Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-00-09-013 — Florida Power Corporation

Request: "Special Exception at electrical substation sitze zoned C-2 and R-3 as follows: Convert utility pole with existing ancillary communication antennas into a communication tower in order for additional communication antennas. Current pole exists at 100 ft. in height; conversion will allow for 20 ft. additional height (total 120 ft.). Also, applicant proposes to relocate pole approximately 183 ft. to the west of its existing location."

Decision: Denied

Hearing: "This item was originally heard at the BZA's July 6, 2000, meeting and resulted in a recommedation of approval. However, it came to Staff's attention that insufficient notice was provided to the property owners to the west of the subject site (Gallery Condominiums), so another public hearing was scheduled to include proper notice. The original Staff Report is located on pages ---. The subject pole was replaced several years ago with 20 extra feet (permitted by right) to accommodate one cell phone provider. The request to date is to replace it again for 20 more feet (40 feet over the original pole height) to accommodate a second provider (Nextel). Prior to this second public hearing, Florida Power conducted another community meeting at the Gallery Condominiums Clubhouse. All parties notified of the first hearing were again notified, in addition to all property owners within the Gallery Condominiums. At the public hearing, the Florida Power representative stated the request is to provide communication coverage for Nextel. He explained that the center of their coverage area is at the intersection of Aloma and Lakemont Avenues. Another tower in the area was determined insufficient for their use because the location on the tower was too short to provide adequate coverage. Approximately one dozen citizens were present in opposition to the request. A petition with over 400 signatures was submitted at this hearing; the signatures were representative of homeowners in the Gallery Condominiums, Winter Park Estates, and the Mayflower Retirement Community. The primary concern was aesthetics. At the hearing, the opposition stated the 20 extra feet Florida Power is requesting will include a bracket of 18 antennas and would be taller than any other object in the neighborhood. The Gallery Condominiums owners were opposed to the additional visual impact they felt would be present based on moving the pole from its current location closer to their condominiums. The Distr