Title
Use Permit Application No. 17-00014 is a request to permit the operation of a commercial communications tower at 332 Rip Rap Road LRSN 13004594
Purpose
Background Statement:
Use Permit Application No. 17-00014 is a request to permit the operation of a commercial communications tower at 332 Rip Rap Road [LRSN: 13004594], which is on the west side of Rip Rap Road, near the Interstate 64 Rip Rap Road exit ramp. The subject property contains approximately 0.49+ acres. The applicant is proposing to construct and operate a commercial communication tower (monopole) that can accommodate at least three (3) users or cell phone carriers. The proposed tower has an overall height of 125’ (120’ structure plus a 5’ lighting rod), along with the associated ground equipment for utilities. The tower will be located within a 1,849+ SF compound and made out of galvanized steel. The communication tower compound will be gated with a fence no more than eight (8’) feet tall and landscaped with a combination of evergreen trees and shrubs for proper screening. The compound will be unmanned with infrequent site visits completed by technicians for maintenance purposes. The communications tower will not emit any odors or produce a glare from lighting.
As part of this use permit application, the applicant submitted propagation maps, which are maps that use the location of existing communication towers with mobile telecommunications and data coverage availability to illustrate the existing gaps in coverage. The applicant is proposing this communication tower because of data coverage gaps that exist in the vicinity of the subject parcel. Please see the maps in the package for more detail.
The property is currently zoned Heavy Manufacturing (M-3) and is covered by the Flood Zone Overlay (O-FZ) (X, X500). Per the Hampton Zoning Ordinance, both zoning districts allow for a commercial communications tower with a use permit. The Hampton Zoning Ordinance, Section 3-3 (34) includes use per...
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