CCP 07-31-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - JULY 5, 2000 13 The City has two water towers: Red Fox Road and Fernwood Avenue North. The Red Fox water tower already has at least three ground mounted structures to support the antennas on the tower (on the top and side). It is difficult to plan how to use the ground space more effectively and better, aesthetically, since it is already developed in this manner. However, recommendations for a better overall screening plan or landscaping plan could be made so that landscaping does not continue to have to be moved to accommodate another applicant. The Fernwood water tower has one ground mounted structure. A different recommendation could be made on this site for either landscaping or housing ground mounted structures in one facility at the base of the tower. An overall plan needs to be established for both properties. Limits can be made to the development of the water tower properties by requiring conformance with the current zoning. The Zoning Ordinance regulates the amount of lot that can be covered by structures, floor area ratio and minimum landscaping requirements. This would limit the number of ground structures that could be permitted on the site, in turn limiting the amount of antennas that the water towers can hold. The Planning Commission may wish to tighten the current regulations for water tower properties. It is difficult to recommend that all future ground structures be located in one building when at least one ground structure already exists on each property. It is possible to make a separate recommendation for each site. However, as stated previously, the Zoning Ordinance can dictate how many antennas the site can accommodate and additional screening requirements for the property as a whole (through landscaping) could be recommended to improve the sites. Currently, any antenna in any district (with the exception of dish antennas under thirty inches in diameter, six square feet in area or six feet in height) requires a special use permit. There are no specific regulations regarding different districts or City property. Ms. Chaput stated that Staff recommends review and discussion of the proposed language amendment to the antenna section of the Zoning Ordinance, as outlined in the June 26 staff memo. If the proposed language is appropriate, staffwill schedule a public hearing to amend the antenna section of the ordinance at the August 2 Planning Conunission meeting. Commissioner Baker asked for clarification with regard to the proposed height requirement, as the city's towers are currently taller than 75 feet. He suggested that a statement might be added to the effect that water tower antennas should not exceed the top of the water tower. Ms. Chaput stated that some cities allow antennas on the top of their water towers. Commissioner Baker stated that if antennas are not allowed on top of the water tower, there are three or four antennas at the Red Fox water tower which would be nonconforming. Acting Chair Rye suggested that telecommunications companies and other companies who request antennas on the water towers might be approached for their comments on industry standards with regard to height requirements. Ms. Chaput agreed. Commissioner Duchenes expressed concern that a landscaping requirement will be difficult, as the issue of when and who will pay for it will arise. Ms. Chaput stated that ifthe Council approves that requirement, the City will be responsible for ensuring it is done. Acting Chair Rye suggested a park dedication fund might be established to help defray landscaping costs, or it might be negotiated in the rent.