R.H. Gump Revocable Trust v. City of Wichita

131 P.3d 1268, 35 Kan. App. 2d 501, 2006 Kan. App. LEXIS 371
CourtCourt of Appeals of Kansas
DecidedApril 14, 2006
DocketNo. 94,312
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 131 P.3d 1268 (R.H. Gump Revocable Trust v. City of Wichita) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
R.H. Gump Revocable Trust v. City of Wichita, 131 P.3d 1268, 35 Kan. App. 2d 501, 2006 Kan. App. LEXIS 371 (kanctapp 2006).

Opinion

Pierron, J.:

R.H. Gump Revocable Trust and Nordyke Ventures, L.L.C. (collectively “Gump”) appeal the decision of the district court affirming the decision of the City of Wichita (City) to deny a conditional use permit to allow construction of a cellular communications tower. Gump argues City acted unreasonably, City’s decision was not supported by substantial evidence under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and City acted unreasonably by considering the court’s remand in executive session. We affirm.

R.H. Gump Revocable Trust, in the care of R.H. Gump, is the owner of real property located 600 feet east of Woodlawn on the south side of Kellogg Avenue in Wichita. Nordyke Ventures, L.L.C., in the care of Mark Nordyke, builds and leases wireless communication facilities.

In July 2000, City and Sedgwick County approved a Wireless Communication Master Plan (master plan) to address the growing needs of the wireless communication industry and incorporated tire plan into the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code (UZC). Communication companies are allowed construction of new disguised ground-mount facility towers up to 85 feet high by administrative permit. There is no prohibition for building new [503]*503disguised ground-mount towers in excess of 85 feet, but such towers require a conditional use permit approved by City.

In March 2003, Gump filed a request seeking a conditional use permit to construct a “stealth flagpole” tower for use by Cricket Communications on the real property in question. Gump proposed a wireless communication tower, to house all the antenna equipment, having an initial height of 135 feet, with provisions to extend tire height of tire tower to 165 feet if necessary to allow other carriers to use the same support structure in the future. A large United States flag would be flown from the flagpole to help disguise its utilitarian purpose.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) reviewed Gump’s application and found the proposed tower conformed to the guidelines of the UZC and master plan and recommended approval of tire conditional use subject to certain conditions. The Wichita/Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC). granted its approval after a public hearing on April 24, 2003, subject to several maintenance-type conditions and that the flag should be illuminated only at night. The MAPC based its approval on several findings: tire mixture of commercial and residential uses along the Kellogg corridor, compatibility, “limited commercial” zoning of the property, visual impact lessened by design, conformance to master plan, and FAA approval.

On May 5,2003, the District Advisory Board for Council District II (DAB II) also voted to recommend that the application be approved. The only difference between DAB II’s recommendation and MAPC’s was that DAB II preferred the MAPD’s recommendation that the flag be displayed only during daylight hours to avoid the need for nighttime lighting of the flag.

On May 20, 2003, City considered Gump’s request for a conditional use permit. Council Member Schlapp moved, and City voted unanimously, to return the application to MAPC, and if necessary the DAB II, for reconsideration of their recommendations. City requested that MAPC address three issues:

“1. Are other structures or buildings that have been suggested by Staff and the public available for location of some or all of the antenna needs of the applicant? [504]*504Could multiple shorter towers or flagpoles that do not have the same visual impact on the surrounding neighborhoods meet some of the applicant’s needs?
“2. If a facility disguised as a tall flagpole were to be approved, what conditions should be considered for display of any type of flag on such a flagpole?
“3. Is the City adequately protected in the event the applicants (or other users) are financially unable to maintain the facility?”

MAPC considered City’s remand request on June 5, 2003. At the MAPC hearing, several citizens spoke against the request and stated numerous concerns and questions. MAPC voted (12 to 1) not to change the previous recommendation of approval subject to the same conditions, including allowing lighting of the flag at night. In its decision, MAPC considered the planning staffs lengdiy response to the three questions raised by City.

City reconsidered Gump’s request for a conditional use permit at a hearing on June 17, 2003. The acting director of planning reviewed the application for a conditional use permit for the council. After a review of the record, MAPC’s reconsideration of the item, along with the original MAPC hearing record, and additional information in the record, Schlapp moved that the application should be denied based on 10 factors: (1) Even with a disguised structure, the proposal is not compatible with the use and character of the neighborhood; (2) extensive beautification efforts in the Kellogg freeway area and negative visual impact from residential and recreation areas; (3) does not conform to the design guidelines of master plan; (4) does not conform to the location guidelines of master plan; (5) does not conform to structural design of master plan; (6) does not conform to co-location guidelines of masterplan; (7) overwhelming opposition to proposal; (8) visual impact of tall pole; (9) this is the third attempt to place a wireless facility at this location; and:

“10. Upon review of the total record, . . . the relative gain to the public health, safety and welfare by a denial of this application as compared to the loss in value or the hardship imposed upon the applicant, requires a denial of the application. The applicant has less detrimental alternatives it can pursue to enhance its wireless services in this area.”

City denied the conditional use permit to Gump by a vote of 4 to 2.

[505]*505Gump appealed to the district court claiming the action of City in denying die conditional use permit was without authority and unreasonable. Gump contended the decision was based on improper criteria, contrary to the evidence received in the case, and contrary to the professional recommendations of MAPC and DAB II.

The district court conducted several hearings on the conditional use permit in early 2004. On July 22, 2004, the court issued an order outlining the proceedings up to that date and then remanding to City as follows:

“14. The record discloses citizen opposition based on the aesthetic impact and/ or visual appearance of the tower. The ‘findings’ of the Council in denying the application appear to be based entirely on the aesthetic impact or visual impact of the tower. However, in Finding #10, the Council concluded that ‘the relative gain to the public health, safety, and welfare by denial of the application as compared to the loss in value or the hardship imposed upon the applicant, requires a denial of the application.’ This finding is conclusory, vague, and appears to lack factual support. Because this ‘finding’ may have a material impact on the Court’s ultimate decision in this matter, the Court directs the Council to clarify the factual underpinnings of their finding.”

City considered the district court’s remand order at the September 14,2004, council meeting while in executive session. City unanimously adopted additional findings of fact as presented by its law department.

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Bluebook (online)
131 P.3d 1268, 35 Kan. App. 2d 501, 2006 Kan. App. LEXIS 371, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/rh-gump-revocable-trust-v-city-of-wichita-kanctapp-2006.