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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 25, 2007 <br />stated that the petitioner originally looked at property directly across the street, however, <br />it was determined to be a historic site and could not be used. Essentially, because of <br />where Sprint wanted coverage in the Lincolnway West Area and to the residents north of <br />Lincolnway West, Horvath had to really thread the needle, because there is not a lot of <br />industrial or commercial property in that area, it is mostly residential. Horvath was <br />limited in their options as far as finding a location, and they believe that they have found <br />a very suitable site considering the particular character of that district. All the uses right <br />around the site are commercial and industrial, the north and west properties are also <br />owned by Monarch as well. Mr. Falvey further noted that Horvath Communications has <br />met or exceeded all the requirements of the Special Exception Use in the Zoning <br />Ordinance. The proposed tower would be in a wide industrial district and not injure or <br />change the character of any of the surrounding area, in fact it is compatible with the <br />surrounding industrial and commercial uses. This would not interfere with anyone's use <br />of their property in the vicinity of the tower. This project will not cost the City of South <br />Bend any money. A cell phone is not a novelty item any longer, approximately ten <br />percent of households have cell phone only. Among people age thirty and under that is a <br />greater percentage. Most recently in the national news, victims of crime, have been <br />located using cell phone triangulation, the tragedy at Virginia Tech has spawned many <br />ideas about using cell phones to warn students, including right here in this Community, at <br />Notre Dame and Holy Cross and he is sure IUSB will follow. A cell phone is not a <br />luxury item it is a necessity, it is an essential service and it really is a public safety issue. <br />Byron Moore, 12668 Bonaventure Avenue, Engineer, contracting with IPCS Wireless. <br />Mr. Moore stated that IPCS provides wireless service, voice and data services to the <br />South Bend Area. They were looking for a location to improve a coverage gap. Their <br />goal was to improve coverage in this area. They have a significant number of dropped <br />calls from their mobile users, customer complaints from users and was determined that <br />there was a coverage deficiency in this area to provide wireless mobile or data services to <br />this area. They have been looking for a site in this area for the last several years. Mr. <br />Moore stated that they are looking to locate just this tower, and the height that they were <br />looking to build the tower is to eliminate any future tower builds. Mr. Moore advised <br />that he cannot speak to future tower builds but for the immediate need and any <br />foreseeable future the 195' tower request meets the goal of coverage and eliminates the <br />need for additional towers in that area. Mr. Moore indicated that they looked at towers <br />south of this area and tried to obtain coverage for this area, but the tower was inadequate <br />due to their heights to provide service for this location. Mr. Moore indicated that the <br />tower at 195' is roughly 14 stories. Mr. Moore stated that Horvath Communication <br />constructed a cell tower near Ironwood and the Toll Rd. in a commercial district that also <br />houses a law firm; a dentist office; a church athletic field and facility and a church IPCS <br />was the anchor tenant on that tower as well and now there are two additional carriers as <br />well T-Mobile and Centennial have been added since May 2007. So that is one of the <br />goals that Horvath as a tower company to market the site to have other mobile carriers to <br />come onto the tower, thereby not needed additional site in the future. <br />A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. <br />The following individual spoke in favor of the bill. <br />Mr. Tom Shultz, 55280 Butternut Road, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill. <br />Mr. Shultz advised that he is the owner of Monarch Textile Rental Service. He noted that <br />Monarch is celebrating their 51 gc year in business. They own nine (9) pieces of property <br />very close together in the proposed area. Mr. Shultz stated that he takes pride in that they <br />maintain those nine pieces of property by cutting the grass, and edging the sidewalks. <br />Mr. Shultz stated that Monarch currently employs seventy (70) people. He stated that he <br />is in favor of this proposed project. It will be an asset to the neighborhood and improve <br />the quality of life by being able to dia1911 in an emergency and access the web 24 hours <br />a day. <br />The following individuals spoke in opposition to the bill <br />14 <br />