04-03-2003 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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' ^ !■> * additional option for locating towers and antennas. However, the City can place restrictions on the sites that can be used for towers, and on the towers and antennas, to minimize the negative impacts of the towers and antennas. As the City considers the issue of providing additional options for the siting of telecommunications towers, the two most difficult elements are the types of locations that could be allow'*d, and the maximum tower height to be allowed. Options for Tower Locations in Residential 2^nes Towers in residential zones could be restricted to only a limited subset of residential properties, such as one or more of the following: - City water towers •• City Emergency siren tower locations - Other City-owned property, such as parkland - Institutiorml Use Property -church - school In reviewing the locations of “institutional" use properties there are no institutional use properties located in areas of the City that could address a gap in coverage, and that are not near an existing emergency warning siren site, or City parkland. The potentially available properties could be further restricted by limiting a tower site to parcels with a minimum size i.e. 2 acres, 5 acres, 10 acres.to enable better opportunities to limit the visual impact of the tower. Maximum Height of Towers The telecommunications carriers generally want to build towers between 90 and 120 feet in height. At minimiun the towers need to be taller than the tree canopy in the area of the tower. The telecommunications consultant has suggested that in residential areas it would be reasonable to limit the height of towers to 75 feet. This height is the maximum height the City would be required to allow for an amateur radio tower. The trade-offs related to the lower height are that the potential for co-location is significantly reduced, and it may result in the need for a larger number of towers. Other Potential Restrictions Related to Towers in Residential .\reas - Stealth or camouflaged towers and antennas are required if the carrier has or can obtain the necessary technology. - Only monopole towers arc allow'ed. Council Direction from Previous Work session The consensus of the Council in terms of a solution to the tower siting issue is as follows: - The height of telecommunications towers in residential districts should be limited to a maximum of 75 feet. - The additional sites available for telecommunications antennas are limited to the existing sites of the I y