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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUP20-0001_Project_Narrative1.Introduction: Verizon Wireless proposes a new wireless facility at 4338 Shorthorn Dr. Chico, CA. This facility will enhance and expand the Verizon Wireless network in order to improve communications service for its existing and prospective customers. The facility is located in the City of Chico, on the parcel of an open grassy property as the landlord is a rancher. This project has been designed to provide additional capacity offload and to fix ROOT issues in the area. This site is located in an area that is primarily residential, and the height of the structure will allow wireless coverage to the surrounding area. In 2019, Verizon Wireless identified a wireless need in the northwestern community of Chico and began to pursue a location for a new unmanned wireless facility. Due to heavy demand for wireless voice and data from the surrounding agricultural and residential areas of western Chico, the community and Verizon Wireless subscribers require both improved wireless coverage and capacity. There is a significant gap in wireless coverage in Chico and the surrounding areas. We have chosen a macro cell site to provide this service due to the size of the area needing to be improved and need for emergency backup power due to fire danger in the area. The new site will also help offload the existing cell sites in the Chico area. These existing sites are currently at maximum capacity where service starts to degrade and cannot effectively provide service for the data traffic demand in the area it covers. The significant gap in coverage/ capacity includes primarily agricultural and residential neighborhoods, as well as some commercial operations. Based on a comprehensive search of available sites and after careful location analysis, Verizon Wireless has concluded that the site at APN 047-600-008 constitutes the most effective location to meet the coverage and capacity needs. It is also a less intrusive alternative to meet local demand based on the guidelines set forth in the County of Butte Telecom Ordinance Section (the "Code"). Through this process four site alternatives were reviewed and deemed less feasible or favorable based upon zoning limitations, engineering analysis, or other limiting variables. After comparing all available site placement options, Verizon Wireless proposes a stealth communications facility on the raw land of the William Lewis parcel. This parcel represents the only remaining feasible site which meets the Code requirements, as well as the coverage and capacity needs of the citizens and emergency service providers of the City of Chico. 2.Coverage/Capacity Gap: Verizon Wireless Performance Engineers have determined that there is a significant gap in coverage and capacity in Chico. This cell site project's primary objectives are to provide Operational Statement Proposed Verizon Wireless Facility “Keefer” 4338 SHORTHORN DR. CHICO, CA 95973 APN: 047-600-007 improved coverage and capacity in the agricultural and residential areas of Chio, where the existing capacity is not adequate to handle increasing use. This area suffers from poor 4G voice service with minimal service inside the homes in the area. Verizon's proposed new site will provide the capacity, coverage, and high-speed data required to support the residents of the area. With the combination of weak signal and need to provide additional capacity to the area, the site at APN 047-600-008 fixes both with minimal impact to the area. ϯ͘Aesthetics: Verizon Wireless proposes to install a new 90’ faux pine tree communications facility in the parcel of the existing ranch/farm. The area is residential in both zoning and use, and the surroundingaesthetics include open land with residential structures as small parts of those surrounding parcels. The ChicoMunicipal Airport is ~2.4 miles from the site, but will not be affected by the proposed project. Verizon isproposing a 25'0" x 25'0" lease area with outdoor equipment cabinets, surrounded by an 8' tall chainlink fence. ϰ͘Public Safety and Community Benefits: Wireless Communication has become increasingly important way of life and a way of conducting business. With the increase use of “smart phones”, data speeds have become increasingly important to Verizon's customers. Verizon's customers rely on smart phones and devices to have immediate access to make phone calls, text, email, and access the Internet wherever they are. Wireless Devices, such as cell phones, have become a common tool used to contact public safety personnel and loved ones in the event of a crisis. Having increased wireless service in this area will benefit those in emergency situations to reach out for help. ϱ͘Project Location Zoning and Setbacks: This site is located within the jurisdiction of the City of Chico and is zoned ^ZͲϭŝŶƚŚĞŶŽƌƚŚŚŝĐŽƐƉĞĐŝĨŝĐƉůĂŶǁŝƚŚŝŶƚŚĞs>ZͲsĞƌLJ>ŽǁĞŶƐŝƚLJZĞƐŝĚĞŶƚŝĂůƉůĂŶĂŶĚnjŽŶŝŶŐ͘ The property setback requirements are 1:1 from all sides, based on the proposed height.This project has been designed to comply with the setback requirements. The proposed faux pine tree heightis 90', which fits within Butte County's design requirements of meeting and matching the surrounding structuresand features. The requested height of 90' is necessary to provide offload capacity to the core of Chico andcoverage to surrounding residential neighborhoods, shopping centers and offices. Many other locations in thesurrounding search area were investigated and vetted by Verizon engineers and SAC Wireless. These propertieswere no longer pursued for myriad of reasons, some which included lack of landlord consent, the parcel beingunable to meet setback requirements, being too close to the airport and the location not being able toadequately provide service to the area in question. ϲ͘Co-location Opportunities: Verizon Wireless is aware that Butte County does prefer co-locations and Verizon Wireless is willing to allow other service providers to co-locate antennas on this watertank where technically possible, economically feasible, and aesthetically desirable. Verizon also investigated all opportunities to co- locate on existing structures. There are currently no co-location opportunities that would fit Verizon's engineers requests of off-loading and providing further service. Once a significant coverage/capacity gap is determined, Verizon Wireless seeks to identify a site that will provide a solution through the "least intrusive means" based upon Verizon Wireless's experience designing similar facilities and working within local regulations. In addition to seeking the "least intrusive" alternative, sites proposed by Verizon Wireless must be feasible. In this regard, Verizon Wireless reviews the topography, radio frequency propagation, elevation, height, available electrical and telephone utilities, access, and other critical factors such as a willing landlord in completing its site analysis. Wherever feasible, Verizon Wireless seeks to identify collocation opportunities that allow placement of wireless facilities with minimal impacts. Verizon Wireless investigated collocation facilities but did not find any existing towers in the coverage gap area. The next best option was to find a suitable site where Verizon's location could be stealthed against the surrounding areas. Verizon was able to locate land on an agricultural estate property to build a site with sufficient height needed to meet the coverage need while simultaneously fitting with the character and surroundings of the area. Per the Code, this new site build requires a MUP (MUP) since it is classified as a new telecommunications facility. The new site build will also be submitted to the Chico Municipal Airport Commission for review as it is in compatibility Zone B. As collocation of facilities is generally preferred, Verizon Wireless first searched for collocation sites which could meet the needs of the coverage and capacity gap. With no existing wireless towers available to co-locate, Verizon surveyed the coverage/ capacity gap area for available building and ground sites for a new wireless facility. Verizon pursued two potentially viable candidates, including the Lewis Family Trust property site at APN 047-600-008. The "KEEFER" site was chosen as the preferred location because it had the best location for wireless reach, appropriate height for coverage, and the least construction concerns. Verizon has a lease in place with William Lewis of the Lewis Family Trust and will move directly to construction once zoning is approved. 7.Security and Emergency Measures: To provide security for this wireless facility, all equipment will be enclosed by a chainlink fence. Verizon Wireless will also be installing a backup generator. 8.Visitors to Site: A technician will visit the site approximately once a month to check the facility and perform any necessary maintenance. 9.Compliance with FCC Standards: This project will comply with all FCC rules and regulations and will be in accordance to Verizon Wireless’ FCC License to operate radio frequencies. 10.Construction: Verizon Wireless will comply with all applicable regulations regarding the construction of the proposed site. 11.Conclusion: Over the last year, Verizon Wireless has pursued 2 other potential alternatives to the site at the Keefer property within the identified significant coverage/capacity gap. Each alternative was carefully reviewed and deemed infeasible due to poor radio frequency coverage, landlord concerns such as overgrown thicket, farm animal relocation requirements and air space encroachment as detailed in this report. Based on this thorough analysis and evaluation, Verizon Wireless concludes that the proposed stealth wireless communication tower at APN 047-600-008 is the most effective, not intrusive and most easily constructible site available to address the significant gap in coverage/capacity, the community's wireless needs and the need for emergency backup power due to fire danger in this area. This site also represents the best possible candidate based on its stealthed agricultural/residental visual impact, distance from neighboring residential properties, ease of access, and ease of construction.