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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes February 17, 1998 Page 4 1 proposing to install the monopole antenna 15 feet from the rear property line, 143.6 feet from the 2 existing building and several hundred feet from the east property line. The proposed monopole 3 antenna will also be screened from view by the wooded area to_the east. For safety 4 consideration, fencing will be provided around the proposed antenna and base equipment station 5 cabinet. 6 Minnesota Statutes and City Ordinances require that the following conditions be satisfied before 7 a Conditional Use Permit may be authorized. The first condition to be met is that the proposed 8 use is one that is specifically listed for the zoning district in which it is to be located. Section 9 1160.06, Subd. 2, allows for the installation of towers and antennas in the Light Industrial 10 Zoning District. 11 The second condition is that the proposed use will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or 12 general welfare of persons residing or working in the vicinity or injurious to property values or 13 improvements to the vicinity. Mr. Hoelscher has provided information indicating that wireless 14 radio transmissions are very safe and pose no health risk. Accordingly, the transmissions are the 15 same as digital low power two-way radio. The maximum output for a PCS cellular transmitting 16 antenna is 40 watts. As a comparison, he cited the power output of television and radio station 17 transmitting towers can range from 50,000 watts to one million watts. -Because the Federal 18 Communications Commission tightly controls the frequency spectrum, the wireless 19 transmissions will also not affect home radio and television receptions. 20 The last required condition is that the use is necessary or desirable at the above location to 21 provide a service or a facility which is in the interest of public convenience and will contribute to 22 the general welfare of the neighborhood or community. Mr. Hoelscher cited many instances in 23 his letter to the City where the installation of the wireless communications antenna will provide 24 many benefits. He indicated that police, fire and ambulances will be able to receive and transmit 25 valuable information quicker and without having to return to the station or leave the scene of an 26 accident. 27 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported this project appears to meet all the requirements of the City's Zoning 28 Ordinance for this zoning district. Staff received three telephone calls regarding this project in 29 which one resident voiced concern about the potential health risks and the possible unsightliness 30 of the proposed antenna; one caller had questions about the project; and the third caller called in 31 support of the proposed wireless antenna. 32 Commissioner Makowske asked if there were examples of other similar towers or antennas. 33 Chair Bergstrom asked what was located on top of the high school. 34 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated that approximately 18 months ago, a company located a wireless 35 telephone antenna on top of the high school.