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Planning commission denies plat waiver for Yorktown cell-tower site, citing water-line continuity concerns
Summary
The commission voted to deny a plat waiver request that would have allowed a final plat for a cell tower parcel without constructing a required water main and hydrant across the property's frontage. Staff and commissioners debated future CIP projects, hydrant spacing and who would bear the cost if the waiver were granted.
The City Planning Commission denied a plat-waiver request for a Yorktown property that would have exempted the applicant from constructing a required water main and fire hydrant across the parcel's frontage. The motion to deny passed on a voice vote after discussion of infrastructure continuity and future capital-improvement projects.
Bria Whitmire, Development Services engineer, explained the request was limited to a corner parcel being finalized to host a cell tower and that the remaining 4.888-acre remainder would be finalized later. Whitmire said the waiver would allow the developer to avoid installing a water line extension and hydrant that otherwise would be required as part of a final plat.
Whitmire told the commission a 42-inch transmission main runs along the south side of Yorktown and that an 6-inch line and a newly installed hydrant are already present at the northwest corner of the property. She said extending an unused dead-end line across the frontage for a cell tower "would be more of a hazard than an assist" until a future use required it, and staff noted the area is included in a planned CIP project to extend more permanent infrastructure.
Several commissioners raised concerns about shifting the burden for constructing the water line and hydrant to neighboring property owners or to taxpayers if the city ultimately provides the extension through a CIP project. Commissioners also discussed fire-protection spacing rules (300 feet) and noted an existing hydrant was roughly 230 feet from the tower parcel's corner.
An attorney for the applicant, Ralph Weingarten of Falk and Foster, spoke for the applicant and said he was available to answer questions during the public hearing.
Outcome: A motion to deny the plat waiver passed by voice vote. Commissioners stated that, if the waiver were denied, the applicant would be required to construct the water line and hydrant across the frontage as a condition of final platting, which would shorten the length required by a future CIP project.
Ending: The commission closed the public hearing and moved to the director's report; staff noted the city remains responsible for coordinating CIP design near the 42-inch transmission main and for ensuring any future public improvements meet spacing and safety requirements.
