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<br />City of Arden Hills <br />City Council Meeting for November 30, 2015 <br />P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2015\PC 15-022 - Zoning Code Amendment - Accessory Antennas\Memos_15-022 <br /> <br />Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br />Discussion <br /> <br />Telecommunication facilities are protected under federal law by the Telecommunications Act of <br />1996. Cities may regulate the placement and construction of cellular towers and antennas but <br />cannot prohibit the provision of services. The City has adopted regulations that limit the number <br />of new cellular towers by requiring providers to lease space on City water tower sites, use <br />existing buildings, or co-locate on existing towers. Additionally, new towers and antennas are <br />only permitted as an accessory use on a property with an existing principal use. <br /> <br />The purpose of the Ordinance amendment is to clarify that wireless antennas do not necessarily <br />need to complement or support the principal use they are associated with. The revision would <br />state that antennas may be treated as a secondary use as well as an accessory use. <br /> <br />Ordinance Number 2015-011 and the Summary for publication are included in Attachment A. <br />The red-lined version of the proposed amendment has also been provided in Attachment B. The <br />City Attorney has reviewed the amendment and does not have any concerns with the proposed <br />language. <br /> <br /> <br />Findings of Fact <br /> <br />The Planning Commission reviewed Planning Case 15-022 at their regular meeting on November <br />4, 2015. Draft minutes from the meeting are included in Attachment E. The Planning <br />Commission offers the following findings of fact for consideration: <br /> <br />1. The proposed amendment advances the land use goals in the City’s Comprehensive Plan <br />because it ensures that land use regulations promote development that is compatible with <br />nearby properties and neighborhood character. <br />2. The proposed amendment helps ensure that sufficient locations are provided for the <br />placement of telecommunications facilities in order to allow effective service. <br /> <br /> <br />Recommendation <br /> <br />The Planning Commission reviewed Planning Case 15-022 at their regular meeting on November <br />4, 2015, and unanimously recommends approval (5-0) of the proposed amendment to Section <br />1325.09, Subd. 4(A) of the Arden Hills City Code based on the findings of fact as presented in <br />the November 30, 2015, Report to the City Council. <br /> <br /> <br />Proposed Motion Language <br /> <br />1. Approve the proposal as submitted (Recommended Action).