Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 03/04/1998 - SPRINT/LIONS PARK ELK GROVE VILLAGE Plan Commission Minutes March 4, 1998 8:00 P.M. Present: J. Glass, Chairman C. Henrici, Acting Secretary P. Ayers D. Paliganoff D. Sokolowski Absent: F. Geinosky R. Guzzardi J. Meyers K. Zizzo Staff: S.Niehaus,Assistant to the Village Manager Petitioners: T. Cohen, Gearon Communications C. Fenwick, Gearon Communications E. Fong,Radio Frequency Engineer P. Pellisano,Zoning Manager Item A: Sprint Special Use Permit Request-Lions Park Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m. and briefly summarized the petition being presented to the Plan Commission. Acting Secretary Henrici swore in the petitioners. Chairman Glass stated that Sprint was seeking a Special Use Permit under Section 34:B of the Zoning Ordinance for the installation of a wireless telecommunications facility on Park District property located in the R-3 residential zoned district, located at 100 Lions Drive. Tim Cohen introduced himself to the Plan Commission as the Zoning Coordinator for Sprint in the Chicagoland area. Cohen stated that he was an employee of Gearon Communications which is a consultant hired by Sprint to locate and obtain approval of antenna sites. Cohen stated that Sprint is a relative newcomer to the field of wireless telecommunications having recently purchased a PCS license from the FCC. Sprint's goal is to provide PCS service throughout the Chicagoland region through the use of antennas placed in Elk Grove and the surrounding geographical area. Cohen stated that Sprint had previously appeared before the Plan Commission on December 3, 1997 seeking special use permits for antennas to be located on the westside water tower (1141 Hawthorne Lane)and on an existing monopole on the future Fire Department property(1060 Oakton Avenue). Cohen explained that similar to the previous sites,the subject location at Lion's Park would utilize existing structures and be located on public property. Cohen stated that Sprint was seeking to install nine(9)antennas to a 100 foot monopole that will be constructed by Cellular One at the same location. Cellular One had previously been before the Plan Commission and received a positive recommendation in October of 1997. Cellular One is currently waiting for approval of a special use permit ordinance prior to constructing their monopole. Cohen stated that Cellular One's 100 foot monopole will replace an existing 60 foot pole utilized by the Park District for lighting purposes. Cellular One's antennas will be located at a height of 100 feet and Sprint's antennas will be located at a height of 90 feet. The Park District lights will remain at the 60 foot level. In addition to the antennas, Sprint proposed to lease ground space from the Park District for the construction of an equipment shelter. Sprint's proposed equipment shelter would be approximately 10 x 20 feet in size and be constructed to match the existing Park District building on the site, as well as Cellular One's proposed building. In addition, Cohen stated that Sprint was proposing to connect their building to Cellular One's as requested by Village staff. This would limit the number of structures on the property and provide more open space to the park area. Cohen stated that Sprint had received the February 23, 1998 comments from the Director of Engineering& Community Development and agreed to address his concerns. The concerns noted were as follows: • that the proposed equipment building be architecturally compatible with the existing Park District building and the Cellular One equipment building; • that a minimum structural number of 2.50 be provided for the proposed asphalt driveway extension; • that all cables from the equipment building to the monopole be placed underground; and • that evergreen bushes be installed to screen the equipment building from public view. Chairman Glass opened up the meeting to comments from the Plan Commission at 8:15 p.m. Commissioner Sokolowski questioned as to the leasing arrangements between Sprint, Cellular One and the Park District. Cohen stated that Sprint would have separate leases with Cellular One and the Park District. The Cellular One lease would provide access to the monopole and the Park District lease would allow the use of ground space. Commissioner Sokolowski questioned as to what would happen if Cellular One went out of business. Cohen explained that Sprint's lease would likely have language which would allow for them to assume ownership of the monopole in the event that Cellular One no longer had a need for it. This was necessary to protect the substantial investment that Sprint makes in each of their antenna sites. Commissioner Sokolowski questioned as to what Sprint's annual rental payment to the Park District would be. Gary Buczkowski,Director of Parks and Planning of the Elk Grove Park District, stated that Sprint would pay the Park District approximately$10,000 per year for use of their property. Commissioner Ayers stated for the record that he voted against the Cellular One request when it came before the Plan Commission in October based on the fact that the proposed antennas would be located in a park area; as opposed to other viable locations. However, in regards to Sprint's request, Ayers stated that he favored the petition because it was a co-location with another wireless company. As such, it would eliminate the need for an additional monopole elsewhere in the community. Commissioner Henrici asked Sprint to explain why they needed to install an antenna at the subject location. Ellen Fong, Sprint's radio frequency engineer, explained that without the antenna at Lion's Park, Sprint,s grid system would have a large empty space in the middle of Elk Grove which would not be capable of providing service. Commissioner Henrici asked that a map of Sprint's local grid system be included in the file as part of the record. Commissioner Henrici questioned if Cellular One's monopole was a replacement or relocation of the existing light pole used by the Park District. Buczkowski stated that technically, Cellular One's monopole was a relocation of the light pole as it would be moved a couple of feet from its existing location. The new pole location would not impact the use of the Park District lights for athletic purposes. Commissioner Henrici questioned as to why Sprint was not proposing to install a fence around the monopole and their equipment building. Niehaus stated that the fence was not included based upon the Plan Commission's discussion of the Cellular One equipment shelter in October of 1997. At that time,the Park District had requested that a fence not be constructed due to the potential for errant balls to land within the fence. As such, removing the fence would eliminate the need/potential for children to climb the fence in an effort to obtain lost balls. The ultimate recommendation of the Plan Commission, with respect to Cellular One's request, was that the fence not be installed as requested by the Park District. Commissioner Henrici questioned as to how low antennas could be installed on the monopole and how many companies could locate on it. Cohen stated that the height of antennas was specific to the individual company seeking to install antennas based on their individual grid systems. In general, antennas could be installed anywhere from 40 feet to 120 feet above ground,provided that they had a minimum separation of 10 feet between antennas. Cohen also explained that the number of antennas permitted on a monopole was dependent on the construction of the pole and the weight of the antennas. Commissioner Henrici questioned as to where the cables would be connected to the monopoles. Cohen stated that all cables would be inserted into the monopole prior to its construction and installation. Chairman Glass opened the meeting up to comments from the audience at 8:40 p.m. Carol Duchinsky, 532 Forest View, stated that she was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit and expressed concerns for safety of children and other individuals near the proposed monopole structure. Specifically, Duchinsky was concerned with the antenna installations and the potential of athletes running into the pole/equipment buildings. Cohen stated that Sprint invests substantial amounts of money into their equipment and,therefore,takes the necessary precautions to ensure that all equipment is safely installed in accordance with local codes and requirements. Chairman Glass also noted that the monopole should not be a safety hazard for athletes as it was simply replacing a pole that already exists on the site in the same general area. Upon further discussion, Commissioner Ayers moved, and Commissioner Henrici seconded a motion,to recommend approval of a special use permit for Sprint to install wireless telecommunications antennas at a height in excess of 90 feet and to construct a 10 x 20 foot equipment shelter on property located at 100 Lion's Drive, subject to the following conditions: • that Sprint's equipment shelter be built consistent with the existing Park District building and the proposed Celular One shelter for the same location; • that Sprint's equipment shelter have no exterior fencing; • that the Elk Grove Park District review and approve the landscape plan prior to the installation of any screening; and • the underground installation of all cables on the site. Upon voting,the motion carried unanimously(Glass,Ayers, Henrici, Paliganoff, Sokolowski AYES, Geinosky,Guzzardi,Meyers, Zizzo ABSENT). Adjournment Commissioner Ayers moved, and Commissioner Henrici seconded a motion,to adjourn the meeting. Upon voting,the motion was unanimously approved. Chairman Glass adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Respec Ily submitted, 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 Intern, Dir. of Engineering&Community Development, Dir. of Public Works,Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief(2),Assistant Fire Chief, Village Attorney, Chairman and Members,ZBA