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j;: <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD MAY 20, 1991 <br />(#1)AMENDMENT TO ZONING CODE (ANTENNAS, TOWERS, ETC.) <br />Mabusth stated that in the case of cellular phone antennas, <br />there may not be a need for the structure to have the height it <br />does now. She referred to information she had provided with her <br />memo which indicates that as the use of cellular phones <br />increases, and the radius for each antenna is lessened, the <br />structure need not exceed 40 feet in height. <br />Kelley asked the Planning Commission members if they believe <br />that the City has an obligation to provide cellular phone service <br />to its residents. <br />Rowlette, Moos and Kelley agreed that the City does have an <br />obligation to provide such a service. <br />Kelley said, "The next issue then, if we agree that we do <br />not want free standing antennas, is where and how we would allow <br />these structures to be located in the City." <br />Cohen asked how many of these structures would need to be <br />placed in Orono to provide adequate service for the several <br />cellular phone companies to operate. <br />Mabusth referred the Planning Commission to Exhibit "F" <br />included v/ith her May 16, 1991 memo. <br />Dennis Esterly added, "The number and proximity of the <br />towers will depend on the geographical terrain of the area and <br />how many people are trying to use their cellular at the same time <br />at any given time of the day." <br />Rowlette recalled that during a presentation, U.5. West had <br />indicated that cellular phone antennas could be placed on <br />football field light standards, and church steeples. <br />Schroeder asked Esterly if the cellular phone companies are <br />indifferent about the use of one 150 foot antenna versus 25 40 <br />foot antennas. <br />Esterly replied, "Obviously, they would prefer to start off <br />with the 150 foot antenna to cover a wide area until population <br />fills in. The cost of constructing each cell site is relatively <br />the same, regardless of the height of the antenna." <br />Cohen asked if placing an antenna on a water tower would be <br />the same as erecting one 150 foot tower. <br />Esterly replied, "If the antenna is located at the same <br />location, it makes no difference whether it is free standing or <br />attached to another structure, it will provide the same amount of <br />service." <br />- 2 -