Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-23-02-159 — Heath Williams for Cityswitch

Request: Special Exception and Variance in the I-2/ I-3 zoning district as follows: 1) Special Exception to allow the construction of a 165 ft. high monopole communication tower. 2) Variance to allow a residential distance separation of 151 ft. in lieu of 1,155 ft.

Decision: Denied

Hearing: SYNOPSIS: Staff described the proposal, including the location of the property, the site plan, elevations, landscape plan, and photos of the site. Staff provided an analysis of the six (6) Special Exception and Variance criteria and the reasons for a recommendation for denial since the proposed communication tower will located within close proximity of residences to the east and that there are alternatives to meet code. Staff noted that no comments were received in favor of the application and eight (8) comments were received in opposition to the application, in addition to a petition and correspondence from the airports authority. The applicant described the request with a Power Point presentation, indicating the need for the tower at the proposed location to increase cell service in the area. There was no one in attendance to speak in favor of the request and two were in attendance to speak in opposition to the request. The BZA discussed the distance separation requirements to the closest residences, the tower's compatibility with the surrounding area and recommended denial of the Special Exception and Variance by a 5-0 vote, with 2 absent.