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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 12/20/1995 - PCS PRIME CO ELK GROVE VILLAGE Plan Commission Minutes December 20, 1995 8:00 p.m. . CIVC Present: F. Geinosky, Chairman JEC 2 7 1995 P. Feichter, Secretary 01 rpp,o P. Ayers C. Henrici J. McAllister J. Meyers C. Prochno Absent: R. Guzzardi D. Paliganoff Staff: S. Niehaus, Administrative Assistant Petitioners: G. Bober, Whaler. & Company, Inc. P. Deaderick, Whalen & Company, Inc. J. Dominge, Whalen & Company, Inc. Item A: PCS Prime Company Special Use Permit Chairman Geinosky opened the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. Secretary Feichter swore in the petitioners. Dominge stated that Whalen & Company is a telecommunication consultant representing PCs PrimeCo. PCs PrimeCo is seeking a special use permit for the purpose of constructing an unmanned telecommunications facility on the village's water tower at the intersection of Pratt and Tonne. The proposed height of the telecommunications antenna exceeds the maximum allowable height of sixty(60) feet in the I-1 Zoned District, therefore a special use permit is required. Dominge stated that PCs PrimeCo is a partnership between AirTouch, Bell Atlantic, NYNEX, and US West that was created to provide personal communications services (PCs) in various regions throughout the country. PCs PrimeCo purchased the rights to provide service in the Chicago region in an FCC auction in June of 1995. Dominge stated that PCs PrimeCo's goal is to create a national wireless network of standardized call features for its customers. This network would operate through a cellular antenna grid system utilizing the types of antennas they are seeking to place on the Village's water tower. Dominge stated that PCS PrimeCo prefers the proposed location due to the fact that the height of the structure will allow the antennas to cover a wide range in the Northwest suburban area. In addition, this location is appealing because it is located in the industrial park where it will not impose a negative impact on residential property owners. Lastly, PCS Prime Company prefers this location because they do not have to build a tower for their antennas which is more cost efficient and less obstructive to the community. Dominge stated that the proposed PCS facility would not endanger the public health, safety or general welfare of the Village of Elk Grove or the immediate area surrounding the facility. The proposed antennas will be low-powered, operate at 100 watts, and will not produce any odors, sounds or vibrations. Commissioner McAllister questioned as to the weight of the antennas and how they were mounted to the water tower. Dominge stated that the antennas weighed approximately fifteen(15) pounds and would be affixed to the tower with a pipe mount bracing. Dominge stated that the antenna mounts will be reviewed by Engineering and Community Development as well as the tower manufacturer prior to installation. Deaderick also stated that the antennas will be able to withstand winds up to 100 m.p.h. Commissioner Ayers expressed concern over the possibility of electronic interference from PCS PrimeCo's antennas and questioned what they would do to assist residents who might have problems with their telephones, radios, or televisions. Dominge stated that the frequency the antennas will be operating at is a low-end frequency similar to that of cordless telephones and other household products which will not cause an interference problem. However, Dominge stated that language can be placed in the lease agreement requiring PCS PrimeCo to correct all interference caused by their equipment. Commissioner Prochno questioned if this location will provide PCS coverage to the entire Village. Dominge stated that this location will mainly service the industrial park and a small portion of the residential community. Full coverage will be offered to Elk Grove from other antenna sites located in 'good Dale, itasca, and Roselle. Commissioner Meyers questioned as to who PCS PrimeCo's competition would be. Dominge stated that PCS PrimeCo's major competition would be cellular telephone companies like Cell-one and Ameritech. Commissioner Meyers questioned as to the color of the antennas Dominge stated that they would be painted identical to the color of the water tower. Commissioner Meyers expressed concern that the existing antennas on the tower were not the same color as the tower and that it would cause a problem due to the diffarence in appearance. Niehaus stated that he would review the notes `rcm the Nextel negotiations and determine if they were required to paint their antennas the same color as the water tower. Commissioner Henrici questioned where on the tower the antennas would be located. Dominge stated that they would be placed in between the existing antennas already installed by Nextel. Commissioner Henrici questioned whether or not the vandal protection sheet metal would go around the entire leg of the water tower. sober stated that it would extend all the way around the leg in order to deter people from climbing up the back side. Chairman Geinosky questioned if PCS PrimeCo currently had any existing antennas operating in the area. Dominge stated that none were operational, however, one is under construction in Roselle. Chairman Geinosky questioned as to PCS PrimeCo's access to the facility. Dominge stated that they would be making monthly site visits that only required use of the control cabinet and rarely included climbing the tower. In additicn, there are provisions in the lease agreement for emergency access. Chairman Geinosky questioned as to why PCS PrimeCo was using a panel style antenna instead of a "whip" antenna. Dominge stated that three (3) panel antennas covering 120 degrees each can provide more accurate and efficient signals over a 360 degree radius than a whip antenna and was therefore the desired type of antenna. Dominge stated that three(3) sets of three (3) antenna, for a total of 9 antennas, will be placed on the tower. Chairman Geinosky questioned as to the likelihood of PCS PrimeCo needing to add additional antennas on the tower in the future. Dominge stated that PCS PrimeCo would most likely add additional sites prior to placing more antennas at the proposed location. Chairman Geinosky read the petitioners response to staff comments dated December 14, 1995 into t:h:2 record. Chairman Geinosky opened the meeting for comments from the audience. There were no comments. Chairman Geinosky closed the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. Upon further discussion, Commissioner Meyers moved, and Commissioner McAllister seconded the motion, that the Plan Commission recommend approval of PCS PrimeCols request for a special use permit for the constructior. and installation of a wireless telecommunications antenna at a height exceeding 60 feet (60 ' ) on a water tower in an I-1 Industrial Zoning District atproperty located at Pratt Avenue and Tonne Road based on the fact th-at the antennas will be placed on an existing structure as opposed to a newly constructed tower. Upon voting, (Geinosky, Feichter, Ayers, Prochno, Meyers, McAllister AYES, Paliganoff, Guzzardi ABSENT, Henrici ABSTAIN) , the motion carried. Commissioner McAllister moved and Commissioner Henrici seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. Chairman Geinosky adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Scott R. Niehaus Administrative Assistant SRN/el C: Chairman and Members of Plan Commission, President and Board of Trustees, Village Clerk, Village Manager, Assistant Village Manager, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Intern, Director of Engineering/Community Development, Director of Public Works, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chie£ (2) , Asst Fire Chief, Village Attorney, Chairman and Members of SBA