02-13-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE Council ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Exhibit B Tuesday, January 17, 2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. 2. #17-3886 HENNEPIN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, 3880 SHORELINE DRIVE, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT: ESSENTIAL SERVICES, 6:32 P.M. — 6:40 P.M. Sarah Karel, Hennepin County Emergency Management, was present. Barnhart stated the applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to construct and operate a mesonet weather station as an essential service. A mesonet station consists of a 30 -foot tall tower within a 40 -foot square fenced in area with small weather sensors mounted on the tower and other equipment mounted on the ground. The mesonet station is considered an essential service since it will be communicating important information to County departments, including public works and emergency response. The information is then sent via cell phone to Hennepin County's central weather gathering station. One public comment was received from an adjoining neighbor who expressed concerns about possible radiation being emitted from the station. Staff has confirmed that the only signal to be emitted from the station will be a cell phone signal. A conditional use permit is required for all structures, including utility poles, within rights-of-way, which are an integral part of a system for public transportation as for transmitting power, water, heat, communications, gas or sewage by any public utility. The Planning Commission and City Council have to determine that there is no harm to the adjacent properties as part of the conditional use permit process. Based on Staff's review of the site, the most impactful aspect of the improvement is the 30 -foot tall tower. The 30 -foot height is the maximum permissible height for principal structures in the LR -1C zoning district. The tower will be located in the northeast corner of the property. Immediate neighbors consist of the fire station to the east and the Dakota Rail trail to the north. The nearest residential property is approximately 220 feet to the north and is located in Spring Park. The tower in this area will be visible, as existing vegetation along the rail right-of-way will not completely screen the tower. The equipment is not expected to generate noise, light, vibration or odors. Barnhart displayed pictures of the overall site on the overhead. Staff finds the standards for approval of a conditional use permit for essential services are satisfied. Page 1 of 3