Minutes - Council - 04/25/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Community Development Director Trudgeon stated Cingular Wireless has submitted information requesting permission to construct a 120 foot monopole communications tower. City Code allows for a maximum height of 120 feet for communications towers located in residential districts. The applicant has also submitted plans showing the location of the proposed tower and accessory building serving the tower on the property. City Code requires a 180 foot setback from property lines; in this case the site plan identifies a setback of 195 feet. Mr. Trudgeon explained City Code states 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 1-mile radius of the proposed tower. City records do not show any communications tower located within one mile of the proposed site. The applicant has provided the City information regarding other towers in the area and a coverage map showing the need for the tower on the subject property. Mr. Trudgeon advised the City Administrator would like to have this issue looked at closer. City Administrator Norman stated the City Council spent a gmat deal of time rewriting this ordinance 6 years ago. It was recognized if these towers are placed on private property they are a site nuisance, and if the public has to put up with that nuisance they should benefit in the form of taxes, rather than private property owners benefiting at the expense of neighbors. Staff feels there may be holes in the present ordinance, and that it is worthy of discussion. If the Council would like to discuss this issue at a work session, the permit request should be tabled. Councilmember Elvig commented he would have a difficult time saying the best and most effective use of this land would include a chain link fence around a pole. Mayor Gamec noted there was an application for a monopole right across the road from this location that was denied at one time, and it turned out that company was able to locate on another tower. He indicated he would be interested in discussing this issue further. He noted some of what is happening is that companies are putting up their towers because of the location and renting space on the pole out to other companies. He noted when this was discussed in the past they had tried to keep the poles on public property where it could benefit all of the citizens of the area. Motion by Councilmember Cook, seconded by Councilmember Strommen, to table the request for a conditional use permit for a monopole communications tower; Case of Cingular Wireless, Inc., to a work session for discussion. Further discussion: Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated the timeframe for this application will likely need to be extended 60 days. It will be included on the agenda of a future work session agenda. Councilmember Jeffrey suggested staff obtain information from other communities that have gone through a Tower Ordinance review in the last couple of years. Community Development Director Trudgeon replied this topic is very heavily regulated and governed, and there are good resources available. Mayor Gamec noted the City went through quite an extensive program with the original writing of the ordinance. Councilmember Elvig inquired if there is the likelihood of a water tower being located on the north end of town with the expansion of the City's infrastructure. City Administrator Norman replied there is currently City Council / April 25, 2006 Page 11 of 23