05-28-02 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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r r ttommittee ort: zoning anZi annexation (Committees The May 28, 2002 meeting of the Zoning and Annexation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Karen L. White at 4:52 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, White,King, Varner, Kirsits and Kelly; Planner Jeff Myers, Jon Hunt, Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Cathy Bruckner, Kerry Wallace, Max Ujak,Terry Bland of the *nth Oetal Zribune and Kathy Cekanski Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member White noted that on May 14th the Administration made a presentation on cell towers. In light of the limited number in attendance at that meeting, she asked that the presentation be made today. Council Member White noted that there is NO proposed ordinance on cell towers at this point. Jeff Myers, a Planner with Area Plan, then made a power point presentation on cell towers. It focused on: definitions; the Telecommunication Act of 1996; areas "worth protecting" such as historic areas, parks, residential; Iocation concerns such as to allow locations in Industrial zones and to utilize a special exception process in other locations; site design considerations such as not within 70' of a right-of-way,tree planting and perimeter site requirements, and landscaping; tower design considerations such as prohibiting exterior lighting, prohibiting signs on the towns, and requiring co-location; BZA guidelines would address criteria, informational maps, content elements, additional screening, distance requirements from other uses, and minimum size of property requirements; considerations should also address dealing with abandoned towers, overall landscaping,and additional requirements. Council Member White thanked Mr. Myers for the presentation. Dr. Varner inquired whether locations are often the result of financial considerations. Mr. Myers stated that in those situations the petitioner should ask for a variance. Council Member King suggested looking at the handout addressing "Federal Guidelines for Local and State Government Authority Over the Siting of Personal Wireless Service Facilities". He suggested that ideas must be discussed with regard to placement requirements. The Council Attorney noted that in the eastern part of the US that cell towers are being located on water towers, next to billboards,and on government-owned properties. Council Member White suggested that the Council consider this information and share their concerns and ideas with her. Council Member Ujdak inquired about the rapid changes in technology and as improvements are made how that would impact cell towers. Mr. Fozo stated that many cell towers are being located on parcels which are not buildable parcel. He suggested that bonding be a consideration. He also showed a map showing some of the current locations of cell towers. Dr. Varner inquired whether the RF engineers were contacted with regard to what coverage