03-10-1997 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONG CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 10, 1997 • ( #13 - Telecommunications Policy Statement - Continued) Tom Alexander of Larkin Hoffman Law Firm, Bloomington, was present representing APT, one of the new digital providers. Alexander said he was concerned with the comment in the Staff memo for providing service without additional antennas. He felt this was impossible as the current antennas are being used to capacity by other providers. Alexander indicated that new towers would also be required if no water tower is available. He noted it would be less expensive to use existing structures as new towers cost up to $150,000 to build. Alexander explained how the locations for antennas are determined. It is based on a grid system working outward from the core of the metro in a honeycomb fashion. Expansion location cannot be determined until the service is built outward. There is a limited ability to move more than 500' from what is determined to be an ideal spot. Alexander said there would be no guarantee that a water tower would meet that ideal spot. Alexander said the ordinance as drafted allowed antenna placement only on the two water towers. He indicated these locations may not meet the radio frequency requirements and would be in violation of the Federal Telecommunications Act. Alexander reported that the criteria his company looks for in building towers includes the following: 1) radio frequency (coverage requirement), 2) whether the property owner is open to a lease, 3) • zoning, and 4) whether the location is buildable. Alexander asked the Council if they were willing to commit to a hierarchy of incentive regarding allowing antennas as a permitted use on water towers and identifying other preferred zoning districts, which would be in his opinion a lesser but significant restriction. Alexander said he would respectively object to the restrictions to the towers and asked for flexibility. Jabbour asked what the range is of the PCS service. Alexander said the technology is based on line of sight. Antennas are required every 2 to 4 miles in rural areas and every 1/2 mile in dense areas with heavy use. Jabbour said he was concerned with the language of the letter sent by Alexander stating the City would have to allow antennas wherever they were necessary and at random . locations. Alexander said the antenna locations would be subject to zoning requirements of the City. Radio noted the immaturity of the industry. While the industry will look at the City's zoning laws regarding prohibiting antennas and towers, they have not yet reached that point. Radio said the City must accommodate the antennas but cannot overrule the zoning laws. He suggested the City be proactive by informing the industry what can or • cannot be done within the City and let the companies plan accordingly. He noted that the grid locations have not yet been determined. 19