,540 IN FEDERAL
FUNDS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE FY 2003-04
OPERATING BUDGET OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE
OPERATION OF THE FOOD STAMP
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM.
11
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA
12 BEACH, Virginia:
13
1. That $137,540 of federal funds is hereby accepted and
14
appropriated from the State Department of Social
15
Services to the FY 2003-04 Operating Budget of the
16
Department of Social Services to administer the Food
17
Stamp Employment and Training Program, with federal
18
revenue increased accordingly.
19
2. That three full-time equivalent positions are hereby
20
established in the FY 2003-04 Operating Budget of the
21
Department of Social Services.
22
Adopted by the Council of the City of Virginia Beach,
23 Virginia on the
day of , 2003.
24
25 CA- 8888
26 Word/Noncode/Food Stamp. ord
27 RI
28 May 29, 2003
29
30 Approved as to Content
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Approved as to Legal
Sufficiency
Law Department
5--23--03, 3 25PM;VB SOCIAl_ SERVICES ,757 43734~S ~ 2/ 3
DATE: May 1, 2003
TO: Directors ofFSET Agencies
FROM: Duke Storen, Director, Division of Benefit Programs
SUBJECT: FSET Program
The Department has made a decision on which agencies will continue to operate FSET.
We based our decision on feedback provided at and subsequent to the FSET meeting on
April 24 and discussion with USDA.
Seventeen (17) local agencies opted to not operate FSET for fiscal year 2004. Twenty-
four (24) agencies wanted to continue. The Department will be able to fund these 24
agencies at the allocation they received for fiscal year 2003. These agencies represent a
mixture of size and geographic coverage and include the nine largest agencies in the
State. The agencies that wall continue to operate FSET effective June 1, 2003 are as
follows:
Alexandria
Arlington
Bristol
Brunswick
Chesapeake
Danville
Fairfax
Hampton
Henry/Martinsville
gang and Queen
Newport News
Norfolk
Pittsylvania
Portsmouth
Prince William
Richmond City
Roanoke City
Roanoke County
Rockbridge Area
Smyth
Surry
Tazewell
Virginia Beach
Wythe
The agencies that wall no longer operate FSET are'
Accomack Pulaski
Campbell Radford
Charlottesville Russ ell
Chesterfield Scott
Halifax Staunton/Augusta
Henrico Suffolk
Lynchburg Washington
Montgomery W aynesb oro
Petersburg
For the agencms who will continue to operate FSET, there wtll be no changes to current
FSET policy However, the FSET Statastical Report will be revised to delete the section
5-23--03; 3 25PM;VB SOCIAL SECtVICES ,757 43734~¢j ¢ 3/ 3
regarding offered and filled slots for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents
(ABAWDs) and to add some clarifying information to the instructions for completion of
the report.
For the local agencies who opted out ofFSET, "close-out" procedures will be sent to you
on Monday or Tuesday. Generally, these agencies will only be responsible for
detenmning the work registration and work requirement statuses of individuals applying
for Food Stamps and accurately entering this information into ADAPT. However, we
strongly encourage local agencies to continue to work with their ABAWDs, primarily
those in non-waived agencies, by providing information on how these individuals can
meet their work requirement through employment and volunteering.
We appreciate all the feedback we received fi.om local agencies in a relatively short
period of time. We believe we will be able to operate a viable FSET Program.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (804) 692-1702 or
sds900@email l.dss, state.va.us or Pat Kearney at (804) 692-1712 or
pdd2@email 1.dss.state.va.us.
C:
Regional Directors
Regional Food Stamp Program Consultants
Pat Kearney
Joyce Davis
Sandy Smith
0~. 0~)~ N~'[~0~
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of Council
FROM: James K. Spore, City Manager
ITEM: Ordinance to Designate Heart Haven, Inc. as Being Exempt from Local Real
and Personal Property Taxation
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
Background:
Article X, Section 6 (a)(6) of the Virginia Constitution provides that property used by its
owner for religious, charitable, patriotic, historical, benevolent, cultural, or public park and
playground purposes may be exempted from taxation by classification or designation by an
ordinance adopted by the local governing body. Prior to January 1, 2003, such exemptions
could only be granted by the General Assembly.
At § 58.1-3651 of the Virginia Code, the process is set forth for designating specific
organizations as being exempt from local taxation, and a list of factors for the local governing
body to consider is set forth. The City's application form asks for all the information that the City
Council must consider.
Considerations:
Heart Havens, Inc. has requested the adoption of an ordinance exempting it from local
property taxes; previously, the Council had adopted a resolution supporting action by General
Assembly to exempt this organization.
Heart Havens is a ministry of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church;
it "provides forthe residential needs of disabled persons." The organization owns a single-family
dwelling building located at 1609 Macleigh Court that is used as a group home (assessed value
of $141,056 in FY '03; tax is $1546). Heart Havens also owns a van assessed at $8990 in FY
'03; the tax is $329.
Public Information:
Pursuant to § 58.1-3651, an ad was published five days before the City Council meeting
of June 10, 2003, to give notice of the required public hearing.
Attachments:
Ordinance
Recommended Action: N/A
Submitting D,D..epartmen~/Agency: City Council
F:\DataWTY~Ordin\NONCODE\Heart Hav en.arf wpd
AN ORDINANCE TO DESIGNATE HEART
HAVENS, INC., AS BEING EXEMPT FROM
LOCAL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
TAXATION
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WHEREAS, in accordance with ~ 58.1-3651 of the Code of
Virginia, the Council of the City of Virginia Beach has advertised
and conducted a public hearing on the issue of granting an
exemption from local property taxes to Heart Havens, Inc.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA:
1. That the Council of the City of Virginia Beach,
Virginia, hereby designates Heart Havens, Inc., as a charitable
organization within the context of ~ 6(a) (6) of Article X of the
Constitution of Virginia.
2. That personal property owned by Heart Havens, Inc.,
located within the City of Virginia Beach, and its real property
located at 1609 MacLeigh Court, that is used exclusively for
charitable purposes on a nonprofit basis is hereby exempt from
local property taxation.
3. This exemption is contingent on the following:
(a) continued use of the property by Heart Havens,
Inc., for exclusively charitable purposes;
(b) that each July 1, Heart Havens, Inc., shall file
with the Commissioner of the Revenue a copy of its
most recent federal income tax return, or, if no
such return is required, it shall certify its
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35
36
continuing tax exempt status to the Commissioner of
the Revenue; and
(c) that every three years, beginning on July 1, 2006,
Heart Havens, Inc., shall file with the
Commissioner of the Revenue an application for
contInuatIon of the exemption.
4. That the effective date of this exemption shall be
January 1, 2003.
Adopted by the Council of the City of V~rg~n~a Beach,
VIrginia, on the day of , 2003.
CA-8891
ORDIN\NONCODE\Heart Havens. ord. wpd
R-2
June 2, 2003
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL
SUFFICIENCY'
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
TO:
FROM:
ITEM:
The Honorable Mayor and Members of Council
James K. Spore, City Manager
Ordinance to Designate Cerebral Palsy of Virginia as Being Exempt from
Local Real and Personal Property Taxation
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
Background:
Article X, Section 6 (a)(6) of the Virginia Constitution provides that property used by its
owner for religious, charitable, patriotic, historical, benevolent, cultural, or public park and
playground purposes may be exempted from taxation by classification or designation by an
ordinance adopted by the local governing body. Prior to January 1, 2003, such exemptions
could only be granted by the General Assembly.
At § 58.1-3651 of the Virginia Code, the process is set forth for designating specific
organizations as being exempt from local taxation, and a list of factors for the local governing
body to consider is set forth. The City's application form asks for all the information that the City
Council must consider.
Considerations:
United Cerebral Palsy CUCP") has requested the City Council to adopt an ordinance
exempting it from local property taxes. Previously, the City Council had adopted a resolution
supporting action by General Assembly to exempt this organization, but the necessary
legislation was not introduced.
UCP provides "programs and services for children and adults with cerebral palsy and
other developmental disabilities." The organization owns an office building located at 5825
Arrowhead Ddve (assessed value of $252,000 in FY '03; tax is $3074); part of the building is
leased to other organizations and will not be eligible for exempt status. UCP also owns office
equipment and other personal property with an assessed value of $37,992 in FY '03; taxes on
this property would be $1405.70.
Public Information:
Pursuant to § 58.1-3651, an ad was published five days before the City Council meeting
of June 10, 2003, to give notice of the required public hearing.
Attachments:
Ordinances
Recommended Action: N/A
Submitting Department/Agency: City Council
·
:\Data~,TY~Ord~n\NONCODE\cerebralpalsy arf.wpd
AN ORDINANCE TO DESIGNATE CEREBRAL
PALSY OF VIRGINIA AS BEING EXEMPT
FROM LOCAL REAL AND PERSONAL
PROPERTY TAXATION
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15
16
17
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21
22
23
24
25
26
WHEREAS, in accordance with § 58.1-3651 of the Code of
Virginia, the Council of the City of Virginia Beach has advertised
and conducted a public hearing on the issue of granting an
exemption from local property taxes to Cerebral Palsy of Virginia.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA:
1. That the Council of the City of Virginia Beach,
Virginia, hereby designates Cerebral Palsy of Virginia as a
charitable organization within the context of § 6(a) (6) of Article
X of the Constitution of Virginia.
2. That personal property owned by Cerebral Palsy of
Virginia located within the City of Virginia Beach, and its real
property located at 5825 Arrowhead Drive, that is used exclusively
for charitable purposes on a nonprofit basis is hereby exempt from
local property taxation.
3. This exemption is contingent on the following:
(a) continued use of the property by Cerebral Palsy of
Virginia for exclusively charitable purposes;
(b) that each July 1, Cerebral Palsy of Virginia shall
file with the Commissioner of the Revenue a copy of
its most recent federal income tax return, or, if
no such return is required, it shall certify its
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31
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35
36
continuing tax exempt status to the CommIssioner of
the Revenue; and
(c) that every three years, beginning on July 1, 2006,
Cerebral Palsy of Virginia shall file with the
CommissIoner of the Revenue an application for
continuation of the exemption.
4. That the effective date of th~s exemption shall be
January 1, 2003.
Adopted by the Council of the City of Virginia Beach,
Virginia, on the day of , 2003.
CA-8890
ORDIN\NONCODE\cerebralpalsytaxexord.wpd
R-5
June 2, 2003
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL
SUFFICIENCY'
Department U- Law
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
I
ITEM: Encroachment Request- Construct and maintain a waterfall, landscaping, covered
walkways, and porte cochere for Ocean Beach Club, LLC.
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
Background:
Ocean Beach Club, LLC has requested permission to encroach into the city right-of-
way for the purpose of a waterfall, landscaping, covered walkways, and porte
cochere. The property currently houses the Sea Vacationer Motel and the
Thunderbird Hotel. It is the intention of Ocean Beach Club to begin construction
in October 2003 on Phase I of 99 Timeshare Units.
Considerations:
City Staff has reviewed the requested encroachments and has recommended
approval of same, subjected to certain conditions outlined in the agreement.
Public Information:
Advertisement of City Council Agenda.
Alternatives:
Approve the encroachment as presented, deny the encroachment, or add
conditions as desired by Council.
Recommendations:
Approve the request subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement.
Attachments:
Ordinance, Location Map, Agreement, Exhibit, Elevation Views, and Pictures.
Recommended Action: Approval of the ordinance
Submitting Department/Agency: Public Works / Real Estate
City Manager: ~~ ~____~
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Requested by Department of Public Works
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE TEMPORARY
ENCROACHMENTS INTO A PORTION OF THE
RIGHT-OF-WAY AT ATLANTIC AVENUE AND
34TM STREET BY OCEAN BEACH CLUB, LLC,
ITS HEIRS, ASSIGNS AND SUCCESSORS IN
TITLE
WHEREAS, Ocean Beach Club, L.L.C., desires to maintain a
waterfall, landscaping, covered walkways, and porte cochere into the
City's right-of-way located at Atlantic Avenue and 34tn Street.
WHEREAS, City Council is authorized pursuant to §§ 15.2-
2009 and 15.2-2107, Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, to authorize
a temporary encroachments upon the City's right-of-way subject to
such terms and conditions as Council may prescribe.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA:
That pursuant to the authority and to the extent thereof
contained in §§ 15.2-2009 and 15.2-2107, Code of Virginia, 1950, as
amended Ocean Beach Club, L.L.C. its heirs, assigns and successors in
title is authorized to maintain a temporary encroachment for a
waterfall, landscaping, covered walkways and porte cochere in the
C~ty's right-of-way as shown on the map entitled: "OCEAN BEACH CLUB
FOR GOLD KEY RESORTS", a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit
"A" and a copy of which ~s on file in the Department of Public Works
and to which reference is made for a more particular description; and
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BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the temporary encroachments
are expressly sub3ect to those terms, conditions and criteria
contained in the Agreement between the City of Virginia Beach and
Ocean Beach Club, L.L.C., (the "Agreement") which is attached hereto
and incorporated by reference; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the C~ty Manager or his
authorized designee is hereby authorized to execute the Agreement.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that this Ordinance shall not be
in effect until such time as Bruce L. Thompson, Managing Member of
Ocean Beach Club, L.L.C., Robert M. Howard, Assistant Secretary /
Vice President of Beach Motel Corporation of Virginia Beach, and the
City Manager or his authorized designee execute the Agreement.
Adopted by the Council of the City of Virginia Beach,
Virginia, on the day of , 2003.
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CA-#
gsalmons/ocean beach club/ord.
R-1
PREPARED: 06.03.03
DEPARTMENT
APPROVED A~ TO LEC. AL
PROPOSED
OCEAN BEACH
CLUB
PHASE I
ATLANTIC
LOCATION MAP
_~,--SHOWING
-ENCROACHMENT REQUESTED BY
OCEAN BEACH CLUB, LLC
INTO CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY
34th STREET,
AVENUE, AND OCEAN AVENUE
SCALE' 1" = 200'
BEACH CLUB 34 DGN M J S PREPARED BY P/W ENG C..ADD DEFT MAY 9,2003
PREPARED BY VIRG~XlIA BEACH -
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
EXF.~ FROM RECORDATION TAXES
UNDER SECTIONS 5B l-~1 I(a)(3)
AND 58 1-81 l(c)(4) RE]M~EMENT
AL'rHORIZED UNDER SECTION 25-249
THIS AGREEMENT, made this
day of , 2003, by and
between the CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, a municipal corporation, Grantor, "City",
and OCEAN BEACH CLUB, LLC, a Virginia Limited Liability Company, and MOTEL
CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA BEACH, aVirginia Corporation, ASSIGNS AND SUCCESSORS
IN TITLE, "Grantee", even though more than one.
WITNE S SETH:
That, WHEREAS, the Grantee is the owner of that certain lot, tract, or parcel of land
designated and described as '~Block 81 Lot 1 and Lot 2" as shown on "- Property of- Virginia
Beach Development Co., Virginia Beach, VA. North of 25' St." and being further designated and
described as GPIN 2428.03.4372, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451, and is more particularly
described as follows:
"All that certain lot, piece or parcel of land, in the City of Virginia
Beach, State of Virginia. with the buildings and improvements
thereon, and the appurtenances thereunto belonging, known,
numbered and designated as Lot One (1) and the southern ten (10)
feet of Lot No. Two (2) in block Eighty-one (81). As shown on
Plat No. 3 of part ofthe property of Virginia Beach Development
Company. In said City. Which plat is duly of record in the
Clerk's Office ofthe Circuit Court ofthe said City. In Map Book
3, at page 177. Said land being more particularly described as
follows: Beginning at a stake in the western side of Atlantic
Boulevard where it intersects with the northern side of34t~ Street,
thence along the northerly side of 34a Street in a westerly
direction 150 feet to a stake on the eastern side of Atlantic
Avenue: thence along the eastern side of Atlantic Avenue in a
northerly direction 60 feet: thence along a line parallel to the
northern side of 34' Street in an easterly direction 150 feet to the
western side of Atlantic Boulevard; thence along the Western side
of Atlantic Boulevard, 60 feet to the point of beginning."
GPIN 2428-03-4372
That, WHEREAS, it is proposed by the Grantee to construct and maintain a
waterfall, landscaping, covered walkways, and porte cochere, "Temporary Encroachment", in the
City of Virginia Beach; and
WHEREAS, in constructing and maintaining the Temporary Encroachment, it is
necessary that the Grantee encroach into a portion of an existing City right of way known as 34t~
Street and the Greenbelt (formerly Atlantic Boulevard). "The Temporary Encroachment Area";
and the Grantee has requested that the City permit a Temporary Encroachment within The
Encroachment Area.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and of the benefits
accruing or to accrue to the Grantee and for the further consideration of One Dollar ($1.00), in
hand paid to the City, receipt ofwhich is hereby acknowledged, the City doth grant to the Crrantee
permission to use The Encroachment Area for the purpose of constructing and maintaining the
Temporary Encroachment.
It is expressly understood and agreed that the Temporary Encroachment will be
constructed and maintained in accordance with the laws ofthe Commonwealth of Virginia and the
City of Virginia Beach, and in accordance with the City's specifications and approval and is more
particularly described as follows, to wit:
A Temporary Encroachment into The Encroachment Area as shown
on that certain plat entitled: "OCEAN BEACH CLUB FOR GOLD
KEY RESORTS", a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A"
and to which reference is made for a more particular description.
It is further expressly understood and agreed that the Temporary Encroachment
herein authorized terminates upon notice by the City to the Grantee, and that within one hundred
eighty (180) days after the notice is given, the Temporary Encroachment must be removed t?om
The Encroachment Area by the Grantee; and that the Grantee will bear all costs and expenses of
such removal; and that the Grantor shall promptly issue all necessary permits for said removal to
ensure that Grantee may complete the removal within the time period set forth herein.
Provided however, nothing herein shall prohibit the City from immediately removing,
or ordering the grantee to remove, all or any part of the encroachment in the event of an
emergency or public necessity.
It is further expressly understood and agreed that the Grantee shall indemnify and
hold harmless the City, its agents and employees, from and against all claims, damages, losses
and expenses including reasonable attorney's fees in case it shall be necessary to file or defend
an action arising out of the location or existence of the Temporary Encroachment.
It is further expressly understood and agreed that the Grantee must submit and
have approved a traffic control plan before commencing work in The Encroachment Area.
It is further expressly understood and agreed that the Grantee must obtain a
permit from the Office of Development Services Center/Planning Department prior to
commencing any construction within The Encroachment Area.
It is further expressly understood and agreed that prior to issuance of a fight of
way permit, the Grantee must post sureties, in accordance with their engineer's cost estimate,
to the Office of Development Services Center/Planning Department.
It is further expressly understood and agreed that the Grantee must obtain and keep
in force all-risk property insurance and general liability or such insurance as is deemed necessary
by the City, and all insurance policies must name the City as additional named insured or loss
payee, as applicable. The Grantee also agrees to carry comprehensive general liability insurance
in an mount not less than $500,000.00, combined single limits of such
insurance policy or policies. The Grantee will provide endorsements providing at least thirty (30)
days written notice to the City prior to the cancellation or termination of, or material change to,
any of the insurance policies. The Grantee assumes all responsibilities and liabilities, vested or
contingent, with relation to the Temporary Encroachmem.
·
It is further expressly understood and agreed that the City, upon revocation of such
authority and permission so granted, may remove the Temporary Encroachment and charge the
cost thereofto the Grantee, and collect the cost in any manner provided by law for the collection
of local or state taxes; may require the Grantee to remove the Temporary Encroachment; and
pending such removal, the City may charge the Grantee for the use of The Encroachment Area,
the equivalent of what would be the real property tax upon the land so occupied flit were owned
by the Grantee; and if such removal shall not be made within the time ordered hereinabove by this
Agreement, the City may impose a penalty in the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per day
for each and every day that the Temporary Encroachment is allowed to cominue thereafter, and
may collect such compensation and penalties in any manner provided by law for the collection of
local or state taxes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Ocean Beach Club, L.L.C. has caused this
Agreemem to be execmed in its corporate name and on its behalf by Brace L. Thompson,
Managing Member of Ocean Beach Club, L.L.C. and Beach Motel Corporation of Virginia
Beach has caused this Agreement to be executed in its corporate name and on its behalf by Robert
M. Howard, Assistant Secretary/Vice President of Beach Motel Corporation. Further, that the
City of Virginia Beach has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by
its City Manager and its seal be hereumo offixed and attested by its City Clerk
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
ATTEST:
By
City Manager/Authorized
Designee of the City Manager
City Clerk
OCEAN BE~ CLUB] L.L.C
By :/× . .
~lgmce L. Tholfl~/son, President BQTS, Inc.
a- Managing M0rtiber Ocean Beach Club, L.L.C.
BEACH MOTEL CORPORATION OF
VIRGINIA BEACH
Robert M. ~I6~d, Assi~tmit Secretary/
Vice President of Beach Motel Corporation
of Virginia Beach
STATE OF VIRGINIA
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, to-wit:
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this day of
,2003, by , CITY MANAGER/AUTHORIZED
DESIGNEE OF THE CITY MANAGER.
Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
STATE OF
CITY/COUNTY OF
, to-wit:
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this
day of
2003, by RUTH HODGES SMITH, MMC, City Clerk for the CITY OF
VIRGINIA BEACH.
My Commission Expires:
Notary Public
STATE OF L/, tz C~ ~: ~,
CITY/COUNTY OF ~/~ 0.~;~,~ '~*.nc~, to-wit:
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this
day of
,2003, by Bruce L. Thompson, Managing Member on behalf of Ocean
Beach Club, L.L.C.
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: 6.9 ~,~ '2- d ~
STATE OF b/~/z ~ ,a.,~
CITY/COUNTY OF k/t'~ O..c' a .~ g e~c.14 to-wit.
The foregoing instmmem was acknowledged before me this
day of
,~'~ ~ ,200~> by Robert M. Howard, Assistant Secretary/Vice President on
behalf of Beach Motel Corporation of Virginia B~
Notary Public
My Commission Expires' 0 2-,~ % o~/
241939v2
APPROVED AS TO
LEGAL SUFFIC~CY
CITY ATTORNEY
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT
~I~TY REAL ES'I~ATE AGENT
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(
L. PLANNING
.
Application of DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY for a Conditional Use Permit to
expand an existing church in a shopping center at 3460, 3462 and 3464 Holland Road,
containing 4,000 square feet.
( DISTRICT 3 - ROSE HALL)
Recommendation:
APPROVAL
.
Application of REED ENTERPRISES, INC. for a Conditional Use Permit to ADD an
automatic carwash to an automobile service station in conjunction with a convenience store
at 985 Chimney Hill Shopping Center, containing 21,755 square feet.
(DISTRICT 3 - ROSE HALL)
Recommendation:
APPROVAL
.
Application of JOHN SWEENEY for a Conditional Use Permit re firewood processing and
storage of wood at 2332 London Bridge Road.
(DISTRICT 7- PRINCESS ANNE)
Recommendation:
DENIAL
.
Applications re property on the east side of Little Neck Road, north of Poplar Bend (864 Little
Neck Road), containing 5.319 acres.
(DISTRICT 5 - LYNNHAVEN)
a.
VOICESTREAM GSM II, L.L.C. for MODIFICATION to eliminate Proffers Nos.
1, 2 and 4: and, REVISE Proffer No. 3 re communication tower as a use on the Change
of Zoning in the application of Hubert L. and Mona H. Dail from R-3 Restdential
District to O-I Office District (approved by City Council on February 9, 1981)
b.
VOICE STREAM WIRELESS for a Conditional Use Permit re wireless
communwation facihty and commumcatzon tower
Deferred:
Recommendation:
APRIL 22, 2003
APPROVAL
.
Application of GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. on the north side of Edison Road, east of
General Booth Boulevard, containing 10.6 acres:
(DISTRICT 7- PRINCESS ANNE)
a.
Change of Zoning District Classification from AG-1 and AG-2 Agricultural Distn'cts to
Conditional B-2 Community-Business Dismct
b. Conditional Use Permit for a mini-warehouse facility
Recommendation:
APPROVAL
o
Application of the City of Virginia Beach to AMEND the City Zoning Ordinance (CZO) re
building height regulations in the Agricultural and certain Residential zoning Districts.
Recommendation: APPROVAL
Gtrin 1486-73-7186
ZONING HISTORY
1. 11-13.01 - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (church) - Granted
10-12-99- CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (church)- Granted
10-13-98 - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (church)- Granted
6-27-83- CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (tire mounting) - Granted
2. 2-27.01 - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (auto sales & service)- Granted
4-13-99- CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (auto sales & service)- Granted
11-25-85 - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (auto sales & service) -
Granted
3. 5-19-86- REZONING - A-1 Apartments to B-2 Community Business
District- Granted
4. 3-12-92- CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (church)- Granted
3-25-85- CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (church)- Granted
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
ITEM Daysprlng Outreach MImstry-Conditional Use Permit
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
Background:
An Ordinance upon Application of Dayspring Outreach Ministry for a C__ondibonal
Use Permit for a church on property located at 3460, 3462 and 3464 Holland --
Road (GPIN 1486737186). DISTRICT 3- ROSE HALL.
The purpose of this request is to expand an existing church in a shopping center.
Membership is anticipated to increase from 50 to 100 members.
Considerations:
The subject property is developed with a commercial shopping center (Holland
Lakes Shopping Center) and is zoned B-2 Community Business District. Other
uses on the site include two other churches, a daycare center, restaurants and
various personal service and retail uses.
The church currently occupies a 1,500 square foot space in the shopping center.
The current Proposal is to expand into two adjacent spaces totaling 2,500 square
feet, bringing the overall area to 4,000 square feet. The new space will be used
for sanctuary space, while the existing space will be converted to offices and
classrooms.
Them are currently 50 members in the church. With the expansion, the church
hopes to increase membership to 100.
The parking lot has a total of 176 parking spaces as required for a 35,200 square
foot retail shopping center (including the tire store). Although there are existing
uses, such as restaurants, that typically require more parking spaces than retail
uses, there appears to be no current parking Problem within this center. Due to
varying operating hours and the fact that few businesses reach maximum
capacity on a consistent basis, ample parking should be available for all uses
within the shopping center.
The Planning Commission placed this item on the consent agenda because it is
an expansion of an existing church and poses no parking conflicts with other
occupants of the shopping center. Staff recommended approval. There was no
opposition to the request.
Dayspring Outreach Ministry
Page 2 of 2
Recommendations:
The Planning Commission passed a motion by a recorded vote of 10-0 to
approve this request with the following condibons:
,
The unit shall be used for Bible study and fellowship only during the
evenings on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
and for Sunday morning services between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
2. The applicant shall obtain all the necessary permits, inspections, and
approvals from the F~re Department and the Permits and Inspections
Division of the Planning Department before occupancy of the building. A
Certificate of Occupancy for the use shall be obtained from the Permits
and Inspections Division of the Planning Department.
3. The use shall be administratively reviewed on an annual basis.
Attachments:
Staff Rewew
Disclosure Statement
Planmng Commission Minutes
Location Map
Recommended Action: Staff recommends approval. Planmng Commission recommends
approval.
.k.,~
Submitting Department/Agency: Planmng Department ~
City Manager~ [(.
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY / # 4
May 14, 2003
General Information:
APPLICATION
NUMBER: G09 - 210 - CUP - 2003
REQUEST:
Conditional Use Permit for a church
ADDRESS: 3460, 3462, and 3464 Holland Road
:treach M"
GI~ 1486-73-7186
GPIN:
ELECTION
DISTRICT:
14867371860000
3- ROSE HALL
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY I # 4
Page 1
SITE SIZE:
STAFF
PLANNER:
PURPOSE:
3 acres (total shopping center area)
4000 square feet (proposed church area)
Ashby Moss
To expand an existing church in a shopping center. Membership is
anticipated to increase from 50 to 100 members.
Major Issues:
· Compatibility with other uses in the commercial center, particularly in terms of
available parking.
Land Use, Zoning, and
Site Characteristics:
Existing Land Use and Zoning
The subject property is developed
with a commercial shopping center
(Holland Lakes Shopping Center)
and is zoned B-2 Community
Business District. Other uses on the
site include two other churches, a
daycare center, restaurants and
various personal service and retail
uses. Immediately west of the
proposed church is another small
church operating as "Bethel Foursquare Church." Bethel Foursquare Church was
granted a Use Permit by City Council on October 13, 1998. Further west, there is a
restaurant/nightclub and another church currently operating as "The Potter's House
Christian Church" The Potter's House Christian Church was granted a Use Permit by
City Council on October 12, 1999.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY / # 4
Page 2
Surrounding Land Use and Zonin.a
North:
South:
East:
West:
· Across Diana Lee Drive, auto sales and
service facility / B-2 Community Business
District
· Drainage canal and vacant property / A-12
Apartment District
· "The Lakes" townhouse neighborhood / A-
12 Apartment District
· Across Holland Road, shopping center / B-
2 Community Business District
Zonin_a History
The applicant's original Conditional Use Permit was approved November 13, 2001 for a
1,200 square foot space. Conditions of this approval are:
1. The unIt shall be used for Bible study and fellowshIp only dunng the evemngs on Tuesday and
Thursday nights from 7'00 p.m. to 10'00 p.m. and for Sunday morning services between 9'30
a.m. and 12.30 p.m.
2. The applicant shall obtain all the necessary perm,ts, ~nspecbons and approvals from the F~re
Department and the Perm,ts and Inspecbons D~ws~on of the Planning Department before
occupancy of the buildings. A certificate of occupancy for a place of assembly shall be obtained
from the Permits and Inspections D~ws~on of the PlannIng Department.
3. The Conditional Use Permit shall be for a period of three years
Two other Conditional Use Permits for churches were approved within this shopping
center. A Conditional Use Permit for Bethel Foursquare Church was approved on
October 13, 1998 for a 1,200 square foot space in this same shopping center. The
condition attached to Bethel Foursquare Church Use Permit is as follows:
1 The umt shall be utilized on Sunday, 9'00 a.m. until 1'00 p m., and Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. to
10'00 p m.
On October 12,1999 another Conditional Use Permit for The Potter's House Christian
Church was granted by City Council. This church occupies approximately 2,400 square
feet of the shopping center. The conditions attached to The Potter's House Christian
Church Use Permit are as follows:
1. The umt shall be used for gatherings only during the evemngs between 6.30 and 10.00 pm
and all day Sundays
2. No more than 75 people can attend meebngs or gathenngs at any one bme
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY / # 4
Page 3
A Conditional Use Permit for a Tire Mounting and Balancing business was granted in a
free-standing building located in the northwestern corner of the shopping center parking
lot in 1983.
Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ)
The site is in an AICUZ of 65 - 70dB Ldn surrounding NAS Oceana.
Public Facilities and Services
Water and Sewer
The property is already connected to City water and sewer.
Transportation
Master Transportation Plan (MTP) / Capital Improvement Program (CIP):
Holland Road in the vicinity of this application is a four lane divided minor suburban
arterial. The MTP designates this facility as a divided road within a 100-foot right-of-
way. The current adopted CIP includes a project to widen Holland Road to a six
lane divided facility (Holland Road Phase VII, CIP 2-008).
Traffic Calculations:
Street Name Present Present Generated Traffic
Volume Capacity
Ex~sbng Land Use z_
Holland Road 34,576 ADT ~ 27,200 ADT ~ Sunday - 51 ADT
Level of Service E Proposed Land Use 3
Sunday -154 ADT
Average Dady Trips
as defined by 1,400 square foot church
as defined by 4,200 square foot church
Public Safety
Police:
No comments.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY / # 4
Page 4
Fire and
Rescue:
To be occupied as a place of assembly, additional building
code requirements may be required in regards to fire
protection, tenant separation, and the means of egress. A
Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained from the Building
Official prior to occupancy.
Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan Map designates this area for retail, service, office, and other
uses compatible with commercial centers serving surrounding neighborhoods and
communities. The land use policies in the Comprehensive Plan also recognize the
need for legitimate support uses that fulfill the needs and services of the adjacent
community.
Summary of Proposal
Proposal
The church currently occupies a 1,500 square foot space in the shopping
center. The current proposal is to expand into two adjacent spaces totaling
2,500 square feet, bringing the overall area to 4,000 square feet. The new
space will be used for sanctuary space, while the existing space will be
converted to offices and classrooms.
· There are currently 50 members in the church. With the expansion, the
church hopes to increase membership to 100.
Other uses in the shopping center include two other churches, a daycare,
restaurants and various personal services and retail uses. There is also an
outparcel on the property with a tire store which shares parking with the rest
of the center.
Site Design
The strip shopping center is an "L" shaped 32,600 square foot building, with
parking in front of the building. A 2,600 square foot tire store building is
located in the northwest corner of the parking lot.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY / # 4
Page 5
The parking lot has a total of 176 parking spaces as required for a 35,200
square foot retail shopping center (including the tire store). Although there
are existing uses, such as restaurants, that typically require more parking
spaces than retail uses, there appears to be no current parking problem
within this center. Due to varying operating hours and the fact that few
businesses reach maximum capacity on a consistent basis, ample parking
should be available for all uses within the shopping center.
Vehicular and Pedestrian Access
The shopping center has two access points on Holland Road and two on
Diana Lee Drive.
The site is within a comfortable walking distance for residents of the existing
townhouse neighborhood east of this site.
Landscape and Open Space Desiqn
· Landscaping within the site does not meet requirements since the shopping
center was developed prior to the adoption of these requirements.
Evaluation of Request
The application for a Conditional Use Permit for a church is acceptable. The proposed
church is compatible with the other uses in the shopping center and will not negatively
impact neighboring properties. The applicant has stated that services and meetings will
continue to be held only on Sundays and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. There
are two other churches within the shopping center also holding services on Sundays,
but the combined membership of the two exisbng churches and the proposed church
would not likely exceed 170 people on peak attendance days. This number of people
equates to approximately 70 spaces or two-fifths of the available parking in the center
during Sunday morning church service hours (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) Since most
church acbvities occur during off- or Iow-customer hours for the other businesses,
parking conflicts are not anticipated on this site. Staff recommends that this proposal be
approved subject to the conditions below.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY I # 4
Page 6
Conditions
!
The unit shall be used for Bible study and fellowship only during the evenings on
Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and for Sunday
morning services between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
.
The applicant shall obtain all the necessary permits, inspections, and approvals
from the Fire Department and the Permits and Inspections Division of the
Planning Department before occupancy of the building. A Certificate of
Occupancy for the use shall be obtained from the Permits and Inspections
Division of the Planning Department.
3. The use shall be administratively reviewed on an annual basis.
NOTE:
Further conditions may be required during the
administration of applicable City Ordinances. The site plan
submitted with this conditional use permit may require
revision during detailed site plan review to meet all
applicable City Codes. Conditional use permits must be
activated within f2 months of City Council approval. See
Section 220(g) of the City Zoning Ordinance for further
information.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY /# 4
Page 7
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY /# 4
Page 8
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY I # 4
Page 9
Applicant's Name: ~_~/~/g?~/fO~- o-,~r[~ ~tfl~T¢~
I
List All Current
Property Owners: /~/~/,4/~ ~/f-~-~ /~~. /_-,/~. ~"~,~
APPLICANT DISCLOSURE
If the applicant is a CORPORATION, list all officers of the Corporation below:
(Attach list if necessary)
If the apphcant is a PARTNERSHIP, FIRM, or other UNINCORPORATED
ORGANIZATION, list all members or partners in the organization below: (Attach list
if necessary). .
I"1 Check here if the apphcant ~s NOT a corporation, partnership, firm, or other
o
unincorporated organization.
if the applicant is not b~e current owner of the property, complete the Property Owner
Disclosure section below:
PROPERTY OWNER DISCLOSURE
if the property owner is a CORPORATION, list all officers of the Corporation below:
(Attach list if necessary) r~, ~
~-' · '',-.~- · ,~l,fl'f '"":'-'--~--~. .z.,-': - · -'-r~-t ~ "
/
If the property owner is a PARTNERSHIP, FIRM, or other UNINCORPORATED
ORGANIZATION, list all members or partners in the organLzafion below: (Attach list
if necessary)
E] Check here if the property owner is NOT a corporation, partnership, firm, or other
unincorporated organization
CERTIFICATION: ~' certify that the information contained herein is true
and accurate.
Signature Print Name
Conditional Use Permit Application
Page 8 of 12
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
DAYSPRING OUTREACH MINISTRY / # 4
Page 10
Item ~
Dayspring Outreach M~nistry
Conditional Use Permit
3460, 3462, 3646 Holland Road
District 3
Rose Hall
May 14, 2003
CONSENT
Ronald Ripley: Okay, the next order of business is our Consent agenda. And, Vice
Chairman Dot Wood is going to conduct this portion of our business.
Dorothy Wood: Thank you Ron. This afternoon we have ten items on the consent
agenda. As I call the item, will you please step to the podium, either the applicant or his
representative, state your name, you've read the conditions and agree with them. If there
is anyone in opposition, we will call you after the person has come forward. If you do
object, we will put this down to the regular place in the agenda. The first item is Item #4,
which is Dayspring Outreach Ministry. It's an ordinance upon application of Dayspring
Outreach Ministry for a Use Permit for a church on Holland Road in the Rose Hall
District and there are three conditions. Is there anyone here representing Dayspring
Outreach Ministry? Will you please come up ma' am? Good afternoon.
Marcela Jarina: Good afternoon.
Dorothy Wood: Would you state your name please?
Marcela Jarina: My name is Marcela Jarina.
Dorothy Wood: Have you read the four conditions? Three conditions, I'm sorry.
Robert Miller: She'll give you a copy of it.
Dorothy Wood: Right here, do you want to read them? It says you're going to use the
unit for bible study and fellowship.
Marcela Jarina: Conditions. The unit shall be used for Bible Study and fellowship only
during the evenings on Tuesday and Thursday night from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and for
Sunday morning services between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The apphcant shall obtain
all the necessary permits, inspections, and approvals from the Fire Department and the
Permits and Inspections Diws~on of the Planning Department before occupancy of the
building. A Certificate of Occupancy for the use shall be obtained from the Permits and
Inspections division of the Planning Department. The use shall be administratively
reviewed on an annual basis.
Dorothy Wood: Ma'am, do you agree with those conditions?
Item g4
Dayspring Outreach Ministry
Page 2
Marcela Jarina: Yes ma'am.
Dorothy Wood: Thank you. Is there any objection to Item #4, Dayspring Outreach
Ministry? Hearing none. Mr. Din, will please comment on that.
William Din: Yes. I'm commenting on this item because we have placed it on consent.
And just to provide some justification as to why the Planning Commission agreed to do
that is the fact this is an existing church. They're asking for a Conditional Use Permit to
expand this church from approximately 50 members to 100 members. The church is an
existing one in the shopping. There are two other churches in there as a result of the
evaluation, the City did not see that there was any conflict with parking since these Uses
are during hours when there are low customer usage of this shopping area. So as a result
we placed this on consent with no objections being seen.
Dorothy Wood: Thank you.
Marcela Jarina: Thank you.
Dorothy Wood: Hearing no objection, Mr. Ripley, I would move that we approve this
item on the consent agenda, Item g4 with three conditions.
Ronald Ripley: So a motion to approve this item that was just read by Dot Wood. Do I
have a second? Seconded by Gene Crabtree. Are there any comments? We're ready to
vote.
AYE 10 NAY 0 ABS 0 ABSENT 1
ANDERSON AYE
CRABTREE AYE
DIN AYE
HORSLEY
KATSIAS AYE
KNIGHT AYE
MILLER AYE
RIPLEY AYE
SALLE' AYE
STRANGE AYE
WOOD AYE
ABSENT
Ronald Ripley: By a vote of 10-0, the motion passes.
Map G-8 Reed Inc.
Map Not to $co].e
10.
Gpin 1486-44-9760
ZONING HISTORY
1. Conditional Use Permit (gas sales) - Approved 4/20/81
Conditional Use Permit (gas sales and car wash)- Approved 7/5/88
Conditional Use Permit (gas sales and cony store) - Approved 2/25/03
2. Conditional Use Permit (motorcycle sales and repair)- Approved 7/5/00
3. Rezoning (R-8 Residential to B-2 Business) - Approved 10/11/76
4. Rezoning (O-1 Office to I-1 Industrial)- Withdrawn 3/3/86
Rezoning (O-1 Office to A-1 Apartment)- Denied 7/14/86
Rezoning (O-1 Office to B-2 Business)- Withdrawn 5/23/88
Conditional Use Permit (senior housing)- Approved 1/13 98
5. Rezoning (O-1 Office to B-2 Business) - Approved 3/18/85
6. Conditional Use Permit (car wash)- Approved 2/13/84
7. Rezoning (^-1 ^partment to B-2 Business) - Approved 6/2/86
8. Rezoning (A-1 Apartment to O-1 Office) - Approved 10/24/83
9. Rezoning (O-1 Office to B-2 Business) and Conditional Use Permit (auto
repair) - Approved 8/4/86
Rezoning (^-12 Apartment to B-2 Business) and Conditional Use Permit
(auto repair)- Approved 9/26/88
Conditional Use Pemrit (auto repair)- 4/23/96
r
II
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
ITEM: Reed Enterprises, Inc.- Conditional Use Permit
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
· Background:
An Ordinance upon Application of Reed Enterprises, Inc. for a Conditional Use
Permit for an automobile service station in conjunction with a car wash and
convenience store on property located at 985 Chimney Hill Shopping Center
(GPIN 1486449760). DISTRICT 3-ROSE HALL
The purpose of this request is to add an automatic car wash to a site recently
approved by City Council for gas pumps and a convenience store.
Considerations:
On February 25, 2003, the City Council approved a Conditional Use Permit for a
redevelopment of this site that shows the existing improvements will be
demolished. The pump islands will be relocated under a new canopy and a new
convenience store will be constructed. No car wash was shown on this plan. The
applicant is proposing to make adjustments in the site plan referenced in the
Conditional Use Permit granted by City Council on February 25, 2003 to reduce
the size of the convenience store and add an automatic car wash.
The new site plan shows that the convenience store has been reduced from
4,200 square feet to 2,600 square feet and a new car wash building measuring
576 square feet has been added on the eastern s~de of the convenience store.
The setbacks for the convenience store from Chimney H~II Parkway and from the
gas pump canopy have not changed. The configuration of the gas pump islands
and canopy has not changed. The new car wash building does not meet the
required setback of 55 feet from the gas pump islands and will require that the
applicant seek a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals for the setback of 40
feet.
The elevations provided with this request vary slightly from the elevations
referenced in the Conditional Use Permit approved on February 25, 2003. The
new design of the proposed convenience store building, car wash and canopy
still meets the intent of the retail guidelines in the City Zoning Ordinance
Reed Enterprises
Page 2 of 3
The Planning Commission placed this item on the consent agenda because it is
an expansion of an existing use. Staff recommended approval. There was no
opposition to the request.
· Recommendations:
The Planning Commission passed a motion by a recorded vote of 10-0 to
approve this request with the following conditions:
1. The existing two entrances on Holland Road must be removed and replaced
with a single entrance with a right turn lane The entrance and turn lane
configuration and dimensions must conform to Public Works Specifications
and Standards.
,
The site shall be developed in substantial conformance with the submitted
site plan titled "Layout and Landscape Plan of Gas Sales and Convenience
Store Addition", dated February 26, 2003, and prepared by Land Design and
Development. Said plan has been exhibited to City Council and is on file in
the City of Virginia Beach Planning Department.
.
In order to construct the car wash in the location shown, the applicant shall
seek a variance to setback requirements. If the variance is not granted, this
Conditional Use Permit shall be amended to show the car wash building in a
suitable location that meets all required setbacks.
,
The buildings shall be constructed in substantial conformance with the
elevation titled "Reed Enterprises Convenience Store @ Holland Road and
Chimney Hill Parkway (Sheets A-1 and A-2)" and dated 3/13/03. Said
elevation has been exhibited to City Council and is on file in the City of
Virginia Beach Planning Department.
,
The new canopy shall be constructed in substantial conformance with the
elevation titled "Reed Enterprises Convenenience Store @ Holland Road and
Chimney Hill Parkway Gas Canopy (Sheet A-3)" dated 3/13/03.
6. Signage for the site shall be limited to:
a. Traffic control signs;
b. Striping on the canopy shall be limited to 10 feet on each side of the
canopy or one-quarter of the length of each side. Signage on the
canopy shall not be internally or externally illuminated.
c. No signage in excess of a total of four (4) square feet of the entire
glass area of the exterior wall shall be permitted. There shall be no
other signs, neon signs or neon accents installed on any wall area of
the exterior of the building, windows and / or doors, canopy, light poles,
or any other portion of the site.
Reed Enterprises
Page 3 of 3
7. No outdoor vending machines and / or display of merchandise shall be
allowed.
8. An on-site pedestrian walkway at least five feet in width shall be provided
from the sidewalk on Chimney Hill Parkway to the convenience store.
9. Bicycle racks shall be provided near the entrance of the store.
· Attachments:
Staff Review
Disclosure Statement
Planning Commission M~nutes
Location Map
Recommended Action: Staff recommends approval. Planning Commission recommends
approval.
Submitting Department/Agency: Planning Department~~~
City Manager:~ ~- .'~~h4'L,
REED ENTERPISES/# 5
May 14, 2003
General Information:
APPLICATION
NUMBER: G08-212-C U P-2003
REQUEST:
Conditional Use Permit for an automobile service station with
convenience store and car wash
ADDRESS: 985 Chimney Hill Parkway
Ma~, C,-S Reed Inc.
Ho No~, Scole
18
C_rlnn 1486 ~ 9760
GPIN'
14864497600000
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESl # 5
Page 1
ELECTION
DISTRICT:
SITE SIZE:
STAFF
PLANNER:
PURPOSE:
3 - ROSE HALL
31,755 square feet
Barbara Duke
To add an automatic car wash to a site recently approved by City
Council for gas pumps and a convenience store.
Major Issues:
· Degree to which the proposal is compatible with the surrounding area.
Land Use, Zoning, and
Site Characteristics:
Existing Land Use and Zoning
There are currenlty four gas pump islands
and a kiosk under a canopy and an
automatic car wash on the site. The site
is zoned B-2 Community Business
District.
On February 25, 2003, the City Council
approved a Conditional Use Permit for a
redevelopment of this site that shows the
existing improvements will be demolished. The pump islands will be relocated under a
new canopy and a new convenience store will be constructed. No car wash was shown
on this plan.
Surrounding Land Use and Zoning
North:
South:
· Office Buildings / O-2 Office District and B-2
Community Business District
· Shopping Center / B-2 Community Business
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESl # 5
Page 2
East:
West:
District
Retail Shops / B-2 Community Business District
McDonald's Restaurant, Senior Housing / B-2
Community Business District and 0-2 Office
District
Zoning History
There have been numerous use permits granted for auto related uses in the commercial
areas surrounding the site. Listed below are the actions granted on the subject site.
4120/81 -CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (gas sales) APPROVED
715188 - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (gas sales and car wash) APPROVED
2125/03- CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (gas sales and convenience store)
APPROVED with the following conditions:
.
The existing two entrances on Holland Road must be removed and replaced with
a single entrance with a right turn lane. The entrance and turn lane configuration
and dimensions must conform to Public Works Specifications and Standards.
.
The site shall be developed in substantial conformance with the submitted site
plan titled "Layout and Landscape Plan of Gas Sales and Convenience Store
Addition", dated November 12, 2002, and prepared by Land Design and
Development. Said plan has been exhibited to City Council and is on file in the
City of Virginia Beach Planning Department.
.
The building shall be constructed in substantial conformance with the elevation
titled "Reed Enterprises Convenience Store @ Holland Road and Chimney Hill
Parkway". Said elevation has been exhibited to City Council and is on file in the
City of Virginia Beach Planning Department.
.
The new canopy shall be constructed in substantial conformance with the
building. The same reddish brown brick veneer should be shall be used on the
columns and a pitched roof with matching shingles shall be elements.
5. Signage for the site shall be limited to:
a. Traffic control signs;
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISES/ft 5
Page 3
bo
C.
Striping on the canopy shall be limited to 10 feet on each side of the
canopy or one-quarter of the length of each side. Signage on the canopy
shall not be internally or externally illuminated.
No signage in excess of a total of four (4) square feet of the entire glass
area of the exterior wall shall be permitted. There shall be no other signs,
neon signs or neon accents installed on any wall area of the exterior of the
building, windows and / or doors, canopy, light poles, or any other portion
of the site.
6. No outdoor vending machines and / or display of merchandise shall be allowed.
7. An on-site pedestrian walkway at least five feet in width shall be provided from
the sidewalk on Chimney Hill Parkway to the convenience store.
8. Bicycle racks shall be provided near the entrance of the store.
Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ)
The site is in an AICUZ of 65-70dB Ldn surrounding NAS Oceana.
Public Facilities and Services
Water and Sewer
The site is currently connected to City water and sewer.
Transportation
Master Transportation Plan (MTP) I Capital Improvement Program (CIP):
Holland Road in the vicinity of the subject site is a four lane divided major urban
arterial. It is identified on the Master Transportation Plan Map as a 120 foot wide
divided highway. This roadway will be improved to a six lane facility with Holland
Road Phase V (CIP 2-850). This project is listed as requested but not funded in the
FY 2002-2003 Capital Improvement Program document.
The right of way width along the frontage of this site ~s sufficient for the 120 foot
width identified on the Master Transportation Plan.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISES/# 5
Page 4
Traffic Calculations:
Street Name Present Present Generated Traffic
Volume Capacity
31,700 ADT ~
Level Of Ex~sbng Land Use 2_ 1,456
Holland Road 36,038 ADT 1
Serwce = F Proposed Land Use 3_ 3,552
Average Daily Trips
as defined by 8 fuel pumps and car wash
3 as defined by 4,200 square foot convenience store, car wash and fuel pumps
Public Safety
Police:
The applicant is encouraged to contact and work with the
Crime Prevention Office within the Police Department for crime
prevention techniques and Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts and strategies as
they pertain to this site.
Some items to consider are:
Advertisements and/or displays should not be located in
and around windows
A maximum height of shelving of no more than 42
inches is recommended, with no stacking items on the
top shelf. This will help with visibility throughout the
store for employees and customers
· Any pay phones on the site shall be located away from
the convenience store
· Use of closed circuit TV on the site is recommended.
· Installation of an alarm system on the building.
Fire and
Rescue:
Fire protection requirements will be addressed during detailed
site plan review.
Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan recommends this area for retail, service, office and other
compatible uses within commercial centers serving surrounding neighborhoods and
communities.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESl # 5
Page 5
Summary of Proposal
Proposal
The applicant is proposing to make adjustments in the site plan referenced in
the Conditional Use Permit granted by City Council on February 25, 2003 to
reduce the size of the convenience store and add an automatic car wash. No
changes to the fuel islands and canopy are proposed.
Site Desi.qn
The site is 31,755 square feet. Section 225 of the zoning ordinance requires
that sites containing gas pumps, convenience store and a car wash be at
least 40,000 square feet. This site is deficient in that requirement. The new
site plan shows that the convenience store has been reduced from 4,200
square feet to 2,600 square feet and a new car wash building measuring 576
square feet has been added on the eastern side of the convenience store.
The setbacks for the convenience store from Chimney Hill Parkway and from
the gas pump canopy have not changed. The configuration of the gas pump
islands and canopy has not changed. The new car wash building does not
meet the required setback of 55 feet from the gas pump islands and will
require that a variance be granted from the Board of Zoning Appeals for the
setback of 40 feet as shown.
Vehicular and Pedestrian Access
The only change to the applicant's access plan is that a one-way drive aisle
has been added at the rear of the convenience store to access the automatic
car wash. The area of the drive aisle was shown as a landscape buffer on
the site plan approved with the Conditional Use Permit on February 25, 2003.
Architectural Desien
The elevations provided with this request vary slightly from the elevations
referenced in the Conditional Use Permit approved on February 25, 2003.
The new design of the proposed convenience store building, car wash and
canopy still meets the intent of the retail guidelines in the zoning ordinance.
The elevations depict a defined entryway with columns and a gable feature.
White wood trim (dentil course) will be featured along all sides of the building.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESl # 5
Page 6
Exterior materials include reddish brown brick veneer and charcoal gray or
black architectural shingles.
Landscape and Open Space Desiqn
The applicant has provided a revised landscape plan for the site. A drive
aisle has been added at the rear of the convenience store, eliminating the
landscape buffer previously shown in this area. In lieu of this buffer, the
applicant has provided additional foundation plantings along the rear of the
convenience store. Crape Myrtle trees have been specified for the buffer
along the eastern edge of the site in lieu of the Dawn Redwood trees shown
on the site plan referenced in the Conditional Use Permit granted on February
25, 2003.
Evaluation of Request
The request for the addition of a car wash to this site to be operated in conjunction with
a convenience store and gas pumps is acceptable. The revisions proposed to the site
by the applicant to accommodate the car wash still exceed the minimum requirements
for landscaping and do meet the guidelines for retail development. It is recognized that
the site is less than the 40,000 square feet required for this combination of uses under
Section 225 of the zoning ordinance, and as such, a Board of Zoning Appeals variance
to setback requirements must be granted to construct the car wash in the location
shown. The request to operate gas pumps, a car wash and a convenience store on the
subject site is recommended for approval with the conditions listed below. The
conditions listed below are identical to the conditions approved with the Conditional Use
Permit on February 25, 2003 except for the language that was changed in bold to
reference the revised site plan and architectural elevations and the need for a Board of
Zoning Appeals variance.
Conditions
.
The existing two entrances on Holland Road must be removed and replaced with
a single entrance with a right turn lane. The entrance and turn lane configuration
and dimensions must conform to Public Works Specifications and Standards.
The site shall be developed in substantial conformance with the submitted site
plan titled "Layout and Landscape Plan of Gas Sales and Convenience Store
Addition", dated February 26, 2003, and prepared by Land Design and
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESl # 5
Page 7
Development. Said plan has been exhibited to City Council and is on file in the
City of Virginia Beach Planning Department.
m
In order to construct the car wash in the location shown, a variance to
setback requirements must be obtained from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
If the variance is not granted, this Conditional Use Permit shall be amended
to show the car wash building in a suitable location that meets all required
setbacks.
.
The buildings shall be constructed in substantial conformance with the elevation
titled "Reed Enterprises Convenience Store @ Holland Road and Chimney
Hill Parkway (Sheets A-1 and A-2)" and dated 3/13/03. Said elevation has
been exhibited to City Council and is on file in the City of V~rginia Beach Planning
Department.
.
The new canopy shall be constructed in substantial conformance with the
elevation titled "Reed Enterprises Convenenience Store @ Holland Road
and Chimney Hill Parkway Gas Canopy (Sheet A-3)" dated 3/13103.
6. Signage for the site shall be limited to:
d. Traffic control signs;
e. Striping on the canopy shall be limited to 10 feet on each side of the
canopy or one-quarter of the length of each side. Signage on the canopy
shall not be internally or externally illuminated.
f. No signage in excess of a total of four (4) square feet of the entire glass
area of the exterior wall shall be permitted. There shall be no other signs,
neon signs or neon accents installed on any wall area of the exterior of the
building, windows and / or doom, canopy, light poles, or any other portion
of the site.
7. No outdoor vending machines and / or display of merchandise shall be allowed.
8. An on-site pedestrian walkway at least five feet in width shall be provided from
the sidewalk on Chimney Hill Parkway to the convenience store.
9. Bicycle racks shall be provided near the entrance of the store.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESI # 5
Page 8
NOTE:
Further conditions may be required during the
administration of applicable City Ordinances. The site plan
submitted with this conditional use permit may require
revision during detailed site plan review to meet all
applicable City Codes. Conditional use permits must be
activated within 12 months of City Council approval See
Section 220(g) of the City Zoning Ordinance for further
information.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISES/# 5
Page 9
.....ji, F
Planning Commission Agenda [~, __~
May 14, 2003~....~....~2
REED ENTERPISES/# 5 ~
Page 10
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESI # 5
Page 11
ilnl
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESI # 5
Page 12
I
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESI # 5
Page 13
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESI # 5
Page 14
Applicant's Name: _Reed_Entemrises. Inc. = .: .........................
List All Current
Property Ownem: Reed Enterpd_ses,,Inc.. ,.
APPLICANT DISCLOSURE
If the applicant is a CORPORATION, list all officers of the Corporation below.
(Attach list if necessary)
Reed....Enterp~, in.c.~N .ea!, R...eed - President, Mantula Reed - Seq../Treas.
If the applicant is a PARTNERSHIP, FIRM, or other UNINCORPORATED
ORGANIZATION, list all members or partners in the organization below. (Attach list
if necessary)
!~ Check here if the applicant is NOT a corporation, partnership, firm, or other
unincorporated organization.
e'~ appecaet ~ n~ ~ ~ o,.,er ofme~, com~k~ the Pmparty Owner
PROPERTY OWNER DISCLOSURE
If the property owner is a CORPORATION. list all officem of the Corporation below.
(Attach list if necessary)
, R~..,Enterp. '.ris. es., In.c.,. N.e,a!..R..eed - President. !~ntula Reed - SecJ'rreas.
If the property owner is a PARTNERSHIP, FIRM, or other UNINCO~RATED
ORGANIZATION, list all members or partners in the organization below. (Attach list
~f necessary)
!-1 Check hem if the property owner is NOT a corporation, partnership, firm, or other
unincorporated organization.
CERTIFICATION: I certify that the inforrna~on contained heroin is true
and accuraY.
, Nea!Reed
Print Name
Conditional Use Permit Application
Page 8 of 12
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
REED ENTERPISESI ft 5
Page 15
Item #5
Reed Enterprises, Inc.
Conditional Use Permit
985 Chimney Hill Shopping Center
District 3
Rose Hall
May 14, 2003
CONSENT
Dorothy Wood: The next item is Item #5, Reed Enterprises. An ordinance up
application of Reed Enterprises for a Conditional Use Permit for an automobile service
station in conjunction with a car wash and convenience store. This is in the Chimney Hill
Shopping Center, Rose Hall District with nine conditions. Is there anyone here
representing the applicant?
Roger Pope: My name is Roger Pope and I represent the applicant. All the conditions
are acceptable with the deletion of item 6e as we will be reusing the components of the
canopy.
Dorothy Wood: Thank you sir.
Roger Pope: Thank you.
Dorothy Wood: Is there any objection to Item #5, Reed Enterprises for a Conditional Use
Permit for automobile service station, car wash, convenience store in the Chimney Hill
Shopping Center? Hearing none, Mr. Din will you please comment on that?
William Din: Yes. This is an existing gas station with a convenience store that was
approved in February of this year. The Conditional Use Permit had to be applied for
when they wanted to make a modification to this to add the car wash. As a result of the
addition of the car wash, they're actually modifying the size of the building. They are
making it smaller. However, all the previous conditions still stand. There is one
condition that is being changed that was written in our agenda about reuse of the canopy
in order to help out the applicant in this situation. We're allowing him to reuse the
canopy with the striping on there. There were no objections or other comments that the
Planning Commission had on this thing so we put it on the consent agenda.
Dorothy Wood: Thanks Mr. Din. Mr. Ripley, I would move that we approve this item
on the consent agenda, Item #5 with nine conditions with number "e" under condition "6"
removed.
Ronald Ripley: So a motion to approve this item that was just read by Dot Wood. Do I
have a second? Seconded by Gene Crabtree. Are there any comments? We're ready to
vote.
Item #5
Reed Enterprises, Inc.
Page 2
AYE 10 NAY 0 ABS 1
ABSENT 1
ANDERSON AYE
CRABTREE AYE
DIN AYE
HORSLEY
KATSIAS AYE
KNIGHT AYE
MILLER AYE
RIPLEY AYE
SALLE' AYE
STRANGE AYE
WOOD AYE
ABSENT
Ronald Ripley: By a vote of 10-0, the motion passes.
Map KIO
M~p Not to Scale
R-20
%,Y AG-2
AG-2
Crl~in 2405-82-4128
ZONING HISTORY
1. Conditional Use Permit (horses for him/boarding) - Granted 6-25-02
2. Conditional Use Permit (pet crematory) - Granted 4-9-02
Conditional Use Permit (single family dwelling)- Granted 8-1-83
3. Conditional Use Permit (recreational facility of an outdoor nature/corn
maze)- Granted 5-23-00
Conditional Use Permit (borrow pit) - Denied 7-1-97
Conditional Use Permit (single family dwelling) - Granted 2-1-88
5. Conditional Use Permit (communication tower)- Withdrawn 10-11-94
Conditional Use Permit (single family dwelling)- Granted 10-10-88
6 Change of Zoning (AG-1 Agricultural District to B-2 Community Business
District)- Granted 4-14-92
7. Conditional Use Permit (recreabon and amusement facility)- Granted 10-
22-91
8. Conditional Use Permit (single family dwelling)- Granted 3-20-89
9. Change of Zoning (AG-1 Agricultural District to R-8 Residential District) -
Granted 10-22-84
10. Change of Zoning (R-3 Residential District to R-8 Residential District) -
Granted 10-22-84
11. Change of Zoning (R-3 Residential District to R-6 Residential District) -
Granted 2-11-8,5
12. Change of Zoning (R-3 Residential District to R-5 Residential District)-
Granted 11-5-84
13. Conditional Use Permit (single family dwelling)- Granted 2-28-83
Conditional Use Permit (riding academy and horses for hire/board) -
Granted 10-26-81
Conditional Use Permit (country inn) - Granted 12-20-82
o
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
ITEM: John Sweeney-Conditional Use Permit
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
· Background:
An Ordinance upon Application of John Sweeney for a Conditional Use Permit for
firewood preparation on property located at 2332 London Bridge Road (GPIN
2405824128). DISTRICT 7- PRINCESS ANNE
The purpose of this request is to process firewood and store wood on the site.
Considerations:
The vacant, primarily wooded site is currently zoned AG-1 Agricultural District. A
portion of the site has been cleared and is being used to process firewood
harvested from the site and perhaps firewood from off site. This parcel is one of
a small number of large lot home sites in this unique area on the Hunt Club
Farm.
The property adjacent and to the east was recently approved by the City Council
for homes for hire and boarding. Recently, an application for a pet crematory
was approved by City Council on a five (5) acre parcel in the vicinity of this
property. There is an ex~sting single-family residence on that site approved by
City Council on August 1, 1983. In May of 2000, City Council granted a
Conditional Use Permit for a recreation facility of an outdoor nature (corn maze)
on the site to the southeast.
While this property and those around it are currently zoned agricultural, the lots in
the vicinity are much smaller than what one would typically expect of
agriculturally zoned property. Upon initial consideration, the agricultural zoning
seems appropriate for firewood processing, but due to the small lot sizes (5 to 10
acres for s~ngle family dwellings) within this portion of the Hunt Club Farm, the
distance the objectionable noise generated by th~s activity travels is much
shorter. Therefore, the effect on neighboring properties is and w~ll be negative.
Typically, agriculturally zoned property, particularly in the southern part of the
City, consists of a larger lot size, making this type of actiwty more appropriate.
Activities that may not be appropriate on smaller lots, such as a large dog kennel
or firewood processing, may very well be appropnate on large lot agriculturally
zoned parcels. Due to the fact that the proposed use is not appropriate on this
John Sweeney
Page 2 of 2
size agricultural lot, staff recommended denial. There was opposition to the
proposal.
· Recommendations:
The Planning Commission passed a motion by a recorded vote of 9-0 to deny
this request.
· Attachments:
Staff Rewew
Disclosure Statement
Planning Commission Minutes
Location Map
Recommended Action: Staff recommends demal. Planning Commission recommends den~al.
Submitting Department/Agency: Planning Department
City Manager~\L
JOHN SWEENEY/# 17
May 14, 2003
General Information:
APPLICATION
NUMBER: K 10-211 -CU P-2002
REQUEST:
Conditional Use Permit for a firewood preparabon
ADDRESS:
Property located north of London Bridge Road, east of Pine View
Avenue, 2332 London Bridge Road
M~j) J~70
Mop Not to
AG-I
AG-2
Opm 2405-82-4128
GPIN:
ELECTION
DISTRICT:
24058241280000
#7 - PRINCESS ANNE
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
JOHN SWEENEY I # 17
Page 1
SITE SIZE: 5.85 acres
STAFF
PLANNER:
PURPOSE:
Carolyn A.K. Smith
To process firewood and store wood on the site.
This request was deferred at the February 12, 2003 meeting due to failure to post the
required public notice. The request was deferred again by the Planning Commission on
March 12, 2003, with the request that the applicant and an adjoining property owner
meet and attempt to resolve outstanding issues. Staff has received no additional
information.
Major Issues:
Degree to which the presence of a firewood preparation facility may impact
existing surrounding uses and properties.
Land Use, Zoning, and
Site Characteristics:
Existing Land Use and Zonin,q
The vacant, primarily wooded site is
currently zoned AG-1 Agricultural District.
A portion of the site has been cleared and
is being used to process firewood
harvested from the site and perhaps
firewood from off site. This parcel is one
of a small number of large lot home sites
in this unique area on the Hunt Club
Farm.
Surroundin,q Land Use and Zoning
North:
South:
Wooded site / AG-1 Agricultural District
Ingress/Egress road, wooded single family home
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
JOHN SWEENEY I # 17
Page 2
East: ·
West: °
site / AG-1 Agricultural District
Horse barn, field and single family dwelling / AG-1
Agricultural District
Wooded single family home site / AG-1
Agricultural District
Zonin,q History
The property adjacent and to the east was recently approved by the City Council for
horses for hire and boarding. Recently, an application for a pet crematory was
approved by City Council on a five (5) acre parcel ~n the vicinity of this property. There is
an exisbng single-family residence on that site approved by City Council on August 1,
1983.
In May of 2000, City Council granted a Conditional Use Permit for a recreation facility of
an outdoor nature (corn maze) on the site to the southeast.
A Conditional Use Permit request for a borrow pit was denied on a parcel to the west.
The existing dwelling on that same site was approved by City Council on February 1,
1988.
To the east, Conditional Use Permits were granted on two separate lots for single-family
dwellings as well as for a riding academy with horses for hire and board. Those were
approved in 1988, 1983 and 1981 respecbvely.
Air Installation Compatible Use Zone .(AICUZ)
The site is in an AICUZ of greater than 75dB Ldn surrounding NAS Oceana.
Natural Resource and Physical Characteristics
This property is located in the Southern Watersheds Management Area. A portion of
this wooded site has been cleared to accommodate a single-family dwelling.
Public Facilities and Services
Water and Sewer
City water and sewer are not available.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
JOHN SWEENEY / # 17
Page 3
Transportation
Master Transportation Plan (MTP) / Capital Improvement Program (CIP):
London Bridge Road in the vicinity of this request is a four (4) lane divided suburban
arterial. There are no plans to improve this roadway within the MTP. The residential
properties in this area as well as the existing riding stable are served by private
roads that lead to a main access point on London Bridge Road No significant
increase is expected as a result of the applicant's request
Traffic Calculations:
Street Name Present Present Generated Traffic
Volume Capacity
Ex~sbng Land Use z_ 10 ADT
London Bridge Road 20,209 ~ Proposed Land Use - 10 (from
ADT ~ 28,200 ADT the smgle-fam~ly) plus an
unknown add~bonal number as
there are no rehable traffic data
avadable for the cond~bonal use
Average Dady Trips
as defined by s~ngle-famlly dwelhng in AG DIstrict
Public Safety
Police:
Fire and
Rescue:
The applicant is encouraged to contact and work with the
Crime Prevention Office within the Police Department for crime
prevention techniques and Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts and strategies as
they pertain to this site.
Adequate - no further comments.
Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan recommends Iow-density suburban residential land use at or
below 3.5 dwelling units per acre for this area.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
JOHN SWEENEY I # 17
Page 4
Summary of Proposal
Proposal
The applicant desires to bring in wood from tree service activities and saw
and split the wood to sell for firewood. This activity requires a Conditional
Use Permit for firewood preparation.
Site Design
· There is an unpaved entrance to the site along the southern property line.
Other than the clearing of some of the trees on the site, all of the buildings
(greenhouse and shed), the stockpile of processed firewood, and truck
parking, etc., are located in the eastern half of the property.
Vehicular and Pedestrian Access
Access to this site is provided through a private road that is shared by
residents living on the Hunt Club Farm property. The private road leads to an
access point on London Bridge Road.
Evaluation of Request
Staff cannot recommend approval of this request for firewood processing. While this
property and those around it are currently zoned agricultural, the lots in the vicinity are
much smaller than what one would typically expect of agriculturally zoned. Upon initial
consideration, the agricultural zoning seems appropriate for firewood processing, but
due to the small lot sizes (5 to 10 acres for single family dwellings) within this portion of
the Hunt Club Farm, the distance the objectionable noise generated by this activity
travels is much shorter. Therefore, the effect on neighboring properties is and will be
negative. Typically, agriculturally zoned property, particularly in the southern part of the
C~ty, consists of a larger lot size, making this type of activity more appropriate. Activibes
that may not be appropriate on smaller lots, such as a large dog kennel or firewood
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
JOHN SWEENEY I # 17
Page 5
processing, may very well be appropriate on large lot agriculturally zoned parcels. Due
to the fact that the proposed use is not appropriate on this size agricultural lot, which
adjoins other similarly situated and sized lots, staff cannot support the request.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
JOHN SWEENEY I # 17
Page 6
LA
%
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Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
JOHN SWEENEY I # 17
Page 7
Z
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
JOHN SWEENEY Ift 17
Page 8
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
JOHN SWEENEY I # 17
Page 9
[ [ [[ [[
Applicant's Name:
List All Current
Property Owners:
[[[
Il'lift[ I
'3-o t~,~ ~- ~ ~ t ~
PROPERTY OWNER DISCLOSURE
If the property owner is a CORPORATION, list all officers of the Corporation below:
(Attach list if necessary)
If the property owner is a PARTNERSHIP, FIRM, or other UNINCORPORATED
ORGANIZATION, list all members or partnem in the organization below:. (Attach list
if necessary)
~/~Check here if the property owner is NOT a corporation, partnership, firm, or other
·
unincorporated organization.
ff the applicant is not the current owner of the property, complete the Applicant D/sclosure
section below:
APPMCANT DISCLOSURE
If the property owner is a CORPORATION, list all officers of the Corporation below:.
(Attach list if necessary)
If the property owner is a PARTNERSHIP, FIRM, or other UNINCORPORATED
ORGANIZATION, list all members or partnem in the organization below:. (Attach list
if necessary)
D Check here if the property owner is NOT a corporation, partnership, firm, or other
unincorporated organization.
CERTIFICATION: I certify that the information contained herein is true
and accuraY.
S~gr~at~re Print Name /
iiiii iii i i ii . ,= ] ,., ,. i , i
Conditional Use Permit Application
Page 8 of 12
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
JOHN SWEENEY I # 17
Page 10
Item #17
John Sweeney
Conditional Use Perrmt
2332 London Bridge Road
District 7
Princess Anne
May 14, 2003
REGULAR
Ronald Ripley: Okay. Let's bring the meeting back to order and proceed. I think
everybody's here except for applicants. Did they all leave? Mr. Miller, why don't you
call the next item?
Robert Miller: The next item is Item #17, John Sweeney.
Arthur Erich: Arthur Erlich, Jr. for the applicant. Mr. Chairman, members of the
Commission. When we were here two months ago you granted a request for a deferral
for the parties in opposition to discuss this matter with Mr. Sweeney to see if they could
work it out. Unfortunately, that has not been accomplished. Mr. Tisdale, I understand is
here representing some of the parties in opposition. So that's where we stand. Nothing
was able to be resolved. Mr. Sweeney is not here and he asked me just to advise the
Commission that it could not be resolved and for you to go ahead a render a decision. I
do want to note one thing that I just asked Mr. Mellon regarding the deed restrictions.
That came up with one of the members. I believe that someone had asked what effect
that had. I will tell you that I've done some research on that. I think that is an issue
between adjacent property owners and everyone that took under the original distribution
or division of the property. I don't know if that has any bearing on your decisions today.
But, I did look at that. And, I think that's between adjacent land owners or takers from
the original parcel to sort out between themselves. Having said that, I have nothing
further to add or to say today or to present unless there are any questions?
Ronald Ripley: The question that I have is that did you get together? Did you try to get
together?
Arthur Erich: I understand the adjacent landowners met. There were some requests
between the parties to meet outside at the presence to council. Now apparently, there's
been some conversatmns but it didn't really go as requested. I spoke to Mr. J.D. Vogel
who's here today and apparently Mr. Sweeney did not respond in a manner that met his
satisfaction. And, I say, I don't want to put words in Mr. Vogel's mouth because he's
here to speak to you today. But, I think the bottom line is there was never, what you had
envisioned as everyone, all the property owners, being a large number getting together
and talktng.
Ronald Ripley: That was our hope.
Item #17
John Sweeney
Page 2
Arthur Erich: And, I understand.
Ronald Ripley: Our hope was in the attempt was to have you all get together and meet
some sort of a solution that everybody could live with.
Arthur Erich: Yes sir.
Ronald Pdpley: Okay. Are there any questions of council?
Eugene Crabtree: I got one question.
Arthur Erich: Yes sir.
Eugene Crabtree: When Mr. Sweeney bought that property, I presumed that he read the
deed restriction even though it is between the parties of other people. I presumed that he
read that restriction. And, when he closed on the property he probably signed a statement
that reflects such.
Arthur Erich: Mr. Crabtree, yes sir. I looked. I asked Mr. Sweeney to provide me his
original deed. It is contained in his original deed, so yes sir, when that matter did go to
closing that covenant or restriction ran with the property and it has not been abolished. In
fact, I will tell you my research. It's a long history of cases. I think it's the land law in
Virginia's probably older than any other state in this nation. They have uniformly upheld
every time these matters go to court and the only way that those disappear is if every
taker agrees to lift them. And, in fact, one of the leading cases is out of Virginia Beach.
And so, he did know about it. It was part of his original deed and again, unless everybody
and I mean everybody to the very last landowner. It's not a majority rules. Everybody
has to agree to lift those restrictions before they become invalid.
Eugene Crabtree: Thank you.
Arthur Erich: Yes sir.
Ronald Ripley: Any other questions? Yes, Joe Strange.
Joseph Strange: Was there any proposal made that Mr. Sweeney turn down?
Arthur Erlich: No sir. There was not. I believe what transpired was Mr. J.D. Vogel had
requested Mr. Sweeney put some things in writing and he didn't do that. And, my
information is that it really wasn't acceptable, the restrictions.
Joseph Strange: So they did?
Arthur Erich: Well, they talked.
Item #17
John Sweeney
Page 3
Joseph Strange: Yeah. So they did give him some condition under which they would
support him.
Arthur Erich: Well, they asked him to put some things in concrete. Very specific things
writing and again, Mr. Vogel, I think can address that better because I wasn't part of that
conversation but it turned out that Mr. Sweeney never did put anything to paper but I
believe it wasn't even close to what Mr. Vogel had asked for.
Joseph Strange: Alright. Thank you.
Arthur Erlich: Yes sir.
Ronald Ripley: Then he's not willing to compromise at all? Is that what you're saying?
Arthur Erlich: I think the parties are so far apart in this that it cannot be accomplished.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Arthur Erich: And again, Mr. Tisdale is here for Mr. Vogel and I think he can address
that. Actually, Mr. Vogel, Sr. is here to and someone that I know and I respect him. I
think he's got a very strong opinion as to the nature of the conveyance originally and
what the intent was for that piece of property to be used for. This is just not something
that I think they find acceptable. But again, I don't want to put words in their mouth.
Ronald Ripley: Okay.
Arthur Erich: Yes sir.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Arthur Erich: Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Miller.
Robert Miller: Mr. Warren Tisdale.
Warren Tisdale: Good afternoon. My name is Warren Tisdale, an attorney. I represent
J.D. Vogel and Princess Anne Farms. My address is 1800 Bank of America Center in the
City of Norfolk. I'd like to focus my brief comments today on land use considerations
and not on deed restrictions. I think to the extent that we're here before you today in
opposition to this application, we want to focus on very brief on what the zomng
ordinance says and why we think it's a bad idea to recommend the application favorably
to City Council. F~re wood preparation, I know some of you all may have visited the site
and you know what's involved. But basically it consists of sawing with some high power
saws. They're loud. You got sort of the explosions of the pneumatic splitting of logs.
Item #17
John Sweeney
Page 4
There's dust. There's rambling. There's vibration. And, adding on to that you got
trucks. You have to be ~nvolved with the business because you got big logs going in and
wood coming out. So, I think its fair to say it's an intense use. I think the City thinks its
an intense use because the only two zoning districts where this permitted is, one is
industrial and one is agricultural and even in those districts it's not a use as of right. You
have to go through the Conditional Use Permit process and that's precisely because in
any given set of circumstances the intensity of the use may not be appropriate. I think
what we have here is a very good example where it's not appropriate. I think the
Planning staff hit the nail right on the head when the report said that in most agricultural
districts you can probably make a pretty good case that a firewood operation like this is
not going to affect the neighborhood because typically agricultural process is pretty big
and residences are far apart. But here you're dealing with an area, which while it is
zoned agricultural. The lots are 5-10 acres in size so everything is close together. And,
so the kind of activities that I described above would ~n fact create an objectionable noise.
That's one thing. The second thing is and I'll use this chart again in a few minutes but
access to this property, which is shown here in sort of a brown color. This is the property
subject to the application, access off London Bridge Road is through a private road that
comes up here, like this and then tums this way to get to the parcel. So that means that its
not just the people who are right around the subject lot that is impacted, if you include in
the use the actual tracks going in and out then all of the property owners and people that
live on this side of the road are severely affected. The third thing is that the character of
that development is sort of turning to a horse, animal type environment. And, there are
also some easements for horse trails. The horses are either being cared for ridden on
certain properties or they're being ridden on trails on the general development and the
more big truck traffic that you have back there, it creates an issue of safety and a situation
that is not conducive to what mainly is going on back in that neighborhood. Section 221
of the Zoning Ordinance...
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Tisdale?
Warren Tisdale: Yes?
Ronald Ripley: Your nme limit is up. But I would like for you to and I don't know how
much more you have to go over but we've heard this in quite long length once before and
so maybe you could raise your points and then we'll conclude.
Warren Tisdale: I'll be brief. There are four people who will speak very, very briefly
after me, just some people who actually live in the neighborhood.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Warren Tisdale: Just in the zoning ordinance again, if you look under the Use Permit
section, the kind of things that you're suppose to take into consideration in making this
consideration of things like noise, vibration, fumes. All those things as applied to this
particular set of circumstances, I think support a negative recommendation to C~ty
Item # 17
John Sweeney
Page 5
Council. And, I don't think there are really any conditions that would make it pallable.
As I mentioned, there are four people whose lives are touched by this who will speak
very briefly. John Vogel, Kelley Hansen, J.D. Vogel and Tyler Smith. I'll leave you
with this chart, which shows in pink except there's an area here for A-4. Everything that
is in pink is owned by a person who signed a petition that I will now turn in opposing the
application to give you an idea of the breath of the opposition. And, I'll also submit a
petition and a picture that I know you've seen before with those signatures. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Any questions of Mr. Tisdale? Joe Strange.
Joseph Strange: The question I have is do you have a copy of what you asked Mr.
Sweeney to agree too?
Warren Tisdale: My understanding and again, I was only recently engaged to participate
in this hearing when J.D. was available to speak, my understanding was there was no
subject of conversations between the applicant and the neighbors not even to the point of
saying if you do A or B, because frankly, I don't know what that list would be to actually
make it acceptable considenng noise.
Joseph Strange: When they were here before, there just seemed to be an attitude that
there could have been something to reach or otherwise it wouldn't have been deferred.
That's the reason why I'm asking. We didn't defer just to kill some time. It was because
there seemed like there was something that could have been worked out.
Warren Tisdale: I'm not sure whether the thinking involved after a while and the more
they considered to talk about that in the interest of appearing flexible initially, the more
they talked about it the more they had difficulty grasping coming up with conditions that
would make it acceptable. But again, you can probably address those questions to J.D.
since I was not aware.
Ronald Ripley: Okay. Thank you very much.
Warren Tisdale: Thank you.
Robert Miller: John David Vogel.
John D. Vogel: Thank you. The name is John David Vogel. I own ten acres there. And,
I'm totally against it because of the tracks coming in, the road conditions and the noise. I
wasn't present at the last Planning Commission. John Sweeney has not tried to talk to me
at all. He talked to my sister at one time. And, my sister recommended to him to write a
letter and give it to all the opposing people and never did. I never got a letter or spoke to
him. But again, I oppose it for basically the same reasons that Mr. Tisdale just told you
all. Any questions?
Item #17
John Sweeney
Page 6
Ronald Ripley: Questions? I have a question. Is there any size of operation in there that
you could agree that would be acceptable?
John D. Vogel: No, because in this picture you will see the size of his tracks.
Ronald Ripley: Yeah. I see the size of the wood and everything.
John D. Vogel: And, he has no five trucks. And, Kelley Hansen will be coming up
talking and it's right next to the horses. No matter what size it is it's going to impact the
horses.
Ronald Ripley: But even a small size?
John D. Vogel: It's just not conducive there.
Ronald Ripley: What about a fourth of it? Alright. Thank you.
John D. Vogel: Thank you.
Robert Miller: John C. Vogel.
John C. Vogel: Thank you for your patience. My name is John C. Vogel. I have lot A-1.
I was originally with a group of 12 that put this subdivision together about 40 years ago.
I moved there 30 something years ago and still live there. So, I have a very vested
interest in this property. My mama told me to be brief and not to be redundant. And, I
obey my mama. So instead of giving you a lot of details, which I wasn't here last time.
And, I saw you on television and there was a lot of stuff misrepresented. I'm not going to
go over it. So, I'll ignore that. Mr. Tisdale covered most of the things. And, I won't
repeat that. So in summary, I'll just give you the summary of my six pages of notes.
Why do I oppose this? That operation is heavy agriculture. It's a bad land use in that
neighborhood. You wouldn't want it in your neighborhood. The tracks are tremendous.
They tear up that road. That road you can drag, you can smooth it and those tracks come
up there and within a week you got a road that everybody else is bouncing up and down
and going into the potholes. Last time you gave Mr. Sweeney a lot of slack. You
thought he was so benevolent that he did all this work in getting this asphalt in there,
putting it down and smoothing it. But what he didn't tell you is that all the neighbors
gave him money. A thousand bucks a piece on some of them. So, he made money doing
this. So, then you say you feel sorry for this guy. Well, don't feel sorry for him. Now,
the thing that's really bothersome is the noise. The noise of the tracks, the noise that the
chain saws, the chipper and what not and that's next to Mrs. Hansen's horses. And, there
are little kids on those horses and if you think that's safe, it's mistaken because it isn't
safe. And, there are no hours of operation that would be compatible with these horse
lessons. And, if you were to approve this with him, you're going to ruin her business and
Tyler's business is right adjacent to them. So, it's destructive for a business that's been
there for 10 years. And, they got a big investment. They got a life investment in there.
Item #17
John Sweeney
Page 7
And, those trucks, those three huge trucks and it tears up that road. They're noisy. It's
not safe. And, those kids are riding bicycles and tiding horses there, it's not only riding
horses inside that ting, they go allover that property. And, that's the purpose of it.
There's a riding easement around everyone of those parcels. And, the reason for that
development was residential allowing you to have horses and allowing you to be able to
have your kids enjoy it. But, if they're not safe, you don't let them out.
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Vogel? You ran out of time. Can you sum it up real quick?
John C. Vogel: Give me one minute.
Ronald Ripley: Well, I'll give you a half a minute.
John C. Vogel: Okay. I can't say enough on that road. It destroys the road. Now, the
other thing is when he bnngs those trees in he's bringing a bunch of trash in. He doesn't
know what he's bringing in there. You know trees have bugs, worms, beetles and
everything else. Now that goes on that property. He processes it. Now where do those
beetles and things go? They go on to the live trees and eventually going to destroy those.
Anyway, I don't believe you would like that operation in your neighborhood. I don't
want it in mine. I don't want it around my kids or my grandkids or any other kid. So,
please turn it down.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much. Any questions? Barry.
Barry Knight: Mr. Vogel, when you developed that land were you and your group part of
the group that put the deed restrictions on the property?
John C. Vogel: Yes sir.
Barry Knight: They were. A lot of things that come to light since the initial meeting last
time, one of the most important things in my mind is those deed restrictions that you put
on there.
John C. Vogel: Absolutely.
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Vogel, you need to speak to this.
John C. Vogel: Ten seconds. There are four occasions when the deed restrictions held
up. I don't know what you want me to tell you. You know there was a man with a tree
operation and his name was Perry Wood. He was down on what we call a bomber strip
and somebody complained and said this is against the deed restriction. You got to stop it.
There was and I'm not going to tell you about Corporate Landing. Corporate Landing
wanted to buy all that property and extend Corporate Landing down to London Bridge
Road. And, they have a real estate agent and that agent went out and he started buying
the property. And, he bought three parcels and he came over to me and smd do you want
Item #17
John Sweeney
Page 8
to sell your property. I got a man in Charlottesville who wants to bring horses down
here. So, he lied to me and at that time I said you know there are deed restrictions. He
said, "I don't know there are deed restrictions." And, he was a real estate agent. Long
story to make it short, Corporate Landing realizes, not Corporate Landing. It's the City
Development Authority who developed Corporate Landing. They bought three parcels
and they were going to buy the whole damn thing. Well anyway, they told Council one
day when I came out that they made a mistake and they couldn't use the property so they
resold some of that at a loss. A lady wanted a bed and breakfast. They turned it down
because of deed restrictions. And, there were a couple of others, so anyway.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
John C. Vogel: Yes sir.
Robert Miller: Kelley Hansen.
Kelley Hansen: I'll be brief. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, thank you very
much. My name is Kelley Hansen. I own property directly adjacent to Mr. John
Sweeney, fight here. I not only own property but I live there and I ride and I have
children and I mn a tiding/teaching academy. I have three pictures just to show you the
big huge tracks that I deal with seven days a week. I teach Monday thru Saturday,
Sundays off. And, the pictures state everything. I believe Mr. Ripley that you asked was
there at any time if Mr. Sweeney could make his operation smaller if we would be willing
to let that go? My answer personally would be "no sir, absolutely not." Not only has Mr.
Sweeney not wanted to compromise or talk to us, but the fact of bringing and trying to
make his business smaller it's still trucks back and forth. It's still machinery and
machinery that does not belong with horses. In our last meeting, Mr. Din had asked
about hours, seven in the morning until seven at night. I teach children after school.
When do I get to teach? So, you have given myself a Conditional Use Permit over a year
ago and a business license to let me operate my business and my livelihood. Now, we're
getting ready to think about this with Mr. Sweeney. The two businesses do not mesh.
And, there are several other horse people that have businesses and livelihoods out there
and I provide a service to the community that is very much needed. It's healthy. It's an
activity. It's a sport. I'm not cutting down a tree. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much. Any questions?
Robert Miller: Tyler Smith.
Tyler Smith: Hi. My name is Tyler Smith. And, my family has just purchased in the last
year Princess Anne Farms, which is a 20-acre parcel.
Ronald Ripley: There' s a little?
Tyler Smith: Is there a pointer?
Item # 17
John Sweeney
Page 9
Ronald Ripley: That laser. Just pick it up.
Tyler Smith: Okay. It's this parcel here. It's this parcel here. We bought this property
to mn an equestrian facility. This happens to be one of the oldest equestrian facilities in
Virginia Beach. We purchased it $4 million. It would be detrimental to my facility for
him to cut a piece of wood over there. I have children that are coming out. We teach
roughly about a 100 lessons a week on the property. We have horses that we board out
there as well as horses that we train, horses that are worth thousands and thousands of
dollars. I know Mr. Sweeney wants to make a living back there. He knew what he was
getting into when he bought the piece of property. I think it would be very, very poor to
allow him to cut wood, process wood back there. He doesn't care about the horses. He
basically told us much he never tried to contact me and talk to me. The hours and I did
look at your conditions. They were sent over by Carolyn Smith. The hours of operation
are ridiculous. I mean seven to seven. When am I supposed to work? No cars coming
back there to buy the wood. As you can see in some of the pictures you were flipping
through earlier, he has entrance signs, all that kind of stuff. People come to me all the
time asking me. Obviously, he's got people coming in there to buy firewood, as you can
see. I really don't have anything else to say. I hope you all can see our side and would
agree with us.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Tyler Smith: Does anybody have any questions?
Ronald Ripley: Anybody have any questions up here? Thank you.
Tyler Smith: Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Erlich, do you want to come back and readdress?
Arthur Erich: Just briefly. Obviously you can tell this, is if nothing else, that time has
polarized the parties even more.' That's why Mr. Sweeney, I guess had to come before
you guys for a Condiuonal Use Permit and ask your permission. It couldn't be worked
out. So obviously, you're going to have to make a choice and I do appreciate your time.
Thank you for that.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much. Barry.
Barry Knight: I just want to comment.
Ronald Ripley: Okay. Well, were finished with the public part of this. We need to
discuss this so, Barry did you want to make a comment?
Barry Knight: Last t~me that Mr. Sweeney came before us, it looked like maybe there
could have been a compromise in this situation. But, understanding now that there are
Item # 17
John Sweeney
Page 10
deed restrictions on the property. And, he was asked to meet and compromise. And, he
wouldn't even move his woodpile away from you. It just looks like we were trying to
facilitate a meeting to make this work and it's not going to work. So, I certaily wouldn't
be able to support this project. As such, at an appropriate time, I'll make a move for
denial.
Ronald Ripley: Okay. Any other comments? Yes, Jan.
Janice Anderson: I'm in agreement with Barry that the Use Permit is a use that has a
potential to disturb the rest of the neighborhood. He was on notice when he purchased
the property that any kind of business should be equestrian and involved around that
activity. And, as Joe said, we deferred this so he could make arrangements to see if they
could work it out with the neighbors. And, he's not willing to make any or address any
limited hours of operation or willing to move the site. So, it's clearly not a compatible
use and I won't be able to support it.
Ronald Ripley: Does somebody wish to make a motion? Barry?
Barry Knight: I'll make a motion to deny the application.
Ronald Ripley: Motion to deny by Barry Knight.
Joe Strange: Second.
Ronald Ripley: Seconded by Joe Strange. Any other comments? We're ready to vote.
AYE 9 NAY 0 ABS 0 ABSENT 2
ANDERSON AYE
CRABTREE AYE
DIN AYE
HORSLEY
KATSIAS AYE
KNIGHT AYE
MILLER AYE
RIPLEY AYE
SALLE' AYE
STRANGE AYE
WOOD
ABSENT
ABSENT
Ronald Ripley: By a vote of 9-0, the motion carries.
April 22, 2003
I initially negotiated this lease in question and I am abstaining to
avoid any appearance of impropriety.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
Thank you. Are you ready for the question?
CITY CLERK: By a vote of 9 to 0 on all items except
Number 6 on the Planning, which is 8 to 0,
you have approved as read by the Vice Mayor in Consent.
CITY ATTORNEY:
Madam Mayor.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
Mr. Lilley.
It may have been my inattentiveness. I just want to check on one
item. Planning Item Number 1, the Sifen Application. I heard
Mr. Jones say deferral on the motion of the Applicant, but I did not
hear the date.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
May 13th.
VICE MAYOR JONES:
May 13th.
CITY ATTORNEY:
May 13th.
April 22, 2003
FORMAL SESSION
MAYOR OBERNDORF: The Agenda for the Formal Session was
received by the Council on Friday and during
the Informal Session we determined which items would be on Consent.
However, if anyone is here to speak on any Item, that does not go on
Consent. We will remove it and have it heard by the Council so that
those who wish to speak will be able to do that.
VICE MAYOR JONES: Under Item 6, for Consent to deferral until
June the 10th, the Applications of the
property on the east side of Little Neck Road, north of Poplar Bend,
864 Little Neck Road in the Lynnhaven District.
A. Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C. for a modification.
And, B, Voicestream Wireless for a Conditional Use Permit and that's
for Consent for deferral until June the 10th, with Mr. Wood
abstaining.
I move approval of the Consent Agenda.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
Is there a second?
COUNCILMAN~DOX:
Second.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
Okay. Mr. Wood.
COUNCILMAN WOOD:
Madam Mayor, let me just clarify my
abstention before Mr. Lilley makes me do it.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
Please, Mr. Wood.
COUNCILMAN WOOD: I am currently an active Member of the
Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club. I've
served on the Board of Directors at Little Neck Swim and Racquet
Club. I have served as the Vice President of Little Neck Swim and
Racquet Club.
April 22, 2003
he wants it either on the 6th, which is not a Planning Agenda,
or the 10th of June.
COUNCIL LADY WILSON'
I think we should do it in June.
STEPHEN WHITE: Madam Mayor, if I could. I have talked to
the attorney representing the Applicant who
has also talked to the attorney who sent that letter and they have
come to an agreement on the June 10th date.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
Great.
COUNCIL LADY McCLANAN: That's wonderful.
MAYOR OBERNDORF-
That's wonderful. We don't have to tear our
hair out.
COUNCIL LADY McCLANAN: And if we can mention that. Because I'm
sure there will be some people out there, if
we can kind of mention it early.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
Yeah.
VICE MAYOR JONES:
Yeah.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
You are right.
VICE MAYOR JONES:
Okay. Great. You saved us a lot of time
there, Stephen.
April 22, 2003
INFORMAL SESSION
VICE MAYOR JONES: Okay. Application of property on the east
side of Little Neck Road. This is in the
Lynnhaven District. It's Voicestream and Voicestream Wireless.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
We have two letters.
VICE MAYOR JONES:
You have a copy of this letter.
COUNCILMAN WOOD:
I have to abstain on this, Mr. Jones.
VICE MAYOR JONES: Oh, you do. Okay.
The attorney for the opposition apparently
has written us a letter, Mr. Martin A. Thomas. He's stating that
he's not available on the 13th, which is the date that he understood
that it was going to be considered. He is available on May the 6th
and June the 10th.
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
May 6th is not a Planning Agenda.
VICE MAYOR JONES:
It is not a Planning Agenda?
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
That's what the Clerk said.
COUNCILMAN MADDOX:
Either one?
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
May the 6th.
COUNCIL LADY EURE:
How about the attorney for Voicestream? Do
they have a problem with the date as well?
MAYOR OBERNDORF:
Well, they are asking for a deferral from
today. What did they say? The 13th?
VICE MAYOR JONES: Yeah, they are asking for a deferral to the
13th, the Applicant is. But the attorney
for the opposition is saying that he can't be there on the 13th. So,
Virginia Beach City Council
April 22, 2003
6:00 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL:
Meyera E. Oberndorf, Mayor
Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones
Harry E. Diezel
Margaret L. Eure
Reba McClanan
Richard A. Maddox
Jim Reeve
Peter Schmidt
Ron A. Villanueva
Rosemary Wilson
James L. Wood
At-Large
Bayside - District 4
Kempsville - District 6
Centerville - District 1
Rose Hall - District 3
Beach - District 6
Princess Anne - District 7
At-Large
At-Large
At-Large
Lynnhaven - District 5
CITY MANAGER:
CITY ATTORNEY:
CITY CLERK:
STENOGRAPHIC REPORTER:
James K. Spore
Leslie L. Lilley
Ruth Hodges Smith, MMC
Dawne Franklin Meads
VERBATIM
Application of Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C. and Voicestream Wirelsess
- 53 -
Item V-K. 6.
PLANNING
ITEM # 51092
Upon morton by Vtce Mayor Jones, seconded by Councdman Maddox, City Councd DEFERRED to the City
Council Session of June 10, 2003, apphcattons re VOICESTREAM GSM II, LI... C. for MODIFICATION
of Proffers Nos 1, 2, 4 and REVISE Proffer No 3 re a Change of Zomng tn the apphcatton of Hubert £ Dad
and Mona H Datl from R-3 Restdenttal Dtstrtct to 0-1 Office Dtstrtct (approved by City Councd on February
9, 1981) and VOICE STREAM ff/IRELESS for a Condtttonal Use Permtt:
Ordtnance upon Apphcatton ofVotceStream GSMII, L L C for modtficatton
of proffers attached to a rezontng for Hubert L Dad and Mona H Dad
approved by Ctty Counctl on February 9, 1981 Property ts located on the
east stde of Little Neck Road, 130feet more or less north of Poplar Bend
(GP1N # 1488-92-4743) Satdparcel ts located at 864 Ltttle Neck Road and
contatns 5 319 acres DISTRICT5 - LYNNHA VEN
AND,
ORDINANCE UPONAPPLICA TION OF VOICE STREAM WIRELESS FOR
A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A WIRELESS COMMUNICA~ON
FA CILITY/COMMUNICA TION TO WER
Ordtnance upon Apphcatton of Vmce Stream Wtreless for a Conchttonal Use
Permtt for a wireless communtcatton facthty/communtcatton tower on
property located on the east side of Ltttle Neck Road, 130feet more or less
north of Poplar Bend (GPIN # 1488-92-4 743) Satdparcel ts located at 864
Ltttle Neck Road and contatns 5 319 acres DISTRICT 5 - L YNNHA VEN
Vottng 8-0 (By ConsenO
Council Members Vottng Aye
Harry E Dtezel Margaret L Eure, Vtce Mayor Louts R Jones, Reba S
McClanan, Rtchard A Maddox, Mayor Meyera E Oberndorf Ron A
Vdlanueva and Rosemary Wdson
Counctl Members Vottng Nay
None
Council Members Abstatntng
James L Wood
Councd Members Absent
Jtm Reeve and Peter W Schmtdt
Counctlman Wood ABSTAINED on, as he ts currently an acttve member of Ltttle Neck Swtm and Racquet
Club, Inc , and has served on the Board of Dtrectors as well as Vtce Prestdent Counctlman Wood tntttally
negottated the lease in questton
Aprd 22, 2003
Voice Stream GSM Little Neck Rd.
R-30
Crpi~ 1488-92-4743
ZONING HISTORY
1. R-3 Residential to O-1 Office (Now O-2 Office) and CUP for private
recreational club - Granted 2/9/81
2. R-30 Residential to R-20 Residential- Granted - 5/23/95
3. CUP for open space subdivision - Granted 7/25/86
4. Subdivision Variance- Granted 11/10/92
5. CUP (church addn)-Granted 6/12/01
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
ITEM: VoiceStream GSM II, L.L.C. for a Modification of Proffers and VoiceStream
Wireless for a Conditional Use Permit
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
· Background:
An Ordinance upon Application of VoiceStream GSM II, L.L.C. for modification of
proffers attached to a rezoning for Hubert L. Dail and Mona H. Dail approved by
City Council on February 9, 1981. Property is located on the east side of Little
Neck Road, 130 feet more or less north of Poplar Bend (GPIN # 1488-92-4743).
Said parcel is located at 864 Little Neck Road and contains 5.319 acres.
DISTRICT 5- LYNNHAVEN
An Ordinance upon Application of Voice Stream Wireless for a Conditional Use
Permit for a wireless communication facility/communication tower on property
located on the east side of Little Neck Road, 130 feet more or less north of
Poplar Bend (GPIN # 1488-92-4743). Sa~d parcel is located at 864 Little Neck
Road and contains 5.319 acres. DISTRICT 5- LYNNHAVEN
The purpose of the requests is to modify the proffer attached to the 1981
rezoning of this property regarding use of the site and to request a conditional
use permit to allow the construction of two (2) wireless communication towers on
the site in addition to the existing recreational facility.
These items were deferred by City Council on April 22, 2003 and on May 13,
2003.
Considerations:
A private recreational club is located on the site and the site is zoned 0-2 Office
District.
The applicant is proposing to modify the existing zoning agreement by
eliminating Proffers 1,2, and 4 which are no longer necessary because the
property has been established as a private club and to rewse Proffer 3 to list
communicabon towers as an allowed use in addibon to the use of the property as
a private club.
The site plan submitted w~th this application shows two "stealth" communication
towers located on the south side of the pool. Both towers are shown at a height
VoiceStream
Page 2 of 5
of 112 feet with a 22-inch diameter. Both towers have been designed to hold two
sets of antennae, for a total of four spaces available to wireless communications
providers. The equipment shelters at the base of each tower have been
designed to also serve as shelters for the pool area. All equipment, including the
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, has been internalized within the shelter.
There will be no exposed cables or other equipment connecting the tower to the
shelter. The shelters are located at the edge of the pool area and the towers are
located behind the shelters, outside of the fenced pool area. The equipment
shelters will have access doors that open to the parking lot, so that
telecommunications workers can access the equipment from outside the fence,
and will not have to enter the pool area to maintain the equipment. Typically, the
equipment is maintained on a monthly basis. Additional details are provided in
the attached staff report.
The applicant has provided information from two additional carriers, Verizon and
SunCom, that service is needed in this area and that the proposed towers will be
in an appropriate location for their use. However, the staff is recommending
conditions regarding the multiple use of the towers to ensure that all spaces on
the tower are utilized efficiently. The applicant has also provided the required
information on Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation (NIER)levels and the
towers will not exceed the established FCC level.
Staff recommended approval, finding that the request for wireless communication
facilities met the criteria of Section 232 of the City Zoning Ordinance. There was
opposition to the requests.
On May 29, 2003, the applicant submitted to the Planning Department a revised
site plan showing changes to Sheet 1, dated 5/27/03. The only revision on this
sheet is to the parking layout, no revisions to the tower structures or equipment
shelters are proposed. The revised plan shows that existing parking east of the
clubhouse will be removed and replaced with a large green space. Additional
parking will be added in the southeast corner of the site and along the entrance
road. Grass paver blocks will be used for the parking areas shown along the
entrance road. Staff feels the revisions are posibve enhancements to the plan
and has no objections to the revisions proposed
· Recommendations:
The Planning Commission passed a motion by a recorded vote of 9-2 to approve
this request with the following conditions. Condition # 1 has been adjusted to
include the revisions to Sheet 1 submitted to the Planning Department on May
29, 2003:
,
The project shall be developed as indicated on the submitted site plan entitled
"Voicestream W~reless @ Little Neck Racquet Club VA10363-A," prepared by
Lewis White and Associates and dated 12/04/02 and Sheet 1 revisions dated
5/27/03, along with the associated plans and drawings submitted w~th the
VoiceStream
Page 3 of 5
Conditional Use Permit application. These plans have been exhibited to City
Council and are on file in the Planning Department.
2. The overall height of the proposed towers and antennae shall not exceed 112
feet.
3. The second tower shall not be constructed unless and until there are two
carriers established on the first tower.
4. The detailed site plan submitted to the Development Services Center for
review and approval for the communication tower(s) shall be approved initially
for only one tower and shall provide parking at a ratio of 1:100 for the pool
and clubhouse plus two (2) spaces per tennis court. An amended site plan
for the second tower shall be submitted only ~f both antenna spaces on the
initial tower are being used.
o
The detailed site plan submitted to the Development Services Center for
review and approval for the communication tower(s) shall contain a
certification by a licensed professional land surveyor that a field survey has
been performed to verify that the setback of the tower of 200 feet from all
existing residential structures has been met.
,
The existing stand of trees located in the southern portion of the site and
noted on the site plan as "existing trees to remain" shall not be disturbed and
shall be preserved as long as one or both of the towers remain standing.
7. The proposed communication antennae must be mounted "inside light pole"
as depicted on the submitted plans.
Unless a waiver is obtained from the City of Virginia Beach Department of
Communications and Information Technology (COMIT), a radio frequency
emissions study (RF Study), conducted by a qualified engineer licensed to
practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia, showing that the intended user(s)
will not interfere with any City of Virginia Beach emergency communications
facilities, shall be provided prior to site plan approval for the tower and all
subsequent users.
.
In the event interference with any City emergency communications facilities
arises from the users of this tower, the user(s) shall take all measures
reasonably necessary to correct and eliminate the ~nterference. If the
interference cannot be eliminated within a reasonable time, the user shall
immediately cease operation to the extent necessary to stop the interference.
10.
Should the antennae cease to be used for a period of more than one (1) year,
the applicant shall remove the antennae and their supporting towers and
related equipment.
VoiceStream
Page 4 of 5
· Attachments:
Staff Rewew
Disclosure Statement
Revised Site Plan dated 5/27/03
Planning Commission Minutes
Locabon Map
Recommended Action: Staff recommends approval. Planmng Commission recommends
approval.
Submitting Department/A~ncy: Planning
City Manager~~;~ ~ ~' ~'~e(j'~z' Departmen~
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) / # 17 & 18
March 12, 2003
General Information:
APPLICATION H05-210-MOD-2002
NUMBER: H05-210-C U P-2002
REQUEST:
17. Modification of Proffers placed on a rezoning from R-3
Residential to O-1 Office District on February 9, 1981
18. Conditional Use Permit for two (2) wireless communication
towers
ADDRESS:
864 Little Neck Road
Map G, H 5
~ro~ ~o Scele
Voice Stream GSM
Little Neck Rd.
r-30
Cpm 1488-92-4743
GPIN:
ELECTION
DISTRICT:
14889247430000
5 - LYNNHAVEN
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) / # 17 & 18
Page 1
SITE SIZE:
STAFF
PLANNER:
PURPOSE:
5.319 acres
Barbara Duke
To modify the proffer attached to the 1981 rezoning of this property
regarding use of the site and to request a conditional use permit to
allow the construction of two (2) wireless communication towers on the
site in addition to the existing recreational facility.
This application was deferred in January 2003 by the Planning
Commission due to a sign posting error.
Major Issues:
There must be an identified need for service in the area and satisfactory
evidence that there is a lack of space on suitable exisbng towers, buildings or
other structures to locate proposed antenna.
The proposed location of the
towers must be unobtrusive and
must not substantially detract
from aesthetics or
neighborhood character.
Land Use, Zoning, and
Site Characteristics:
.Existing Land Use and Zoning
^ private recreational club is located
on the site and the site ~s zoned 0-2
Office District.
Surroundinq Land Use and Zoninq
North:
South:
· Single-family homes/R-20 (Open Space)
Residential District
· Single-family homes / R-20 Residential District
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) / # 17 & 18
Page 2
East:
West:
· Single-family homes / R-20 (Open Space)
Residential District.
· Church / R-15 Residential District.
Zoning History
The subject site was rezoned from residential to office use in 1981. A conditional use
permit for a private club (recreational facility) was also granted in 1981. An agreement
addressing conditions voluntarily proffered during the rezoning is recorded in Deed
Book 2090, Page 728. The neighborhood of Bishopsgate immediately adjacent to the
site on the north and east was rezoned in 1986. The residential properties immediately
south of the site were rezoned and developed in the early 1990s.
On March 25, 1997, the City Council denied a similar request for two wireless
communication towers 135 feet in height on a site northwest of the subject site, at 1033
Little Neck Road (Lynnhaven United Methodist Church). The original recommendation
from the Planning Department staff was to grant the use permit; however, there was
very strong neighborhood opposition to the proposal on the basis that that the towers
would have negative visual impact and would change the neighborhood's character.
The applicant subsequently appealed City Council's denial to the District Court. The
District Court's decision was in favor of the applicant; however, upon further appeal by
the City to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, the lower court's decision was
overturned and the denial of the application was reinstated.
Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ)
The site is in an AICUZ of less than 65dB Ldn surrounding NAS Oceana.
Natural Resource and Physical Characteristics
The site is developed with a clubhouse, outdoor pool, tennis courts and parking areas.
There are some mature trees in an open area on the southern side of the site, adjacent
to a residential neighborhood. Them is an established row of large shrubs around the
perimeter of the site on the east and north sides adjacent to a residential neighborhood.
Along the frontage of the site there are some scattered mature pine trees.
Public Facilities and Services
Water and Sewer
No water or sewer connections are necessary for the proposed use
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 3
Transportation
There will be no measurable impact on traffic due to the proposed communication
towers.
Public Safety
Police:
The applicant is encouraged to contact and work with the
Crime Prevention Office within the Police Department for crime
prevention techniques and Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts and strategies as
they pertain to this site.
Fire and
Rescue:
Adequate. No comments.
Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan policies for the Little Neck Planning area recognize that a
mixture of non-residential uses can coexist with residential uses, with more intensive
commercial uses along the Little Neck Road corridor at the southernmost end at Virginia
Beach Boulevard. To ensure that this relationship continues in a harmonious manner
and does not impose any pronounced impacts on the residential area, all nonresidential
development must be done in harmony with the concept of providing an attractive, safe
and well-maintained physical environment. The existing neighborhood character must
be protected at all times from inappropriate land use intrusion that does not provide a
legitimate purpose to the surrounding community.
Summary of Proposal
The agreement that was recorded with the rezoning of this parcel to O-1 Office in 1981
is recorded in Deed Book 2090, Page 798. The recorded proffers are as follows:
Original Proffers
All of the principal uses and structures permitted in the R-3 Residential District
shall be permitted on that portion of the Office Property prewously zoned R-3 as
shown by said application number 3877 to the same degree and with all
requirements as if that portion of the Property were zoned R-3 Residential
District.
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 4
2. All of the principal uses and structures permitted in the R-2 Residential District
shall be permitted on that portion of the Office Property previously zoned R-2 as
shown by said application number 3878 to the same degree and with all
requirements as if that portion of the Property were zoned R-2 Residential
District.
.
The Property shall not be used for any use or structure allowed in the O-1 Office
District except that the Property may be used and developed for use as a Private
Club for civic, social, cultural, recreational and like activities operated for the
benefit of its members and not open to the general public pursuant to that certain
Conditional Use Permit granted pursuant to said application number 3833, but
expressly subject to the conditions and restrictions stated therein and herein.
Said Private Club may include a gymnasium, structures and related facilities for
tennis, racket ball, swimming and similar recreational activities.
o
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Property shall not be
developed or used as provided in paragraphs numbered 1 and 2 above unless
and until the Property shall not have been developed or shall cease to be used,
as determined by the zoning administrator, as a private club in which event the
Property shall be deemed to have reverted to its former R-2 and R-3
classifications or to such future zoning classifications which may replace the R-2
and R-3 classifications.
The applicant is proposing to modify the existing agreement to eliminate proffers # 1,
#2, and #4 which are no longer necessary because the property has been
established as a private club and to revise proffer #3 to list communication towers as
an allowed use ~n addition to the use of the property as a private club. The revised
proffers are as follows.
Proposed Amendment to Proffers
PROFFER # 1
"PROFFER 1" is deleted.
PROFFER # 2
"PROFFER 2" is deleted
Staff Evaluation:
These proffers are being deleted because they are no
longer necessary since the property has been established
as a private club in lieu of residential development.
PROFFER # 3
The Property shall not be used for any use allowed in the
0-2 Office District except that the Property may be used
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 5
and developed for (i) use as a private club for oivio, social,
cultural, recreational and like activities operated for the
benefit of its members and not open to the general public
pursuant to that certain Condibonal Use Permit granted
pursuant to application number 3833, but expressly
subject to the conditions and restrictions stated therein and
herein, and (ii) the installation and utilization of poles with
telecommunications antennas, related equipment and
devices and support structures and facilities. The Private
Club may include a gymnasium, structures and related
facilities for tennis, racket ball, swimming, and similar
recreational activities.
Staff Evaluation: This proffer adds communication towers as an allowed use
on the site.
PROFFER # 4
"PROFFER 4" is deleted
Staff Evaluation:
This proffer is being deleted because it is no longer
necessary since the property has been established as a
private club in lieu of residential development.
PROFFER # 5
All of the terms, covenants and conditions set forth in
"Covenants and Conditions" dated February 9, 1981, and
recorded in the Clerk's Office in Deed Book 2090, at Page
728, save and except, Proffer 1, Proffer 2, Proffer 3, and
Proffer 4, as specifically amended and modified herein,
shall remain in force and effect, running with the Property
and binding upon the Property and upon all parties and
persons claiming under, by or through GRANTOR, his
heirs, personal representatives, assigns, tenants, and
other successors in interest or title.
Staff Evaluation: This proffer restates the terms of the agreement.
City Attorney's
Office:
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the proffer
agreement, and found it to be legally sufficient and in
acceptable legal form.
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 6
Site Plan / Conformance with Section
232
The site plan submitted with this application shows two
"stealth" communication towers located on the south side
of the pool. Both towers are shown at a height of 112
feet with a 22-inch diameter. Both towers have been
designed to hold two sets of antennae, for a total of four
spaces available to wireless communications providers.
The equipment shelters at the base of each tower have
been designed to also serve as shelters for the pool area.
All equipment, including the heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning, has been internalized within the shelter.
There will be no exposed cables or other equipment
connecting the tower to the shelter. The shelters are
located at the edge of the pool area and the towers are
located behind the shelters, outside of the fenced pool
area. The equipment shelters will have access doors
that open to the parking lot, so that telecommunications
workers can access the equipment from outside the
fence, and will not have to enter the pool area to maintain
the equipment. Typically, the equipment is maintained
on a monthly basis.
The towers have been designed to resemble a flagpole
so that there will be no exposed antenna equipment on
the pole. Cabling and antenna will be internal to the pole.
Lights will be added to the pole at a height of 45 feet at
the request of the Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club to
provide lighting in the pool area.
The tower locations on the site plan appear to meet the required setback from
Little Neck Road of 50 feet and the required setback from existing residential
structures of 200 feet.
In lieu of the landscaping required around the base of the tower, the applicant
has proposed additional plantings along the perimeter of the site to supplement
the existing shrubs serving as a buffer, the addition of a planted berm along the
frontage of Little Neck Road and the preservation of the existing stand of trees on
the southern side of the site.
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & t8
Page 7
The preservation of the existing trees on the site is important to maintain the
visual integrity of the club property with the addition of the towers as it relates to
the surrounding residential neighborhoods. The exisbng tree stand serves as a
visual screen for the towers from the single-family homes immediately adjacent
to the south as well as from Little Neck Road. In addition, this existing tree stand
will serve as a backdrop for the towers when viewing the site from the north.
The applicant's lease agreement with the club also provides that Voicestream (T-
Mobile) will upgrade all of the existing tennis court hghting fixtures to reduce
sp~llover/glare onto adjacent residential properties and to increase energy
efficiency. The existing light poles on the site are 35 feet in height. The
mounting height of the new hght fixtures is shown at 40 feet. The plan also
shows that the existing parking lot to the east of the clubhouse will be removed
and the area returned to green space. However, some of the parking ~n this area
may need to be retained based on the zoning ordinance requirements for the
club.
Evaluation of Request
The request to modify the existing proffer agreement and to allow a conditional use
permit for wireless communication towers on the subject property is acceptable. The
applicant has worked out an agreement with the Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club
that was voted on affirmatively by the majority of the membership of the club. The
application is a good example of how mutual cooperation can produce a plan that will
provide towers that are not overly ~ntrusive to the visual aesthetics of the community as
well as benefit the club financially and provide a needed service to the community as a
whole. The stealth design of the towers is also consistent with the direction provided to
staff in 2001 after a study of communication towers in the city. Council directed that
towers in residenbal areas be 'stealth' in design rather than the traditional tower with
antenna arrays. This proposal is consistent with that direction.
The applicant has provided information from two additional carriers, Verizon and
SunCom, that service is needed in this area and that the proposed towers will be in an
appropriate location for their use. However, the staff is recommending conditions
regarding the multiple use of the towers to ensure that all spaces on the tower are
utilized efficiently. The applicant has also provided the required informabon on Non-
Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation (NIER) levels and the towers will not exceed the
FCC level established.
Based on the conformance of this request, as conditioned below, with the provisions of
Section 232 of the City Zoning Ordinance, staff recommends that the modification of
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 8
proffers be approved. Staff also recommends that the conditional use permit for the two
communication towers be approved subject to the following conditions.
CONDITIONS
,
The project shall be developed as indicated on the submitted site plan entitled
"Voicestream Wireless @ Little Neck Racquet Club VA10363-A," prepared by
Lewis White and Associates and dated 12/04/02, and the associated plans and
drawings submitted with the conditional use permit application. These plans
have been exhibited to City Council and are on file in the Planning Department.
2 The overall height of the proposed towers and antennae shall not exceed 112
feet.
3. The second tower shall not be constructed unless and until there are two carriers
established on the first tower.
4. The detailed site plan submitted to the Development Services Center for review
and approval for the communication tower(s) shall be approved initially for only
one tower and shall provide parking at a ratio of 1:100 for the pool and clubhouse
plus two (2) spaces per tennis court. An amended site plan for the second tower
shall be submitted only if both antenna spaces on the initial tower are being
used.
.
The detailed site plan submitted to the Development Services Center for review
and approval for the communication tower(s) shall contain a certification by a
licensed professional land surveyor that a field survey has been performed to
verify that the setback of the tower of 200 feet from all existing residential
structures has been met.
.
The existing stand of trees located in the southern portion of the site and noted
on the site plan as "existing trees to remain" shall not be disturbed and shall be
preserved as long as one or both of the towers remain standing.
7. The proposed communication antennae must be mounted "inside light pole" as
depicted on the submitted plans.
o
Unless a waiver is obtained from the City of Virginia Beach Department of
Communications and Information Technology (COMIT), a radio frequency
emissions study (RF Study), conducted by a qualified engineer licensed to
practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia, showing that the intended user(s) w~ll
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 9
,
10.
not interfere with any City of Virginia Beach emergency communications facilities,
shall be provided prior to site plan approval for the tower and all subsequent
users.
In the event interference with any City emergency communications facilities
arises from the users of this tower, the user(s) shall take all measures reasonably
necessary to correct and eliminate the interference. If the interference cannot be
eliminated within a reasonable time, the user shall immediately cease operation
to the extent necessary to stop the interference.
Should the antennae cease to be used for a period of more than one (1) year, the
applicant shall remove the antennae and their supporting towers and related
equipment.
IVOTE:
Further conditions may be required during the
administration of applicable City Ordinances. Plans
submitted with this rezoning application may require
revision during detailed site plan review to meet all
applicable City Codes.
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 10
,1
I i i i i i ii ii i i i
tt
1t¢8
i
t
IExisting Site
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 11
, ,
~ ']
~ ~'~ '
Proposed Site Plan
PLAN REVIEWED BY
PLANNING
COMMISSION (PLAN
WAS REVISED ON
MAY 27 - SEE NEXT
PAGE)
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) / # 17 & 18
Page 12
l
,o
NEW PLAN
SUBMITTED BY
APPLICANT ON MAY
27)
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) / # 17 & 18
Page 13
// /
Landscape Plan
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 14
I Pronosed Picnic Pavilion
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 15
o
I Pronosed Pool Shelter
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 16
NO?E.
F"R~ 2-5 I~R UG~T~G ~ gY
P~~ F~'IROFIT OF'
E::X. :55' UGHT PC~ ~
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 17
W
F-
III I I II I . iiiii ri iiiiiiii i
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 18
I I IIIIII I
/
/
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 19
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 20
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 21
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 22
Applicant's Name:.
List Ali Currmt
L L ,,
I
i
~.~ ....... -~. > .~. ?' ~ .... , '..t. ,~ .... , ~... :-~.t ...,,~.,.~....~¢ ..~ ,...~..~.~.~-. . ~. .,~,~,,.....ti
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
PROPERTY Owh~ DISCr~SURE
If~h¢ properW owner is a CORPORATION. hst all officers of the Corporation be. low (Attach lrvr tfnecessary)
, ,S..,~,,e Attached
If the property owner ~s a PARTNERSHIP. FIRM, or other UNINCORPORATED ORGANIZATION, hst
ail mem~ or partners in the orgamzauon below- fA~ch l~t if necessary)
[~] Check here ff the property owner is NOT a corporation, pannership, firm. or other unincorporate~
orgamzat~on.
If the appl~ant is not the current owner of the property, complete the Applicaat Disrlosurz section
APPLICANT DISCLOSURE
If the apphcam is a CORPORATION, list all officers of thc Corporation below: (Attach list if necessary)
I/the applicant ~s a PARTNERSHIP, ~hXt, or other UNINCORPORATED ORGANIZATION, hst all
members or partners m the organmat~on below (Attach hsI {fnece. w~ry)
Nih , ,
[~] Check here ff thc applicant is NOT a corporauon, partnership, fgm~ or other unmcorpom, ed organizauon
CERTIFICATION I certify that the information co._toined kerein is true and accurate.
/ p' $~gnature
Pnnt Name
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 23
2~iGHT COAST CONSULTIN(
205 Street Virginia Beach, Virgulm ,~3451
757 718-9131 / bgarnbrel~exix, net
To:
From:
Subject:
Barbara Duke
Bm GambreH
Little Neck Swim and Racket Club
September 15, 2002
The board members for the Little Neck ~wkn and Racket Club are as follows:
Brian Miller, President
W'dliam Stewart, Treasurer
Gerrilyn Oleason
Carla Hesseltine
Diane Yams
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 24
Applie.~t's Name:
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
VoiceStream GSM II, LLC
Property Owners: Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club, Inc.
PROPERTY OWNER DISCLOSURE
If the propmy owner is a CORPORATION, list all officers of the Corporation below: (Attach Itst tfnece~aar,
If the property owner is a PAR~, FIRM, or other LYNINCOBPORATED ORGANIZATION, hst
all members or palzu:~ m the orgamzat~on below. (Attach Zi~ ffnece~ary)
N/A
Check her~ if the p~pewj owner m NOT a ~mon, ~hap, fi~, or ~er um~m~
A~u~ DIS~~
~ ~h~t ~ a CO~~ON, ~t ~ offi~ of ~ ~~on ~w' (~h ~ if~c~)
See attached.
If the apl~eaut is a PA~I~P, FIRM. or other tFNINCORPORATED ORGANIZATION. list all
members or partners m the ~organ!~,a._on below: (Attach li.~t ffneee.~sary)
Check here if the apphcaut m NOT a corpor~on, partnership, firm, or other unmcoxporated orgamza~on
CERTIFICATION' I certify that the information contained herein is true and accurate.
VoiceStream ¢S1~ II, LLC
S~phe/~ t~. aom~a~ Pnnt Name
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 25
~HGHT COAST CONSULTIN~
205 23rd Street Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
757 718-9131 / bgambrel(~xix.net
To: Barbara Duke
From: Bill Cmmbrell
Subject: Little Neck Swim and Rackm Club
Date: September 15, 2002
The board members for the L/ttle Neck swim and Racket Club are as follows:
Brian Miller, President
W'flliam Stewart, Treasurer
Gemlyn Gleason
Carh Hesselfine
Diane Yates
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 26
A,~tiom
Covered POPs:.
Technolo~'
VoiceStream* Wireless
Fact Sheet
~ ~ c~ ~.~ Tu~ Okh.; Wi~t~ ~ md ~, Wyo.
·
Planning Commission Agenda
March 12, 2003
VOICESTREAM (T-MOBILE) I # 17 & 18
Page 27
FORM NO. P $ IB
: (3ity of Virginia Beach
.~ I~TER-OFFICE CORRESPONdEnCE
In Reply Refer To Our File No. DF-51M6
DATE: April 10, 2003
TO:
FROM:
Leslie L. Lilley
B. Kay Wilsofi~[~
DEPT: City Attorney
DEPT: City Attorney
Conditional Zoning Application
Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club, Inc.
The above-referenced conditional zoning application is scheduled to be heard by the
City Council on April 22, 2003. I have reviewed the subject proffer agreement, dated
December 12, 2002, and have determined it to be legally sufficient and in proper legal form.
A copy of the agreement is attached.
Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter
further.
BKW
Enclosure
Prepared by:
Stephen R. Romine, Esquire
LeClair Ryan
999 Waterside Drive, Suite 515
Norfolk, VA 23510
AMENDMENT TO CONDIT!,ONS
THIS AGREEMENT, made this 12th day of December, 2002, by and between LITTLE NECK
SWIM AND RACQUET CLUB, INC., a nondiscriminatory community membership
organization, Property Owner, GRANTOR; and CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, a municipal
corporation of the Commonwealth of Virginia, GRANT..EE, party of the second part.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Property Owner is the owner of a certain parcel of property located in the
Lynnhaven Borough of the City of Virginia Beach, containing approximately 5.319 acres and
described in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, such property
hereinafter referred to as the "Property"; and
WHEREAS, GRANTOR has initiated modifications to a conditional amendment to the
Zoning Map of the City of Virginia Beach, by petition addressed to GRANTEE so as to modify
conditions to the Zoning Classification of the Property; and
WHEREAS, GRANTOR has requested GRANTEE to permit this modification of the
previously proffered Covenants and Conditions dated February 9, 1981, recorded in Deed Book
2090, at Page 728, in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Virginia Beach, (the
"Clerk's Office"), to reflect the amendments applicable to the land use plan on the Property; and
WHEREAS, GRANTEE's policy is to provide only for the orderly development of land
for various purposes through zoning and other land development legislation; and
GPIN- 1488-924743
WHEREAS, GRANTOR acknowledges that the competing and sometimes incompatible
development of various types of uses conflict and that in order to permit differing types of uses
on and in the area of the Property and at the same time to recognize the effects of change that
will be created by the proposed modification of conditions to the zoning, certain reasonable
conditions governing the use of the Property for the protection of the community that are not
generally applicable to land similarly zoned are needed to resolve the situation to which the
application gives rise; and
WHEREAS, GRANTOR has voluntarily proffered, in writing, in advance of and prior to
the public hearing before GRANTEE, as part of the proposed modifications to the existing
zoning conditions with respect to the Property, the following reasonable conditions related to the
physical development, operation, and use of the Property to be adopted, which conditions have a
reasonable relation to the proposed modifications and the need for which is generated by the
proposed modifications.
NOW, THEREFORE, GRANTOR, its successors, personal representatives, assigns,
grantees, and other successors in title or interest, voluntarily and without any requirement by or
exaction from GRANTEE or its governing body and without any element of compulsion or quid
pro quo for zoning, rezoning, site plan, building permit, or subdivision approval hereby make the
following declaration of conditions and restrictions which shall restrict and govern the physical
development, operation, and use of the Property and hereby covenant and agree that this
declaration shall constitute covenants nmning with the Property, which shall be binding upon the
Property and upon all parties and persons claiming under or through GRANTOR, its successor,
personal representatives, assigns, grantees, and other successors in interest or title;
1. "PROFFER 1" is deleted.
2. "PROFFER 2" is deleted.
3. "PROFFER 3" is amended to read: The Property shall not be used for any use
allowed in the 0-2 Office District (formerly designated as 0-1 Office District prior to ordinance
change by Grantee) except that the Property may be used and developed for (i) use as a private
club for civic, social, cultural, recreational and like activities operated for the benefit of its
members and not open to the general public pursuant to that certain Conditional Use Permit
granted pursuant to application number 3833, but expressly subject to the conditions and
restrictions stated therein and herein, and (ii) the installation and utilization of poles with
telecommunications antennas, related equipment and devices and support structures and
facilities. The Private Club may include a gymnasium, structures and related facilities for tennis,
racquet ball, swimming, and similar recreational activities.
4. "PROFFER 4" is deleted.
5. All of the terms, covenants and conditions set forth in "Covenants and
Conditions" dated February 9, 1981, and recorded in the Clerk's Office in Deed Book 2090, at
Page 728, save and except, Proffer 1, Proffer 2, Proffer 3, and Proffer 4, as specifically amended
and modified herein, shall remain in force and effect, nmning with the Property and binding
upon the Property and upon all parties and persons claiming under, by or through GRANTOR,
his heirs, personal representatives, assigns, tenants, and other successors in interest or title.
GRANTOR further covenants and agrees that:
Any references hereinabove to the 0-2 Office District and to the requirements and
regulations applicable thereto refer to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision
Ordinance of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, in force as of the date of approval of this
Agreement by City Council, which are by this reference incorporated herein.
The above conditions, having been proffered by GRANTOR and allowed and accepted
by GRANTEE as part of the amendmem to the Zoning Ordinance, shall continue in full force
and effect until a subsequent amendment changes the zoning of the Property and specifically
repeals such conditions. Such conditions shall continue despite a subsequent amendment to the
Zoning Ordinance even if the subsequent amendmem is part of a comprehensive implementation
of a new or substantially revised Zoning Ordinance until specifically repealed. The conditions,
however, may be repealed, amended, or varied by written instmmem recorded in the Clerk's
Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and executed by the record
owner of the Property at the time of recordation of such instrument, provided that such
instrument is consented to by GRANTEE in writing as evidenced by a certified copy of an
ordinance or a resolution adopted by the governing body of GRANTEE, after a public hearing
before GRANTEE which was advertised pursuant to the provisions of Section 15.2-2204 of the
Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. Such ordinance or resolution shall be recorded along with
such instrument as conclusive evidence of such consent, and if not so recorded, such instrument
shall be void.
(1) The Zoning Administrator of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, shall be vested
with all necessary authority, on behalf of the governing body of the City of Virginia Beach,
Virginia, to administer and enforce the foregoing conditions and restrictions, including the
authority (a) to order, in writing, that any noncompliance with such conditions be remedied, and
(b) to bring legal action or suit to insure compliance with such conditions, including mandatory
or prohibitory injunction, abatement, damages, or other appropriate action, suit, or proceeding;
(2) The failure to meet all conditions and restrictions shall constitute cause to deny the
issuance of any of the required building or occupancy permits as may be appropriate;
(3) If aggrieved by any decision of the Zoning Administrator, made pursuant to these
provisions, GRANTOR shall petition the governing body for the review thereof prior to
instituting proceedings in court; and
(4) The Zoning Map may show by an appropriate symbol on the map the existence of
conditions attaching to the zoning of the Property, and the ordinances and the conditions may be
made readily available and accessible for public inspection in the office of the Zoning
Administrator and in the Planning Department, and they shall be recorded in the Clerk's Office,
and indexed in the names of GRANTOR and GRANTEE.
WITNESS the following signatures and seals:
GRANTOR:
LITTLE NECK SWIM AND RACQUET CLUB, INC.
STATE OF VIRGINIA
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, to-wit:
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 31st day of December, 2002,
by William R. Stewart, as President of Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club, Inc., on behalf of the
Company.
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: March 31, 2006
EXHIBIT A
ALL THAT certain lot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and
improvements thereon, situate, lying and being in the City of Vir~nia Beach,
Vir~nia and being known, numbered and designated as Lot A, as shown on that
certain plat entitled "SUBDIVISION OF PROPERTY OF HUBERT L. DAIL
AND MONA H. DAIL", which plat is duly recorded in the Clerk's Office of the
Circuit Court of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia in Map Book 149 at page 6.
Together with a perpetual 15' drainage easement and a perpetual 10' utility
easement across Lot B on said plat.
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Modffication of Proffers and Conditional Use Permit
864 L~ttle Neck Road
District 5
Lynnhaven
March 12, 2003
REGULAR
Robert Miller: The next items are Item #17 & 18, Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Ronald Ripley: Before this application starts, and there are a lot of people signed up
speak for and against this item. There's 36 people signed up. If you hear what you have
to say already said and you want to acknowledge that ~s has already been said, that's fine
with us. If the speakers get redundant, I will probably ask you to either get to a matter
that's not redundant that we haven't heard because there's a lot of speakers. And, we'll
be here a long time. Okay. Do you mind if we take a five-minute break?
Steve Romine. I don't mind at all.
Ronald Ripley: We're being requested up here to do that. So, we're going to take a five-
minute break. And, we'll proceed m a minute.
CONTINUED
Ronald Ripley: If I can have you get your seats. Please quiet up so we can get started.
Mr. Romine, did you want to get started?
Steve Romine: Yes sir.
Ronald Ripley: Okay.
Steve Romine: Good afternoon Chairman R~pley and members of the Planning
Commission. My name is Steve Romine. I'm the local attorney representing T-Mobile
in these applications. I have with me today Tim Fincham, the Director of Engineering
and Operations. Scott Debuke, our engineer and Bill Gambrell, the Planning Consultant.
We also have representatives from two other licensed carners that will be used ~n this
site, Verizon and Triton. You'll be heanng from a cross section of the residents as well
who hve on Little Neck and strongly support this application. The Planning staff has
over 1000 names of residents who support this application in their file. Because I have
limited time, I'm just going to hit the highhghts of my presentation. My road map will
~nclude the need for wireless services on Little Neck, the proposed plan for the club
property, the commumty process we used to receive input and refine the plan. And, we
will address various ~ssues rinsed during this process. Bill Gambrell will then talk about
the plan specifically and review certatnly alternative locations we looked at. I'd like to
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 2
keep in mind that like all good land use decisions there must be a balance between
achieving the greater public good while minirmzing impact on the affected few. There
are several licensed carriers in Virginia Beach. This application will provide service for
four carriers on Little Neck. As you are well aware, demand for services has increased
tremendously over the last five years. There's no dispute that there's a gap for service
and coverage on Little Neck. This solution here will be something that will address for
the four carriers that gap ~n demand. As most of you know, wireless technology provides
a critical link for emergency services. Over 120 million Americans use wireless phones
and more users jo~n the ranks everyday. The proposed two 112 foot cell poles, and I
mention cell poles because they are not towers. They're replacement light poles on the
5.5 acre parcel of land zoned 0-2, will assist T-Mobile in providing infrastructure
necessary to provide the w~reless service to this area of the City. I refer you to the site
plan in your package for photo detml. These poles will provide adequate coverage for the
current demand of four carriers and the poles have been specifically designed for the site.
They're designed to be short and narrow as possible to minimize impact on surrounding
properties. As I mentioned earlier, we went through an extensive community process.
I've given you a handout that lists all the meetings we had over the past year. This
culminated a vote by the club to approve the lease and proceed with the application. An
overwhelrmng majority of the club members support the application. I wanted to do a
quick digression and explain the applications today. As you know, communication
facilities are permitted in every zoning district of the City. However, a Conditional Use
Permit is required by the City for the ~nstallation and that's why we are applying for a
CUP. Secondly, that apphcation is for the amendment to conditions that were recorded
on the property in 1981 when it was rezoned for recreational purposes. The conditions
recorded in 1981 allowed the properties to be used as a recreational facility and neither
expressly permitted nor prohibited accessory uses like telecommunication facilities. The
amendment to conditions is not a rezoning. The property was rezoned in 1981. The
application today will not change the character or use of the property. The club will
retain its use of the recreational facility. The placement of antennas within the two cell
poles at best is an accessory use. A few citizens have raised concern about whether the
placement of the poles at the site will commercialize the site. The use of poles and the
nature of a public utihty placement of telecommumcation facihties in the slim line poles
the club will not open the door for other types of commercial development any more than
installing a new telephone line or electric service to a new house or the widemng of
Harris Road, which is now undergoing a widening ~n this point in t~me. We believe this
is the best reasonable solution. We believe the plan, which Bill Gambrell will talk to you
in more detail in a moment will provide w~reless service to the nearly 3000 residents of
Little Neck. It's on 5.5-acre parcel with substantial screening. I will leave it to Bill to go
into greater detail on that plan. As a result of the numerous meetings, we were also able
to address various issues that were raised by the community. And, I will go over those
very quickly. Health concerns. The Federal government has established stringent
guidehnes for the regulation and monitoring of telecommunication facilities. They have
established an exposure standard for radiation called Maximal Perrmssible Exposure
(MPE). In this proposal, the Maximum Permissible Exposure of all the antennas that will
be ~nstalled in these two cell poles will not exceed five percent of the standard. The
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 3
cumulative impact is 95 percent less than what is considered a concern for human
exposure by the Federal government. Some residents wanted to know if this would have
an impact on their property values. There are numerous examples of facilities like tins
next to residential areas in Virginia Beach. And, I'll leave this to Bill Gambrell as well to
discuss that one. A s~gnificant number of 911 calls originate from wireless phones. And,
those are increasing daily. Further, the Federal government has mandated all providers to
implement E-911 service, which enables emergency responders and police to be able to
locate callers by GPS or other means. A third issue of lightening was rinsed. There's an
article in your package or a report and study that addresses that as well and I'll point that
out to you. These poles, when constructed, are engineered with a very sophisticated
grounding system to protect the various expensive equipment housed in the ground
structure at the base of the pole. There's no scientific evidence or historical record that
suggests that these poles will be a lightening hazard. Quite the contrary, the trees around
the site are much more dangerous to the users of the club and as I indicated there's a
handout. I already discussed why this is not commercialization. The last issue that was
raised by the commumty was the visual effect. T-Mobile conducted multiple balloon
tests of the site. The balloon test demonstrated the poles aesthetically blend with existing
environment and conforms to existing uses. And, I will point in your package as well.
There are four or five photo samples. They're taken from the surrounding
neighborhoods, Bishops Gate and Little Neck Estates. The proposed cell poles are the
least visually obtrusive type of facility. They will not be lit. There's also a profile in
your package that gives you a site view that will be from the neighborhood surrounding
the property as well. Staff recommends approval of this Conditional Use Permit. For
these reasons I request that you approve these applications. I will now ask Bill to talk
about the site plan and the possible alternatives. And, I'll stand by to answer questions ~n
a moment. Thank you.
Ronald Rtpley: Thank you.
Bill Gambrell: Good afternoon Mr. Chairman. Members of the Planning Commission,
I'm going to take the site plan, if you don't mind and set if over here on the easel.
Ronald Ripley: For the record, you need to state your name.
Bill Gambrell: Again, my name is Bill Gambrell. I'm working as land consultant for T-
Mobile on this project. And, I think Steven alluded to the fact that there have been over
20 community meetings on this project. When I assumed responsibility for working on
the project, the first thing I suggested to the applicant was they needed to work with the
community. It's a very sensitive area. I think what the applicant has done is created a
very sensible solution to a very sensitive issue. The solution that they arrived at was a
result of all of the community meetings, redeveloping and redeveloping the site plan and
re-looking and re-looking at all of the alternatives that potentially could be out there.
And, what you have today ~s a site plan. I have a small version. It is eas~er for you. Can
you hear me?
Item #17 & 18
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Ronald Ripley: Can you kind of stay near the rmc?
Bill Gambrell: Okay. I think I can work from here. After meeting with the club and
meeting with a number of the communities, an initial site plan was drawn that showed
three communication poles on this site and each of these wireless facilities were planned
as light pole extensions. Very similar to what you have at the high schools except for a
lot stealthier. They're 22 inches in diameter. So, if you were to take this piece of paper
and double it in size that's the width of these communication facilities. These poles are
22 inches in diameter. They're 112 feet in height. We don't have in this City, I wouldn't
think more than one or two that are of this limited in height. Actually, you don't have
any that provides a combination for four providers because these two poles will provide
services for four wireless providers. Those four providers are T-Mobile, SunCom,
Intelos and Verizon. Each of them will have three antennas internally into the pole and
you don't see any vertical dimension of them at all. Over a series of meetings they asked
that we remove one of the poles. We didn't have support for all the providers to have
three poles and there was concern from different people for different reasons that they
should be relocated. One of the goals and I said this application was developed as a
sensitive application. It was absolutely sensitive to the setbacks established to the
guidelines that were established by the City of Virginia Beach and tried to be sensitive to
all the people in the community. The result ended with two poles being relocated entirely
outside of the activity area of the pool and racquet club. The poles originally, I think
were planned over here. There was a challenge for setbacks with some decks in the back
property line. And, it made more sense to move them. At the base of the poles there are
two shelters that are planned. These shelters would double as a pool shelter and as an
equipment building. You have a drawing of them in your package and T-Mobile is 100
percent agreeable to ensure that they're developed just exactly as they're shown. The
perimeter of the site is surrounded by residential homes. So, what we tried to do was
look at the perimeter. Try to say what can we do to make sure that we soften what's
going on at this site. It's already an intensely developed site. If you go out there in the
evening it is very, very bright. It is an activity center that is very heavily used. There's
spill over lights that go on all of the adjoining properties. The cars that would come into
these back parking lots, they're headlights will go directly into the adjoining properties.
So what we tried to do is to develop a site plan that started to mitigate some of these
existing problems. Over here, there's a large stand of trees. We agreed that we would
preserve the entirety of the stand of trees and they would probably want to go in and do
some under story vegetation as well. Along the rear property line, were showing a 20
foot landscape buffer. Right now, there is about a three-foot buffer with Photinias there.
This landscape buffer will be incorporating the existing Photinias and then coming back
with some Deciduous trees strategically placed along the back of these properties and
then Leyland cypress that will grow to about 30 feet in height. On the plans, we show
this going in at a 6-8 foot height at planting so they're more mature than your regular
trees that would normally be planted as required under the City's code. On the side
property line we did the same thing. We tried to evaluate what was there and try to say
okay, we can matntain this buffer. The existing site plan that governs this site doesn't
have any conditions as to how ~t should be developed. It doesn't show any landscaping at
Item #17 & 18
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Page 5
all. So, by adopting this plan, you ~n fact provide the residents with some additional
protection that they don't have. Because at this point the s~te plan really is entire
imperious that was approved for the project. So, throughout the perimeter of the site you
have a landscape buffer that really does start to give you a lot of separation between the
club that you didn't have before. On the front portion of the site we propose to do a
landscape berm and have trees on the front. We actually have got a plan that would show
a walkway across here for pedestrians and the idea here is just to obscure your visual of
the s~te as you go by. And, I challenge people to drive by and count to five and see how
much you really are going to see because honestly you're not going to see very much at
all. I got another visual that we have drawn and this is a visual that is drawn to scale and
it shows you what potential perspective would be from the adjo~mng properties. Now,
this perspective shows both existing and proposed vegetation so I don't want to mislead
anyone. The intention here is to show you what the visual would be when tins project is
fully developed. And, you can see that along the northern side of the property you have
these existing trees and these ex~sting homes. You have the light extensions that are
proposed over here and you really start to lose your line of sight. The best example I can
give you is that if your cormng to the municipal complex, you know there are very two
large towers behind the Kellum & Eaton hardware store that is right behind us. You only
get a visual at its particular point. After you get to close, you don't see them. And, that
was really the intention of trying to create a landscaping buffer that they had around the
site. The other thing that we tried to incorporate into the plan was the recommendation of
a number who did live in the community and that was to try to reduce the spill over
elimination that was already occurring to try to really tone down the site. I'd like just to
read qmckly a letter that we have that we hired a private consulting engineer that
specializes in lighting and his letter goes, "as an overview, the new hghting design reuses
the existing poles and locations. The arms will be changed. The new sports lighting
fixtures will be provided. By changing the fixtures we will have the advantage of today's
technology not only in the lens reflector design but also in glare control as well. Fixtures
are provided with external visors required greatly to reduce the possible to alleviate glare
problem that currently exist. Essentially, these components reduce the ability to see the
fixtures from any where except the court's perspective. Better performance, reflector
lamp and design help eliminate trespass on the adjoining property. And, the amount of
light off court to the adjoining properties would expect to be reduced by 75-95 percent of
the existing situation. So, as a component to this application, what we tried to do was
look at a fairly improvement to some extent. We tried to minimize that and actually
improve it. As a caveat or a carrot, if you will, to adding beyond the wireless poles ~n
site, again, the existing poles that are there about 45 feet in height. These would take
them to 112 feet in height. The overall width is 22 feet that's proposed. I know that I'm
a quick time line because of t~me.
Ronald Ripley: I think Mr. Gambrell that you have about a minute.
Bill Gambrell: I can do this really quickly and then I can answer questions because I
tinnk they will come up ~n the future. And, if you have questions at all, I'll be happy to
come back. The map that you have here and you can't see it very well illustrates the
Item #17 & 18
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Page 6
Little Neck pemnsula. On the Little Neck peninsula and in the package I think that you
received from the folks that aren't supportive of the application, they suggest there are
many alternative sites. None of the alternative sites have a silver bullet effect. All the
additional sites have constraints of their own. We looked at every single parcel ~n the
community that could meet setbacks. We looked at every parcel that didn't have any
environmental impacts. We looked at every parcel that wasn't a none-useable activity
center and we came up with a result that this was a very, very good location for the
project. And, I'll leave it at that and answer any questions you might have.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you Mr. Gambrell. Are there any questions from the
Commissioners?
William Din: I've got questions.
Ronald Ripley: Okay. Go ahead.
William Din: I brought ~t up at the informal meeting there, Bill about the height. Is the
height sufficient? I notice that 112 feet ~s qmte a bit lower, shorter than most normal cell
towers. Now, is this height going to be sufficient enough to provide coverage within this
peninsula so that there is not another need that will crop up along the fringes?
Bill Gambrell: I beheve so. The application was absolutely designed to try to serve all
the residents in Little Neck. This application is not going to be perfect. The map I have
is a pretty good illustration of what type of coverage you can anticipate. They're not an
exact science. They are not perfect. But, what this map shows here, rather what this map
shows here on the top is this means on street coverage and white means there is no
coverage. These are the modelings that T-Mobile did and they did them most recently. If
we replace and add the antennas that are proposed at the Little Neck Racquet Club, this is
the situation that we have. And, what this means really is that you have a blue spot over
here and you got a blue spot over here. You don't see any white in here but there could
potentially be a little bit of white in here but effectively, it serves all of the community. It
just doesn't give everybody full five bar service. But, in order to do that we would have
to be more intrusive than when we were before. We would have to raise the height of the
towers to the extent to where we felt like maybe it was an intrusion. We were really
trying to estabhsh compatibility. So, these maps pretty well illustrate that the project is
going to serve the preponderance of the community. Just to finish your answer to your
question, all of these sites, all cell sites talk to one another. So, that means all the
surrounding cell sites in the area and I did a little artistic on the board over them, but
there are sites here, here, here and here that shoot into the peninsula now. As, these
additional sites over here mature, and there most densely populated areas, you may well
see that these providers are going to go out and probably re-distribute the load that's over
here. And, you may well get improved coverage to these areas as a result of these
roadways demanding greater service themselves. Ultimately, there are going to be more
commumcation towers throughout the City. Will these communication towers
necessarily have to be in L~ttle Neck? i don't think so. I think that th~s plan does a real
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 7
good job at addressing the preponderance of the concerns and I think much of what needs
to be done in the future as you're having increased traffic, probably can be accomplished
maybe outside of the area.
William Din: Well, you got four providers there. Are you speaking that these poles will
be sufficient coverage for all four providers or just for T-Mobile?
Bill Gambrell: I specifically used the T-Mobile design because T-Mobile is the most
immature player in this market. And, that means they have the least number of towers or
wireless facilities anywhere in Virginia Beach. Verizon and SunCom have been around
for six or seven years and are s~x or seven generation providers. The coverage is
probably less than the ones that T-Mobile have at this point.
William Din: A couple of more questions if I may?
Ronald Ripley: Sure.
William D~n: You identified four providers on these poles. Is there any room for any
expansion on those poles?
Bill Gambrell: The poles weren't designed for expansion and I don't know that they
couldn't potentially in the future accommodate some kind of a sleeve that would give
them some sort of expansion but they deliberately were not designed to anything except
for what they are because there are folks that aren't supportive of the project. And, we
didn't want to say that it was the bait and sw~tch thing, we're going to design poles so
they can go taller ~n the future. That wasn't the intent. But, you will see through your
City and throughout other cities where there have been modifications to facilities when
there is additional need. And, I don't know the answer and I deliberately didn't ask them
to design this so that it would be expandable.
William Din: So four is the maximum number of users on these two poles.
Bill Gambrell: At this location. But, as you also know that each of these providers
probably have roaming agreements with the other providers so if you're not one of the
four providers here and you chose and they absolutely had an opportunity to participate in
this application, if they chose not to participate then they may have chosen not to
participate because they don't feel hke tins is the best place to spend their money or they
have chosen not to participate because they were going to have a roaming agreement at
some point in the future with some other prowder that ~s already there. So, there are
opportunities for other providers to provide service to this community as a result of this
application.
William Din: One of my other questions in the informal meeting was each of these
service providers will require a maintenance call on their equipment. Correct? That's a
separate maintenance call?
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 8
Bill Gambrell: Generally, there is a monthly maintenance that goes on at these sites. It
could be more than once a month. It could be twice or three times a month. And, in fact
one of the reasons for relocating the poles to the parking lot area was so that these
providers d~dn't have to send their technicians actually into the actimty area of the club.
They actually pull up to the pole shelters on the backside where their entrances are, they
can do their work and then they could come and go. But, they all do annual preventative
maintenance on a monthly basis.
William Din: Monthly basis. So, there are four providers coming in to this area on a
monthly basis. Right? What kind of vehicles do they use?
Bill Gambrell: They generally use p~ck up trucks, four wheel drive vehicles. They don't
use heavy vehicles. They don't go up on the poles at all. They simply go to the radios
that are located in the room at the base of the tower and do the work they are required to
do.
William Din: And, how is that coordinated with the racquet club?
Bill Gambrell: Well, I don't know the details of that have actually been worked out. But,
I can tell you that in instances that the City of Virginia Beach where there are sensitive
sites, they are required to notify and give advance approval. And, I suspect that the club
may want to do that. But again, the reason why the shelters were located outside the pool
area was that these technicians did not have to come on to that activity area. Did not have
to intermix with the folks that are there, enjoying the pools and the tennis courts.
William Din: Well, I looked more at the intrusive nature of the maintenance visits. What
days of the week?
Bill Gambrell: They check all of the facilities throughout. Generally, they have one
technician that ~s assigned to several towers, maybe five or six towers in the area.
They're not going to be any more intrusive than the Federal Express guy that's going to
come to the site. You'll probably see a Federal Express, UPS guy going into the
community a lot more often than you're going to see these vehicles. And, they are not
large vehicles. They are generally, like I said pick up trucks or SUVs that can carry the
radio testing equipment that they used.
William Din: Okay. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Kathy Kats~as has a question.
Kathy Katsias: You said earher that you had explored other sites and no other site was
compatible. I received an alternative study by some of the residents and they mentioned
Lynnhaven Methodist Church. Would you please explain?
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 9
Bill Gambrell: Yes ma'am. The United Methodist Church was approved for wireless
facilities, about seven years ago by th~s Board. The C~ty Council voted unanimously
against ~t and the community was overwhelmingly opposed to it. We discounted that site
in particular because of the previous activities that occurred on that site and we also
discounted that s~te because now, as opposed to then, we have a stricter policy as it
relates to intrusion into the Resource Protection Area. And, ! brought a picture for you in
partmular when it relates to the United Methodist Church because every portion of that
site that's not developed w~th parking area is in the Resource Protection Area. And, in
fact, this is the picture where the previous pole would go and you can see that it sits a top
of bank. It's in the seaward component Resource Protection Area. And, it is adjacent to
that marsh. And, one of the reasons why I advised my client not to suggest going in there
besides the fact that it was already overwhelmingly disapproved by the community was
because of the environmental complaints too. I would expect that I would have
environmentalist down here saying, I can't beheve you're going to put a tower in high
erodible softs because that is the definition of your Chesapeake Bay Ordinance. So, that
was the reason for discounting that site. The other s~tes have similar discounts to them.
The other s~tes that did have impacts or were impacted by the Resource Protection Area
or Chesapeake Bay Program and there are other sites that are just visually challenged.
That report also suggests that at Kingston Elementary School that it might be appropriate
to put a site there and I took the liberty of taking picture of that elementary school and I
can show you on a map but I can just graphically tell you that there is no where on this
site where that tower won't be right in the middle of this activity field. In other words, if
you come 200 feet of this property hnes where these houses are over here, that puts you
in the middle of the field, and if you meet your 50 foot setback from the roadways that
puts you in the middle of the field. There's nowhere here. There's no place to hide it.
It's just a visual ~ntrusion. And, that was discounted for that very purpose as well.
Kathy Katsias: Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Gambell, was the original height higher? Did you propose a higher
tower?
Bill Gambrell: Th~s application started out a little blt higher height. I think 115-120 feet.
There were people in the community that said, "can you make it lower?" We took a look
at it and what we did was we squeezed the proximately of the antennas inside the pole so
that the two providers actually have to kind of give up some of the space between. They
like to have a little more separation. So, we did reduce it down to 112 for that reason.
They are substantially lower than the ones that were approved at the Lynnhaven Church
and at another church because they were 135 feet in overall height.
Ronald Ripley: Is there any nmse associated with this?
Bill Gambrell: The only no~se that is associated with th~s is going to be the air
conditioning units that are mounted on the facility at the very base. We did some decibel
readings and the units that they use are very similar to what you rmght find in a town
Item #17 & 18
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Page 10
home. They're very nonqntrusive. They shouldn't be problematic at all. They won't be
problematic for anybody on any of the adjoining properties. You absolutely won't be
able to hear them from a distance. Sometimes with communication facilities you have a
backup generator, so if power goes down they have a diesel or backup generator. Those
from time to time can be fairly noisy. They are not proposed at this location.
Ronald Ripley: Would you pass the coverage exhibits that you had? There were two
exhibits that you had there that showed the current situation and what the new tower
would possibly do in coverage around so that we can see that. Because trying to
determine the need is very ~mportant to the Commission.
Bill Gambrell: The first coverage map shows the tremendous amount of blue and shows
white. White means no service. Blue means less than good service. We call it "On
street service" on this map.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you. Are there any other questions at this time? I'm sure there
will be other questions as we go through all these speakers. Okay. Mr. Miller would you
mind calling?
Robert Miller: Okay here we go. We have approximately 41 speakers. Each one of you,
according to our rules ~s allowed three minutes but if you're going to be redundant or
repeat yourself, Mr. Ripley says he's going to remind you. Peggy Witte. I'll read the
second one and you can come forward and get ready to go. Vikki Camp, if you can come
up. Are you people here? This is in no particular order. I don't know what order you may
be assurmng there.
Peggy Witte: I think I was the first one here.
Robert Miller: Well, good Peggy.
Peggy Witte: Good afternoon Chairman Ripley and members of the Planning
Commission. My name is Peggy Witte. I am a resident of Little Neck and live at 1264
Hebden Cove in the Redwood Farm section. My family and I have lived in Redwood
since 1980. Although, I currently serve as President of the Redwood Farms Civic League,
what I say today does not serve as an official statement of the civic league but rather is
my own personal viewpoint based on 23 years residency in L~ttle Neck. I support T-
Mobile's apphcation 17 & 18. The first house in Redwood were built and occupied in
1974, thus making Redwood one of the oldest communities in Little Neck. In 1980,
when I first moved into Redwood, Middle Plantation was in ~ts infancy. The swim and
racquet club was in it's planmng stages and it would be many years before B~shopsgate
was developed and close to 20 years before the first homes were built ~n Little Neck
Estates. Many of the original residents still live in Redwood and are now in their late 60s
and 70s with no intention of going any place any time soon. W~th them and their safety
issue reliable phone service is a necessity. And, unfortunately in today's world we are
unable to have complete faith in the reliabihty of any land-based utility. We are being
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 11
told to expect power outages, contamination of water and cut off of other utilities in the
event of hurricane or worse. The public has no control over most of these situations but
reliable phone service is available to us in the form of cellular service. In my home ~n
Redwood as in many others, ~t ~s impossible to maintmn a cell phone call. We would be
very happy in most of homes if we had one bar. We have none. And, this is regardless
of brand of telephone used or the name of the cartier providing service. I ask therefore,
that you grant this petition before you today. In the past months, many arguments against
the towers have been offered. I believe though that the basic objection is not the
necessity of the towers themselves but s~mply no one wants them in their backyard. A
backyard, which happens to be the swim and racquet club, built many years before the
houses surrounding it were constructed. To site precedent, a situation remarkably similar
to this one presented itself over 20 years ago in the same little Neck corridor, namely, the
construction of a bike path along Little Neck Road. No one denied that it was desirable
to have this bike path or that it would bring mobility to a community with one road, one
two lane road in and out of it. The problem then was agmn a simple one. No one wanted
a bike path in, their front yard. Arguments then were specious, as some of those you will
hear today. To date I have not heard of any joggers or mothers with baby carriages
pressing their noses against the windows of the homes there m order to watch those
families eating dinner. Nor have there been any situations where burglars on bicycles
have been able to make a speedy get away down Little Neck Road. And believe me,
those were two arguments sincerely offered. Unfortunately, it took a tragic accident
where a young girl on a bicycle was hit by an automobile and lost her leg to force Little
Neck residents to realize the proposed bike path.
Ed Weeden: Ma'am, your time is up.
Peggy Witte: May I finish completing my sentence?
Ronald Ripley: Sure.
Peggy Witte: I am thankful that the City had the foresight at that time to look beyond the
objections of a very vocal minority. The bike paths were subsequently constructed and
became a prototype for bike paths throughout Virgima Beach and has been the focal point
of Little Neck becoming a community in a truly sense of the word. I respectfully ask you
today that you grant these pernuts and I ask you once again look beyond a minority's
objections and have the wisdom and foresight to grant what is in today's world a
necessity and not a luxury. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Robert Miller: Vikki Camp. Dr. Richard Klobuchar.
Vikki Camp: Hello. My name is Vikki Camp and I live at 708 Downing Lane. I've been
them for nine years. I grew up as a child in Ktngs Grant so I'm pretty aware of the area.
My concern today I'm here as a working mom of small children and safety is my
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 12
concern. Because of where I live three fourths of a mile from Kingston Elementary, we
are m a walking zone. We do not have buses. Therefore, as a working mother I
communicate often with my babysitter by cell phone. However, the cell and regardless of
the company doesn't work at Kingston Elementary. My frustration comes in one day I
was called on the phone because my children were at school and there was no one to pick
them up. Well, when I called my babysitter, I couldn't communicate with her. I heard
bits and pieces, you know how it breaks up. So, my frustration is I, as a worlong mother
don't have a way to communicate with my babysitter. And, that concerns me as a safety
issue for my children. The other thing that I just want bring up ~s since I've lived here for
so long we saw what happened years ago at the Methodist Church. And, I'm just asking
for your support. Don't leave our community behind again. For people like myself and
my husband and other people of my age will end up moving to other areas that have
better coverage. So, I think it's an ~ssue for property value as well. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Dr. Richard Klobuchar and A1 Wallace.
R~chard Klobuchar: My name is Klobuchar. I'm the group Chief Scientist and Corporate
Vice President for a major system engineering firm in the area. My background is Ph.D.
in Nuclear Chemistry with specialization in Electronics and Physics. Other aspect that I
would like to bring to background is I'm the primary author of Emuls Information
Technology Architecture that addresses the issues associated with safety and digital cell
phone coverage. Comments that I'm making here are my own comments. I live in the
Little Neck area. I have three cell phones. I'm on 24-7 emergency call for projects ~n
support of the National Archives. I can get bars. I can get cell phone full coverage. I
live out towards the Royal Grant area. It's actually one of the little bluish areas out there.
The problem that I have and it's systematic through the region when you can get
coverage ~s that you lose the connection. So, it's not only a matter of getting the signal
strength coming out but it's a matter of making sure you have connections and you can
keep those connections ~n the area. We live on the peninsula. If the C~ty had not gone to
the circumstance of taking the lawsuit to remove the tower at Lynnhaven, none of us
would be here today. So, what it means to me as a technical ind~wdual and I worked w~th
Virginia Tech on a project for a high bandwidth wireless communications ~n support of
the National Science Foundation as well as the National Response Center. If the City had
not taken those actions, we would have coverage but it's been eliminated. And, the
choices are very, very narrow. The only alternative to going down in terms in height on
these towers is to have more geographically dispersed areas associated with them. And,
you would be at lower power. I would like you all to think about the circumstances if
one of these sites is not visually aesthenc. What does it mean to go ~nto an area and put
them in, in that regard? I would also close because many of things that I would say have
already been mentioned. I certainly support them ~n that area. Many of my neighbors
know that my wife is the President of the Council of Garden Clubs of Virg~ma Beach.
She is also a member of the Beautification Commission. So, I can tell you with my
pillow talk that the ~ssues associated with beautification but I'm also sensitive and reahze
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 13
that you have to make for what amounts to a very difficult decision. And, this is good
application. It will serve our area. I urge you to support it.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Robert Miller: A1 Wallace. Mark Norris.
Al Wallace: How much time do I have for CCEO President?
Ronald Ripley: Can you get it done in three nunutes?
Al Wallace: Maybe 30 second after the three minutes.
Robert Miller: Is Mark Noms here? Excuse me a minute Mr. Wallace. Mark Norris?
George Fischer here? I'm just trying to get people line up to come here.
A1 Wallace: Let me know when you're done.
Robert Miller: Thank you. Go ahead sir.
A1 Wallace: Good afternoon Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen of the Planning
Commission. I am A1 Wallace. I'm the President of the Council of Civic Organizations
of Virginia Beach. I'm also a retired naval officer having served as the electronics officer
in the Navy with a Masters Degree in Engineering Management and a lot of experience
with antenna radiation patterns. I have facilitated three meetings with Little Neck
residents on this sighting of cell poles. I guess we'll get away from the cell towers and
use cell pole issue. The last meeting included a descriptive presentation by the Planning
staff member, Barbara Duke, followed by T-Mobile proposal. The meetings were
required in order to get information out to the community and provide an opportunity for
concerned residents to get their questions answered and voice their concerns and enable
an open dialogue so we can discuss options. I believe the planning process did not really
include a proactive effort to integrate community or technical inputs. And, I do
understand that the Planning Commission holds these public hearings in order, to do that
but, however, this is a technical issue and warrants time. But, let me first start with the
Virginia Beach building blocks for healthy neighborhoods. From Barbara Duke, she
passed these out and basically the first bullet reads many of our neighborhoods have
particular, physical characteristics that are very reasonable that why the residents move
there. The character of Little Neck is a primary concern." Now, I'm asking this Planning
Commission to consider supporting the building blocks for "Community of a Lifetime"
when you make your decisions on this issue. Secondly, I understand there is a report
turned over was discussed previously over the Barbara Duke that provides alternatives,
designs and considerations for sighting cell towers in this area. I don't believe the
community was given the tree time and opportunity to discuss those items. The
community is not saying no. In all of the meetings I've facilitated the community made
very clear that they want and desire cell coverage so they are not saying no. What is
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being asked is all options need to be researched and use the best method practices for
sighting of towers. Will the location of the proposed towers provide the quality of
service for Little Neck residents? The technical aspects of tins proposal together with the
recent study have not really been researched. I requested copies of the antenna radiation
patters so I can see what the coverage is going to be. In other technical information and
I've never received that information.
Ed Weeden: Mr. Wallace, your time is up.
A1 Wallace: In summary, I just feel that further staff research and collaboration with the
technical folks or a consultant is needed in this case. My concern is the coverage for all
of the residential areas and to provide quality service. By lowering the antenna as you
brought out, there is trade-offs. And, I think it behooves us to identifying those residents
that will not get cell coverage and recommend that further research be made to include a
third party consultant to evaluate the numbers that are in the proposal.
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Wallace, thank you very much. Yes.
Dorothy Wood: Mr. Wallace, you said you met with three groups. Were these three
c~vic leagues in the area?
Al Wallace: The civic leagues in the Little Neck area.
Dorothy Wood: Which ones were they?
Al Wallace: All of them except for one. And, I can give you the meeting minutes.
Dorothy Wood: I just wondered who they were.
A1 Wallace: They're all except for one and we met with the presidents first and then we
met with Barbara Duke and T-Mobile.
Ronald Ripley: Okay. Thank you very much.
Robert Miller: In case I wasn't clear, I'm going through the list of the people that have
marked support first because that's how we traditionally do this and then we will go
through the people that have marked opposition.
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Romine?
Steven Romine: Mark Norris had to leave. Instead of reading this in, I'll just pass it
around. Enjoy your next speaker.
Robert Miller: George Fischer. And, then Bill Stewart will come forward please.
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George Fischer: Good afternoon Chairman Ripley and members of the Planning
Comnussion. My name is George Fischer. I've been a resident of Little Neck for over
25 years. I live at 1261 Hebden Cove. I have not now nor have I ever been a member of
the swim and racquet club and today I'm here to talk for Redwood Farm Civic League.
At a meeting of the civic league on October 27 of last year, a motion was made to
endorse the cell phone application of T-Mobile. After discussion the motion passed with
over 90 percent of the member household were in attendance voting in favor of the
motion. This past weekend, March 8-9 we canvassed the neighborhood to ask residents
how they felt about the cell phone application. Of those households where someone was
home, 92 percent expressed their support for the improved cell phone service and were in
favor of the T-Mobile application. The residents of Redwood Farm strongly support the
T-Mobile application 17 & 18.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Robert Miller: Bill Stewart and if Tim Fincham would come forward please.
Bill Stewart: Tins gentleman has to leave. Can he go ahead of me?
Robert Miller: Who is that?
Tom Dillon: Tom Dillon.
Bill Stewart: Tom Dillon.
Robert Miller: Certainly.
Bill Stewart: Thank you.
Tom Dillon: Good afternoon. I apologize for butting in but I do have to go. I'll keep
this short because I haven't had lunch yet. My name is Tom Dillon. I live in Middle
Plantation. I'm a ten-year resident and a nine-year member of the Little Neck Swimming
Racquet Club. Before my wife and I signed the petition in support of these towers, we
did a lot of research. We listened to our neighbors, both pro and con. We checked
particularly the safety ~ssue of radiation being admitted from the towers because that was
primary concern. Our children swim at the racquet club and we play tennis there. What
we found frankly and what convinced us that this was not an issue was that cell on your
hip is more dangerous than the tower at the swim and racquet club in terms of the
radiation. The other point that I would hke to make is ~n terms of demand for cell phone
service. Five years ago, my household we had one cell phone, now we have four. I got
another teenager about ready to get one. The demand is only going to increase. And, like
my neighbors I will say that Middle Plantation the service is very spotty at best and we
need this technology. Thank you.
Robert Miller: Thank you.
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Ronald Ripley: Thank you Tom.
Robert Miller: Bill Stewart and Tim Fincham.
Bill Stewart: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, my name is Bill Stewart. I'm
President of the Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club, the s~te under debate here today.
I'm also a resident of Bishopsgate, which is the neighborhood adjoining the swim club in
back. I was the first resident of Bishopsgate, so I've been around a httle while. The
swim club voted unaminously to support the cell towers. Our membership, which
represents a good cross section of Little Neck voted 2-1 to support the cell phones. I'm
very proud of the fact that our Board has presented fairly and accurately the facts about
these cell phones. I have heard everything about why we should not have them.
Probably the most absurd was that birds would be flying into them. I only heard one
person who lives next to the swim club, who stated the real reason they don't want them.
And, you heard this before, not in by backyard. Everyone recognizes and you heard the
need for cell calls in the Little Neck area. But, everyone says not in my backyard.
Unfortunately, that's not possible ~n L~ttle Neck. The area is just too populated. T-
Mobile has done an outstanding job of listening to everyone's concern m Little Neck
regarding these poles. They have attended over 20 meetings with various cimc leagues
and groups to listen to their concerns. And, I have attended many of those with them.
They tried to accommodate everyone. They've agreed to plant a number of new trees to
shield the poles from public view so that the backyard will not be quite as visible in their
backyards. The Little Neck Swim Club is a private, not for profit recreational club. We
have operated in there for a number of years, unfortunately and not by choice, but the
sw~m club is a jewel in the Little Neck community. We have recently completed as you
saw on your tour a beautiful new building and a second swimming pool, which will be
completed this month. I, along with many others have worked very hard to make this
happen. I would not do anything to tarnish the nature of Little Neck. I do not feel these
cell phones will do that. With the funds from the poles though, we can improve our
facilities much. We can offer programs for the elderly, provide a physical fitness studio,
which there is no recreation center, no City recreation center m the Little Neck area, have
year round youth actiwties and perhaps attract more members. The club can become the
recreation facility of our entire neighborhood. We have also pledged from these funds, a
portion of our money to the Little Neck Commumty Enhancement Fund, which we use to
financially support projects on beautification, safety and recreation in Little Neck. This
should enhance the quality of life for everyone. I was one of the most vocal opponents of
the fire station. I d~d not want it adjacent to my neighborhood. I did not want it in
essence in my backyard. But, I'm here to tell you I was very wrong. Fortunately, the
City disagreed with me and it was built and it is a tremendous asset for our neighborhood.
Ed Weeden: Mr. Stewart, your time is up.
Bill Stewart: Thank you very much.
Robert Miller: Thank you.
Item #17 & 18
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Page 17
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Tim Fincham and William Bailey please.
Tim Fincham: Hello. My name is Tim Fincham. I'm actually the Director of T-Mobile
in the State of Virginia. And, I just want to thank you for hearing this application and
that I want to stress that we try to do everything we could to work with the
neighborhoods to make this as good as an application as possible and I'll be available if
you have any additional questions.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: William Bailey. Janice Alexander please.
William Bailey: Good afternoon. My name is William Bailey. I'm a resident of
Kemspville and I'm the President of the Virginia Beach Professional Firefighters. I think
you're going to hear a lot of emotion from the pros and the cons on this particular issue.
And, what I want to do is strictly give you some facts. Citywide, the cell phone calls to
the dispatcher center for the 911 dispatch, in 2000 there were a 101,876 phone calls on
cell phones. In 2002, that went up 10 percent to 111,865 requested 911 service by a cell
phone, more than 10 percent of the entire 911 calls in the City of Virginia Beach
Dispatch Center. I've heard from some of the residents of the pros and cons so I went up
to the fire station and talked to the guys who worked up there. The fire truck has a cell
phone it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Individuals there have cell phones.
Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It's important to take into mind that fire
station had 820 calls ~n 2002 out of there for residents of Middle Plantation, Little Neck
Road in the wcinity. 458 of those calls were for rescue calls, heart attacks, strokes and
things along that line. It's important to keep in mind that if there's an accident on Little
Neck or Harris Road, we lobbied to get Harris Road w~dened because of the school bus
accidents out there. It's important that the fire station plays a critical role in the Little
Neck commumty. The members of the firehouse there have asked us to come forward
and support this because they feel that the residents of Little Neck should have the same
coverage as the rest of the c~t~zens cityw~de. It's important that in the event of an
accident that time is of the essence. With the number of cell phone calls we have
citywide, we don't have a record of the number calls that come out of Little Neck on cell
phones for emergencies. I would assume there's going to be a certain percentage but
since they don't have the coverage, obviously we don't have those records. Every minute
that someone can't get to a phone because there are no pay phones on Little Neck Road
and I don't ttunk there are many pay phones up in the Little Neck peninsula. I think ~t's
~mportant that we keep in mind our job is to provide coverage to the citizens, assist their
needs and get there in an emergency situation rapidly as possible. The cell phone
communication allows us to do that. And, with that I'd ask you to move forward with
this application. And, thank you very much.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Item #17 & 18
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Page 18
Robert Miller: Janice Alexander. James Alexander.
Janice Alexander: Good afternoon Chairman R~pley and members of the Planning
Commission. My name is Janice Alexander and I live at 1269 Southfield Place in the
Redwood section ~n Little Neck. We've lived there about three years now and have been
frustrated at the lack of cell phone signal. And, I tried to understand truly why the
opponents to cell tower are so angry. And, given my background, I had to wonder ff they
wree concerned about resale values for their properties. I realize that real estate is not an
exact science but drawing on my 18 years of experience as a realtor, I'm convinced that if
a effective buyer were not turned off at the prospect of buying one of those properties
adjacent to the swim and racquet club, that the presence of the cell pole on that site
wouldn't really deter him from buying an adjoining property. It would be more likely
that lack of cell phone service would be a draw back, which might ~ndeed have a negative
impact on value for many Little Neck homeowners. Recently, I asked the owner of one
of the adjoining propemes if they were concerned about their property values if this pole
were installed. And, the response and I quote was, "no, we just don't want to look at it."
Well, frankly there will always be somebody who doesn't want to look at ~t regardless of
the location. We desperately need access to cell phone service and I don't feel that not m
my backyard is justification for denying access for the quiet majority of Little Neck
residents. You can't please all the people all the time. And, I truly think that this pole ~n
this place at this time really is for the greater good. And, I urge you to vote in favor of a
positive recommendation. And, my voice is quavering. It's been a long time since public
speaking 101. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: You did a good job. Thank you.
Robert Miller: James Alexander and David Cooper would come forward please.
James Alexander: My name is James Alexander. I live at 1269 Southfield Place ~n the
Redwood Farms subdivision, which is in the cell phone black hole that we are discussing
today. I had wanted to make several comments as a physician regarding health and safety
~ssues of not having good cell phone service, but most of them have been put forward to
you. I would just like to add and it was mentioned that we have tins wonderful bike path
and walkway that runs along Little Neck Road. Many people use that. We have an aging
population. We have several elderly people in the Little Neck area who are encouraged
by their health care prowders to get out and exercise. Many of them take advantage of
this path way and you go by there almost anytime and see people walking along there.
One of many concerns is if they had a medical emergency, what do they do? They can't
reach for their phone and get a cell phone and expect to connect a call. It's a long way to
neighboring houses. There are no pay phones out there. The other day we were going
down L~ttle Neck Road and we came across an accident on the comer of Harris Road and
Little Neck Road. We were about the third car on the scene. There was a two-car
colhs~on. I got out to lend assistance to one of the victims. She was stall s~tting behind
the steenng wheel of her car. The engine was still running. There was steam coming out
from underneath the front wheels. There was a young lady standing next to her with her
Item #17 & 18
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Page 19
cell phone, talking to the 911 operator and she was getting instructions as to what to do
w~th this lady behind the wheel. If that accident had occurred further up Little Neck
Road, she would not have had that opportunity. If it had been in our neighborhood
entrance, it would not have been an option. Most people would not know exactly what to
do when they come across an accident like that. Those are reasons why I feel it's very
important to support the installation of the poles.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: David Cooper and Catherine Faulkner.
David Cooper: Good afternoon. My name is Dave Cooper. I'm a resident of the Little
Neck area. I've lived there now for 17 years. I'm also a member for the last 17 years of
the L~ttle Neck Swim and Racquet Club. I have three points that I'd like to make and I
think I can narrow that down to two to save time for all of us. Today, we talked about
safety but the first one is what I handed out. You heard earlier from Bill Stewart, the
President of the Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club about the Little Neck Community
Enhancement Fund. This ~s an organization that will be created to share the revenue and
the five percent of the gross revenues that come from the communication arrangement.
We've estimated that to be approximately $80,000 times five percent. That gives tins
Little Neck Community Enhancement Fund over $4,000 a year to work with and you can
see by tins design that the purpose of this is for safety, security, recreation and other
purposes such as beautification that can improve the quality of hfe for the residents in the
Little Neck area. So, this will become an addendum to the lease. It will be created and
the people who will serve in this organization are the presidents or a person appointed by
the president or the Board of the Northern Little Neck C~vic Leagues, also, the Little
Neck Fire Station, the Plaza Rescue Squad, the Lynnhaven District City Council, and
obviously a designated representative from the Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club. So,
we feel that this is a good step to get some of that revenue in to the community to help. It
might be the fire station that needs a $1000 for something very special that they haven't
been able to get funded. It seems like money is a problem these days and it could be the
police, so we want to do what we can do to give back some of that revenue. The second
point that I wanted to make ~s to ask the Planning Cornnuss~on, prior to your final
approval of the site plan that we would like to add some additional detail. A few of us
have worked probably for over 12 hours in the last two weeks going over and scrutinizing
the property from every possible angle. Bill Gambrell has met with two of the
contiguous property owners and got some excellent feedback and we simply like to ask
you ~f we could make some additional improvements to the site plan. I can go through
about seven things quickly but to save time, we want to add some additional plantings.
We want to add one entire line on the backside of the property. We feel that it's
important. There are a lot of bare areas in the current vegetation that need to be filled.
And, we feel like we could do a better job. And, I'd like to state that we like your
approval conditioned upon the fact that we like to make some additional improvements
on the site plan. Also, in Barbara's recommendation on Page 7, in the last paragraph it
says, "in lieu of the landscaping around the exact facilities", we like to change that to
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Page 20
read "in addition to", because they agreed to do the landscaping around the facility as
well. So, we need tins. I thank you for your time. Thank you.
Robert Miller: Catherine Faulkner and if Dale Finocchi would come forward please.
Catherine Faulkner: Good afternoon. Thank you for hearing this application today. I am
Catherine Faulkner, a real estate manager in Virginia for Verizon Wireless, and much of
what I would say, and could say has been said by Mr. Fincham and Mr. Gambrell. We
are here in support of this tower. We have poor coverage in the Little Neck area. We
have a large customer base and we do hear from them often with complaints on the
coverage. The only thing really that I would like to add that's new is that Verizon sent
out a mailing to our customers in the Little Neck area and it was a letter w~th a post card
included. I believe the post cards have been forwarded to you. But, we received over
700 post cards in response to our letter. All of the post cards were in support of this
tower except four. And, two of them just said no. One of them asked if the dues to the
racquet club be lowered and then she would be in support of the towers. So, I was glad to
hear that said. And, actually I feel like this is a good site. T-Mobile and Mr. Gambrell
have worked very hard to include the residents in this design. It will be a very expensive
site and one of the reasons we can build it is because there will be four carders sharing
the expense or otherwise it would just be cost prohibitive. But, I am here for any
questions and also our engineer is here if you have specific questions. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Dale Finocchi and Brian Miller come up please.
Dale Finocchi: Good afternoon. I'm Dale Finocchi. And, I'm with SunCom. I'm the
Zoning Manager. And, we're here in support of this application. We've been involved
with it as many of the other carriers that are supporting it. And, one of those efforts as
Mrs. Faulkner mentioned was to find out what our customers in this area really think.
And, we did receive back and you have copies of those, 152 signatures on a petition as
well as 165-faxed back, and actually that kind of response really shocked me because that
is what most people talk about is the silent majority. We always know that there's a large
amount of people that are supporting many of our applications but they don't take the
time and effort to come out and express to you and I know that ~s part of your frustration.
Many applications where you hear the folks that are agamst it or upset about it but you
don't have a fair enough pulse on how many people really support it because they don't
let you know. So, I was rather impressed that actually 165 people took the t~me to read
the letter, fill out the information and then fax it back to us. And, that was from my
perspective quite an effort. So, we do support this application. We have been in this area
for a good while longer then some of the other carriers including T-Mobile. We have as
some of the other folks have mentioned both a capacity and a coverage issue here. We
need to get coverage in the Little Neck area but we also have a strain on our sites that are
outside the Little Neck area and we do have customers on the fringes that do compete for
those channels. So, this is a very, very important site for us. We have looked in this area.
There are not a lot of options in it and we were happy to see something come forward and
we're happy to be part of this application. As Mrs. Faulkner mentioned, ~t's going to be a
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Page 21
very expensive endeavor and it is something that is only going to be feasible because
there are four of us shanng in its cost. Frankly, I'm a professional planner and I've been
workang in telecom since 1995 and this is really, probably one of the most sensitive
applications I've ever seen as far as being sensitive to a neighborhood and its concerns
and how ~t addresses that. We can't make them go away completely but I think T-Mobile
has done a job here that is about as best as anyone can expect anywhere. So, with that,
SunCom hopes that this Commission will recommend approval of this application so we
can provide the coverage to the over 300 customers that have expressed their need in
here. And, I'm sure there are many more others. And, all of those responses did come
from folks in the zip code 23452, which is that Little Neck zip code. And, this will help
us to alleviate our need to have to go back in the L~ttle Neck area once agmn and begin
looking for another site. We've been focusing in other areas because we understand the
difficulties in Little Neck so we are happy to be a part of this, and if it gets approved to
be involved with it. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Brian Miller and if Brenda Durden will come forward please.
Brian Miller: Good afternoon Chairman Ripley and members of the Commission. My
name is Brian Miller. I'm the former President of the Little Neck Swim and Racquet
Club and a resident of 816 Prince Charles Court, Virginia Beach. I'd like to give you a
httle history behind the events that brought us here today from the perspective of the
club. And, knowing that, I'll follow your rules. I' ve scratched about half of my thing
that I was going to read, so hopefully it will go through quicker. About 14 months ago,
representatives from T-Mobile approached the club with an idea of placing the wireless
towers on our club property. Club directors thought it would be a good idea and thought
we had an obligation to present it to our membership. The process that followed by
mutual agreement between T-Mobile and the club had been nothing but methodical and
deliberant. There were numerous commumty civic meetings and communications and as
club president, I can attest that I attended most of those meetings. The proposed plans
that you have before were developed and changed facing the input we received at these
community meetings. And, the input was hopeful at times and very good. Throughout
this process, it was never kept a secret that the club supporting this proposal is contingent
of its member's approval. So, on September 5, the club called had called a meetang to
have this proposal voted on. Our members approved that proposal as Mr. Stewart said
before by a 2-1 vote. I also wanted you to be aware that 70 percent of our active
members voted on that and if you just look at how that rates with our votes here in
Virginia Beach and if memory serves our last vote here on our Council elections was
about 13-14 percent of our population who could vote. So, that is a substantial amount of
people that came out to vote. The voting rules were clearly established on the ballots.
We were very conscience about presenting ourselves ~n a very above reproach way. Our
Committee Chair who is our membership chairman was Mary Vanson. We selected one
upon it and one against. And, those votes were held in secrecy. Further more of the
votes were given to a lawyer who was versed in constitutional law to look at the proxy's
Item #17 & 18
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Page 22
and they are still held in a secured locked place where I don't know. But, lots of
lobbying by opponents selling the worse case scenarios part~al facts ~n dealing with our
community led to some of these comments and I know you heard some of them. And,
some of them were the ugly towers would ruin the appearance of our community. The
building suppomng the towers would stick out like sore thumbs. That's my own words.
They were the choice of words submitted, proposed dangers to children. You already
heard the property values. The L~ttle Neck Swim and Board Members were taking
money or would benefit economically from this. Phone and personal door-to-door
attempts were made by a well, organized group to sell their point, and using half-truths
and innuendos. The factor ~n my opinion would probably be their best case. And, in my
personal judgment I could understand their point. It's a valid point. But, no one likes
changes. And, I'm going to be cut short. What I would like you to do is consider three
things. Number one, the impact in the community; number two, the changes inevitable in
technology necessitate change for our community; and number three, this has been a well
thought out process and you might not hear it today but everybody has been well
involved. And, the information has been at the fingertips of those making the decisions.
I appreciate all your efforts on behalf of the community.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Brenda Durden and if Karin Fleischman would come forward please.
Brenda Durden: My name is Brenda Durden. I live at the very end of the Little Neck
peninsula on West Little Neck Road. My family has cell phone accounts with both
SunCom and wireless. I have no coverage with either one. And, any time there is a
storm in the heavily wooded area where I live, we lose power, we lose phone service on a
regular basis. I have no cell phone service. I have to go out Little Neck Road between
the swim club and St. Nicholas Church before I can get to bars to be able to make a call.
I have two teenage drivers. I carry a cell phone with me at all times. And, it's really a
problem not having any coverage unless you happen to stay home and your home phone
~s working. I would apprecmte it if you would support this.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Karin Fleischman.
Karin Fleischman: Good afternoon. My name is Karin Fleischman and I live in the
Kings Grant area. And, from what I can tell you, I've heard everything that I was going
to say so I'll pass on to the next person. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Steve Fuschetti and and Dwight Handforth would come forward please.
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Page 23
Steve Fuschetti: We actually have someone who has a commitment and needs to leave.
Would you mind if went ahead of me, Blair Dunlap.
Ronald Ripley: In support of?
Robert Miller: These are oppositions.
Ronald Ripley: Oh, oppositions? Okay.
Robert Miller: Who is it that's coming forward?
Blair Dunlap: My name is Blair Dunlap.
Robert Miller: Come on down.
Ronald Ripley: Sure, come on. Okay, we heard all the folks that are going to speak.
Now, we're starting to hear opposition.
Blair Dunlap: Right.
Ronald Ripley: Yes.
Blair Dunlap: I'm definitely in opposition.
Ronald Ripley: Fine.
Blmr Dunlap: Good afternoon. My name is Blair Dunlap. I'm a 16 year resident of
Bishopsgate and I apprmse real estate for a living. I've been an appraiser for 26 years.
I've appraised in excess of 6,000 properties m Virginia Beach. My job requires me to
make judgments about factors that will affect market values of properties. It's not an
exact science because the same factors will sometime affected different people
differently. For instance, hving on a golf course is generally considered a desirable
location however, some people are afraid of being hit by a golf shot would not buy
property on a golf course. Some factors, however, are practically universal in nature
having a negative effect on property marketability, and by extension, property value.
Residential property is generally always negatively influenced by the existence of
commercial property in close proximity. The commercial use such as the proposed cell
towers would represent what is known in the appraisal industry as "incurable external
depreciation." That's three minutes?
Stephen White: You're fine.
Blair Dunlap: Okay. Incurable depreciation is a type of property devaluation caused by
factors outside the property boundary. Because ~t is outside the property boundary, the
property is powerless to correct or address the problem. As you know, zoning regulations
Item #17 & 18
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Page 24
are ~n place ~n part for harmonious use, which enhances property values. The
enforcement of zoning regulations serve in part, to protect homeowners and revest in
their property, whereas the properties in close proximately to the cell towers will be
affected. All of the properties in close proximately. The properties most affected by the
erection of the cell towers will be those that border directly on the swim and racquet club,
100 percent. That is none of the property owners that share a common border with the
club favor the proposed cell towers. Their property will be impacted negatively not only
to dimimsh aesthetics caused by the view of the towers but also by the perception that
there may be health risks involved with living close to cell towers. I'm not trying to
make a case about such health risks here. I'm only saying that the perception of such
health risks particularly families with children is enough to significantly affect the
decision to buy or not to buy property close to cell towers. The reluctance of perspective
purchasers will typically lead to more difficulty of the marketing of these propemes
ultimately the existence of the cell towers will often have a negative ~mpact on any offer
to purchase these properties. It is not a coincidence that the people in favor of this
proposal will not suffer any of the consequences of having cell towers close to their
property. I'm in favor of better cell coverage in Little Neck as I'm sure most people in
this room are. The question at hand should be, should better cell coverage for Little Neck
be obtained at the expense of the property owners that live close to the sw~m and racquet
club? When these property owners bought their property they purchased with the
assumption that the swim and racquet club would always remain solely recreational. It's
my professional opinion that these property owners will be unfairly penalized both in the
enjoyment of their property and financially, and I respectfully request for the Conditional
Use Permit for the cell towers be denied. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Steve Fuschetti and then Dwight Handforth.
Steve Fuschetti: Good afternoon. My name is Steve Fuschetti. I am a member of the
Little Neck Sw~m and Racquet Club. I am a homeowner in Bishopsgate. Since it seems
important sometimes to establish our technology background, I'm also a President of a
company called Infinet, which is a technology company in Norfolk. Not anti technology
by any sense of the ~magination. I also, I guess according to Steve Romine, I'm one of
the affected few, which was a new term category that I hadn't put myself in prior to this.
I've attended many sessions where this issue has been discussed. And, I can certainly
agree with one th~ng that has been said over and over today, this ~s an incredibly sensitive
issue. And, it raises passion among neighbors unlike anything like I've ever seen. And,
it raises questions among neighbors unlike anything like I've ever seen. I think it really
comes down to two things. One, this is, in my opinion and also what I've heard ~n
meetings where Barbara Duke was present, rather precendent~al in the sense that what
we're talking about here are towers. It often starts these meetings by acknowledging how
good the Voicestream people are because we now have people calling these poles as
opposed to towers. They are 112 feet poles and they're replacing 20-foot wooden posts
w~th lights on them, so, in our mind, the neighbors mind, these are towers. And, we are
Item #17 & 18
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Page 25
placing them in the center of a residential neighborhood and to our knowledge that hasn't
happened anywhere else. They have been on the peripheral neighborhoods. They've
been in commercial areas but we have not seen anything quite like this proposal before.
So, again it comes down to two things. One, the precendential nature of this so the
guidelines that the Planning staff are using to even advise you are probably not quite
adequate for a proposal such as this. And, the second thing is really from the neighbors
and certainly the adjoining property owners, kind of a breach of trust and a breach of
faith. We bought our homes in Little Neck because of the character of Little Neck. We
bought our homes in Bishopsgate knowing that we were near a swim and racquet club
and in fact endorsed being near a swim and racquet club but also knowing that there was
a Conditional Use Permit that said that property would never be anything other than
recreational. And, now if I want to be extreme, I could say that we have the beginnings
of a cell tower farm. I'll leave that to you to decide how extreme that is. I also want to
be sure that everyone understands that there is no d~sagreement that we would all like
better cell coverage on Little Neck. And, what I respectfully ask of you folks and given
the precedential nature of what is in front of you and given the fact that there is
passionate opposition and you'll have folks here telling you how many names they have
on proxy's and how many names they have on petitions, guarantee you that it's
passionate and divisive. Given all that, I think there is a need for an independent.., may I
finish?
Ronald Ripley: Wrap it up.
Steve Fuschetti: For an independent look at what it really will take to provide cell
adequate cell coverage in a residential neighborhood such as Little Neck and that be done
blind to the economic interests of those people who are providing the data for you
because at the end of the day this is kind of a happy merging of a club that had poor
financial planning trying to find a financial silver bullet and an immature cell carrier to
this market coming in and trying to establish a footprint. And, doing their job and doing
their job very well. Trying to get to the bottom line. But, I do ask that you at least defer
your decision here until independent research can be provided to the municipality about
alternative technology and sightings. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Dwight Handforth and Charles Pruitt come forward please.
Dwight Handforth: Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the
Commission. My name is Dwight Handforth. I'm a resident of Bishopsgate as well as a
member of the swim and racquet club. And, before I get into my prepared remarks, I feel
obligated to respond to a couple of things that have been mentioned earlier. Mr. Din,
who asked is cell coverage going to be adequate in Little Neck and completely cover the
peninsula with this, and I'll try to be brief. The answer is no. Ms. Durden who just came
up and talked about being at the far end of Little Neck, this tower according to the
propagation maps that you have before you will not change that coverage at the far end of
Item #17 & 18
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Page 26
Little Neck. It is a possibihty that further towers will be put in or further carders will
come and add more towers at the swim and racquet club or other locations. Also, they
talked a little bit about light replacements for these poles. Understand this big fight. It's
going to be this big and go 112 feet if this is approved. Now, I'm here before you to
request that you deny this petition. There are three reasons. One, I think it goes against
the deed and the intent of the deed. Second, it goes against the Planning staff' s July 21,
2001 study. I think there are some questions on whether it follows the ordinances
specifically Section 232 of those ordinances. And, I think there are several alternatives
that are available that need to be explored more thoroughly or at least information on why
those would be worthwhile and known to all of us. I think that the deed the proffer three
specifically states that it is to be for recreation. It goes so far as to specffically say the
types of gymnasium and the light. To Mr. Romine, it's fight. It did not specifically
exclude cell towers. I'm not sure that it was a cell tower when ~t first came up but it also
doesn't exclude a used car lot and it also doesn't exclude a lot of other things. But, it
does specifically say for recreation, gymnasium, racquets and specific ~tems. Also, the
staff recommendation has proffer four being deleted. It' s in your packet. And, the reason
for that is they say ~t is because the swim and racquet club has now been established as a
recreation center. Proffer four specifically goes beyond that and states that if it ceases to
exist as this it should also revert back to residential. By deleting the proffer from flus it
takes away that portion of proffer four, which we don't feel, should have not been taken
out. I go into the codes and the planning study and specifically 232, I think it's Sectmn
1 (4), it states that "we should at least attempt to put towers or cellular technology on top
of existing buildings." I think that has not been fully explored. We've heard that the
Lynnhaven Umted Methodist Church is not available or is not a possibihty because of
various factors. I'm not sure its ever been explored whether they can incorporate an
aesthetic pleasing tower in to the steeple apparatus of that church. And, I think that is a
possibility that would fit w~th that section of Section 232. Furthermore, the planning
board has put forth a study that the City in 2001 that talks on the northern part of Little
Neck that they did not think that towers greater than 95 feet, I think it says 70-75 feet
would be the norm. This clearly exceeds that by a substantial amount, at least in my
opinion, a substantial amount. It also goes on Page 16 of that same study to state that as
technology develops it would be possible to use light poles or telephones for this
technology. I'm here to tell you that from everything that I've heard that technology ~s
available today. There are several alternatives that are available. Ithtnk those need to be
studied. I at least ask you to defer this. I recommend that you deny tins petition.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Charles Pmitt. And, I think that's Dr. Pruitt. Is that correct? I apologize.
I didn't read the rest of it, and Kerry Caraman~s.
Charles Pruitt: My name is Dr. Charles Pruitt. Mr. Chairman and members of the
Comrmttee, thank you for listening to me. I'm an Emergency Medical Physician and an
Injury Prevention Specialist at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. I'm also a
property owner adjacent to the swim and racquet club. This is my home fight here. My
Item #17 & 18
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Page 27
wife and I have lived on the beaches of California and in the mountains of Colorado.
When we decided to have a family, we chose to come here to Virginia Beach. We chose
to buy this home adjacent to the swim and racquet club. I found it frankly comfortable to
live so near to a recreation center. I found it not a problem at all that the hghts were on
until 10:00 P.M. It was actually somewhat in a sense of safety. I found it akin living
next to a country club. I never in my worse nightmares imagined that two 112 foot and
lets be clear, these are smokestack size towers were going to go up less than 300 feet
from my back door. I would not have bought my home if I even considered this a
possibility. I would like to speak secondly about the safety ~ssues. So, as an ~njury
prevention specialist, I do want to touch on one ~ssue. That is the Consumer Products
Safety Commission considers two issues concerning falls with children. Those are the
height of the fall and anything above two stories or 22 feet increases the fatality greatly.
The other issues are what children fall on. Concrete and stmcrtures are also considered
very important issue when it comes fatality of falls. These towers, I suggest are an
attractive nuisance in our neighborhood. To our children and adolescents in our
neighborhood. You have 112-foot towers inviting adolescents to climb them. They are
surrounded by concrete and structures. Children climbing these towers will fall and die.
I would last like to address the issues of physicians in the area, in particular, the issues of
911 calls. We had one previous speaker mention that at most 10 percent of 911 calls in
the area are getting from cellular phones. I would suggest that the numbers in residential
areas are even lower. This is due to the prevalence of landlines and it is due to high
speed multi-lane freeways in residential areas. 911 calls rarely come from residential
areas. When they do come, they come from landlines. This is why we have a designated
800mh. I'll finish up. We have a designated 800mh frequency for paramedics and
emergency service providers. I would like to submit a petition signed by 20 physicians
and nine emergency medicine service providers including critical care nurses and
paramedics, all in opposition to these cell phone towers. The last sentence in each of
these petitions, and these are specific petitions. These describe exactly what these towers
are. They are not general petitions that say are you in favor of better cell phone coverage.
Well, everyone's ~n favor of better cell phone coverage. 1100 signatures that are talked
about and that is what people agreed to and I would have signed that petition. These say
specifically after describing the issue it says we don't believe that such towers would
improve the safety of the surrounding residents or of the patients for whom we provide
care. Thank you very much.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Robert Miller: Kerry Caramanis and if David Bunnell would come forward please.
Kerry Caramanls: Good afternoon. I'm Kerry Caramanis and I live on Beldover Lane in
Bishopsgate. And, my property backs up to the racquet club. When I purchased my
property I obviously purchased it with the understanding that the racquet would be there
and it would be maintained as a racquet club. I'm obviously opposed to this. I don't
want to sit on my deck and look at 112-foot towers everyday. I know that no one wants it
~n their backyard but I would say to you that the Commission is charged with mmntatmng
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 28
the integrity of neighborhoods and I feel very passionately about this that you need to
keep that in mind and do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Robert Miller: Dave Bunnell and if Michael Fick would come forward please.
Dave Bunnell: Good afternoon. Thank you for letting me address my opimon today on
this matter. I represent nine homeowners on Poplar Bend. I'm a resident of that street as
well. My name is Dave Bunnell. Again, a lot of what I was going to cover has already
been covered. We bought our homes there next to a racquet club because agatn, it was
pretty. It was a nice place for our kids to get themselves involved in activmes. We never
thought we would be faced with having to look out of our front yards and our backyards
with two 113-foot cell towers. And, that' s how it really affects us. We are part of the
affected few. We have no problem with improved cell phone coverage. My neighbors
are all in favor of that. At some of the meetings we had previously to this, we have
expressed to the T-Mobde people that alternative site locations need to be explored. If it
comes down to the sw~m club being the only adequate site to improve cell phone servme
in our area then we can probably accept that but we don't think that's been done. There
are schools. There are city parks. There are properties that have all been suggested to the
T-Mobile people at these various meetings. And, they never wanted to address the issue
of alternative sites. This is the only site that will provide adequate cell coverage for the
peninsula. That's not true. If the racquet club was not there, where would they stick
these things? Ask yourself that question. Where would they put these towers? That is
the issue. Alternatives, and they don't want to talk about it because they've spent a lot of
money on legal advice to get this thing pushed through. They lobbied people all over
M~ddle Plantation. Well, they're not sticking these towers in Middle Plantation. And, I
guarantee you if they were proposing to put them there, they wouldn't of had all those
people saying they are ~n favor of th~s th~ng because it's not in their backyard. It's not ~n
their front yard. They want better coverage. Of course, we all do. But when you start
sticking it in a residential neighborhood you're going to have some people who are going
to be affected by it. There are nine families on my street that are affected by this. So,
I'm here today to let you know how these nine folks and families feel about ~t. And, I
think the Commission ought to postpone granting this waiver, or whatever we're granting
here today, until they come up with alternate site locations. Thank you very much.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Michael Fick and if Steven Minnis would come forward please.
M~chael Fick: Good afternoon. I also live in Little Neck Estates. And, Dave Bunnell
was speakang for us as a group. I have nothing to add to that other than we are opposed
to it. I moved here three years ago and had no idea that we would be looking at these
towers. I appreciate it ~f you would not approve this.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 29
Donald Horsley: Mr. Fick, could you show us there where you live please, where the
nine people who you are talktng about live?
Michael Fick: Right here sir.
Donald Horsley: Okay.
Michael Fick: That would be my house right there.
Robert Miller: Steven Minnis and Louie Gayton.
Steve Minnis: Hello. My name is Steve Minnis and I reside at 861 Bishopsgate Lane.
How do you work this? It's that house right there. Thank you for the opportunity to
voice our concerns about the proposed installation of the cellular communication
antennas at Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club. In short, this is about money. It is
obvious that Voicestream Communications stands to financially benefit due to the
improved cellular coverage that will be provided to their carders by the installation of
these antennas. The carriers will in turn benefit from the increased cellular traffic due to
the ~mproved coverage. Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club will also benefit from thts
commercial venture resulting from a lease agreement that will provide them with non-
member funds that could be used to make many improvements to their property. The
members would, I'm sure enjoy the benefits of these improvements for years to come.
Everything comes at a cost. While the people I mentioned above stand to profit, the
property owners that are adjacent to the club will realize the devaluation of their homes
due to the aesthetic attraction that will result from these antennas that will tower over the
surrounding tree line. I'm opposed to the installation of these antennas because I have a
vested interest in the effect that it will have on the value of my home. It is a simple
matter in my mind. The beneficiaries of the installation will not have to look at the
finished product day in and day out like the property owners surrounding the Little Neck
Swim and Racquet Club. Even if the members of the club will see it as they visit the club
~t will be much easier for them to tolerate because after all, w~thout the antennas they
would not have come by the numerous improvements so easily. Are there alternatives?
As an electrical engineer in the communications and sonar engineering division at
Norfolk Naval Shipyard, I'm aware that there are other methods that can be employed to
achieve the coverage the Vo~cestream Communications hopes to provide its carries that
serve the Little Neck area of Virginia Beach. I assume that these alternatives would
require more planning time, more real estate, more permits, relaxation of zoning
requirements, etc., and would overall be more costly while delaying the earnings that
could be realized if the antennas are erected at the proposed location. Understand that I
am not opposed to progress but it is clear that this is progress for convenience sake, not
progress for necessity sake. Cell phones are generally a convenience that we have come
to rely on and while I use one too, I'm not so dependent on them that I don't remember
life before cell phones. I personally have no need for improved coverage when I'm at
home because I use the landline in my home. And, even though that's the case, the
existing coverage ~s adequate enough that I'm always able to connect. My point is that
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 30
the coverage is currently adequate. If the coverage is currently adequate, these antennas
only serve to upgrade the ability for Voicestream Communications to make more money.
I'm almost done. Put yourself in our shoes and imagine what ~t would be like for you to
have to step out into your backyard and enjoy the view provided by the numerous trees
on a sky blue backdrop or have the family cookout only to have it spoiled by the intrusive
antennas. I appeal to your conscience. There is something wrong when those that stand
to profit from this venture do so at the expense of the adjacent homeowners. It seems
reasonable to expect the financial burden to fall fully on Vo~cestream Communications
who over time stands to profit the most, not on the homeowners who stand to lose. Every
effort should be made to find an approach that would be agreeable to the Little Neck
community at large and not just a handful of people who because of their good fortune
stand to profit at the expense of others. For example, this matter has already cost me four
and hours of vacation time. Thank you.
Robert Miller: Lome Gayton and Stephen Young.
Louis Gayton: Good afternoon Chairman Ripley, I'm Louie Gayton, a 28 year resident
and homeowner on the Little Neck peninsula and live in M~ddle Plantation on Glen Eden
Quay. I'm opposed to the cell phone towers being constructed on property owned by the
Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club. I am not opposed to improved cell phone coverage.
The L~ttle Neck Swim and Racquet Club is a private organization composed of
approximately 500 due paying members. If cell towers are required in Little Neck I
would recommend they be constructed on public land, parks, schoolyards or fire stations,
all of which are located on Little Neck. I heard T-Mobile say that looked at alternative
sites. Let's look at exploring new technology to promulgate wireless communication
signals. In this way, the lease funds could possibly be used for the common good of all
Virginia Beach citizens not just a few good paying members of a private club. I have two
main reasons for opposing the poles being constructed, commercialism and the
enforcement of present conditional zoning restrictions. If towers are erected on the Little
Neck Swim and Racquet Club, this is commercialism with T-Mobile paying rent for the
land and subletting excess capacity to other carriers. Per Mr. Steve Romine, this is not
commerciahsm, ff this is not commercialism, I'm not sure what commercialism is. The
Little Neck peninsula is a lovely upscale, aesthetically pleasing residential neighborhood
as reported in the Virginia Pilot/Ledger Star on September 2002. One major reason for
this lovely neighborhood is the lack of commercialism on the Little Neck peninsula. We
do not want a commercially owned camel with its nose ~ns~de our residential
neighborhood. Number two, the Little Neck Sw~m and Racquet Club land is
conditionally zoned for recreational use. This zoning was done at the request of City
Council that was previously mentioned. Leasing land for the erection of towers is not
recreational use of land. At present, the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation
Department does not permit new free-standing towers to be erected on their property that
they control. I see no justffication for the Planning Commission to approve this
Conditional Use Permit of a Conditional Zoning Change to permit towers to be erected
on the privately held property. I urge you to disapprove this Conditional Use Permit and
the Conditional Zomng Change subrmtted by T-Mobile, and to recommend disapproval
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 31
to City Council. We do need improved cell phone coverage but lets look at new
technology and just not on the dollars today. Thank you for your time.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Robert Miller: Stephen Young and Angela Hall.
Stephen Young: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Stephen Young and
I live in the Bishopsgate development. This issue was raised in the Little Neck area a
number of years ago and was rejected then. Nothing has changed since then as to the
appropriateness of the commercial venture in a residential area. It is unfortunate that
economics, that is money, has again swayed a non-profit organization to attempt to
~mpose a commercial venture on a residential area. Homeowners have a right to expect
the non-commercial aspect of their neighborhood being respected and mmntained. I
employ you to support the Bishopsgate homeowners who voted overwhelming against
these towers and reject this application. In addition, T-Mobile speaks of the process that
they used with regard to getting the message to the community. My experience was qmte
the contrary. I was given telephone numbers to call, and not one of my calls when
someone did answer the phone ever return my calls. I do not believe that all less
intrusive technological alternatives have been explored. Again, I request that you do not
approve this variance. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Angela Hall and Jim Naylor.
Angela Hall: Hi. My name is Angela Hall. I am an adjoining property owner. And,
thank you for the letter to invite me to speak today. I do have a great concern as a
property owner. And, ~t' s not just a not in my backyard situation. I love my home. My
husband and I have put so much of ourselves in our home. We love it. Our living area is
not just inside the house. It is expanded outside all the way to the fence bordering the
racquet club, the front porch. Tins past year, we invested an awful lot of money to
~mprove our home to update it. That also ~ncluded landscaping with very defimte plans
of additional landscaping on our backyard. I'd like for you to understand that our home
~s important to us. And, I know earlier today that somebody said that, oh, there is only
opposition of a few adjoining property owners. We're important. Our home is important
to us. The breakfast that we have on our deck, weekend, Saturday, Sunday lunches we
have on our deck. Some our evemng dinners that really go all the way into the fall. We
sit outside on our deck with antique candle lanterns. I try to cook and make a nice meal.
And, we enjoy the fragrance of Gardenia and Jasmine. It's beautiful. It's just beautiful.
I have to say that Saturday we invited Bill Gambrell to our home. I have also
acknowledge Bill allayed some of my concerns. My husband has been involved in cell
phone tower placements so he is much more ~nformed than I. However, I don't know ~f
all of you members know this term "co-location" or "pole farm". This can be brought
about by additional placement. Once we have precedent or you g~ve a recommendation
Item 4/17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 32
for this, how can my husband and I have the City's support that it will never go beyond
these two towers and as membership wanes and we all know that everybody signs up for
the health club at the beginning of the year and they fade out after they're soar or golf
season opens, they don't go. What's going to happen when the membership needs really
to be boosted up and nobody wants to do it because now kids don't want to go any more.
It' s nerdy to be at the pool with your family. We all know that's really life.
Ed Weeden: Ms. Hall, your t~me is up.
Angela Hall: Okay. My time is up. Please take it into account and Bill smd that it would
spill over lighting. The better word is "Vulgarian." That light that Mr. Gambrell saw
from our home, we even joked that we needed a visor in our house. It's bad and it is
being a bad neighbor. We throw all the tennis balls back into their court. We do
everything we can but I would like a few minutes. Please look on your map. Where you
see our property is actually where the tennis court butts up to one home. There is no
landscaping there. This racquet club stands to make an awful lot of monetary gain from
this lease. The cellular phone company is going to stand to get a lot of new subscribers.
What happens to property owner with their landscaping? We have even decided on a
pergola to try and defuse some of the lighting. The lighting is atrocious. It is very
invasive. One evening somebody was playing tennis at 4:00 in the morning. That's
ridiculous. That' s being a bad neighbor. And, I feel that if it' s not going to stop and
something needs to be addressed, I ask you to please look at this and have them come in
and reduce the light height that is fight there fight now. It's not going to improve. It's
not going to be easier.
Ronald Ripley: Ms. Hall.
Angela Hall: Mr. Gambrell said it would be reduced. But, I really want an assurance and
I would like an assurance that they can never come back and ask for an additional pole
and have a pole farm in our backyard.
Ronald Ripley: Ms. Hall.
Angela Hall: Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: We'll make sure they readdress that.
Angela Hall: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Jim Naylor and Nancy Naylor.
Jim Naylor: Mr. Chairman, members of the Planmng Commission. Good afternoon. My
name is Jim Naylor. I live m Bishopsgate. I back up the Little Neck Swim and Racquet
Club. I've been in the Little Neck area for 13 years. I was attracted to the area because
of the character of the neighborhood. The family friendly atmosphere and the school
Item #17 & 18
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Page 33
system and those familiar with the area know there is no commercial development once
you get pass the Home Depot on Virginia Beach Boulevard. The entire area is
residential. There are a few churches. We got a firehouse and we have the sw~m club. I
come to you today with my friends and neighbors for an attempt to preserve the quality of
life that is attracting not only myself. But, most people, who have moved into the L~ttle
Neck area. There is a proposal before you, that's attempting to change the original
proffers that were approved by the City for the protection of the community back in, I
believe in 1981. As a shareholder of the Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club, I'm
troubled that the membershtp was never given an opportunity to vote on amending this
deed. The only vote was a vote to sign a lease with Voicestream. I'm asking you to
honor the deed not alter ~t. I'm not against improved coverage just like most people have
spoken here. I'm agatnst smoke stacks in a recreation site that was designed and
approved for fanuly friendly activities. There are activities that should be considered and
there are other alternative sites that should be considered and other people have spoken to
those. And, many of these sites don't alter the character or the atmosphere of the Little
Neck area. The bordering properties, which were Bishopsgate and Little Neck Estates,
overwhelming have voted against these properties. We don't want to be guinea pigs of
this type for residential intrusion. Those in favor of the proposal have made the
determination as long as it's not ~n their backyard. This ~s an acceptable alternative.
Interesting enough, the City has taken the same position by not allowing cell towers on
recreation parks because they are inconsistent with recreational activities but yet we are
proposing to place them in a recreational facility. The appearance is that the swim club
overwhelming voted for this proposal. I just want to give you a couple of numbers.
There are over 900 members in the swim club. There are only about 338 that are paying
members. Only if you're a paying member could you vote, 30 percent or more voted to
abstain from the vote, so really when you get down to it there were a little over 200
people that voted for this. So, even if their numbers are 2-1 probably are correct, when
you break it down by all the numbers you're talking about very small numbers. And, I
d~d want to comment on that petition that was sent out that was asking people whether
they were in favor of towers. Actually, the petition, I would think that you probably have
in front of you had one question on it. And, the petition that was sent out to everybody
really asked for whether or not whether you wanted improved cell coverage. Well, we all
want that. We have an opportunity to serve a greater need by supporting alternative s~tes
that will not compromise the aesthetics of our neighborhood and the quality of life in our
commumty. I ask you to deny this Conditional Use Permit. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Nancy Naylor and Toni Minms.
Nancy Naylor: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the Commission. My name ~s
Nancy Naylor. I have been a resident of Little Neck and a member of the L~ttle Neck
Sw~m and Racquet Club for 13 years. I come before you today to express my strong
opposition for the proposed communications facility at the Little Neck Swim and Racquet
Club. As an educator and a lifelong child advocate, I view this proposal as reckless, child
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unfriendly and one that clearly jeopardizes the safety of children. Little Neck Swim and
Racquet Club is a family recreational facility that serves far more children than adults.
This is a summertime haven for children, a place where children can enjoy a safe and
healthy environment. I question why we need to sacrifice the health and safety of
children for the convenience of wireless freedom. There are several safety concerns that
must be addressed. First and foremost is lightening. Lightening is one of natures more
deadliest phenomenon. According to the severe weather awareness website, every
thunderstorm produces lightening which for your information lctlls more people each year
than tornados. I am presenting to you a picture from a video clip of lightening winch hit
a south tower in Chesapeake June 26, 2002. WVEC, Channel 13 provided me with this
picture. Visualize tins within feet of a swimming pool. More troubling is the report that
I have obtained for you from the International Conference of Atmospheric Electricity,
which states the following. Measurements of lightening strikes to towers between 30 and
200 meters in height have shown that such towers increase the incidents of lightening at
the tower location and that the probability of lightening to a tower increases roughly as
the square of the towers height. This study clearly suggests that the livelihood of a
lightening strike is magnified ten times over because of the proposed height of these
towers. Common sense dictates that tall towers will attract lightening. And, the
combination of water and electricity are a deadly combination. Another concern is that
the current plan allows for 112-foot towers within 50 feet of a clubhouse and several feet
from a swimming pool. Section 232 requires that there be a safety fall zone of 110
percent of the tower height from the residence. I'm going to finish. This is important.
Shouldn't there be a stricter standard for a high.
Ronald Ripley: Ms. Naylor, do you have a lot more to say?
Nancy Naylor: No, I don't.
Ronald Ripley: Okay.
Nancy Naylor: Shouldn't there be a stricter standard for a high occupancy recreational
facility. These towers will serve as an attractive nuisance to teenagers who frequent the
pool during non business hours. The interest of this industry and the financial benefit to a
private swim club should not supersede our ability to preserve the aesthetics of our
neighborhood and to protect the safety of children. This proposal is reckless, dangerous
and child unfriendly and I find it unfortunate that we have reached the point that we
would rob children of a safe and healthy play area. Thank you.
Robert Miller: Thank you. Toni Minnis and Bipin Vyas.
Toni Minnis: Hi. My name is Toni Minnis and I reside at 861 Blshopsgate Lane and it's
adjacent to the racquetball tennis swim club. I brought a picture of our home so that you
can see and that is in the wintertime right around Christmas so you can see why the
homeowners are concerned about our property values. From that picture right there, if
you look at the picture the cell towers will tower over the tree line that is them. Being a
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license realtor for 19 years that does affect your property values. Have you all been out
looking at houses probably have passed a house that had a tall VEPCO towers or tall
poles. There's people that just drive right by it. Don't stop the car, I'm not getting out.
Th~s is going to affect our property values. We live next to the sw~m club for a long time
and we are neighbors with them. And, we tolerated things like tenms balls in the yard
and the tennis people getting upset when they miss the balls and you can hear them
cursing. The parties at night and there are not a whole lot of them but there's possibly
underage drinking parties at night and at 12:00-1:00 o'clock, they tend to get a little
rowdy and that is not all the time. We have been good neighbors with the racquetball
sw~m club and we don't want these ~n our backyard. We already compromised a lot with
the racquetball club and this is where we want it to stop. And, that is all that I have to
say. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Robert Miller: Bipin Vyas and Mary Lee Wilkerson.
Bipin Vyas: Good afternoon everyone. My name is Bipin Vyas. I live probably closest
to the towers than anyone else.
Robert Miller: Turn around.
Bipin Vyas: This is my house right there. Well, anyway, I have three businesses in
Virginia Beach and three teenagers in the house so I can understand the ~mportance of the
cell phones. We are sharing a common fence with the racquet club and my house. In the
winter there are no leaves on the trees you can see the whole club activity from my
backyard deck and probably like more than live more than 200 feet from the tower. I
strongly opposed these proposed towers. Those who are in favor of the towers would
oppose the same if they are in my place. Since the club ~s benefiting from the towers
when they are practically in my backyard. We have no problem w~th our cell phones and
towers are going near our houses and those who are having problems with their cell
phone service they will never get to see those towers. They won't have any problem with
their property values. I only request that the C~ty Council to approve another location for
this eyesore tower away from the development of new technology. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Mary Lee Wilkerson and John Walker.
Mary Wilkerson: Well, I think I would say good evening. Your eyes are getting lazy so I
can see how tired you're getting so I will try to be brief. I'm Mary Wilkerson. I live on
Bishopsgate Lane, although not exactly adjacent to the club. I'm one of the charter
members. My children grew up there. They learned how to swim them. Subsequently,
we became lifeguards there, which are water safety instructors there. And, also they were
lifeguards at the beach. So, I know what I'm talking about. I really do. The property is
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one matter. I'm a teacher. I'm concerned about cbaldren and children safety. And, this
neighbor just alluded to a lot so I'll try to leave a lot of that out. Lightening is my
greatest concern. While my daughters were up there working one t~me, the hghtening
was striking, she and two other lifeguards had to hit the ground. If you know anything
about lightening clouds, you got most of the negative part at the bottom and then you got
most of the positive at the top and ~t's hunting to make a connection to the ground. The
connection to the ground that is going to ground it is going to be water. Where are
children playing? And, this tower is this close. I'm thinking, come on people, these are
our children. We don't put these in elementary schools. We put them on high schools
because they can go on top of the building. Let's not take those same children and want
to put that tower right over there, where those children are going to be playing. It's a
dangerous situation. Every year or two, we know that there's somebody at the beach,
very few clouds in the sky and what happens? Lightening strikes. Lightening has been
known to strike from 20 miles away but not very often. Granted, ~t's normally 3-5 males
away. But, even at that, try to get them out of the pool trying to get them corralled
someplace else where they are going to be safe. That's a disaster waiting to happen.
And, I'm very concerned about the safety of the children and the poles. It is known and
I'll read to you what Norah says, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
gives these warnings. There is no absolute safety from lightening. However, avoid being
in or near high places, isolated trees, which by the way the big trees died away up there,
shelters, communication towers and I fail to see these as poles. They're towers. Flag
poles, light poles and other things of height. Now, that's from a very reputable ~nstitution
here that's telling us this. However, doing a lot of search on the internet, I came across
towers placed in church steeples. And, I wrote down one of them. Bell Mount United
Methodist Church in Hills Borough Village in Memphis, Tennessee. If the technology is
there you got several churches on the peninsula, Little Neck area that could be placed in
their steeple. Number one, that would take care of the property value. I hope you do deny
this.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: John Walker and Ruth Kral.
John Walker: Good afternoon Chairman and Planning Commission. My name is John
Walker. I'm a resident of Virginia Beach for 10 years and I worked in the wireless
industry for 20 years, more if you include my time in the Marine Corp. I was contracted
by the B~shopsgate Civic League to look at the plan and recommend perhaps, alternatives
to their plan. I think everyone would agree probably the best cell site would be a site
where we don't even know ~t's there. And, the question is that possible? Is that a
possibility? And, the answer is yes. I believe a plan was subrmtted to you termed
B~shopsgate alternative w~reless site study. And, in the plan you have examples where
different facilities were used such as church steeples ~n Coral Gables, Florida; Newbury,
Vermont, another c~ty in Vermont and other areas of the country. Technology also exists,
which allows carriers to use one antenna opposed to two just mimmiz~ng one, the height
of the towers as well as the need for multiple structures. In examining Volcestreams or
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T-Mobile's application, I found no evidence that this was considered. I also found no
evidence that multiple sites were considered either when I reviewed what was submitted
to the Planning Department. I have before me an example of stealth tower that was
designed in the Nimmo area of Virginia Beach. Mr. Din had asked a question, are there
any towers that are shorter than the 112-foot height. Yes, there are. This one that was
built and constructed by SunCom in Nimmo was only 90 feet in height. So, I feel what
the need is for T-Mobile to honestly reexamine their proposal and for the Planning
Commission to request T-Mobile to defer their commission to look at technology that is
available currently that will meet the needs. One that will give the coverage citizens
desire and will also rmtigate the opposition, which has been expressed. And, that type of
plan is possible. I also request that perhaps that in the future applications by wireless
careers that more information be provided so that those who are opposed can have a fair
opportunity to present alternative plans. It was very difficult to examine the T-Mobile
plan because much of the technical information that's required such as their equipment
type, antenna types, power levels was not provided. And, that information is vital. If any
sort of alternative plan is to be drafted. And, also I live in Larkspur. And, in Larkspur,
we don't have good coverage either. I have had Verizon. I have had SunCom, I now
have Sprint and I tell you I drop calls too. Because I really wonder if this plan is
approved will these smoke stacks also come to Larkspur? I wish you to consider that
please. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you.
Robert Miller: Ruth Kral.
Donald Horsley: Your time is already up.
Ruth Kral: Done already?
Ronald Ripley: Stephen, on that again?
Ruth Kral: Good afternoon. My name is Ruth Kral. I'm the President of the Bishopsgate
Civic League. And, I'm speaking here in opposition. One thing that I wanted to point
out is that I don't know whether or not you have seen a simulated photo of what the plan
looks like and why so many residents are opposed to this plan. This ~s a simulated photo.
It was not shown at any of the meetings w~th any of the commumty. And, I think the
reason is because you can see how tall these poles are. And, Charlie Krumel, who ~s a
former Planning Commissioner, is the individual who did this photo and he's opposed to
the plan. So, that may explain why you have so many people who are opposed to it. I
don't think from all the ~ndividuals that you heard hear speaking and I'm one of the last
ones, a lot of what I was going to say has been said but nobody is opposing cell phone
coverage. And, I think it's very easy for a lot of different people in the Little Neck
commumty who are not directly affected by the detrimental ~mpact, to be for the benefits.
Of course, everybody wants cell phone coverage but the aesthetics are problematic. And,
I would like to refer to your own Comprehensive Plan for the Little Neck community. It
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identifies as the first objecnve protecting the existing residential character of Little Neck.
I do not think 10-11 story cell towers in the swim clubs parking lot protect the existing
residential character of Little Neck. And, I don't know why you all would want to have a
plan ~f you're not going to follow it. I would like to rebut something that was said earlier,
not rebut ~t but just to clarify ~t a httle bit. The pool's talking about a 2-1 vote. Yes, I
think it was a 2-1 vote. I do not believe that the numbers have been released but they are
only approximately. It's a private club. There are 350 members. They have 70 percent
voting with a 2-1 vote. We're talking about 162 private members. It's a boom for them.
Of course, they're going to be for ~t. But, I don't think it's fair for the adjoimng property
owners to be adversely affected both financially and visually by the pool's decision that
completely disregards the property's intended uses, the current restrictive conditions on
the pool. And, one of the things that in addition to the aesthetics and the other point that I
wanted to make is that the applicant is required to submit substantial evidence, just a little
bit longer. I'm almost closing, that no other alternative exists and because this is a
precedential application, it's the first in the residential neighborhood. It's the first in the
recreation area. It's the first next to a pool. I think alternatives need to be explored and I
would encourage you all to do that and ask the Planning Commission to take a step back
and take a serious look at how cell towers are sited in residential communities. And, I
urge you to deny this petition.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much.
Robert Miller: That's all the speakers we have.
Ronald Ripley: That's all the speakers that have signed up to speak. We have two others
over there that did signed up?
Mark Norris: Mark Norris. I was here but then I had to leave but now I am back.
Robert Miller: You already sent us a note.
Ronald Ripley: We received a note from you.
Mark Noms: Okay.
Ronald Ripley: We received that. Come up please.
Robert Miller: She could be in here somewhere.
Ronald Ripley: Yeah. Could you please state your name?
Kalyani Samudra: Sure. My name is Kalyani Samudra. I did fill out a card. I'm not
sure why you don't seem to have ~t.
Ronald Ripley: I don't know what happened to it either.
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Kalyani Samudra: Okay.
Ronald Ripley: We have a lot of cards up here. I'm sorry. Please, go ahead.
Kalyani Samudra: Okay. I am a homeowner of the adjoimng property. I live at 3113
Beldover Lane. As a homeowner, a mother of a young and a physician, I have many of
the concerns that came p. I not going to belabor them. The aesthetics, the noise, the
property value issue, all of those things concern me and I would not have bought my
home two years ago if had I known that this might have been in the works. Secondly, T-
Mobile says these are radio frequency waves that the towers would omit are safe, no
worse than a microwave. But, how many of us would stand in front of a running
microwave 24-7, 365 days a year for years. Intermittent exposure ~s one thing. Indefinite
continuous exposure over the years is another. For the same reason why I don't put my
two-year old daughter in front of a running microwave constantly throughout her child
hood or place a cell phone to her ear, again, constantly, not for 18 years. I don't want her
living next to these towers. And, I know that other homebuyers are going to have this
concern especially with young children. And, they're going to p~ck someone else's house
over mine. I also share a concern about the fact that the main beneficiaries are going to
be financially the club and T-Mobile. To the detriment of my family, my neighbors and
our community, please oppose these towers or at least defer your decision until other
alternatives, particularly investigated by some independent consultants are explored.
Thank you.
Robert Miller: I did find your card and I apologize.
Ronald Ripley: Okay. Well, I understand that is all the speakers and so, Mr. Romine, I
don't know how you want to do this.
Steve Romine: Let me take the lead and try to respond too much of what I just heard.
And, if I omit some of the questions concerns, I hope you bring them up to my attention.
We'll get those questions answered. And, th~s is not necessarily in any defined order but
really responding to which I heard them. First of all, let me address what I heard from a
few speakers that are in opposition to us regarding health concerns. As I indicated
earlier, the Federal government regulates etmssions from these facihties and there's an
MPE. The MPE ratio in this is less than five percent, which considers it completely safe.
It's also a consideration that the locality can't really consider when they are placing
towers. It's pre-empted by the Federal government with respect to health concerns but I
did want to be respective and respond to that. I also find ~t precarious that Mr. Walker,
who was retained I guess within the last 30 days to try and find an alternative site
indicates that the school is a safe s~te to go to and churches are okay but the club is
dangerous for children. I threw that out there for your consideration. I'm going to let
Bill Gambrell discuss the issue about the precedence whether this ~s the first time ever
these have been placed in a residential area. I think you'll find that ~s not true. He has
some examples of that. I'm going to let him talk about the alternatives that we looked at
on the peninsula to deternune why this ~s the best optimal reasonable solution that we
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found. So, I'll leave those two things to him. And, I'm going to try and pick off some of
the other issues that were raised. When you call back to about maybe two hours ago
when I made my comments, these facilities are allowed ~n all districts w~th a CUP.
They're allowed in residential districts. This ~s not a residential district. This is an 0-2
Office district. It's a 5.5-acre parcel, well screened. We have proposed to enhance the
spill over light tremendously by replacing all the lights, which is a tremendous benefit to
the adjoining neighbors. We're going to enhance the landscaping and we're going to add
a lot of capital improvements to the club as an offset to a slight burden that we think
we're going to have on the visual effect. There was another issue raised about
commercialization. These poles are the nature of a public utility. They're not unlike the
light poles in the peninsula. They're not unlike telephone hnes, not unlike electric poles.
It does not change the use of character of the site. It does not change the zomng. The
amendment to the conditions we made, three of the four were determined to be obsolete.
Kay Wilson may want to address some of these issues and why we amended three of the
four conditions that were on there. One condition that is remaimng, we just clarified to
make it absolutely clear that we can install these antennas there. It doesn't change the
use or character of the club. It doesn't rezone the club. 112 feet ~s necessary. It's the
minimum height necessary because we have to get above the tree line. We're co-locating
four carders, two per pole about 6-8 foot antennas, about a two foot separation and
another 6-8 foot of an antenna. So, you have two of these poles that are going to carry
four carriers. The bottom carrier if you do your math is going to be right at about 100
feet or so. The trees around that club are 65-85 feet, 65 on the Beldover side north on the
Bishopsgate side about 85 on the Little Neck side. The trees on the peninsula can extend
over 100 feet, 105 feet in some places, maybe taller. I haven't done a study. The point of
the matter is for these things to effective this signal has to promulgate out over the top of
those trees. That's why 112 feet was determined. We also narrowed that pole to 22
inches to make it as slim as possible and as least ~ntrusive as possible. We've made a lot
of compromise. Everything is internal and everything is as slim or as low as possible. Let
me alleviate the fear that people have about climbing the towers. Children will not be
able to climb these towers. There's no physical way you can do that unless you do some
act of a crane and you put it on top of the tower. There's no way to gain a foothold or a
handhold to climb these towers. Little Neck Estate was represented today and I would
like to address them quickly. They said that none of them were opposed to this
apphcation. And, I am going to point to the photo simulation in a second because I think
we have a battle of the photo simulation here in a minute between the photo s~mulation
that I saw. Do I have a limit on my rebuttal? Okay. Let me wrap up real quick. There's
no visible alternative. We did three tests ~f I would refer to your photo simulation, in the
picture there are views from each d~rection. Mrs. Kral's photo simulation on a quick
scale to that shows that it is ~n error. It ~s not a scale. Her math on the vote was off by
about 18 percent too. I'd just like to point that out. Some of the active members did vote
in favor. There's a letter in your packet about hghtemng. I'll leave that to you. Our last
paragraph indicates that this will help dissipate lightening that might strike. We have
sophisticated ground existent, more hkely to be hit by lightemng under a tree in that area
or near one of the buildings. And, so I stand by for questions.
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Ronald Ripley: Let me ask you a quesnon.
Steve Romine: Sure.
Ronald Ripley: Lightening was raised and that's a safety issue. Could you describe the
grounding? Can you describe why that grounding would be beneficial to the
neighborhood?
Steve Romme: I can refer you to the letter and I do have some of the technical engineers
here if you want me to call one forward. I can call a construction manager forward and
they might be able to address if you would like to hear that?
Ronald Ripley: Yes. Jeff, are you ready to discuss that? Jeff is with T-Mobile. He's
their construction engineer.
Ronald Ripley: And, while he's coming up, the issue of climbing up a pole, how's the
pole serviced?
Steve Romine: I'll let Jeff address that as well.
Ronald Ripley: Okay.
Jeff Donovan: I'm Jeff Donovan, constmction manager for T-Mobile. Were in the State
of Virginia. The concern you brought up in regards to number one, the lightening. We
employ lightening specialist for two concerns. One ~s for equipment. We have high
dollar equipment that makes the radios work, makes the cell site work. So, that is one
concern that the protection of our equipment as well as protection of our technicians.
Technicians will be the ones servicing the sites closest to the tower and the times that
they are out are in txmes of storm when they'll struggle. The power outages and different
things of that nature, so thunderstorms and lightening would be in the area. So, those are
the two primary concerns. The general public is a concern but they are not m the
immediate vicimty of most of the sites. So, with the grounding technology what we do is
drive copper rods, steel rods well into the ground to divert the lightemng. Should
lightening occur and htt the structure and divert it down into the earth where there is less
potential and dissipates it ~n there. The letter from Emerson Network Power essentially
states and there are many theories and many studies done on lightemng. What we do to
protect our equipment is the radial affect essentially anything within a 45 degree angle
from the top of tower is shielded per say from the lightening. Should lightening within
the, for instance this case this 112 foot structure, should it occur within the 224 foot
diameter, if it occurs w~thin that 224 feet, yes it may be attracted to the structure but it
actually serves as a protection within that 224 foot diameter. It will take the lightening
and divert it into the earth where it will be safe for a techmcian safe for anybody that
happens within the 112 foot of the structure.
Ronald Ripley: What is the 224-foot? Say that agmn.
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Jeff Donovan: Essentially the height of the pole is, if you take that and shadow it down,
one to one is a 112 foot radius is essentially shielded from the earth being struck by
lightening or a tree within that 112 foot.
Ronald Ripley: Okay. Climbing the pole? How do you service the pole?
Jeff Donovan: We service the poles with cranes and man baskets.
Steve Romine: What's the surface?
Jeff Donovan: Oh, I'm sorry.
Ronald Ripley: No, service. How do you service? Because the question of climbing
came up, which I've never heard that before but I never really thought about it. There's
no ladders or anything on the pole?
Jeff Donovan: On a typical structure, you will see bolts, ladders, some means to
physically climb it without the means of a crane, man basket or anything else of your
choosing that height. These poles will be slim lined poles. Essentmlly the only thing on it
will be paint. As you get near the top, there will be fiberglass radio dome cover, which
covers the antennas. They would have to be removed by a crane and then service
personnel will have to be lifted by a crane and by a man basket to service the antennas.
Donald Horsley: How often does that have to be done?
Jeff Donovan: Very rarely in regards to servicing. We mention monthly maintenance.
We do monthly maintenance inside the shelters. We add radios. We remove radios. We
optimize the different things within the shelter. That is our routine monthly maintenance.
We also go out to the site to make sure there is no vandalism. No rodents, anything of
that nature. The antennas maintenance is typically, I would say once a year. If you
wanted to average ~t out, twice a year for optimization if you wanted to tilt the antennas
down, you need to get ~n there to tilt them downward, bring them upward some or even to
physically change out the antennas should an antenna go bad. I don't know what the life
expectancy is of an antenna. Of over thousands that we have, we may have replaced
three out of a thousand.
Ronald Ripley: Are there any other questions? Joe, do you have a question?
Joe Strange: Yeah. Did I understand you to say that the grounding mechanism would
shield the area 112 feet from the base of the pole?
Jeff Donovan: The main question ~s the height of the structure winch as many
~ndividuals are knowledgeable about hghtening or even kind of common sense says, you
know something sticking up higher in the air, it may be more potential to be struck then a
two foot tree that sits right besides the structure. So, w~thin a 112 feet radius of the pole,
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unless there is another structure that exceeds the 45-degree tone, the pole is more likely to
take the hit than the smaller structure beside it. And, should the tower be struck, the
grounding system ~s in place to divert the energy down into the earth and not let it arch on
to the ground, on to the water, on to trees, on to buildings. Many homes now they will
put air termanals on their roofs so that if lightening should strike their home it hits the air
terminals as opposed to it hitting the roofing and catching fire to the roof. So, the theory
and the idea is to divert the energy into the earth where it can safely dissipate as opposed
to creating an explosion or a spark or anything that could cause other hazardous
conditions.
Ronald Ripley: I think Mr. Din has a question.
William Din: I've got a couple of questions. First, I don't see any pictures of the actual
pole and the structure in the parking lot. Okay, you know, I see their picture. I don't see
any pictures from you other than the picnic areas without a pole coming out. How is that
actually attached? Is ~t an independent pole that's behind the structure?
Jeff Donovan: The pole is independent of the shelter. The shelter is essentially just a
building, a shed. Anything that you might build is s~milar and same construction that ~s
used in that case, otherwise, it's actually more protective because they' re built more
conscience to vandalism or storms and stronger construction. The cables, which go to the
antennas, will be buried under ground in a concrete trough, PVC conducers in many
different ways. Our proposal would be a concrete trough so that lines can be placed
underground to come up in the foundation of the pole ~tself. The foundation of the pole is
totally independent of the foundation of the building.
William D~n: What's protecting the base of the pole from vehicle traffic or anything like
that?
Jeff Donovan: From vehicle traffic.
Steve Romine: The poles are place off the pavement in the grassy area between the
parking area and the fence, so the poles are not actually in the parlong lot. The vehicle
would have to jump the curb and go about five feet. I presume you put protective.
Jeff Donovan: Many things can be done. Actually the pole itself is similar as in a
warehouse or in a parking lot you would put a steel bollard a post to take the impact of a
blow.
William Din: Right. But, I don't see any of that in any of the pictures that I see of the
actual pole or even a schematic sketch of this thing.
Bill Gambrell: I've got an actual drawing from the manufacturer of the pole and some of
the other questions I think you have, I might be able to answer them. But, this shows that
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the only difference in this pole that you will see is that this pole was an original pole that
was proposed at 115 feet and the same manufacturer...
Ronald Ripley: Bill, you need to speak into the m~c.
Bill Gambrell: That's a detailed drawing. Each pole is an engineered pole specifically
for this site. So, I think that shows a 115-feet. The height of this pole has been reduced.
This gives you the schematic drawing that you want. Your question about the location of
the poles is actually in the parking lot. I tried to develop a good picture for you but
unfortunately, while I think th~s is fairly distorted, I didn't want to give you the same
impression in the opposite direction. But, if you look at the picture that they gave you,
this tree is 85 feet tall. So, this is 85-foot tall tree and this is a 35-foot tall structure, then
based on the proposal, these would really be about this tall. They wouldn't be anywhere
close to this height. And, the pictures are deceiving because and they would be deceiving
if I even give you some and that is why I didn't because, the depth in the field just
doesn't work very well with them. This pole that you see in this picture, I scaled it at a
105 feet here. And, this is a challenge.
William Din: One of the things we're dealing with here is the aesthetic and what it looks
like from various positions. You know, if you're in the parking lot what does it actually
look like? What's protecting it? That is one of the concerns there.
Bill Gambrell: It's a good question.
William Din: And, I don't think this really shows me what ~t is going to look like in
adjacent to this shelter per say. Okay. I don't know if th~s was brought up but you have
two poles there, 112 feet tall, two users in each pole. Did you consider using one pole
and maybe extending thxs one pole another 10 feet to put the other users in there? Why
do you have to have two poles?
Bill Gambrell: We were really trying to limit the visual intrusion that this was going to
make. The goal was to provide for multiple carriers. Every part of th~s application was
developed in concert and with sensitivity to 232. The increased height of the poles really
became more intrusive in my mind as a planner. It's not ~mposs~ble to do, if a taller pole
would be more acceptable, I'd suspect that the providers would feel okay with that but
my sense is that minimizing the height of the pole, which has always been one of goals ~n
Virg~ma Beach was an appropriate way to approach it. I would like to answer your
question about 232.
William Din: About what?
Bill Gambrell: About Section 232 and questions were raised about whether this complies
w~th 232. I think your staff has told you that it does. And, I can tell you that I am very
farmhar with it. And, I can tell you that ~t was absolutely designed intentionally to meet
all the codes and the reqmrements of the City of V~rginia Beach ordinance as very, very
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best it could. And, I am sensitive to the adjoining property owners and that truly is why
you have these landscape buffers that you got and the reduction in lighting that you have
and the limitation on the height of the poles. The issue of whether these can go in steeples
in Little Neck. If they could go in steeples in Little Neck they would be there if you
could get reception. Churches can do that except for the fact that none of the steeples in
Little Neck come anywhere close to exceeding the height of the trees. So, if you have
one steeple across the street and I think Verizon or AT&T, one of the two providers d~d
ask the church when they were doing the renovations ~f they could go in there. They did
their radio test and it doesn't work. And, that would only accommodate one provider. So,
then you have four other providers or three other providers cormng back and saying what
about us. What are you going to do for us? And, that's why this apphcation was designed
to accommodate as many providers as were interested. But the structures that are there
don't work. We absolutely looed at it. And, ~f you have questions about the alternative
sighting, I can address each and every one of them.
William Din: Not necessarily the alternative sighting here. I'm looking at the aesthetics
of this one s~te here. To me, one pole would be better than two poles. What would the
height have to be in order to accommodate all the users in one pole?
Bill Gambrell: I think the separation is generally going to be about 5,6, or 7 feet within
the pole. So, if you wanted to put four providers in the pole, perhaps the pole would go
up another 15, maybe 20 feet in height. It's probably more imposing to the site that each
and every one of these poles also have to accommodate cable runs that go up in the
middle to the antennas. And, that would substantially increase the girth to the pole. And,
it would really make ~t more intrusive. The goal really was to minimize every part of this
application. If I can emphasize one thing, in my role in this it was absolute trying to
develop a site that really was considerate of the environment. You do have an activity
center here. If you look anywhere else in the peninsula, I can't tell you where I have
more concentration of activity centers. But, the application and that is why all the public
meetings is why all the input was really trying, on my perspective to control the
aesthetics.
William Din: Well, I fully believe you have and everybody has put a lot of effort ~nto
this thing. And, I appreciate your efforts and everybody else's efforts in providing the
comments to you. And, I know you put a lot of effort in trying to accommodate all those.
Agmn, there are options that people have asked us to look for, alternatives not only just
sites.
Bill Gambrell: I think I can answer any questions.
William Din: Would you consider just this one site. I think originally, you proposed
three poles on this site. It was reduced to two. I'm just wondering why did we go all the
way down to one and maybe increase the height another ten feet ~f that is what it took. I
don't know if those options were looked at because the aesthetics are a problem and
people are concerned with the massiveness of two poles in this area. And, it just struck
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me when I was looking at the xnformat~on that we had that we didn't really have a picture
of a schematic of what this actually looks like in the parking lot. You know, this is an
important aspect of it because looking at it from the neighborhood, wluch you do have
pictures of. Looking through the tree, you do see that. If you're looking through the
fence, there's nothing there. What does it look like? How does ~t protect? I understand.
Bill Gambrell: In all of the poles and I'll ask everyone in every single pole that you have
in the City of Virginia Beach, when you have a triangular installed hat, when you add that
dimension to them, you get a much more intrusive look. The width of the girth of the
pole, if you want to consider that impact on aesthetics, it's tremendous as well because
the wider they get the more noticeable they become. So, that was really the purpose is to
really try to minimize it.
William Din: And the one question on hghtening. Is there an affinity for poles like this
to attract lightening?
Bill Gambrell: I'm not the expert but I can you that I have talked to police, fire and
rescue people in this City and I can tell you that every single provider m the country has
probably a million dollars located in the base of these antennas. So, the idea that
hghtening strike is going to occur. They're going to protect that lightening strike and
they protect it through the grounding. If there is anything that's probably more valuable
to them as being the providers is the infrastructure they have in the ground. They
wouldn't put poles up where they were going to potentially knock out a million dollars at
a time. They're really very considerate of it. And, really the technology really takes the
energy and directs it into the ground. As opposed to standing underneath a tree where the
energy becomes part of the canopy. It's really an issue where your almost safer at the
pole then you are adjacent to the trees. Absolutely.
Wilham Din: The dissipation of the lightening into the ground is them an effective area
around the base where it goes into the ground? Is there?
Bill Gambrell: The letter that I have and I haven't read it so, but he says the facts of the
s~te ~s to install towers slightly increase probability of lightening striktng the immediate
vicinity realistically within the 125 foot radius of the tower. In addition, the power
ground plan improves protection of the pool and other structures in the area if lightening
occurs in the area, we would prefer that it hit the tower. This is from Emerson. They
develop communication poles for everybody, T-Mobile, Voicestream or Verizon, all of
the providers. I looked at it very carefully and I d~dn't take casually any of the comments
that I received as I went through the public process. It ~s challenging and this is part of
the challenge of the public process. In trying to make sure that you're doing an accurate
job. This ~s accurate. So, a lot of the opposition, unfortunately that I feel like I have
encountered has been because information isn't being provided necessarily by some of
the folks aren't supportive of the application. In every instance, we tried to find the very
best answers. Looking through Emerson, they are one of the largest manufacturers ~n the
world.
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Ronald Ripley: Mr. Gambrell, I think Ms. Katsias has a question.
Kathy Katsias: Yes. First of all, this was provided to us and of course it was on a scale
like you smd but T-Mobile hasn't provided us with how the towers are going to look on
the property.
Bill Gambrell: I think Steve did pass out some photos but I don't think he did that.
Steve Romine: Let me first respond to that. We have photos here that are from the
manufacturer. They're kind of a different style. I'll pass them out. Here's an actual
photo of the manufacturer. It's just a little taller than what we have on another
application that it could look like.
Kathy Katsias: My other question was in Mr. Walker's proposal or alternative study, he
mentions steeples and putting the towers on top of church steeples. Can you address
that?
Bill Gambrell: I have a fair amount of respect for Mr. Walker. I worked with him when I
used to a municipal planner. But, the proposal he gave you mixes things. In the first
place it talks about shared antennas. I forget the name, metta antennas, none of them are
stealth. All of them, from what I understand, 20 of the antennas themselves, 22 inches in
width. That means you can need 12 of them in a pole to accommodate what you're
getting in these two poles with two antennas. All of the alternative sites in particular with
regard to these steeples, none of winch exceed above the height of the trees so your
promulgation doesn't work. That's the challenge here is that you have a great canopy
cover. And the RF engineers hke to call ~t clutter, but ~n fact what it does it dissipates the
signal and it doesn't work. If they worked, I would be the first one here to tell you that
you want these at a lower height. The existing lights in the area are 45 feet tall. If you
could work them at 45 feet or 65 feet tall I would be here before you with an application
that did that. I have personally looked beyond what T-Mobile has done to see whether or
not I can find any apphcations that would result in that type of use. It doesn't occur when
you have this type of s~tuation. They're very s~te specific and the canopy cover is really a
challenge.
Kathy Katsias: Thank you.
Ronald R~pley: Dot Wood has a question.
Dorothy Wood: Mr. Gambrell, I noticed that one of the speakers today said that these
poles are not allowed on elementary schools. I know that we have quite a few of them on
high schools in the City but are they allowed on elementary schools in Virginia Beach?
Bill Gambrell: Let me see if I can get a picture for you. I can tell you that answer is that
I don't believe there is an official policy. However, when the school board did consider
putting commumcation faciht~es at their Ingh schools and they didn't discuss the issue of
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elementary schools because there were no existing structures at the elementary school
that lend themselves to it. The elementary school sites are quite a bit smaller and they
don't have any tall structures so to speak of, but at Woodstock Elementary School you
have one of the tallest towers in the C~ty. It was recently rebuilt. It was an ex~st~ng tower
that was accommodate WHRO, which is a partner with Virginia Beach Schools and it
also accommodates every other single wireless provider in the City. That ~s absolutely
not to say nor are any of the other p~ctures I have that I can show you where these are
located ~n residential zones but that's the optimal answer. In fact, the d~fference in this
application and some of the applications, I can show you where there are tall structures
commumcation facilities in residential neighborhoods and on public properties. They
may not be the best examples, but they don't set precedence. They absolutely don't set
precedence. They do set precedence it's a precedence for hawng a thin pole, a very, very
thin pole, w~th multiple providers in it. The pole that Mr. Walker alluded to by Verizon
or SunCom at General Booth is a s~ngle provider pole and is going to be replaced and it is
in an area where there is no canopy cover. It is totally commercial surrounding the site.
Ronald Ripley: Joe Strange has a question.
Joseph Strange: Yeah. We keep talking about all these alternative places you might put
them. How many places did you study?
Bill Gambrell: These three boards and I'm not going to use them until you have a
unspecific question about the sites represent the entire Little Neck peninsula. This will
take you from the 7-eleven at Kings Grant or a little bit closer to the Boulevard and take
you all the way out. The large drawing that I have is probably easier to work from but
the individual drawings have some ~nformation, much of the information that the
individual drawings are going tell you is like with the school site that I mentioned to you
earlier. It would put these tall structures ~n the middle of a playing field.
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Gambrell, can you pull that mic over to you a little b~t?
Bill Gambrell: I'd rather speak to this larger drawing which shows the entire peninsula.
And, I can speak to the various sites ~n the peninsula. And, I can tell you that even before
I was hired to work on this application, I had the luxury of riding around the City of
Virginia Beach ~n the Little Neck peninsula, probably more than most people. I worked
for a while doing Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area work and I can tell you countless
variances that I worked on ~n the peninsula, so I'm really famihar with the peninsula.
Th~s map shows the entire peninsula. When you get south of this area here you start to
get coverage from the tower that's located behind the Sam's Club. So, you really are
getting into this area before you start to find a site that's not going to conflict wah what
you have here. We specifically looked at the baseball fields here at Kings Grant
Elementary School because they had tall structures. There are light poles over there. An
application over here would drive the height of the tower up to 135 or 145 feet at best and
there would still be overlap. So, as we looked, I looked at Brill F~eld, I looked at
Kingston Elementary School and I showed you my reasoning for why that wasn't an
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appropriate site. It's wide open. You will put communication facilities if they meet, and
this is important. Remember when I said these are very sensitive to all the roles and
requirements that we have in place today. So, if I meet all my setbacks like this
application does I'll be in the middle of Brill Field. If I go over here to the park site,
which is north of the racquet club site, I have a park site, by the way I have picture of
park sites that have communication facilities in them as well in the City and other cities.
Most of the time the only t~me they've been approved is if there is an existing structure
there that you can attach to. They don't become a greater nuisance they are just simply
part of something this already existing. And, that is the rationale here. Is that the
intrusion that the people that surround this club have is a very, very active activity center.
Very bright and as Mrs. Hall said, it is Hollywood when you look out her window. And,
that is a great benefit when you see the reduction of light going 85 percent down and all
the lights can be directed to the ground. We looked at the park site and the park site
presented some of the same challenges you have here. And, yes you could probably meet
the setbacks, however, you're going to be close to these people's property or you can be
close to these people's property. You're going to have to cut down a lot of trees and the
issue of whether or not you can climb towers. If you're really, really a genius and your
out in the middle of the woods and you can't be seen, you might be able to find a way to
shimmy up these towers. In an actiwty center like this these poles are very special. They
don't have climbing rods on them but if you're out in the woods and you were away from
people you might find a better opportumty for vandalism and you may find a better
opportumty to try to climb the poles. So, as you go up the Little Neck peninsula, the
other site you have, you have the Little Neck Methodist Church and I explained to you
that we discounted that site for a couple of reasons. The Fourth District Court of Appeals
made an argument that said that localities have the right to their own land use decisions
when it comes to these things. It was a rezoning. There were thousands, not thousands,
literally an entire peninsula that was opposed to an application there and it really just
didn't make a lot of sense to go back. But, it also didn't make a lot of sense to go back
and ask for an apphcation and a variance to the Resource Protection Area. So, then as
you go further up the peninsula you find on Harris Road. Again, you're going to end up
trading your situation. You're going to continue to have neighbors. Some neighbors are
not going to like the idea of having taller structures around. If you go to Harris Road, I
can't make my setbacks and I got Chesapeake Bay impacts. The individual maps that I
made for you will show you where the Resource Protection comes in and will show you
where the other adjoining propemes are. As I go further up Little Neck, I get to
Sycamore Road where there was an old veterinarian. It's under development. Ken Olive
said you are able to buy lots there for about $400,000 a piece. There is no place on that
property that wall meet the setbacks and it won't be smack down in the middle of
residential with no activity center at all as you have w~th the club. As you travel up
further you have the park here the tennis courts are on, it to is entirely eaten up with
resource protection area and it too can't meet the setbacks from adjacent residential
homes. When you get far up in the peninsula, even though there's still nothing else up
there for you to be able to get to that would be either not Chesapeake Bay impacted or not
impacted by not being able to meet the setbacks from adjacent residential homes, you
also have the problem of overlapping with the service that you get from the Harbour Gate
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Towers or from the towers you have over there on the condominiums on Shore Drive.
Every conceivable site I looked at presented challenges. This site that we have in front of
you today presented challenges as well. But, there seemed to be mitigating
circumstances that make this the most appropriate site considering all the rules that we
have in place and considering the impact on the surrounding property owners and trying
to accomplish a service that the providers have. I looked at every single property that
there was to potentially look at and tried to find why ~t would or wouldn't be a good site.
I won't tell you that there aren't other sites that are there. I will tell you that there are
other sites that are there that are going to bring to you the same type of dissention or
challenges that you've been presented with today, every single site.
Ronald Ripley: Any other questions of Mr. Gambrell?
Donald Horsley: I've got one. Go back over the park. What's the reason why you
couldn't go to the park?
Bill Gambrell: This park right here? In order to meet the setbacks from the residential,
to meet the setbacks from the road, I would have to be almost in the middle of their play
area on this site and I'd have to cut trees. And, I have a situation where I already have
the communities out here paying for hghts to go out because they have vandals out there
because it is not a very active place. So, it's hard to meet the setbacks. I'd have the
adjacent property owners that maybe weren't favorable to the idea in the first place and it
really was a more passive area park. It's unlike the park that you have ~n Kemspville,
there's a major power transmission line that runs through and you have four providers on
the tower for that. It's very, very different. But, that was the discounting of that. And,
you can see ~t's a irregular shaped parcel so that down here at the tip you don't get
anywhere close to being able to meet your setbacks. As you get ~nto the center, we
already have an activity area and then you go over here and you're closer to the homes.
And, again, I'm afraid that I would bring to you a different set of residents who will tell
you, "oh my gosh, not here, not in our community park." I mean it's a real challenge.
And, I do appreciate all the people's concerns that aren't supportive of it and I told them
that from the very onset. And, I also told them that if there is anythxng that you can
recommend to me, and Tim Fincham from T-Mobile has said tlus countless times, ~f
there's anything you can recommend. Any better situation that really addresses all the
needs we will absolutely look at it. And, that has been the case, absolutely has been the
case all along.
Donald Horsley: I have one follow up. Can you come with a picture that you can show
us what it will look like in that parking lot? This is their version. Can you give us a
diagram?
Bill Gambrell: I would cut down half the distance and maybe that would be what they
look like. They really appear to me to be 200 feet. I know they weren't done
~ntentionally wrong but like I said, the clubhouse ~n that picture is I th~nk is about 35 feet.
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So, if you take the height of that clubhouse and you multiply it by three, that's going to
put you where the height of these towers are and that's about how thick they are.
Kathy Katsias: Bill, do these pictures depict the towers in the back?
Bill Gambrell: Yes ma'am. And, actually those pictures are a result of balloons that
were flown in the air and that shown the actual height and where they would be when the
towers were constructed.
Kathy Katsias: They look like trees.
Bill Gambrell: Many of us are not going to notice this application ~f and when it's
approved. Some people are going to hang on it. But many people who think that there's
a challenge with it now like those people who thought there was a challenge with the
Lynnhaven Umted Methodist Church will probably say, "they're not so bad." But, that's
absolutely the intention and the design. Yes ma' am.
Janice Anderson: Bill, how large is that elementary school field?
Bill Gambrell: Brill Field.
Janice Anderson: Is that rather large?
Bill Gambrell: I'm going to guess that the school site itself looks like its about 20 acres.
Janice Anderson: 20 acres.
Bill Gambrell: Of which all of tins portion is dedicated to building parking areas in this
portion, which is open. And, again, I would be pushing these stmctures close to these
homes with no backdrop.
Ronald Ripley: No trees on that field.
Bill Gambrell: No trees. And, the trees really do provide a visual barrier. If you look at
the facilities throughout the City and you see a backdrop of the trees, it really does help
them tremendously. There aren't any trees. There's nothing to obscure the visual there.
Ronald Ripley: Dot?
Dorothy Wood: I think Mr. Fuschetti would like to say sometinng. If he has something
different, I will certainly sponsor him.
Ronald Ripley: Okay. Well, lets finish with tins first. One second.
Robert Miller: One of the things that ~s obvious is that you have put these towers in a
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location of the site that is favorable to the location of the facilities that are being built for
the club. They could have put on another location on the site, somewhere else that would
have still been 200 feet away from houses. Right?
Bill Gambrell: Yes sir.
Robert Miller: So, they could have been put closer to the road or something like that?
Bill Gambrell: Yes sir.
Robert Miller: Did you all look at that and discuss that too? Is there further reasoning
besides the actual?
Bill Gambrell: The goal was to meet setbacks. The goal was to try to make sure that
they were outside the activity areas. As we went to the pubhc meeting, originally they
were not outside the activity areas and that was something that came fairly clear to us that
they were concerned about it being in the activity area. They were concerned about it
because some folks are concerned about the health affects associated with
telecommunication facilities and some folks are just concerned about the fact that
technicians would be walking in and out of the site. So, they were located there for that
purpose. I can tell you if there is a better location on this site that meets everybody's
interest they could be moved, absolutely.
Robert Miller: Well that is what I was leading to. If you looked at other locations, none
of those were down the furthest analysis you did on this.
Bill Gambrell: Correct.
Robert Miller: I'm not sure they meet anybody's favor.
Ronald Ripley: Bill, thank you very much. Now, there's a gentleman back there.
Dorothy Wood: Mr. Fuschetti.
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Fuschetti wants to make another comment. And, I assume this is
new information?
Steve Fuschetti: I'll let you be the judge of that. I was just sitting here listening to this. I
just tlunk it's very ~mportant for you to understand that the photos that we provided were
done by Charlie Krummel. These were photos that were done and obviously by someone
who we asked to do ~t but someone's who integrity is beyond anyone's doubt here. I do
want to underscore that fact that whether our photos or their photos or our statistic or
their statistics will say whatever they say, the ~mportance of getting an independent wew
of how to get cellular service into a densely residential area that has no apparent
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commercial value is so obvious to me as we listen to this, I thank you for your patience in
allowing me to point that out again. But, it is critical to this.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you. Okay. That's a quite long discussion there. Anybody want
to make any comments here?
Robert Miller: I'll start.
Ronald Ripley: Step up on the box.
Robert Miller: Sure. Have no fear. How long have we been here?
Ronald Ripley: This has been a pretty long application.
Robert Miller: I know that we got here nine this morning.
Ronald Ripley: I don't mind but we have two more items to deal with too.
Robert Miller: Yeah. I think the difficulties that we're hearing from everybody without
disrespect to the people's statement either for or against are somewhat redundant and
repetitive but they've been said and they've been said and they've said. And, not that
they haven't been said well, I think they've been said well by both sides. I can't help but
look back to the United Methodist Church and think we pushed and smd that looks like a
good decision, let's go that way. That obviously did not work out. There was a
tremendous amount of opposition to that. If you go forward with this and if we were to
make a recommendation to go forward, I would anticipate perhaps a similar result. It just
doesn't feel and fortunately you get a whole lot better just because each time you tried to
put somethtng in Little Neck and I live on Brea Road and my cellular phone service isn't
very good. Bill, I don't know it's not good over there but your map says, it's suppose to
be alnght. I didn't mean to do that to hurt you in anyway. I apologize if I did. Mostly,
my feehng is that no matter where we put these poles or suggest that these poles be
placed after the study of the study of the study that might be the study of the original
study, we'll still be at the same answer. A lot of people may or may not like this and I
think what we found out over the years that I've served on Planning Cornrmssion and
watched City Council is that our favorite answer is go to water towers and go to Virginia
Power poles and to go to schools with the athletic fields where we' re able to put these
tower sites. If you really stay there and look at them, they're intrusive when you stay
there and look at them in most cases but at least we feel like people are looking at a water
tower so they can't see the antenna perhaps. And, as an engineer I can flunk you can
always stand there long enough to see the problem that perhaps you're looking for. I
would wish there was an exact place on Little Neck that would say, "please, put it here,
put it on top of my water tank." I was just thlnlong that we don't want to recommend a
water tank out there. Clarence Wamstaff saw me earlier and said, "make sure you take
care of my neighbors" and he didn't tell me which one of his neighbors I was suppose to
take care of though so I'm in a little bit of a conundrum figuring out which one of you are
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his exact neighbors. I don't feel like if we're going to debate tins and move it to three or
more sites, I don't feel like we're going to come to any different end then this is going to
be in a place that someone is going to say, "not here, not now, not ever." So, I think the
choice is pretty simple. Either we provide cellular service to that peninsula or we wait
until, as some people had said, "there's some other technology" through satelhtes or other
possibilities. I'm not that kind of engineer. People think that because you're an engineer,
you're suppose to understand, how to fix cars and do all kinds of things, and I don't know
how to do any of those things. So, I don't know what the technology is that is going to
answer it. I know that on top of my building I now have a broadband antenna, little tiny
thing like that and it sends all my, and instead of a T-1 connection. I now have that. I
don't exactly know how all that works but it seems to work fairly effectively. I'm sure
there are technologies that are coming along and if we wait long enough perhaps there
won't be any towers. But, I also know and I occasionally talk to some of the students at
ODU and some other places and engineering students that one day we may be ZBOTS.
And, I love using that term because they all look at you and frown and think, "what is he
talking about?" Because they are sure they know everything about whatever there is
that's going on and when I said something like that I like to surprise them because it
doesn't exist. It's just something that you put on our belt and you push a button and you
levitate 12-15 feet in the air. You don't need cars anymore. So, I suppose someday we
won't need cars but right now we need cars and we need roads and the government thinks
we need to fix the holes m the road. I honestly do not we can study this thing beyond a
reasonable point and find an answer that some of you, may be ~t would be this group
sitting over there next. I don't know, which one of you is Clarence's neighbors and that
group will be sitting over there and you'll be against it and you'll be for it. I think I'm
out of gas with this thing and no sir you can't come back up again. We're just running
off at the mouth now because we get to talk and I get to go first. Well, you don't have to.
I already answered my own question. My answer to the question is that if can move it to
a better place on this site then I'm also in favor of that if it would help the neighbors in
some way, shape or form. I'm going to support the request to put it on this site. Send it
forward.
Ronald Ripley: Mr. Din, do you have a question?
Wilham D~n: I guess I have a comment also. In a lot of ways I feel the same way has
expressed his comments. I think we need to come out with a win-win out of this thing. I
think there are a lot of people on both sides of the fence who want the service, who need
the service and people who want the service but don't want the poles. I don't think
there's anybody, out here in this room that debates the fact that this area, is under served
of cellular service. And, it's really a debate as to where are we going to put these poles.
Eventually these poles are going to get someplace. I think my concern is to make sure
wherever we pick a site that it's adequate to supply enough service for th~s area and not
to have to go through this evolution again if we can avoid ~t. I object to two poles to
maybe one pole rmght be less objectionable. I think the proliferation of cell phones is
evasive into everybody's life even at this meeting, I've heard several cell phones go off.
I really don't think ~n residential area it is needed as much as ~n commercial area. And, I
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 55
do believe that in some instances that this is a commercial invasion of a residential area.
I'm heartened by the fact that the funds that are being shared here will help the
neighborhood through the Little Neck Community Enhancement Fund. But, I think and I
don't want to look for a temporary fix here. I want to look for a fix that will help
everybody ~n this area and help the City and help the neighbors live with each other. I
think what's mostly impacted here are the neighbors who are around this site. We've
heard from several of those neighbors who actually along the fence line who really object
to this. I think they honestly feel and tightly or wrongly they will be impacted the most
with property values, resale values of their homes. And, I think they are the most affected
on this. A lot of the people I've heard who want the service probably don't live in this
area adjacent to the area that won't be visually impacted by it as much. So, I think we
have to listen to adjacent property owners. I have some reservation that this is an
intrusive area as far as the maintenance of this area of the poles go. I believe that there is
some noise issue. I think there are some vehicle issues. With that, again, like I said I
don't want a temporary fix here. If narrowing this down to this site is the site, my
recommendation is to one pole. Maybe it has to be ten feet higher. It's only one pole.
So, my point of view here, I don't think I'm going to support this because of the issues
that I see that there is some reservations that this is a temporary fix that there should be
some other option out there that we should be able to consider. And, I don't think we've
been presented that so, with that, I probably won't be support this.
Ronald Ripley: Don Horsley has a comment and then Dot Wood.
Donald Horsley: Well, I didn't know that the upper pomon of the City was deprived of
something as the rural area but we don't have phone service either. We have cell
telephones and we become very dependent on those things and when you get involved in
a business and you get a call and it's breaking up and you can't hear, you get very
~rritated. I know I do and even where I live in Blackwater and every once in a while I'll
get call through but most of my stuff goes through to voicemail and then I spend an hour
hstening to voicemail and I have to go to the house to do that on the other phone because
I can't use my phone to get my voicemail. So, I can understand the frustrations that
people have with using ~t. A lot of times we fear the inevitable and I have a lot of faith
that the folks that have explored this site have looked at a lot of different places in that
area. And, we've heard tower applications before and the tree issue is the big issue. If
we can find a grove of trees, that's the best place to pursue to put a tower. It looks like
that this is the best place that they've been able to come up with ~n this area. I plan to
support this. I think they've done an excellent job on trying to calm an issue that I think
in the long run everybody will benefit from it's not just one group. And, I guess for those
reasons, I think the safety ~ssue, you know everybody's concerned about children and
safety and whom do you put your belief in? We got one letter that says that these towers
are completely safe and then we got the idea that says they're not safe. But, I got a
feeling that if people are going to invest this kind of money they're not going to do it on
something in an area where they know they're going to have kids involved that's going to
be unsafe and I put my belief in that, so, I'm going to support this effort that they're
coming out with. The only thing that I would of liked to have seen would have been
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 56
these pictures that Will had asked about earlier on what would it look like. And, maybe
because we don't' know actually what it's going to look like and maybe we're better off
if we don't know if ~t's the right thing. We've got to wait and see the real thing because
if we're given a picture and says that this what the utopia is and it doesn't look like that
then everybody's mad. So, I think unless we really know what ~t's going to look like
we're better off and I appreciate that effort from them. I think the applicant's been very
frank in his comments and I think they've done a good job of looking around and moving
these poles around the site to meet the setbacks and get it out of the activity area and I
think the racquet club whether you think it's a monetary gain for them or not, I think it's
a good gain for the community to be able to benefit from the lease of the sites. But, I do
plan to support the application.
Ronald Ripley: Dot?
Dorothy Wood: Thank you. I appreciate the concerns of the possibility that the towers
can be, a lightemng magnet and that the light poles have a possible affect on the health of
children. Because of these concerns, I've carefully studied the reports and in particularly
a letter by Mr. Neal Rose, who's V~ce Chairman of our School Board and I think he's
also an affected resident. I would like to quote Mr. Rose and he said in his letter that, "he
was sure that parents would take their children out of harms way if lightening is in the
vicimty. And, then if the parents are not at the pool, the hfe guard such as Mrs.
Wilkerson's children, I am sure will also remove the children." I think the sun from Mr.
Rose that the sun offers much more of a health hazard to the lifeguards and to the
children swimnung then any possible radio waves. I support this application for several
reasons. The first ~s the safety. We had Mr. Bailey from the Fire Department tell us how
the fire trucks can't receive calls w~th their cell phones in this area. I read this morning
the USA Today how many calls now that so many emergency calls are coming from cell
phones. I hope that the application will not adversely impact the neighbors and their real
estate values. We heard two different sides today. We've heard neighbors say that the
values will be adversely impacted because of no cell service. And, then we hear
neighbors saying that the cell service towers will affect theirs. One lady was talking
about the light that's coming from the towers now, the present light poles in her house
and I believe from what Mr. Gambrell said that the new lights will have less impact on
her. Many of these homes I've heard the neighbors say were purchased near the
recreation center and I've heard several people say that this was a problem to them with
the tennis balls and the loud noise and the parties. I don't think this is going to change at
all because of the cell towers. It has been developed with an enormous community
participation to try to move tins someplace else will just result in a different set of
neighbors who object. The club is on a large parcel and the application meets all the
City's reqmrements. The cell poles are well screened and the applicant has committed to
making significant capital ~mprovements that will further benefit the community,
installing new lights to minimize the light pollution. And, I understand they are going to
remove some of the impervious parkdng surface and replace it with green space, which
will ehminate parking next to the neighbor's houses. I think the neighbors that are
~mmediately adjacent to the club will benefit as well from the s~gnificant reduction in
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 57
light glare. It is clear that the club's trying to be a good neighbor and the applicant has
gone out of his way to work with the commumty. Good people can certainly disagree. I
have a great deal of respect for a lot of people I've seen here today. Mrs. Kral with her
work with the Gift Scouts. Mr. Miller with his work with the students ~n Princess Anne
H~gh School and also he's one of the soccer coaches. I see other people here in the
neighborhood with both sides are wonderful neighbors and have done a lot for the
community. I am certain that if it is the will of the Planning Commission to move this
application forward, there will be no negative effects to the community. Thank you.
Ronald Ripley: Yes, Janice.
Janice Anderson: I'd just like to make a comment on the application. I think the
applicant has done an excellent job trying to work with the community and with the site.
I do have some problems with this application and I'm not going to be supporting the
application. Not because the efforts but I think they have done everything that they
could. My concern is and we keep hearing that I don't want them on my side but it's
going to be the next site. Maybe that is why you don't have cell service in that area. In
97, they turned it down on the church site, a little further up the street. I'm assuming that
the Council decided then it wasn't good for the neighborhood. So, I don't think the cell
tower down the street is going to be any different in that end result. This is a commercial
entity that's going in to what should be a residential area. One of the gentlemen did bring
up the deed restrictions and I think that changes the whole intent of the pool. The pool is
only approved to be in there as a pool and as a recreation area. It was not to be a
industrial or any commercial business. If you do this and take out one of the proffers, it
roms into an industrial area. Not industrial but an office area. There's no way it can
revert back and if the club goes under and it would have to be a commercial site. So,
those are the reasons I won't be support it.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you very much. Are there any other comments? Joe.
Joseph Strange: I'd just like to say that, I will reluctantly, be supporting this application.
I say reluctantly because I don't think there is a perfect solution to this problem out them.
And, I suffer a lot of anxiety over changes such as this before and I know what it's like to
people. I just hope that it doesn't mm out to be as intrusive to these people lives they
kind of think its going to be. I think that the applicant has gone out of their way to work
w~th the community. Cellular service is here to stay. It's not a fade. And, I think and I
hope that any money that they rmght get in this five percent, since the people around it
since they think to lose the most by it being there. I hope most of this money goes to the
immediate are them to offset any devaluation of their property that they might will
happen. But, I will be support the applicanon today.
Ronald Ripley: Charlie and then Gene.
Charlie Salle': Okay. I'm going to support this application too, although, I mean
candidly if I were one of the landowners of the residences that boarded the fence here, I'd
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 58
probably be much opposed to it. And, it's unfortunate that those who live right adjacent
to any type of public works facility disproportionably share the burden that comes with
that development of that type of facility and that is what I v~ew this is, it's a public utility
facility. And, if you live next to where a new road construction is coming through, I
think you just proportionally bare the cost of that and the burden of that on your property.
But, it's one of those things. It's a fact of hfe that public utility and public improvements
are going to occur. It appears to me that this is the only practical site in this area to
relocate this facility. I guess it's a question of either no service or service at this site.
And, I think that in this day and age that cell phone service is a necessity. And, I think
the service needs to be provided to that are and I think it enhances the safety. It promotes
the general welfare of the area to provide this service and having listen to all of what we
heard today and nobody has come up with a site that would be better than the one that we
before us today. So, in understanding and appealing to the property owners who will be
fight next to it, but at the same time for the majority of people who have expressed a
negative oplmon today, when these towers are built I bet within two weeks they ride them
and never pay any attention to them. So, It will become part of the neighborhood and
I' ve seen that with water towers. I've seen people dimly to a water tower being built ~n
the neighborhood and by the time it's been there six weeks or six months at least,
everybody's forgotten the thing exists. And, I think that's what will occur here if these
towers are built.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you Charlie. Gene.
Eugene Crabtree: Real quick like. I support Dot, Charlie of what they say so I'm not
going to repeat theirs. We've heard a lot of things about statistics and things speaking of
danger, radiation, etc., and from having worked in a couple of places to where
investigators are assigned to have done things, I have never seen an investigator to
disapprove his theory. He always works to prove his theory. Therefore, you can take
statistics and you can take studies and you skew them anyway you want them to one side
or the other, to what way which side is fight and which side is wrong. Recreational use
of the facility and they say it's only recreational. My grandson thinks cell phone is
recreational, so therefore, he has one in his ear all the time. If it wasn't him, he probably
wouldn't have any recreation so I don't know if I would d~sallow that as being a misuse
of the recreational property. I am going to support this. I hope that the home values do
not go down. And, as far as the towers being ugly, I think that ugly is in the site of the
beholder and as Charlie says, "I think after a httle while you won't even see ~t." Dot said
it fight. They said they were going to turn the lights in and it's going to down to where
the hght will not be as intrusive on the surrounding property. So, therefore, I think it is
going to be a community enhancement and I th~nk the profits from it will benefit the
entire community of Great Neck. In fact, that entire area that goes all the way over to
Virginia Beach Boulevard and maybe every a little bit across the Boulevard, so, I'm
going to support the application.
Ronald Ripley: Barry, do you want to comment?
Item 4/17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 59
Barry Knight: Yeah. I live in the southern end of the City and I don't have any cell
service either. I'm like Don. It all goes to voicemail and you can't get out down there.
The thing that kind of scares me is that is not really an inconvenience because I can come
home or go to my farm and make a phone calls from there. What if some accident
happens out there and here I am removed from a landline and it takes me five or ten
minutes or maybe I can't even get to phone and I understand that Little Neck the
proximity to landlines are whole lot closer. But you could be involved in an accident or
some person could have a heart attack on the walk way and time is of the essence. So,
the safety ~ssue kand of struck a cord with me because I kind of relate to it living where I
live. So, because of the safety issue I'm going to support the cell towers.
Ronald Pdpley: And, I will be supporting it also and the safety weighed very heavily on
my thinking of the support. I think that the alternative sites have been looked at as hard
as they possibly could and I think the need has been demonstrated. In fact, when you go
back to the report that was given to the Planning Commission on January 23, 2001 and
you see the map and you see it does indicate that there's a tower in Little Neck but ~t's in
error. It's the tower that was turned down, so it's glaringly in the middle of the City and
the needs there and I think Bob Miller said it well, "are we going to provide the
opportunity for cell communication in the pemnsula or not?" And, it does unfortunately
is becoming a utility and it's almost like the telephone wires have sprung out all
throughout the whole city. And, we would like to get rid of them. You don't even see
them after awhile. They just blur because you don't have them you don't get the
telephone. Anyway, I do think it's an appropriate location. I do think that this is what I
would consxder a somewhat commercial mode and probably in deed an appropriate spot
for it to be and safety was critical to my thinking. So, I will be supporting ~t. Kathy?
Kathy Katsias: I'd like to thank everybody for coming down and voicing their opinions
for and against this apphcation. I also want to comment on what a wonderful and
thorough presentation Bill Gambrell has presented us and by T-Mobile m trying to
address all the concerns of the neighborhood. I think everybody has said what I was
going to say and I'm the last one. I am also concerned about the safety issue and I think
we all agree that the Little Neck area deserves cellular service, therefore, Mr. Chairman I
recommend approval of this application.
Ronald Pdpley: So, we have a motion by Kathy Katsias to approve. Do I have a second?
Eugene Crabtree: Second.
Ronald Ripley: A second by Gene Crabtree. So, we're ready to vote.
AYE 9 NAY 2 ABS 0
ABSENT 0
ANDERSON
CRABTREE
DIN
AYE
NAY
NAY
Item #17 & 18
Voicestream GSM II, L.L.C.
Page 60
HORSLEY AYE
KATSIAS AYE
KNIGHT AYE
MILLER AYE
RIPLEY AYE
SALLE' AYE
STRANGE AYE
WOOD AYE
Ronald Ripley: By a vote of 9-2, the motion carries.
Mr. & Ms. William F. Barns
849 Bishopsgate Lane
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
Mr. J. Golden
Manager, Project Implementation
MD/DC/VA Network
Verizon Wireless
7600 Montpelier Road
Laurel, MD 20723-9966
February 23, 2003
Dear Mr. Golden,
We recently received your letter (undated), which included a pre-addressed postcard,
concerning improved cellular coverage in the Little Neck area. We are not returning the card in
order to show support of this initiative as you have requested. While improved cell phone
reception and coverage are important to us and all cell phone users, there are numerous issues
associated with thin particular initiative that are of immediate concern to this community.
For example:
According to our City Planning Commission Reviewing Official, locating a cell tower in
dose proximity to residences (... and swimming pools), is unique and there are no
studies available in Virginia Beach to gauge the long-term impact of a similar
installation.
Despite T-Mobile's assertion that thc proposed locations of the cell Wwcrs at Little Neck
Swim and Racquet Club is in compliance with federal regulations and exposure limits,
thc evidence of actually living in proximity to a source of non-ionizing radiation and
being subjected to continual noise from the peripheral equipment is a matter of concern.
· The 112-foot height of the towers will be nnnightly from the surrounding and
approaching areas; well above existing tree lines.
Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club, adjacent to two prestigious neighborhoods in this
community and across the street from a third, will realize substantial financial gain by
allowing the cell towers to be built on its property. However, property values of the
surrounding homes will be adversely affected as a result of this project.
This project is controversial and there is an active movement within the adjoining
community to voice these concerns to the Virginia Beach City Council, prior to that body
making a decision to approve commuction. As Verizon customers, our preference is for your
company to use its considerable talent to champion new technology in partnership with T-
Mobile, SunCom and Alltel that will simultaneously improve cell phone coverage while
answering the concerns and perceptions of numerous citizens.
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
c/c:
Ms. Ruth Kral
President, Bishopsgate Civic League
3104 Bishopsgate Ct.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Ms. Barbara Duke
Planning Commission, City of Virginia Beach
Municipal Center
2401 Courthouse Dr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Members of City Council
Virginia Beach, VA:
Ms. Margaret L. Eure
5400 Compton Ct.
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Mr. Louis IL Jones
1008 Witch Point Tr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Mr. Richard A. Maddox
1609 Atlantic Ave.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Ms. Reba S. McClanan
3224 Burnt Mill Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Mr. Jim Reeve
1476 Lotus Dr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Mr. Peter W. Schmidt
1029 Bobolink Dr.
Virginia beach, VA 23451
Mr. Ronald A. Villanueva
5691 Pin Oak Ct.
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Ms. Rosemary Wilson
1304 Wren PI.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Mr. James L. Wood
3778 Prince Andrew Ln.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
ve rlwireless
7600 Montpelier Road
Laurel, MD 20723-9966
Dear Verizon Wireless Customer,
We are sending you this letter because you are a resident of the Little Neck'
peninsula. Most of the licensed wireless carriers have not been able to provide
adequate coverage to their customers in your area. We are trying to improve
the coverage, not only for Verizon Wireless customers, but for the other
carriers which include T-Mobile, SunCom and AIItel.
There is a proposal at the City of Virginia Beach for a wireless facility located
at the Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club at 864 Little Neck Road. As a
wireless customer, we need your evidence of support for the proposed
improved coverage. If you would like to see improved wireless coverage in
the Little Neck area, please help us by completing and mailing the enclosed
pre-addressed and stamped postcard no later than February 28, 2.003.
We value you as a customer and would like to continue to serve you and
the community with an enhanced coverage footprint.
Thank you for your support,
J. Golden
Manager, Project Implementation
MD/DC/VA Network
RFl~eople
5n~needn~ Statement
Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation Analysis
" VA10363
Little Neck Racquet Club
864 Little Neck Road
Virginia Beach, VA
23452
The purpose of this engineering statement is to document the results of a non-
ionizing electromagnetic radiation (NIER) analysis performed for the proposed
installation of wireless communications equipment at:
864 Little Neck Road
in:
Virginia Beach
by: T-Mobile
Back_~round
A NIER analysis is typically performed for new radio communications sites, or for
modifications to ex~sting radio communication sites to verify that levels of RF
energy do not exceed the levels that have been deemed safe by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) for both the general public and occupational
categories. The FCC has determined (see FCC OET Bulletin 65) safety limits for
occupational exposure (those that are trained and familiar with the risks and
limitations of working in the vicinity of RF transmitters) and general pubhc exposure
(those untrained and unfamiliar with the risks and limitations of working in the
v~cinity of RF transmitters). Appendix A contains some tables and charts from FCC
OET-65.
Analvsis
This analysis was performed using industry-accepted techniques that are
consistent with those described ~n FCC Bulletin OET-65. Th~s analys~s used the
worst-case, point source scenano to calculate the maximum RF expsosure at a
human head height of 6 feet above the base elevation. This analysis included all
emitters aggregated by carrier and height, that were indicated to be present, and
their operating parameters, as provided by T-Mobile
The results of this analysis are tabulated in Appendix B.
Eng,neenng Statement- Non-lon~ng Electromagnetic Radiation (NIER)
RFpeople
Results
This analysis has determined that there is no area accessible to the general public
that exceeds the limits specified by the FCC in Bulletin OET-65. The actual results
are listed in Appendix B.
For information or questions regarding this report, please contact Davidson Scott, P.E.
davidson@rfpeople.com, (866) 590-0975
RFpeople
Appendix A
(A) Limits for Occupational/Controlled Exposure
Frequency Electric Field Magnetic Field
Range Strength (E) Strength (Iff)
(MHz) (V/m) (A/m)
Power Densaty
(s)
(mW/cra2)
Averaging Time
lEI2, IHt2 or S
(minutes)
0.3-3.0 614 1.63 (100)* 6
3 0-30 1842/f 4.89/f (900/f~)* 6
30-300 61 4 0 163 1.0 6
300-1500 .... 17300 6
1500-100,000 .... 5 6
(B) Limits for General Population/Uncontrolled Exposure
Frequency Electric F~eld Magnetic Field Power Density Averaging Tune
Range Strength (E) Strength CH) (S) lEI2, IH]2 or S
(MHz) (V/m) (Mm) (mW/cra2) (minutes)
0.3-1 34 614 1 63 (100)* 30
1.34-30 824/f 2 19/f (180/f~)* 30
30-300 27.5 0 073 0.2 30
300-1500 .... 171500 30
1500-100,000 .... 1.0 30
f = frequency in MHz *Plane-wave equivalent power density
NOTE 1. Occupational/controlled hm~ts apply ~n s~tuat~ons in which persons are exposed as a
consequence of their employment provided those persons are fully aware of the potennal for exposure and
can exercise control over their exposure L~mlts for occupatmnal/controlled exposure also apply in
s~tuatmns when an md~vxdual xs transient through a locatmn where occupational/controlled hm~ts apply
provided he or she ~s made aware of the potential for exposure.
NOTE 2' Generalpopulation/uncontrolled exposures apply ~n s~tuattons ~n which the general pubhc may
be exposed, or m which persons that are exposed as a consequence of their employment may not be fully
aware of the potential for exposure or can not exermse control over their exposure.
RFpeople
FiGure 1. FCC Limits for Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE)
Piane-wav~. Equivalent Power Dewsity
] I I .... I ..... ~i 'i' I .... I ' ' ~
,, ,
5
0,2
0.03 0 3
/~111
t I ! I I I ! I
13 3O
1,:W 1,5Cm 100.000
Frequency (MHz)
Transmitters
Name Frequency EiRP Orientation Height Gain Antenna
(MHz) (dBm) (Degrees) (fi) (dBi~
Vo~ceStream(Tx 1 ) 1965 60 0 112 17 Panel Genenc
Vo~ceStream(Tx2) 1965 60 120
112 17 Panel Genenc
Vo~ceStream(Tx3) 1965 60 240
112 17 Panel Genenc
Ntelos(Tx4) 1955 60 0
102 17 Panel Genenc
Ntelos(Tx5) 1955 60 120
102 17 Panel Genenc
Ntelos(Tx6) 1955 60 240
102 17 Panel Genenc
Career 3(Tx7) 865 60 0
112 14 Panel Genenc
Carr, er 3(Tx8) 865 60 120
112 14 Panel Genenc
Career 3(Tx9) 865 60 240
112 14 Panel Genenc
Camer 4(Tx10) 1930 60 0
102 17 Panel Gener, c
Camer 4(Tx11) 1930 60 120 102
Career 4(Tx12) 1930 60 240 102
17 Panel Genenc
17 Panel Genenc
Panel
Panel
Panel
Panel
Panel
Panel
Panel
Panel
Panel
Panel
Panel
Panel
RFpeopl
Appendix B
VA10363
Distance (ft)
10
15
864 Dtfle Neck
Road
Virg~ma Beach
Carrier
Career 3
Camer 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStrearn
Total:
Career 3
Carrier 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Camer 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
VA
Latitude:
unknown
Maximum
Limit
(mW/cm^2)
0.58
1 00
1.00
1 00
0.58
1.00
1.00
I 00
0.58
I O0
1 O0
100
0 58
1 00
1.00
1 00
Longitude:
unknown
General
Public (%)
1 56
111
111
O9
4.68
I 56
1.11
111
09
4.68
1.56
1 O8
1.08
09
4.62
1 53
1.08
1.08
0 87
4.56
Maximum
Public
Exposure
4.68 (%)
Occupational
(%)
O3
0.21
0.21
018
0.9
03
021
0.21
018
0.9
03
0.21
0.21
0.18
0.9
0.3
0.21
0.21
015
0.87
RFpeopl
20
25
3O
35
4O
45
5O
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Carrier 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Camer 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Camer 3
Camer 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
0.58
1 00
1.00
1 00
0 58
1 00
1 00
1 00
0 58
1.00
1 00
1 00
0 58
1 00
1 00
I 00
0 58
I 00
1.00
1 00
0 58
1 00
1 00
1 00
0 58
1 00
1 00
1 00
1 53
I O5
1.05
0 87
4.5
15
I 02
1 02
0 84
4.38
1 44
0 99
0 99
0 84
4.26
141
0 96
0 96
081
4.14
I 38
0 93
0 93
0 78
4.02
1.32
09
09
0.75
3.87
1 29
0.87
0 87
0 72
3.75
03
021
0.21
015
0.87
0.3
018
018
015
0.81
0 27
018
018
015
0.78
0.27
018
0.18
0.15
0.78
0.27
018
0.18
0.15
0.78
0.24
0.18
018
0.15
0 75
0.24
015
015
012
0.66
RFpeople
55
6O
65
7O
75
8O
85
Camer 3
Camer 4
Ntelos
·
' Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Camer 3
Career 4
Nteios
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Carnet 4
Ntelos
VolceStream
Total:
0 58
1.00
1.00
1 00
0.58
1.00
I 00
1.00
0.58
I 00
I 00
I 00
0.58
I 00
I 00
1.00
0.58
I 00
1 00
1 00
0 58
1.00
1.00
1 00
0 58
I 00
I 00
1 00
1 23
081
081
0 72
3.57
12
0 78
0 78
0 69
3 45
I 14
0 75
0 75
0 66
3.3
1 O8
0 72
0 72
0 63
3.15
1 O5
0 69
0 69
06
3.03
0 99
0 63
0 63
0 57
2.82
0 96
06
O6
0 54
2.7
0 24
015
015
012
0.66
0.24
0.15
015
012
0.66
0.21
0.15
0.15
0.12
0.63
0.21
012
012
0.12
0.57
0.21
012
012
0.12
0.57
018
012
0.12
0 09
0.51
018
012
012
0 09
0.51
RFl: ople
90
95
100
125
150
175
200
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
·
' VoaceStream
Total:
Camer 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
VmceStream
Total:
Camer 3
Camer 4
Ntelos
VmceStream
Total:
Career 3
Camer 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
VolceStream
Total:
0 58
1 00
1 00
1 00
0 58
1.00
1 00
1 00
0.58
1 00
1 00
I 00
0 58
1 00
1.00
I 00
0 58
1 00
1 00
1 00
0 58
1 00
1 00
I 00
0 58
1 00
1 00
1 00
0.9
0 57
0 57
051
2.55
0 87
0 54
0 54
0 48
2.43
0 81
051
0.51
0.48
2.31
0 66
0.39
0 39
0.36
1.8
051
O3
O3
O3
1.41
0 42
0 24
0.24
0.24
1.14
0 33
018
018
018
0.87
018
0 09
0 09
0 09
0.45
015
0.09
0 09
0 09
0.42
0.15
0 09
0.09
0.09
0.42
012
0 06
0 06
0 06
0.3
0 09
0 06
0 06
0 06
0.27
0 O6
0 O3
0 O3
0 O3
0.15
0 06
0 03
0 03
003
0.15
RF eopl
225
250
275
300
4O0
500
6OO
Camer 3
Camer 4
Ntelos
', Vo~ceStream
Total:
Camer 3
Career 4
Ntelos
VotceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
VotceStream
Total:
Camer 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total..
Camer 3
Camer 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
0 58
1 00
1 00
1 00
0 58
1 00
I 00
I 00
0.58
1.00
1 00
1.00
0.58
1 00
1.00
1 00
0 58
1.00
1.00
1 00
0 58
1 00
1.00
1 00
0 58
I 00
I 00
I 00
0 27
0.15
015
015
0.72
0.24
0.12
0.12
012
0.6
018
0.12
0.12
0 09
0.51
015
0 09
0.09
0.09
0.42
0.09
0 06
0.06
0 06
0.27
0 06
0 03
0 03
0 03
0.15
0 03
0
0
0
0.03
0 03
0 03
0 03
0 03
0.12
0.03
0
0
0
0.03
0 03
0
0
0
0.03
0 03
0
0
0
0.03
RFpeople
700
8OO
900
1000
Camer 3
Camer 4
Ntelos
Vo~ceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
VolceStream
Total:
Career 3
Career 4
Ntelos
VolceStream
Total:
Camer 3
Career 4
Ntelos
VotceStream
Total:
0 58
1 00
1 00
1 00
0.58
1 00
1 00
I 00
0 58
1 00
I 00
1 00
0 58
I 00
1 00
1 00
0 03
0
0
0
0.03
Table of Contents
· W~reless tn the Commumty
· Rachofrequency Emissions from W~reless Antennas
· W~reless Rachofrequency Ermsslons
· Rachofrequency Energy General Health Issues & Safety Standards
· Federal Regulations on Rachofrequency Ermsslons from Wzreless Antennas
· How to Find More Informauon on Rachofrequency Energy
· Background Sm&es and Reports on Rachofrequency and Telecommumcauons
TALKING POINTS- WIRELESS IN THE COMMUNITY
Wireless Users Today
The number of Americans using wareless services has increased more than 1000 percent m
the past decade, from only about 11 mflhon Americans using wzreless m 1992 to nearly half
of all Americans today.
Today, more than 135 mflhon Americans use their wareless phones and other devices to stay
connected to farmly, conduct business, talk to friends, and even call for assistance when
needed
Wireless and Em ergency Service
Approximately 40 percent of the 911 calls recmved today by emergency sermce personnel are
made from w~reless phones. Thas equals more than 115,000 w~reless phone calls made every
day to 911.
As part of the Federal Commumcattons Commtsslon's mandate for E-911, wxreless carners
also are reqmred to be able to locate a call from a w~reless phone to an increasingly accurate
geo-locauon In order to meet these emergency location reqmrements some careers,
mcludtng T-Mobile, need to add rmmmal adchttonal eqmpment to their sites.
Wireless Infrastructure
Creating a network of cell sites, xv~th a wareless tower or antenna at its core, helps ehmmate
consumer sermce problems hke dropped calls, no signal, or poor quahty because a cell s~te ~s
too far away or not geographmally situated to be able to provide servace.
Creating tbas infrastructure of cell sites requires w~reless careers to lease and pay for sites,
construct towers and antennas, and pay bflhons of dollars into the U.S Treasury for use of
the wxreless spectrum
Only xv~th th~s infrastructure m place can consumers rece,ve the quahty and geographic
coverage they expect from thmr w~reless services
Radiofrequency Emissions From Wireless Antennas
· Wh, ~tl; Is ~t ~are.le.ss antenna~
· ~,,rhere are wrreless antennas locate.d~
· How do.cs a wJ4:eles~, antenna wo~:k and what 15 1~;$ functton~
· D.9 wLrele$s ,an,.tenna,s ermt rachof, requency (ILF) energy>
· ~¢.rhat xs ,th.e pQwer level of rachofrequency ener..~, from a w~relcss anl;enna¢
What is a wireless antenna?
A xxnreless antenna, also called a base stauon, Is a commuracauons demce that
receives and transrmts rachofrequency (R.F) energy. There are two ma.m types
of wireless antennas. The first is called the "low-gain" or "omm-dtrect~onal"
antenna. It sends and receaves signals tn all chrections An omm-chrecuonal
antenna looks lake a pole or a whtp, and may be from 2 to 10 feet tn length
and a few tnches m wxdth. The second is called a "high-gain" or "sector"
antenna It focuses signals tn one dtrecuon and typmaily ;s a rectangular panel
about 4 feet long and one foot w~de.
Where are wireless antennas located?
W~reless antennas are located above the ground - usually between 100 and
200 feet high, but someumes much lower- to promde maxmaum reach and to
ensure mmmaum interference. You wzll find most antennas on towers or
specially built poles, but they are also on the sides and tops of braidings, on
water towers, and someumes even in the tops of artificial trees installed to
blend xxnth natural surrounchngs.
Experts determine precisely where to locate each antenna to ensure it
operates safely and dehvers clear and rehable service. In selecung the best
site, these experts consider many things, tncludmg: the number of people
requrrtng sermce and how they will use their w~reless phones, local
topography and potenual obstrucuons that may interfere wath clear racho
signals, and the concerns of people who bye and work nearby They work
w~th zomng boards, cluzen groups, and pubhc servace cornrmsslons among
others to make sure that each new antenna comphes w~th all laws,
orchnances, and regulauons
How does a wireless antenna work and what is its function?
When you place a wireless call, your phone uses low-power md.to signals to
send your rome to an antenna at a base stauon The base stauon sends your
call to a switching center where it is connected to the landhne phone network
and dehvered to the phone you called. If you are calling another wireless
phone nearby, the switch might just connect you chrecfly to the base statton
servmg the cell where the other phone is located When you approach the
boundary of one cell whale using your w~reless phone, the wireless network
senses that the signal is becoming weak and automattcally hands off the call
to a base stauon m the next cell and your call continues umnterrupted
An antenna chstributes racho waves throughout its cell much hke a lamp
chstributes hght throughout a room A hght bulb can provide hght evenly
throughout a room :f it's located m the right place. In the same way, a
properly located antenna can provide htgh-quahty calhng throughout its cell.
That xs why they are usually found above the ground on towers, poles, and
bml&ngs.
Do wireless antennas emit radiofrequency energy?
Wtreless antennas send and receive racho signals - RF energy. The RF carnes
the phone call to or from a wireless base stauon antenna, wb_tch then
connects your phone with the phone you are c;tlhng or with the phone calhng
you. Engineers carefully design each antenna to make sure It sends s~gnais m
prectsely the right chrecuon and at the right power level to promde the best
calling quahty to its coverage zone or "cell." It ~s n'nportant to note the
difference between, antennas, towers and base stattons. Antennas transrmt
the RF and are attached to structures such as buflchngs or towers, and the
antennas, towers and all of the related eqmpment make up a base stauon
Cells, or coverage areas, come in all sizes - they may be as small as a single
bmlchng (hke an a~rport or an arena), as large as a rural area of 20 rrales
across, or any s~ze m between - and each cell has its own base stanon.
What is the power level of radiofrequency energy from a wireless antenna?
A typical cellular antenna ermts about 100 watts or less of power per channel,
lust one-fifth the level perrmtted by the Federal Commumcattons
Comrmss~on (FCC) In urban areas, power levels are often as Iow as 10 watts
per channel. PCS rmcrocell antennas ermt between 0.25 and 10 watts per
channel
In comparison, a TV tower ermts up to 5 mrlhon watts, and an FM racho
station erruts as much as 100,000 watts of power. Wireless antennas located
above the ground chrect very httle RF energy downward In adchuon, levels
of rachofrequency energy decrease very qmckly w~th &stance Most of the
energy released downward from a 50 to 200-foot }ugh antenna has chssipated
before it reaches the ground.
In~orznation sourced ~rom the Cellular Telecommunications and Interact Association
irelcss R diofrequenc Emissions
Electromagnetic Frequency Spectrum
1~ 1~ 10' 1~ 10" 10~ 10" 1~
o lO
Rachofrequency emttted from telecommumcauons antennas and towers ts "non-
lorazmg" energy, which means it is too weak to break chemical bonds. Other forms of
nonqonizmg energy are the warmth you may feel from a hght bulb or from a fireplace.
Wireless telecommumcations radtofrequency xs located on the natural electromagnetic
spectrum above sound and below visible hght It IS the same type of energy used to
broadcast racho and television signals
The Federal Commuracations Comrmsslon (FCC) regulates rachofrequency ermssmns to
ensure pubhc safety. Telecommuracattons towers operate well below these hrmts, often
at lust one-quarter, or less, of the power level perrmtted, creaung ground level power
densmes thousands of umes less than the FCC's lamts for safe exposure
Rachofrequency emissions from a telecommumcattons antenna/tower are dtrected
toward the horizon and not downward Because of this, the RF at the ground level
dLrecfly below the antenna is low, increases shghtly as one moves away from the base
statton and then decreases sigmficantly as the chstance from the antenna increases.
Radiofrequency Energy:
General Health Issues & Safety Standards
Scaenusts have smched rachofrequency energy (RF) for decades and hundreds ofsmches have
been pubhshed m peer remewed scaenufic loumals. The consensus mew among these experts
- both m the Umted States and anternattonally - as that exposure to levels enutted by w~reless
antennas ~s not hazardous to pubhc health
· Does RF from w~reless ante~r~a, pose a risk to the pubhc>
· Why do ex~erts beheve that there :s no risk from w~reless antennas>
· Is there a health ~;~sk for people who hve, play, work or go tO school near a w~rele,s
antenna site?
· What about towers and rooftop sates where there are muluple antennas> Doesn't the
combined RF ener~r pose a health
· What about w~rele$$ antelana~ mounted on the sade Of a bmlchng>
Does RF from wireless antennas pose a risk to the public?
No. Experts - including doctors, biolog~sts, engineers, and other sdenttsts ~n
the U.S. and other countries - have conducted or parttclpated m
rachofrequency (RF) stuches over the last several decades and pubhshed thezr
results m peer-reviewed scaenufic journals. The consensus of the sciennfic
community is that pubhc-level exposure to levels of RF from wzteless
antennas ~s not hazardous to human health.
These smches have been used to estabhsh the safety standards and gmdehnes,
such as those used by the FCC, which were desagned to hrmt the pubhc's
exposure only to safe levels of Ri:*. In recent years, many experts from
around the world have rexaewed these sclenufic fmchngs. Agatn, they
conclude that there are no adverse human health effects associated w~th
pubhc-level exposure to RF from wzreless antennas
Why do experts believe that there is no risk from wireless antennas?
The type of RF used by wn:eless phones and antennas ~s classffied as "non-
iomzmg" energy, wbach means ~t ~s too weak to break chermcal bonds. Other
fam~ar forms of non4omz~ng energy anclude the warmth you feel cormng
from a fzreplace, and v~slble hght. The World Health Orgamzauon says'
"Current sclenufic evidence lnchcates that exposure to RF fields, such as
those ermtted by mobile phones and their base stauons, is unhkely to induce
or promote cancers."
Experts at the FCC, which regulates w;.reless antenna ermsslons, smd the
following in a recent report "Measurements that have been made around
typical [wzreless antennas] have shown that ground-level power denslues are
well below lmuts recommended by currently accepted RF energy and
rmcrowave safety standards."
Sclenusts at the World Health Orgamzauon ('WHO) draw a smular
conclusion. They say: "Because of the narrow verucal spread of the beam,
the RF field intensity on the ground chrectly below the antenna Is low and
decreases rapidly as one moves away from the antenna. At all chstances, the
RF field levels on the ground from [antennas] are well wit. Mn mtemauonal
RF gmdelmes for exposure of the general pubhc"
Finally, the power levels that vareless antennas actually use to transmtt s~gnals
are very low - much lower than those permttted by government regulauons
and much lower than the levels ermtted by other antennas hke those to
transrmt FM racho and televisxon signals.
Is there a health risk for people who live, play, work or go tO school near a wireless
antenna site?
No The height of the antennas, the fenced-off areas around them, and their
relauvely iow power levels all assure that only rmnuscule levels of RF energy
reach nmghbors and passersby. The overwhelming thrust of expert opm_ton
m tbas field is that there is no evidence of any harmful health effects from
vaxeless antenna racho signals.
What about towers and rooftop sites where there ate multiple antennas? Doesn't the
combined RF energy pose a health risk?
According to the FCC's _Questwns and~4ns:vers about Bzologtcal Effects and
Potenttal Hazards of Radto-Frequen~ Electrom~nettc Fields "Even If RF levels
were bagher than deszrable on a rooftop, appropriate restncuons could be
placed on access The fact that rooftop cellular and PCS antennas usually
operate at lower power levels than antennas on freestanchng towers makes
excessive exposure conchnons on rooftops unhkely. In adchnon, the
slgmficant s~gnal attenuauon [weakemng] of a bufldmg's roof rmnamzes any
chance for persons hying or working w~thm the building itself to be exposed
to RF levels that could approach or exceed apphcable safety lmuts."
What about wireless antennas mounted on the side of a building?
All w~eless antennas must comply with the FCC's RF emissions gmdehnes,
including roof-mounted antennas. The bmldmg and roof prevent much of
the RF from entering In fact, the roof alone can decrease RF sxgnal strength
sxgnificantly -- ~.e. by as much as a factor of 10. In adchnon, most of the RF
from a w~reless antenna ~s chrected towards the horizon and not chrecfly
downward The FCC also reqmres antennas mounted on rooftops to have
s~gns or fences to keep people away from places where the RF fields exceed
~ts hrmts
Information sourced from the Ce//u/ar Telecommtmicadons and Intemet Association
Federal Regulations on
Radiofrequency Emissions From Wireless Antennas
· What federal regulauon, do -artreless promders have tO meet when stung an antenna?
· How can the rmbhc be sure that wireless antennas are safe>
· Do wrreless antennas comply w~th these safety h_m~t$ for pubhc exposure>
· If RF energy from w~rele$s antennas ss safe, why is there a need for semng exposm-e
lirmt~>
What federal regulations do wireless providers have to meet when siting an antenna?
All wzreless base stauons must meet the science-based RF ermsslon
gmdelmes of the Federal Commumcauons Cornnussion (FCC), wluch
estabhsh conservative exposure hrmts to ensure that the health of all cmzens
is protected. The gmdehnes are designed wtth a substanual margin of safety.
These mtemauonally recognized gmdehnes were estabhshed by leachng
independent sclenufic orgamzauons ~ncluchng the American Nauonal
Standards Insumte (ANSI), the Insumte of Electrical and Electromc
Enganeers (IEEE), and the Nauonal Council on Rachatton Protecuon and
Measurement (NCRP), an independent orgamzauon chartered by Congress.
The U.S. arm of the IEEE has issued a formal statement endorsing the
consensus gmdelmes, wbach says m part. "Based on present knowledge,
prolonged exposure at or below the levels recommended m these gmdelmes
is considered safe for human health Measurements near typical cellular base
stauons have shown that exposure levels normally encountered by the pubhc
are well below hrmts recommended by all nattonal and mtemauonal safety,
standards...Therefore, one can conclude that exposure from properly
operaung base stauons Is safe for the general populauon."
How can the public be sure that wireless antennas are safe?
Both the NCRP and ANSI/IEEE exposure gmdelmes were developed by
sclenusts and engineers w~th a great deal of experience and knowledge m the
area of RF bmlogacal effects and related issues. These mchmduals spent a
considerable amount of ume evaluaung pubhshed scmnufic smches relevant
to estabhshmg safe levels for human exposure to RF energy These gmdehnes
are designed to make sure that wireless antennas are designed and operate m
a safe manner
Other federal agencies have reviewed and endorsed the FCC's gmdehnes.
These include the Enmronmental Protecnon Agency (EPA), the Food and
Drug Admtmstrauon (FDA), the Occupauonal Safety and Health
Adrmmstrauon (OSHA), and the National Insutute for Occupauonal Safety
and Health (NIOSH) EPA concluded' "It Iisi EPA's view that the FCC
exposure gmdelmes adequately protect the pubhc from all scienufically
estabhshed harms that may result from [Racho-Frequency] energy fields
generated by FCC hcensees"
Do wireless antennas comply with these safety limits for public exposure?
In Bulletln 56, the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology smd,
"Measurements made near typical cellular and PCS mstallattons, especially
those with tower-mounted antennas, have shown that ground-level power
denslues are well below lmuts recommended by RF/mtcrowave safety
standards."
If RF energy from wireless antennas is safe, why is there a need for setting exposure
limits?
These gmdelmes are designed to ensure that FCC-regulated transrmtters do
not expose the pubhc or workers to levels of RF energy that are considered
by expert orgamzauons to be potenttally harmful Therefore, if the FCC
regulates a transrmtter and its associated antenna, they must comply with
promslons of the FCC's rules regarding human exposure to RF energy In a
1997 Order, the FCC adopted a provision that all transrmtters regulated by
the FCC, regardless of whether they are excluded from rouune evaluatton,
had to be m compliance with RF exposure gmdelmes by September 1, 2000.
Information sourced fi'om the Cellular Telecommtmications and Interact Association
How to Find More Information on Radiofrequency Energy
There are numerous government, independent health, umverslty, orgamzauon, and
assocmuon web sxtes that promde reports, simches, quesuon & answers, and other
mformauon on rachofrequency 0t.F) energy.
The sites and links hsted below are some of those that have informauon on the topm
U S. Federal Commumcauons Comnuss;on
http'//www, fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf- faqs..html
Nauonal Insumute of Environmental Health Sctences, Nauonal Insumute of Health
http' //www mehs.nih gov/oc / factsheets/emf/emf, htm
Mechcal College of W~sconsm
http-//www.mcw edu/gcrc/cop/cell-phone-health-FAQ/toc html
The Institute of Elecmcal and Electromcs Engineers (IEEE) Committee on Man and
Rachauon (COMAR)
http //www.seas.upenn edu/'--kfost¢r/base htm
U.S. Food and Drug Adrmmstrauon
wv~v. fd.a.gov/cdrh/o.c.d/mobflphone.html
U.S. General Accounung Office
htm//xvww ~ao ~ov/newatems/d01545 r~df
Cellular Telecommumcauons and Intemet Assocmnon
htm//www wow-com.com/ cons .um. er/~sues/health/
European Sc:ence and Engineering Orgamzauon, COST281
ht.tp //www c.o$..t281 org/acum, ti.e$/Sho, rt. term. rmssmn pdf
World Health Orgamzauon
http'//www.wh,o ant/peh-em f/
htq~.//www.who mt/mf-fs/en/fact193 html
htrp. //wx ,v~-nt who ;n,t/peh-¢mf/emfstuches/database.cfm
The Health Council of the Netherlands
http //www ..er nl/engels/welcome/frames,et btm
Intemauonal Cornmass~on on Non-Iomzxng Rachauon Protecuon
http://w,0cw xcnu'p.de/Explorer/pubEMF.htm
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
Background Studies and Reports
On Radiofrequency and Telecommunications
(By Date)
European Scaence and Engmeenng Orgamzauon, COST 281 - Mobile
Telecommumcauon Base Stauons - Exposure to Electromagneuc Fields, March 2002
Mechcal College of Wisconsin, Electromagneuc Fields and Human Health- Cellular
Phone Antennas (Mobile Phone Base Stattons) and Human Health, last updated January
2, 2002
Federal Commuracauons Comrmssion, Office of Engmeenng & Technology -
Frequently Asked Quesuons About the Safety of Rachofrequency (l~U) and M. tcrowave
Ermssions from Transrmtters and Facthues Regulated by the FCC, last updated October
2001
U.S. Food and Drug Admmtstrauon - Center for Devices and Rachologacal Health -
Consumer Update on W~reless Phones, July 2001
U S General Accounung Office - Telecommumcattons, Research and Regulatory
Efforts on Mobile Phone Health Issues, May 2001
The Insutute of Electrical and Electromcs Enganeers (IEEE) Comsmttee on Man and
Rachatton (COMAR) - Safety Issues Assocaated xxath Base Stat. tons Used for Personal
Wzreless Commumcauons, September 2000
Federal Commumcauons Commission, Local and State Government Advisory
Comrmttee - A Local Government Official's Grade to Transrmttmg antenna RF
Ermsslon Safety. Rules, Procedures, and Pracncal Gtudance, June 2000
The World Health Orgamzauon- Fact Sheet: Electromagneuc F~elds and Pubhc Health,
Mobile Telephones and Thezr Base Stauons, revised June 2000
Federal Commumcauons Commission, Office of Engineering & Technology, Quesuons
and Answers about Blologacal Effects and Potenual Hazards of Rachofrequency
Electromagneuc Fields - OET Bulleun 56, Fourth Echuon, August 1999
Federal Communlcauons Commission, Office of Engineering & Technology -
Informauon on Human Exposure to Rachofrequency Fields from Cellular and PCS
Racho Transrmtters, January 1998
Note Many of these stuches are accessible on the Intemet
T
LITTLE NECK RACQUET CLUB
VA 10363 A
Kings t.~l~ z SITE
NUMBERS INDICATE PHOTOGRAPH LOCATIONS
T MOBILE
LITTLE NECK RACQUET CLUB
VA 10363 A
VIEW OF PROPOSED 112' GALVANIZED MONOPOLES
ANTENNAS CONCEALED WITH IN
ATHLETIC LIGHTING MOUNTED AT 45'
PHOTO TAKEN 12/12/02
PERSPECTIVE IS FROM POPLAR BEND ROAD
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
T MOBILE
LITTLE NECK RACQUET CLUB
VA 10363 A
VIEW OF PROPOSED 112' GALVANIZED MONOPOLES
ANTENNAS CONCEALED WITH IN
ATHLETIC LIGHTING MOUNTED AT 45'
PHOTO TAKEN 12/12/02
PERSPECTIVE IS FROM 3109 BELDOVER LANE
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
2
T MOBILE
LITTLE NECK RACQUET CLUB
VA 10363 A
VIEW OF PROPOSED 112' GALVANIZED MONOPOLES
(ONE TOWER IS NOT VISIBLE)
ANTENNAS CONCEALED WITH IN
ATHLETIC LIGHTING MOUNTED AT 45'
PHOTO TAKEN 12/12/02
PERSPECTIVE IS BELDOVER LANE
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
3
T MOBILE
LITTLE NECK RACQUET CLUB
VA 103~3 A
VIEW OF PROPOSED 112' GALVANIZED MONOPOLES
ANTENNAS CONCEALED WITH IN
ATHLETIC LIGHTING MOUNTED AT 45'
PERSPECTIVE IS FROM THE INTERSECTION OF
BISHOPS GATE LANE AND BISHOPS GATE COURT
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
I
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EMERSON.
Power
March 12, 2003
James N. McDonald, PE
Director of Engineering
Northern Technologies, Inc.
23123 E M=smn
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
T (509) 927 0401
F (509) 927 0435
IJmrn(~_.no rthem-tech corn
V~rgima Beach Department of Planning
Municipal Center
Building 2405 Court Dnve
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Attention: Barbara Duke
RE: T-Mobile's Proposed VA 10363- Little Neck Facility
Ms. Duke,
I have been asked to offer my assistance on the above-referenced facility with regard to
the design considerations and the lightning safety of the site after it is built. I have
consulted on site design, grounding and related lightning issues for T-Mobile and other
world-class communications companies for several years.
I have reviewed T-Mobile's proposed facility design and the soil testing previously
performed for the VA 10363 - Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club telecommunications
pole and equipment. Specifically, my rewew of the plan was focused on the potential
changes to lightning damage susceptibility in the immediate vicimty. My understanding
of the situation seems to indicate some resistance to the idea of a communications
tower being installed somewhat near a pool and the safety issues that go along w~th it.
A review of the site grounding (3-point test) and soil (4-point test) conditions at this
facility seem to indicate excellent resistance values, which are well suited for sensitive
communicabons systems and lightning suppression systems alike. Based on the test
data, I believe T-Mobile's standard site and grounding design will actually improve
protection from lightning in the immediate vicinity.
Regarding the facility (pool) protection, I am encouraged that there are other structures
(light posts and buildings) ~n the area that will attract lightning and dissipate that energy
as well. Most people in the lightning-related industries (including NFPA 780 - Lightning
Protection) agree that a structure (typically referring to lighting air terminals and other
metallic structures) w~ll prowde a 45 degree angle "cone" of protection downward from
the tip. This indicates that the tower and air terminal on top ~s expected to protect
NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
EMERSON.
anything within a radius from the tower equal to the height If they are 120' tall, then
anything within 120' of the tower has some level of protection from I~ghtmng.
The facts for th~s site are.: 1) Installing a tower will slightly increase the probability of a
lightning strike in this im~nediate vicinity (realistically within the 120' radius of the tower
only) and 2) The addition of the tower and ground plane will improve the protection of
the pool and other structures in the area, should lightning strike there. If lightning
occurs in this area, we would prefer that it hit the tower, rather than a poody grounded
fence of lamp post due to the improved grounding system. The installation of the tower
and site grounding system will improve the protection of the local area, since the tower
will sink most of the lightning current below it into the earth. Without the tower present,
the lamps, buildings and fences will be likely to take a lightning hit and without sufficient
ground systems in place (as is very common for these structures) could cause more
damage or injury.
! hope this information helps. If ! can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to
call on me here at NTI, 800-727-9119
Best Regards,
Jim McDonald, PE
Director of Engineenng
NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
FILE No.375 03/12 '03 09:59 ID:NTELOS
FAX:8043275~91
PAGE 2
9011 Arboretum Parkway
Sude 295
R~chmond, VA 23236
March 12, 2003
City of Virginia Beach Planning Commission
City Hall Building
Princess Anne Courthouse
Virginia Beach, Virginia
H05-210-MOD-2002 and H05-210-CUP-2002., Application by
VoieeStream GS.M II,.L.L.C. for a new Communieatmns Facility/Tower
located at 864 Little Neck Road
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Planning Commission:
Rachmond 20MHz, LLC is an FCC Personal Communications Service
licensee for the NorfolkNirginla Beach Basic Trading Area and provides PCS
service regionally under the trade name "NTELOS". NTELOS fully supports the
application by T-Mobile USA before thc Commission and respectfully requests
your approval of this application as submitted.
In November of 1996 NTELOS launched the first dig2tal wireless
communications service in Hampton Roads operating then under the name
PrimeCo. Since that time, customers of PrimeCo and now NTELOS continue to
be unable to use their service within the Little Neck peninsula. In fact, the Little
Neck peninsula remains the only major populated area within the entire NTELOS
network in Virginia which does not have adequate signal levels for NTELOS
customers to receive phone service.
On behalf of the Virginia Beach customers of NTELOS, we support the T-
Mobile apphcataon and again, respectfully request your approval.
Sincere~y~
D~rector of Site Development
pETITION,
.-
COMMUNICANTION ,TOWERS,, TO BE INST~LED AT THE L ,ITTLE NECK
S .WIM AND R~.. CQ~T CLUB~ 864 Little Neck Road~ Virginia Beach~ Virginia 2_3452
To: The City Council of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia
BE IT HEREBY KNOWN and stated that the PHYSICIAN/residents of the areas
surrounding the Little Neck Peninsula who have affixed their signatures below are
against building, or allowing to be built or erected on the site of the Little Neck Swim
and Racquet Club property, any communications towers. We strongly believe that any
towers, whether disguised as light poles, flag poles, or other stealth object, or any other
conceivable design, will ruin the aesthetics of our Peninsula and neighborhood where
our children swim and play. We do NOT believe that such towers would improve the
safety of the surrounding residents or of the patients for whom we provide care.
SIGNATURE PRINT ADDRESS PHONE DATE
l~ght2 (720x480x24b ~peg)
Little Neck Community Enhancement Fund
Purpose:
To establish a fund, the Little Neck Community Enhancement Fund (LNCEF), to
financially support projects focused on beautification, safety, security, recreation, or other
purposes which enhance the quality of life for residents of the Upper Little Neck
Peninsula This fund has been established so that all residents of the Upper Little Neck
peninsula may benefit from the sacrifice of esthetics in lieu of financial lease proceeds
resulting from erection of cellular towers at the LNSRC.
Source of Funds:
The LNCEF will be established as an addendum to the lease agreement between Little
Neck Swim and Racquet Club (LNSRC) and VoiceStream Wireless for the siting of
cellular towers on LNSRC property. LNSRC will endow the LNCEF with a sum equal to
5% of the gross annual lease proceeds fi~om the lease agreement with VoiceStream
Wireless. The LNCEF may, in addition, be contributed to from other sources such as
civic leagues, commercial concerns, etc ~-
Utilization of LNCEF: '
LNCEF resources will be utilized on beautification projects along primary feeder roads in
the Upper Little Neck peninsula including Little Neck Road (north of the intersection
with Lynnhaven Road), Lynnhaven Road, Kings Grant Road, Little Haven Road and
Harris Road. The fund may also be used for safety, sec__.__urity,__recreation or other purl~ose
which primarily benefits those residents of the nortl~ern Little Neck Peninsula
Administration of LNCEF:
The LNCEF will be administered by a committee consisting of the presidents of northern//
Little Neck civic leagues, a designated representative of the Little Neck Fire Station No.
20, a designated representative of the Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad, the Lynnhaven
District City Councilman, and a designated representative of the Little Neck Swim and
Racquet Club The committee will meet at least once yearly to review funding requests
and to select requests for funding. The committee will periodically distribute information
describing the LNCEF, its purpose and application, and soliciting requests for funds to
civic leagues, Little Neck Schools, the Little Neck Fire Station, the Plaza Volunteer
Rescue Squad, Little Neck Church pastors At the discretion of the LNCEF committee,
funds may be carried over from one year to the next to support costlier projects
The LNCEF committee will designate a chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer Minutes
of meetings will be maintained and a treasurers report will be prepared with a copy
submitted annually to the LNSRC Board of Directors. Reasonable operating expenses of
the board (e.g copy expenses, supplies) may be withdrawn from the fund.
PETITION
COMMUNICANTION TOWERS TO BE INSTALLED AT THE LITTLE NECK
SWIM AND RACQUET CLIYB~ 864 Little Neck Road~ V~ia Beach, Vira, inia 23452
To: The City Council of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia
BE IT HEREBY KNOWN and stated that the PHYSICIAN/residents of the Little Neck
Peninsula and surrounding subdivisions who have affix~ their signatures below are
against building, or allowing to be built or erected on the site of the Little Neck Swim
~nd Racquet Club property, any communications towers. We strongly believe that any
towers, whether disguised as light poles, flag poles, or other stealth object, or any other
conceivable design, will ruin the aesthetics of our Peninsula and neighborhood where
our children swim and play. We do .NOT believe that such towers would improve the
safety of the surrounding residents or of the patients for whom we provide care.
SIGNATURE PRINT ADDRESS PHONE DATE
COM]V[UN~C~ION TOWERS TO BE INSTALLED AT THE LITTLE NECK
SWIM AND RACQUET CLUB~ 864 Little Neck Road~ Virginia Beach, VirRinia 23452
·
To: The City Council of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia
BE IT HEREBY KNOWN and stated that the HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONAL/residents of the Little Neck Peninsula and surrounding subdivisions
who have affixed their signatures below are against building, or allowing to be built or
erected on the site of the Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club property, any
communications towers. We strongly believe that any towers, whether disguised as
light poles, flag poles, or other stealth object, or any other conceivable design, will ruin
the aesthetics of our Peninsula and neighborhood where our children swim and play.
We do NOT believe that such towers would improve the safety of the surrounding
residents or of the patients for whom we provide care.
SIGNATURE PRINT ADDRESS PHONE DATE
'
· ·
va , v'4 3qo- t ,%°
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PETITION
COMMUNICANTION TOWERS TO BE INSTALLED AT THE LITTLE NECK
SWIM AND,RACQUET CLUB~ 864 Little Neck Road~ Virginia Beach~ Virginia 23452
To: The City Council of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia
BE IT HEREBY KNOWN and stated that the residents of the Little Neck Peninsula
and surrounding subdivisions who have affixed their signatures below are against
building, or allowing to be built or erected on the site of the Little Neck Swim and
Racquet Club property, any communications towers. We strongly believe that any
towers, whether disguised as light poles, flag poles, or other stealth object, or any other
conceivable design, will ruin the aesthetics of our Peninsula and neighborhood where
our children swim and play. We do not want to deny our children the right to have a
beautiful, uncluttered-eyesore towers, place to enjoy their sports.
SIGNATURE PRINT ADDRESS PHONE DATE
~K~T ! T 1' 0 lq
Regarding
COHHUNICATION TOWERS PROPOSED TO BE ~qSTALLED AT THE LITTLE NECK SWIM AND RACQUET
CLUB, 86~ LITTLE lqECK ROAD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA 23&§2
To: The City Council of the City of Vir$inia Beach, Vir§inia
BE IT HEREBY KNO~ and stated that the reaidents of the Little lqeck Peninsula and
surrounding sub-divisiuns, who have affixed their slSnatures below, are against
building or allo~ln$ to be built or erected un the site of the Little lqeckS~lm
and l~cquet Club property, any communication to~erso We strongly believe that
any towers, whether disguised as light poles, flag poles or other stealth object,
or any other conceivable design, ~ill ruin the aesthetics of our Peninsula and
neighborhood where our children s~rlm and play. We do not want to deny our children
the right to have a beautiful, uncluttered-by- commercial-eyesore tmeer~ place
to enjoy their sports.
Resardin$
COIdHI~XCATXON TOWEl, S PItOPOSED TO BE II/STAIA~D AT THE LI~ NECK St/IH AND EACQUET
CLUB, 864 LITTLE NECK ROAD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGIl/IA 23452
To: The City Council of[ the City of Vlrsinia Beach, Virginia
BE IT HEItEBY ENO~ and stated that the residents of the Little Neck Peninsula and
surrounding subodivisians, who have affixed their signatures below, are against
bulldins or all,ins to be built or erected un the site of ~he Little Neck
and ~cquet Club property, ~y co~icacion t~ers. Ne scronsly believe
any towers, whether disguised as light poles, flag poles or o~her stealth object,
or any other conceivable desi~, ~ill ruin the aesthetics of our Peninsula and
nelshborhood where our c~ldren s~m ~d play. ~e do not want to deny our c~ldren
the right to have a beau~iful, unc~utCered-by- c~rcial~yesore towers, place
to enjoy their sports.
PETITION
COMMUNICANTION TOWERS TO BE ,INSTALLED AT .T. HE. L,,IT,T~. E NECK.
SWIM AND RACQUET CLUB~ 864 Little Neck R.oad: Virginia Beach: Virginia 23452
To: The City Council of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia
BE IT HEREBY KNOWN and stated that the residents of the Little Neck Peninsula
and surrounding subdivisions who have affixed their signatures below are against
building, or allowing to be built or erected on the site of the Little Neck Swim and
Racquet Club property, any communications towers. We strongly believe that any
towers, whether disguised as light poles, flag poles, or other stealth object, or any other
conceivable design, will ruin the aesthetics of our Peninsula and neighborhood where
our children swim and play. We do not want to deny our children the right to have a
beautiful, uncluttered-eyesore towers, place to enjoy their sports.
SIGNATURE PRINT ADDRESS PHONE DATE
~KTIIION
Regarding
O~)NI~JNICATION TOILERS PROPOSED TO BE IN~klJJ~D AT THE LITII~ NECK SIqlN AND RACi~UET
CLUB, 864 LITILK NECK ROAD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VIP. GINIA 23452
To: The City Council of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia
BE IT HEREBY KNO~N and stated that the residents of tha Little Neck Peninsula and
surroundin$ sub-divisions, who have affixed their signatures below, are against
building or allowing to be built or erected on the site of the Little Neck Swim
and RAcquet Club property, any co~nunication towers. We strongly believe that
any towers, whether disguised as light poles, flag poles or other stealth object,
or any other con~eivable design, will ruin the aesthetics of our Peninsula and
neighborhood where our children swim and play. We do not want co deny our children
the right to have a beautiful, uncluttered-by- couumrcial-eyesore towers, place
to enjoy their sports.
SI~AI1JR~ PRINTED NANE ADDRESS PHONE NO. DAI__.~E
~o~ ~o~ ~o ~oo~ General
L.L.C.
Gpm 2415-43-938~ C~ 90~2
ZONING HISTORY
1. Conditional Use Permit (auto repair) - Granted 1-12-99
2. Conditional Use Permit (parking lot addition)- Granted 9-9-97
Subdivision Variance - Denied 12-18-89
Conditional Use Permit (church) - Denied 12-18-89
Conditional Use Permit (church)- Granted 5-23-88
3. Modification of Conditions- Granted 6-25~96
Change of Zoning (A-6 Apartment District to I-1 Light Industrial District)-
Granted 11-9-93
4. Change of Zoning (0-2 Office District to B-2 Community Business District)
- Granted 8-13-91
5. Change of Zoning (AG-2 Agricultural District to B-2 Community Business
District) - Granted 8-13-91
6 Change of Zoning (AG-2 Agricultural District to B-2 Community Business
District) - Granted 8-13-91
7. Change of Zoning (O-1 Office District to B-2 Community Business District)
- Granted 9-8-86
8. Change of Zoning (AG-1 Agricultural District to R-8 Residential District) -
Granted 8-20-84
9. Change of Zoning (AG-2 Agricultural District to R-8 Residential District)-
Granted 8-20-84
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
ITEM: General Edison, L.L.C. - Change of Zoning District Classification and
Conditional Use Permit
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
· Background:
An Ordinance upon Application of General Edison, L.L.C. for a Change of Zoning
District Classification from AG-1 and AG-2 Agricultural District to Conditional B-2
Community-Business District on the north side of Edison Road, 285.91 feet east
of General Booth Boulevard. The Comprehensive Plan recommends use of this
parcel for residential use at or above 3.5 dwellings units per acre or for
commercial use consistent with the policy recommendations of the plan (GPIN
2415439381; 2415439012). DISTRICT 7 - PRINCESS ANNE
,,,
An Ordinance upon Application of General Edison L.L.C. for a Conditional Use
Permit for a mini-warehouse facility on the north side of Edison Road, 285.91 feet
east of General Booth Boulevard (portion of GPIN 2415439381; 2415439012).
DISTRICT 7- PRINCESS ANNE
Considerations:
The applicant wishes to rezone two (2) parcels totaling 10.6 acres of
agriculturally zoned property to community business for the development of a
retail building and a mini-storage facility.
The s~te plan depicts an 8,500 square foot commercial building. The applicant
has indicated that a childcare facility will lease this space and plans to construct
a 4,200 square foot playground (depicted on the plan) to the rear of the building.
Thirty four (34) parking spaces are provided on the plan for the commercial
building.
The plan also depicts 5.1 acres of mini-storage with 110,475 square feet of
interior storage area within eight (8) buildings on the southern portion of the
property. The storage facility is proposed on a separate lot. A 720 square foot
office and a 1,680 square foot residence are also depIcted on the plan, contained
within a two-story structure on a 1,200 square foot building footprint.
A large parcel juts into the site, dividing it and impacting its developability. The
developers have been unable to acquire this parcel. To the east of this parcel,
there is an existing stormwater management facility that is sized to accommodate
General Edison
Page 2 of 3
the stormwater from the development proposed on these sites. This stormwater
facility also serves as a buffer between the proposed use and the neighborhood
to the east.
The request is consistent with the recommendabons within the Comprehensive
Plan for this area. This property is located within the Dam Neck Node of the
General Booth Boulevard Corridor, which is primarily commercial in nature. The
Plan states that proposals that go beyond the Design Standards for General
Booth Boulevard should be given the highest consideration. The submitted
elevations depict a highly attractive commercial site as well as a mini-storage
facility designed to complement the commercial buildings.
The Planning Commission placed this item on the consent agenda because the
requests are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, exceed the design
standards for the General Booth Boulevard Corridor and are compatible with the
surrounding uses. Staff recommended approval. There was no opposition to the
requests.
· Recommendations:
The Planning Commission passed a motion by a recorded vote of 9-0 with 1
abstention to approve this request subject to the submitted conditional zoning
agreement and the following conditions for the mini-storage facility:
,
The site shall be developed in substantial conformance with the submitted
site plan entitled, "Conceptual Site Layout and Landscape Plan of
Commercial Use & Mini-Storage General Booth Boulevard Virginia Beach,
VA," prepared by MS^, PC and dated 3/27/03, which has been exhibited
to the City Council and is on file in the Planning Department.
.
The architectural design elements and exterior building materials for the
northern and western facades of the mini storage facility shall be
substantially in conformance with the submitted elevations entitled,
"Storage Facility," prepared by Ansell Collins Astrin Architects, dated
12/20/02, which have been exhibited to the City Council and are on file in
the Planning Department.
3. No barbed wire, razor wire or electrified fences shall be installed on the
roof or walls of any of the buildings or on any fencing on or surrounding
the property.
4. The installation of chain link fencing shall not be permitted on the site.
5. All outdoor lighting shall be shielded to direct light and glare onto the
premises, said lighbng and glare shall be deflected, shaded and focused
way from all adjoining property. Any outdoor lighbng fixtures shall not be
erected any higher than fourteen (14) feet.
General Edison
Page 3 of 3
,
There shall be no electric powered or diesel powered generators or
generators fueled by any other source of energy located outside of any
building.
7. The storage units shall be used only for storage of non-hazardous goods.
8. The units shall not be use for office purposes, band rehearsals, residential
dwellings, or any other purpose not consistent with the storage of goods.
· Attachments:
Staff Review
Disclosure Statement
Planning Commission Minutes
Location Map
Recommended Action: Staff recommends approval. Planning Commission recommends
approval.
Submitting Department/Agency: Planning Department~~J~/~[
City Manager:~'~.-, ~~
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C./# 12 & 13
May 14, 2003
General Information:
APPLICATION L10-211-CRZ-2002
NUMBER: L 10-211 -CU P-2002
REQUEST: 12)
Change of Zoning District Classification from AG-1 and AG-2
Agricultural Districts to Conditional B-2 Community Business
District.
13) Conditional Use Permit for mini-warehouse.
ADDRESS:
Property located on the north side of Edison Road, 285.91 feet east of
General Booth Boulevard.
~ap L-10
Mop Not, 'to Scole
General Edison L.L.C.
]-!
[4]
Glum 2415-43-93~1 C~ 9012
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. I # 12 & 13
Page 1
GPIN:
ELECTION
DISTRICT:
SITE SIZE:
STAFF
PLANNER:
PURPOSE:
24154393810000; 24154290120000
6 - BEACH
10.6 acres
Carolyn A. K. Smith
To develop a day care facility and to construct a self-storage facility.
Major Issues:
Degree to which proposal is compatible with surrounding properties and
the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan for the General Booth
Boulevard Corridor.
Land Use, Zoning, and Site Characteristics:
Existing Land Use and Zoning
The property is currently zoned
AG-1 and AG-2 Agricultural
Districts. It is heavily wooded with
the exception of the construction of
a stormwater management facility
along the eastern property line.
This facility currently serves .as the
best management practice for the
existing shopping center to the
north.
Surrounding Land Use and
Zoning
Looking north to south on access road to
outparcels facing General Booth Boulevard
North:
· Retail center / B-2 Community Bus~ness
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. / # 12 & 13
Page 2
South:
East:
West:
District
· Private road, single-family dwelling units
/ R5-D Residential District
· Single-family dwelling units/AG-1 &
AG-2 Agricultural District
· Retail out-parcels / B-2 Community
Business D~strict
Zoning and Land Use Statistics
With Existing The property could be utilized consistent with allowed
Zoning: uses within the AG-1 and AG-2 Agricultural Districts.
With
Proposed
Zoning:
Under the proposed zoning, the 10.6 acre site will be
developed with a 8,500 square foot retail building (the
applicant has a child care business ready to lease the
building), and 5.1 acres of mini storage. The proffers
tie the architecture to that presented in the elevations
and limit the uses within the retail building and the mini-
storage site.
Zoning History
Review of the zoning history in this area reveals that much of the activity consists of
requests for rezonings. These applications included several requests for changes to
residential districts but the majority are for expansion to the B-2 Community Business
District along the General Booth Boulevard corridor. Several auto related use permits
and a use permit for a church were also granted near this property. It should be noted
that in 2000, a request for a mini-warehouse facility, near the intersection of Culver
Lane and General Booth Boulevard with frontage along General Booth Boulevard, was
denied by City Council. That use was found to be not suitable for that site, as the
Comprehensive Plan recommends suburban residential at medium to high densities. In
addition, that property is immediately adjacent to residentially zoned, single-family
properties.
Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ)
The site is within both the 70 to 75 and the greater than 75 dB Ldn AICUZ surrounding
NAS Oceana.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. / # 12 & 13
Page 3
Natural Resource and Physical Characteristics
The site is predominately wooded and is within the Southern Watersheds Management
Area. The majority of the existing trees are not of exceptional size.
Public Facilities and Services
Water and Sewer
Water:
Sewer:
There is an eight (8) inch water main along the west and north
property lines. This site must connect to City water.
There is an eight (8) inch sanitary sewer main along the west and
north property lines. This site must connect to City sewer. The
developer must provide an analysis of the sewer system and pump
station to ensure adequate capacity exists prior to connection.
Transportation
Master Transportation Plan (MTP) I Capital Improvement Program (ClP):
General Booth Boulevard in the vicinity of this request is a four (4) lane collector
roadway. There are no plans to improve this section of General Booth Boulevard in
the current ClP.
Traffic Calculations:
Street Name Present Present Generated Traffic
Volume Capacity
Ex;st~ng Land Use z_ 10 ADT
General Booth Boulevard 31,700 ADT ~ 36,367 ADT ~
Proposed Land Use 3_ 950 ADT
Average Dady Trips
2
as defined by agricultural uses
3
as defined by the square footage of the proposed commercial budding and m~n~-warehouse un~ts
that generate a very Iow ADT
Public Safety
Police:
The applicant is encouraged to contact and work with the
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. I # 12 & 13
Page 4
Fire and
Rescue:
Crime Prevention Office within the Police Department for crime
prevention techniques and Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts and strategies as
they pertain to this site.
The storage units are to be used only for storage of non-
hazardous goods. The units are not to be used for office
purposes, band rehearsals, residential dwellings, or any other
purpose not consistent with the storage of goods. Gated sites
shall provide for Fire Department access using the Knox or
Supra Key System. Gates shall have a fail-safe operation in
the event of a power failure. All other Fire Department
concerns will be addressed through the building permit
process. A certificate of occupancy must be obtained from the
Building Official prior to occupancy. The shopping center shall
be constructed providing adequate tenant separation based on
various uses.
Comprehensive Plan
This property is discussed within the Courthouse / Sandbridge Issues and Policy
Section under the Site Specific Planmng Issues, General Booth Boulevard Corridor
Area of the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan recommends this area for
retail commercial. This property is located within the Dam Neck Node of the Design
Standards for General Booth Boulevard, which is primarily commercial in nature. The
Plan states that proposals that go beyond the Design Standards for General Booth
Boulevard should be given the highest consideration. Specific attention should be
directed at ensuring adequate buffering of uses from adjacent residential
neighborhoods. In the case of the current proposal, this is accomplished in part due to
an existing drainage and impoundment easement located adjacent to the residential
area. The Plan also points out that the existing road stub in the neighborhood to the
east should be considered as a means of providing either vehicular or pedestrian
access from the neighborhood to the development; however, the applicant is hesitant to
make this formal connection.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. I # 12 & 13
Page 5
Summary of Proposal
Proposal
The applicant wishes to rezone two (2) parcels totaling 10.6 acres of
agriculturally zoned property to community business for the development
of a retail building and a mini-storage facility.
A conditional rezoning request is required in order to develop the property
as proposed. A conditional use permit is also required for the 5.1 acres of
mini- storage.
The existing parcels are to be resubdivided to accommodate both uses on
separate sites. A preliminary plat has been submitted to the Development
Services Center for review.
Site Design
· The site plan depicts an 8,500 square foot commercial building. The
applicant has indicated that a child care facility will lease this space and
plans to construct a 4,200 square foot playground (depicted on
the plan)in the rear of the
building, adjacent to the
.
existing K-Mart parking lot.
Thirty four (34) parking
spaces are provided on the
The plan also depicts 5.1
acres of mini storage with
110,475 square feet of
interior storage area within
eight (8) buildings on the
southern portion of the
property. The storage facility
is proposed on a separate
lot. A 720 square foot office
and a 1,680 square foot
residence are also depicted
on the plan, contained within
a two-story structure on a
1,200 square foot budding
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. I # 12 & 13
Page 6
footprint.
A large parcel juts into the site, dividing it and impacting its developability.
The developers have been unable to acquire this parcel. To the east of
this parcel, there is an existing stormwater management facility that is
sized to accommodate the stormwater from the development proposed on
these sites
Vehicular and Pedestrian Access
A single vehicular ingress/egress point is proposed into the site that will
serve both the retail/day care building and the mini storage operation.
Access to General Booth Boulevard will be provided via an existing
ingress/egress through the K-Mart parking lot.
· Pedestrian access appears to be adequate.
Architectural Design
· The commercial building's elevation depicts a predominately light brown
brick exterior with one (1) large arcade above the main entrance. The
arcades are designed with a cream exterior finish insulation system (EFIS)
and a grayish blue standing seam metal roof. Awnings of the same blue
color match the arcade's metal roof and trim. Glass storefront windows
and doors are also depicted.
Both the buildings for the proposed day care (the commercial building)
and the mini-warehouse structures mimic each other in terms of both the
overall design and building materials. The applicant has designed the
mini warehouse with faux shutters and roof treatments to provide some
architectural relief to the structure.
Landscape and Open Space
· Category VI, a s~x (6) foot high fence with evergreen shrubs, is required
around the perimeter of the mini storage units and as such is depicted on
the plan. A six (6) foot high ornamental fence is depicted on the site plan
with evergreen shrubs. All fencing throughout both the commercial and
mini-storage sites will be consistent in color and material.
!
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. I # 12 & 13
Page 7
Foundation landscaping, interior parking lot landscaping and landscaping
around the playground fence is also depicted on the concept plan.
A more detailed review of all of the landscaping requirements will be
performed during final site plan review.
Proffers
PROFFER # 1
The site layout shall be developed substantially as shown
on that certain exhibit entitled "Conceptual Site Layout and
Landscape Plan of Commercial Use & Mini-Storage
General Booth Boulevard Virginia Beach, VA," prepared by
MSA, PC and dated 3/27/03, (the "Site Plan") which has
been exhibited to City Council and is on file with the
Planning Department.
Staff Evaluation:
This proffer ensures that the location of the buildings,
parking, landscaping and other components of this project
will be as proposed on the plans submitted with this
application. This proffer is acceptable.
PROFFER # 2
When developed, that portion of the Property depicted on
the Site Plan as the Mini-Storage Area (the "Mini-Storage
Area") shall be developed for a mini-warehouse facility,
with accessory parking and other accessory site features.
Staff Evaluation:
This proffer identifies the proposed use allowed under the
conditional zoning. The use on the specified portion of the
property is limited to the mini-warehouse use.
PROFFER # 3
When developed, that portion of the Property depicted on
the Site Plan as the Commercial Area (the "Commercial
Area") shall be developed for uses permitted in the B-2
District along with accessory parking and other accessory
site features.
Staff Evaluation:
This proffer identifies the proposed use allowed under the
conditional zoning. The use on the specified portion of the
property is limited to commercial uses allowed by right in
the B-2 District.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. / # 12 & 13
Page 8
PROFFER # 4
Staff Evaluation:
PROFFER # 5
Staff Evaluation:
City Attorney's
Office:
The architectural design of the Commercial Area shall be
substantially compatible with the architectural style and
materials reflected in the rendering entitled "Commercial
Area," prepared by Ansell Collins Astrin Architects, which
has been exhibited to City Council and is on file with the
Planning Department.
The proffer will require the development to adhere to the
high quality design and building materials as depicted on
the elevations. This proffer is acceptable.
The architectural design of the improvements located in
the northern and western portions of the Mini-Storage Area
shall be substantially compatible with the architectural
style and materials reflected in the rendering entitled
"Storage Facility," prepared by Ansell Collins Astrin
Architects, dated 12/20/02 which has been exhibited to
City Council and is on file with the Planning Department.
The proffer will require the development to adhere to the
high quality design and building materials as depicted on
the elevations. This proffer is acceptable.
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the proffer
agreement dated April 23, 2003, and found it to be legally
sufficient and in acceptable legal form.
Evaluation of Request
These requests for a rezoning from AG-1 and AG-2 Agricultural District to Conditional
B-2 Community Business District and a Conditional Use Permit for a min-warehouse
facility is acceptable.
The request is consistent with the recommendations within the Comprehensive Plan for
this area. This property is located within the Dam Neck Node of the General Booth
Boulevard Corridor, which is primarily commercial in nature. The Plan states that
proposals that go beyond the Design Standards for General Booth Boulevard should be
given the highest consideration. The submitted elevations depict a highly attractive
commercial s~te as well as a mini-storage facility designed to complement the
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. I # 12 & 13
Page 9
commercial buildings. The Plan also suggests that specific attenbon should be directed
at ensuring adequate buffering of uses from adjacent residential neighborhoods. The
proposed plan accomplishes this in part due to an existing 105-foot wide drainage and
impoundment easement along the eastern property line. This drainage easement
combined with the intervening parcel places the mini-warehouse buildings nearly 300
feet from the residential area. The Comprehensive Plan also points out that the existing
road stub m the neighborhood to the east should be considered as a means of providing
access from the neighborhood to the development; however, the applicant is hesitant to
make this formal connection, citing primarily liability concerns. Staff understands the
reluctance of the applicant to provide this connection, but encourages the applicant to
further investigate the potential of this connection as a means of reducing the number of
vehicle trips on the roadways in th~s area, allowing neighborhood residents the ability to
walk or ride a bicycle to this and the adjacent retail center.
Staff is recommending approval of these Change of Zoning and Conditional Use Permit
requests subject to the submitted conditional zoning agreement and the conditions
listed below regarding the mini-storage facility.
Conditions for Use Permit
,
The site shall be developed in substantial conformance with the submitted site
plan entitled, "Conceptual Site Layout and Landscape Plan of Commercial Use &
Mini-Storage General Booth Boulevard Virginia Beach, VA," prepared by MSA,
PC and dated 3/27/03, which has been exhibited to the City Council and is on file
in the Planning Department.
.
The architectural design elements and exterior building materials for the northern
and western facades of the mini storage facility shall be substantially in
conformance with the submitted elevations entitled, "Storage Facility," prepared
by Ansell Collins Astrin Architects, dated 12/20/02, which have been exhibited to
the City Council and are on file in the Planning Department.
3. No barbed wire, razor wire or electrified fences shall be installed on the roof or
walls of any of the buildings or on any fencing on or surrounding the property.
4. The installation of chain link fencing shall not be permitted on the site.
.
All outdoor lighting shall be shielded to direct light and glare onto the premises,
said lighting and glare shall be deflected, shaded and focused way from all
adjoining property. Any outdoor lighting fixtures shall not be erected any higher
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. I # 12 & 13
Page 10
than fourteen (14) feet.
6. There shall be no electric powered or diesel powered generators or generators
fueled by any other source of energy located outside of any building.
7. The storage units shall be used only for storage of non-hazardous goods.
8. The units shall not be use for office purposes, band rehearsals, residential
dwellings, or any other purpose not consistent with the storage of goods.
~OTE:
I I ·
Further conditions may be required during the
administration of applicable City Ordinances. Plans
submitted with this rezoning application may require
revision during detailed site plan review to meet all
applicable city Codes., ,,
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. / # 12 & 13
Page 11
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. I # 12 & 13
Page 12
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. / # 12 & 13
Page 13
=2=
il
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. I # 12 & 13
Page 14
IInterior of units
Il
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. I # 12 & 13
Page 15
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. / # 12 & 13
Page 16
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Applicant's Name: ~ 7.z:liso~, L.L.C.
List Ail Current
Property Owners:
PROPERTY OWNER DISCLOSURE
If the property owner is a CORPORATION, list all officers of the Corporation below:
(Attach list if necessary)
~ IV I~ve~~~,, I~,,c. r,,S~_~t ,Jo~s, Presi. ,.,d~n, t
if the property owner is a PARTNERSHIP, FIRM, or other UNINCORPORATED
ORGANIZATION, list all members or partners in the organization below: (Attach list
if necessary)
~ ~, L.L.C. - ~ O. ~a~,
I-I Check here if the property owner is NOT a corporation, partnership, firm, or other
·
umncorporated organization.
If the applicant is not the current owner of the property, complete the Applicant Disclosure
section below:.
APPUCANT DISCLOSURE
If the property owner is a CORPORATION, list all officers of the Corporation below:.
(Attach list if necessary)
If the property owner is a PARTNERSHIP, FIRM, or other UNINCORPORATED
ORGANIZATION, list all members or partners in the organization below: (Attach list
if necessary)
I-I Check here if the property owner is NOT a corporation, partnership, firm, or other
unincorporated organization.
CERTIFICATION: [ certify that the information contained herein is true
Conditional Rezoning Application
Page 10 of 14
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
GENERAL EDISON, L.L.C. / # 12 & 13
Page 17
Item #12 & 13
General Edison, L.L.C.
Change of Zoning Classification and
Conditional Use Permit for mini-warehouse facility
North side of Edison Road
District 7
Princess Anne
May 14, 2003
CONSENT
Dorothy Wood: The next two items I will call together. Items 12 & 13 its General
Edison, L.L.C. Number 12 is an ordinance upon application of General Edison for a
change of zoning district classification for AG-1 and AG-2 Agriculture to Conditional B-
2 Community Business District. This is on the north side of Edison Road east of General
Booth. It is in the Princess Anne District. The next item, Item #13 is an ordinance upon
application of General Edison for a Conditional Use Permit for a mini-warehouse facility
on the north side of Edison Road. This is also in the Princess Anne District and there are
eight conditions. Yes sir.
Tom Kleine: Good afternoon Mr. Chairman, members of the Commission. For the
record, my name is Tom Kleine. I'm a local attorney here on behalf of General Edison,
L.L.C. We have reviewed all eight of the conditions and they are acceptable to the
applicant. I would note that I understand that in the morning briefing session there was a
substitution for condition number two under the Conditional Use Permit. And I
understand it was acceptable to the Commission. And it was acceptable to staff. I just
wanted to make that clarification.
Dorothy Wood: Thank you Mr. Kleine.
Tom Kleine: Thank you.
Dorothy Wood: Is there any objection to Item #12 & 13, General Edison for a change of
zoning from AG-1, AG-2 to B-2 and for application of General Edison for a Use Permit
for mini-warehouse facility? Hearing none, Mr. Knight.
Barry Knight: The Planning Commission has looked at this and it looks like their request
is consistent with the recommendations within the Comprehensive Plan for this area. It's
located on General Booth Boulevard/Dam Neck area, which is primarily commercial in
nature. The Plan states that proposals should go beyond the design standards, which they
clearly do. The elevations show highly attractive mini-warehouse on the elevation. The
Plan also suggests that specific attention should be directed in assuring adequate
buffenng uses from adjacent residential neighborhoods and you've done that also. So,
the Conumssion feels that this is an adequate use of this property.
Dorothy Wood: Thank you Mr. Knight. Thank you Mr. Kleine.
Item #12 & 13
General Edison, L.L.C.
Page 2
Tom Kleine: I thank the Commission.
Dorothy Wood: Mr. Ripley, I would move that we approve these items on the consent
agenda, Items #12 & 13 with eight conditions.
Ronald Ripley: So a motion to approve the items that were just read by Dot Wood. Do I
have a second? Seconded by Gene Crabtree. Are there any comments?
Robert Miller: I need to abstain from Items #12 & 13. My firm is working on the
project.
Ronald Ripley: Thank you. Are there any other comments? We're ready to vote.
AYE 9 NAY 0 ABS 1 ABSENT 1
ANDERSON AYE
CRABTREE AYE
DIN AYE
HORSLEY
KATSIAS AYE
KNIGHT AYE
MILLER
RIPLEY AYE
SALLE' AYE
STRANGE AYE
WOOD AYE
ABS
ABSENT
Ronald Ripley: By a vote of 9-0, the motion passes with the abstention so noted.
10. Change of Zoning (AG-1 Agricultural District to B-2 Community Business
District) - Granted 4-9-84
11. Change of Zoning (AG-2 Agricultural District to B-2 Community Business
District) - Granted 4-9-84
I:'OR~ NO P S IB
OUR #~
City of Virginia Beach
In Reply Refer To Our File No. DF-5663
DATE: May 28, 2003
TO: Leslie L. Lilley DEPT: City Attorney
FROM: B. Kay Wilso~~°' DEPT: City Attorney
Conditional Zoning Application
General Edison, L.L.C.
The above-referenced conditional zoning application is scheduled to be heard by the
City Council on June 10, 2003. I have reviewed the subject proffer agreement, dated April
23, 2003, and have determined it to be legally sufficient and in proper legal form. A copy
of the agreement is attached.
Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter
further.
BKW
Enclosure
Document Prepared By:
Troutman Sanders LLP
222 Central Park Avenue
Suite 2000
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
Phone: (757)687-7500
Facsimile: (757) 687-7510
AGREF~MENT
TI-ilS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made thiso?/Or~ day of April, 2003 by and
between GENERAL ,E, DISON~ L.L.C. a Virginia limited liability company (the "Grantor") and
the CITY OF VIRGINIA, BE~, CH, a municipal corporation of the Commonwealth of Virginia
(hereinafter referred to as "Grantee").
WITNESSETH:
WItEREAS, the Grantor is the owner of certain property generally located in the Beach
Election District of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia off the eastern side of General Booth
Boulevard to the north of Edison Road which contains approximately 10.602 acres, more or less,
which property is more particularly described on Ex~,i,b.it A attached hereto (the "Property"); and
WHEREAS, the Grantor has initiated an amendment to the Zoning Map of the City of
Virginia Beach, Virginia, by petition addressed to the Grante~, so as to change the classification
from AG-1 and AG-2 to B-2 Conditional on the Property; and
WHEREAS, the Grantee's policy is to provide only for the orderly development of land
for various purposes, including mixed use purposes, through zoning and other land development
legislation; and
WHEREAS, the Grantor acknowledges that the competing and sometimes incompatible
uses conflict, and that in order to permit differing uses on and in the area of the subject Property
and at the same time to recognize the effects of the change and the need for various types of uses,
GPIN NOS.:2415-43-9381-0000
2415-42-9012-0000
certain reasonable conditions governing the use of the Property for the protection of the
community that are not generally applicable to land similarly zoned B-2 are needed to cope with
the situation to which the Grantor's rezoning application gives rise; and
WltEREAS, the Grantor has voluntarily proffered in writing in advance of and prior to
the public hearing before the Grantee, as part of the proposed conditional amendment to the
Zoning Map, in addition to the regulations provided for in the existing B-2 zoning district by the
existing City's Zoning Ordinance (CZO), the following reasonable conditions related to the
physical development, operation and use of the Property to be adopted as a part of said
amendment to the new Zoning Map relative to the Property, all of which have a reasonable
relation to the rezoning and the need for which is generated by the rezoning; and
Wl~REAS, said conditions having been proffered by the Grantor and allowed and
accepted by the Grantee as part of the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, such conditions shall
continue in full force and effect until a subsequent amendment changes the zoning on the
Property covered by such conditions; provided, however, that such conditions shall continue
despite a subsequent amendment if the subsequent amendment is part of the comprehensive
implementation of a new or substantially revised zoning ordinance, unless, notwithstanding the
foregoing, these conditions are amended or varied by written instrument recorded in the Clerk's
Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia and executed by the record
owner of the subject Property at the time of recordation of such instrument; provided, further,
that said instrument is consented to by the Grantee in writing as evidenced by a certified copy of
ordinance or resolution adopted by the governing body of the Grantee, after a public hearing
before the Grantee advertised pursuant to the provisions of the Code of Virginia, Section 15.2-
2204, which said ordinance or resolution shall be recorded along with said instrument as
conclusive evidence of such consent.
NOW TItEREFORE, the Grantor, for itself, it's successors, assigns, grantees, and other
successors in title or interest, voluntarily and without any requirement by or exaction from the
Grantee or its governing body and without any element of compulsion of quid pro quo for
zoning, rezoning, site plan, building permit or subdivision approval, hereby make the following
2
declaration of conditions and restrictions which shall restrict and govern the physical
development, operation and use of the Property and hereby covenant and agree that these proffers
(collectively, the "Proffers") shall constitute covenants running with the said Property, which
shall be binding upon the Property and upon all parties and persons claiming under or through
the Grantor, it's heirs, personal representatives, assigns, grantees and other successors in interest
or rifle, namely:
1. The site layout shall be developed substantially as shown on that certain exhibit
entitled "Conceptual Site Layout and Landscape Plan of Commercial Use & Mini-Storage
General Booth Boulevard VA. Beach, VA." prepared by MSA, PC and dated 3/27/03 (the "Site
Plan"), which has been exhibited to City Council and is on file with the Planning Department.
2. When developed, that portion of the Property depicted on the Site Plan as the
Mini-Storage Area (the "Mini-Storage Area") shall be developed for a mini-warehouse facility,
with acx, essory parking and other accessory site features.
3. When developed, that portion of the Property depicted on the Site Plan as the
Commercial Area (the "Commercial Area") shall be developed for uses permitted in the B-2
District along with accessory parking and other accessory site features.
4. The architectmal design of the improvements in the Commercial Area shall be
substantially compatible with the architectural style and materials reflected in the rendering
entitled "Commercial Area" prepared by Ansell Collins Astrin Architects, which has been
exhibited to City Council and is on file with the Planning Department.
5. The architectural design of the improvements located in the northern and western
portions of the Mini-Storage Area shall be substantially compatible with the architectural style
and materials reflected in the rendering entitled, "Storage Facility" prepared by Ansell Collins
Astrin Architects and dated 12/20/02, which has been exhibited to City Council and is on file
with the Planning Department.
Further conditions mandated by applicable development ordinances may be required by
the Grantee during detailed Site Plan and/or subdivision review and administration of applicable
City Codes by all cognizant City agencies and departments to meet all applicable City Code
All references hereinabove to zoning districts and to regulations applicable thereto, refer
to the City Zoning Ordinance of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, in force as of the date the
conditional zoning amendment is approved by the Grantee.
The Grantor covenant and agree that (1) the Zoning Administrator of the City of Virginia
Beach, Virginia shall be vested with all necessary authority on behalf of the governing body of
the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia to administer and enforce the foregoing conditions,
including (i) the ordering in writing of the remedying of any noncompliance with such
conditions, and (ii) the bringing of legal action or suit to ensure compliance with such conditions,
including mandatory or prohibitory injunction, abatement, damages or other appropriate action,
suit or proceexlings; (2) the failure to meet all conditions shall constitute cause to deny the
issuance of any of the required building or occupancy permits as may be appropriate; (3) if
aggrieved by any decision of the Zoning Administrator made pursuant to the provisions of the
City Code, the CZO or this Agreement, the Grantor shall petition the governing body for the
review thereof prior to instituting proc~ngs in court; and (4) the Zoning Map shall show by an
appropriate symbol on the map the existence of conditions attaching to the zoning of the subject
Property on the map and that the ordinance and the conditions may be made readily available and
accessible for public inspection in the office of the Zoning Administrator and in the Planning
Department and that they shall be recor~ in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of the City
of Virginia Beach, Virginia and indexed in the name of the Grantor and Grantee.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
GRANTOR:
GIENF_2AL EDISON, L.L.C.
By:
Robert O. Copeland
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, to-wit:
The foregoing_ instrument .w~..ac)/cnowledged before me this~-day of April, 2003, by
Robert O. Copeland~, ,, ~ ~ 5~ .~q .~af~eral Edison, L.I..C. He/she is personally known
tome.
Notary Public
EXtlIRIT A
Parcel 1:
^I.1. THAT certain lot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and
improvements thereon, lying, being and situate in the C~ty of Virginia Beach,
Virginia, and being known, numbered and designated as PARCEL 2, 9.102
ACRES, MORE OR l.l~$S, as shown on that certain plat entitled "AMENDED
SUBDIVISION PLAT OF GENERAL EDISON ASSOCIATES AND DAM
NECK PROPERTIES, DB 2490, PG 1877, PRINCESS ANNE BOROUGH,
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA", prepared by Langley and McDonald, dated July
30, 1985 and revised March 31, 1987, which said plat is duly recorded in the
Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, in
Deed Book 2665, at page 1878, et se.q, and said property being further bounded
and described as shown on the survey entitled "PHYSICAL SURVEY OF
PROPERTY OWNED BY GENERAL EDISON ASSOCIATES, A VIRGINIA
GENERAL PARTNERSHIP VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA" prepared by Site
Improvements Associates, Inc., and dated May 25, 1999, as follows:
BEGINNING at southwest comer of property of Johnnie Leon Hyman thence N
69° 13' 07" W 27.76'; thence N 24° 50' 36" E 454.51'; thence N 3° 58' 42" E
304.09'; thence N 11° 57' 27" E 37.76'; thence N 30° 25' 02"E 210.73'; thence S
63° 42' 22" E 621.67'; thence S 69° 05' 57" E 116.42'; thence S 28° 29' 40" W
938.07'; thence N 69° 13' 07" W 119.97'; thence N 21° 20' 32"E 899.60'; thence
N 69° 13' 07" W 145.21' thence S 21° 20' 32" W 449.60'; thence N 69° 13' 07" W
145.20'; thence S 21° 20' 32" W 225.00'; thence N 69° 13' 07" W 144.94'; thence
S 21 o 20' 32" W 225.00 to the point of beginning.
TOGETHER WITH that certain variable width cross reciprocal ingress/egress
easement shown on the plat entitled "AMENDED SUBDIVISION PLAT OF
GENERAL EDISON ASSOCIATES AND DAM NECK PROPERTIES, DB
2490, PG 1877, PRINCESS ANNE BOROUGH, VIRGINIA BEACH,
VIRGINIA", prepared by Langley & McDonald, dated July 30, 1985 and revised
March 31, 1987, which plat is duly recorded in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit
Court of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia in Deed Book 2665, at page 1878, et
seq.
It being a part of the same property conveyed to GENERAL EDISON
ASSOCIATES, A VIRGINIA GENERAL PARTNERSHIP from W. S.
Braithwaite and Elizabeth Allis Braithwaite, husband and wife, et als dated
2/16184 and duly recorded 3/12/84 in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of
Virginia Beach in Deed Book 2319 page 235 and Corrected in Deed Book 2335,
at page 1910 and by Deed from Jesse R. James, a/k/a Jesse James, a/Ma Jessie
James and Gladys James, husband and wife, dated 10/7/86 and recorded 10/22/86
in Deed Book 2556, page 1092 and by deed from Frances G. Willis and Walter G.
Willis, her husband, dated 6/27/84 and recorded 712/84 and recorded in Deed
Book 2344, at page 1426.
Parcel 2:
.AlL THAT certain lot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and
improvements thereon, situate, lying and being in the City of Virginia Beach,
Virginia, and being more particularly bounded and described as follows:
BEGINNING at a station on a 20 foot road on the plat of Gresham Village in the
line of the property of John Hyman, and running thence North 21° 20' 32" E 450
feet along said Hyman's line; thence S 69° 13' 07" E 145.20' to the line of Sadie
Walker's; thence along Walker's line S 21° 20' 32" W 450' to said 20 foot road;
thence along said road N 69° 13' 07" W 145.20' to the point of beginning, and
containing 1.5 acres, more or less, as shown by a plat of Gresham Village, made
by W. B. Gallup, County Surveyor, September 20, 1941 and recorded in Map
Book 22, at page 70, and being a portion of the property conveyed to Hattie B.
Gresham by deed ofP. W. Aclciss, Special Commissioner, dated June 9, 1941, and
recorded in Deed Book 206, page 344, in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of
the City of Virginia Beach (formerly Princess Anne County),Virginia.
It being the same property conveyed to GENERAL EDISON ASSOCIATES, L.P.
a Virginia Limited partnership, by deed from John P. Jackson dated 12/23/98 and
recorded 1/26/99 in Deed Book 4021, at page 562.
!
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
ITEM: City of Virginia Beach, City Zoning Ordinance Amendment
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2003
Background:
Application of the City of Virginia Beach to amend the City Zoning Ordinance
pertaining to height regulations in the Agricultural and Residential Districts.
Considerations:
The last decade witnessed a change in preferred styles for single-family
dwellings and in methods of construction. In general, the size of homes
increased in terms of interior floor area and the architectural design, particularly
the exterior, became more complex. Interior floor to ceiling heights have
increased. Roof pitches have become steeper and roof framing more
complicated with multiple intersecting roof systems. The overall result has been
homes that present a large mass to the streetscape, maximizing every
dimensional limit placed on homes within the Residential zoning districts.
In a number of instances, the limitation on height, currently at 35 feet, has
resulted in problems. As a result of requests from builders, citizens, and the
development community, staff examined the current requirements in the City
Zoning Ordinance regarding height in the Residential and Agricultural zoning
districts and determined that in certain instances, as described in the amendment
and the attached staff report, an increase in the limit to 42 feet might be
appropriate.
Recommendations:
The amendments respond to an identified trend in the construction of single-
family homes during the last decade without adversely affecting existing homes
built at the 35-foot height limit. The amendments are designed, through the
restrictions on when the 42-foot limit could be used, to ensure that homes that
are built at 42 feet are not grossly incompatible with homes at the existing 35-foot
limit.
The Planning Commission passed a motion by a recorded vote of 10-0 to
approve this request.
Attachments:
Staff Review
Ordinance
C~ty of Virginia Beach / Height Amendment
Page 2 of 2
Ordinance
Planning Commission Minutes
Recommended Action: Staff recommends approval. Planning Commission recommends
approval.
Submitting Department/Agency: Planning Department~
City Manager: ~ }~, ~T'~~
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH - HEIGHTI
AMENDMENT / # 16
I
May 14, 2003
Background:
The last decade witnessed a change in preferred styles for single-family dwellings and
in methods of construction. In general, the size of homes increased in terms of interior
floor area and the architectural design, particularly the exterior, became more complex.
Interior floor to ceiling heights have increased. Roof pitches have become steeper and
roof framing more complicated with multiple intersecting roof systems. The overall result
has been homes that present a large mass to the streetscape, maximizing every
dimensional limit placed on homes within the Residential zoning districts.
In a number of instances, the limitation on height, currently at 35 feet, has resulted in
problems. As a result of requests from builders, citizens, and the development
community, staff examined the current requirements in the City Zoning Ordinance
regarding height in the Residential and Agricultural zoning districts and determined that
in certain instances, an increase in the limit to 42 feet might be appropriate.
This item was deferred at the February 12, 2003, March 12, 2003, and April 9, 2003
hearing at the request of staff to provide time for further discussion with the community
and development industry representatives.
Proposed Amendments:
Application of the City of Virginia Beach to amend the City Zoning Ordinance pertaining
to height regulations in the Agricultural and certain Residential Districts.
The proposed amendment will allow the following to be 42 feet in height:
1. single-family dwellings in the R-15, R-20, R-30 and R-40 Residential Districts in
subdivisions of more than 10 lots created after the date of adoption of the
amendments;
2. single-family dwellings in the R-40 or R-30 Residential District where all side and
rear yard setbacks are at least 5 feet greater than the minimum required; and
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH - HEIGHT AMENDMENT I # 16
Page I
3. single-family dwellings in Agricultural Zoning Districts in subdivisions of ten (10)
or more lots created after the date of adoption of this subsection or having side
and rear yard setbacks of at least twenty - five (25) feet.
The method of determining height does not change. That method is to measure from
the top of the structure to the lowest point of the lot at a distance of six feet from the
structure.
The graphics on the following pages are provided as an illustration of the changes.
Evaluation:
The proposed amendments are recommended for approval. The amendments respond
to an identified trend in the construction of s~ngle-family homes during the last decade
without adversely affecting existing homes built at the 35-foot height limit. The
amendments are designed, through the restrictions on when the 42-foot limit could be
used, to ensure that homes that are built at 42 feet are not grossly incompatible with
homes at the existing 35-foot limit.
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH - HEIGHT AMENDMENT I # 16
Page 2
CURRENTLY,THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT ALLOWED A SINGLE-FAMILY, DUPLEX, OR
SEMI-DETACHED DWELLING IN ANY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT IS 35 FEET,
AS MEASURED BELOW.
LOT LINE
I
I SINCE THE LOT LINE IS MORE THAN 6 feet
· 6 FEET FROM THE BUILDING,
MEASURE AT THE LOWEST POINT
OF THE LO'PS FINISHED GRADE
BETWEEN THE BUILDING
AND A POINT 6 FEET FROM THE
BUILDING.
LOTiLINE
i
1
UJ
IF THE LOT LINE IS LESS THAN
6 FEET FROM THE BUILDING, THE
HEIGHT IS MEASURED FROM THE
LOWEST POINT OF THE LOT'S FINSlHED
GRADE WITHIN THE AREA BETWEEN THE BUILDING AND
THE LOT LINE.
I I
! !
LOT LINE LOT LINE
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH - HEIGHT AMENDMENT I # 16 ....
Page 3
PROPOSED -
Method of measuring height will be the same as it currently is --
LOT LINE
I
6 feet
LOTiLINE
I
I
MAXIMUM HEIGHT IS 35 feet EXCEPT in the following
situations where height can be 42 feet~
FOR SUBDIVISIONS OF TEN (10) OR MORE
LOTS CREATED AFTER CT'HE ADOPTION
OF THE AMENDMB'iT) IN THE R-.40, R-30, R-20, AND R..'lS DISTRICT
AND IN THE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT.
OR
FOR SINGI,G.FMLY DWELLINGS IN THE AGRICULTURAL
DISTIUCT AND IN THE R-30 AND R-4O RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICTS WHERE SIDE AND REAR YARD SETBACKS ARE AT
LEAST S FEET GREATER THAN THE WIRED
MINIMUM
Planning Commission Agenda
May 14, 2003
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH - HEIGHT AMENDMENT I # 16
Page 4
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REORDAIN SECTIONS
402 AND 503 OF THE CITY ZONING ORDINANCE
PERTAINING TO BUILDING HEIGHT IN AGRICULTURAL
AND RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
Sections Amended: City Zoning Ordinance
Sections 402 and 503
WHEREAS, the public necessity, convenience, general welfare
and good zoning practice so require;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA
BEACH, VIRGINIA:
That Sections 402 and 503 of the City Zoning Ordinance are
hereby amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 402. Dimensional requirements [Agricultural Zoning
Districts].
The following chart lists the requirements within the AG-1 and
AG-2 Agricultural Districts for minimum lot area, width, yard
spacing, and height regulations for single-family dwellings. Note,
however, that minimum lot area, as stated in section 402(a) (1),
shall not be used to calculate density allowance. Allowable
density shall be determined in accordance with section 402(b).
(a) For single-family dwellings:
(1) Minimum lot area:
(2) Minimum lot width:
(3) Minimum front yard
setback:
Agricultural Districts
AG-1 AG-2
1 acre 1 acre
150 feet 150 feet
50 feet 50 feet
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
4O
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
(4) Minimum side yard
setback'
(5) Minimum rear yard
setback:
(6) Maximum height, ex-
c.ept as provided in
subsection (al):
20 feet 20 feet
20 feet 20 feet
35 feet 35 feet
(7) The setback for any yard that adjoins a major
street or right-of-way designated on the official
transportation plan shall be 50 feet.
(al) The maximum heiqht for sinqle-family dwellinqs in
subdivisions of ten (10) or more lots created after the date of
adoption of this subsection, or for single-family dwellinqs having
side and rear yard setbacks at least five (5) feet qreater than
required, shall be forty-two (42) feet.
COMMENT
The proposed amendments allow single-family dwellings within Agricultural Zoning Districts
in subdivisions of ten (10) or more lots created after the date of adoption of this subsection, as
well as single-family dwellings having side and rear yard setbacks at least five (5) feet greater
than required, to be 42 feet in height.
Sec. 503. Height regulations [Residential Zoning Districts].
The following shall constitute the maximum height requirements
for all structures within all Residential Districts.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Me~x-~mmaxlmum
height for all buildings and structures ~ shall be thirty-five
(35) feet.
59
60 R-40,
(b) The maximum heiqht for single-family dwellinqs within the
R-30, R-20 or R-15 Residential District in subdivisions of
61 ten (10) or more lots created after the date of adoption of this
62 subsection, or for single-family dwellings located in the R-40 or
63 R-30 Residential District and havin~ side and rear yard setbacks at
64 least five (5) feet greater than required, shall be forty-two (42)
65 feet.
(c)
Notwithstanding the above, no building or other
67 structure shall exceed the height limit established by section
68 202(b) regarding air navigation.
69
70
71
72
73
COM~fE~
The proposed amendment will allow single-family dwellings within the R-40, R-30, R-20 or R-
15 Residential District in subdivisions of more than 10 lots created after the date of adoption of the
amendments, as well as single-family dwellings located in the R-40 or R-30 Residential District and
having side and rear yard setbacks at least five (5) feet greater than required, to be 42 feet in height.
74
75
Adopted by the Council of the City of
Virginia, on the day of , 2003.
CA-8633
wmm\ordin\heightordin, wpd
R-8
May 2, 2003
Virginia Beach,
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Plannin~
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL
SUFFICIENCY: . --
CUi~y Attorney ~{ O~fice
Item #16
City of Virginia Beach/Height Regulations
Application of the City of Virginia Beach to amend the
City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to height regulations in the
Agricultural and certain Residential Districts
May 14, 2003
CONSENT
Dorothy Wood: The next item and the last consent item is Item #16, which is the City of
Virginia Beach on height regulations, an application of the City of Virginia Beach to
amend the City's Zoning Ordinance pertaining to height regulations in the Agricultural
and certain Residential Districts. Mr. Scott, would you please comment on that?
Robert Scott: Yes ma'am. Planning staff has looked at the zoning regulations that we
have in light of recent trends in residential housing construction. And, it's our conclusion
that this is a regulation that is in need of some adjustment. We think that in certain
situations it would be appropriate to allow houses to be built to a somewhat taller height,
specifically 42 feet instead of 35 feet. But in other cases, it would be inappropriate. So,
we took a great deal of care in trying to separate the two and we think in the Agricultural
Districts where lots are ordinarily quite large and in larger subdivisions, subdivisions of a
large number of new lots. And, also on larger lots where the opportunity exists to
increase the side yard setbacks to keep the hoses away from the neighbors, it would be
appropriate to increase the height to 42 feet instead of 35 feet. In the interest of retaining
the residential character that exists in many of our well-established neighborhoods where
all the houses before have been built to 35, they would not be allowed ~n those
established neighborhoods. We think that's a good separation. We have met with some
of the most effected civic league groups on this and we've also met with the home
building industry and we feel we have their concurrence on th~s issue. It comes with our
recommendation.
Dorothy Wood: Thank you Mr. Scott. Is there any opposition to item #16, the City of
Virginia Beach on height restrictions, an application to amend the City's Zoning
Ordinance pertaining to height regulations in the Agricultural and certain Residential
Districts? Heating none, Mr. Ripley, I would move that we approve this item on the
consent agenda, Item #16.
Ronald Ripley: So a motion to approve this item that was just read by Dot Wood. Do I
have a second? Seconded by Gene Crabtree. Are there any comments? We're ready to
vote.
AYE 10 NAY 0 ABS 0 ABSENT 1
ANDERSON AYE
CRABTREE AYE
DIN AYE
Item #16
City of Virginia Beach/Height Regulations
Page 2
HORSLEY
KATSIAS AYE
KNIGHT AYE
MILLER AYE
RIPLEY AYE
SALLE' AYE
STRANGE AYE
WOOD AYE
Ronald Ripley: By a vote of 10-0, the motion passes.
ABSENT
M. APPOINTMENTS
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I
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