Agenda - Council - 02/22/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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would recommend access from 177th Avenue. The Planning Commission has forwarded findings of fact for Council consideration and recommended denial of the application. Staff recommends amending the proposed findings by the addition of the following statement: a) That the Applicant's proposal for a 180 foot high tower is equal to 240% of the 75 foot height limit established in the Residential district, and the applicant has not provided evidence to support that the surrounding topography, structures, vegetation and other factors make the height limit for a complying tower impractical; b) That a transmittal fi.om Mn/DOT dated January 4, 2000, indicates that an access permit from Highway #47 for cell tower maintenance purposes will be denied for safety reasons. The Planning Commission also stated a desire to revisit the tower ordinance, especially that section pertaining to cell towers in residential districts. Council may want to consider adopting a moratorium on tower applications in residential districts to allow time to study the issue. If Council denies the U.S. West application but is agreeable to considering an alternate location, then the moratorium should not be established, but high priority should be given to reviewing the existing ordinance for any amendments deemed necessary. Kristina Bocian, representing U.S. West, stated they have updated their plans since the Planning Commission meeting and have new drawings. She noted they have added landscaping, fencing, and changed the access from Highway #47 to 177th Avenue, as recommended. Ms. Bocian explained that they have a gap in coverage so they issued a search ring where they need to locate antennas. She stated they typically look for a co-location situation but if that option is not available, they are forced to construct a tower and need this height. She stated they approached the Planning staff and asked for direction, and this property was targeted because it was a large parcel and they felt more suitable for a tower. Ms. Bocian stated the tower can accommodate a total of four carders. Councilmember Hendriksen asked if the design of the tower is such that if it were to collapse it, would collapse on itself. Ms. Bocian stated that is correct, it would bend in half and collapse on itself, or one-half the height of the tower which is 90 feet. Councilmember Hendriksen asked if there is a structure within a 90-foot radius of the tower and if 90 feet would be the area needed. Ms. Boshan stated this tower site is about 120 feet from the eastern property line and that 90 feet would be an appropriate area. Councilmember Hendriksen asked how the restriction was determined in the ordinance. Community Development Director Frolik stated a planning intern drafted the ordinance based on a model ordinance and considered the restriction since this is a residential area. City Council/January 25, 2000 Page 16 of 34