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

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Councilmember Hendriksen stated he recalls the Police Chief indicating the power lines north of this location are the highest towers in the area and asked how high they are. Tony Bocian, representing U.S. West, stated that there is a NSP monopole.just under 200 feet at 181st Street and Rabbit Street NW. He stated they are looking at that pole for a co-location in addition to this location but, at this point, nothing has been proposed, for the NSP monopole. Councilmember Anderson stated she is not happy with this and noted the Planning Commission was unanimous in its indication this proposal was not a good idea. She noted their recommendation for denial and to revisit the tower ordinance and section pertaining to cellular towers in residential districts. Councilmember Anderson stated she would like the Planning Commission to work on this to get something that includes the expertise of the Planning Commission. She stated she does not want to allow a tower that will look out of place and supported taking time at the beginning to review the issues. City Attorney Goodrich presented the League of Cities memorandum on towers and antennas that included a City of Bloomington ordinance which the Ramsey ordinance is modeled after. He noted the key language being discussed where towers are allowed, noting the Bloomington ordinance indicates the towers are the type that support amateur ham radio antennas. He stated there was discussion about whether commercial towers should be allowed or only amateur radio antennas. He suggested the minutes of 1997 be 'revisited to determine how that decision was reached following discussion. Councilmember Anderson stated when an application goes to Planning Commission, they provide a recommendation. But, when the recommendation is changed, it invalidates what the Planning Commission has done since they viewed a different application. She stated that she wants to use their expertise and does not want that process to be circumvented. Councilmember Connolly noted the Planning Commission is an advisory board and the final decision rests with the Council. City Attorney Goodrich stated if this is being referred back to the Planning Commission, it should include issues to address. He noted the City must act within 60 days, request an extension or they could possibility consider a moratorium to allow time to discuss, in a broader sense, allowing towers in residential zones should be revisited. Community Development Director Frolik stated in Staff's opinion they had a complete application on December 16, 1999 so February I6 is 60 days out but the City has the right to evoke an additional 60 days and extend it to April 16, 2000. City Attorney Goodrich stated in that time the Council could ask the Planning Commission to look again at the issue of allowing towers in residential zones, talk about this specific application, and respond to the Council's concerns. He noted that they could also obtain additional information, if requested. City Attorney Goodrich stated another alternative would be City Council/January 25, 2000 Page 17 of 34 i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I