07-13-05 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JULY 13, 2005 that American Tower and New Cingular have now met all of the requirements as specified in the City's Codes. Blesener reported that he had questions relative to the three RF maps that were submitted. He noted that in comparing map #1 (Proposed Coverage in Little Canada area) with map #3 (Proposed Coverage using alternative candidate in Little Canada area), the gap in coverage increases in the Shoreview area on map #3 even though the Donovan tower is closer to Shoreview than the new tower proposed for 3250 Spruce Street. Weiss indicated that in condensing an RF map the will be some change in the propagation study results, and indicated that the loss of coverage shown on the map is not accurate. Blesener suggested that, as a result, not much weight can be given to these maps. Weiss reported that the additional monopole tower is needed to fill gaps in coverage in the Rice Street/694 area and to the west. Blesener questioned that the level of impact on coverage my moving the antenna location less than'/a of a mile from the proposed 3250 Spruce Street site to the existing Donovan tower. Weiss reported that Cingular has done extensive study of this issue at the request of the City, and pointed out that there are no guarantees that Cingular can add an antenna to this Cower. Weiss explained that there are various requirements for tip-to-tip separation of antennas, and indicated that installation of an additional whip antenna at a 100 foot elevation is not feasible. Weiss also explained that given the process and timing requirements for a new conditional use permit, providers prefer to locate antennas on existing towers rather than construct new ones. Weiss indicated that the materials submitted show the need for a new tower and that a co-location is not feasible. Blesener disagreed, noting that the information submitted does not show, wiChout a doubt, that a co-location is not feasible. The City Administrator questioned the tip-to-tip separation requirements as well as mounting heights available on the Donovan tower. He suggested there may be possibilities to point a new antenna up rather than down on the existing Donovan tower, and suggested that the Council may consider a variance for antenna height on the Donovan tower rather than approve a CUP for the construction of an additional cell tower in the City. Weiss reported that the RF engineer have indicated that additional antenna will not work on the existing Donovan tower. The Administrator asked if Weiss can provide that documentation.