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Home My WebLink About07-10 Statement of JustificationLi im Aocrne'r— 40-j= i-00,0 SrrcAcgmsmon and Pro/ec rDeveloprnent Contractor for Global Tower Partners August 5, 2010 Frederick County Department of Planning and Development 107 North Kent Street, Suite 202 Winchester, VA 22601 Re: Letter of Justification - Conditional Use Permit Application for Global Tower Assets, LLC — Site VA5133 — 1-81 - Middletown Tax Parcel 69 -((A)) -7F - Adjacent to Wardensville Pike Owner: Robert and Regina Martin Contract Owner: Global Tower Assets, LLC Dear Mr. Cheran; Global Tower Assets (GTP) is proposing to build a 250 foot self support structure on the property located at the intersection of Brill Road and RT55, Star Tannery. This tower site is primarily placed at this location to provide a platform for the various wireless carriers to connect to the Clear Channel tower which is east of the proposed location located off of Cottontown Road in Shenandoah County and west to the Old AT&T, Craun LLC tower located on the VANVV state line. No other telecommunication facilities or possible co -location opportunity structures exist in this area. The proposed site is located in an area that has had carrier complaints of non-existent or very degraded service and loss of signal strength. The search ring objective, competing sites list and vicinity map are attached as Attachment 1. This tower location will provide carrier coverage to the surrounding roads and residential areas. CUP Application GTP- A5133 Page 2 August 5, 2010 Attached as Attachment 2 is an RF Brief with plots that represent the current coverage and projected coverage from our anchor tenant. Note on the RF plots the reference to Site 439 being on air. This site is currently under development as a co -location and a building permit application will be submitted in the near future. The carriers RF Brief also outlines their purpose and intent and the recommendation for the site at a "minimum" height of 199 feet. The anchor tenant has requested a "minimum" antenna height of 199 feet to meet their coverage objective for the area. For this reason, we are proposing the tower to be 250 feet in height which will allow compliance with the standard conditions placed on the CUP for collocating of additional carriers. The tower site is located outside the Urban Development Area and it is requested that a self support/lattice type structure be approved in lieu of the monopole design to allow for the additional carriers. Standard monopole structures are typically limited in height to 200 feet. The key points regarding the need for this telecommunications facility at this location are: 1. It is necessary to provide coverage and connectivity in the area in which it is proposed. 2_ Signal engineering from the anchor tenant shows an area of inadequate service in this area. 3. Statistical operating data of the existing wireless network creates a compelling need for service in this area. 4. The carriers, AT&T and Shentel, have placed, or are in the process of establishing facilities at the towers previously mentioned as owned by Clear Channel and Craun, LLC. There are no other existing facilities in this area that would provide the necessary platform to fulfill the needs in this particular area and fill the gap to provide contiguous service. 5. This site addresses communications needs of the high traffic -count roads in the area as well as the residential areas. 6. The tower needs to be of a self support/lattice design due to the height needed for adequate carrier coverage. CUP Application VA5133 Page 3 August 5, 2010 It is the ongoing policy and objective of Global Tower Assets LLC to make the tower available to other wireless service providers for co -location. The proposed tower will be engineered to accommodate a minimum of three (3) wireless carriers, thus reducing the need for additional towers in the area. In order to insure the maximum set back from the adjoining property owners, Global Tower has elected to purchase the entire 10 acre parcel and has sited the tower near the center of the parcel. By doing so, we expect adjoining properties will have zero visual impact from the installation of the tower. The evaluation process has been initiated for evaluation by the mandated agencies in accordance with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). As part of that evaluation, the Virginia Department of Historical Resources (DHR) will review the information to be submitted by The Ottery Group under the provisions of Section 106 with the expectation that the proposed site will have "No adverse effect' on historic properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places_ This site is consistent with planned growth, and planned growth calls for development of infrastructure. Sites like this are necessary components of the communications infrastructure_ This site can provide DSL quality (commonly called 3G or EVDO) wireless broadband Internet to the area and, it establishes the platform to introduce advanced WiMax and/or LTE wireless broadband service at speeds up to 70 Mbits/s and 326.4 Mbit/s, respectively_ Global Tower Assets LLC requests your favorable review and positive recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. Please contact me should you have questions or require additional information. Sincerely yours, �y Ly n Koerner Site Acquisition and Project Development Contractor for Global Tower Search Area Ring F-+ H Nap D Site ID Latitude D Lon itude De GE ft Pro Site1 39-6-0,724 N 78.28-3.3954 W 2132 Rad Center ft 180 Min GE ftMax RC ft Min RC ft SteT e 2132 213 165 #N/A Site Objectives: To provide continued coverage on Hwy 55 between Strasburg and Wardensville Additional Comments: .ali Candidales should be above surroundinG obstrr.lctions Engineer: fe,, Ahmed Ra Release #: 1 Release Date: 04115110 Approval: Date: F-+ H Competing Structure Analysis (Existing Towers, Rooftops, Water Tanks, etc.....) Existinff/Comuetine Structure #1 Tower Owner/Tower ID: Distance from proposed GTP Tower: AGL: Latitude/Longitude: Est. Space Availability/Capacity: Which Carriers are on Tower: Existing/Competing Structure #6 Tower Owner/Tower ID: Tower Owner/Tower ID: Clear Channel (Cottontown Rd - Sheandoah County) Distance from proposed GTP Tower: AGL: 178' Self Support Latitude/Longitude: N39-03-5625 (N39.0656) / W78-22-5755 (78.38265) Est. Space Availability/Capacity: At capacity Which Carriers are on Tower: AT&T / Shentel(Sprint) / Clear Channel Radio(WFQX-FM) Existing/Competing Structure #2 Tower Owner/Tower ID: Old AT&T Microwave Tower (Craun LLC - WV State Line) Distance from proposed GTP Tower: AGL: 115 foot Self support Latitude/Longitude: N39-06-04.1 1 (N39.1 011) / W78-29-42.20 (W78.4950) Est. Space Availability/Capacity: Microwaves can be removed - No other antenna Which Carriers are on Tower: AT&T and Sprint/Shentel negotiating for use Existing/Competing Structure #3 Tower Owner/Tower ID: HTS (Wardensville - WV) Distance from proposed GTP Tower: AGL: 180 foot monopole Latitude/Longitude: N39-04-34.89 (N39.07636) / W78-35-00.70 (W78.58353) Est. Space Availability/Capacity: At least 3 additional carriers Which Carriers are on Tower: Shentel(Sprint) Existing/Competing Structure #4 Tower Owner/Tower ID: Distance from proposed GTP Tower: AGL: Latitude/Longitude: Est. Space Availability/Capacity: Which Carriers are on Tower: Existing/Competing Structure #5 Tower Owner/Tower ID: Distance from proposed GTP Tower: AGL: Latitude/Longitude: Est. Space Availability/Capacity: Which Carriers are on Tower: Existing/Competing Structure #6 Tower Owner/Tower ID: V � 4\ HTS T,.weT to .7® U. GAF m ...-11 4aenCy 3+r pe D 2C 70 OrpilaiG bbe 1-9.T 2610 Ccm rconv:ea tth nP 'd:rg �n i» Iman— Dater- Aun 20. 2003. Attn 25. 2007 lat 39 01,3903" inn. -78.h2449%' .— 1677 it 401d AT&T LIA 0 OOQ1c EYe a!t 30,033 tt _.. �! pach Area Locat; i) Vlesf Channel ITI�44e USDA F.,.,, S.-- Ayeucy.. fm+r e'?201CCor ur-ti Bitt+ fVrrglnla t«�g CSC C. ..`. i010 Cccgta y .ateUt7t`2° Ian-i.:J4U2R , }' Attachment 2 r �- Aug 2, 2010 RF Brief Overview for the Proposed Wardensville Pike Site Shentel is proposing to build a PCS cell site near Hwy 55 Wardensville Pike and State Route 603 Brill Road intersection. The purpose of this site is to provide highway coverage along Hwy 55 thus extending Shentel's coverage footprint further west towards the West Virginia state line and on to Wardensville, WV. The proposed PCS site (Site Number: WA12SH714A) referred to as "Wardensville Pike" is located at coordinates: Latitude: 39° 05'46.72" N and Longitude: 78° 27' 01.22" W_ The site address is 200 Brill Road, Star Tannery,VA 22654. The PCS antennas will be co -located on the proposed 250 -ft self- support tower being proposed by Global Tower Partners, GTP_ The RF signal strength simulation study shows that the minimum height required for antenna deployment at this location to meet the coverage objective is 199 feet_ A height lower than this would result in less than the desired signal strength because of the terrain and clutter limitations. The loss in signal strength occurs because of the fact that the radio frequency signals, in general, are very susceptible to objects in their path such as buildings, trees & foliage and vehicles etc_ In addition, RF signals degrade in strength as distance increases between transmit and receive antennas even when there is no obstruction present in the path between the antennas. The result of RF signal strength simulations are shown in the plots enclosed. Take note of the site shown in the map as 439A which is currently under development and is a co -location on an existing tower near the state line. The RF simulation map labeled as "Coverage of Existing Sites without Site 714A" shows the current covered area. The RF simulation map labeled as "Coverage of Existing Sites with Site 714A" shows coverage from the proposed FCS site when the antennas are deployed at a height of 199 ft above ground level (AGL) along with the coverage from existing Shentel sites in the neighboring places. The RF simulation map labeled as "Coverage of Site 714A without Existing Sites" shows coverage only from the proposed PCS site when the antennas are deployed at a height of 199 ft above ground level. ...2 LOCAL AND LC+IA D! S 411GE TL=LEPHDIIE li l"rERr1ET a.(IG Ca.nT? SERVICES CABLE rELEVIS1011 WIRELESS VOIGE AND DATA SERVICES • .AL.ARfvl I.IOhNTCRII•IG TELEGOFliaUl!I+=hTIOIIS EQUIPIAE"IT LVdE I'JUST SERVE V -!ELL TO PROSPER • lNE HI l$T PROSPtFR T G SERVE WELL Page two The colors "yellow" and "green" in the RF simulation maps represent the strength of RF signal in the given geographical area. The "yellow color" represents In -Building PCS coverage level — RF signal strength of -84 d6m while the "green color" represents In -Vehicle PCS coverage level — RF signal strength of -98 dBm. The In -Building PCS coverage level warrants uninterrupted service to the user who is using a PCS device in -door when little or no interference is present. Similarly, the In -Vehicle PCS coverage level warrants uninterrupted service to the user who is using a PCS device while traveling in vehicle if little or no interference is present. Shentel complies with all FCC guidelines and standards for Radio Frequency (RF) emissions_ Shentel will operate, maintain and monitor this PCS cell site under the rules and guidelines of the FCC. In conclusion, it is evident from the RF simulation maps that this PCS cell site would provide highway coverage to commuter traffic along Hwy 55. Considering the purpose and extent of the site coverage, the RF engineers at Shentel recommend that a PGS site with antenna located at a minimum height of 199 ft AGL be built at the proposed site location. The proposed PCS site, along with Site 439A, will provide adequate road coverage along Hwy 55, thus fulfilling Shentel's desired coverage objective and meet company standards for reliable wireless service. Anthony S. Peralta Shentel — RF Engineer Office: (540) 984-5426 Fax: (540) 984-5493 Coverage of Existing Sites 04�1k, without Site 714A or • Mtl.M - � /�kbA �' _ �., e � �Yti int°'' _ ..� .'. a t [hL " ; r ! � � � T'� ' n= � rte'.. •� ! «�"� f ', WARDENSVILLE � P y � l � N "C � � 9'•f l' L OF a a &. '$r-Iiil'1I1V ERk. � 1 �,. l ., kw *16 LEGEND Ism . . IN-BUI- DING COVERAGE (-84 dBm) 10 IN -VEHICLE COVERAGE (-98 dem;., BLUE ;SITES -existing on -air sites BLACK SITES -future sites Site 439A was considered on -air in this plot to highlight coverage need for Site 714A s° _i Coverage of Existing Sites$ • _ K, with Site 714A � ,..'� oil WAM y -4 A S Y 5f it i By P"714 A 8 ti ps S a s. VUARDENSVILLE - a �, STAR TGNNERY .A tw R b a 438A t�N _ � a1 ■ z , I99 �l=' •� _ is �.1 17 ww s LEG E N D 'm v • �* �� . IN-BUILDING COVERAGE (-84 dBm) IN-VEHICLE COVERAGE (-98 dBm) SLUESITES -existing on"_ -air sites _ BLACK SITES -future sites i .i9 x Site 439A was considered on-air In this plot to highlight coverage need for Site 714A t Coverage of Existing Sites without Site 714A & 439A 11 . / 1 ■ ®L - or • WOO IPA ■■ ■w■ _t F •� -t ■ Yn ■ i R NRt ■ s 439►A ■ ' r WARDENSVILLE " Mo to ib ■ • STAR' r` S jig.-■ 4„1 R�+'u _ � ; '� � , p 1 �•� � ■ 1 . ! e' � '■° chi LEGEND I� F III D! If 7r/FF r,.= -iFrni LQ MOWN or, r J 1 •� OL ■ r° ■° 16 ■ ��, r ■Ic 16 ° i Coverage of Site 714A withotit Existing Sites ► T.439A a1,`7'14A... - WARDENSVILLE'% I,m ` - , i.- T R `VERY i' 458A LEGEND IN -BUILDING COVERAGE (-84 dSm) �1 N -VEHICLE COVERAGE (-98 dBm) _ _ �• 61Ur_ SI i ES -existing on -air sites _ - BLACK SITES -future sites Coverage of Site 439A without Existing Sites Nil 439A 714A V Nay 55 WAR OEk,-5VL,U' 35iA tL STAR TANNERY LEGEND R i; -F JIl Dir1r= 7r- VFp; c--= t.", -IFn, .4 F -r'v'F7;,-,F( 7,.. 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