Board of Zoning Appeals

PROJECT SUMMARY January 30th, 2025 Planning Office of Planning & Development City of Charleston West Virginia 915 Quarrier Street, Suite 1 Charleston, West Virginia 25301 Ref: Conditional Use Permit (CUP) – Wireless Telecommunications Facility (WTF) aka Cell Tower Project: “Haddad” APN: 14 1006100000000 | 330 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Charleston WS To the Staff: On behalf of TowerCom LLC and in connection with its application for a CUP, we submit this statement of proposed site improvements. Consultation with planning staff was made by TowerCom’s agent prior to making application to discuss the WTF request, obtain forms, review process and review mapping of proposed site. The pre-application discussions were held in December 2024. A CUP was issued to TowerCom on March 28th, 2024 (CUP-24-0242) to allow the placement of a roving (mobile) cellular antenna at this site to address the wireless signal and data capacity deficit in the area. This development is the permanent fix to that performance problem. TowerCom is requesting a finding that developing a 120’ self support monopole tower design with a 4’ lightning rod and a telecommunications compound at the described location meets or exceeds the policies, goals and objectives of the City of Charleston zoning ordinance and that a CUP should be granted. 1. The property is located at the center of the area needing additional cellular capacity and meets the radio frequency (RF) requirements of intended wireless carriers. 2. Based on RF measurement results in live networks, the impact of each RF issue is addressed; specifically, capacity overloading and coverage gaps, and other root causes of problems are identified by both real-time analysis as well as post processing RF analytics tools. 3. The applicants request is of a highly technical nature and the proposed WTF is necessary as determined by radio frequency (RF) engineers to supply essential capacity and coverage needs in this area. 4. There are no structures within the RF search area with a height that will meet the RF requirements for efficacy. 5. The tower will be 120' in height + 4' lightning rod atop as determined by RF engineering 6. The structure will be engineered and manufactured to have a 40' fall radius that will fold or buckle should there be a catastrophic weather event. 7. The tower design is a steel monopole with a galvanized finish color which is the most compatible to assimilate into this generally commercial use area. The applicant submits that this is the best design for the subject location and that a steeple, clock tower, pine tree etc. are not appropriate and would be out of place at this location. “Haddad”  8. The underlying zoning district is C-10. An auto repair shop is the principal use on the land. Surrounding and adjoining land districts are varied to include commercial, mixed use and residential districts. 9. The compound will have a 6' chain link fence surrounding it topped with three-strand barbed wire. 10. The size of the property (1.18 acres) is adequate for a cell tower site. 11. A signed lease is in place with the landlord for a leasehold area. 12. The proposed access will have no impact on traffic flow. 13. No lights will be atop the tower. 14. The application is consistent with Sec. 3-060 #17 of the development standards of the City of Charleston Zoning Ordinance for broadcasting towers/telecommunication facilities. A tower development company, TowerCom works with its carrier clients to continuously review and assess the tower network needed to handle the quality and volume of calls or data of the areas needing broadband service. TowerCom is responding to an unprecedented increase in demand for reliable wireless voice communications and wireless data services. People have now relinquished the expense of land lines and rely solely on their mobile phones. Meeting that desire requires reliable service over broader areas without gaps in capacity or signal and without dropped calls. Additionally, mobile devices are exponentially being used for transmitting and receiving wireless data. Consumer demand for predictable, far ranging wireless service will continue to accelerate. A robust wireless network capacity is now fundamental to commerce and the quality of everyday life and is essential for the safety of the general public through Enhanced 911 technology. Please advise me if you require any additional information to process this request. With appreciation for your assistance, we are Sincerely yours, John Behnke, Project Manager 901-494-1559 mob. “Haddad” ADDENDUM 1. The project location will not have significant adverse effect on any neighborhood or area. The site is in a commercial corridor fronting a high traffic street. There will be no impact on residential since there is none nearby. 2. The use is compatible with the area which is developed with commercial uses. 3. The proposed use will not result in a nuisance. The nature of a wireless telecommunications facility (WTF) means that there is no traffic, no noise, no noxious odors and virtually no activity. 4. The quiet enjoyment of surrounding property will not be adversely affected. Once constructed, a WTF stands silently with little human activity. 5. There will be no adverse affect on property values nearby. Rather the presence of the WTF will either have no affect or more likely a positive affect due to the more reliable and enhanced wireless service provided to vehicles, houses and businesses within reach of the broadcast signal. 6. Parking and traffic considerations are moot. Once constructed, activity to the site slows to, at most, to one visit from technical personnel once a month. 7. The site and the intensity of the use, such as it is, is appropriate for a commercial corridor. 8. There is no residential near the site. The Planning Dept. can generally presume that the proposed use is compatible in this commercial district and at this specific location. 9. The site will be operational 24/7 with 24/7 access. Except in the case of an emergency, personnel would be at the site during normal business hours only. 10. There are no deliveries at a WTF. 11. Landscaping – n/a The site is very small in a commercial area. Because of this there is no plan to do additional landscaping in light of the strategic siting. 12. There is no health, safety, welfare or moral concerns associated with the proposed WTF that will adversely affect the surrounding area – a commercial corridor. 13. To the best of the Applicant’s knowledge, all relevant information has been provided to allow full consideration of all applicable factors. 14. The Applicant accepts the burden to provide the information required. 15. At this time there are no known modifications needed or requested by the Applicant beyond the basic intent of the submitted site plan. If there are any conditions or stipulations proposed or imposed by the Planning Department, then the Applicant will consider those. 16. The Applicant has utilized and followed the language of Section 3-060 #17 to produce the site plan and the support documentation for the application. If approved, the Applicant will comply with all provisions of this section and any other section of the City of Charleston Zoning Ordinance. 17. The Applicant believes it is in compliance with applicable specific requirements set forth in the Code of Ordinances. END 4863-2139-3660, v. 1 “Haddad” January 30th, 2025 Mrs. Jinay Vascocu TowerCom LLC 241 Atlantic Blvd., Ste 201 Neptune Beach, Florida, 32266 Re: TowerCom SARF ID: #_WV4998 “Haddad” Location: 330 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Charleston, WV 25314 Dear Mrs. Vascocu, This serves as notice to TowerCom LLC that the subject site is a target for expansion of our network. As AT&T’s exclusive contractor, TowerCom LLC is charged with the oversight of the development of this site to meet AT&T’s radio frequency (RF) engineering requirements. This site will enhance needed cellular capacity and coverage to serve the AT&T customer base and will be added to the E911 safety system. AT&T is in full support of TowerCom LLC in its efforts to secure zoning and other federal, state or local regulatory approvals necessary to develop the wireless telecommunications facility. The proposed facility will provide indoor building spectrum coverage and alleviate the existing capacity overload, as specified by our RF engineers, to the surrounding area with increased wireless signal to nearby businesses and residential dwellings. Upon acquisition of all regulatory requirements and presentation of the building permit, AT&T will enter into a separate agreement with TowerCom LLC to collocate its equipment and antennae. I hope this will answer any question regarding our proposed wireless facility; however, if you need any additional information, please feel free to contact me. Thank you, Yours truly, David Usher Lead Real Estate and Construction Direct: 804-201-0684 xc: File N.Byrd  CERTIFICATION Certification is made with supporting evidence that there is an inability to collocate antenna on an existing approved tower or facility. Project: “Haddad” – 330 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Charleston WW Reference Section 3-060 Par. 17c i-vii (i) There are no towers or facilities located within a 2000 foot radius of the required RF location. (ii) There are not towers or facilities of sufficient height, or design, to meet the applicants RF engineering requirements. (iii) N/A (see ii) – Existing towers or facilities do not have sufficient structural strength to support applicant’s proposed antenna and related equipment. (iv) N/A – there is no RF interference conditions to consider. (v) N/A (see ii) – there are no other existing tower or facility that meet RF requirements, construction space or site use that would create an unwillingness of a land owner to entertain a collocation proposal. (vi) N/A (see ii) – there are no other towers or facilities to consider. (vii) N/A – there are no Class I satellite dish antenna involved with the development. January 30, 2025 John Behnke Agent, TowerCom  Colo Search Carrier – AT&T Search Area Coordinates: 38.349142 N -81.638532 W Tower Height: 150’ Desired RAD: 1200' Building Search / 3 mi. ring Data Bases Used : FAA / FCC / Cell Reception/Site Review Tower Com Name: “Haddad Number Distance from Height of Tower Number of Confirmed Carrier Search Area Direction from Structure Structure Corresponded to Map Location Carriers Information (miles) Search Area (ft) Type 13 Story Building. Could mount 723 Kanawha 0 436 feet East Approx. 150' Building 1 low on side of building 2 Story Building. 35' to 40' tall. 2 350 MacCorkle 0 Not suitable for co-location due to 1,100 feet South 40' Building Large Cornice/Overhang. 3 Story Building. Aprox. 50' tall. 3 340 MacCorkle 0 Not Suitable for co-location due to 820 feet South 50' Building large Cornice/Overhang roof 2 story Building. Approx 30' Tall. 208 MacCorkle (Asthma & Possible to pipe mount on side of 4 0 1,640 feet West 30' Building Allergy) building, or sled mount antennas on flat roof  AT&T has a small cell installation at 5 AT&T - Small Cell site 1 the intersection of Kanawha & 230 feet North approx. 25' Small Cell MP Ladley. 1 Story 20' Building - Not Suitable - 6 330 MacCorkle 0 800 feet SW 20' Building Weak Roof Structure 1 Story 20' Building - Could be 7 200 MacCorkle Motorworks 0 possible to sled mount antennas 1,624 feet West 20' Building on flat roof 12 Story Hotel - Approx. 135' - Flat Roof. Possible for co-location, but 8 600 Kanawha (Sheraton) 0 220 feet NE 135' Building roof may be too high to serve the pavillion area below. Approx. 40' Tall. Just to North of Pavilion. Lots of Possibilities for 9 Parking Garage 0 350 feet North 40' Building various antenna configurations on this structure. 2 Story Approx. 25' tall. Flat Roof. 10 312 MacCorkle (Qlab) 0 Possible for Sled Mount Rooftop 1,178 feet West 25' Building antennas 40' to Deck. 75' to top of 40' to road deck 11 Southside Bridge 0 Structure. Possible to attach 926 feet South 75' to top of Bridge antennas to bridge bridge No carriers. Structurally small 12 Sinclair Media 0 1.09 Mi. East 100' SST tower. Not feasible for co-location TMO. Small compound will need 13 ATC 1 to expand to add additional 1.33 mi. S 70' Pole carrriers Broadcast tower. Not structurally 14 Bristol Broadcasting 0 1.71 mi. NW 275' Guyed viable for co-location. Not suitable due to multiple MW 15 Cns Microwave 0 1.76 mi SW 150' SST Dishes located on tower Radio Tower - Not Suitable for co- 16 WKWS Radio 0 1.86 mi. NE 100' SST location 17 ATC 1 TMO 1.87 mi. NE 120' SST 18 Unknown 0 Not Suitable for co-location 1.88 mi. NE 80' SST Abandon TMO equipment platform, but no carrier currently 19 ATC 0 1.83 mi. East 80' MP using tower. Small compound. Only room for 1 carrier  AT&T, TMO (2 RADS); small 20 Crown 2 compound. Will need to expand 1.79 mi. SW 140' SST for future AT&T, VZW - Installed in stealth 21 ATC 2 1.85 mi. East 125' MP canisters. 22 ATC 2 VZW, DISH 1.76 mi. SW 150' SST No Carriers - Plenty of Space for 23 SBA 0 2.1 mi NW 100' MP co-location Whips and Yagi antennas cover the 24 Unknown 0 2.09 mi. NW 275' SST tower. No carriers Abandon Equipment on Tower - 25 ATC 0 2.06 mi. NW 140' SST Must be removed to co-locate AT&T, NextNav; Room for future 26 Crown 2 2.05 mi. NW 270' SST co-location 27 Unknown 0 Not Suitable for co-location 2.04 mi. NW 195' SST 28 WSAZ 0 Not Suitable for co-location 2.03 mi. NW 185' SST 29 ATC 1 TMO. Plenty of room for futures 2.64 mi. SE 100' MP VZW, TMO, Unknown Shelter - 30 ATC 3 2.74 mi. NE 140' MP Possibly Nextel) 31 Crown 2 TMO, AT&T 2.73 mi. NE 150' SST 32 US Gov't Tower 0 Not Suitable for co-location 2.74 mi. NE 120' MP Can not access compound, Not 33 WV National Guard 0 2.96 mi. NE 100' SST suitable for co-location 34 ATC 1 AT&T, room for additional 2.95 mi. SE 100' SST 35 WV Radio Corp 0 Radio Tower - Not built for carriers 1.3 mi. NE 164' Guyed No carriers. Would need a 36 Water Tank 0 1.38 mi. West 100' WT structural to determine if suitable Tower is full of whips. No room for 37 David Erwin 0 1.63 mi. East 100' SST carrier co-location. Old Water Tank. Does not appear 38 Water Tank 0 1.70 miles East 85' WT structurally capable 39 Federal Air Traffic 0 Not Suitable 1.63 mi. East 80' MP Filled with Yagi antennas. No 41 Unknown 0 carriers. Not suitable for co- 1.78 mi. SW 100' Guyed location Site Site  Certificate of AM Regulatory Compliance Site Name "Haddad" Location N38-20-51.76 W81-38-24.09 Client TowerCom LLC / BC Architects & Engineers Certification Date 1/30/2025 According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations, “§1 Subpart AA. Disturbance of AM broadcast station antenna patterns Part §1.30000 Purpose. This rule protects the operations of AM broadcast stations from nearby tower construction that may distort the AM antenna patterns. All parties holding or applying for Commission authorizations that propose to construct or make a significant modification to an antenna tower or support structure in the immediate vicinity of an AM antenna, or propose to install an antenna on an AM tower, are responsible for completing the analysis and notice process described in this subpart, and for taking any measures necessary to correct disturbances of the AM radiation pattern, if such disturbances occur as a result of the tower construction or modification or as a result of the installation of an antenna on an AM tower. In the event these processes are not completed before an antenna structure is constructed, any holder of or applicant for a Commission authorization is responsible for completing these processes before locating or proposing to locate an antenna on the structure, as described in this subpart. Part §1.30002 Tower construction or modification near AM stations. (a) Construction near a nondirectional AM station. Proponents of construction or significant modification of a tower which is within one wavelength of a nondirectional AM station, and is taller than 60 electrical degrees at the AM frequency, must notify the AM station at least 30 days in advance of the commencement of construction. The proponent shall examine the potential impact of the construction or modification as described in paragraph (c). If the construction or modification would distort the radiation pattern by more than 2 dB, the proponent shall be responsible for the installation and maintenance of any detuning apparatus necessary to restore proper operation of the nondirectional antenna. (b) Construction near a directional AM station. Proponents of construction or significant modification of a tower which is within the lesser of 10 wavelengths or 3 kilometers of a directional AM station, and is taller than 36 electrical degrees at the AM frequency, must notify the AM station at least 30 days in advance of the commencement of construction. The proponent shall examine the potential impact of the construction or modification as described in paragraph (c). If the construction or modification would result in radiation in excess of the AM station’s licensed standard pattern or augmented standard pattern values, the proponent shall be responsible for the installation and maintenance of any detuning apparatus necessary to restore proper operation of the directional antenna.” This certificate verifies that the site at the above coordinates has been screened out to 3.2 km for directional antenna AM stations and 1.2 km distance for non-directional antenna AM stations and found to have no AM broadcast stations currently licensed to operate within those distances. Current FCC rules coordination distances are less as calculated in the above FCC rule §1.30002 adopted February 2014. Structure height is also considered in the current FCC rules. No further AM coordination actions are warranted at this time. 8618 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 315 Vienna, VA 22182 703-276-1100 www.sitesafe.com ©2019 Site Safe, LLC. v.20170123 Existing Propagations Site On-air Propagations Site  SITE NAME: HADDAD at& t HADDAD CHARLESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT 501 VIRGINIA ST E CHARLESTON, WV 25301 SITE ADDRESS (E-911 VERIFIED) PHONE: (304) 348-6400 ATTN.: CUSTOMER SERVICE 330 MACCORKLE AVENUE SE CHARLESTON FIRE STATION 5 CHARLESTON, WV 25314 918 BRIDGE RD KANAWHA COUNTY CHARLESTON, WV 25314 PHONE: (304) 348-8085 LATITUDE: 38° 20' 51.76" N ATTN.: CUSTOMER SERVICE LONGITUDE: 81° 38' 24.09" W PARCEL ID: 14 1 61 Sheet Number Sheet Title ZONING: C-10 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT T1 COVER SHEET -- SITE SURVEY (SHEET 1 OF 3) -- SITE SURVEY (SHEET 2 OF 3) -- SITE SURVEY (SHEET 3 OF 3) JURISDICTION: DEVELOPER CITY OF CHARLESTON N1 GENERAL NOTES TOWERCOM SITE 241 ATLANTIC BLVD. STE. 201 C0 OVERALL AERIAL PLAN STATE: NEPTUNE BEACH, FL 32266 C1 OVERALL PARCEL PLAN WEST VIRGINIA PHONE: (678 525-2576 C1.1 OVERALL SITE PLAN ATTN: JINAY VASCOCU C2.0 SITE PLAN TOWER TYPE: MONOPOLE TOWER C2.1 EQUIPMENT PLAN POWER COMPANY C2.2 WIC PLAN AND ELEVATION APPALACHIAN POWER TOWER HEIGHT: C2.3 CONCRETE PAD FOUNDATION DETAILS PHONE: (800) 956-4237 120' ATTN.: CUSTOMER SERVICE C2.4 GENERATOR SPECS (1 OF 2) VICINITY MAP NORTH C2.5 GENERATOR SPECS (2 OF 2) NUMBER OF CARRIERS: PROPERTY OWNER C3 FENCE, GATE, AND COMPOUND DETAILS 0 EXISTING, 1 PROPOSED ASTORG & SPEARS PROPERTIES, LLC C4 SITE SIGNAGE DETAILS 5 DUDLEY FARMS LANE C5 WAVEGUIDE BRIDGE DETAILS USE: CHARLESTON, WV 25309 PROPOSED TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER C6 ANTENNA AND TOWER ELEVATION DETAILS PHONE: (304) 746-0893 AND UNMANNED EQUIPMENT ATTN.: JAMIE SPEARS SHEET INDEX CONSULTANT FLOOD INFO KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. CITY OF CHARLESTON PLANNING AND ZONING SITE IS LOCATED WITHIN FEMA FLOOD MAP 11720 AMBER PARK DRIVE, SUITE 600 915 QUARRIER ST #1 AREA 54039C0407E DATED 02/06/2008 WITHIN ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA 30009 CHARLESTON, WV 25301 COVER SHEET FLOOD ZONE X. PHONE: (470) 571-1306 PHONE: (304) 348-8105 ATTN.: DREW PITTS ATTN.: CUSTOMER SERVICE DRIVING DIRECTIONS PROJECT SUMMARY CONTACTS PERMIT INFORMATION T1 1.00 GENERAL NOTES SITE NAME: HADDAD GENERAL NOTES N1  SITE NAME: HADDAD NOTE: NORTH OVERALL AERIAL SURVEY NOTE: 1 OVERALL AERIAL PLAN PLAN C0 SCALE: 1" = 150' C0  SITE NAME: HADDAD NOTE: NORTH OVERALL PARCEL SURVEY NOTE: 1 OVERALL PARCEL PLAN PLAN C1 SCALE: 1" = 150' C1  SITE NAME: HADDAD NORTH OVERALL SITE SURVEY NOTE: 1 OVERALL SITE PLAN PLAN C1.1 SCALE: 1" = 70' C1.1  SITE NOTES: SITE NAME: HADDAD NO RT 1 SITE PLAN H C2.0 SCALE: 1" = 10' SITE PLAN C2.0  SITE NAME: HADDAD 1 EQUIPMENT PLAN C2.1 SCALE: 1" = 3' NO RT H EQUIPMENT PLAN C2.1  SITE NAME: HADDAD 1 LEFT ELEVATION 2 RIGHT ELEVATION C2.2 SCALE: 1" = 3'-0" C2.2 SCALE: 1" = 3'-0" FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY- NO SIGNATURE REQUIRED 3 REAR ELEVATION C2.2 SCALE: 1" = 3'-0" 4 FRONT ELEVATION WIC PLAN AND C2.2 SCALE: 1" = 3'-0" ELEVATION C2.2  SITE NAME: HADDAD CONCRETE PAD FOUNDATION DETAILS C2.3  SITE NAME: HADDAD FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY- NO SIGNATURE REQUIRED GENERATOR SPECS (1 OF 2) C2.4  SITE NAME: HADDAD FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY- NO SIGNATURE REQUIRED GENERATOR SPECS (2 OF 2) C2.5 FENCE NOTES: SITE NAME: HADDAD 1 CHAIN LINK FENCE AND GATE ELEVATION C3 NOT TO SCALE FENCE, GATE, AND COMPOUND DETAILS 2 MUSHROOM STOP 3 SITE COMPOUND SURFACE DETAIL 4 SECTION AT FENCE C3 NOT TO SCALE C3 NOT TO SCALE C3 NOT TO SCALE C3 NORTH SITE NAME: HADDAD 1 CAUTION SIGN - 12" X 8" -PLACED ON TOWER -USE A DECAL ON MONOPOLE AND 2 NO TRESPASSING SIGN 12" X 8" METAL SIGN ON SELF-SUPPORT 12" HIGH X 8" WIDE ALUMINUM SIGN W/ 14" DRILLED HOLES IN EACH CORNER TOWER OR GUYED TOWER THICKNESS: 0.05" (116") OR CLOSET STANDARD THICKNESS (HUNG ON COMPOUND GATE) (OPERATIONS PROVIDED) 3 RF GUIDELINES SIGN - 12" X 8" 4 TOWERCOM - SITE ID SIGN 18" X 24" - PLACED ON FENCE 18" HIGH X 24" WIDE ALUMINUM SIGN W/ 14" DRILL HOLES IN EACH CORNER THICKNESS: 0.05" (116") OR CLOSET STANDARD THICKNESS 18" 1 SIGN PLACEMENT PLAN VIEW 2 TYPICAL SIGNS AND SPECIFICATIONS (HUNG ON COMPOUND GATE AND ACCESS ROAD GATE IF APPLICABLE) (OPERATIONS PROVIDED) C4 NOT TO SCALE C4 NOT TO SCALE SITE SIGNAGE DETAILS 3 SIGN PLACEMENT FRONT GATE VIEW C4 NOT TO SCALE C4  SITE NAME: HADDAD DETAIL A DETAIL B WAVEGUIDE 1 WAVEGUIDE BRIDGE DETAIL 2 WAVEGUIDE BRIDGE DETAIL (ALT DESIGN - 2 PIPE COLUMNS) BRIDGE DETAILS C5 NOT TO SCALE C5 NOT TO SCALE C5  NORTH SITE NAME: HADDAD FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY- NO SIGNATURE REQUIRED NOTES: 2 MONOPOLE TOWER ELEVATION C6 NOT TO SCALE ANTENNA AND TOWER ELEVATION DETAILS C6