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1 Not Approved PLANNING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS Regular Meeting – October 21, 2014 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairperson Bruce Howard, Commissioners Paul Banker, Steve Danger, Marvin Deick, Susan Erickson, Erin Nichols-Matkaiti, and Verne McPherson Absent: None Also Present: Janice Gundlach-City Planner, and Gina Bauman-Councilmember Agenda Review: There were no changes to the agenda. Minutes from September 16, 2014: Motion by Commissioner Erickson, seconded by Commissioner Danger, to approve the September 16, 2014 meeting minutes as presented. Approved 7-0. Council Action: Councilmember Bauman reported the Council recently discussed the findings from the Urban Farming Task Force, along with a train horn study. She provided an update from the Cable Commission noting the current franchise had been extended for two years. She stated the group was now addressing its finances to ensure it was prepared to begin future franchise negotiations with Greatland Communications. She reported that the City of Shoreview has opted to not be part of the Cable Commission. Public Hearing: (A) T-Mobile Central LLC requests a Special Use Permit to allow installation of three additional telecommunication antennas and remote-radio heads to the existing telecommunications tower at 348 1st Street SW. City Planner Janice Gundlach reported T-Mobile Central LLC is requesting a Special Use Permit to allow installation of three additional telecommunications antenna on the existing telecommunications monopole located at 348/350 1st Street SW. T-Mobile currently has nine antennas at this location and wishes to increase their antenna amount to 12. All telecommunication uses are specially permitted uses in New Brighton. Because T-Mobile’s original approval only allowed for nine antennas, a new Special Use Permit must be approved to increase the amount. No substantive changes will be made to the ground equipment or lease space on the Wolkerstrofer property. Planner Gundlach explained that unlike many of the telecommunications antenna/towers in the City, these tower/antennas are located on privately owned property versus located on City water towers or on publicly-owned property such as City parks. The original tower was constructed in 2006 and is located at the northwest corner of the property. Staff recommends approval of the Special Use Permit as submitted. Commissioner Erickson asked if additional antenna could be added to the tower. Planner Gundlach did not believe that the top of the tower could hold more than 12 total antennas. However, another carrier may be able to co-locate with racks 20 to 30 feet below the current T-Mobile antenna. Commissioner Deick questioned why T-Mobile was limited to 9 antennas through their Special Use Permit. Planner Gundlach explained that this was the number previously approved by the City for T-Mobile based on the technology needs T-Mobile represented at the time. She reported that as technology has continued to evolve, the number of antenna needed by T-Mobile at this location has increased.