Minutes - Planning Commission - 04/10/2000 - Special Meeting

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appropriate action by the Planning Commission would be to consider a recommendation for denial of the request for site plan review from ACE Solid Waste. Motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Nixt to recommend the Council deny site plan approval to Ace Solid Waste for a transfer station. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Anderson, Commissioners Johnson, Nixt, Dempsey, and Kociscak. Voting No: None. Absent: Wivoda. Commissioner Wivoda returned to the meeting. Case #3: Request for a Conditional Use Permit for a Personal Communication Service Tower; Case of U.S. West Wireless Community Development Director Frolik explained that the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on January 4 and several residents were present in opposition to the tower on the basis that it is not a compatible use or structure in a residential district. Issues raised at the Planning Commission meeting included the fact that it did not appear that the tower was to be located in Mr. Gobematz' backyard as required by Code, the access onto Highway #47 was determined to be unsafe, no fencing or additional landscaping beyond existing trees was proposed at the base of the tower, and the proposed height was more than twice that which is allowed bY Code in the Residential District. The Planning Commission forwarded findings of fact for Council consideration and recommended denial of the application. At the January 25, 2000 City Council meeting, Council tabled the request by U.S. West for a conditional use permit to construct a personal communication service tower and referred it back to the Planning Commission for additional review along with the current tower ordinance. Kristina Bocian, representing U.S. West Wireless, stated she has nothing new to add and still feels the request meets the City's land use ordinances except for height. She stated they are in negotiations on another site but have nothing signed as yet. Community Development Director Frolik noted that subsequent to the January 25, 2000 City Council meeting, the applicant amended their proposed site plan and aerial map to reflect that the tower is in Mr. Gobernatz' backyard, the relocation of the access to 177t~ Avenue N.W., and the addition of fencing and landscaping to the base of the tower. Mr. Bob Longfield, 5751- 177th Avenue, stated he does not feel that location is in their back yard. He noted the location of his property and suggested they use the existing tower at 176' Avenue. He suggested this tower will be used to provide coverage to communities beyond Ramsey. Ms. Bocian presented a map identifying the areas the tower would service. She explained that when laying out a network, they looked at the three sites to the south and another two sites that are not zoning approved. She stated that seamless coverage is critical to them. She noted that going 180 feet, which is their ideal, means they would build fewer towers. If they have to Planning Commission/April 10, 2000 Page 12 of 16