The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPLAN COMMISSION - 01/21/2004 - 2727 HIGGINS Elk Grove Village Plan Commission Minutes January 21, 2004 Present: J. Glass F. Gemosky E. Hauser J.Meyers RECEIVED P. Ayers D. Sokolowski APR 2 3 2004 T.Thompson V�((�6E C(EgK�s C. Henrici WICE Absent: D.Paliganoff Staff: M.Roan,Assistant to the Village Manager Petitioner: J.Kopeny, Site Acquisition Consultants R.Koziel, Site Acquisition Consultants M. Cruz,US Cellular Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 8:07 p.m. Item 1: January 7 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Henrici moved to recommend approval of the meeting minutes,and Commissioner Ayers seconded the motion. Upon voting(Geinosky,Hauser,Meyers,Henrici,Ayers, Sokolowski,Thompson,AYES, Paliganoff,ABSENT,Glass,ABSTAIN)the motion carried. Item 2: PC Docket 04-01: 2727 Higgins—Special Use Chairman Glass read the petition into the record. After the petition was read into record,J. Kopeny of Site Acquisition Consultants identified himself as the petitioner of record. He also noted that R.Koziel, Site Acquisition Consultants, and M. Cruz,US Cellular, would be participating in the hearing. Secretary Gemosky swore in the petitioners. J.Kopeny stated that he was assisting US Cellular in trying to find a location so they could expand their personal communication system. He noted that they would be operating on a digital system in the 1900 megahertz(MHz)frequency range. He pointed out they would not interfere with Police and Fire communication since they operate in the 5M-800 MHz range. The closest frequency range that they operate near would be the FAA's radar,which is at 2200 MHz. J.Kopeny stated that when they are looking for a cellular site for their customers,they must try and fit within the guidelines of a requested search ring. This area becomes limited when entering into a largely covered area, such as this one. J.Kopeny then provided the Commissioners with a brief description on how the cellular phones communicate with the towers by switching signals to the closest tower. As a result,these towers need to be strategically located. - 1 - J.Kopeny noted that Elk Grove, especially the area they are trying to cover,poses some problems due to height restrictions. As a result,they focused their search on already approved structures with a height that would not interfere with the flight pattern of O'Hare Airport. Although they were originally asked to seek a location with a height of 150 feet,the request was scaled back to 100 feet and then down to the current height of 61'8". This location is important because it will help US Cellular fill a void in their coverage area,which causes calls to be dropped from within buildings due to weak signals. R.Koziel then identified himself as the site specialist responsible for searching,acquiring and leasing property for their client. R.Koziel noted that due to the proximity of O'Hare Airport,they would not be able to construct a tower. Fortunately for them, they were able to locate three silos that fell within their coverage area that they would be able to use. In addition,he felt that the addition of cellular antennas would not detract from the aesthetics of the property. This is due to the fact that the proposed site was in the rear of the property and located near a ComEd power plant and two silos. M. Cruz then identified himself as a frequency specialist for US Cellular. M. Cruz identified changes in needed coverage area as the reason they were seeking this location. In addition,this is a location that US Cellular has received numerous complaints regarding lost,or disconnected,calls. M. Cruz noted that before they look to add additional antenna locations,they first try to change out antennas and their orientations. Unfortunately,it did not work for this site. Due to the fact that height restrictions prohibited them from constructing or co-locating on a 150-100 foot structure,this site fit their needs. Commissioner Hauser questioned what the approximate coverage area would be. M. Cruz noted that the coverage radius would be a mile to a mile and a half,depending on obstructions. Commissioner Hauser then inquired what antenna location would be next to pick up the call after the proposed antenna drops the signal. M. Cruz stated that there are other sites located in Des Plaines,near Touhy and Interstate 90,Bensenville and Elk Grove,located on the water tank at Pratt Boulevard and Tonne Road. Commissioner Hauser inquired which location would pick up the signal between Arlington Heights Road and Route 53,along Higgins Road. M.Cruz noted that the call would likely be dropped due to the foliage of the leaves and US Cellular's inability to ideally locate a cellular tower to cover that stretch of roadway. Commissioner Meyers stated that he had no questions. Commissioner Henrici asked how the petitioners would be running the cables from the equipment shed to the antenna. R.Koziel stated that the coaxial cables would run up the side of the tower to the antennas. Commissioner Henrici inquired if and how they would be fastened to the tank. R.Koziel stated that they would be fastened to the tank. In addition, since they are not allowed to weld on the tanks they will be required to use an epoxy. Secretary Geinosky stated that he was confused by the numbers that were presented in one of the petitioner's statements. He noted from their response to staff s comments that they said since Village Code prohibits them from going above 60 feet in height,they would need to request a variance to install antenna at 681". J.Kopeny stated that they had to use larger antenna(81 inches tall) since there are only three of them. He also noted they were going to place the antenna at the top of the handrail at 63'8"and that the antenna would stick 3'4"above that height,requiring a 68'1"total height. Secretary Geinosky noted that 3'4"above 63'8"equals 67 feet,not the 68'1"they are asking for. J.Kopeny stated that 67 feet is correct and that they had made a miscalculation of 681". ". Secretary Geinosky made a note that the variation request stated on A. Boffice's memo should be for 67 feet, not 681". ". Secretary Geinosky asked if they would be coming back for any additional sites. R. Koziel stated that they would not be seeking any more property in Elk Grove since they have started on the build plan for 2005-06 and there is nothing in this general vicinity. -2 - Secretary Geinosky noted that the petitioner would possibly be seeking a variation for the fencing that will surround their equipment. J.Kopeny noted that they would like to match the existing fence,which stands at eight feet in height,but acknowledge that if they had to they would only install a six foot fence. Commissioner Thompson asked if they were entertaining any plans to sublet the site to other companies. R. Koziel stated that they would not be sub leasing the site due to the fact that the property does not belong to them. Commissioner Thompson inquired if they had received approval from the FAA. R. Koziel stated that they did not need FAA approval since the site is an existing structure. Commissioner Sokolowski asked the petitioner what the length of the lease would be. R.Koziel noted that the lease would run for 30 years,with renewal options every five years. Commissioner Sokolowski asked what would happen if Consolidated Container closed and moved to another location. R.Koziel noted that the lease stays with the property,but if required they would look for another site. Commissioner Ayers stated that he had no questions. There being no more questions by the Commission, Chairman Glass asked if anyone in the audience had any questions. There were none. Commissioner Henrici commented that since they don't know the type of bracketing needed to install the antenna on the railing,the Commission should grant the originally requested height variation of 68'1"to allow flexibility for the petitioner. Commissioner Henrici moved to recommend approval and amend the special use petition for Site Acquisition Consultants at 2727 Higgins Road,and approve variations to allow the height of the structure to be 68'1"and allow the fence height to match that of the existing eight-foot fence. In addition, the Special Use will expire if the current storage tank were removed. Commissioner Thompson seconded the motion. Upon voting (Glass,Geinosky,Hauser,Meyers,Henrici,Ayers, Sokolowski,Thompson,AYES,Paliganoff Absent)the motion carried. Item 4: Adjournment Commissioner Meyers moved to adjourn and Commissioner Henrici seconded the motion. Upon voting(Glass, Geinosk y,Hauser,Meyers,Henrici, Ayers,Sokolowski, Thompson,AYES,Paliganoff,ABSENT)the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Matthew J.Roan /d Assistant to the Village Manager C: Chairman and Members of the Plan Commission,Mayor and Board of Trustees,Village Clerk,Village Manager,Assistant Village Manager,Assistant to the Village Manager,Administrative Intern,Director of Engineering/Community Development,Director of Public Works,Fire Chief,Deputy Fire Chief(2), Assistant Fire Chief,Village Attorney. - 3 -