Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/30/2007

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topic Report: T -Mobile's request telecommunications tower in Alpine Park /, {if ~ 1+ !ltZ~ City OJ ~rr RAMSEY ~\ to construct a By: Breanne Daines, Associate Planner Background: In April, T-Mobile submitted a request for a conditional use pennit to construct a telecommunications tOwer in Alpine Park. The current site plan proposes to locate the tower on the southwest side of the park, in COl~lll1ction with planned park improvements for this area. The tower would be approximately 100 feet from the western property line, between the power lfues and the adjacent residences. , . At their meeting in May, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended approval of the request in conjlll1ction with the planned park improvements. The Planning Commission heard this request at their Jlll1e meeting, and recommended that the City COlll1cil approve the request, based. on the City Code requirements to locate on City-owned property, where possible. In September, the City COlll1cil tabled the request to explore alternative locations for the tower. Originally, the applicant proposed the tower to be located in the south-central. portion of the park, just south of the soccer fields. After much discussion with staff, the applicant proposed a location on the western side of the park. There are advantages and disadvantages to locating the tower in the southwest portion of. the property. The advantages are: 1) it would not be as visible from Alpine Drive as other locations; 2) it would not be located in the active recreation area, wher~ a road would be detrimental to the park use; 3) the construction of the road and tower can be coordinated with the planned park improvements; 4) the southwest comer of the park already has an "industrial" feel with the existence of the power lines; and 5) it minimizes the disturbance to high-quality natural areas within the park. The disadvantages to the currently proposed location are: 1) It is closer to the neighboring residential properties; and 2) the power line easements and tlle setbacks from the south allow limited flexibility in exact location of the , tower compolll1d. Staff has put together four alternative locations in the general vicinity, including two alternative Alpine Park locations. Each alternative location lists pros and cons of the site. Attachments: Site location maps and aerials of alternative locations Action Statement: Discuss alternative locations for the construction of a telecommunications tower on City property. ccws: 10.30.07 0 ~.