Agenda - Planning Commission - 12/05/2000

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The subject property has a telephone easement running along the south property line and the applicant will need to provide documentation to the City from the telephone company stating that the proposed tower is out of their easement and that American Tower Corporation is meeting all applicable easement setback requirements. The applicant has submitted information stating that if the tower were ever to fall, it would collapse on top of itself into a "fall zone." The fall zone is indicated on the site plan and is significantly setback from any structure or easement on the subject property. City Code establishes that no new tower shall be approved unless the Council finds that the equipment planned for the proposed tower cannot be accommodated on an existing tower or building within a ½ mile radius of the proposed tower (1 mile in the proposed ordinance amendment). There are no tall buldings in the ½ mile search area that would satisfy the desired seamless coverage. The City is currently constructing a water tower to the north of the subject property that could facilitate the proposed telecommunication service. However the Applicant has stated that due to the projected July completion date for the water tower and their intention to also co-locate on the existing water tower located off of County Road #5 and Dysprosium Street, the new water tower site does not meet their immediate need to fill the existing coverage gaps by January 2001 and ultimately provide for a higher coverage area. The applicant has stated and provided propagation maps explaining that the existing I20-foot tower approximately 1 mile to the west of the subject property is not high enough to meet their desired coverage needs. They stated that co-locating on this tower would still provide several gaps in coverage. There will be no personnel stationed at the site. No signs will be posted 6n the tower or equipment building except applicable warning or equipment information signs. City Code requires cell towers to be a monopole design unless the City Council determines that an alternative design is preferred in cases where structural or design considerations, neighborhood compatibility, locational availability, or the number of potential co-locations warrants this consideration. The applicant is proposing a self-supporting lattice tower; they have stated that the proposed tower could hold more carriers (approximately 4 co-locators) and provide more flexibility in location and height of antennas for the co-locators. Recommendation: Due to the nature of AEC Energy Park to the north and the Smart Growth Grant site to the west, Staff is recommending that the applicant construct a monopole telecommunication tower for aesthetic purposes. Commission Action: Motion to recommend that City Council adopt Findings of Fact# relating to a request from American Tower Corporation for a conditional Use permit to construct a telecommunication tower at 14165 Ramsey Blvd.