Agenda - Planning Commission - 11/07/1996

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ORDINANCE 96-XX AN INTERIM ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING CONSTRUCTION OFNEW TOWERS AND THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTY FOR TOWERS The City of Ramsey ordains: SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. Th~ following terms whenever used in this ordinance shall be interpreted to mean: City - is the City of Ramsey. SECTION 2. Planning Commission. is the Planning Commission of the City of Ramsey. Planning Department. is the Planning Department of the City of Ramsey. Tower - Any ground or roof mounted pole, spire, structure, or combination thereof, including supporting lines, cables, wires, braces, and masts, intended primarily for the purpose of mounting an antenna, meteorological device, or similar apparatus above grade except amateur radio and standard residential television antennas. FINDINGS. Recent advances in wireless communications technology have resulted in a new generation of cellular communication services. These new services, called "Personal Communications Services" ("PCS"), will likely require numerous antenna locations throughout the community. These antennae may be located on buildings, towers, and other similar structures, but also will frequently be located on towers constructed or enlarged for that purpose. PCS providers are expected to pursue antenna sites within the City, and these efforts are expected to include requests to construct new or enlarged communications towers. There is concern that current City ordinances to not adequately address issues relating to these towers, such as appropriate locations and conditions under which they may be allowed within the City, including structural and construction requirements, cc. location, setbacks, and height limitations. There is a need to study these and other issues to determine what regulatory controls need be adopted to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. The Planning Department has been studying PCS and tower issues and will continue to conduct such studies, but additional time is required for this purpose before proposals for amendments to City zoning regulations can be prepared and considered by the City Council at a public hearing. The Planning Department has recommended a moratorium for this purpose. The Council finds, therefore, that a moratorium is required in order to protect the planning process and to prevent the construction or enlargement of towers and the use and development of lands within the City for such towers pending the completion of necessary studies and the consideration and implementation of new regulations on that subject. At this time it is expected that the necessary study and implementation of regulations can be completed within a 90-day period.