Agenda - Planning Commission - 11/07/1996

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CASE APPROVE INTERIM ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TOWERS By: Planning Intern Kirk Skoog Background: On September 24, 1996, the Ramsey City Council granted a conditional use permit to American Portable Telecom for construction of a Personal Communication Service (PCS) Tower. Observations: Recent advances in wireless communications technology have resulted in a new generation of cellular communications services. These new services will likely require numerous antenna locations. One company alone plans 300 antennae in the Twin Cities area. Along high-traffic volume highway corridors, there is a potential need for an antenna tower every one or two miles. For these reasons, the City of Ramsey could soon be inundated with requests for these towers. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 prohibits cities from restricting the installation, maintenance or use of antennas. The Act does, however, permit cities to establish regulatory controls concerning placement of towers. There is a need to study these issues to determine what regulatory controls should be in place in order to properly regulate these towers. Staff and the City Attorney have determined that a moratorium of 90 days should be issued in order to complete the necessary studies and consider and implement new regulations on the subject. Recommendation: City Staff recommends that a moratorium of 90 days be established on the construction, enlargement, or expansion of towers within the City and on the development and use of property for such purposes. A proposed ordinance is attached for your consideration. Commission Action: Motion to: Recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed ordinance to establish a 90 day moratorium on construction of towers. Motion to: Direct City Staff to draft an ordinance that will regulate tower construction for review by the Planning Commission. Review Checklist: PC: Zoning Administrator 11/7/96