HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 02171998 Meeting Sheet
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Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1998
Document: PL MINUTES 02171998
1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
• PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
3 FEBRUARY 17, 1998
4 I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
5 The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Bergstrom at
6 7:00 P.M.
7 II. ROLL CALL.
8 Commissioners present: Chair Bergstrom; Commissioners Delmonico, Horst, Kaczor,
9 Makowske (arrived 7:03 P.M.), and Thompson.
10 Commissioners absent: Commissioner Gondorchin.
11 Also present: Kim Moore-Sykes, Management Assistant.
12 III. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 17, 1998 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA.
13 Motion by Commissioner Horst, seconded by Commissioner Delmonico, to approve the
14 Planning Commission Agenda for February 17, 1998 with the following change:
15 Exchange Item VIII. Other Business 1. Goal Setting Retreat Report with Item 3. Comprehensive
�16 Plan Update Process.
78 Motion carried unanimously.
19 IV. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 20, 1998 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
20 MINUTES.
21 Commissioner Makowske arrived at 7:03 P.M.
22 Motion by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Kaczor,to approve the
23 January 20, 1998 Planning Commission Meeting minutes as presented.
24
25 Motion carried unanimously.
26 V. DESIGNATE PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE FOR FEBRUARY 24,
27 1998 COUNCIL MEETING.
28 Commissioner Delmonico was appointed as the Planning Commission representative for the
29 Tuesday, February 24, 1998, City Council meeting.
30 VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
31 1. U.S. West- Conditional Use Permit for Wireless Antenna.
32 Chair Bergstrom asked if a representative from U.S. West would be attending the meeting.
0 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she was under the impression that a representative would be present.
34 There was Commission consensus to defer discussion of this item until a representative arrived.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
February 17, 1998
•
Page 2
1 VIII. OTHER BUSINESS.
2 2. March 4, 1998, 5:45 P.M. Joint Planning Commission/City Council Meeting (Council
3 Worksession at 7:00 P.M.).
4 Chair Bergstrom distributed a draft list of discussion items for the Joint Planning
5 Commission/City Council meeting. He asked Commissioners for comments, deletions or
6 additions.
7 Commissioner Makowske noted question#3., Past Actions, which deals with "variance
8 applicants" and suggested that "conditional use permit applicants" should be added to that
9 question.
10 Commissioner Makowske suggested that "split liquor" should be added to question#1, Future
11 Actions.
12 Chair Bergstrom noted that in question#2, Future Actions,the word "geographical" should be
13 added before the word "area".
14 Chair Bergstrom noted question#3, Future Actions, which deals with enforcing housing codes.
15 He explained that the Fire Department is currently enforcing housing codes and that the Fire
0 Chief and City Manager have stated that this is going well.
17 Ms. Moore-Sykes explained it was thought that the uniformed presence may carry some weight
18 in enforcement. Also, the Fire Department is not seen so much as the enforcer, so they are seen
19 as benign and respected at the same time.
20 Chair Bergstrom noted in questions ##4 and#5, Future Actions,which deal with the role of the
21 Planning Commission in future stormwater actions and in parks redevelopment, that possibly the
22 Commission should have a different role than having a representative on the task force.
23 Chair Bergstrom noted question#6, Future Actions, which deals with how the Planning
24 Commission proceeds in implementing the goals of the new Comprehensive Plan. He stated
25 there are a lot of issues which deal with infrastructure, that if are done, could be done in
26 conjunction with public works projects up the street. He stated it is important for the Planning
27 Commission and the Public Works Department to be familiar with this aspect of the
28 Comprehensive Plan so that as design engineering and maintenance is performed, it is known
29 that this is in the Plan and also the process for implementation.
30 Chair Bergstrom noted in question#7, which deals with methods of ongoing communication.of
31 ideas and feedback between the Council and Planning Commission, that there may be other
32 vehicles of communication worth pursuing beyond a joint meeting once per year.
0 There was Commission consensus for Staff to draft a copy of the Discussion Items with the
34 suggested changes for inclusion in the packet for the March 4, 1998 Joint Meeting.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
• February 17, 1998
Page 3
1 Commissioners were asked to submit any additional items to Ms. Moore-Sykes prior to February
2 25, 1998 at 12:00 P.M.
3 3. Goal Setting Retreat Report.
4 Chair Bergstrom noted the Team Building and Goal Setting Retreat Report. This retreat was
5 facilitated by Barbara Amey, Government Training Service. Chair Bergstrom stated the Goal
6 Setting Retreat he had attended two years ago resulted in action items which were very broad and
7 lacked specificity. The January 1998 Goal Setting Retreat was much better. It resulted in
8 specific major action items that Staff, the City Council and the Planning Commission are asked
9 to address. -
10 Chair Bergstrom reported the meeting began with team building with the Council. This provided
11 unity for the new Councilmembers. The meeting then addressed Staff and Council team
12 building. This included the establishment of ground rules,priority policy from Council, the
13 successes of the past two years, identification of possible trends which could be changing over
14 the next 2-3 years, and goal setting. The goals were prioritized by the number of votes received.
15 The goals were then utilized to determine Action Plans for the top nine goals. The Myers Briggs
16 profile was also utilized to determine personality profiles and discuss the strengths of the team
17 and the challenges of individual differences.
0 Chair Bergstrom encouraged Commissioners to read over the report prior to the March 4, 1998
19 Joint Meeting to familiarize themselves with the issues and the priority of the issues. He noted
20 the only specific goal for the Planning Commission is 8. Housing (c) "Develop a program to
21 improve housing stock which may include a point of sale ordinance".
22 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she agreed with Chair Bergstrom that the Goal Setting Meeting two
23 years ago had a lot of noble goals to try and attain but it was difficult getting there. The 1998
24 Meeting set several attainable goals. She believed this was due in part to the facilitator.
25 VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS - Continued.
26 1. US West- Conditional Use Permit for Wireless Antenna.
27 Chair Bergstrom opened the public hearing at 7:22 P.M.
28 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported that Scott Hoelscher, Site Administrator for US West Wireless, has
29 applied for a Conditional Use Permit for the installation of a 75-foot Personal Communications
30 Services (PCS) monopole antenna and base station equipment cabinet at 2801 - 371 Avenue NE,
31 which is owned by Ken Solie of Village Properties. The property is zoned Light Industrial and
32 the proposed antenna and accessory base station equipment is an allowable permitted use in this
33 District.
Mr. Hoelscher is proposing to install a 75-foot monopole antenna, which is as tall as Section
41 1160, Subd. 2 of the City Ordinance allows. The City Ordinance states that the setbacks for the
36 Light Industrial District are 15 feet in the rear yard and 15 feet for the sideyard. Mr. Hoelscher is
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
40 Communications Commission tightly controls the frequency spectrum, the wireless
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.
Ms. Moore-Sykes stated that approximately 18 months ago, a company located a wireless
40 telephone antenna on top of the high school.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
• February 17, 1998
Page 5
1 Shawn Egle, 3640 Silver Lake Road, questioned if the antenna would cause interference with his
2 DSS system and his C.B. radio.
3 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated that according to the information provided to Staff there will be no
4 interference because of the frequency range and the height.
5 Chair Bergstrom suggested that a condition of approval could be that the antenna not interfere
6 with satellite transmission or reception.
7 Mr. Egle stated he did not believe this was an ideal location for the antenna as the elevation of
8 Silver Lake Road increases to the south and there will be a shadow in the footprint of broadcast.
9 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the applicant indicated that this site or the area of mini-storage by
10 Happy's Potato Chips are prime sites for this type of antenna.
11 Mr. Sert, 3637 Coolidge, stated he lives directly across the street from the proposed location of
12 the antenna. He was not certain that the health issues were proven one way or the other. He
13 stated that the proposed location of the antenna would lower his property value. He suggested
14 that the antenna be located at Apache Plaza as it is a higher elevation and is commercial property.
He noted that the proposed location is within 1000 feet of a power substation and US West will
01 have to use a special material to cover the cable to protect it from the power. He stated US West
17 hadn't even been aware of this. He does not like the antenna being placed across the street from
18 his house and neither do his neighbors.
19 Commissioner Horst asked Mr. Sert where he had learned about the power substation issue.
20 Mr. Sert stated he had heard it from workmen at the site today. One of the workers stated he had
21 just found out today.
22 Commissioner Horst noted that if there is any effect, the power substation will effect the
23 microwave transmissions rather than the microwave effecting the power.
24 Mr. Sert stated Apache Plaza would be a better location. From his discussion this morning, US
25 West had no intention of sending a representative to the meeting this evening.
26 Chair Bergstrom closed the public hearing at 7:37 P.M.
27 Chair Bergstrom stated he was disappointed that a representative of US West was not present.
28 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she had not been informed that a representative would not be present.
The City Clerk had sent a letter to the applicant explaining the date and time of the public
40 hearing.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
• February 17, 1998
Page 6
1 Chair Bergstrom commented that US West must have researched the elevations in the area.
2 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the applicant informed her that the City of St. Anthony is considered to
3 be one of the highest parts of the metropolitan area.
4 Commissioner Horst asked if the antenna was a permitted use in the commercial district.
5 Commissioner Makowske stated that according to City Code in regard to towers and antennas,
6 there is one set of restrictions for residential areas and another for all other districts.
7 Ken Solie owns the proposed location and has agreed to lease the proposed site to US West.
8 Commissioner Horst stated that aside from the obvious appearance issue, the antenna will simply
9 be used to transmit PCS phone calls. He noted a condition can be included in the approval that
10 the transmission will not interfere with any broadcast transmission including, but not limited to,
11 satellite transmission and reception.
12 Commissioner Makowske stated one concern, although he doubted it would be present at 40
13 watts, was noise "buzzing". He noted there will be a fence installed but questioned if there
0 would be a hazard of children climbing the antenna or getting at the equipment.
15 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she had questioned the applicant in regard to potential vandalism. He
16 explained that the equipment is enclosed in a protective casing, the receiver is up quite high on
17 the pole, and the pole is very smooth. He was not concerned with vandalism, especially with the
18 installation of the fence.
19 Commissioner Horst noted that this is the trend of the future. The more antennas that are
20 installed, the better the reception will be. He did not however, see how this would help police
21 and fire transmissions.
22 Commissioner Delmonico stated there is a debate between PCS systems and Analog systems.
23 The theory is that the PCS systems require many little, less powerful antennas and the Analog
24 system requires less, more powerful antennas. He noted there is a "dead spot" of transmission in
25 the City on the PCS system. All ambulances talk with the hospitals on a PCS system and the
26 City of Minneapolis Police Department is switching from Analog to PCS system as it cannot be
27 monitored.
28 Commissioner Horst commented that it somewhat bothered him that a US West representative
29 was not present but US West had submitted a comprehensive information packet.
Motion by Commissioner Horst to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for a PCS
41 wireless antenna for U.S. West conditioned that it is never shown that it interferes with
32 telephone, television or radio transmission including, but not limited to, satellite transmission.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
• February 17, 1998
Page 7
1 Chair Bergstrom suggested the motion include "transmission broadcast or reception".
2 Commissioner Makowske suggested the motion include that "the conditional permit meets all
3 three criteria of the granting of a conditional use permit as follows:
4 1. This use is an allowed conditional use for this zoning district under City Code Section
5 1160.06, Subd. 2.
6 2. The proposed antenna will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of
7 persons residing or working in the vicinity or injurious to property values or
8 improvements to the vicinity.
9 3. The proposed antenna is necessary or desirable at the above location to provide a service
10 or a facility which is in the interest of public convenience and will contribute to the
11 general welfare of the neighborhood or community and provide more service to St.
12 Anthony and surrounding communities."
13 Chair Bergstrom suggested that the motion include the condition that "the antenna cannot
14 interfere with broadcast or reception of telephone, radio, television, or any other electronic
15 communication".
Commissioner Horst accepted the amendments to the motion. Commissioner Kaczor seconded
the amended motion.
18
19 Motion carried unanimously.
20
21 Chair Bergstrom noted this request will be considered by the City Council at their February 24,
22 1998 meeting.
23 VII. NEW BUSINESS -None.
24
25 VIII. OTHER BUSINESS - Continued.
26 1. Comprehensive Plan Update Process.
27 Bill Weber, BRW, Inc., reported the Comprehensive Plan had been submitted to the
28 Metropolitan Council to begin their ninety day review. Several months ago the City Council and
29 Planning Commission had endorsed the Plan and since that time there have been a couple of
30 technical additions and one minor change.
31 There had been discussion that the Metropolitan Council forecast for household,population and
32 employment for the year 2020 was too high. The options available were to accept the forecast as
33 provided or for the City to determine their own forecast. It has been determined that the City
34 will accept the Metropolitan Council forecast. It has been noted, however, on pages 1-5 and 1-9
that "The City accepts these forecasts, and is willing to accommodate the projected amount of
development. However, we recognize that, given the limited amount of land available for new
37 development and the difficulty in predicting the timing of redevelopment, the projected amount
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
• February 17, 1998
Page 8
1 of growth may not occur." Also, on page 1-10, the statement regarding the issue of whether the
2 City could accomplish, accept and accommodate the Metropolitan Council projections has been
3 removed.
4 Mr. Weber noted that the Metropolitan Council forecasts are policy-driven. They do not actually
5 come and measure the land available and make projections but simply take the regional forecast
6 and allocate it between cities.
7 Commissioner Makowske asked if the City was doing the Metropolitan Council a disservice in
8 regard to their prediction of the larger plan by accepting the forecast knowing that it-cannot be
9 met.
10 Mr. Weber stated this is not a disservice because the City of St. Anthony is a small portion of the
11 plan and because the City will be attaining some portion of the projections.
12 Chair Bergstrom asked if the Waste Water Plan met the Metropolitan Council requirements.
13 Mr. Weber stated the Metropolitan Council provides the flows and BRW allocated the flows to
405
1service areas of the City.
Chair Bergstrom questioned the completion of the Surface Water Plan.
16 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated this was completed and submitted to the Metropolitan Council in
17 November 1997. This Plan is referred to in the Comprehensive Plan but does not need to be
18 bound into it.
19 Chair Bergstrom stated he would like that document to be available to the Planning Commission.
20 2. Status Reports re: Task Forces.
21 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported the Storm Water Management Task Force will not be meeting until
22 the first week in May. The Task Force felt it was prudent to allow time for the results of the
23 applications for funding.
24 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported that the Parks Task Force will be meeting Wednesday, February 18,
25 1998 in the Conference Room at 7:00 P.M. They will be discussing funding strategies.
26 IX. COMMENTS.
27 Commissioner Kaczor reported his attendance at a joint School Board and City Council meeting.
28 He noted the school has a full studio for cable television which is hardly used.
Commissioner Kaczor reported his attendance at the recent Council worksession. Dale
41 Gunderson was present to report on the ACTION program which helps youth get involved in the
31 community. The Police Chief was there because the department needs squad cars. Kaczor
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
February 17, 1998
• Page 9
1 reported the new Police Officer who was introduced to Council in January has since resigned.
2 Commissioner Kaczor reported his attendance at the recent Council meetings. The Council
3 approved the installation of a new podium in the Chambers so that people can stand while they
4 address Council. The Council talked of a possible expansion at Faith Methodist Church and
5 within the Industrial Park, and they approved the Chazin Homes request. The Council will begin
6 live broadcast on cable television on March 10, 1998.
7 Commissioner Kaczor reported he will be attending a Land Use Workshop on February 19, 1998.
8 Commissioner Thompson reported the proposed construction of a home by Janice Kahan has
9 been completed and the home sold for the low$200,000's.
10 Commissioner Horst commented that the Freedom Gas Station is open but the Blimpie Subs is
11 not.
12 Chair Bergstrom noted that there was extensive discussion at the Goal Setting meeting in regard
13 to the Stonehouse. The heating and ventilation system is either worn out or grossly inadequate or
14 both. The structure of the building needs a complete overhaul and the establishment is not
making any money. The Liquor Operations Manager asked for some direction on this issue.
6 There has been no direction given by Council on this matter but a number of different options
17 were discussed.
18 Commissioner Makowske noted that due to a meeting at work he may not be able to attend the
19 Joint Meeting on March 4, 1998.
20
21 X. ADJOURNMENT.
22 Motion by Commissioner Horst, seconded by Commissioner Delmonico, to adjourn the meeting
23 at 8:15 P.M.
24 Motion carried unanimously.
25 Respectfully submitted,
26 Lorri Kopischke
27 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial
0