1995-072CITY OF ENCINITAS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
505 So. Vulcan Avenue
Encinitas, CA 92024
(619) 633-2710
NOTICE OF DECISION
DCD-95-72
October 24, 1995
This letter is to inform you that the Director of Community Development has approved your application
for:
95-256 ADR (Pacific Bell Mobile Services) - Administrative Design Review to allow for the
installation of a Personal Communications Services (PCS) panel antenna facility on top of an
existing motel building, for the property located at 607 Leucadia Blvd. (APN 256-122-21, 60,
61).
Project Description and Discussion:
The applicant proposes to install six (6) Personal Communications Services panel antennas and
two (2) radio equipment cabinets (BTS Units) on the roof of the "Holiday Express" motel,
located on the south-east corner of Leucadia Blvd. and Interstate-5. The six panel antennas will
be mounted on 10' tall, 3" diameter poles on the roof of the existing elevator tower (see
approved plans sheet A-3, dated 9/28/95). The proposed panel antennas will be completely
enclosed on four sides in the proposed 10' screen, which will be an extension of the existing
elevator tower wall that will be painted to match the existing tower.
The panels are approximately 6' wide, 53" tall and 3" deep and the radio equipment cabinets are
approximately 62" tall, 52" wide and 28" deep. The equipment cabinets will be constructed of
an all weather metal, and will be completely enclosed for security. The applicant has provided
project plans which indicate the equipment cabinets being located at the center portion of the
building on the east side will not be visible from ground level since the cabinets will be behind
the existing parapet.
The site is located within the Scenic Corridor Overlay Zone contained in Section 30.34.080 of
the Municipal Code, and requires that the review include consideration of visual preservation
and screening. Staff has visited the project site and surrounding area, including analyzing the
view impacts from both directions of travel from adjacent Interstate 5, and a determination has
been made that the proposed matching enclosure and existing parapet wall on the building serve
to provide adequate screening. The radio equipment will be fully enclosed in two metal cabinets.
The cabinets will not be visible from the ground level as they will be located behind the existing
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parapet wall which projects higher than the proposed cabinets, serving as a screen for the
cabinets. The antennas will not be visible as they will be fully enclosed in the extended elevator
tower. Although the elevator tower is proposed to be extended 10', it is determined that the
extension is not a visual disturbance but will serve as an architectural feature used to house the
antennas and mitigate any visual impact. It is staffs determination that the proposed project
does preserve significant views as required by the Scenic Corridor Overlay Zone based on the
project plans submitted to the City dated September 28, 1995.
Previous case nos. 94-051DR (Airtouch) and 94-139DR (Nextel Communications) have
approved multiple antenna facilities on the southerly and northerly portions of the building.
This approval is based upon the following findings, pursuant to Chapter 23.08 (Design Review) of the
City of Encinitas Municipal Code:
Design Review:
Municipal Code Sections 23.08.074, 076, 077 (site and building design and landscaping) are
satisfied in that the proposed project will have minimal impact on surrounding views due to the
fact that the antenna mounting and panels will be fully screened in a painted enclosure which
will extend from the existing elevator tower located on the center portion and east side of the
three-story building that will match the existing building exterior. The radio equipment will not
be visible from the ground level or impact surrounding views as it will be fully screened in two
metal cabinets located behind the existing parapet wall which projects higher than the proposed
cabinets, serving as a screen for the cabinets. Initially, one cabinet will be installed, and the
second will follow as demand increases.
Therefore, the proposed project will result in limited visual impacts to the surrounding area due
to the radio equipment being fully enclosed in metal cabinets, the motel's existing parapet
screening the cabinets, and the proposed enclosure of the panels extending from the existing
elevator tower.
The applicant proposes no other changes to the building or project site.
The public notification resulted in no comments or inquiries regarding the project.
The project is found to be exempt from Environmental Review, as per CEQA Guidelines
15301(e) & 15061.
The project is found to be exempt from Coastal Development Permit, as per Municipal Code
Section 30.80.050.
This approval is subject to the following conditions:
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1. This Design Review approval shall expire October 25, 1996, two years from the date of this
approval, unless activity is initiated or building permits are obtained in reliance upon this
approval.
2. The approved project shall conform to the application and plans submitted to the City and dated
received on September 28, 1995, and shall not be modified without prior City approval.
3. No additional antenna mountings or panels may be installed at the subject location without City
review and approval.
In accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Code, this decision may be appealed to the City
Council within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of this determination. This notice constitutes a
decision of the Community Development Department only. Additional permits, including Building
Permits, may be required by the Building Department or other City Departments. It is the property
owner's responsibility to obtain all necessary permits required for the type of project proposed.
If you have any questions regarding this determination, please contact Patty Anders at the Community
Development Department by telephoning (619) 633-2719.
Sandra Holder
Community Development Director
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