HomeMy WebLinkAbout20063437.tiff cr(114.-.1%.* DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
1555 N. 17`h AVENUE
f ' - RI I?: ? GREELEY, COLORADO 80631
gWEBSITE: www.co.weld.co.us
C E-MAIL: cgathman @co.weld.co.us
PHONE (970)3FAX (9700) 304-6498
COLORADO
November 29, 2006
Kirk Goble
The Bell 5 Land Company
71011 ti)Avenue, Suite 107
Greeley, CO 80631
RE: Timeframe of(Federal Aviation Approval) FAA approval for(Amended Use By Special Review)
AMUSR-1508
Dear Mr. Goble,
The Board of County Commissioners approved AMUSR-1508 on November 15, 2006. Upon recording of
the AMUSR-1508 plat, the height of the two broadcast towers originally approved under USR-1508 would
be authorized to increase in height from 1,180 feet to 1,459 feet in height. Based on the fact that FAA
approval is required before the height of the towers could increase, a condition of approval prior to
recording the plat was attached to the AMUSR-1508 resolution stating the following: "The applicant shall
provide written verification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the proposed increase in
tower height proposed under this amended USR has been approved."The Department of Planning
Services understands that the review and appeals process through the FAA for these requests can be
lengthy. Therefore, the Department of Planning Services will allow sufficient time for the applicant to
complete the FAA review process. The Department of Planning Services will not place the AMUSR-1508
application into the violation process for not finalizing and recording the AMUSR-1508 plat provided that it
is evident that the proposed tower height increase is still involved in the FAA review and/or appeals
process. Upon completion of the FAA process, if approved, the AMUSR-1508 plat shall be submitted for
recording in a timely manner.
Sincerely, A a(Lodt
Chris Gathman
Planner II -AICP
2006-3437
/1i0aoo 6
r'L 1785
• Page 1 of 1
•
Chris Gathman
From: Chris Gathman
Sent: Friday, April 21, 2006 12:59 PM
To: 'reply@bell5.com'
Subject: RE: USR-1508 Modification
Kirk,
I took your letter to staff regarding USR-1508 this morning. Planning staff consensus was that a Use by Special
Review Permit would be required. If you have any questions, feel free to call or e-mail me.
Sincerely,
Chris Gathman
From: Kirk Goble [mailto:kirk@bell5.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 10:28 AM
To: Chris Gathman
Subject: USR-1508 Modification
TO: Chris Gathman, Weld County Department of Planning Services
Chris —Attached please find a letter to WCDPS regarding a relatively minor modification in the
tower design for USR-1508, Longmont Broadcasting, LLC as we discussed on the phone a
couple of days ago. Please review with staff and provide a reply at your earliest convenience.
Please contact me if you have questions or need clarification of any issue. Thank you.
Kirk Goble, Broker
Accredited Land Consultant
The Bell 5 Land Company
710 11th Avenue, Suite 107
Greeley, CO 80631
PHONE 970-356-1618
FAX 970.392-1618
04/21/2006
JTheBeIl5
Land Company
710 11th Avenue, Suite 107, Greeley, CO 80631
PHONE 970-356-1618 FAX 970-392-1618
April 20, 2006
Chris Gathman
Weld County Department of Planning Services
918 10th Street
Greeley, CO 80631 *** via e-mail ***
RE: USR-1508, Longmont Broadcasting, LLC
Chris -
This letter is to serve as courtesy notice to the Weld County Department of
Planning Services regarding a proposed change in the design of the broadcast
towers approved under USR-1508 for Longmont Broadcasting, LLC. The original
application and approval was for 2 towers of approximately 1,280 feet in height
each. The tower height was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Longmont Broadcasting, LLC proposes to increase the tower height of each by
approximately 300 feet for a total tower height of approximately 1,500 feet. The
increase in height is necessary and timely due to the following circumstances:
• The Federal Aviation Administration has undergone an organizational
change that makes the timing and likelihood of approval of the additional
tower height (the applicant would provide proof of the FAA's written
approval when applying for building permit).
• From a technical standpoint, the target population of the tower operators
will receive a substantially better signal with this relatively minor increase
in height, thus greatly improving the services to the public for which the
towers were approved.
• Additional users (tenants) could conceivably be placed on the added tower
height section to enhance and abide by the Weld County Code
requirement that the facility accommodate additional users in order to
reduce the total number of towers required throughout the area. This
serves the requirements and intent of the Weld County Code as well as
maintaining the economic viability of this expensive facility.
• There are 2 adjacent projects planned or under construction in the
immediate area that will create signal blockage for any broadcast or radio
antenna located on the lower section of the towers, effectively reducing
the useable portion of the towers as originally proposed and approved.
These projects are: a natural gas power plant planned for property
immediately adjacent to the Longmont Broadcasting tower site (petition for
annexation filed with Town of Frederick); and the placement of additional
water towers/tanks being constructed on the adjacent "Tsunami" property
and assumed to be part of the Central Weld Water District tank farm at
that location. The water tanks and the power plant vent stacks are of
sufficient height and girth to block some signal from the lower portions of
the tower(s), creating radio broadcast "shadows" that will reduce signal
quality, or in some cases block the signal entirely within the normal cellular
usage area. This unforeseen circumstance reduces the potential tower
usage and capacity as originally planned, proposed and approved. The
proposed additional tower height will offset this unpredicted decrease in
capacity and return the tower project to its original intended and permitted
capacity.
• While the project is currently under construction, with prompt action the
construction plan can be modified so that the tower can be increased in
height. Construction would not be continuous without creating an impact
to the required on-air date of the current tenant. Prompt approval of the
increased height by county officials would decrease the risk environment
in making the investment in the added cost related to the revised
construction plan.
The applicant respectfully submits that this modification will not constitute a
substantial change in the terms of approval for USR-1508 due to the following:
• This modification in tower design makes virtually no change in the
proposed "footprint" of the facility on the surface as shown on the recorded
USR Plat. The additional total tower height with the attendant guy
anchors are the only changes proposed.
• This modification in tower design creates no additional impact to mineral
interests with whom the applicant has already entered into surface
agreements. There is no additional surface development proposed, thus
the change meets both the spirit and intent of the state statute requiring
notification of severed mineral interests. The statute references the State
Legislation's intent that this notification requirement is for applications that
are in anticipation of new surface development. Clearly, there is no new
surface development proposed that would create any impact other than
that which has already been addressed and approved through previous
notifications and the existing surface agreements. The applicant can and
will abide by the existing surface agreements.
• This modification in tower design creates no additional impact to roads,
utilities, emergency response, health and safety, or any other agencies or
individuals who responded to the referrals obtained through the original
application process.
• The tower "fall radius" would not change and the requirements to address
the concerns of adjacent properties (specifically Wilson) regarding the
potential "debris field" still exist and will be completed as originally
required. This issue applies only in the extremely unlikely occurrence of a
catastrophic tower structural failure as addressed in the original
application. The applicants have maintained good communications with
Ms. Wilson as the project proceeds.
• •
The applicant deems that the preceding paragraphs have provided compelling
reasons to allow this relatively minor change to occur without requiring a
Substantial Change hearing or Application for Amended USR. Requiring the
applicant to submit a full application for Amended USR and to be required to go
back through the entire process of notifications and hearings seems onerous in
this case since most of the issues to be addressed in such an application would
be redundant, repetitive, and unnecessary. A full application and the associated
process would have a major impact on construction time and could create delays
in placing this necessary and expensive facility into full operation. The net
negative effects of this modification to the public you serve would be negligible or
non-existent and barely noticeable.
The economic impact to Weld County should not be ignored. At this time, the
building permit for the tower under construction (not including the permit for
support structures and building) is the single most expensive permit issued by
the Southwest Weld County office. The sooner the facility can be made
operational and populated with broadcast tenants, the sooner the resultant
revenues and tax assessments can be realized. The attached Review of Current
Tower Capacities (Attachment "A") is a good indicator of the number and type of
users awaiting the completion and activation of this facility.
The applicant has demonstrated their cooperation and willingness to seek proper
approvals and provide timely notices to WCDPS throughout the permitting and
construction process thus far and respectfully requests staff approval of the
additional tower height. Please contact me if you have questions or need further
information. I look forward to your approval of this request.
Sincerely,
Kirk Goble, ALC
Broker
Representative for Longmont Broadcasting, LLC in USR-1508
Attachment: Review of Current Tower Capacities
• •
Attachment A
Review of Current Tower Capacities
Longmont Broadcasting LLC Tower
Nine (9) Television or FM Radio Broadcasting Transmitting Antennas, with
related feed lines at or near the top.
Two ENG Microwave receive systems, with related feed lines at the 1,000 foot
level.
One additional side-mounted Television or FM Radio Transmitting antenna,
between the 980 foot and 950 foot levels with related feed lines.
Two Low-power Television Transmitting Antennas side mounted between the
950 foot and 825 foot level with related feed lines
A multi-user, multi frequency, Two-way Communications System between the
825 foot and 755 foot level with related feed lines.
Seventeen, eight foot, microwave dish locations between the 755 foot level and
200 foot level with related feed lines.
Three Cellular-PCS locations at and below the 200 foot levels with related feed
lines (these locations are at risk to the new construction of the power plant and
water tanks).
All capacity items are subject to variation and usage dependent on equal or
varied design load as approved by design study.
Page 1 of 1
1,\Z_- I 5
Chris Gathman
From: Chris Gathman
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 12:10 PM
To: 'kirk@bell5.com'
Subject: Longmont Broadcasting Tower lighting (USR-1508)
Kirk,
Planning staff reviewed the proposed tower lighting modification and determined that it was not a substantial
change. The lighting of this tower would be consistent with the lighting currently used by the existing tower at the
adjacent site.
Sincerely,
Chris
04/10/2006
Chris —Attached are 2 e-mails regarding the Longmont Broadcasting Tower
USR. One is describing the change in tower lighting that I discussed with you.
The other is confirmation of"natural" color selection for the building roof. Neither
of these items should rise to the level of"substantial change," but the applicants
want to be sure to keep WCDPS informed of modifications. Thanks— please call
with any questions.
Kirk Goble, ALC
The Bell 5 Land Company
710 11th Avenue #107
Greeley, CO 80631
a 5u D51 oL,\
�/? 5 •
Message • • Page 1 of 1
Kirk Goble
From: Marguerite Romero [Marguerite@thissenconstruction.com]
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 3:46 PM
To: Blairmedia@aol.com
Subject: Roofing submittal
I am going to approve the roofing submittal and select Sierra tan as the color for the cap flashing, scuppers and
downspouts.
Thank you.
Marguerite Romero
Project Manager
Thissen Construction Corporation
970-353-8242—office
970-371-3175--cell
970-351-0530—fax
marguerite@thissenconstruction.com
4/4/2006
• • Page 1 of 1
Kirk Goble
From: Blairmedia@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 7:14 PM
To: Kirk@bell5.com
Subject: Three stage lighting for the New Fort Lupton Tower
Kirk, we need to formally notify Weld County that we would like to change the tower lighting to a "Day/Night
(Dual Lighting) System". Discussion with the lighting suppler and conversation with our FAA consultant leads us
to believe that a Day/Night lighting system would be safer than the red and white paint with red night lights.
While the maintenance requirements for a dual lighting system are higher the daytime visual effect may in fact
be less than the red and white striping. The system would consist of bright strobe lights pointed upward during
daylight hours, medium strobe lights pointed upwards in the twilight time period and red markers at night. I
asked Mrs Wilson if she had ever been bothered by the current towers strobe lights during daylight. She said
only one time in the time frame she had lived there and at that time one of the light units had been
misadjusted.
If Kevin needs more information let me know. In the meantime I am going prepare the filing for the change with
the FAA.
Dirk B Freeman
Technical Consultant
Longmont Broadcasting LLC
PO Box 753
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
Phone 303 940 4886
Fax 303 940 1229
E-mail blairmedia@aol.com
4/4/2006
r
' • •
Chris Gathman
From: Chris Gathman
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 2:05 PM
To: 'David Nemeth'
Subject: RE: Richland Towers Longmont Site
Dave,
we discussed this at this morning's staff meeting. The staff decision was, given the
height of the tower, location of the proposed antenna, and the small size of the antenna
relative to the overall tower height, that an antenna that is painted "orange" would be
permitted. The only remaining item would be to apply for the appropriate building
permit (s) for this antenna.
Sincerely,
Chris Gathman
Planner III
Original Message
From: David Nemeth [mailto:dnemeth@rtowers.com]
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 1:50 PM
To: Chris Gathman
Subject: RE: Richland Towers Longmont Site
Chris:
Thank you for looking into this for me. Please let me know what the decision is.
•
Dave Nemeth
Original Message
From: Chris Gathman [mailto:cgathman@co.weld.co.us]
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:47 PM
To: David Nemeth
Subject: RE: Richland Towers Longmont Site
O.K. David. I will check with staff on this.
Thanks,
Chris
Original Message
From: David Nemeth [mailto:dnemeth@rtowers.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 1:01 PM
To: Chris Gathman
Subject: Richland Towers Longmont Site
Chris:
Thank you for speaking with me today regarding the color of future
antennas on our broadcast tower located at 6870 CR 17, Fort Lupton, CO
80621. Our preference would be that the color of the antenna be
"orange" versus "white" and wanted to check with the county to see if
there were any zoning regulations that would prohibit the use of
"orange" for the antenna. The tower would not be painted and it would
remain the galvanized steel color. Only the antenna would be painted.
etvM-M4.6,721-Ce.it d W 1 aO610 -.3q2;
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The proposed antenna will be at the 925 foot level and will be about
35.7 feet in length. This is a broadband antenna which will serve
multiple broadcasters, and thus reduces the number of antennas required
if each broadcaster installed their own. There is a site located near
ours that has this type of antenna painted orange.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions
or I can be of any additional assistance to you, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Dave Nemeth
Richland Towers
813-579-4243 Direct
813-728-0688 Mobile
dnemeth@rtowers.com
2
4D •
Chris Gathman
From: Chris Gathman
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 1:06 PM
To: Lin Dodge
Subject: FW: use permit
Here is the Trinity Broadcast detail re: the tenant finish. I am fine with releasing this
permit.
Sincerely,
Chris
Original Message
From: James Riddle [mailto:JRiddle@tbn.org]
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:32 AM
To: Chris Gathman
Subject: use permit
Dear sir:
Trinity broadcasting has a rental agreement with Richland towers.
Richland is the owner of the building at 6870 Weld county road 17.
We will be using the building for a third Digital TV transmitter.
The transmitter will cover the Greeley/ Denver area on channel 38.
We are adding about 20 tons of air conditioning, 2 walls and electrical equipment.
The building will be remotely monitored and visited about once a week.
If you have any other questions please ask.
Thanks
James Riddle
Chief Engineer KPJR
Trinity Broadcasting
9020 Yates street
Westminster, CO 80031
303-650-5515
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