CCP 05-13-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-2— I* V. Public Hearing A. None Scheduled VI. New Business A. Proposed T -Mobile Cell Tower in Hidden Oaks Park Jason West introduced Paul Harrington from Carlson & Harrington Inc., representative for T -Mobile. He applied for a special use permit through our Community Development Department for an 80 ft. cell phone tower at Hidden Oaks Park. Harrington stated that when he made request for the special use permit; Janice Gundlach, City Planner, suggested this be presented to PREC because it was going on park property. Harrington stated he does real estate site acquisition work for wireless communication companies; primarily doing facility locates for them. He contacted the Planning Department back in November and inquired about the zoning ordinance on tower placement which usually includes any city -owned property like water towers and that includes parks. There is a defined need on the west side of Silver Lake Road and north of 694. He stated there is already one on the water tower on Silver Lake Road and at Creekview Park. He said they needed 40 a fill-in area. Twelve years ago, when everyone got into cell phones, it was the belief that people would use cell phones only in their cars, so they had towers along the freeways and that was all. The cell phone use has risen dramatically and land line phones are being dropped and cell phones being used in homes. The demand for neighborhood reception is going up and up. Harrington also stated he is requesting what is called a `low profile' installation at Hidden Oaks Park. Several photos of cell towers in different parts of the Twin Cities were shown to the Commission members. The proposed pole at Hidden Oaks would be painted. There has been communication with Grant Wyffels, Sandy Breuer and Janice Gundlach. The pole at Creekview Park has two exposed antenna that are back to back; it does not have a shroud or cover at the top. The one proposed for Hidden Oaks would be covered. The co -locatable poles are a little bigger in diameter; made so additional users can be added. The pole proposed at Hidden Oaks is not co -locatable and will be smaller. Harrington met on-site with the Public Works Department, it is proposed that the pole be placed right behind the water handling facility. A three -sided cedar fence is proposed; our equipment and the monopole structure would be inside that fenced area. The pole would be painted brown; just a cylinder pole going up. The pole would probably be as high as the trees. After testing to determine what height would be needed, it turned out to be 80 feet. A lease agreement will be worked out with Grant • Wyffels of the Public Works Department. If there is any feed back from this Commission, he will bring it back to the Planning Commission. Harrington stated that Janice Gundlach suggested additional plantings; maybe two or three.