Minutes - Planning Commission - 08/07/2001

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Case #6: Request for a Conditional Use Permit for Personal Communication Antenna; Case of Verizon Wireless Vice Chair Kociscak closed the regular portion of the Planning Commission meeting at 9:03 p.m. in order to call the public hearing to order. Public Hearing Vice Chair Kociscak called the public hearing to order at 9:03 p.m. Community Development Assistant Wald stated that the City received an application from Verizon Wireless requesting a conditional use permit to construct and operate cellular antennas on the new City water tower generally located off of Sunwood Drive. The subject property is zoned BW Business Warehouse, surrounding parcels to the north, south, east and west are also zoned BW Business Warehouse. Verizon Wireless is proposing to install cellular antennas on the new City water tower at a height of approximately 110 feet above grade. The applicant is also proposing to construct a 12-foot by 30-foot (360 square feet) equipment building on the property. The new City water tower was constructed to allow for a second floor mezzanine area in the base of the tower. The mezzanine area will be constructed for the purpose of housing potential cellular user's equipment so that the property surrounding the tower base would not need to be utilized for several accessory buildings The applicant is proposing to utilize the driveway that will be installed for City access to the tower. There will be no personnel stationed at the site on a permanent basis. Jaymes Littlejohn, attorney for the applicant, stated his client is concerned about having his equipment on a second floor mezzanine. Mr. Littlejohn explained that the biggest danger to his client is that of mezzanine collapse; there is between 25 and 28 tons of equipment. If the equipment is on the ground, there is no danger of collapse. He explained that having equipment inside a water'tower is not a big concern; the mezzanine level is a concern. Mr. Littlejohn questioned why the staff report suggested the equipment be on the inside since this is an industrial district. He noted there is a lot of landscaping proposed and it has a positive effect of buffering the base of the water tower. If the equipment went in the tower, there is no reason for the City to provide more landscaping. He also explained that cellular is used for 911 and burglar systems. If there is a collapse, both 911 and backup for burglar system calls are down. His client is not willing to take that risk. He summarized it made good sense to have the equipment on the ground. Commissioner Reeve asked if the ground floor would be used for storage and Community Development Assistant Wald explained it would be used for the City's storage. Commissioner Reeve stated he has done fifteen of these placements in Florida where the equipment has been put on the mezzanine and it has worked well. Planning Commission/August 7, 2001 Page 14 of 25