HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-130APRIL 27, 2010
10 -130 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 7 -0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN
PURPOSE: APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT TO ALLOW PLACEMENT OF ROOFTOP
ANTENNAE AND SUPPORT STRUCTURES / TAYLOR HALL, 780
HIGH AVENUE
INITIATED BY: UW- OSHKOSH, OWNER /PETITIONER
PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approved w /conditions
BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh that a
conditional use permit and planned development to allow placement of antennae and
support structures on the rooftop of Taylor Hall, per the attached, is hereby approved
with the following conditions:
1) Antennae, mounts and cable runs are blended in with the appearance of the
building as much as possible and approved by the Department of Community
Development.
2) A base standard modification is granted per Section 30- 35(J)(4) of the Zoning
Ordinance to allow antennae placement of commercial telecommunication
antennae in a residential zoning district.
3) Documentation shall be provided that the antennae meet Federal
Communication Commission (FCC) Emission Regulations.
4) Documentation be provided by a professional R.F. engineer that confirms either
the co- location possibilities on the building or the buildings inadequacy to locate
additional telecommunication facilities.
A)
OYHKOfH
ON THE WATER
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Darryn Burich /,V
Director of Planning Services
DATE: April 22, 2010
RE: Approve Conditional Use Permit and Planned Development of the Placement of
Rooftop Antennae and Support Structures / Taylor Hall, 780 High Avenue (Plan
Commission Recommends Approval)
BACKGROUND
The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit/development plan approval to allow placement of
12 rooftop antennae and six support structures on the rooftop of Taylor Hall, a University of Wisconsin
Oshkosh (UWO) residence hall /dormitory. The subject building is located in the center of the UWO
campus at 780 High Avenue approximately a quarter mile west of Wisconsin Street. It is in close
proximity to student support building and services and is accessible by automobile or bike /foot.
ANALYSIS
The purpose of the antenna placement request is to relocate antennae currently placed on Nelson and
Clemens Halls (both scheduled for summer demolition) thereby continuing to provide undisrupted
cellular service coverage and capacity. Taylor Hall was the chosen location because it is centrally
located within the University, has similar height and clear line of site as the two current locations, and
can provide interior space for accessory equipment. The installation includes twelve 4 -foot tall
antennae and six 7 -foot tall non - penetrating ballast frames /support structures as well as coax cable runs
(designed to match the building wall) going from the rooftop to ground mounted HVAC and back -up
generator equipment on the outside of the north and west facades of the building. Other associated
equipment will be located within Taylor Hall and not be visible. The antennae will be placed near the
edge of the structure setback from the roof ledge from 3 to 5 feet with no screening and will project 7
to 10 feet above the existing building. Color selection will help to minimize their appearance and
cable runs on the sides of the buildings will be disguised as to blend into the structure itself and
ground- mounted mechanical equipment will be required to be completely screened from view.
FISCAL IMPACT
None anticipated.
RECOMMENDATION
The Plan Commission approved of this request at its April 20, 2010 meeting.
Approved,
� ;X �
City Manager
ITEM: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVAL TO
PLACE CELLULAR ANTENNAE AND SUPPORT STRUCTURES ON THE
ROOF OF TAYLOR HALL AT 780 HIGH AVENUE
Plan Commission meeting of April 20, 2010
GENERAL INFORMATION
Petitioner /Owner: University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Action(s) Requested:
The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit/development plan approval to allow placement
of rooftop antennae and support structures on the rooftop of Taylor Hall, a University of
Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO) residence hall /dormitory.
Applicable Ordinance Provisions:
Wireless telecommunication towers and antennae are regulated in Section 30 -35 (J) of the Zoning
Ordinance and require a conditional use and planned development approval to be installed at this
location. Conditional Use Permit standards are found in Section 30 -11 of the Zoning Ordinance
and criteria and guidelines for the establishment and/or amendment of a Planned Development
overlay district in Section 30 -33.
Property Location and Type:
The subject building is a residence hall /dormitory located in the center of the UWO campus at 780
High Avenue, approximately a quarter mile west of Wisconsin Street. It is in close proximity to
student support building and services and is accessible by automobile or bike /foot.
Subiect Site
Existing Land Use I
Zonin
University Campus — Residence Halls /Dormitory
R -5PD
Adiacent Land Use and Zoning
Existing Uses
Zonin
North
University Campus — Union and Sports Building
(across Algoma Blvd)
R -5PD
West
University Campus - Residence Halls /Dormitory
R -5PD
South
University Campus — Sports Complex
(across High Ave)
R -5PD
East
University Campus - Commons
R -5PD
Comprehensive Plan
Recommendation Time frame
Land Use 'Classification
10 Year Land Use Recommendation
Public and Institutional
20 Year Land Use Recommendation
Public and Institutional
ANALYSIS
The University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is requesting a conditional use permit /development plan
approval to allow placement of 12 antennae and six support structures on the rooftop of Taylor
Hall. The purpose of the antenna placement request is to relocate antennae currently placed on
Nelson and Clemens Halls (both scheduled for summer demolition) thereby continuing to provide
undisrupted cellular service coverage and capacity. Capacity and coverage are extremely important
at the campus as the density of users and frequency of cellular actions are high.
The University is zoned with a residential district with planned development overlay where
commercial antenna mounts and towers are not permitted under the base district standards so a
base standard modification is being requested to allow placement. Taylor Hall was the chosen
location for the telecommunication antennae and equipment location because it was chosen by
University officials, is centrally located within the University, has similar height and clear line of
site as the two current locations, and can provide interior space for accessory equipment.
The installation includes twelve 4 -foot tall antennae and six 7 -foot tall non - penetrating ballast
frames /support structures as well as coax cable runs (designed to match the building wall) going
from the rooftop to ground mounted HVAC and back -up generator equipment on the outside of the
north and west facades of the building. Other equipment associated with the antenna installation
will be located within Taylor Hall and not be visible. The twelve antennae will be placed in sets of
two facing all four directions and will be placed near the edge of the structure setback from the
roof ledge from 3 feet to 5 feet with no screening and will project approximately 7 feet to 10 feet
above the existing building as indicated on the submitted illustrations and depicted on the
submitted photo simulations. Though the antenna and support structures are visible, the University
and the cellular carriers associated with the antenna attempted to shield them from view as much
as possible but were restricted from incorporating many "stealth" placement methods because the
flat roof lacked any parapet wall or penthouse structures to place them on. Additionally,
placement of the antenna and support structures could not be pulled further back than proposed
because if pulled out of the "line of sight', the signals would be blocked forcing the antenna to be
higher and the support structures be more substantial, thereby negating the goal of visually
minimizing their presence on the roof. Additionally, the roof structure of the building itself would
potentially have to be altered to support the addition load of the enlarged installation as it gets
further away from the supportive roof edges. The concept of side mounting the antenna on the
walls of the building was considered but found to have to require multiple structural alterations to
be cost effective or functionally acceptable.
The University, cellular company representatives and City staff met several times to discuss the
installation and capability to minimize their visibility as much as possible. Consensus has been
reached that, with the exception of relocating them to another location or onto a new structure, the
ability to hide the antenna and support structures is extremely limited. The largest setback from
the roof edge as possible has been provided and color selection will help to minimize their
appearance. It is also believed that the foliage of surrounding trees will also help to obscure the
presence of the antenna during spring and summer months. The cable runs on the sides of the
buildings will be disguised as to blend into the structure itself and ground- mounted mechanical
equipment will be required to be completely screened from view.
Item — 780 HighXW0 Antenna CUP
RECOMMENDATION /CONDITIONS
The Department of Community Development recommends the Plan Commission find the proposed
CUP /Development Plan is consistent with Section 30 -11 (D) and 30 -33 (E) of the Zoning
Ordinance and the request be approved with the following conditions:
1) Antennae, mounts and cable runs are blended in with the appearance of the building as
much as possible.
2) A base standard modification is granted per Section 30 -35 (J)(4) of the Zoning Ordinance
to allow antenna placement of commercial telecommunication antennae in a residential
zoning district.
3) Documentation shall be provided that the antennae meet Federal Communication
Commission (FCC) Emission Regulations.
4) Documentation is provided by a professional R.F. engineer that confirms either the co-
location possibilities on the building or the buildings inadequacy to locate additional
telecommunication facilities.
The Plan Commission approved of the conditional use permit /development plan as requested with
revised conditions. The following is the Plan Commission's discussion on this item.
Mr. Burich presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area and the location of
where the antennae are currently located at Nelson and Clemens Halls both which are scheduled
for demolition this summer. He explained that the cellular antennae are not allowed in this area
without the CUP /PD approval and that the request entails the placement of 12 antennae on the
rooftop of the residence hall and displayed the location of said installation on the map. He also
reviewed a profile of the elevations with the proposed installations in place and a site plan of the
roof installation. He stated that the condition #I recommended for this request was being amended
to "Antennae, mounts and cable runs are blended in with the appearance of the building as much as
possible and approved by the Department of Community Development.
Mr. Thorns inquired if the residence hall where the antennae installation was proposed was
completely surrounded by UWO campus facilities.
Mr. Burich responded that it was other than the passing vehicular traffic in the area.
Mr. Thorns then inquired if the additional antennae would cause any interference with police or
fire frequencies.
Ms. Lohry questioned if there were any health related issues with the placement of the antennae on
a residence hall.
Thomas Sonnleitner, representing the University, 800 Algoma Boulevard, stated that they have
been working closely with the City Manager's office on the plans for the new residence halls and
have engaged several companies with cellular towers on the campus as they have extremely high
usage in the area. Taylor Hall was selected as the location for these antennae as it is centrally
located on campus and the towers would be less visible to neighboring properties. He further
stated that there were two separate companies involved in this request and the exterior equipment
Item - 780 High/UWO Antenna CUP
located on the ground would be shielded from view. The cable would be blended with the
appearance of the building and the signals are regulated by the FCC so there would be no possible
interference with police or fire frequencies. As far as the concerns over health issues, he
commented that these towers are located all over the country, including on the rooftops of
hospitals, without any health issues.
Mr. Hinz inquired if the cellular phone providers pay for the service of this installation.
Mr. Sonnleitner responded affirmatively.
Motion by Thoms to approve the conditional use permit /development plan approval to
place cellular antennae and support structures on the roof of Taylor Hall at 780 High
Avenue with the following conditions:
1) Antennae, mounts and cable runs are blended in with the appearance of the building as
much as possible and approved by the Department of Community Development.
2) A base standard modification is granted per Section 30 -35 (J)(4) of the Zoning Ordinance
to allow antenna placement of commercial telecommunication antennae in a residential
zoning district.
3) Documentation shall be provided that the antennae meet Federal Communication
Commission (FCC) Emission Regulations.
4) Documentation is provided by a professional R. F. engineer that confirms either the co-
location possibilities on the building or the buildings inadequacy to locate additional
telecommunication facilities.
Seconded by Vajgrt. Motion carried 6 -0 -1. (Mr. Fojtik abstained as he is employed by
UWO.)
Item — 780 High/UWO Antenna CUP
-
Q_fH1Q, H
ON THE WATER
City of Oshkosh Application
❑ Planned Development Review
❑ Conditional Use Permit Review
"PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT USING BLACK INK**
APPLICANT INFORMATION
SUBMIT TO:
Dept. of Community Development
215 Church Ave., P.O. Box 1130
Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54903 -1130
PHONE: (920) 236 -5059
Petitioner: ax W et'S ck �� l i Sc� �ShF ' Date: q-5—a0\13
Petitioner's Address: % Old �C� gor�a� +� J City: State: + Zip: Q O r
Telephone #: c9 y �V - �1 Fax: (9� Lay — Oa .9 Other Contact # or Email:
Status of Petitioner (Please Check): ❑'Owner >qtepresentative ❑ Tenant ❑ Prospective Buyer
Petitioner's Signature (required):
OWNER INFORMATION
Date:
Owner(s): �1ti�J2rS���, o� \��S or,S1h ('�c��Coc� Date: —S—Dow
Owner(s) Address: 117 0(O -W\C0 VV% ',�,\Q City: D State: \4 Zip: Syap 1
Telephone #: (q'�kb) 4��1 c�3c�'� Fax: ( day " ;Z a`E C5 Other Contact # or Email: SOhr l .� W bS }�. eA `t
Ownership Status (Please Check): ❑ Individual ❑ Trust ❑ Partnership ❑ Corporation
Property Owner Consent: (required)
By signature hereon, I/We acknowledge that City officials and/or employees may, in the performance of their functions, enter upon the
property to inspect or gather other information necessary to process this application. I also understand that all meeting dates are tentative
and may be postponed by the Planning Services Division f%incomplete su miss ions or other administrative reasons.
Property Owner's Signature:
SITE INFORMATIO
Date: 4 -9 -c ol o
Address/Location of Proposed Project: C)y \\a\\ � QiC7 Ct � Q, \ ' \QeA_u4_ Parcel No. 0 0S OW OCC C)
Proposed Project Type: �e��v.�0. c d�� P k. n AN- Y
Current Use of Property: Zoning:
Land Uses Surrounding Site: North:
South: _ � ,,tt
East: \� W �stias� ��.v�.Jer �n�1cl���.�G 1 ^ - , n ms
West: Woo yec
* *Please note that a meeting notice will be mailed to all abutting property owners regarding your request.
➢ Application fees are due at time of submittal. Make check payable to City of Oshkosh.
➢ Please refer to the fee schedule for appropriate fee. FEE IS NON - REFUNDABLE
For more information please the City's website at www.ei.oshkosh.wi.us/ Community _Development /Planning.htm
Staff A Date Recd
4�
OSHKOSH
Mr. David Buck
Principal Planner
City of Oshkosh
Department of Community Development
215 Church Avenue
PO Box 1130
Oshkosh, WI 54903 -1130
April 13, 2010
Re: Conditional Use Permit Review/Planned Development Permit Review submittal for proposed
telecommunications facilities to be located upon the UW Oshkosh Taylor Hall, 780 High Avenue, Oshkosh,
W154901.
On behalf of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, enclosed please find the following information prepared by
Appleton - Oshkosh - Neenah MSA Limited Partnership, d/b /a Verizon Wireless (" Verizon Wireless ") and United
States Cellular Operating Company, LLC :
1. Two (2) reduced size (11" x 17 ") drawings with Site Plans, Elevations, and Equipment Details;
2. Two (2) full size (minimum 24" x 36 ") Verizon Wireless Construction Drawings with Site Plans;
Elevations, and Equipment Details;
3. Photo - simulations from north, south, east, and west showing Applicant's antennas;
4. Engineering statements from Applicant regarding antenna placement.
5. Cover letter from FMHC.
This information is a follow up to the request from the City of Oshkosh to re- submit the information from UW
Oshkosh as the applicant.
Thank you for your consideration of this project.
Jo L. Rife
Sr. Facilities Planning Specialist
UW Oshkosh
Planning and Construction
PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH, 800 ALGOMA BLVD, OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN 54901
(920) 424 -2006, FAX (920) 424 -0259 5
An Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Institution, www.uwosh.edu
Fm c
taking telecom to new heights
Ms. Jo Ann Rife
Facilities Manager
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI 54901 -8681
April 9, 2010
FMHC Corporation
8A W. Davenport St.
Suite: 201, Box 8
Rhinelander, WI 54501
Phone: 773 - 919 -5112
Fax: 866 - 684 -3535
Re: Conditional Use Permit Review/Planned Development Permit Review submittal for proposed
Appleton- Oshkosh - Neenah MSA Limited Partnership, d/b /a Verizon Wireless Communications and
United States Cellular Operating Company, LLC telecommunications facilities to be located upon
the UW Oshkosh Taylor Hall, 780 High Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54901.
Dear Ms. Rife,
On behalf of Appleton - Oshkosh - Neenah MSA Limited Partnership, d/b /a Verizon Wireless ( "Verizon
Wireless ") and United States Cellular Operating Company, LLC (together "Applicant") enclosed please
find the following information:
1. Two (2) reduced size (11" x 17 ") drawings with Site Plans, Elevations, and Equipment Details;
2. Two (2) full size (minimum 24" x 36 ") Verizon Wireless Construction Drawings with Site Plans;
Elevations, and Equipment Details;
3. Photo - simulations from north, south, east, and west showing Applicant's antennas;
4. Engineering statements from Applicant regarding antenna placement.
As you already may know, upon the request of the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, Applicant is seeking
to replace its existing rooftop facilities now located upon the rooftop and interior of Nelson Hall and
Clemans Hall respectively, with new communications facilities to be located upon the rooftop and interior
of Taylor Hall, both are residence halls within the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh campus. The
approval of this application is necessary for Applicant to vacate its existing facility, and in turn allow the
University to proceed with their scheduled demolition of Nelson and Clemans Halls this June.
The proposed project includes the installation of six (6) panel type antennas per Applicant upon the Taylor
Hall Rooftop all mounted to non - penetrating ballast frames; their associated coaxial cable runs (twelve (12)
lines 1518" in diameter) across the rooftop and down the exterior face of the building in a covered cable
tray; the location of its telecommunications base station equipment in a separately demised room inside the
lower level of Taylor Hall; and exterior emergency backup power generators (fueled by natural gas) and air
cooled condensing units at grade near the building exterior, all as shown on the enclosed construction
drawings.
The existing installation and the building upon which it sits, are similar in use to the ones that Applicant is
proposing. The approval of this use upon Taylor Hall would continue to provide the benefit of wireless
communication services to the University Campus as well as the surrounding community.
Neighboring property will not be impacted or devalued in any way, as the installation of the equipment
upon the rooftop will not result an increase of the overall height of the structure, or create any excessive
noise, traffic, smoke, hones, glare, odors, vibrations, etc. Also, the proposed location is completely
6
surrounded by University owned property, which has approved the design and is obviously supporting of
this application.
Provisions for the necessary utility service needed to operate the site (power and telephone) will be made
with local providers, and will be installed in a manner which least disturbs the existing ground. The
installation of the equipment and utilities will not alter the topography of the site so the existing drainage
patterns will be adequate, as they exist. Power and telephone service will be routed in underground conduit
as depicted in the plan. A licensed electrician will perform all utility work in accordance with all
applicable regulations.
Any soils that need to be excavated for the installation of the concrete pad/foundation to house the
emergency backup power generator shall be removed from the site. The installation of this pad can
typically be completed in 1 -2 days, thus minimizing the possibility of water impoundment or erosion.
The proposed use will not require any additional provisions of site access, parking, or minimization of
traffic congestion, as the facility will be unmanned. Applicant's cell site technicians will visit the site
periodically, typically for a couple of hours once per month, for equipment testing and to monitor the
maintenance and security of the site.
I am hoping this satisfies the requirements for the application to be heard by the City of Oshkosh Planning
Commission, and look forward to the public hearing for this request. Of course, Mr. Jim Weinmann
(representing United States Cellular Operating Company) and I will be present at the meeting to address
any remaining questions that the commission may have regarding the application and Applicant's proposed
use of the site.
If you should have any additional questions or information needs in the meantime, please call me direct at
773 - 919 -5112 or contact me by e-mail at Pschau@frnhc.com Thank you for all of your time and
consideration towards this request.
Best regards,
;Ve6x .5Aw
Peter Schau
FMHC Corporation
On behalf of Verizon Wireless
Enclosures as described
cc: Mr. Jim Weinmann, Wireless Planning Consultants -On behalf of US Cellular.
7
�IIS.Cellular
April 9, 2010
Re: Antenna location, concealment, engineering justification
Dear Mr. Buck,
The purpose of the following letter is to discuss US Cellular's attempts to camouflage or conceal its
antennas, US Cellular's antenna locations, and the engineering behind these locations. The site location at
Taylor Hall was selected by mutual agreement of the University and US Cellular. The University was
willing to allow US Cellular to locate on this building. US Cellular determined that no other campus
building would provide acceptable coverage. The other building choices were either too far on the fringe
of the campus, had unacceptable blockage in multiple directions, or could not be modified at the
requirement of the University.
Taylor Hall does not lend itself to antenna concealment because it does not have an existing penthouse,
elevator shaft, or stairwell penthouse upon which antennas could be mounted and painted or designed to
match. The University is not willing to allow US Cellular to construct a faux penthouse because such
modifications would compromise the structural integrity of the rooftop and/or involve significant building
modification. Installing the antennas on the face of the building presents equally difficult problems. The
parapet wall is not tall enough to route coax cable through. The cable would have to come over the top of
the building or be routed through dorm rooms to reach antennas on the outside of the building. This was
not a tenable position for the University. In addition, the lower height was not agreeable to US Cellular's
engineers.
To mitigate visual impact, US Cellular is reducing its antenna size from 6 feet to 4 feet and pulling the
antenna mounts 3 feet back off the roof edge. This will make the antennas much less visible from ground
level along Algoma Blvd and High Ave. The trees surrounding Taylor Hall will also help reduce visibility.
From May through October each sector of antennas will be screened from view from multiple angles.
Unfortunately, US Cellular cannot move its antennas farther back from the roof edge without severely
degraded coverage. When signal leaves the antenna it will travel outward until it reaches a handset or is
otherwise blocked or absorbed by trees, houses, or other obstacles (clutter). The more signal that is
absorbed or blocked by clutter, the less capacity the site maintains to process calls and data. Clutter exists
everywhere so a certain amount of efficiency is expected to be lost. Most clutter, however, is several
hundred feet or several miles from the antenna. In this case, the antenna would be next to the clutter (roof
of building) which causes problems the distant clutter does not.
Because of proximity to the wall/building, a large amount of signal would propagate directly into the
wall/building and would be immediately absorbed and lost or become too weak to be effective. Signal
would also be blocked or reflected. In each of these instances, the affected signal is not able to reach its
intended destination, the handset/user, and consequently efficiency, coverage, and capacity are lost.
In general terms, the more the antenna is blocked, the less signal is able to reach its intended destination
and the more inefficient it becomes. If a few inches of the bottom of the antenna are blocked, the effects
are noticeable but generally not enough to severely impair the site. As blockage migrates up the antenna,
the capacity/efficiency problems increase exponentially. If too much blockage occurs, the antenna
becomes essentially useless. For these reasons, US Cellular can only pull the antennas back a few feet
from the roofline without significantly increasing the height of the antennas.
Sincerely,
Heidi R Lange
Radio Frequency Engineer
U.S. Cellular®
Verffonwireless
Verizon Wireless
1515 Woodfield Rd
Suite 1400
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Mr. David Buck
Principal Planner
City of Oshkosh
Department of Community Development
215 Church Avenue
P.O. Box 1130
Oshkosh, WI 54903 -1130
April 9, 2010
Re: Conditional Use Permit Review /Planned Development Permit Review submittal
for proposed Appleton - Oshkosh - Neenah MSA Limited Partnership, d /bta Verizon
Wireless Communications Facility to be located upon the UW Oshkosh Taylor Hall,
780 High Avenue, Oshkosh, Wl 54901.
Dear Mr. Buck,
In regards to the above referenced zoning application filed with your office by the University
of Wisconsin - Oshkosh on behalf of the Appleton- Oshkosh - Neenah MSA Limited
Partnership, d /b /a Verizon Wireless ( "Verizon Wireless "), please accept this letter explaining
some of the engineering needs, considerations, and site limitations that determined the
proposed Verizon Wireless rooftop antenna locations and support structure design.
First of all, let us begin by stating that the desire of both the University of Wisconsin -
Oshkosh, and the City of Oshkosh, to put forth the least visibly obtrusive option for the
proposed antenna installation was considered from the onset of the site selection and
design process. Unfortunately, due to Verizon Wireless' network coverage needs, coupled
with the existing architectural characteristics of the subject building, the options and
techniques typically utilized to assist in the screening or camouflaging of these types of
antenna locations are not readily available at this location.
As you already know, Verizon Wireless currently operates a facility on the University
campus located upon the rooftop of Nelson Hall approximately one block east of the
proposed site. Due to its need to demolish Nelson Hall in the coming months, the University
requested that Verizon Wireless remove and relocate this facility. Upon receiving this
request from the University, the proposed Taylor Hall rooftop site was selected as a
replacement. Along with it being an agreeable location for the University, it offers a similar
.�7
• Page 2 April 12. 2010
geographic location and antenna mounting height as the existing site. It also provides a
clear line of site to the surrounding area free of potential obstructions that could potentially
cause signal limitations and interference.
This is important to understand, because the existing site, and its proposed replacement, is
an infill site that serves a limited coverage area in between surrounding Verizon Wireless
network sites. The driving need for this site is to assist in the offloading of network traffic in
the immediate vicinity from the surrounding network sites (capacity), as well as offer the
highest quality level of in- building signal strength where there is a consistent high level of
demand (coverage). These types of infill sites are essential in supporting the needs of
densely populated areas which see proportionately higher use levels of wireless
communication services such as university campuses. After reviewing other nearby
rooftops along with Taylor Hall, it was determined that the Taylor Hall site rooftop antenna
placement not only offered the best antenna mounting locations to meet Verizon Wireless'
network needs described above, but the building itself also had the necessary ancillary
space to house the Verizon Wireless base station equipment. The available space within
the building would allow the equipment to be installed and operated in a manner that would
be most cohesive to the present use and operation of the property by the University, and
require a minimal amount of construction disturbance versus the other locations considered.
The rooftop antenna locations were designed to be situated as far away as possible from
the edge of the roofline, and at the lowest possible elevation above the roofline, in a manner
that would avoid potential interference from not only the building rooftop, but also the nearby
United States Cellular proposed antenna locations, all while still being able to utilize non -
penetrating roof antenna frames.
To further explain, though not apparent to the naked eye, each of the antennas is mounted
with a slight down tilt to ensure that the signal it transmits and receives does not overlap with
those of surrounding sites (resulting in disrupted hand offs and dropped calls). This down tilt
also synchronizes the signal trajectory to the surrounding topography. Down tilting requires
that the antenna be located high enough off the existing surface of the underlying roof so
that the down ward signal path is clear from the roof surface to avoid potential signal
blockage known as shadowing. Thus, the farther away that the antenna is located from the
edge of the roof, the higher up from the roof it must be mounted to ensure that the
downward signal path is clear from this potential obstruction.
Furthermore, it is important to take into consideration that as the mounting height of the
proposed antenna increases, that the structural loading for that antenna upon its support
structure is simultaneously increasing. With this increase in loading, the design of the
support structure, as well as its location and relationship with the structural elements of
underlying roof /building, will also need to be increased/fortified to ensure that it can safely
carry the additional force. This would typically result in the need of increasing the size and
girth of the ballast frame support structure, and/or even designing a structure that needs to
be directly affixed to the building, versus the preferred non - penetrating mounts as proposed
for these rooftop applications.
10
• Page 3 April 12, 2010
This potential increase in size, girth, and complexity of design of the rooftop support
structure, typically eliminates the desired result of making the antenna, and its support
structure, less visible from the surrounding view shed.
Finally, the most common technique used to help in the screening or camouflaging of these
types of antenna locations would be to flush mount and color match the antennas to a solid
surface such as a parapet wall, or the wall of a mechanical /elevator penthouse on the
rooftop. As you can see from the design of the existing building, neither of these
opportunities exists. Other than that, the only other technique would be to construct custom
fabricated screening walls to obscure the antenna from view. Verizon Wireless does not
consider that a feasible option at this location due to the size of the roof, the invasive design
and complexity of construction, and the resulting excessive cost of such an installation.
We hope the information above provides the City of Oshkosh with the necessary insight and
understanding to the process, engineering needs, and site limitations that resulted in the
proposed design.
Respectfully,
Michael Fischer
RF Engineer
Verizon Wireless
41510 11
Thomas Zim mann
Professional Engineer
Terra Consulting Group, LTD.
11
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OSHKOSH WI 54901 RHINELANDER WI 54501
US CELLULAR OPERATING CO
ATTN JIM WEINMANN
2310 MILL ST
NEW LONDON WI 54961
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This map Is neither a legally recorded map nor ANTENNA INSTALLATION
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This drawing is s a compilation of records, data
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and state offices and other sources affecting
the area shown and it is to be used for reference City of Oshkosh
purposes only. The City of Oshkosh is not re- Department of
sponsible for any inaccuracies herein contained. _ Communit y p Develo ment
If discrepancies are found, please contact the
City of Oshkosh. Scale: 1 — 250
04/13/10
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This drawing is a compilation of records, data
and Information located In various city, county
and state offices and other sources affecting
the area shown and It Is to be used for reference
purposes only. The City of Oshkosh Is not re-
sponsible for any inaccuracies herein contained.
If discrepancies are found, please contact the
City of Oshkosh.
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