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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, November 04, 2009 Page 12 LaMay opined that everything should be reviewed before any approval by the Planning Commission or City Council. Chair Doherty thanked everyone for their comments and closed the Public Hearing at 8:43 p.m. Applicant Representative, Tony Vavoulis, responding to the EMF issue Mr. Vavoulis specifically addressed health impacts and controls on frequencies by explaining that there were frequencies for all communication, whether cellular or Internet, and that each was controlled by the FCC in a fairly narrow band to avoid conflicts. Mr. Vavoulis advised that Clearwire was well within federal guidelines, and was at the lower end of the frequencies. Mr. Vavoulis noted that cellular frequencies were lower than that of a microwave in a home; and wireless Internet was far less than that frequency. Commissioner Wozniak questioned if Clearwire had considered any other locations in Acorn Park other than the one proposed. Mr. Vavoulis advised that they had initially looked at a spot to the southwest of the proposed location on a knoll surrounded by trees, and including the remnants of an old concrete pad tucked into the trees. However, Mr. Vavoulis advised that the decision came down to a trade-off for eliminating the existing light pole and replacing it with a monopole for Clearwire and accommodating the lighting for the hockey rink. Mr. Vavoulis advised that Clearwire had some flexibility in their location, and that plans had not been developed beyond this point, pending approval; and in further discussion with staff before this meeting, was seeking this input from the City and public to ensure that they were not investing design time in the wrong spot. Mr. Vavoulis advised that the proposed site would work for them, and that elevations could be kept within the context of the park, with maintenance crews monitoring equipment as needed - likely on a monthly or quarterly basis. Mr. Vavoulis concurred that this was a very nice park; and expressed appreciation for citizen comments. Mr. Vavoulis advised that, if the ground elevation increased, the tower height could be reduced, at least from the perspective of Clearwire and their needs, as long as the signal frequency could clear the trees. Commissioner Wozniak sought clarification if this proposal required an open house. Mr. Paschke advised that a Conditional Use did not require an open house; and had not been suggested by staff, since staff did not make decisions about open houses based on specific uses, but instead adhered to the City Code, which had been recently modified as it related to those developments requiring open houses. Commissioner Gisselquist questioned if this was the only park with a tower. Mr. Paschke advised that there was a larger tower facility located in Reservoir Woods. Chair Doherty noted that there were many conflicts associated with this proposals, including a smaller, single-user tower versus a taller, multi-user tower; where the best location would be, whether as proposed, or on a hill; existing cellular service and improvements that may be available with construction of this tower and benefits to residents on the south side of the park; the need to coordinate the tower location with the Parks & Recreation Commission. Chair Doherty expressed his disappointment that he had overlooked the information in the staff report noting the Parks & Recreation Commission’s consideration of this issue at their recent meeting. Further issues related to the proposal, and addressed by Chair Doherty, included economic benefits to City and whether any location in Acorn Park would be acceptable to the neighborhood.