Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/06/2000

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Case #7: Request for a Conditional Use Permit for Personal Communication Service Tower; Case of U.S. West Wireless Community Development Director Frolik advised the City has received an application from U.S. West Wireless to construct and operate a personal communication service (PCS) tower at 17515 St. Francis Boulevard NW, which is a rural residential parcel owned and occupied by John and Avis Gobernatz. U.S. proposes to erect a 180 foot tower northeast of the intersection of Green Valley Road and St. Francis Boulevard. They would lease a 30' x 30' parceI for the construction and operation of a 180-foot monopole telephone tower. She explained equipment cabinets will be located in a 10' x 12' area on the south side of the tower base and there is some tree cover in the area so no additional security fencing or screening is being proposed. She noted the Ordinance restricts antennas in residential areas to 75 feet but allows the Council to increase the height. Mn/DOT is saying neither access is safe and to use them would result in a change in use and need for an access permit which would probably be denied from Mn/DOT. Mn/DOT 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 from 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 g 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 carriers. Councilmember Hendriksen asked if the design of the tower is such that if it were to collapse it, would collapse on itself. City Council/January 25, 2000 Page 16 of 35