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APPROVED Minutes New Brighton Planning Commission Regular Meeting -October 17, 2000 7:30 p.m. Call to Order Larry Baker, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Roll Call Present: Larry Baker, Jim O’Brien, Norm Schiferl, Jeff Schopf, , David Schmitz Absent: Mike Livingston and Paul Zisla : Also Present Cary Teague, City Planner Char Samuelson, City Council Liaison Approval of Minutes S19,2000, Motion by Schiferl, seconded by O’Brien, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE EPTEMBER PC. 5 Ayes - 0 Nays. Motion Carried. LANNING OMMISSION MEETING Report on Council Actions Samuelson said the Council recently discussed implementation of a Franchise Fee Ordinance, and several public information meetings have been scheduled. Agenda Review The agenda was adopted as written. Public Hearings Teague presented a special use permit and 30 ft. setback variance to construct a 120 ft. monopole with st antennas for Verizon Wireless at 1415 1 Ave. NW. Verizon will also construct a 20 x 11.5 ft. equipment shelter to house equipment for the site. The site contains an existing 100 ft. tall monopole with antennas owned by Sprint. Verizon approached Sprint regarding the use of this existing pole, but only lower site coverage was available. Verizon believes the hardship criteria has been met due to the lot width not allowing the 30 ft setback. Verizon conducted a search of other city locations, but did not find a site adequate for this use. Staff does not feel the hardship is caused by the lot width or lack of available parcels. The hardship is caused by the applicant’s desire to construct a 125 ft. tower that cannot be supported on this site. Also, staff has concerns granting a variance which may establish a precedence for other cellular companies to request a variance to the setback requirement. If the Planning Commission recommended approval, staff suggested an ordinance amendment regarding setbacks that would allow the proposal rather than requiring a variance. An amendment would require language stating the pole be engineered with a break point of 80 ft. to prevent poles from falling onto adjacent properties. Jay Littlejohn, Verizon, explained that existing coverage connections in New Brighton for Verizon customers are inadequate and necessitate construction of the 120 ft. pole. Also, the topography in the area requires the 120 ft. height.