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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 21, 2000 Page 4 • 1 3. The undue hardship has been caused by the City ordinance and the sign was in existence 2 prior to the codification of the ordinance; 3 4. The agreement mentioned and recommended in City Attorney's letter dated March 1, 4 2000 would be entered into and become part of the setback variance; 5 5. There were not any significant changes to the sign in the modification and updating proc- 6 ess. 7 Motion carried unanimously. 8 Chair Bergstrom noted that the variance issue for Nativity Lutheran Church would be on the 9 agenda for the City Council meeting on April 11, 2000. He recommended that a representative 10 for the Church be present at the meeting to answer any questions. 11 VII. CONCEPT REVIEWS. 12 A. Nextel/Aerial - Antenna. 13 City Manager Michael Morrison said that Nextel Communications had applied for a concept re- 14 view for the installation of three sets of antennas to be placed on the roof of the Apache Medical 15 Building. Morrison noted for the Commission that any telecommunications antenna is a condi- 16 tional use permit issue. In addition, Morrison stated that the City has been receiving a large number of requests for tele- 18 communications antennas and recently received a request to lease the water tower for the 19 installation of additional antennas. In that respect, Morrison mentioned the issue to the City 20 Council at its last meeting. 21 Chair Bergstrom introduced Jim Nelson,Nextel Communications, and invited him to address the 22 Commission. Mr. Nelson stated that the request by Nextel involves installing a rooftop antenna 23 and the equipment necessary to operate the antenna. The antennas and the electronics necessary 24 would be contained in an 11 x 20 foot building that would be placed on the roof. Nextel has 25 completed a structural analysis and that analysis determined that such a structure would be sup- 26 ported by the rooftop. Additionally, Mr. Nelson stated that the structure aesthetically would be 27 in the same appearance as the Apache Medical Building. 28 Bergstrom inquired about the benefit for the City allowing the installation of additional antennas. 29 Mr. Nelson stated that the antennas would allow for improved coverage in the area and would al- 30 leviate blank spots that have been experienced in wireless connections. Additionally, Mr.Nelson 31 stated that the antennas would support coverage for wireless telephones, two-way radios, and 32 pager systems. 33 Thomas inquired if additional telecommunications companies wished to lease space on the 34 Apache Medical Building, what would Nextel's position be on that issue. Mr. Nelson responded that Nextel has simply negotiated a fair price for the leasing of space on the rooftop of the 1*6 Apache Medical Building and other companies were free to negotiate space as well. He stated 37 that there was sufficient space on the roof to accommodate other users.