CCP 04-24-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 5, 2000 2 . The equipment is proposed to be in an 8 x 12 foot building. Staff recommends trees be added for screening the equipment building from the south property line. The proposed location of the e equipment building interferes with the Sprint approved access drive. Sprint has notified staff they are open to modifying their approved plan and lease by relocating the access drive. Sprint was required to plant six blue spruce trees, 6 to 8 feet tall, plantcd 12 feet apart at 45 degree angles, and relocate the three trees that would need to be moved for the access road and equipment. The proposed plan pushes the access drive along the property line. Sprint will not need the entire 20 foot drive, thus allowing for plantings along the south property line to replace the spruce trees. The applicant is proposing to add five trees on the site and a row of eight shrubs/trees for screening along the south property line. Staff has some concerns with the amount of trees planted on the site. Maintenance ofthe site requires about 90 inches between trees and other structures. Staff would recommend arborvitae be planted a minimum of 6 feet tall and run along the entire south property line, in place of the proposed five trees. The Sprint approval required that the three trees to be removed would be replanted on the site. Staff has received a concern from a neighboring business that currently has a 900mh-fire sprinkler system. The concern is that the antcnna might negatively affect the system. The applicant has stated the antennas should not affect the existing systems. e Ms. Randall advised that Staff recommends approval of Planning Case #00-16, Special Use Permit, with 10 conditions. If the Planning Commission makes a recommendation on this Planning Case, it would be heard at the Monday, April 24, 2000 regular meeting ofthe City Council. Ms, Randall noted that the City Council and Planning Commission may want to discuss how many additional antennas and equipment structures this site can hold. Chair Erickson closed the public hearing at 7:41 p.m. Chair Erickson asked whether there had been any discussion with regard to construction of a single structure to house all the equipment on site rather than multiple small buildings. He asked whether other antennas are mounted on the sides of the water tower. Ms. Randall stated most of the antennas are on the sides of the water tower. She added that a shared facility might not be possible as the applicant, as well as other companies on the site, would prefer to control their own space. Ms. Randall stated that the 2 leases the City currently holds on the site are long-term leases, the conditions for which have already been agreed upon. She added it might be a difficult process to change these leases. . Chair Erickson stated that the antennas do not seem to be a significant intrusion since they are required to be painted the same color as the water tower. Hc suggested the City might want to consider a master plan for the site, as well as constructing a single structure to house all the equipment.