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Mayor and Council Members, City of Orono, 3 October 1990 Page 2 <br />7. A cellular telephone equipment facility and associated antenna system is a use <br />allowed through the conditional use process under the zoning ordinances of the <br />City of Orono. <br />A cellular phone system is low powered, which necessitates careful placing of each <br />antenna to complete overall coverage as required through the licensing by the FCC. <br />Because of this low powered system, the flexibility of choosing antenna sites is narrowed <br />to a relatively small search area. This type of communications system can exist <br />successfully in residential areas, and in fact, does already in many installations in the <br />metropolitan area. The fact that our proposed location is more commercial in nature <br />only strengthens the conclusion that this is the best site in the search area for a <br />cellular phone installation. <br />The cellular phone system, although it is new, is becoming an essential part of urban <br />fabric, which depends heavily on communiaitions for emergencies, security, and has been <br />determined to be essential and desirable for the welfare of the .ommunity. Tne <br />community at large involves not only citizens of Orono. but also the citizens that <br />depend on a complete communications system throughout the metropolitan area. 'Hie <br />conditional use permit process, as specilied in the Orono ordinance, deals with findings <br />as they may affect the health, safety, and welfare of the community. We have <br />submitted documentation showing how the facility is safe and does not have any health <br />hazard. The community ’s welfare is benefited through an enhanced 9-1-1 emergency <br />response system, as well as enhanced communication for all residents provided tor <br />without discrimination. <br />The cellular phone installation is quite compatible with residential uses because it <br />provides a minimum of perceived impact to an area. The use is non-occupied. thus it <br />does not need the services of an occupied use, nor does it offer the problems that may <br />arise Fom an inhabited facility. There are no Lights on the antenna, therefore, it does <br />not create a glaring trespass on adjacent properties. The facility does not create a <br />traffic hazard since visitations to the site are only a few times a week. <br />Instead of excluding such antenna installations entirely from residential zones, they are <br />allowed with conditions to mitigate any unfavorable effect. Reasonable requirements ran <br />then be attached to approval requirements, which cannot be oppressive in application <br />especially if there is not a a direct relationship to health, safety, or morals. <br />It has also been suggested that other sites might be available on which this antenna <br />could be relocated. Over the past twelve months, a number of sites have been <br />reviewed and analyzed as antenna locations. A quick review of the attached map will <br />reveal that over 50 percent of the search area lies within residentially development <br />areas of either Orono or Long Lake. As can be e.xpected, these areas are e.xtremely <br />difficult to locate an antenna in and, for this reason, we have chosen to contact all <br />other owners within the search area whose property was not residentially developed. <br />There are many reasons why a particular site may not be u.sed for an antenna. The <br />following list indicates those sites that w-ere analyzed and the reasons for their dismissal <br />from consideration.