Minutes - Planning Commission - 01/05/1999

Home

Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Anderson, Commissioners Johnson, Jensen, Dempsey, Kociscak, Nixt, and Wivoda. Voting No: None. Case #7: Request for a Conditional Use Permit for a Cellular Telephone Base Station; Case of AirTouch Communications, Inc. Zoning Administrator Frolik explained an application was received from AirTouch Communications, Inc. to construct and operate a cellular telephone base station at 9539 Highway 10. The applicant is proposing to construct a 159 foot self-supporting tower (165 feet including antenna) in the northeast corner of the site. The equipment building exterior will consist of a maintenance-free, brown mineral finish. Because the site is part ora parking lot, no landscaping is being proposed to screen the tower base and equipment building. However, there are some existing trees in the vicinity of the tower that fulfill the screening requirements. The Code requires that the tower and equipment building meet standard commercial structure setback requirements, wtfich in this case is 35 foot rear yard and 10 foot side yard. Zoning Administrator Frolik stated the original site plan did not meet the setbacks, however, a modified site plan was received during the public hearing to correct setback deficiencies. City Code established that no new tower shall be approved unless the City Council finds that the equipment planned for the proposed tower cannot be accommodated on an existing tower or building within a half-mile radius of the proposed tower. There is an existing tower approximately .3 miles away from the proposed tower which is not high enough to meet their transmission needs. Staff engaged the services of a consultant to verify this information. There will be no personnel stationed at the site. Staff recommends approval, contingent on findings from the consultant. Commissioner Jensen requested a description of the fence which will surround the tower. Mr. Littlejohn explained the fence would be a 7 foot chainlink fence topped with barbed wke. Commissioner Nixt inquired regarding the square footage on the revised site plan. Mr. Littlejohn indicated the area would be 26' x 52'. He indicated Findings of Fact #8 could be removed, as the modified site plan agreed with the setback. Zoning Administrator Frolik indicated the AirTouch Communications, Inc. request would be presented to City Council on February 9 versus January 26 per the applicant's request. Motion by Commissioner Dempsey, seconded by Commissioner Wivoda, that Findings of Fact #3 be amended to incorporate the new dimensions of 26' x 52'; and, that Findings of Fact #8 state the proposed location as revised for the tower and that the Tower meets B-1 Business District setback standards. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Anderson, Commissioners Dempsey, Wivoda, Johnson, Jensen, Kociscak, and Nixt. Voting No: None. Planning Commission/January 5, 1999 Page 7 of 11