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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, November 04, 2009 Page 13 Chair Doherty spoke in support of the proposal, opining that fortunately or unfortunately, increased technology had become a part of our landscape; and questioned how many people would be able to identify the location of the tower in Reservoir Woods. Chair Doherty noted that some may say that the towers are everywhere, and that they shouldn’t be, and he accepted their opinion; but opined that it was part of our society. Chair Doherty noted the provisions in City Code that multiple users be located on one tower, opining that it made sense to him; however, noted that this required the towers to be taller and space for ground equipment to be larger. Chair Doherty opined that the weight of the evidence presented led him to support staff’s recommendation. Commissioner Boerigter opined that this was a complicated matter, made more so because of the process to-date, and lack of clarity in what Clearwire was seeking, and what the City was recommending; in addition to the apparent discrepancies in the materials provided to the public and Commissioners. Commissioner Boerigter concurred with the majority of Chair Doherty’s comments related to cell towers being a part of today’s world, and agreed with City Code in encouraging multiple users on one site to reduce multiple towers. Commissioner Boerigter advised that his issue with this proposal was the proposed location in Acorn Park; and suggested that, if the request moved forward, that location be reconsidered. Commissioner Boerigter opined that through the process from Clearwire’s original request based on convenience to put a small tower at that location, to that of the City’s suggestion for a taller and better tower to accommodate multiple users, and without clear input from the Parks & Recreation Commission’s in the preliminary stages for a location that may be better than that proposed adjacent to the hockey rink, the consideration of another possible location had been lost in the shuffle. Commissioner Boerigter expressed confidence that a better location in the park existed, and suggested that, if the request was approved by the Planning Commission, prior to the City Council’s consideration, everyone look for that location to minimize visual and footprint impacts for users at Acorn Park. Commissioner Boerigter suggested that a better location for the ground structure may be found other than next to the hockey rink; and that the applicant should provide a schematic to better exemplify that, allowing Parks & Recreation Director Brokke to find a more suitable location rather than right in the middle of the park. Commissioner Boerigter opined that the tower should be located in Acorn Park, with the additional height to accommodate additional users and clear dead spots for cell phone users; and again expressed confidence that another spot could be less intrusive to the park, that may necessitate changing conditions and allowing staff more latitude between now and the City Council meeting to find that appropriate spot. Chair Doherty thanked Commissioner Boerigter for doing a better job expressing his thoughts as well. Commissioner Cook spoke in support of the idea; but not as presented; opining that the Commission needed to see the exact location, the exact height, and in this case, a visual image of the tower. Commissioner Cook expressed concern in approving the request as currently presented; and advised that he would not support the presentation currently before the Commission; while being amenable to it being modified to send on, if possible from the bench. However, Commissioner Cook spoke in support of sending the request back to the applicant for resubmission. Mr. Paschke suggested that the Commission could table the requests to allow staff to address the issues raised at tonight’s meeting. Mr. Paschke expressed confidence that staff could make revisions administratively, given the direction received from the public, the Parks & Recreation Commission, and the Planning Commission; however, he did express his concern in properly and accurately