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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - June 29, 2009 9 B. Approve Plannin2 Case 09-009 for a Conditional Use Permit Amendment at 3900 Bethel Drive Based on the Findinl!:s of Fact and the Submitted Plans as Amended bv the Five Conditions in the June 29.. 2009.. Memo to the City Council City Planner Meagan Beekman stated the applicants have requested a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for AT&T to install a cellular tower and adjacent equipment shed on the Bethel University campus at 3900 Bethel Drive. The tower and equipment shed would be located on the southeast side of the parking lot immediately adjacent to the recently added East Lot parking area (approved through Planning Case 07- 022), approximately 170 feet from the eastern property line abutting Trunk Highway 51. Councilmember Grant stated that this particular tower would be visible by the community and should not be approved due to aesthetic purposes and the proximity to County Road E. He stated that there are other locations that could be considered and this particular location is not keeping with the City's Guiding Vision. Councilmember Holmes stated that there is a need for the campus to have increased cellular capabilities for its students and faculty. She asked why a current tower or location was not being used for the increased capacity. Ken Nielson, representing AT&T, stated that the first thing that is looked for when locating a facility to provide wireless capabilities in a location is the current structures. There is a water tower on Cummings Park Drive, about a mile north of Bethel University, and AT&T is already on that tower. This tower is experiencing periods of overloading at this time, and this is forecasted to get worse. Mayor Pro Tem McClung clarified that Mr. Nielson was referring to the cell antennae that was currently on the water tower. Mr. Nielson stated that AT&T does try to utilize current locations whenever possible but with the dense population of users on the campus an on-site location offered the best solution. AT &T worked with Bethel University for over a year to find the most optimal location that would not interfere with growth and daily operations and be hidden to a great degree by mature trees. Councilmember Holden asked if AT&T or Bethel University had met with the residents in the area.