02/12/1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

League of Minnesota Cities December 29, 1995 145 University Avenue West St. Paul, MN 55103-2044 TO: City Managers, Administrators Twin Cities Metropolitan Area FROM: Ann Higgins, IGR Representative RE: Site Selection for Personal Communications Services (PCS) Systems The newest generation of wireless communication technology is coming to Minnesota and cities will play an integral role in its implementation. If you haven't yet heard about personal communications services (PCS), you soon will. Two companies, Sprint Telecommunications Venture and American Portable Telecommunications are preparing to enter the Twin Cities market. Although PCS is similar to current cellular technology, it must be implemented in a significantly different manner. The new technology will require significantly greater antenna density than existing cellular technology. The siting of these new antenna facilities will involve nearly all cities in the seven -county area. Due to the intense planning and siting requirements of this new technology, both Sprint and American Portable have engaged wireless commnnications consultants to gather information on local zoning requirements and to evaluate and identify potential sites around the Twin City area. Last week, League :staff met with representatives of these firms to learn about the technology and to ascertain if the League could assist our members as this new technology is implemented. Sprint is represented by SBA which is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. American Portable Telecommunications (APT) is represented by TEA Group, a telecommunications site selection company from Atlanta, Georgia. The League wants to assure that cities are favorably positioned to deal with this new technology. The League would like to obtain copies of procedures, specific zoning requirements pertaining to antenna, towers, and other related telecommunications infrastructure, as well as examples of currently available lease agreements. Please send that information to the LMC office to the attention of Jeanette Bach. Cities with previous experience in siting of microwave, cellular, and other telecommunications facilities should also contact me directly to relay your city's perspective on these regulatory and land -use policy concerns and willingness to provide information to other cities currently considering requests for siting PCS facilities. If you are interested in this or other telecommunications issues, the LMC Telecommunications Task Force will continue to monitor telecommunications -related developments and provide a forum for discussion on issues of importance to cities. The next scheduled task force meeting will be held at the LMC Office from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., on Friday, January 19. Attachment AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER 121281.1200- (800) 925.1122 TDD(612)281.1290 Faxt612 281-12-