2021-28 - EGAAW
NOTICE OF DECISION
:u 'Enc'initas
Development Services Department
DEVELOPMEN r SERVICES DEPARTMEN r
Project Name:
T-Mobile Wireless upgrades on existing park light tower
Request:
Substantial Conformance Determination with Case No. 03-
223 MUP/CDP (Resolution No. PC 2004-17), approved by
the City of Encinitas Planning Commission on May 6, 2004
to allow change out of antennas, radios and equipment
within an existing vaulted equipment enclosure on an
existing wireless telecommunications facility.
Discretionary Action:
Substantial Conformance (SUBC)
CEQA Determination:
EXEMPT
DECISION:
APPROVED
Project Number:
SUBC-004567-2021
DSD Number:
2021-28
Location:
1661 Lake Drive
Community:
New Encinitas
APN:
APNs: 260-430-12, -13, -14, -15, -65
Applicant:
T-Mobile
Representative:
Jill Cleveland, Plancom Inc.
Project Planner:
Todd Mierau, Associate Planner,
tmierau _enciitascae ov
Decision Date:
August 10, 2021
Report Approval:
®Anna Colamussi, Planning Manager
This document is to certify that the applicant's proposed plans dated received by the City of
Encinitas on May 13, 2021, have been determined to be in substantial conformance with the
originally approved Case No. 03-223 Major Use Permit and Coastal Development Permit,
Resolution No. PC 2004-17.
ITEM NAME: T-MOBILE
PROJECT NUMBER: SUBC-004567-2021
DATE: 8/10/2021
BACKGROUND:
On May 13, 2021, the Planning Commission approved Case No. 03-223 MUP/CDP (Resolution
No. PC 2004-17), a Major Use Permit and Coastal Development Permit for a wireless facility
consisting of three antennas, with three Tower Mounted Amplifiers (TMAs), three Remote Radio
Units (RRUs) and a vaulted equipment cabinet located in the center of the Cardiff Sports Park
just behind the baseball fields. Additional changes to the facility were done on July 20, 2009 as
part of Case No. 09-064 SUBC. This SUBC changed out the former installation to the current
antenna and vaulted equipment configuration as to what is seen today. This includes three
antennas, three TMAs, three RRU's and the various components in the vaulted equipment
enclosure. The existing antennas are mounted at a height of 66 feet, six inches to an existing 79-
foot tall park light standard. No changes are proposed to the overall height.
PROJECT SUMMARY/ANALYSIS:
This determination is based upon the following modifications:
• Remove three existing antennas, three antennas mounts, three Tower Mounted Amplifiers
(TMAs) and three Remote Radio Units (RRUs).
• Install nine antennas (one sector mounted with six antennas and one sector mounted with
three), six Remote Radio Units (RRUs) mounted to the pole and painted to match.
• One equipment cabinet will be installed within the existing vault.
This determination is based on the following findings for Substantial Conformance with a
Major Use Permit:
No project condition is changed or deleted;
The proposed modifications to the existing wireless telecommunications facility does not
affect the conditions of approval of Case No. 03-223 MUP/CDP (Resolution No. PC 2004-
17), which will remain in effect for this project.
2. No feature, facility, or amenity is deleted or substantially altered which had been
considered essential to the project's quality, safety, or function by the decision
making body;
No feature, facility or amenity is deleted or substantially altered, which is essential to the
project's quality, safety, or function. The overall integrity, safety, and function of the
wireless communications facility will remain the same with the antenna modification to T-
Mobile's entire antenna array and associated accessory equipment replacement. The
wireless communications facility, with the proposed modifications, will operate in full
compliance with the standards for Radio Frequency (RF) Emissions, as adopted by the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The wireless telecommunications facility
will adhere to the site compliance recommendations outlined in the RF report prepared by
the applicant. Furthermore, Telecom Law Firm PC, (the City's Third -Party RF Engineer),
has reviewed the analysis contained in the applicant's Radio Frequency Emission Study
and concurred with the findings. The study includes information related to the facility's
power, antenna height, and other elements, and has confirmed that all recommended
radio frequency emissions mitigation measures are followed, and that the proposed
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ITEM NAME: T-MOBILE
PROJECT NUMBER: SUBC-004567-2021
DATE: 8/10/2021
changes at the existing telecommunications facility demonstrate planned compliance with
the FCC Rules for the proposed site design. All signage shall in be in compliance with
FCC OET Bulletin 65 or ANSI C95.2 for color, symbol and content conventions.
Additionally, all signage shall provide a working local or toll -free telephone number to its
network operations center, that reaches a live person who can exert transmitter power -
down control over this site, as required by the FCC. Based on the discussion above, the
Development Services Department finds that there are no significant changes that warrant
a modification to the original permit.
3. The area of any residential floor plan or non-residential building is not decreased
or increased by more than five percent.
The project does not propose any changes to the floor area of the existing non-residential
structure. No square footage is being added.
4. No additional lots or dwelling units are added;
No additional lots or dwelling units are proposed to be added to the project.
5. No private or public open space is reduced in area or in its potential for use and
enjoyment;
The proposed project is limited to the existing developed portions of the site, which is
within the existing lease hold area. No public or private open space will be impacted as a
result of this project.
6. The shape and bulk of structures, exterior building materials, landscaping, parking
and access are substantially in conformance with the spirit and intent of the Use
Permit decision;
This application includes the replacement of antennas and accessory equipment within
the at below grade vaulted equipment enclosure. The project still maintains the same
design appearance, whereby the spirit and intent of the original Major Use Permit (and
other subsequent approvals) and Coastal Development Permit is maintained. All the
proposed work would take place along the same sectors of the light standard and will be
painted to match. A height certification by a licensed Civil Engineer or Licensed Land
Surveyor will be required prior to final occupancy of the facility to ensure the height of the
overall antennas are at 66 feet, six inches as the previously approved facility. Additionally,
the changes within the vaulted equipment enclosure will not be visible from the exterior of
the facility. A Noise Survey was conducted April 2, 2021. Equipment will comply with noise
standards outlined in Chapter 30.40 (Performance Standards) of the Encinitas Municipal
Code.
7. The grading plan will not increase or decrease the final grade on any part of the site
by more than three feet over or under the plan approved by the Use Permit decision,
unless the Development Services Department finds that the project is substantially
altered by the grading change; and
No grading is proposed within the scope of work.
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ITEM NAME: T-MOBILE
PROJECT NUMBER: SUBC-004567-2021
DATE: 8/10/2021
8. No significant changes are made which, in the opinion of the Development Services
Department should be reviewed by the body which approved the original
application.
Based on the discussion above, the Development Services Department finds that there
are no significant changes that would require submittal of a discretionary permit
modification.
Environmental Status: The project has been determined to be exempt from environmental
review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15303(d)
which exempts the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or
structures from environmental review. The project meets the criteria for the exemption.
This determination shall be valid 15 days from the date of this Determination, during which time
any aggrieved person may, upon payment of necessary fees, file an appeal. Additional permits,
including Building Permits, may be required by the Development Services Department or other
City Departments. It is the applicant's responsibility to obtain all necessary permits required for
the type of project proposed. The applicant may proceed through the plan check process during
the appeal period at his/her own risk; plan check fees are non-refundable. Any filing of an
appeal will suspend this action as well as any processing of permits in reliance thereon in
accordance with Encinitas Municipal Code Section 1.12.020(D)(1) until such time as an action is
taken on the appeal.
If you have any questions regarding this determination, please contact Todd Mierau, Associate
Planner, at (760) 633-2693 or by email at ;(,iirS.IIILg!1 2.tt...5.p1.:a!!Lpl.l!.(.2.p.:':.d..t.22; or contact the
Development Services Department, 505 South Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024 at (760) 633-
2710 or by emailat ip„IIII2.P.li!i..!!!L!!.ft...I!!!Lq.l!...I!!rt.l!.j;1..q.1..ft.P7:•
Anna Colamussi
Planning Manager
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