HomeMy Public PortalAbout2 Rosary Drive PB ReportTOWN OF WATERTOWN
Department of
Community Development and Planning
PLANNING BOARD
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972.6417
Fax: 617-972-6484
www.watertown-ma.gov
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
Board Members:
John B. Hawes, Jr., Chairman
Linda Tuttle -Barletta
Jeffrey W. Brown
Fergal Brennock
Neal Corbett
On June 13, 2012 with five (5) members of the Planning Board (the Board) present, case
number ZBA-2012-15 ASP/ASPF was considered for an Amendment to a Special Permit &
Special Permit Finding to be heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals on June 27, 2012. The
Board submits the following report, as requested, to aid the Zoning Board of Appeals in
deciding the application before it.
Case #:
Subject Property:
Parcel ID:
Zoning District:
Petitioner:
Address of Petitioner:
Owner:
Zoning Relief Sought:
Special Permit Granting Authority:
Date of Staff Report(s):
Staff Recommendation:
Date of Planning Board Meeting:
Planning Board Recommendation:
Date of ZBA Meeting:
ZBA-2012-15-ASP/ASPF
2 Rosary Drive, Watertown, MA
160-3-2427
CR (Cluster Residential) Zoning District
Sprint Spectrum, LP.
c/o Prince Lobel Tye LLP, 100 Cambridge St, Suite
2200, Boston, MA. 02114
MetroWest Collaborative Developers, 63 Mt. Auburn St,
Watertown, MA
Amendment to #99-46-SP/SPF
§5.13 Wireless Telecommunication Facilities
Zoning Board of Appeals
June 8, 2012
Conditional Approval
June 13, 2012
Conditional Approval (Vote 5-0)
Scheduled June 27, 2012
2 Rosary Drive
ZBA-2012-15
June 19, 2012
Planning Board Report
L PUBLIC NOTICE (M.G.L. C. 40A, 11)
"2 Rosary Drive — Amendment to Special Permit and Special Permit Finding
Sprint Spectrum, L.P., c/o Brian Grossman, Esq., Prince Lobel Tye LLP, 100 Cambridge Street,
Suite 2200, Boston, MA 02114, herein requests the Zoning Board of Appeals to grant an
Amendment to Special Permit/Finding #99-46 to modify an existing rooftop wireless
telecommunications facility by replacing 6 existing panel antennas and 2 equipment cabinets with
3 new panel antennas, 6 new remote radio heads, and 3 new equipment cabinets. CR (Cluster
Residential) Zoning District"
II. DESCRIPTION
A. Nature of the Request
The Petitioner requests an Amendment to ZBA case #99-46 (Special Permit/Special Permit
Finding) filed on April 15, 2004 as modified by new control plans on November 28, 2007 and
further amended on April 28, 2010 so as to permit the modification of an existing wireless
telecommunication facility.
• Remove 3 existing panel antennas and replacing them with 3 new panel antennas
• Install 6 RRH (remote radio heads) units
• Replace existing GPS antenna
• Replace existing equipment cabinet with a new equipment cabinet
The modification is part of Sprint Nextel's plans to modernize and upgrade its network including
its first 4th generation ("4G") nationwide broadband mobile network to provide high speed
internet access.
B. Site Characteristics
The subject property is St. Joseph's Hall, a four story
former school building located on an eight acre site of
the former Rosary Literary Society of St. Catharine of
Siena. The building was converted into 29 rental
residential units of elderly housing in 1987. Two existing
wireless facilities are located on the building with their
associated equipment located in 3 faux chimneys as well
as facade mounted.
C. Land Use
East View of St. Joseph Hall
Located in a Cluster Residential Zone, the building shares the former campus with townhouse
style condominiums. The site abuts a Two -Family (T) Zone and an R.75 Zone and is surrounded
by a variety of residential uses including those operated by the Watertown Housing Authority.
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2 Rosary Drive
ZBA-2012-15
June 19, 2012
Planning Board Report
D. Relevant Permitting History
April 14, 2004: #99-46SP — Special Permit (Sprint)
Insta11 2 facade mounted antenna arrays and 1 ballast mounted antenna array within a 16"
fiberglass canister (faux flue) and equipment cabinets.
November 28, 2007: Modification of Control Plans (Sprint PCS & Nextel)
Replacement of existing Sprint antennas with new "dual pole -dual band" antennas that would
service both Sprint and Nextel customers. Relocate one existing cabinet and install 2 additional
cabinets.
April 28, 2010: #10-09ASP/ASPF-Amendment to Special Permit #99-46 (Clear Wireless)
• Add three (3) "Wimax" panel antennas, two (2) facade mounted next to existing facade
mounted panel antennas. The third antenna mounted inside a faux chimney which
replaced a faux flue.
• Install four (4) "Backhaul" dish antennas. The 2 feet in diameter dishes mounted within
two proposed faux chimneys.
• One (1) new GPS antenna and one (1) DAP radio mounted on the parapet wall.
• One (1) rooftop equipment cabinet mounted on the existing steel equipment frame.
III. FINDINGS
A. Amendment to Special Permit
The proposal was reviewed for compliance with the criteria for wireless telecommunication
facility outlined in §5.13(a) of the WZO as well as the conditions for approval of a Special Permit
as outlined in §9.05 of the WZO, which are as follows:
5.13(a) Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
The wireless telecommunications facility must:
1. Be located within one of the following zoning districts: CB, LB, I-1, 1-2, 1-3, & CR.
Met: This modified wireless facility is in the CR district and meets this condition.
2. Not be located on a structure containing residences nor within 50 feet of a residential
zone or any structure containing a residential use.
Met: The existing facility is on a residential building for which approval was granted for
#99-46 SP/SPF.
3. In the case of an antenna mounted on a building or structure, not extend more than (15)
fifteen feet about the height of such structure or building.
Met: The modified facility will not extend 15 feet above the height of the building.
4. In the case of a tower, not exceed the height allowed in the zoning district.
Not Applicable.
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2 Rosary Drive
ZBA-2012-15
June 19, 2012
Planning Board Report
5. Be fully concealed or camouflaged, i.e. disguised, shielded, hidden, or made to appear as
an architectural component of an existing or proposed structure.
Met: The replaced facade mounted panel antennas would be visible, as is the case with the
existing facade mounted antennas, however they are not visible from the main entrance. The
replaced ballast mounted antenna would be located within one of the existing faux chimneys.
49.05 Conditions for approval of a Special Permit
1. The specific site is an appropriate location for such a use, structure or condition.
Met: The site is located within the CR (Cluster Residential) district, which permits the use. The
use is already in existence and was found to be an appropriate location when the previous Special
Permit was granted.
2. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood.
Met: The existing wireless facility has not been found to have adversely affected the
neighborhood. The proposed modifications would not change the use.
3. There will be no nuisance or serious hazard to vehicles or pedestrians.
Met: The existing wireless facility has not been found to have caused a nuisance or serious
hazard to vehicles or pedestrians. The proposed modifications are not expected to generate any
significant traffic as it is an unmanned facility and will be serviced approximately one to two
times per month.
4. Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the
proposed use.
Met: Adequate and appropriate facilities are provided through existing utilities (electrical and
telephone service) for the proper operation of the proposed use. The facilities will be inspected
monthly to ensure it remains in good working order and in compliance with all applicable local,
state, and federal laws.
Amendment to Special Permit Finding §4.06(a)
In accordance with §4.06(a), pre-existing non -conforming structures or buildings may be
extended or altered provided that the Board makes the finding under §4.06(a) that "such
change, extension or alteration shall not be substantially more detrimental than the existing
non -conforming use, structure or building to the neighborhood."
The proposal to replace existing antennas with new antennas would not create any significant
noticeable changes and therefore would not be substantially more detrimental than the existing
installation.
4
2 Rosary Drive
ZBA-2012-15
June 19, 2012
Planning Board Report
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
Planning Staff received email comments from one member of the community who had questions
regarding the RF output. At the Planning Board meeting, the attorney representing Sprint stated
that there would be a slight increase, but it would be de minimus and well within the legal limits.
V. RECOMMENDATIONS
Planning Staff and Planning Board (voting 5-0) recommend conditional approval of the requested
Amendment to #99-46-SP/SPF as it meets the necessary criteria set forth in the in the Watertown
Zoning Ordinance. The Conditions of approval including timeframes for compliance are listed in
the table below.
VI. CONDITIONS:
#
Condition
Compliance
Timeframe
Verified
by:
1.
Approval is for the modification of Sprint's existing wireless facility.
The Control Plans shall be: the plan set entitled "Sprint Vision St.
Joseph's Hall BS23XC359 2 Rosary Drive Watertown, MA 02472
Middlesex County" Title Sheet, T-1; General Notes, GN-1; General
Notes & Structural Design Parameters, GN-2; Plot Plan, C-1; Rooftop
Plan & Elevation, A-1; Antenna Scenario & RF System Schedule, A-2;
Equipment Details, A-3; Structural Details, S-1; Electrical Notes &
Riser Diagram, E-1; Antenna Wiring Diagram, E-3; all dated 1/25/12
issued for review and final revision date 4/10/12 and prepared by EBI
Consulting.
BP,
Perpetual
ZEO/
ISD
2.
The Petitioner shall ensure that the color and texture of the facade
mounted antennas will match that portion of the building to which it is
mounted..
Prior to
Building
Permit
Signoff
ZEO/
Planning
3.
Neither the Petitioner nor any present or future owner of any interest in
the project shall change or modify either the control plans referenced in
this decision, or the project itself, without first filing a formal request
with the DCD&P, Zoning Enforcement Officer, and Building Inspector,
for an opinion as to whether or not such change or modification requires
further review from the Granting Authority. Minor modifications, which
are found to be consistent with the project approval granted by the
Granting Authority, may be considered and approved by DCD&P
Director.
CO
ZEO/
ISD
4.
Upon application for a Building Permit, the Petitioner shall provide
evidence to the Zoning Enforcement Officer that this entire decision has
been filed with the Registry of Deeds.
BP
ZEO
5
The Petitioner shall comply with all other applicable local, state, and
federal requirements, ordinances, and statutes.
CO
ZEO/
ISD
6.
A copy of the Building Permit with final approval signatures from all
relevant inspectors must be submitted to the Zoning Enforcement
Officer upon completion of the project; and
CO
ZEO
5
2 Rosary Drive
ZBA-2012-15
June 19, 2012
Planning Board Report
#
Condition
Compliance
Timeframe
Verified
by:
The petitioner shall maintain the antennas and appurtenant facilities in7.
good condition at all times and shall inspect them on a regular basis.
Perpetual
ZEO
8.
The petitioner will be subject to Section 5.13(b) of the Ordinances of the
Town of Watertown regarding Removal of Abandoned Facilities.
Perpetual
ZEO
9.
The petitioner shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local
requirements with respect to its operation of the wireless communication
facility.
Perpetual
ZEO
10.
There shall be no signs posted at the wireless communication facility,
except for the required signs identifying the facility, the operator, and an
emergency telephone number where the operator can be reached at any
time.
perpetual
ZEO
11.
In accordance with WZO §9.13, a special permit granted under §9.04
shall lapse one year from the date of grant thereof if substantial use
thereof has not sooner commenced except for good cause, or, in the case
of a permit for construction, if the construction has not begun by such
date except for good cause, or as allowed by applicable State or Federal
law.
Perpetual
ZEO
12.
All conditions of the original #99-46 SP/SPF (and 11/28/07
modification) and of the amendment #10-11 ASP shall remain in full
force.
Perpetual
ZEO
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2 Rosary Locator