Agenda - Council - 04/14/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5.03: Public Hearing: Consider Request for Conditional Use Permit for 199 Foot Communications Tower; Case of Connexus Energy Public Hearing Chairperson Levine called the public hearing to order at 7:34 p.m. Presentation Community Development Director Gladhill presented the staff report stating the purpose of this case was to hold a public hearing and recommend an action to the City Council regarding a request from Connexus Energy for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a 199 foot communications tower related to their operation. He reported Connexus Energy was located at 14601 Ramsey Boulevard NW and services several communities within a several mile radius of their headquarters. Connexus Energy desires to locate a monopole communications tower at this location to provide communications to its staff, sub -stations, grid, meters, and other related equipment. Primarily, in order to provide adequate coverage over their entire service area, Connexus Energy has stated that this height of tower is required in order to provide coverage with a single tower. It was noted the closed landfill does provide some barrier to coverage. Staff discussed the request further and recommended approval of the request, contingent upon Ordinance #15-07 becoming effective. Citizen Input Tom Guttormson, Connexus Energy, thanked the Commission for considering his request. He provided further comment on the purpose and need for the requested tower. Commissioner VanScoy asked if any alternative locations for the tower. Mr. Guttormson explained the proposed location was suggested because it would be as far away from adjacent properties as possible. He noted it would also be easier to service in the proposed location. Chairperson Levine questioned if the tower could be located on top of the landfill site. Mr. Thompson did not believe this would be possible as the site was not fully stable. Crystal Specht, 7060 147th Avenue NW, feared that property values would be adversely impacted if the tower were installed on the Connexus property. She expressed concern with the amount of radiation that would be emitted from the tower. Community Development Director Gladhill believed these were excellent points. He then referred to a study completed in 2008 noting no health concerns have been identified from existing cell phone towers. In addition, he had no data that showed property values declined in residential areas surrounding a cell tower. Motion by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner VanScoy, to close the public hearing.