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<br />e <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - JUNE 7, 2000 <br /> <br />9 <br /> <br />accessory structures since this would meet what the Planning Commission was trying to <br />accomplish. <br /> <br />Commissioner Baker asked if a minimum size should be set to the accessory structures and what <br />exactly was considered to be an accessory structure, City Planner Chaput stated that a definition <br />was proposed and that accessory structures are used secondary to the main structure. <br /> <br />The Commission came to a consensus to request staff to revise the language as stated above and <br />bring the Zoning Ordinance Amendments before the Commission for a public hearing in July, <br /> <br />PLANNING CASE #00-28 - CITY OF ARDEN HILLS - WATER TOWERS' ANTENNA <br />MASTER PLAN (DISCUSSION ONLYl <br /> <br />City Planner Chaput explained that Staff has been directed by the City Council to review the <br />City's water tower antenna locations and establish a "master plan" of how to handle requests for <br />the location oftelecommunication antennas on the tower and their ground-related structures. <br /> <br />At their regular meeting on May 8, 2000, the City Council passed Resolution 00-20 to direct staff <br />to no longer accept applications for the location of telecommunication antenna and ground <br />structures on the water towers in Arden Hills. The intent of the resolution was for the City to <br />develop a long term plan for the water tower sites, guiding future applications. <br /> <br />The City has two water towers: Red Fox Road and Femwood Avenue North, City Planner <br />Chaput presented a list of the applications by telecommunications companies and location on the <br />water towers to date. <br /> <br />The Red Fox water tower already has at least three ground mounted structures to support the <br />antennas on the tower (on the top and side). It is difficult to plan how to use the ground space <br />more effectively and better, aesthetically, since it is already developed in this manner. However, <br />recommendations for a better overall screening plan or landscaping plan could be made so that <br />landscaping does not continue to have to be moved to accommodate another applicant. <br /> <br />The Fernwood water tower has one ground mounted structure. A different recommendation <br />could be made on this site for either landscaping or housing ground mounted structures in one <br />facility at the base of the tower. City Planner Chaput indicated that an overall plan needs to be <br />established for both properties. She presented information regarding each site related to zoning, <br />land use plan, and size. She advised there have been a number of companies that have expressed <br />interest in potential co-location of antennas on the City's water towers. With these applications, <br />ground structures are necessary, utilizing the land surrounding the water towers. Currently, the <br />City does not have a plan for the ground structures or antennas that may be located on or around <br />the water tower, <br /> <br />City Planner Chaput stated she has contacted a number of cities to review how they dealt with <br />applications for antennas on City water towers. She received information back from Shoreview, <br />Minneapolis, Bloomington, Wayzata, Plymouth, St. Louis Park, and Long Lake. She also <br />requested information from the League of Minnesota Cities on this topic. <br /> <br />Generally, cities seem to deal with antennas on City water towers through an administrative <br />review process, often requiring a building permit or special form for review by staff. The City of <br />Shoreview uses the administrative review process and provides a lot of useful information <br />