Pre-App - Stealth Wireless - 2013CITY OF CAMPBELL
Community Development Department
June 28, 2013
Jimmy Stillman
AT&T Mobility c/o Modus Inc.
149 Natoma Street, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94131
Re: File No: PRE2013-03
Address: 1600 W. Campbell Avenue
Application: Pre-Application
Dear Mr. Stillman,
Thank you for submittal of a prelimi~iary application proposal for a stealth telecommunications
facility located at the above referenced addresses. The purpose of this letter is to provide staff
comment in anticipation of a formal project submittal. Please note that this review letter is
limited to the overall project design concept and should not be not construed as a substitute for
formal project review:
APPLICATION
1. Stealth Facility: The project was submitted as a "stealth facility". But based on staffs
evaluation of the application, this proposal would not qualify as a stealth facility. A stealth
telecommunications facility "is designed to blend into the surrounding environment, and is
visually unobtrusive" (Campbell Municipal Code section 21.34.020). Building-mounted
stealth facilities must appear to be an integral part of the building's architecture; they should
not detract from the building's architectural style or character. The proposed antennas would
be concealed within architectural features; however, these features would not blend with the
building's architecture nor would they be visually unobtrusive. Adding a tall "colonnade-
style" structure would be visually obtrusive and significantly detract from the building's
architecture.
2. Conditional Use Permit: Staff' does not consider this to be a stealth facility, and it would
therefore be subject to the permitting process for anon-stealth facility (Use Permit with
Planning Commission review). The total application fee for a Use Permit is $4,131.00. A
Conditional Use Permit application and the additional submittal requirements found in the
Wireless Telecommunication Ordinance are included for your review.
PRE2013-03 ~ 1600 w. Campbell Avenue Page 2 of 2
PLAN REVISIONS
1. Site Plan: The project is located on a shopping center site consisting of six lots. The plans
provided show only the lot on which the project is located. In addition to the plans previously
provided, please add a contextual site plan showing the entire shopping center and locating
the subject property within the center.
2. Antenna Specifications: The plans do not appear to include any antenna specifications or
details. Please provide specifications and details for the proposed panel antennas including all
dimensions.
DESIGN COMMENTS
3. Stealth Facility Design: As noted above, staff does not consider the proposed facility to be a
stealth facility. While you have the option of a Use Permit application to proceed with the
current proposal, staff would be unlikely to support the current design. Staff recommends
redesign to better integrate the facility with the building's architecture. Consider the
following:
a. It may be possible to integrate a telecommunications facility into existing architectural
features on the site. This approach typically results in the most successful stealth designs.
b. Ensure the scale of any new feature is appropriate. The currently proposed colonnade
does not relate at all to the existing tower elements found on the building.
c. Ensure any new elements do not appear arbitrary or ``tacked on." Simply concealing an
antenna behind an architectural element is not sufficient for a stealth design if the element
itself is out of place. Consider whether the element will appear to have been intentionally
designed as part of the original building.
If you should have any questions regarding these comments, I may be contacted at (408) 866-
2142 or by email at steve~a cityofcampbell.com.
Sincerely,
Steve Prosser
Associate Planner
encl: Conditional Use Permit Application
CMC Chapter 21.34
cc: Paul Kermoyan, Community Development Director
Kirkorian Properties, LP, 1630 W. Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008
70 North First Street • Campbell, CA 95008-1423 • TEL (408) 866-2140 • i:AX (408) 866-5140 • E-nantL planning@cityofcampbell.com