Board of Architectural Review Work Session

127 Center Street South Town of Vienna Vienna, VA. 22180 p: 703-255-6300 TTY 7111 Meeting Minutes Board of Architectural Review Work Session Friday, June 9, 2023 8:00 AM Charles Robinson Jr. Town Hall, 127 Center St. South Work Session Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 7/25/2023 Board of Architectural Review Work Meeting Minutes June 9, 2023 Session BARWS23-07 AT&T Antennas - 527 Maple Ave E - Work Session 0 The Board of Architectural Review met in a work session in Town Hall, 127 Center St S. Vienna, Virginia, Friday, June 9, 2023, at 8 am. The following members were present: Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Layer, Mr. Cheselka, Ms. Hanley, and Ms. van Doorn. Staff present: Planner Sharmaine Abaied & Clerk to the Board Yaska Camacho Castillo. Work session: AT&T Valley Park Telecommunications – 527 Maple Ave E - C1 Local Commercial Zone. Applicant present: Samantha Twinam - Smartlink – 1997 Annapolis Exchange Hwy #200, Annapolis, MD. Ms. Twinam stated that the proposed rooftop currently has two existing carriers, and they are looking to install AT&T as well. Ms. Twinam presented the proposed changes that included the following: • Installing AT&T on the rooftop, which already has two existing carriers. • Installation of 4 Nokia AEQU 2.5 ft high antennas painted to match the existing building. • Installation of 4 Nokia AEQK 2.5 ft high antennas painted to match the existing building. • Installation of 8 Commscope NNHH-45C-r4 8 ft. high antennas – painted to match the existing building. • Installation of 16 RRH’s (Remote Radio Unit). • Installation of 3 DC9’s. • 458 square ft Raycap concealment screened equipment platform enclosure to include: o 35kw natural gas generator o 2 FLX 21 cabinets o 2 Netsure 512 DC Power Cabinets These changes also include an addition to the existing parapet on the Northeast location, increasing the height of the parapet by 8 ft. The board reviewed the proposed changes and made the following comments/recommendations: • The block material does not seem heavy- is it designed to support the antennas? • Is the block open on top? • Do each antenna do 80 degrees or 120? • Agree with the lack of coverage in Vienna. • The original architecture of the building was very linear, and now it’s very vertical. • Concern with vertical distractions on the building. • Was there any consideration to push the appliance shed off the face of the building? • Historically, in the architectural world, anytime you have these kinds of mechanical devices/equipment on a ceiling/roof, the thought is to try to get it in the middle so that it gets the least view from any angle. • What was the impediment to this proposal that prevented it from being located in a more obscure area of the building? Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 7/25/2023 Board of Architectural Review Work Meeting Minutes June 9, 2023 Session • The installation of the panel is very light- it offers little structural impact on the building. • Factory finished will last the longest and will create the least problems. • We’re trying to optimize the design. We want it to be compatible and appropriate for a good suburban community. • There is a section in the back that is not being utilized. Is there a reason for that? • The equipment does not have to be enclosed. • The proposed project is not compatible with the building. • Can you mount antennas on the penthouse roof on the left? • If you had three antennas versus four, conceivably you wouldn’t have to have a box, you could have more of a triangle and it could be a smaller unit that might be easier to fit on the building. • Consider what the access requirements are for that piece of equipment. • Door placement makes a big deal. The box does not need to be enclosed on four sides. It needs to be shielding from the public view. I would like for it to be pushed back. • The generator does not need to be next to the utility box. • Would like to hear the engineer’s response to some of the issues/comments/questions the board has. • If everybody has to upgrade to 5G then that would seem to maybe be a solution to the need for an additional structure. • The oversized box seems like one of the reasons it’s designed this way is to have your private space so that no one touches your equipment. The roof is not private when you are leasable area using common area. • Prefer no antennas on the front of the roof. Preferably all of them in the back if possible. • What is the height requirements for this type of installation? Why can’t we achieve them on the water towers that are existing? • Would like cabinet removed and the antennas distributed on the building in an innocuouc way. • Would like to have an answer if the design problem is feasible. • Can the antennas be relocated on the building and achieve the same coverage. • This needs to be looked at as a design problem. Show us another configuration. If the configuration exist and they believe that there’s a reduction in coverage we’d like to know the percentage of reduction. Yaska Camacho Castillo Board Clerk THE TOWN OF VIENNA IS COMMITTED TO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STANDARDS. TRANSLATION SERVICES, ASSISTANCE OR ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS FROM PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE TO BE REQUESTED NOT LESS THAN 3 WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE EVENT. PLEASE CALL (703) 255-6304, OR 711 VIRGINIA RELAY SERVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED. Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 7/25/2023