| Draft Environmental Impact Statement Shorts School Road Am Antenna Structures 70 structures have been designed with a triangular footprint and utilize an open steel latticework design. The design has been engineered specifically to be a narrow, steeply tapering profile to reduce the visible structural width to maximize visual compatibility. The main antenna would have a base dimension of 26 feet on each side, narrowing to 12 inches in width at the top. The remaining smaller antennas have a base dimension of 5 feet on each side of the base, narrowing to 12 inches at the top. This type of design rather than a more typical lattice steel structure will greatly improve its visual compatibility and be consistent with Shorelines of Statewide Significance Policy 3(c). SMMP Utilities Use Activity Policies and Regulations The Utility Element of the SMMP does not restrict the heights of utility facilities located in the Rural environment. Given the nature of utility transmission technology, any such restrictions would be infeasible. The Utilities section of the SMMP acknowledges that currently feasible methods of utility transmission require apparatus that necessarily may involve some disturbance of the landscape. However, such utility facilities can successfully coexist in the shoreline environment where they are planned so as to minimize visual and physical effects on the environment. The Applicant has designed this proposal to minimize such effects, consistent with applicable Utilities Element policies. As required by the SMMP Utility Policy 1, upon completion of the antenna site, the property will be restored to continue to accommodate the agricultural uses that have been conducted on the site and those uses that are common on surrounding properties. To eliminate the need for any additional AM antenna sites in the Snohomish Valley, this proposal has been designed to accommodate additional future radio stations; this aspect of the project meets the requirements of Utility Policies 5 and 6. SMMP Utility Policy 3 requires that utility facilities be located so as not to obstruct or destroy scenic views and that they be designed so as to do minimal damage to the aesthetic qualities of the shoreline area. The Examiner Decision 107495B dated July 31, 2002, p. 15, Finding 30, Conformity with WAC 173-27-140, concludes ���obstruction� would have a much more full and extensive effect on views than the effect of the development, which with its relatively narrow structural profiles does not go so far as to �block� or �cut off� the residential views at issue, and therefore does not �obstruct� them as the term is defined.� It is not feasible to locate an AM antenna facility underground. Moreover, floodplain regulations require such facilities to be elevated above expected flood levels. Given these constraints, the applicant has designed this facility to have the minimum possible visual impact. Typically, AM radio facilities utilize tall, guyed antennas. However, this proposal has been modified significantly to eliminate as many tall antennas as possible. As currently proposed, this facility will utilize only one taller (349 feet) free-standing antenna with the remainder of the antennas being free-standing and all below 200 feet in height, which is shorter than the surrounding terrain. FCC-required painting and lighting will apply only to the single taller antenna; the shorter antennas will not require such marking, and can be painted in a neutral color to blend with the surroundings. The antenna site |