07-13-2005 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 12, 2005 CATIONS TOWER — 3250 SPRUCE STREET — NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS tower and equipment shelter at 3250 Spruce Street by New Cingular Wireless. Holm reported that New Cingular wishes to expand its coverage in the 694/Rice Street area. Based on the required latitude/ longitude coordinates for achieving the desired service improvements, a search ring was established, and co- location possibilities were researched. Based on this research, it was found that the MN DOT tower at 694/Rice Street was the only tall structure within Cingular's search ring, and that tower was not structurally capable of holding Cingular's equipment. Holm reported that consideration was also given to structures just outside the search ring. An existing tower just outside the search ring was found near South Owasso Blvd. east of Rice Street. However, that tower already has two carriers on it, and the third location that would be available (115 to 120 feet) is not high enough to achieve the needed service improvements. As a result, Cingular is proposing to construct a new 150 foot tall tower at 3250 Spruce Street. Knudsen asked if what Holm was saying is that co- locating on the tower at South Owasso Blvd. would improve New Cingular's existing service, but would not be optimal. Holm stated that that was correct and reiterated the process that is used to identify the search ring, find a co- location site, and if co- location is not feasible, find a site for new tower construction. Holm reviewed the 3250 Spruce Street location proposed for a new 150 foot monopole tower, noting that the tower would be located at the back of the existing building on the property. This places the tower and the equipment shelter as far from the interstate as possible. The tower would be constructed to allow for co- locations by other users with the Cingular antennas at the top of the tower. Knudsen noted that the City could be faced with another provider coming in and saying that the co- location was not high enough to provide optimal service. Holm agreed, but noted that the provider would have to provide proof that it had exhausted co- location possibilities. The City Planner noted that on a 150 foot high tower, the next cop - location height would be approximately l35 to 140 feet. There is typically a 10 to 15 foot separation between installations. The Planner noted that higher towers have more opportunities for co- locations, while lower towers are less intrusive, but result in a city having more of them. Socha asked if it was common to have two to three providers on a tower. The Planner replied that that was correct. The Planner also noted that co- locations at 135 feet and 120 feet may work for other providers dependent on their search areas.