ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STAFF MEMO DATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2020 SUBJECT: AT&T WIRELESS MOBILITY FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY CONSISTING OF A FIFTY-FOUR FOOT (54’) TALL MONOPALM AND A VARIANCE TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM ANTENNA HEIGHT WITHIN THE INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT LOCATED AT 1097 EAST MURRAY CANYON DRIVE, ZONE W (CASE NO. 5.1486 CUP). (AP) FROM: Department of Planning Services SUMMARY This is a request for the Architectural Advisory Committee to consider the design for the installation and operation of a new wireless telecommunications facility. The proposal will consist of a new fifty-four (54’) foot tall monopalm antenna designed to resemble a palm tree. The monopalm will be surrounded by other existing palm trees within the Indian Canyons Golf Resort located at 1097 East Murray Canyon Drive. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend approval to the Planning Commission, subject to the applicant revising the design to a fan palm to be consistent with the existing landscape. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Field Check 02/10/ 2020 Staff visited the site to observe existing conditions. Neighborhood Notification 02/13/2020 Email sent to the following: Andreas Hills, Araby Commons, Araby Cove, Canyon Corridor, Canyon Palms, Indian Canyons, The Mesa, and Twin Palms. Most Recent Ownership 09/21/1959 Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Transcript
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STAFF MEMO
DATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2020 SUBJECT: AT&T WIRELESS MOBILITY FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO
CONSTRUCT A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY CONSISTING OF A FIFTY-FOUR FOOT (54’) TALL MONOPALM AND A VARIANCE TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM ANTENNA HEIGHT WITHIN THE INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT LOCATED AT 1097 EAST MURRAY CANYON DRIVE, ZONE W (CASE NO. 5.1486 CUP). (AP)
FROM: Department of Planning Services
SUMMARY This is a request for the Architectural Advisory Committee to consider the design for the installation and operation of a new wireless telecommunications facility. The proposal will consist of a new fifty-four (54’) foot tall monopalm antenna designed to resemble a palm tree. The monopalm will be surrounded by other existing palm trees within the Indian Canyons Golf Resort located at 1097 East Murray Canyon Drive. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend approval to the Planning Commission, subject to the applicant revising the design to a fan palm to be consistent with the existing landscape. BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Field Check
02/10/ 2020 Staff visited the site to observe existing conditions. Neighborhood Notification
02/13/2020 Email sent to the following: Andreas Hills, Araby Commons, Araby Cove, Canyon Corridor, Canyon Palms, Indian Canyons, The Mesa, and Twin Palms.
Most Recent Ownership
09/21/1959 Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Architectural Advisory Committee Staff Memorandum February 18, 2020 -- Page 2 Case Nos. 5.1486 CUP – AT&T – 1097 East Murray Canyon Drive DETAILS OF APPLICATION REQUEST: Table 1: General Plan and Zoning
Surrounding Property
Existing General Plan Designations
Existing Zoning Designation
Existing Land Use
Subject Site OS-P (Open Space – Park and recreation)
W (Watercourse) Indian Canyons Golf Resort
South OS-P (Open Space – Park and recreation) / ER – Estate Residential
R-1B (Single Family) Indian Canyons Golf Resort
East OS-P (Open Space – Park and recreation) / ER – Estate Residential
R-1B (Single Family) Indian Canyons Golf Resort
West ER – Estate Residential PD Canyon Heights North OS-P (Open Space – Park
and recreation) W (Watercourse) Indian Canyons Golf
Resort
Subject Site: 1097 East Murray Canyon Drive Yellow Star = location of proposed monopalm
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: AT&T Mobility has submitted an application for a Type II Conditional Use Permit. The applicant has secured a Letter of Authorization with the property owner to proceed with the Type II Conditional Use Permit application.
Architectural Advisory Committee Staff Memorandum February 18, 2020 -- Page 3 Case Nos. 5.1486 CUP – AT&T – 1097 East Murray Canyon Drive Table 2: Development Standards
Zoning Zone Proposed Use Permitted? W (Watercourse) Monopalm / Commercial
Communication Antennas Yes, proposed use allowed pursuant to Section 93.23.08 of Zoning Code.
Development Standards Proposed Requirement Compliance Height 54 feet 25 feet above the highest point
of the roof of the principal building, unless Variance is approved
No, Variance being
requested
Setback North 285 feet None Yes South 135 feet None Yes East 750 feet None Yes West 1900 feet None Yes
The project site is a developed golf course, which spans over 139 acres and consists of several parcels. The project site is located on a parcel that is approximately 25.82 acres in size with one maintenance building. The proposed wireless communication antenna will be designed as a monopalm, with a brown trunk and heavy foliage to camouflage the antenna. The monopalm will be located near the existing maintenance building and surrounding palm trees. The City has had success in requiring a monopalm to be surrounded by other palms to help “disguise” the structure. The monopalm will be accompanied by a 400-square foot equipment area located immediately adjacent to the proposed antenna. The equipment area will be easily serviced from a proposed non-exclusive service road, which takes access off Goldenrod Lane within the Indian Canyons Golf Resort community. The associated operating and support equipment will be housed in the equipment enclosure building, which is designed to match an adjacent maintenance building serving the golf course. Antenna Height Pursuant to Section 93.23.08 of the PSZC, the height and placement limitations of communication antennas within the Watercourse zone is required to comply with the provisions governing broadcast receiving antennas or Section 93.23(C)(2)(c)(iii) of the PSZC; according to this Section, “No part of the antenna structure shall extend to a height of more than twenty-five (25’) feet above the highest point of the roof of the principal building on the property.” The facility is permitted an antenna height of forty-three (43) feet. The height is determined by the eighteen (18) feet allowed in that zone, plus the additional twenty-five (25’) feet permitted by the Antenna Ordinance. Due to the proposed fifty-four (54’) foot antenna, a variance application is required. The applicant has submitted a variance application and has provided a propagation map to illustrate the need for the monopalm. Staff is recommending that the maximum height be fifty-four (54’) foot tall.
Architectural Advisory Committee Staff Memorandum February 18, 2020 -- Page 4 Case Nos. 5.1486 CUP – AT&T – 1097 East Murray Canyon Drive Architectural Review Criteria:
PSZC Section 94.04.00(D) requires an evaluation of the proposed development to determine if it will provide a desirable environment for its occupants, be compatible with the character of the adjacent and surrounding developments, and whether it is good composition, material, textures, and colors. Conformance shall be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Guidelines [PSZC 94.04.00(D)] Compliance 1. Site layout, orientation, location of structures and relationship to
one another and to open spaces and topography. Definition of pedestrian and vehicular areas; i.e., sidewalks as distinct from parking lot areas.
Yes
The proposed site is located in the south west portion of the Indian Canyons Golf Resort in an area with limited cell service. There will be no change to the pedestrian or vehicular circulation within the community.
2. Harmonious relationship with existing and proposed adjoining developments and in the context of the immediate neighborhood/community, avoiding both excessive variety and monotonous repetition, but allowing similarity of style, if warranted;
Yes
The new monopalm antenna will be designed as a palm tree with a brown trunk and heavy foliage. The proposed monopalm will resemble existing palm trees in the surrounding area. The antenna will provide increased coverage for an area currently underserved and will not be affected by inhibiting factors such as foliage and man-made structures.
3. Maximum height, area, setbacks and overall mass, as well as parts of any structure (buildings, walls, screens, towers or signs) and effective concealment of all mechanical equipment;
Yes with a Variance
The allowed height in this zone is eighteen (18’) feet. The PSZC allows an additional twenty-five (25’) feet for a total maximum antenna height of forty-three (43’) feet. The applicant is requesting a Variance for a monopalm at fifty-four (54’) feet to provide greater coverage. All equipment associated with the operation of the facility will be contained within a proposed 400-square foot enclosure. The proposed structure will be built to match the existing maintenance building in color, finish and height. All structures conform to the setbacks for the W zone designation.
4. Building design, materials and colors to be sympathetic with desert surroundings;
Yes
The monopalm will be designed as a palm tree to camouflage the
Department of Planning Services Vicinity Map
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
512-140-001
AT&T Mobility Radio Frequency Statement 1097 East Murray Canyon Drive, Palm Springs CA
AT&T has experienced an unprecedented increase in mobile data use on its network since the
release of the iPhone in 2007. AT&T estimates that since introduction of the iPhone in 2007, mobile data
usage has increased 470,000% on its network. AT&T forecasts its customers’ growing demand for mobile
data services to continue. The increased volume of data travels to and from customers’ wireless devices
and AT&T’s wireless infrastructure over limited airwaves — radio frequency spectrum that AT&T
licenses from the Federal Communications Commission.
Spectrum is a finite resource and there are a limited number of airwaves capable and available for
commercial use. Wireless carriers license those airwaves from the FCC. To ensure that service quality,
AT&T must knit together its spectrum assets to address customers’ existing usage and forecasted demand
for wireless services, and it must use its limited spectrum in an efficient manner.
AT&T uses high-band (i.e., 2300 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 1900 MHz) and low-band (i.e., 850 MHz
and 700 MHz) spectrum to provide wireless service. Each spectrum band has different propagation
characteristics and signal quality may vary due to noise or interference based on network characteristics at
a given location. To address this dynamic environment, AT&T deploys multiple layers of its licensed
spectrum and strives to bring its facilities closer to the customer. The proposed wireless communications
facility at 1097 East Murray Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA (the “Property”) is needed to close a
coverage gap in LTE service in an area roughly bordered by San Jose to the north, Canyon Circle to the
west, South Palm Canyon Drive and Bogert Trail to the south, and Toledo Avenue and Ridgemore Drive
to the east. This portion of Palm Springs includes hundreds of homes in several neighborhoods, Indian
Canyons Golf Resort and other points of interest in the immediate vicinity.
The service coverage gap is caused by inadequate infrastructure in the area. AT&T currently has
existing sites in the broader geographical area surrounding the Property but, as Exhibit 1 illustrates, these
existing sites do not provide sufficient LTE service in the gap area. To meet its coverage objectives,
AT&T needs to construct a new wireless communications facility. Wireless telecommunications is a line-
of-sight technology, and AT&T’s antennas need to be high enough propagate an effective signal
throughout the gap area. To meet its coverage objectives for this gap area, AT&T proposes antennas with
a centerline height of 50 feet above ground level. A reduced height of antennas is not feasible because
signals would be compromised due to density of nearby trees and the relative low ground elevation of the
site. Lower antenna height would prevent effective signals in all directions and especially to the
neighborhoods to the south and east where AT&T needs to provide service coverage. Denial of this
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proposed facility or a reduction in height would materially inhibit AT&T’s ability to provide and improve
wireless services in this portion of the city.
The facility at the Property will help to close the gap in coverage and help address rapidly
increasing data usage driven by smart phone and tablet usage. This site is part of an effort to fully deploy
4G LTE technology in the area. Specifically, the proposed facility will close this service coverage gap and
provide sufficient 4G LTE coverage for AT&T customers in the affected area. 4G LTE is capable of
delivering speeds up to 10 times faster than industry-average 3G speeds. LTE technology also offers
lower latency, or the processing time it takes to move data through a network, such as how long it takes to
start downloading a webpage or file once you’ve sent the request. Lower latency helps to improve the
quality of personal wireless services. What’s more, LTE uses spectrum more efficiently than other
technologies, creating more space to carry data traffic and services and to deliver a better overall network
experience.
It is important to understand that service problems can and do occur for customers even in
locations where the coverage maps on AT&T’s “Coverage Viewer” website appear to indicate that
coverage is available. As the legend to the Coverage Viewer maps indicates, these maps display
approximate coverage. Actual coverage in an area may differ from the website map graphics, and it may
be affected by such things as terrain, weather, network changes, foliage, buildings, construction, high-
usage periods, customer equipment, and other factors.
It is also important to note that the signal losses, slow data rates, and other service problems can
and do occur for customers even at times when certain other customers in the same vicinity may not
experience any problems on AT&T’s network. These problems can and do occur even when certain
customers’ wireless phones indicate coverage bars of signal strength on the handset. The bars of signal
strength that individual customers can see on their wireless phones are an imprecise and slow-to-update
estimate of service quality. In other words, a customer’s wireless phone can show coverage bars of signal
strength, but that customer will still, at times, be unable to initiate voice calls, complete calls, or download
data reliably and without service interruptions due to service quality issues.
To determine where equipment needs to be located for the provisioning of reliable service in any
area, AT&T’s radio frequency engineers rely on far more complex tools and data sources than just signal
strength from individual phones. AT&T uses industry standard propagation tools to identify the areas in
its network where signal strength is too weak to provide reliable in-building service quality. This
information is developed from many sources including terrain and clutter databases, which simulate the
environment, and propagation models that simulate signal propagation in the presence of terrain and
clutter variation. AT&T designs and builds its wireless network to ensure customers receive reliable in-
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building service quality. In-building service is critical as customers increasingly use their mobile phones
as their primary communication device (more than 72% of American households rely primarily or
exclusively on wireless telecommunications) and rely on their mobile phones to do more (E911, GPS,
web access, text, etc.). In fact, the FCC estimates that 70% of 911 calls are placed by people using
wireless phones.
The proposed facility at the Property is also a part of AT&T’s commitment to supporting public
safety through its partnership with FirstNet, the federal First Responder Network Authority. The proposed
facility will provide new service on Band 14, which is the dedicated public safety network for first
responders nationwide. The proposed facility is designed to be part of FirstNet and will provide coverage
and capacity for the deployment of the FirstNet platform on AT&T’s LTE network. Deployment of
FirstNet in the subject area will improve public safety by providing advanced communications
capabilities to assist public safety agencies and first responders.
Exhibit 1 to this Statement is a map of the existing LTE service coverage (without the proposed
installation at the Property) in the area at issue. It includes LTE service coverage provided by other
existing AT&T sites. The green shading shows areas within a signal strength range that provide reliable
service coverage. The yellow shaded areas depict areas within a signal strength range that provide
marginally reliable service coverage. The pink and white areas depict areas in which a customer might
have difficulty receiving a consistently acceptable level of service. The quality of service experienced by
any individual customer can differ greatly depending on whether that customer is indoors, outdoors,
stationary, or in transit. Any area in the pink or white category is considered inadequate service coverage
and constitutes a service coverage gap.
Exhibit 2 is a map that predicts LTE service coverage based on signal strength in the vicinity of
the Property if the proposed facility is constructed as proposed in the application. As shown by this map,
constructing the proposed facility at the Property closes this significant service coverage gap.
Exhibit 3 is a map that that predicts LTE service coverage based on signal strength in the vicinity
of the Property if antennas are placed at a reduced height of 40 feet. As shown by this map, reducing
antenna height significantly reduces the coverage that the site can attain, which would materially inhibit
AT&T from meeting its coverage objectives in this portion of the city. Specifically, it would fail to
provide consistently reliable service to many dozens of homes in neighborhoods throughout the gap area.
My conclusions are based on my knowledge of the Property and with AT&T’s wireless network,
as well as my review of AT&T’s records with respect to the Property and its wireless telecommunications
facilities in the surrounding area. I have a Bachelor Degree in Electronics and Communications from the
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Saint Louis University, and have worked as an engineering expert in the wireless communications
industry for more than 20 years.
__________________________________ Joel Boado AT&T Mobility Services LLC Network, Planning & Engineering RAN Design & RF Engineering September 2019
LTE Coverage Before site CSL06223
CSL06223
Exhibit 1
LTE Coverage After site CSL06223 at 50 feet
CSL06223
Exhibit 2
LTE Coverage After site CSL06223 at 40 feet
CSL06223
Exhibit 3
1452 EDINGER AVE., 3RD FLOOR
TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA 92780
NOT TO BE USED
FOR CONSTRUCTION
INFRASTRUCTURE
P A R T N E R S
2030 MAIN ST. SUITE 200
IRVINE, CA. 92614
9926 PIONEER BLVD. #105
SANTA FE SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 90670
T-1
VICINITY MAP
GENERAL CONTRACTOR NOTES
APPROVALS
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
THE FOLLOWING PARTIES HEREBY APPROVE AND ACCEPT THESE DOCUMENTS &
AUTHORIZE THE SUBCONTRACTOR TO PROCEED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION DESCRIBED
HEREIN. ALL DOCUMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE LOCAL BUILDING
DEPARTMENT & MAY IMPOSE CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS.
DISCIPLINE: SIGNATURE: DATE:
AT&T RF ENGINEER:
AT&T OPERATIONS:
SITE ACQUISITION:
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER:
PROPERTY OWNER:
ZONING VENDOR:
PROJECT MANAGER:
SUBCONTRACTOR SHALL VERIFY ALL PLANS & EXISTING DIMENSIONS & CONDITIONS ON
THE JOB SITE & SHALL IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE ENGINEER IN WRITING OF ANY
DISCREPANCIES BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE WORK OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAME.
GENERAL NOTES
THE FACILITY IS UNMANNED AND NOT FOR HUMAN HABITATION. A TECHNICIAN WILL VISIT
THE SITE AS REQUIRED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE PROJECT WILL NOT RESULT IN
ANY SIGNIFICANT DISTURBANCE OR EFFECT ON DRAINAGE; NO SANITARY SEWER
SERVICE, POTABLE WATER, OR TRASH DISPOSAL IS REQUIRED AND NO COMMERCIAL
SIGNAGE IS PROPOSED.
Your world. Delivered
LOCAL MAP
PROJECT TEAM
CODE COMPLIANCE
SITE INFORMATION
DRAWING INDEX
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SITE
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
SITE NUMBER: CSL06223SITE NAME: AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
FA#: 13025562 / USID#: 2486471097 EAST MURRAY CANYON DR.
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 92264COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
1. 2016 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
2. 2016 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
ADOPTED 2014 NEC
3. 2016 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
4. 2016 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE
5. 2016 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE
6. 2016 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE
7. COUNTY COASTAL ZONE LAND USE
ORDINANCE-TITLE 23
8. COUNTY FIRE CODE ORDINANCE - TITLE 16
9. COUNTY LAND USE ORDINANCE - TITLE 22
10.COUNTY BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
ORDINANCE - TITLE 19
ALL WORKS AND MATERIALS SHALL BE PERFORMED AND INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE CURRENT EDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING CODES AS ADOPTED BY THE LOCAL
GOVERNING AUTHORITIES. NOTHING IN THESE PLANS IS TO BE CONSTRUED TO PERMIT
WORK NOT CONFORMING TO THE LATEST EDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING CODES.
