05-12-05 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 12, 2005 Barraclough asked about future tower needs. Holm explained that distances between towers as well as call capacity are the considerations. He indicated Chat in urban settings towers are ideally located 2 to 3 miles apart. Holm noted thaC Cingular has an antenna on the City's water tower. It was further noted that as technology advances, call capacity can be increased. Duray indicated that it seems that the City is presented with a request for a new cellular tower every year or two, and was concerned that that trend would continue. Knudsen noted that part of the reason is the highways that run through Little Canada. The Planner agreed, but pointed out that technology is improving and increasing the capacity of sites. Therefore, the construction of new towers is slowing. The Planner reported that the city is obligated to accommodate this type of technology. Holms reported that because of technological advances, the number of towers that his company is constuction is slowing significantly. Duray felt that more research should be done relative to the MN DOT site. Holm again commented on the difficult of negotiating a lease with the State, and also pointed out that they have been met with a great deal of disfavor when proposing multiple towers on a site. Wojcik felt that American Tower submitted an extensive amount of information on the co-location issue, and was satisfied that a new tower was the appropriate option. Rheaume agreed, and felt it would be very difficult to negotiate a lease for a tower with MN DOT. Rheaume noted the size of the County property and felt it would not be large enough to accommodate multiple towers. Rheaume recommended approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow construction and operation of a monopole wireless communications tower and equipment shelter at 3250 Spruce Street for New Cingular Wireless subject to compliance with the recommendations of the City Planner as outlined in his report dated May 6, 2005. Motion seconded by Wojcik. Motion carried 5 - 1. Duray voted against. AMENDMENT The City Planner presented his report dated May 12, 2005 relative TO ZONING to outdoor storage in the Industrial-Park (I-P) District noting that CODE - the report outlines existing requirements and highlights performance OUTDOOR standards that the Commission may want to consider for each STORAGE IN requirement. The Planner noted that the City cun•ently has a -5-