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7.b)2) Sprint Amended Conditional Use Permit: Novak Avenue � . �. b� a� 444 Cedar Street,Suite 1500 � � Saint Paul,MN 55101 651.292.4400 � tkda.com �, TKDA Memorandum To: Scandia City Council Reference: Sprint Amended Conditional Use Commission Permit: Novak Avenue Kristina Handt, City Administrator Copies To: Dale Runkle, Applicant Project No.: 15023.011 From: Berry Farrington AICP Routing: Sherri Buss, RLA, AICP Date: November 14, 2012 � SUBJECT: Sprint Amended Conditional Use Permit MEETING DATE: November 20, 2012 LOCATION: 21560 Novak Avenue Scandia, Minnesota APPLICANT: Dale Runkle, Powder River Development Services, LLC 3669 Pinecrest Court Eagan, MN 55123 ZONING: Agriculture —Core (AG C) 60-DAY PERIOD: December 16, 2012 ITEMS REVIEWED: Application form, plans, structural analysis report and related materials received on October 17, 2012 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUEST: The Applicant is requesting to amend the Conditional Use Permit to allow replacement of three (3) existing panel antennas, addition of one (1) microwave dish, and addition of six(6) Remote Radio Units (RRUs) on an existing telecommunications monopole. The tower address is 21569 Novak Avenue and is located in the Agriculture— Core (AG C) District. The City granted a Conditional Use Permit(CUP)for the tower in 2001. � The Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 6, and reviewed the application. The applicant presented additional information on how the new equipment An employee owned compony promoting affirmative action ond equal opportunity t Sprint: Novak Ave N Tower CUP Scandia City Council Page 2 November 20, 2012 would look and function. Commissioners made one change to the conditions, Iunderlined in this report. BACKGROUND: The application materials indicate that Sprint plans to replace 3 antennas and add 6 Remote Radio Units (RRUs) and 1 microwave dish, 2 feet in diameter, on an existing tower at 21560 Novak Avenue North. The existing monopole tower is 190 feet tall and has a shelter at the base of the tower. There is a chain link fence at the perimeter of the shelter and tower. The proposed project includes the following: • Replacement of 3 existing panel antennas on the structure with 3 upgraded antennas. The new antennas will be located in the same location as the antenna to be removed. The antennas are mounted onto the tower at 190 feet. • Addition of 6 RRUs on the tower. The RRUs will be located behind antennas, at the same elevation as the antennas. The RRUs enhance the performance of the antennas and require less cable within the tower. • Addition of a 1 microwave dish, 2 feet in diameter, to be mounted at the same elevation as the antennas, 190 feet. • Changes to cables within the monopole and within the cabineUshelter will be made as part of the upgrades. The application indicates that all of the new equipment will be located at the same elevation as the existing antennas so that there will be no increase in the height of the tower. The application also indicates that there will be no exterior alteration of ground-level facilities on the site. The Planner's site visit was interrupted by a dog that chased her off the property. Anyone visiting the site should be cautious of the dog. The applicant provided photos of the fence and landscaping at the site to document compliance with the existing Conditional Use Permit issued in 2001. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CRITERIA The Development Code identifies the following general criteria for evaluating Conditional Use Permit requests: o Whether the proposed use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, including proposed public facilities and the capital improvement plan. o Whether the proposed use will promote or enhance the general public welfare and will not be detrimental to public health, safety and welfare. o Whether the proposed use will diminish the use and enjoyment of properties in the vicinity or impair property values in the neighborhood o Whether the proposed use will not impede normal and orderly development. o Whether adequate public facilities and services are available or can be reasonably provided to accommodate the use, event or activity proposed. o Whether the proposed use conforms to the applicable regulations of the district where it is located and other applicable provisions of the Development Code. �,: . 1 ; � Sprint: Novak Ave N Tower CUP Scandia City Council Page 3 November 20, 2012 This report discusses the proposed modifications to the tower in relationship to the criteria for approval of a CUP. DETAILED EVALUATION OF THE REQUEST: Comprehensive Plan The Comprehensive Plan does not include specific goals or policies related to communications infrastructure, though it does include goals to support the economic health of the community, and adequate communications infrastructure is needed to support the general economic health of the community. The comprehensive plan does include goals and policies to support the community's rural character and natural landscape, and minimize the visual impact of new development. Based on simulations of the tower appearance with the new equipment, the replacement of existing antennas and addition of new equipment will not change the appearance of the tower, and therefore will not have a negative visual impact. The reauest is consistent with the Qoals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan. The chanaes will have no impact on qublic facilities or the Citv's capital improvement plan. Public Health, Safety and Welfare The City's limits of authority to review an application for a new wireless communication tower are defined in the United States Code, Section 47.332(c)(7). Local governments have the authority over decisions regarding the placement, construction and modification of personal wireless service facilities, but may not deny a request based on potential environmental impacts of the proposed facilities. Therefore, potential environmental and health impacts are not evaluated in this application. The applicant submitted a Structural Analysis report, dated August 27, 2012, with the application that addresses the structural soundness of the structure, and its ability to safely carry the additional antennas and equipment proposed in the application. The report states that the tower's shaft is at 69% capacity, and states that with the proposed changes the tower will meet industry and state building code structural strength requirements. The reauest has no identified nepative impacts on qublic health, safetv, and welfare. /mpacfs on Neighboring Properties and Property Values, and Normal Development The proposed project will replace existing antennas and add new equipment on an existing tower. It will not increase the height of the tower, and will look nearly identical to the existing tower and equipment when viewed from the neighboring properties and the road. Because the proposed chanqes to the existin4 tower and facilities are minimal thev are unlikelv to create anv new impacts to neiqhborinq properties, propertV values, and would not create impediments to future development. The Planner's recommendations include conditions that the new eQuipment shall be the same color as the monopole communications tower and the cables shall be run inside the pole and shall not be visible in order to minimize the impact of the new equiqment on surroundinq propertv values and Scandia's visual character. � 1 . Sprint: Novak Ave N Tower CUP Scandia City Council Page 4 November 20, 2012 Public Facilities and Services The proposed tower is served by an existing driveway. No additional public facilities or services will be needed due to the proposed changes to antennas and equipment. The public facilities and services needed to serve the facilitv are available and adeQuate. Conformance to the Development Code The sections that follow discuss the proposed antennas and equipment based on the requirements in the development code: Co-location Preferred The development code indicates that co-location of antennas on existing towers or structures is preferred to adding new towers. The ordinance seeks to maximize the use of existing and approved towers and buildings to accommodate antennas to reduce the number of towers needed to serve the community. The proposed equipment colocation is consistent with the ordinance. Setbacks The existing tower meets the setback requirements in the zoning ordinance. The modifications to the tower will not affect the setbacks. Other Ordinance Requirements and Considerations The ordinance requires that the design and installation of the tower and equipment comply with manufacturer's specifications, and that plans be approved and certified by a registered professional engineer. All antennas and towers must be adequately insured. The City will require that the applicant comply with these conditions. Compliance with Existinq CUP The tower was originally granted a Conditional Use Permit(CUP) in 2001. The Planners reviewed the CUP to determine if the tower is now in compliance. Conditions include no advertising or identification signs, a chain link fence around base of the tower, and landscaping of arborvitae and deciduous trees all the way around the fence, 8 trees per side. Site photos provided by the applicant and a site visit by the Planner indicate that conditions of the existing CUP are met. PLANNING STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: The Planner recommends approval of the Amendment to the CUP to allow replacement of three (3)existing panel antennas, addition of one (1) microwave dish, and addition of six (6) Remote �_ b � J i Sprint: Novak Ave N Tower CUP Scandia City Council Page 5 November 20, 2012 Radio Units (RRUs) on an existing telecommunications tower located at 21560 Novak Avenue North. The Planner recommends the following conditions: 1. All conditions from the original CUP remain in effect. 2. The installation of the antennas and equipment shall comply with the plans and specifications dated June 14, 2012 and received by the City on October 17, 2012. 3. The applicant shall comply with all the rules and regulations of the FCC and FAA that apply to the proposed communications facility. If new, more restrictive standards are adopted, the antenna installation shall be brought into compliance with the new standards by the owner and operator of the antenna and tower. 4. The structural design, mounting and installation of the tower and antennas shall be in compliance with manufacturer's specifications. 5. All new equipment shall be the same color as the monopole communications tower. 6. All cables shall be run inside the pole and shall not be visible. 7. If this CUP is revoked, or use of the tower ceases, the tower and all accessory structures shall be removed and the site restored to its original condition within 120 days. If the applicant fails to do so, the City will complete removal and restoration, and the City's cost shall be assessed against the property. 8. No lights, reflectors, flashers, daytime strobes, night time red lights or other illuminating devices shall be attached to the tower, unless required by the FAA or FCC. 9. The applicant shall obtain insurance so that all antennas and equipment are adequately insured to cover injury and property damage caused by collapse or other catastrophic failure with companies and amounts approved by the City. The applicant shall provide the proof of insurance to the Citv annuallv. 10. The applicant shall pay all fees for the City's review of the application. ; ° , . � CITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 11-20-12-04 APPROVING AMENDED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR 21560 NOVAK AVENUE WHEREAS, Powder River Development Services has made an application for an amended conditional use permit on behalf of Sprint to replace three (3) existing panel antennas, add one (1)microwave dish, and add six (6) Remote Radio Units (RRU's) on an existing telecommunications monopole at 21560 Novak Avenue, and WHEREAS, the property is legally described as follows: South %z of the NW '/ and South %2 of the North % of the NW '/, Section 15, Township 32N, Range 20W; also the east 2 Rods of the NE '/ of the SW '/ of said section for Roadway purposes; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the request at a duly noticed Public Hearing on November 7, 2012, and has recommended approval; and NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCANDIA,WASHINGTON COUNTY,MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does approve the conditional use permit to allow the replacement of the existing antennas and addition of the new microwave dish and 6 RRU's,based on the following: 1. The request is consistent with the goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan, and the changes will have no impact on public facilities or the City's capital improvement plan. 2. The request has no identified negative impacts on public health, safety and welfare. 3. The changes are unlikely to create new impacts to neighboring properties or property values, and would not create impediments to future development. 4. The public facilities and services need to serve the facility are available and adequate. 5. The proposed changes are consistent with the City's Development Code. Resolution No.: 11-20-12-04 Page 2 of 2 FLJRTHER BE IT RESOLVED,that the following conditions of approval shall be met: 1. All conditions from the original CUP remain in effect. 2. The installation of the antennas and equipment shall comply with the plans and specifications dated June 14, 2012 and received by the City on October 17, 2012. 3. The applicant shall comply with all the rules and regulations of the FCC and FAA that apply to the proposed communications facility. If new,more restrictive standards are adopted, the antenna installation shall be brought into compliance with the new standards by the owner and operator of the antenna and tower. 4. The structural design, mounting and installation of the tower and antennas shall be in compliance with manufacturer's specifications. 5. All new equipment shall be the same color as the monopole communications tower. 6. All cables shall be run inside the pole and shall not be visible. 7. If this CUP is revoked, or use of the tower ceases, the tower and all accessory structures shall be removed and the site restored to its original condition within 120 days. If the applicant fails to do so, the City will complete removal and restoration, and the City's cost shall be assessed against the property. 8. No lights,reflectors, flashers, daytime strobes,night time red lights or other illuminating devices shall be attached to the tower, unless required by the FAA or FCC. 9. The applicant shall conduct an annual inspection of the facilities to insure continuing compliance with the City's development code and this permit. 10. The applicant shall obtain insurance so that all antennas and equipment are adequately insured to cover injury and property damage caused by collapse or other catastrophic failure with companies and amounts approved by the City. The applicant shall provide proof of insurance to the City annually. Adopted by the Scandia City Council this 18th day of September, 2012. Randall Simonson, Mayor ATTEST: Kristina Handt, Administrator/Clerk