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Case #6: <br /> <br />Request for a Conditional Use Permit for a Self-Supporting Lattice-Style <br />Communications Tower; Case of Anoka County <br /> <br />Presentation <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Frolik advised that the City has received an <br />application from Anoka County to construct and operate a lattice-style communications tower, <br />intended to strengthen the Public Safety Radio System's signal in Ramsey, on a portion of Lot 2 <br />Block 1 Holasek's Addition, which together with the Municipal Center Campus, is collectively <br />referred to as the City Hall campus, adjacent to the existing substation. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Frolikstated that City Code restricts the height of <br />towers to 120 feet for residential properties, 165 feet for commercial districts, or 175 feet for <br />industrial districts. She indicated that Anoka County is proposing to construct a tower that would <br />be 195 feet in height. She stated that Anoka County has stated that the proposed height is <br />necessary to provide the most comprehensive coverage for the Ramsey area. She noted that the <br />City Council may permit a tower of greater height if an applicant is able to demonstrate to the <br />satisfaction of the City Council that the surrounding topography, structures, vegetation, or other <br />factors make the height limit for a complying tower impractical. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Frotik indicated that City Code requires commemial <br />wireless telecommunication service towers to be a monopole design unless the City Council <br />determines that an alternative design is preferred. She stated that Anoka County, which, as a <br />public agency, does not quite seem to fit City Code's definition of commercial wireless <br />telecommunication services, is proposing a self-supporting lattice-style tower. She indicated that <br />Anoka County has stated that the proposed design is better suited to meet certain thresholds <br />relating to snow-load and wind-load requirements. She stated that the tower would be designed <br />to contain at least two additional users. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Frolik advised that information pertaining to this <br />request is still needed including a site specific site plan, tower collapse plan or design <br />documentation, and landscaping details that will outline how the tower base and equipment <br />shelter would be screened. She stated that this request was presented to the Public Safety Board <br />at their January 12, 2006 meeting, and they passed a resolution requesting support from the <br />Ramsey Planning Commission and City Council in regards to this proposal. <br /> <br />Vice Chairperson Johnson advised that he is the attorney for Anoka County, and has had <br />involvement with the 800/mhz effort. He indicated that since they are an advisory board, he does <br />not think it puts him at conflict. <br /> <br />John Tonding, Communication Manager for Anoka County, stated the public safety radio system <br />has been on-line for about a year. He indicated it has been successful, and the police and safety <br />personnel are happy to have it on-line. He stated they have identified areas that they would like <br />to improve coverage, with one being in Ramsey. He stated that a way to do that is to remove <br /> <br />Planning Commission/February 2, 2006 <br /> Page 15 of 21 <br /> -3§- <br /> <br /> <br />