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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 04/17/1996 - AMERITECH VL% ELK GROVE VILLAGE Plan commission Minutes April 17, 1996 8:00 P.M. Present: F. Geinosky, Chairman P. Ayers C. Henrici J. McAllister J. Meyers D. Paliganoff C. Prochno Absent: P. Feichter R. GuZzardi Staff: S. Niehaus, Administrative Assistant Petitioners: J. Reinsdorf, Katten, Muchin & Zavis L. Kao, melitect Architects P. Heffner, Ameritech chairman Geinosky opened the public hearing at 8:02 p.m. Item A: Ameritech Special Use Permit commissioner Meyers moved and Commissioner Ayers seconded the motion to nominate Commissioner McAllister as Acting Secretary. Acting Secretary McAllister swore in the petitioners. Chairman Geinosky turned the meeting over to the petitioner, and asked them to explain their request. Reinsdorf stated that he was representing Ameritech in their request for a special use permit to install cellular communications antennas on the Village's water tower located at 1141 Hawthorne Lane. Reinsdorf stated that Ameritech's request for an antenna at the subject location had been caused by several factors including the increased number of cellular telephone users, the poor location of their existing antennas, and complaints of bad service from Ameritech customers. Reinsdorf stated that Ameritech was seeking to address their problems by locating on the water tower. Reinsdorf informed the Plan Commission that over the past several months Ameritech had worked closely with the Village to ensure that their antenna was placed in an acceptable location and manner. Several options were looked at including raising the Exel Inn sign (which contains an antenna) and placing the antenna on a different water tower; however, neither of these options offered the optimal benefits and service of the subject location. Kao stated that the antennas would be mounted to the tower on the painter's rings located below the bulb of the tower at a height of approximately 105 feet. Each antenna would be 1 foot by 1 foot in size and would be installed 5 feet apart. The antennas will be controlled from an 11 foot X 26 foot equipment shelter located approximately 20 feet north of the tower. The equipment shelter will be constructed of brick to be consistent with the surrounding area. Security will be provided by a wrought iron fence around the shelter. Screening will be provided by twenty-one(21) 6 foot evergreens. The shelter is 20 feet south of the north property line and 8 feet west of I-290. Ingress and egress to the site is supplied by a bituminous driveway/sidewalk leading directly to the building. A portion of the driveway is shared with a planned driveway for village access to the water tower facility. Commissioner McAllister questioned whether the evergreen trees would be mature at the time they are planted. Heinsdorf stated that all landscaping would be mature at the time of planting. Commissioner McAllister questioned if Ameritech's antennas would cause any interference for neighboring property owners. Heffner stated that the antennas would operate on an 800-900 megahertz frequency similar to older television frequencies. In addition, Heffner stated that Ameritech was required by the FCC to investigate potential interference conflicts near their facilities and would do so in this case. Niehaus stated that it has been past practice of the village to include language requiring telecommunications companies to investigate interference in their lease. It was the consensus of the Plan Commission that language to that effect be included in Ameritech's lease agreement. Commissioner McAllister questioned if the antennas would be fastened securely. Kao stated that Ameritech was required to comply with all Federal and local building requirements which ensure that the structure is able to sustain heavy windloads. Commissioner Ayers questioned as to the height of the antennas in the Exel inn site and at what height range Ameritech installs their antennas. Heffner stated that Exel Inn sign is at 60 feet and that Ameritech's range for antenna installation is approximately 70 to 130 feet depending on the location. Commissioner Ayers questioned if it was possible for the equipment shelter to be moved further away from the tower so that the site could accommodate other shelters and/or a larger shelter built for multiple tenants. Kao stated that both options could be feasible, however, it would take some time to research them. Commissioner Paliganoff questioned if Ameritech had any objections to other companies locating on the water tower. Heinsdorf stated that they had no objections to co-location and would be willing to provide for it in the lease agreement. Commissioner Paliganoff questioned if there were any potential safety concerns posed by the antennas. Kao stated that the antennas did not present a danger structurally. Heffner stated that they did not present and danger to human health due to their low power output. (50 watts) . Commissioner Paliganoff questioned as to how many companies the tower could accommodate. Kao stated that there was a maximum number of companies that could use the tower due to engineering limitations, however, this number depends on the companies and the size of their antennas. Commissioner Paliganoff questioned how the new antenna location would improve customer service. Heffner stated that the increased height of the antenna will provide a clearer signal for Ameritech customers through the reduction of static and will eliminate calls that are dropped along Arlington Heights Road, Devon Avenue and Thorndale Road. commissioner Prochno had no comments. Commissioner Meyers expressed a concern over the site plan in regards to the equipment shelter. Commissioner Meyers stated that the current location of the shelter would make it very difficult for other companies to build shelters in an aesthetically pleasing manner. As a result, there could be numerous shelters scattered throughout the site in haphazard fashion. Commissioner Meyers questioned if staff or the Village Board had considered the possibility of building one large shelter to accommodate several companies. Niehaus stated that it had been discussed by the village Board but not researched due to technical limitations. Commissioner Meyers expressed concern with the antenna design and the use of painter's rings instead of other forms of antenna installation such as the "donut" shield. Meyers cited problems incurred by other towns where bird's nests existed on top of the antennas. Niehaus stated that the village Board had looked at several other antenna designs including the donut, and determined that the design being presented to the Plan Commission was the most acceptable. Commissioner Henrici stated that he felt the Village should take a long-term planning approach to the issue of antennas on the water tower which included the anticipation of similar requests from other cell phone companies and the development of the site in a way that could accommodate them. Commissioner Henrici expressed a concern that the equipment shelter was too close to the north property line and the residential units to the north of the lot and requested that it be moved further south. Commissioner Geinosky questioned why Ameritech needed another antenna when they already had two located in Elk Grove. Heffner stated that the repeated requests for antennas by Ameritech and other cell phone providers is due to the increased number of people that utilize cellular phones, thus limiting their capacity and created an increase in the need for cellular antennas. Chairman Geinosky opened up the meeting for questions from the audience. Leo Loges, 1156 westminister, expressed a concern over the potential of noise being emitted from the equipment shelter and from the HVAC unit used to cool the structure. Sylvester Colletti, 1136 westminister, questioned as to who would be responsible for removing interference should he experience it due to the antennas. Niehaus stated that the lease language and the FCC would require Ameritech to investigate the interference to determine its cause. if Ameritech is determined to be responsible they will have to address the situation. If the interference does not come from Ameritech, homeowners will have to contact the FCC for assistance. Chairman Geinosky closed the public hearing at 9:30 p.m. Considerable discussion took place regarding the location of the equipment shelter. it was the consensus of the Plan Commission to have Ameritech work with staff to find a more appropriate location for the equipment shelter which would be conducive to the aesthetic placement of other shelters and/or a large modular shelter capable of housing several companies and to determine how many companies could locate on the tower. The Plan Commission requested to review this item prior to making a recommendation to the Village Board. Commissioner McAllister moved and Commissioner Ayers seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. Chairman Geinosky adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /2. Al;ek e, Scott R. Niehuas 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 chief (2) , Assistant Fire chief, village Attorney, Chairman and Members Of ZBA