Agenda - Council - 08/26/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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tower. I talked to Jerry Faust at the Anoka County Assessor's office on July 29, 1997, about this possibility. Mr. Faust informed me that because the construction of these types of towers and antennas is a relatively new phenomenon, he cannot say definitively that it will not adversely affect property values. He is of the opinion, however, that if there is an adverse effect, it would likely be minimal. During the Planning Commission's review, APT was informed by Staff that, in order to meet zoning requirements, the proposed tower site would need to be moved at least five feet to the east. Also, two nearby property owners that attended the public hearing were opposed to the site selected for the tower. They requested that APT attempt to find another location on the parcel to place the tower that would be farther from homes in the area. APT agreed to this request. However, I was informed on August 14, 1997, by APT that no other site on the parcel would be suitable and that they wish to continue with plans to build on the proposed location. The Planning Commission was also presented with letters by the aforementioned residents. These letters are enclosed for your review. APT also agreed to a suggestion that they consider a plan to improve the screening of the site. Included for your consideration is a proposed plan by Ramsey Landscape Architecture Intern Dave Chmielewski. The City was furnished with a copy of a survey of six area ~sessors in which all stated that they do not apply any type of discount on land values due to proximity to telecommunication towers. The City also received a land survey of locations in 13 area communities for parcels which are located adjacent to a telecommunication tower. The assessed values provide a trend in value for a minimum of three years. In all cases, the property value at the end of the period was equal to or greater than the value at the beginning of the period. Both of these surveys were provided by APT. The site is zoned Business. The site to the north is also zoned Business. The sites to the south and west are zoned Rural Residential. The site to the east is zoned for a Planned Unit Development. The City recently adopted a towers ordinance which established reasonable performance standards for towers and antennas. According to the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, cities cannot prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting provisions of personal wireless services. Recommendation: City Staff and the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council approve the conditional use permit for APT after determining that the proposed site is acceptable. Staff also recommends that Council require that the Tower Screening Plan prepared by the City of Ramsey and dated August 19, 1997 be implemented, and that an eight foot high privacy fence be constructed along the west property line with the supporting structure of the fence facing east. A plan for maintaining the fence should also be required.