8A, PC 09-009, Conditional Use Permit Amendment at 3900 Bethel Drive

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AT&T is seeking to lease a tract measuring 20 feet by 35 feet (700 square feet) that would contain the cellular tower and equipment shed. The cellular tower would be designed as a simple pole that would be 75 feet tall with an eight foot tall wooden fence encircling the base, both painted dark brown. Although the Zoning Code typically limits fences to a maximum height of six feet, the needed security and fairly isolated location enables an exception to this regulation. Canister stealth skin would be utilized along the highest 15 feet of the tower to conceal the antennas inside (the number of antennas on this tower has not been specified). Adjacent to the south would be a 16 by ten foot (160 square foot) equipment shed measuring ten feet in height. The equipment shed would be constructed of tan-colored brick. A four-foot retention wall of unspecified design would partially encircle the lease tract as seen on the site plan (Attachment D). For clarification, the lease agreement would be between Bethel University and AT&T Mobility. The City of Arden Hills would not receive any payments as part of this agreement. Findines of Fact The Planning Commission reviewed this application at their June 3, 2009, meeting and have offered the following findings of fact for your consideration: General Findings: 1. The area of the lease tract, including the tower and adjacent equipment shed, would be 700 feet (35' x 20'). 2. The proposed tower would have a height of 75 feet, the maximum allowed in the Zoning Code. The antennas would occupy the top 15 feet of the tower. 3. The adjacent equipment shed would be 160 square feet (16' x 10') with a height of ten feet. 4. A four foot retaining wall would be built around the east side and portions of the north and south sides of the lease tract. 5. The tower would be at least partially screened from adjacent properties by trees to the east and south. 6. The City would not be party to the lease agreement and would not own or be responsible for maintaining the equipment shed. 7. The site is a minimum of 170 feet from the closest property line (to the east) and is located adjacent to the smallest of the four eastern campus parking lots. This site appears to have been selected with regard to decreasing obtrusiveness to adjacent properties and public streets. 8. The tower setback would be greater than that of campus buildings. 9. The minimum required rear and side interior setback for accessory structures in the B-1 Zoning District is 10 feet, of which the tower would exceed. City of Arden Hills City Council Meeting for July 13, 2009 \ \Metro-inet. us \arden h ills \Admin \ Co un cil \Agendas & Packet Information \2009\07-13-09 Regular\Packet Information \07-13-09 - Regular Meeting - Memo - Bethel_ATT CUP Amend. doc Page 2 of4