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Planning Commission Minutes DRAFT July 20, 2006 Page 2 Brian Froelich, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report stating that in November 2005 the City Council voted unanimously to approve a 65 foot tall Verizon Wireless tree pole and ground equipment on the south side of Westwind Barn. The Conditions of Approval required Verizon to secure a company within twelve months to collocate at the site. T-Mobile had applied to collocate on the pole and a Conditional Use Permit was required. T-Mobile requested three panel antennas at 48 feet above grade. Verizon had been previously approved for two sets of three way antennas at 58 and 63 feet above grade. The City Council approved the Conditions of Approval and directed staff to work with Verizon to lower the profile of the equipment enclosure. The building plans for the Verizon application had been submitted on July 20, 2006 and included an enclosure with split-face concrete on three sides and a board on board fence on the west side facing the barn. The profile of the equipment enclosure was reduced from 13 feet to 6 feet high. The Verizon application was required to provide a landscape plan. Staff had recommended for T-Mobile a landscaping in-lieu fee of $12,000. An additional Condition of Approval had been requested for the removal of a tree stump and replacement with a 36 inch box evergreen tree on the south side of the barn where the tree pole will be placed. Commissioner Clow stepped down from the hearing due to the proximity of his residence to the project site. Commission Carey asked for clarification on the Condition of Approval request for the landscape in lieu fee for T-Mobile instead of Verizon. Debbie Pedro, Planning Director, explained that landscaping had been required in the Verizon application and the landscape in lieu fee was being requested of T-Mobile because of the increase in size of the equipment enclosure and the need for additional screening. Commissioner Harpoothan asked if any other cell requests were anticipated for the Westwind Barn area. Brian Froelich replied to the negative. Debbie Pedro explained that in working with Cingular on other cell applications, Cingular's three to five year master plan did not identify Westwind Barn as a potential site. No other carriers have contacted the Town at this time about this area. Commissioner Harpootlian confirmed with staff that the tree pole would be at capacity with T-Mobile's addition. Chad Abbot, representative for T-Mobile, thanked the Commission for its time, complimented staff on the good job done summarizing the proposal and offered to answer questions. Commissioner Harpoothan questioned the possibility of audible high frequency emissions caused by the antenna that might be disturbing to the horses stabled at Westwind Barn. Mr. Abbot was not aware of any effect on horses from the frequencies from the antenna. He stated that on a standard site the decibel range was in the high 40's but he did not know about the frequency. Commissioner Harpootlian asked whether the frequency spectrum was available. A noise study had not been done for the project and Mr. Abbot offered to have a study done if deemed necessary. Commissioner Carey asked about requirements to collocate more than two carriers on a pole. Mr. Abbot replied it is a function of height and the Westwind Barn tree pole is considered a