03-05-07 PCITEM 2_1
OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO CITY HALL
MARCH 5, 2007
7 PM
1. Chair Nichols will call the meeting to order.
Chair Nichols called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
Councilmember Vern Heidner introduced New Planning Commission Alternate, Brian
Gerten.
Roll Call: Chair Richard Nichols; Planning Commission Members: Pam Black,
Troy Watring, Dave Thompson, Doug Hackman, Jim Kolles, Tammie
Fallon, John Thelen, Alternate and Brian Gerten, Alternate.
City Staff: Mike Robertson, City Administrator; Daniel Licht, City Planner; and Tami
Loff, Administrative Assistant.
Council: Mayor Larry Fournier, Councilmembers Vern Heidner and Mark Thorsted.
2. Consider the following minutes.
2.1. February 5, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Black motioned to approve the minutes as written. Seconded
by Commissioner Thompson. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Planning Items:
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3.1. T Mobile USA:
Dan Licht presented the Planner's Report. Councilmember Heidner noted that under a
1996 Federal Law, the City had to allow towers within its boundaries and that it could
put conditions on them but could not prohibit them from locating in Otsego.
Applicant Steve Edwards, T mobile, stated that they began looking for a site back in
2005. He would prefer a 125 foot tower but feels that the 75 foot tower would be
adequate. He said that he read the staff report and agrees with it.
Chair Nichols called Public Hearing to order at 7:12 PM.
Dan Limoseth, 14975 95"' St, Wondering when do we stop allowing updates at this site.
He feels that T -Mobile comes in fine at his location and that another tower is not
needed. Mr. Limoseth asked about the screening and said there should be signs for no
over night parking. He also asked if this is safe for a residential area.
Mr. Licht answered that they are responsible to provide screening on the North side,
they were given the okay to wait until spring and that there is no overnight parking on
site. Mr. Licht also stated that T -mobile has issued a coverage analysis which identifies
a need in this area.
City Administrator Mike Robertson said that the electric sub -station will probably to be
updated every few years and that Elk River Utilities does have room to add on.
Planning Commission Meeting of March 5, 2007. Page 2.
Commissioner Thelen asked who came up with the number of 75 feet and how many
other towers are there in the city. Mr. Licht replied that there is one at O'Dean and Cty
Rd 37 and on both of the city's water towers. He said that 75 feet was chosen when the
ordinance was revised after the 1996 Federal Law. Commissioner Hackman asked what
the height is of the tower on O'Dean and Cty Rd 37. Mr. Licht said that it is 100 feet,
that it was built before the ordinance was adopted and that it is a pre-existing
condition.
Commissioner Hackman asked what kind of coverage this tower would provide. Mr.
Edwards said that it will be about 3/4 to 1 mile coverage.
Councilmember Heidner asked Mr. Edwards where the people that have T -mobile
already get their signals. Mr. Edwards replied that there are drift signals depending on
terrain and weather conditions.
Dan Limoseth asked who decided that this area needs more coverage and he is also
wondering how many feet it is off of his property line.
Mr. Edwards replied that they have Engineers that determine if there is a need and that
they are looking at filling in the coverage holes. Dan said that the tower will be 100 feet
off of Mr. Limoseth's property.
Rick Ostrom, 9124 Ohland, said he feels that the 120 foot tower is too high.
Susan Lentz, 15101 91st Cir, stated that she feels this is an eye sore and this will affect
her property value.
Chair Nichols closed the hearing at 7:55 PM.
Commissioner Gerten asked what is the minimum height of towers. 63 feet said Mr.
Edwards.
Commissioner Thelen stated that this ordinance should be looked at to allow taller
towers.
Chair Nichols stated that he is not in favor of a variance and feels the tower should be
at 75 feet. Commissioner Fallon asked if the height limitation was to change to a bigger
limit in the future would they be able to tear down and rebuild a taller tower. Mr. Licht
replied that they would.
A CUP to allow PCS tower/antenna within a R-3 District.
Commissioner Hackman motioned to approve CUP subject to the 5 conditions
listed in Planner's Report. Seconded by Commissioner Tammie Fallon. All in
favor. Motion carried.
B Variance from Sec 20-33-4.A.2.c.1 of the Zoning Ordinance
To allow a tower height of 120 feet.
Commissioner Black Motioned to deny variance based on the 3 findings listed
in the Planner's Report. Seconded by Commissioner Hackman. All in favor.
Motion carried.
Planning Commission Meeting of March 5, 2007. Page 3.
3.2. Interim Uses.
Dan Licht presented the Planner's Report. This will be back at the next Planning
Commission Meeting for discussion.
4. Any other Planning Commission Business.
4.1. Update on City Council actions by Councilmember Heidner.
Councilmember Heidner updated the Commission on recent Council action.
4.2. Update on future Planning Commission Agenda Items by
Judy Hudson.
Mike Robertson noted that there will be a meeting Monday, March 19, 2007.
5. Adjournment by 10 PM.
Commissioner Black motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Hackman. All in favor. Motion carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:26 PM.
Richard Nichols, Chair
Attest: �IMV7AA &AL
Tam! Loff, Administr tive Assistant