P&Z recommends Heritage Ranch PD amendment to allow 35-foot monopole with flood-elevation condition

The Fairview Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 10 recommended approval of an amendment to the Heritage Ranch planned development to allow a telecommunications monopole on a 75-by-75-foot leased pad within the PD. Planning staff said the monopole would be 30 feet with a 5-foot lightning rod (35 feet to the top) and that the amendment approach avoids a separate rezoning or conditional-use permit.

Planning staff (identified in the transcript as Israel) told commissioners the site sits near Ore Road and the Heritage Ranch Golf Course and that town telecommunications rules date from 1998. Staff said the parcel falls in a floodway and therefore recommended an added condition requiring the equipment cabinet and platform to be raised above the base flood elevation plus freeboard; staff said final heights and fence design would follow FEMA and FAA permitting.

The applicant explained the project is a 'fill-in' coverage effort driven by repeated resident complaints in Heritage Ranch and demonstrated coverage 'before-and-after' LTE maps and a series of 30-foot balloon photos taken from multiple vantage points. "This fixes that enormous gap," the applicant said, describing the coverage benefit to residents east of town. Reid Ward, who identified himself as "on the board of directors at Heritage Ranch," told the commission residents have struggled with service and said the applicant "has been great to work with."

Commissioners pressed the applicant on floodplain design, asking whether fences and equipment would be raised with the platform so they would not obstruct flow or be vulnerable to debris; the applicant said final design would follow FEMA guidance and that some fence solutions (for example 'flow-safe' fencing) may be required. Staff also noted FAA review will be necessary because the site lies near a local runway approach; staff did not expect the 35-foot height to trigger painted/lighting requirements but said FAA and the town's review will govern final lighting.

A motion to recommend approval — expressly including the staff’s minimum-elevation condition for the platform to meet FEMA requirements — passed by voice vote. The commission's recommendation will be sent to the council with the added condition that the platform and equipment comply with FEMA/FAA permits and any design modifications required by those agencies.

Next steps include drafting the ordinance that would limit the amendment to the identified parcel within the Heritage Ranch PD, FAA and FEMA permitting by the applicant, and any final plan adjustments required by the town's engineering review.