Agenda - Council - 01/08/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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adequate height to service the area needed. However, the proposed tower will accommodate up to three additional users and will provide space for the City to locate equipment for WiFi or other public safety purposes. City Code requires towers to blend into the existing environment through design. The proposed tower is a gray monopole and is designed to collapse inward onto itself, in the event of a catastrophic storm event. T -Mobile has never experienced a monopole collapse. There would be no building associated with the tower, but the compound area would include ground equipment platforms. The site plan indicates that the 40' by 40' compound be entirely enclosed with an 8-foot chain link fence with security barbed wire and would be properly landscaped. Staff is coordinating with the applicant to submit revised landscaping plans that are in accordance with the park landscaping plans and to the satisfaction of the Environmental Coordinator. Staff has stated specific concerns relating to the amount of impervious surface proposed for the turnaround in the compound area and is requesting the addition of shrubs on the north side of the compound. Revised plans addressing staff s comments for landscaping will be required as part of any approvals. The setback and height requirements for towers within the Public-Quasi Public District defer to the requirements. in the B-1 Business District. Front, side, and rear yard setbacks are 35, 10, and 30 feet, respectively. The proposed location will meet all applicable setbacks. The height restriction on towers is 165 feet, and the proposed tower meets this restriction. The site plan is proposing access to the compound from the parking lot of Alpine Park via a 12- foot-wide bituminous surface. In conjunction with the proposed access drive, the applicant is requesting a 20-foot access and utility easement. When Alpine Park was platted and the park land was given to the City of Ramsey, restrictive covenants were written into the development agreement between Waste Management of Minnesota and the City of Ramsey that read as follows: ".. .regard1ess of the provisions of the City's zoning code, as from time to time amended, the Property shall not be used for any purpose other than park or open space..." The Declaration of Restrictive Covenants would need to be amended to allow telecommunications towers in addition to parks and open space. A proposed draft of the amended covenants, signed by Waste Management's director of operations, is included in your packet. The following items will be addressed within the lease agreement: . The lease amount is proposed to be $1,500.00 monthly, and will be adjusted annually according to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). . The term of the lea~e will be 5 years, with 3, 5-year options. . Property taxes will be paid by the applicant, and shall be a "in-lieu of taxes" payment, which is equal to 30% of the lease amount. . The lease will include an escrow amount equal to 20% of the cost of construction to cover the cost of removal, if abandoned. . The lease will include a clause that requires removal upon interference with public safety. . Any transfers of the lease will require City Council approval. -242-