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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/18/2001 CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting January 18, 2001 ORIGINAL 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair McNAMEE at 7:30 p.m., January 18,2001, in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7 500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLLCALL Commission Members Present: Jerry Co !lins Dick Doyle Marian McNamee Nancy Snow Janice Thompson Commission Members Absent: Paulette Cooper Dean Gokey Don MacDougall Staff Members Present: Alan White, Planning Director Meredith Reckert, Sr. Planner Ann Lazzeri, Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The following is the official set of Planning Commission minutes for the public hearing of January 18, 2001. A set of these minutes is retained both in the office of the City Clerk and in the Department of Planning and Development of the City of Wheat Ridge. . 4. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS to approve the order ofthe agenda as presented. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners COOPER, GOKEY and MacDOUGALL absent. 5. APPROVE MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner COLLINS and seconded by Commissioner DOYLE to approve the minutes of January 4, 2001 as presented. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners COOPER, GOKEY and MacDOUGALL absent. 6. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one to appear before the Commission Planning Commission January 18, 2001 Page I 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. SUP-00-03: An application by Brad Johnson for Qwest Wireless for approval of a Special Use Permit to allow the collocation of additional CMRS(Commercial Mobile Radio Service) antennas on an existing 160- foot freestanding lattice tower at City Hall located at 7500 West 29th Avenue and zoned Residential-Two. Meredith Reckert was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. She reviewed the staff report, presented slides and overheads of the subject application and entered all pertinent documents into the record. The documents were accepted by Chair McNAMEE. She advised the Commission there was jurisdiction to hear the case. Staff recommended approval of the application for reasons outlined in the staff report. Commissioner COLLINS commented that, since the tower is located on public property, he would prefer to see a revocable permit, rather than a 25-year contract. Commissioner THOMPSON expressed concern that priority should always be given to emergency use of the tower. Ms. Reckert explained that Qwest's plans for structural improvements to the tower would actually increase the capacity to add additional antennas. Brad Johnson 4301 E. Colfax, Denver Mr. Johnson, zoning manager for Qwest Wireless, was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. He gave a presentation explaining their need for antennae at this location to allow wireless phone coverage along the Wadsworth corridor from West 32nd Avenue to West 20th Avenue. There is presently a gap in coverage in this area. Qwest will provide structural improvements to the tower to accommodate the additional antennae. There were no residents in attendance at the neighborhood meeting concerning this application. Alan Bungo 4301 E. Colfax Mr. Bungo, systems engineer for Qwest Wireless, was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. He explained the reasons for the gap in coverage and requested approval of the application to improve and expand service for Qwest customers. Brad Johnson stated, in response to a question from Commissioner THOMPSON, that Qwest does not like to enter into contracts that give another party the right to terminate their lease on a tower. He also explained that the tower is presently at approximately 82-83% capacity for emergency use. Qwest has agreed to increase the capacity of the tower by adding structural reinforcement which would bring the percentage down to 70-75%. . Alfred Davis 4301 E. Colfax, Denver Mr. Davis, construction coordinator for Qwest Wireless, was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. In response to a question from Commissioner DOYLE, he explained that Qwest normally Planning Commission January 18,2001 Page 2 maintains all additions to towers; however, he stated that he was not aware of the particular conditions in the proposcd contract with the City of Wheat Ridge. Brad Johnson explained that a lady was present in the audience who had expressed concern to him about possible interference from the antennae with electronic equipment on an organ she has in her home. He assured her that Qwest operates within a licensed spectrum and is governed by the FCC. There have been no known interference issues in the state; however, he provided her with a contact name and phone number in case she should have any problems. Richard Martinez 4301 E. Colfax, Denver Mr. Martinez, systems engineer for Qwest Wireless, was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. In response to a concern expressed by Commissioner COLLINS about dangers of interference from cell phones in hospitals, he explained that they have antennae on many hospitals and \ schools with no interference problems. Qwest digital equipment, which is not compatible with the older analog equipment, operates at higher frequencies that will not interfere with hospital equipment. Some of the old analog carriers operated at a lower frequency and did have the potential for interference. Carol King Calkins 7345 West 28th Avenue, Wheat Ridge Ms. Calkins was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. She expressed concern about possible health problems associated with cell phone towers. She requested that radiation levels in her home be tested before and after the installation ofthe antennae. Richard Martinez explained that Qwest equipment operates at 99.9% below FCC emission standards. He also explained that the radiation emissions are much lower than other household items such as cordless phones or televisions. Brad Johnson stated that he would make himself available to Ms. Calkins and any other neighbors to address their concerns. In response to a request from Commissioner DOYLE, Mr. Johnson stated that, ifthere is available equipment, he would direct tests to determine before and after radiation levels in Ms. Calkins' home. Richard Martinez will provide a packet of educational material prepared by the Medical College of Wisconsin that addresses emission concerns, etc., to the City Council prior to its consideration of this matter. He stated he would also provide this information to Ms. Calkins. It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS that Case No. SUP-00-03, a request for approval of a special use permit to allow collocation of CMRS panel antennas on an existing lattice tower with equipment cabinets on R-2 zoned property located at 7500 West 29th Avenue, be APPROVED for the following reasons: 1. The addition of additional panels will not create visual impacts or other significant effects on the neighborhood not already created with the construction of the original tower. Planning Commission January 18, 200 I Page 3 2. The collocation appears to be a better solution to improving coverage in this area than constructing another freestanding tower in the area. With the following conditions: 1. Prior to the City Council meeting, the staff shall obtain detailed information analyzing the city's current needs and an estimate of additional capacity that might be needed in the future in order to ensure that the additional antennae will not jeopardize the primary purpose of the tower which is emergency communications for the city. 2. Qwest Wireless will provide information required by the FCC regarding level of emissions from the tower at present and estimated with the additions. 3. That the City Council consider the possibility of a revocable contract (ifthe city attorney deems it advisable) before entering into a 25-year contract. The motion passed unanimously. (Chair McNAMEE declared a recess at 8:37 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 9:00 p.m.) B. Case No. ZOA-OO-ll: An ordinance repealing and re-enacting Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner THOMPSON that the public hearing be closed; that Case No. ZOA-OO-ll be continued to the February l't Planning Commission meeting; and that the meeting be adjourned to a study session to discuss ZOA-OO-ll. The motion passed unanimously. Chair McNAMEE closed the public hearing. Alan White reported on results of the discussion of ZOA-00-11 that took place at the City Council study session. Concern was expressed about decreasing parking requirements. Commissioner SNOW wanted the Council to consider decreasing parking requirements in development by some other means than amending the zoning ordinance. Commissioner THOMPSON commented that vehicles are larger now and perhaps consideration should be given to making parking spaces wider. Commissioner SNOW referred to subdivision regulations, page 108, item f., and asked Alan to correct the language to exempt the division of structures, such as is the case with townhomes, from the subdivision regulations. Commissioner SNOW asked if there could be a requirement that even private roads must be built to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. Planning Commission January 18,2001 Page 4 Commissioner SNOW referred to a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding a more restricted definition of wetlands. There was a consensus of the Commission that the wording should be changed in item B. 1., page 129, to read: "Drainage and wetland areas shall be left in a natural state......................" The code should also contain a definition of wetlands. Alan White will discuss this with the city attorney. Commissioner SNOW stated that the Comprehensive Plan Committee and Planning Commission have been in favor of reduced density and increased landscaping and open space. This is not addressed in the new ordinance. She requested this item be placed on the next Planning Commission agenda. Commissioner SNOW referred to the present zoning ordinance, page 17467, right column (last paragraph before the regulations) which reads: "It is the intent of this district to provide a means for allowing innovation and flexibility but the provisions shall not be used merely to circumvent the absolute standards of other similar districts." She requested that this language remain in the code. 8. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Commission. 9. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to come before the Commission. 10. COMMISSION REPORTS There were no commission reports. 11. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS There were no committee or department reports. 12. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner COLLINS moved and Commissioner DOYLE seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 p.m. ~aul:Jf'll11cA. ~O 0 ARIAN McNAMEE, Chair a~ ~'A; Ann Lazzeri, Recording ec etary Planning Commission. January 18,2001 Page 5