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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-2000 Joint City Council/Planning Com Study SessionMINUTES JOINT CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING CONIMISSION STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 SOUTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORIVIA THURSDAY, .TUNE 8, 2000 :~~~:~~:~~~~~~~~~~:~,~:~*~~*~~*~~~*~~~:~~~~~~~~~~~~~:~~~~~~~*~:~~:~~~*~*~:~~~:~ CALL TO ORDER The Joint City CounciUPlanning Commission Study Session was called to order at 2:44 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Community Development Director Brady. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: KELLEY, PAPE, SCHIFFNER, BRINLEY ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMIVIISSIONERS: METZE BARNE5, SANDS, WILSEY MATTHIES, POLK (Commissioner Matthies arrived at 2:49 p.m.) Also present were: City Manager Watenpaugh, City Attorney Leibold, Community Development Director Brady, Information/Communications Manager Dennis, Planning Manager Villa, Associate Planner Miller, City Treasurer Ferro and City Clerk Kasad. a. Cell & Satellite Antenna Sites (Wireless Telecommunication Facilities~. (F:60.1) City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that staff has been approving sites of this type for quite some time with very few design standards or criteria. He explained that staff had prepared some recommendations based on what was currently existing in the community. Community Development Director Brady commented that staff had received a number of requests far placement of antennas within the City and to date there were no specific regulations; however staff has been using the design review process in coordination with the existing antenna regulations. He advised that it was staff s intent to bring an Ordinance to the Council which specifically addresses wireless communication antennas or cell towers. He noted that the increased use of cell phones and pagers has drastically increased the demand for this type of facility. He further noted that some of the providers were also providing Internet service via the antennas. PAGE TWO - JOINT STUDY SESSION MINUTES -.TUNE 8, 2000 COMMISSIONER MATTHIES ARRIVED AT 2:49 P.M. Community Development Director Brady noted the impacts of local topography on the capabilities of the antennas and explained that it requires towers ranging from 25 feet to 125 feet. He indicated that those were issues to be addressed by the future Ordinance. He noted the difficulty in people enj oying the use of their cell phones, but being concerned with the aesthetics of the equipment. He presented a packet of material on how a cell system works and noted the types of antennas. He explained that presently requests for antennas are taken through the Design Review process for Planning Commission review; and require a Conditional Use permit and Variance. He noted specific concerns for support structures, fencing, wiring, etc.; and for ways to address the appearance of the antennas. He commented that the poles are becoming know as "monopalms" or "monopines"', and noted one recently approved for a site at Machado/Lakeshore, which should blend with the existing trees in the area. He explained that the technology used to conceal the structures is referred to as "stealth technology"; and noted that in some communities they have been built as a part of church steeples or other taller buildings. He stressed that there are methods available to camouflage the structures to reduce the aesthetic impact and requested City Council and Planning Commission input on any other concerns to assist in preparation of the future Ordinance. Mayor Brinley inquired of Chairman Wilsey with regard to the Planning Commission's consideration of these structures. Chairman Wilsey stressed the Commission's concern for the aesthetics of the poles. He noted one such structure on Baker Street and noted their extensive discussion of how to camouflage it. He further noted that the Commission had also considered concealing them in flagpoles, but indicated they had no decisive approaches. He indicated that the facility at Machado Storage would be very interesting, but stressed the site selective nature of these structures. Commissioner Barnes noted that the builders of the Machado pole were asked to come back to the Commission with more foliage on the pole and had brought back a new design that was more tree shaped. He commented on the use of water tanks for placement of antennas and indicated that EVMWD does not want them on the tanks. He further indicated that EVMWD has leased space on their water tank sites for the antennas; and the providers pay about $1,000 a month for each leased site. Commissioner Sands noted that they had been advised of problems with multiple users on a single pole. He eapressed uncertainty as to whether the problem ~vould exist if the current uses were allowed to coexist with other companies on multipYe towers in the same location. Chairman Wilsey indicated thai the Commission had tried to encourage the providers to wark out the use of a single pole, but to date they had not been receptive. Commissioner Matthies noted that the Commission had a standard condition of approval requiring that they look at co-existence and updating their PAGE THR~E - JOINT STUDY SESSION MINLTTES - JUNE S, 2000 facilities when possible via new technology. Community Development Director Brady clarified that the condition "Encouraged co-location of facilities where possible". He further clarified that the intent was to encourage the use of one pole with separate support facilities. He commented that because of technology changes, the Commission had adopted a regulation that within five years the facilities are to be reviewed for technology changes and upgraded to the current technology. Mayor Pro Tem Pape questioned the City's ability to require multiple users to co-exist on one tower. Community Development Director Brady indicated that some other communities encourage this situation, but expressed uncertainty as to whether it could be a requirement. Mr. Pape suggested that this was one way to cut down on the number of poles, and questioned whether the existing poles could be required to be camouflaged as trees. Mr. Brady indicated that might be difficult since several were already approved, but noted that with any significant upgrades this modification could be required. Mayor Brinley questioned the preference between a pine and a palm. Community Development Director Brady indicated that it would depend on the situation. He indicated that it is important to develop new overall standards, but a11ow for the facilities to be addressed on a site by site basis. Mrs. Brinley questioned the cost factor for this form of stealth technology and inquired if it was causing the providers a problem. Mr. Brady indicated that the developers have generally been willing to work with the City on these issues, because the sites are very valuable to them. Mayor Pro Tem Pape indicated that in the future all poles should include stealth technology to conceal them and make them less noticeable. Commissioner Barnes commented that the antenna on Baker Street was discussed for an hour and a half due to the visibility of the location; and suggested that it would have appeared as a tree in the middle of nowhere. He indicated that in that instance it was less noticeable as a standard pole. Councilman Schiffner noted that there are many individual palms around the City and suggested that it would be more pleasing if there were two or three trees sitting together as trees it might look more natural. Councilwoman Kelley inquired how many antennas were presently in the City. Planning Manager Villa indicated that there were currently six or seven. Mrs. Kelley inquired how many companies were represented by those antennas. Mr. Villa indicated it was three or four companies. City Manager Watenpaugh noted that those were in addition to the public utility and City poles. Community Development Director Brady added that there were also paging antennas in the City. Mayor Brinley questioned the Water District's stance on the placement on water tanks and whether it was a firm negative. There was general discussion on the use of water tanks and water tank sites for antennas. PAGE FOUR - JOINT STUDY SESSION MIN UTES - JUNE 8, 2000 Councilman Schiffner questioned the technical problems with coverage and whether each companies situation was different. Planning Manager Villa indicated that most transmit on the same frequency, so their problems were similar. Mr. Schiffner suggested that key areas could be designated, which would work for all of the providers. Chairman Wilsey noted that they had discussed that possibility, but generally it doesn't work due to their individual cell pattems. Mayor Pro Tem Pape questioned the area each antenna could cover. Community Development Director Brady indicated that it varies by the area, topography and surrounding buildings. Mr. Pape indicated that none of them cover Main Street or behind City Hall. Councilwoman Kelley questioned the Planning Commission action on these structures and whether there was a time limitation included in the approval. Chairman indicated that they included a five year limitation and the requirement that they upgrade if the technology at that time so warrants. Mrs. Kelley requested further clarification. Planning Manager Villa noted that the applications started about five years ago, and no one was sure of the technology; so the condition was developed to require review every five years. Chairman Wilsey clarified that the approvals were not; as such, Conditional Use Permits. City Attorney Leibold questioned the current form of approval.' Mr. Villa explained the past considerations and indicated that there are some Conditional Use Permits with Variances. Mayor Brinley inquired if the antennas should just be addressed as Conditional Use Permits in the new Ordinance. Chairman Wilsey indicated that he was going to suggest the same thing. Mrs. Brinley indicated that there was more control with a C.U.P. Mr. Wilsey noted that C.U.P.'s were generally used at this point to address the height factors. City Attorney Leibold indicated that a C.U.P. would allow the Council to address antennas in specific areas. Mayor Brinley indicated that she would really like to see a C.U.P. process and increased control. Chairman Wilsey concurred and noted that even those that come back for review don't come back to the Planning Commission. Mrs. Brinley commented that the C.U.P. would require that each review come back to the Planning Commission. Mayor Pro Tem Pape inquired if there were any request pending. Staff indicated that there were none pending at the present time. Mayor Brinley inquired how long it would take to change the process. Community Development Director Brady indicated that staff would need to see what other cities are having success with; and noted that it was not possible to prohibit antennas, but they could be regulated. He suggested that it would probably take two to four months to bring something back. Mayor Brinley stressed that she would want to make sure there is not a garden of antennas or signs along the roads; and encouraged more control and stronger design requirements. Mr. Brady stressed the impacts of service areas and clarified that the needs would vary by the technology and type of system being placed. ~Ie indicated that this would also influence the ability to co-locate facilities. PAGE FIVE - JOINT STUDY SESSION MINiJTES - JUNE 8, 2000 Mayor Brinley suggested that the cost factors might behoove the providers to double up and co-locate with someone else. Councilman Schiffner noted that he was not sure cost was a real issue for these providers; but supported the stealth technology and indicated that he would not mind seeing multiple trees. He stressed the need to be concerned with the durability of the tree camouflage and noted that they would need to be installed and maintained properly. Chairman Wilsey suggested that this could be addressed by the conditions of approval. Commissioner Matthies concurred with the concems for proper maintenance and the requirement for stealth designs. She commented that the format would need to be left open for site-specific design factors. Mayor Brinley suggested that staff develop and come back with new verbiage to require a Conditional use Permit, and address maintenance, materials and site specific adaptations. Mayor Pro Tem Pape suggested that this could be applied to the existing facilities as they come back for review. City Attorney Leibold indicated that she would wark with the Planning staff on the C.U.P. issues and investigate how broadly they can be applied. City Manager Watenpaugh inquired if Council was comfortable enough with the direction to allow staff to draft the new Ordinance and bring it back through the Planning Commission and City Council. There was concurrence that this was acceptable and would save time. Commissioner Barnes inquired if staff had polled other cities that had more deeply investigated this issue. Community Development Director Brady indicated that they had looked at some other cities, but could do more extensive research to on recent Ordinances which address the current technology. The City Council and Planning Commissioners concurred this would be helpful. City Treasurer Ferro noted the presence of "Foamworks" in the City and suggested it would behoove staff to discuss the issue with their company for suggestions; as they are already involved with this type of project. Mr. Brady indicated that staff would be happy to talk with them. Associate Planner Miller indicated that she had spoken with Foamworks about the pending "monopine" and asked for a photo of their work; however they never got back to her. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that staff would pursue that resource. Mayor Brinley thanked the Planning Commission for their time and participation in this session. PAGE SIX - JOINT STUDY 5ESSION 1VIINLJTES - JCJNE 8, 2000 ADJOURNMENT THE JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION WAS ADJOURNED AT 3:20 P.M. PAMELA B1~INL~Y, MA CITY OF LAKE ELSINO: ATTEST: ca-c~"~.~. i~~o d t VICHI KASAD, CMC, CITY CLERK CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE