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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 09/17/1997 - PCS PRIMECO/25 NW POINT ELK GROVE VILLAGE Plan Commission Minutes September 17, 1997 8:00 p.m. Present: J. Glass, Chairman F. Geinosky, Secretary P. Ayers R. Guzzardi C. Henrici J. Meyers D. Paliganoff D. Sokolowski K. Zizzo Absent: None Staff: S. Niehaus, Assistant to the Village Manager C. Korn, Administrative Intern Petitioners: Pat Henwin, PCS PrimeCo Personal Communications John Long, PCS PrimeCo Personal Communications Item A: PCS PrimeCo Special Use Permit Request - 25 Northwest Point Boulevard Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m. and briefly summarized the petition being presented to the Plan Commission. Secretary Geinosky swore in the petitioners. Pat Henwin, of PCS PrimeCo (PrimeCo), introduced himself to the Plan Commission. Henwin stated that PrimeCo was seeking a special use permit from the Village of Elk Grove to allow the placement of wireless telecommunications antennas on top of the Hewlett Packard building located 25 Northwest Point Boulevard. Henwin stated that the proposed antennas would provide personal communications services(PCS)to subscribers in the Elk Grove area through the use of panel antennas mounted on the roof structure. Henwin stated that PrimeCo's initial request was to place two (2)panel antennas on three (3)different locations on top of the building, for a total of six(6) antennas. Each antenna will be 5 feet high and 6 inches wide and will extend above the roof height by approximately 8 feet. Each antenna will also be painted the same colors as the other structures on the roof. A radio equipment room will be located inside the building on the eleventh floor. Henwin explained that PrimeCo's philosophy when siting antennas was to utilize existing structures and buildings where possible. This enabled PrimeCo to limit construction costs by avoiding the need for new monopoles. In addition, it enabled PrimeCo to accommodate municipal concerns over the proliferation of communications towers and monopoles. Henwin stated that PrimeCo had researched multiple locations in Elk Grove including the approved monopole at 1060 Oakton Avenue (AT&T) and the Village's water tower at 1141 Hawthorne Lane. However, neither site enabled PrimeCo to meet their technical needs. Henwin stated that the Hewlett Packard location was ideal for PrimeCo because it fit into their grid system. In addition, the Hewlett Packard building was strategically located near the industrial park and the I-90 expressway. Henwin stated that he had received the staff comments from the Director of Engineering and Community Development dated August 12, 1997 requesting that the antennas be recessed as far back from the building as possible. Henwin stated that PrimeCo agreed with the staff comments and had amended the site plan by relocating the antennas further away from the edge of the building. Henwin presented three modified renderings which depicted how the antennas would look on top of the building from different angles. The renderings were submitted for the record as follows: #1 - East Elevation #2 - South Elevation #3 -North Elevation Henwin concluded his presentation by stating that Metropolitan Life, the owner of the building, had reviewed the proposed use and had no objections. Chairman Glass opened the public hearing up for questions from the Plan Commission at 8:15 p.m. Commissioner Zizzo questioned if staff had reviewed the amended antenna locations as proposed by PrimeCo. Niehaus stated that the Engineering & Community Development Department had not had the opportunity to review the new locations prior to the meeting, but they would do so prior to the issuance of any construction permits if approved. Commissioner Zizzo questioned why PrimeCo's petition was requested nine (9) antennas when the site plan only referenced six(6) antennas. Henwin stated that PrimeCo plans to install six(6) antennas during their initial installation phase. However,depending on the number of customers and the usage of the system,PrimeCo was requesting approval of additional antennas during the initial Plan Commission stage rather that seeking approval for more antennas at a later date. Commissioner Meyers questioned as to who PrimeCo's main competitors in the wireless communications industry were. Henwin stated that PrimeCo's competition consisted of AT&T Wireless, Cellular One, Ameritech Cellular and Sprint PCS. Commissioner Henrici expressed concern over the fact that the site plan submitted for review was not consistent with the original renderings submitted by the petitioner. Henrici stated that the renderings previously submitted for the record were accurate and requested that staff confirm that the final building plans properly reflect the antenna locations as depicted in the aforementioned renderings. Commissioner Henrici questioned if any cables would be located on the roof. Henwin stated that all cabling would be located in an existing HVAC shaft which has access to the roof of the building. Commissioner Sokolowski questioned how long PrimeCo would be able to operate off of the proposed antennas without requesting new ones somewhere else. Henwin explained that it was very difficult to anticipate the demand for service. However, Henwin stated that the proposed antennas should be sufficient for an extended time period due to their ability to enhance the equipment and multiply the antennas capacity through changes in technology. In addition, Henwin stated that PrimeCo would have the ability to install three (3) more antennas at the proposed location if approved by the Plan Commission. Commissioner Ayers questioned if the petitioner was familiar with the Village's antenna siting policy and whether or not they were seeking any variations from it. Henwin stated that the proposed location fell into the category of"preferred locations" due to the fact that it was an existing building. In addition, all antennas were below the maximum allowable height for roof based structures (10 feet). Commissioner Ayers questioned if the antennas were going to be painted the same color as the building or the structures already on top of the building. Henwin stated that the antennas would be painted sky blue to be consistent with the existing rooftop structures. Commissioner Paliganoff questioned as to the length of the petitioner's lease with the building owners. Henwin stated that the lease was for five(5) years with four(4) additional five year options. The lease was also transferable to future owners of the building if Met Life chooses to sell the property. Commissioner Glass questioned as to the actual capacity of the proposed antennas. Henwin stated that he did not know the actual number of calls that each antenna could handle at any one time. Chairman Glass opened the public hearing to comments from the audience at 8:35 p.m. Raoul Markuson, 3 Evergreen Drive, questioned if PrimeCo would be responsible for addressing any problems with household appliances if the antennas were determined to have adverse impacts on local residents. Chairman Glass stated that to date, the Village has not received any complaints from the numerous existing wireless antennas located in the area. Niehaus also stated that FCC guidelines required wireless communications companies to pay for any filtering devices if it was determined that their equipment was the cause of problems for local residents. Chairman Glass closed the public hearing at 8:40 p.m. Upon fiirther discussion, Commissioner Henrici moved, and Commissioner Meyers seconded a motion to recommend approval of PrimeCo's special use permit request to allow the installation of nine (9)panel antennas at 25 Northwest Point Boulevard, subject to staff review of the revised site plans to ensure consistency with the renderings submitted for the record and the location of the antennas removed from the edge of the building. Upon voting (all AYES), the motion carried unanimously. Item B: Miscellaneous Development Niehaus introduced the Village's new Administrative Intern, Chris Kom, to the Plan Commission. Following the introduction,Niehaus brought the Plan Commission up-to-date on the status of the following developments: • Spruce Meadow Subdivision; • Elk Grove Town Center; and • Landmeier Station Senior Housing Commissioner Paliganoff moved, and Commissioner Geinosky seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Upon voting, the motion was unanimously approved. Chairman Glass adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Resp ctfully submitted, e -�—� Scott R. Niehaus Assistant to the Village Manager c: Chairman and Members,Plan Commission,President&Board of Trustees,Village Clerk,Village Manager,Assistant Village Manager,Assistant to the Village Manager,Administrative Intem, Dir.of Engineering&Community Development,Dir.of Public Works,Fire Chief,Deputy Fire Chief(2), Assistant Fire Chief,Village Attorney,Chairman and Members,ZBA