[RP TownTalk] May 23 M-UTC Meeting Report

[Alice Ewen Walker]

The M-UTC Design Review Committee has received only one application
for its May 23 meeting, for a minor project involving an antenna for
T-Mobile. The staff report is provided below for those interested.

- Alice Ewen Walker


Riverdale Park M-U-TC Application – 2007-001

Subject:    T- Mobile – co-located attenna at 6313 Rhode Island Avenue


Location:   6313 Rhode Island Avenue

Size:    Approximately .72 acres

Existing Uses: communications monopole antenna and equipment shelter

Proposal:   co-located antenna.


GENERAL PLAN, MASTER PLAN AND SMA


2002 General Plan: Developed Tier

Master Plan: Planning Area 68 Master Plan/Riverdale Park
Mixed-Use-Town Center Plan

Planning Area/
          Community: PA 68/Riverdale Park.

Land Use: The Riverdale Park Mixed-use-Town Center Plan makes no
specific development proposal in addition to the uses that are
permitted via the use table.  However, page 28, Applicability provides
that the design standards apply to all new development and
improvements on properties located within the M-U-TC Zone.

Environmental: No environmental issues.

Historic Resources: No historic resources.

Transportation: Access to the subject site occurs via Rhode Island Avenue.

Public Facilities:   No public facilities issues.

Parks & Trails:   Rhode Island Avenue is identified as a proposed bikeway
SMA/Zoning:  Riverdale Park M-U-TC

PLANNING ISSUES


Since a freestanding tower pole, or antenna for commercial or non
commercial purposes, not exceeding 100 feet above ground level is
permitted in the M-U-TC, and since the subject tower pole to which the
requested antenna is 99 feet and one inch in overall height, and since
an antenna extending 15 feet above the pole is permitted, this use is
permitted by right in the M-U-TC Zone. (Page 77- Use Table).

Since T-Mobile is increasing the gross floor area by less than 250
s.f. ) the proposed equipment shelter is permitted by right. Thus,
this site is exempt from the full or partial review for conformance
with the design standards. (Page 29 – Additions of Less than 250 s.f.
in gross floor area).

Nevertheless, T-Mobile is providing a board on board fence to screen
the equipment shelter and is providing landscaping to soften the site
in an effort to reflect a sense of human scale per the vision of the
Riverdale Park M-U-TC Plan.


Alice Ewen Walker
M-UTC Zoning Design Review Committee Chair