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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 05/05/1999 - METRICOM INC ELK GROVE VILLAGE Plan Commission Minutes May 5, 1999 Present: J. Glass, Chairman P. Ayers C. Henrici J. Meyers D. Sokolowski T.Thompson Absent: F. Geinosky D. Paliganoff K. Zizzo Staff: P. Vadopalas,Assistant to the Village Manager Petitioners: J. Leahy, Richard Connor Riley&Associates, L.L.C. Item 1: Metricom,Inc.—Special Use Petition Chairman Glass read the petition into the record. Chairman Glass stated the Plan Commission would be considering the petition of Metricom,Inc. for a special use permit to allow the installation and operation of wireless radio transmission equipment on light poles within the public right-of-way throughout Elk Grove Village. J. Leahy introduced himself as Metricom's representative. Leahy distributed a list of municipalities with which Metricom has signed agreements (attached). Leahy explained that Metricom is a provider of wireless internet access and is seeking to install and operate wireless transmitters throughout the village. He explained that the transmitters are approximately the size of a shoebox and are mounted to the mast arm of streetlight standards by means of"u"bolts. The transmitters draw power from the light poles. He explained that computer users could purchase a small transmitter to attach to their laptop computer and gain access to internet,e- mail,and other services without a need for a phone line. The transmission speed is currently 128 kbs and may improve with future technology upgrades. Leahy stated that Metricom is in the process of establishing a nationwide network. Metricom currently provides their service at most airports, college campuses,the San Francisco Bay area, Seattle, and Washington D.C. In the last year,they have begun expanding into the Dallas,Houston, New York, and Chicago regions. Leahy stated Metricom currently has agreements in place with 106 of 210 municipalities in northeast Illinois. Leahy stated that a concept location map was provided to the Village, and that Metricom was directed to develop a map which avoided all residential neighborhoods. Leahy stated one would be provided and would work with Village staff to create an acceptable location map. Leahy explained that Metricom's standard agreement is for a nine (9)year term with renewal options, and includes a percentage of profits and a per pole leasing fee payable to the municipality. Commissioner Thompson asked if Metricom has an agreement in place with Commonwealth Edison. Leahy responded an agreement is in place and would provide a copy to the Village. Commissioner Thompson asked how far the proposed transmitters need to be from each other to function properly. Leahy responded they need to be approximately %:mile from each other. Commissioner Thompson asked if Metricom would have any coverage problems if they were not allowed to install transmitters in residential neighborhoods. Leahy responded it would not be a problem and Metricom would follow staff's direction on locating transmitters. Commissioner Thompson noted that their transmission network requires antennas every 20 miles,and asked where the antennas would be located. Leahy responded the antennas are located on high-rise buildings and for the Elk Grove area,a preferred rooftop location has been identified in Itasca. Commissioner Sokolowski asked for information about the power source for the transmitters. Leahy stated the pole is the power source and no batteries are included as back-up power. Leahy stated that when a streetlight loses power,the transmitter would lose power. Commissioner Sokolowski asked the petitioner to discuss how long it would be before this technology becomes antiquated. Leahy responded that it is hard to predict at this stage and that Metricom's standard agreement provides a security bond for the removal of transmitters should the need arise. Commissioner Sokolowski asked if the Village's plan to install decorative streetlights in residential neighborhoods would impact Metricom's network. Leahy stated that approximately 80 of the Village's 600 streetlights would be needed to provide service in Elk Grove, and the system is flexible enough to work around the residential neighborhoods. Commissioner Ayers questioned if the antennas are similar to cellular sites in which additional equipment will be needed to support greater volume of use. Leahy responded Metricom's system is more dependent on geography than capacity, and that this is a niche technology that would not create widespread usage like cellular phones. Commissioner Ayers asked why a customer would use Metricom's service if their cable company provides faster service through ISDN lines at a similar cost. Leahy responded that their service allows mobile connectivity which would be attractive to business users more than residential users. Commissioner Ayers asked how many Illinois communities have signed agreements with Metricom. Leahy responded that 106 have signed agreements to date. He stated that deployment of the equipment does not occur until a regional "pocket"of communities exists. Once several neighboring communities approve their proposed use,then installation of the system would begin. Commissioner Ayers asked if Metricom intends to maintain their network or whether they are collecting permits to be sold to another interest in the future. Leahy responded that Metricom intends to provide the proposed service indefinitely. Commissioner Ayers questioned how the company is regulated under federal law. Leahy stated that Metricom's service falls under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Commissioner Ayers noted that under the Act, the Village cannot discriminate among telecommunications providers, and that this petition can not be denied. Chairman Glass stated that while the Village can not deny this service, it does not have to enter into any agreements to lease space on streetlights. Commissioner Meyers questioned what would happen when competitors request a similar use agreement in the future. Leahy responded that no competitors are currently providing a similar service, and that no known companies will be making the same proposal. Commissioner Meyers stated a recent article in the Wall Street Journal identified three companies planning to provide wireless intemet access. Leahy stated that some phone companies plan to provide wireless internet access by means of existing towers and cellular antennae,but the construction of a network of pole- mounted transmitters would not be feasible for other companies. Commissioner Meyers questioned why Metricom does not rely on towers as other telecommunications companies do. Leahy stated Metricom's technology uses a series of"hops"to transmit data via its transmitters, while other companies transmit signals to a tower and retransmit the signal. Leahy noted Metricom's system is less obtrusive than systems dependent on tower antennas. Commissioner Meyers stated that an antenna would be needed for Metricom's system. Leahy stated Metricom has never built a tower antenna,but relies on private agreements to locate antennae on 6- or 7-story high rise buildings. Leahy noted that negotiation of agreements with private parties requires less time than discussions with municipalities, and that a proposal for the antenna needed to serve the Elk Grove area would be pursued once Metricom receives approval from the Village. Commissioner Henrici questioned how power is transmitted from the pole to the transmitter. Leahy explained that a pigtail socket approximately two-feet in length transmits power to the transmitter. Chairman Glass asked what the transmitters weigh. Leahy responded they weigh 10 to 15 pounds. Chairman Glass questioned how soon the system would be deployed if granted approval. Leahy indicated that Metricom has signed agreements with each of Elk Grove's neighboring communities and an agreement with Elk Grove will create the cluster of communities needed to begin deployment. Chairman Glass asked if an agreement exists with the City of Chicago. Leahy responded that an agreement with Chicago is currently being negotiated. Leahy noted that New York City recently entered into an agreement with Metricom. Commissioner Sokolowski questioned if the Metricom system is subject to interference, weather- related or otherwise. Leahy responded that the system is not impacted by weather conditions. Commissioner Henrici motioned to recommend the Village Board grant Metricom's petition for a special use permit to install and operate wireless transmitters on streetlight poles in Village rights-of- way. Commissioner Ayers seconded the motion. Upon voting, the motion carried unanimously (Glass,Ayers, Henrici,Meyers, Sokolowski,Thompson,AYES, Geinosky, Paliganoff,Zizzo, ABSENT). Item 2: Annroval of Minutes Commissioner Ayers motioned and Commissioner Meyers seconded a motion to approve the minutes from the April 21, 1999 Plan Commission meeting. Upon voting,the motion carried unanimously (Glass,Ayers,Meyers, Sokolowski,Thompson,AYES, Henrici, ABSTAIN, Geinosky, Paliganoff, Zizzo, ABSENT). Item 3: Adioumment Commissioner Sokolowski moved and Commissioner Ayers seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Upon voting,the motion was unanimously approved. Chairman Glass adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Pete d/ 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(2), Dir. of Public Works,Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief(2),Assistant Fire Chief,Village Attorney, Chairman and Members—ZBA