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Towers in Parks Report June 6, 2007 Page 2 Based upon the attorney’s recommendation, the City Council asked the Planning Commission to comprehensively review the PF district and make a recommendation regarding the status of the district. At the August 20, 2003 meeting of the Planning Commission, staff presented the attorney’s findings and communicated the Council’s direction requesting the Commission review the PF district and to recommend suitable alternative zoning districts for each of the 17 affected properties. Staff prepared maps showing all of the PF-zoned parcels and provided a map of possible rezoning scenarios. The Planning Commission agreed upon a supported comprehensive rezoning of the PF properties in light of the attorney’s recommendation and directed staff to draft an ordinance, resolution and final map showing the proposed changes to forward on the City Council. Based on the Planning Commission’s recommendation, the Council adopted Ordinance 720 on October 13, 2003. Discussion: As a result of the elimination of the PF district, it was recently determined that the Code governing the siting of telecommunications towers (Chapter 1124) is out of date in that it still references the PF district. The regulations originally contemplated allowing towers in City parks with a conditional use permit. However since all parks are now zoned R-1, Single Family Residential, towers and antenna are prohibited (except as allowed on churches, schools or public buildings, but even then no more than 10 feet above the height of the roof.) Staff brought this issue to the City Council on May 7, 2007. The City Council expressed a desire that the Code should be corrected relating to the PF district and telecommunications towers, in that, if towers were conditionally allowed in parks before 2003, the Code should be amended to clarify that they are still conditionally permitted in parks today. In addition, the Council requested that any other remnant inconsistency resulting for the 2003 comprehensive rezoning of PF districts be identified and resolved. Attached, for the Commission’s reference, is Chapter 1124 of the Zoning Code (the telecommunication facility regulations) and draft Ordinance 793. Recommendation: Based on the Council’s direction, Staff has prepared an ordinance which amends the Zoning Code to rectify any remaining references to the PF District and correct the inconsistency regarding telecommunications towers in City parks. The Planning Commission needs to review the proposed ordinance as it does with all amendments to the Zoning Code. Resolution Respectfully submitted, ________________________ James Ericson Community Development Director