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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10/11/2000 . . . I. II. III. IV. v. VI. "90RT'}i. rN'GELE~S 1::' r =- ,.---.... --....-....< WAS H I N G TON, U. S. A. PLANNING DEPARTMENT AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION 321 East Fifth Street October 11, 2000 CALL TO ORDER 7 p.m. ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of September 27,2000. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - CUP 00-08 - BREEN, 402 East Eighth Street: A request for a conditional use permit to allow a wireless communication use that requires the installation of a 60' tower in the Commercial Neighborhood District. (Continued from September 27, 2000.) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC STAFF REPORTS Memorandum on telecommunications ordinances VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS VIII. ADJOURNMENT PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: Fred Hewins (Chair,), LindaNutter (Vice Chair);Bob King, Fred Norton, Bob Philpott, Charles Schramm, Mary Craver PLANNING STAFF: Brad Collins, Planning Director; Sue Roberds, Planning Specialist; Debra Barnes, Associate Planner . . . MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 October 11, 2000 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Bob Philpott, Fred Hewins, Bob King, Chuck Schramm, Mary Craver Members Absent: Fred Norton, Linda Nutter Staff Present: Brad Collins, Sue Roberds, Debra Barnes, Larry Dunbar Public Present: Charles Beaudette, Terry Kennedy APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Philpott moved to approve the September 27, 2000, meeting minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Craver and passed 4 -1 with Commissioner King abstaining due to his absence at the meeting. PUBLIC HEARING: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - CUP 00-08 - BREEN, 402 East Eighth Street: A request for a conditional use permit to allow a wireless communication use that requires the installation of a 58' tower in the Commercial Neighborhood District. (Continued from October 11, 2000.) Associate Planner Debra Barnes reviewed the Planning Department's staff report recommending denial of the proposed activity. Chair Hewins opened the public hearing. Charles Beaudette, 402 East Eighth Street, was present to answer questions on behalf of the applicant. He indicated that the applicant is prepared to provide landscaping that the Planning Commission feels is necessary to camouflage the proposed antenna. He proposed that fast growing cypress trees be planted which would provide a 28' base screen in approximately five years. The applicant is anxious to make the use work and is open to suggestions. Terry Kellnedy, 181 Lotus Lane, demonstrated a residential receiver antenna that would be used in the wireless internet service. Mr. Beaudette stated that the traditional copper wire that provides telecommunication service is in poor condition. It will take years to realize fiber optic availability in Port Angeles. The service may be available to large consumers like Olympic Medical Center but residential consumers may never be financially able to obtain a fiber link. The proposed Planning Commission Minutes October 11, 2000 Page 2 . service is a wireless internet service that could be available to everyone within a few days of approval. He believes the recently approved Burst Wireless activity at 716 South Chase Street is a temporary use. The operators may not succeed in obtaining the permanent license necessary to continue operation beyond the first of next year. They currently operate under a temporary testing license. Mr. Kennedy described the applicant's contract with Burst Wireless and stated that he was told by Burst representatives that they have no intention to develop a permanent site in Port Angeles. The support equipment necessary to conduct the wireless internet service is available at the applicant's site. It would be cost prohibitive to relocate that equipment to another location where a tower is approved. The proposal is not a duplication of services. It is not cost effective to provide fiber service to residential customers in the City. A high speed wireless internet service must come from another source, which is the proposal. The service can be provided in only a few days following approval of the tower. He urged the Planning Commission to help the applicant try to resolve the dilemma of poor internet service in the area by approval of the transmission antenna. Mr. Kennedy responded to Commissioner Craver that the difference between an unlicensed carrier and a licensed carrier is that an unlicensed band is not controlled for interference. An unlicensed band can be used by anyone where only the person licensed to use a specific licensed band can use that particular band. . Mr. Kennedy responded to Commissioner King that the applicant did not consider any other location due to the availability of the support equipment on the site owned by the applicant. A great deal of discussion took place regarding the possibility of co-location at the approved Burst site. The applicant does not believe that the Burst operation is intended to be permanent. If an agreement with Burst is reached for co-location at the approved site (716 South Chase) and Burst does not obtain the needed FCC license to remain permanent rather than temporary, the applicant would have to relocate not only the transmission antenna but would also have to redirect all customer antennas to a new location. Planner Barnes stated that it may be helpful to continue the public hearing to October 25, 2000, when Burst Wireless representatives would be present to respond to a second antenna conditional use permit application at a new site. Mr. Beaudette agreed, and stated that the applicant would not have allowed Burst to have access to their customer database if they had known they would be competitors. Planning Director Collins introduced Larry Dunbar, a telecommunication specialist employed by the City's Light Division. Mr. Dunbar stated that out of perhaps 2,000 utility poles in town 50 may be owned by Qwest. The remaining poles are owned by the City. The cost of leasing space on utility poles is not prohibitive. . Mr. Kennedy commented that it is prohibitive to string line on poles because a private switch has to be provided and paid for to use the line. . . . Planning Commission Minutes October 1/.2000 Page 3 Mr. Beaudette agreed it would be cost prohibitive to relocate the necessary switch equipment. The applicant would certainly allow Burst to locate on the proposed antenna for their testing activity. Commissioner Craver moved to continue the public hearing to October 25, 2000, 7 p.m. City Council Chambers. The motion was seconded by Commissioner King and passed 5. O. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None. ST AFF REPORTS Planner Barnes reviewed a moratoria memorandum regarding telecommunication uses. Director Collins indicated that the City has been reticent to consider moratoria unless there is a recognizable immediate need. Larry Dunbar agreed and stated that the 1996 Telecommunications Act resulted in many moratoria but that action is at this time a bit tardy. He suggested that the establishment of interim procedures granting temporary approval until a permanent ordinance is established may be more pertinent at this date. Planning Specialist Sue Roberds provided a comparison table of some thirteen municipal telecommunication ordinances within Washington State for cities in similar geographical settings as Port Angeles. The table provided an overview as to permitted zones in which telecommunication facilities are permitted, height restrictions, basic landscaping requirements, and application procedures. She stated that the information is being provided in response to the Commission's direction following the September 11 th meeting and asked if further information is needed at this time. Larry DWlbar provided copies of a telecommunication action plan that is being presented to the City Council on October 17, 2000, for approval. A part of that comprehensive plan is a telecommunication ordinance that would be administered through the Planning Commission and the Planning Department. He offered to answer questions the Commission may have. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Philpott stated that he would not be in attendance for the November meeting. . . .' Planning Commission Minutes October 1 I, 2000 Page 4 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. --::~ ~ Brad Collins, Secretary tI/~---~ Fred ewins, ChaiT PREPARED BY: S. Roberds FORTANGELES WAS H I N G TON, U. S. A. 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