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The facility will not diminish and impair the value of other property in the neighborhood, but rather, <br /> its presence will enhance and provide wireless communications to the residents of the City of <br /> South Bend and St. Joseph County. Enhanced wireless communication will have a positive <br /> influence on the economic development of this area. Businesses, employees and customers will <br /> benefit from improved Verizon Wireless service which will increase productivity, convenience and <br /> access to information. The availability of current and future cutting edge wireless technology will <br /> continue to make the City of South Bend and St. Joseph County a pleasant place to live and <br /> desirable place to invest and conduct business. <br /> iii. The proposed use will be consistent with the character of the district in which it is located <br /> and the land uses authorized therein; and <br /> The proposed facility is designed to fill a coverage gap in the Applicant's network. The network <br /> operates on a "grid" system, whereby overlapping "cells" (geographic wireless coverage areas) <br /> mesh to form a continuous wireless network. In order to provide wireless coverage within the <br /> geographic confines of each cell, a wireless facility ("cell site') must be located somewhere near <br /> the center of that cell. If the wireless facility is not located within or near the center or the height of <br /> the antennas is inadequate, then coverage gaps exist. Coverage gaps result in a weak wireless <br /> signal which to the end user means a dropped call or inability to make or receive a call. Given the <br /> public's increasing dependency on wireless technology, wireless networks and the cell sites that <br /> they are made up of are now, more than ever, critical to the safety and well-being of the overall <br /> population. <br /> Verizon Wireless feels it designed a site that will be in harmony with the appropriate, orderly <br /> development of the zoning district in which it is located. The establishment, maintenance and <br /> operation of the proposed facility will be wholly contained within a 60' x 60' lease area, unless <br /> another carrier collocates at a future date. In that case, the ground lease area depicted in the <br /> plans will house additional equipment. Due to the size of the lease area within the grand scale of <br /> the 4-H Fairground, and the nature of wireless technology, there will be little impact on the orderly <br /> development of the surrounding properties. Similar to other reliable utility networks such as <br /> electric, gas & water, wireless networks are essential to the development of any community. <br /> Access to the proposed facility will be via an aggregate extension to an existing driveway within <br /> the fairgrounds so no major grading, earth moving or environmental impact will be sustained. <br /> Additionally, with the facility being unstaffed and maintenance visits occurring only once or twice <br /> monthly, there will be no impact on the existing traffic patterns nor will there be any traffic hazards <br /> or nuisances generated. <br /> iv. The proposed use is compatible with the recommendations of the City of South Bend <br /> Comprehensive Plan. <br /> As noted, the applicant has been sensitive in the selection and design of the proposed facility. <br /> The granting of the Special Use will not impede, substantially hinder, or discourage the <br /> development and use of adjacent land and buildings as the proposed facility is a slight alteration <br /> of the existing site conditions. In addition, reliable utility networks such as electric, gas, water and <br /> wireless networks are essential to the development of any community further supporting the <br /> interpreted recommendations of the comprehensive plan. Verizon Wireless' operational <br /> technology is heavily regulated and routinely managed so as not to interfere with any other form <br /> of communication or utility. <br /> Page 3 of 6 <br />