AGENDA DATE: 2/14/2018
TITLE: Bucks Elbow Mountain ECC Replacement Tower Special Use Permit Application
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorization of the Emergency Communications Center's Special Use Permit Application to the County for the Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center Replacement Tower at Bucks Elbow Mountain
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Blair, Elias, Ragsdale
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: In 2001, as part of the regional Emergency Communications Center's ("ECC's") implementation of an 800 MHz radio system, a special use permit was approved for a 120' tower at Bucks Elbow Mountain on property (Tax Map Parcel 03900-00-00-001B1) owned by the County of Albemarle. (Attachment A-Location Map) The special use permit was later amended in 2003 to extend the period of validity of the permit and for minor ground equipment changes (SP 2003-21). While the tower qualifies as a public use, the County has historically chosen to process public communication tower facilities as special use permits to provide a higher level of review, public input opportunities, and limiting conditions of approval.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Infrastructure Investment: Prioritize, plan, and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
Rural Area Character: Preserve the character of rural life with thriving farms and forests, traditional crossroad communities, and protected scenic areas, historic sites, and biodiversity
DISCUSSION: The ECC needs to replace major technology components of the system and also construct a replacement tower for the Bucks Elbow site with an increase in height up to a 150' tower. The replacement tower can be accommodated within the existing County owned parcel. However, the proposed increase in height does not comply with the special use p...
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