2015-04-28 Meeting Report (Monopole Communications Tower)
SPIN MEETING REPORT
Case Number:
SPIN Item Number:
SPIN2015-12
Project Name:
Monopole Communications Tower
SPIN Neighborhood:
SPIN #8
Meeting Date:
April 28, 2015
Meeting Location:
1400 Main Street, Southlake, TX
City Council Chambers
Total Attendance:
17
Host:
Sherry Berman, Community Engagement Committee
Applicant(s) Presenting:
Doug Henderson, representing Parallel Infrastructure
City Staff Present:
Jerod Potts, Planner I
City Staff Contact:
Patty Moos, Planner I (817) 748-8269
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under Video On Demand; forums are listed under SPIN by meeting date.
FORUM SUMMARY
Property Situation:
1610 Hart St.
Development Details:
Seeking approval for SUP for a wireless telecommunications monopole at 1610 Hart
Street
Proposing installation of a steel pole which would be approximately 120 feet tall
Presenter noted the antennas on top of the pole would improve wireless phone signals,
including the irregular 911 signal in the surrounding area
Presenter mentioned that although the property at 1610 Hart is zoned Industrial, a
Specific Use Permit is required for any telecom pole installation in the City of Southlake
Presenter mentioned that more than 80% of 9-1-1 calls are made from wireless phones
The presenter noted the location needed to be situated in a commercial or industrial
location but would still meet City of Southlake design criteria. Presenter said that the site
at 1610 Hart street is situated between two existing industrial buildings in the Hart
Industrial Park in a 20 foot by 60 foot space
Presenter mentioned the ground equipment would hidden from view from anyone
outside and the tower that would be standing up would be near tall trees which would
soften that view from the outside
The presenter mentioned the large tree buffer zone that already exists for the site on the
east side
Presenter referenced a photo simulation (attached below) that illustrated the potential
view of the tower from Tealwood Court and mentioned the existing tree line north of the
industrial park and the existing homes in the area cover a lot of the view
Presenter referenced a photo simulation (attached below) of a view from the Hart and
Brumlow intersection
Presented at SPIN:
QUESTIONS / CONCERNS:
Average telephone pole is about 40 feet, average 2-story house in the City is about 35
feet, your pole is going to be 120 feet, there will be about 60 feet of tower visible above
the trees that will be visible in the City skyline
Homes are a little more than 35 feet tall and whether you see the tower is in
o
relation to where you are. Simulations are based on an engineer’s calculations of
where they would be. If you were referencing the tower in relation to the existing
trees you would see 50-60 feet of the pole above the trees. If you are right next
to the trees they would hide the pole
Are you purchasing the property in between or will the owner of those two pieces of
property sublet the land to you so that then becomes a commercial investment for them?
This is a lease however the owner does have a participating position in this
o
development in that they receive a portion of subleases that might be on this. It is
a long-term, 30-year lease
So the tower is privately owned and leased to the FCC?
That is correct. The pole and the equipment are privately owned by Parallel
o
Infrastructure and their leasing the ground space from the property owner
Do you plan to meet with any of the home owners in Tealwood specifically or possibly
over off Warwick which is part of Timarron off of Brumlow?
The closest subdivision is Tealwood and it is my desire to meet with property
o
owners in the Tealwood Addition before the Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting
The only thing taller than about 40 feet right now are water towers and church steeples
so your pole changes some of the City skyline
There is an existing pole on East Continental that is taller than this pole
o
Is it a functional pole?
I contacted the site owner and was unable to determine that. Looked at the site
o
and was unable to determine whether the antennas were active antennas or old
ones
Have you located any other down areas in the Southlake area that you would propose
another pole in the future?
There are areas that have the same problem – this is the first one for Parallel
o
Infrastructure.
How far is the average pole cover in distance?
Our search areas are never larger than a quarter-mile radius.
o
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.