2017-01-24 Meeting Report (Telecommunications Antennas)
SPIN MEETING REPORT
SPIN Item Number:
SPIN17-02
Project Name:
Telecommunications antennas on an existing electrical transmission
tower and related ground equipment
SPIN Neighborhood:
SPIN #4
Meeting Date:
January 24, 2017
Meeting Location:
1400 Main Street, Southlake, TX
City Council Chambers
Total Attendance:
Seven (7)
Host:
Sandra Harrison, Community Engagement Committee
Applicant Presenting:
Kathy Zibilich
City Staff Present:
Jerod Potts, Assistant to the Director – Planning and Development
Services
Attached to the end of this report are the Blackboard Connect Delivery Results for the January 24, 2017
SPIN Town Hall Forum
Town Hall Forums can be viewed in their entirety by visiting http://www.cityofsouthlake.com and clicking
on “Learn More” under Video On Demand; forums are listed under SPIN by meeting date.
FORUM SUMMARY:
Property Situation:
409 Shady Lane
Development Details:
Existing TXU or Oncor power pole – powerline runs along the north side of the
large tract of property
House addressed at 409 Shady Lane – basically a landlocked parcel; there is not
a street that goes to it – gets access from Shady Lane
Applicant mentioned that the property is zoned "AG" and is used as a horse
pasture
Oncor access easement will be used by Verizon to install and check on the
equipment, or in the event of an emergency
Existing Oncor power pole is 100'
Quite a bit of vegetation; there would be more foliage in the summer
Antennas mounted at the top and will not extend more than 12' above the
existing top of tower
Typically have a lightning rod on top of them
There would be a cabling that would go down the side of the tower and to the
equipment
There are three (3) equipment cabinets – outdoors, have a little door
Typically there is a canopy to keep rain and sun off cabinets
They are on a concrete pad, 10 x 13 usually
Not been designed yet; trying to get feedback now from neighbors
Typically they have a chain-link fence with barbed wire
Applicant mentioned that Southlake requires opaque screen and/or masonry wall
– unless requesting a variance it would not be chain-link, it would be a solid
fence
Typical layout: equipment cabinets, concrete pad, electric panel, fence around
the whole thing – this one is 10 x 15 with a canopy with a conduit that goes up
the pole, gates
Gate is for the security of the equipment
The applicant noted that property is unplatted - would be requesting a waiver of
the plating requirement because they are not building anything big
Access easement is a gravel/dirt road
Heavy vegetation at the fence line
Location has not been decided
Exhibits presented at SPIN:
QUESTIONS / CONCERNS:
You mentioned Verizon; the signs say AT&T - are you all the same?
This antenna installation would be for Verizon
o
How big is the property?
Showing the ownership parcel – portion we would be using is a tiny bit
o
Will there be a zoning change required?
It is a Specific Use Permit. Not a zoning change, but goes through the
o
zoning process. The land would remain with the same base zoning
What is the main purpose or goal of adding the additional telecommunication
antenna? Is it expansion or because of additional requirements? What is the
reason behind adding another antenna?
Typically for coverage and capacity - in some cases there is a gap in
o
coverage; antennas have a limited range. Capacity is when too many
people are trying to use the same antennas to send and receive
messages - there is only so much power you can get out one antenna.
Typically about a mile apart in an area of heavy usage in a metro area
Is there timing for this? Goal for 2017, 2018?
Don’t know exactly. Probably wanting this in this next year. In very early
o
stage.
SPIN Meeting Reports are general observations of SPIN Meetings by City staff and SPIN Representatives. The report is neither verbatim nor official
meeting minutes; rather it serves to inform elected and appointed officials, City staff, and the public of the issues and questions raised by residents and
the general responses made. Responses as summarized in this report should not be taken as guarantees by the applicant. Interested parties are
strongly encouraged to follow the case through the Planning and Zoning Commission and final action by City Council.
Blackboard Connect Delivery Results for the January 24, 2017 SPIN Meeting