06/25/07 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 25, 2007 crimes, and gun crimes. He stated that he would really hate to be sitting at Sancome and Lincolnway and someone called for help at Adams and Humbolt and due to the lack of communication or dropped calls that they were not able to respond. Councilmember Dieter stated that he patrols various area of the city quite frequently and doesn't even notice the towers that are currently out there. He stated that he would be voting in favor of this bill. Councilmember Kirsits advised that he is an emergency responder in that area, a lot of people that live in that area are of the younger generation, and they don't have land line phones in their homes. They all have cell phones. This area is a light industrial area. He stated that he doesn't believe that it will ever be totally residential again. He commended Mr. Shultz and Monarch for their upkeep on their property. He believes that this is a good project for the area. Councilmember Kirsits reiterated that this is a 195' foot tower; however after a while it won't be as noticeable as the billboards that are out there causing their visual pollution. Councilmember Varner stated that visual pollution like anything else is a relevant thing. A row of land line phone towers is also visual pollution, and this is the communication of the future, instead of stringing lines, there will be low power, low watt, cellular; digital communications. On the health issue, even though the Council cannot specifically address this, it always comes up, no matter what there is always a concern on the health side. For the matter of record the entire south side of South Bend/Mishawaka has had for many years electrical towers and cell towers emitting for years. He doesn't believe at this time that the health issue is of great concern. Councilmember Kuspa stated that this is one of the things that we as citizens have to make exceptions to in the age of electronics. He stated that whether or not you like it, it is here to stay. Councilmember Kuspa stated that there is a cell tower on the corner of Western Avenue and Dundee Street, right neat to a residential home, you can open the window and almost touch the tower. This was a concern at first, but after a while, it just became part of the scenery. This is the price we pay for living in the technology age. Councilmember Puzzello stated that she was a member of the BZA for approximately 5 years and they always had criteria that they had to follow when they voted. She stated that she wouldn't want this project to possibly get voted down and have the Council's decision questioned and overturned by the FCC. She noted that the location is in an industrial area and probably won't ever be residential. Councilmember Kelly stated that he believes that there is a need for this service in that area. He stated if this tower were located directly next to a residential home, he would have a problem with that. He noted that the neighborhood association that is directly affect by this tower voted to remain neutral on the issue, says something positive about the project. He stated that he will be voting in favor of this bill. Council President Rouse stated that he just recently went to a conference and when he checked into the hotel, he asked at the front desk where could he plug his laptop computer in at. He was told that there was no need, just pick up the phone, dial a code and he would be connected with service. He stated that this was possible by all the cell towers that are across this country. Council President Rouse stated that he is not certain on the location of the tower, he has children and grandchildren in that neighborhood, but nevertheless, that is the reality of today, and will be taking this into consideration when he votes on this issue tonight. Councilmember Dieter made a motion to adopt this Resolution. Councilmember Kirsits seconded the motion which carried and the Resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of seven ayes and two nays (Councihnember Pfeifer, White.) BILL NO. 07-80 A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE ADOPTION OF A DECLARATORY RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CERTAIN 17