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<br />Associate Planner Gladhill noted the item before the Commission is several revisions to the <br />ordinance that regulates the placement of towers in Ramsey. He explained that a moratorium on <br />the construction of cell towersis currently in effect until September 17,2008. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Gladhill reviewed staff s research of current tower location, identification of <br />gaps in coverage, and need for additional towers. The southern half of Ramsey will be <br />adequately served based on the current ordinance. However, areas in the northern half of <br />Ramsey show gaps in coverage and there are no significant commercial or industrial parcels <br />within that area so an ordinance amendment to the Tower Overlay District is recommended to <br />cover those gaps. Staff studied lot sizes and site conditions (natural resources) to determine the <br />new overlay district and found opportunity for co-location on existing utility power poles. <br />However, this cannot be required because the City does not own the poles. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Gladhill presented the following proposed ordinance changes and provided an <br />. explanation for each: <br /> <br />. Antennas may be co-located on existing structures in parks; however, no new towers may <br />be constructed within parks <br />. Height limits have been adjusted to 100 feet in all zoning districts; an additiona120' may <br />be granted if a minimum of two services are co-located on the tower <br />. The 10 acre requirement for lot size has been eliminated; lot size will be regulated by <br />setback, which is the height of the tower plus 10 feet <br />. Towers must still be designed to accommodate three users <br />. Towers will not be allowed to be constructed in the Critical River Overlay District or <br />Town Center Zoning Districts; however, antennas will be allowed to be mounted on <br />existing structures in these areas <br />. Towers and antennas will not be allowed to be constructed in the H-l Highway Business <br />District; this. area is reserved for future Highway 10 alignment and construction of towers <br />would result in added relocation costs <br />. Towers will be allowed to be constructed in the Public/Quasi-Public Zoning District <br /> <br />Associate Planner Gladhill explained that questions came up from property owners who asked if <br />this ordinance means they will get a tower. However, that will be up to the property owner. The <br />ordinance will allow. them to lease or sell property to wireless providers, but it does not require <br />them to do so. Also, there has been discussion of wind turbines but they are typically addressed <br />through a separate section of City Code because the needs for that type of tower are greatly <br />different. Staff has received no written comments and recommends approval of the proposed <br />ordinance amending City Code Section 9.15. <br /> <br />Commissioner VanScoy asked about the proposed tower overlay districts. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Gladhill explained the map on display also identifies wetland resources. Staff <br />does not want a tower on property that is encumbered by natural resources and based the <br /> <br />Planning Commission / July 10, 2008 <br />Page 9 of 17 <br />