Minutes

New Brighton Planning Commission

Regular Meeting - May 16, 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, Mike Livingston, Jim O'Brien, Norm Schiferl, and David Schmitz

Absent:	Jeff Schopf and Paul Zisla

Also Present:	Cary Teague, City Planner

Char Samuelson, City Council Liaison

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Schiferl, seconded by O'Brien, to approve the minutes of the APRIL 18, 2000, AND MAY 2, 2000, Planning Commission meeting. 5 Ayes - 0 Nays. Motion Carried.

Report on Council Actions

Samuelson explained that Council took action on the narrowing of 14th St. between Silver Lk. Rd. and Long Lk. Rd. from 44 ft. to 38 ft. wide. Also, Council approved the PUD and Site Plan Review of Phase 1 of Main Street Village.

Agenda Review

Livingston added a discussion item regarding outside parking of trucks.

Teague noted that Corporate Express withdrew their Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review at this time. A future review may be forthcoming.

Public Hearings

Teague presented an application for a special use permit to remove an existing 41 ft. emergency siren pole and construct a new 60 ft. pole to house the emergency siren and three digital wireless telephone antenna/panels. Each panel is 4 ft. x 7.5 inches and will be attached at the top of the pole underneath the emergency siren. The emergency siren will extend above the pole by 5 ft., and because of the increased height will be heard over a greater area. At the bottom of the pole, US West is proposing to construct three 5 ft. tall cabinets. The subject property is located at 2400 Mississippi St., which is the Creekview Park site, which houses City Well #12. US West proposes construction of a 10 ft. wide trail off the existing parking lot, west of the well house.

The applicant will plant two Pink Spire Flowering Crab Apple Trees to the west of the pole and cabinets will provide screening from the west. The proposal complies with R-1 District setbacks, but would be subject to screening the cabinets, proper construction of the tower, and obtaining required licensing. The applicants are required to meet all FCC Regulations which include that the antennas do not cause interference with TV lines, cable lines or other phone lines.

Schiferl noted that in regards to the Telecommunications Act, the City does have the option of leasing the land.

O'Brien feels that evergreens would provide screening throughout the year, and asked if the landscape plan could be modified. Teague said the site is presently well screened from all directions, but the City Forester suggested additional screening of Flowing Crab Apple Trees. Dave Fisher, U.S. West, acknowledged that they are open to further landscape recommendations.

Ron Nelson, Violet Ln., asked why this site was selected. Fisher explained that U.S. West prefers to co-
locate towers whenever possible or use an existing structure. Being there are no existing structures which meet the height design requirements, this site was selected because of the existing pole. Nelson asked if other technology will be located at this site in the future. Fisher said U.S. West has not made any other recommendations for this site, and it is not designed for other carriers. FCC regulations require that the antennas do not cause any interference with other technology. Nelson verified the trees would screen the base of the facility, and not the tower itself.

Doug Wilson, 2166 Violet Ln., noted the current graffiti problems at the well house and feels the driveway would attract skateboarders. Teague will relay Wilson's concern to the Public Works and Police Departments.

Nelson asked if there will adequate locking devices on the transformer cases. Fisher said the transformers would contain security devices to prevent break-ins.

Wilson asked why the tower's current height is inadequate. Fisher explained that the 40 ft. height cannot provide the adequate radius coverage for customer usage. The power is kept at a continual eight wattage.

O'Brien suggested a method to eliminate skateboarder interest would be to apply Class 5 material to the driveway surfacing.

Glen Alvig, Rice Creek Ter., feels the antennas are a visual nuisance, and has concern of their effects on other communications and home values. Alvig believes the towers should be located in a commercial district, and asked if the City has received any other requests. Baker explained that any request would require a special use permit application and public hearing. Teague verified the City Code allows only one tower per site. Alvig asked if the tower could be installed at the power poles north of this location. Fisher said the antennas need to be installed only on structurally sound buildings.

Baker explained that the Planning Commission cannot deny this request due to its location, but Council could deny the request as it relates to leasing the property.

Schiferl suggested the installation of both crab trees and pine trees to screen the site.

There were no other comments from the audience.

Motion by Livingston, seconded by Schiferl, to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

5 Ayes - 0 Nays, Motion Carried.

Hearing was closed.

Baker noted the professionalism of this application, and added that New Brighton's codes are more restrictive in regards to such applications than other communities. Baker added that as long as the applicant meets the code requirements, the City cannot deny the application.

Livingston asked how much revenue would the City receive from the lease agreement. Teague believes the lease agreement ranges from $7,000-8,000/year. Livingston added that if the antenna was installed on a private property, the City would not receive any revenue.

Baker reiterated that the proposal is not for additional antennas, but replacing an existing one.

O'Brien suggested the City Engineer review the installation of rumble strips along the 10 ft. path to deter skateboard usage.

Motion by Schmitz seconded by Livingston to WAIVE THE READING AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF SP00-7, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

1.	COMPLIANCE WITH ALL FCC REGULATIONS.

2.	PLANTING OF TWO 2-INCH DIAMETER PINK SPIRE FLOWERING CRAB APPLE TREES AND TWO 5-FOOT TALL PINE TO THE WEST OF THE POLE AND CABINETS SUBJECT TO CITY FORESTER APPROVAL.

3.	THE LEASE ARRANGEMENTS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF CITY STAFF, CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY ATTORNEY.

4.	ISSUANCE OF A BUILDING PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE POLE.

5 Ayes - 0 Nays, Motion Carried.

Announcements and Updates

Livingston noted that the building near the corner of at Co. Rd. E and Silver Lake Road have begun storing budget rental vehicles and asked if this is a temporary arrangement. Teague was unaware of this, but will investigate.

Teague confirmed that the apartment project proposed at 219 Old Highway 8 has been withdrawn by applicant request. At this time, Council is researching establishment of a moratorium on high density residential housing.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

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Cary Teague, City Planner