06-25-1992 Public Hearing and Regular Meeting ZBOA

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ReQuested For: Prooerty Zonin2: ReQuested By: Puroose of ReQuest: Background: Analysis: ?1~~~lidlli~l~iliDI~bdl The 200 Block of Highway 146 South which is further described as Lots 5-8; Block 21; Town of La Porte. (See Exhibit A) General Commercial (GC) Mr. Shep Poland on behalf of GTE Mobilenet of South Texas Limited Partnership. A variance to the 45 foot maximum building height requirement of Zoning Ordinance 1501, Section 6-500, Table B. The variance is requested to allow construction of a 150 foot radio telephone relay tower. G.T.E. Mobilenet provides cellular telephone service to La Porte and the Houston Metropolitan Area. This type of phone service is dependent on a network of "cell sites" that are arranged in a grid pattern across the area being serviced. One of the main components of a cell site is an approximately 150 foot tall radio telephone relay tower. (See Exhibit B) G.T.E. feels the level of service provided to La Porte is not adequate. In order to improve the quality and consistency of phone transmission, it will be necessary to locate a cell site in La Porte. Location of a cell site is based on engineering criteria such as topography and location in relation to other existing cell sites. The site in question has been chosen as the best location available in La Porte outside of developed residential neighborhoods. The property on which this facility is to be located is zoned General Commercial. G.T.E.'s type of operation is listed in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual as "Radio Telephone Communications (SIC 4812)". Activities included under SIC 4812 are listed in the Zoning Ordinance as "Permitted" in General Commercial Zones (Section 6-400, Table A). Ordinance Section 6-500, Table B, however, limits structures in GC zones to a maximum height of 45 feet.