Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission - 04/27/2009 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY,APRIL 27, 2009 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Katie Lechelt, Jacob Lee, Alexander Martin, Jerry Pitzrick, Peter Rocheford, Kevin Schultz, Jon Stoltz, Travis Wuttke STAFF MEMBERS: Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources Michael Franzen, City Planner Scott Kipp, Senior Planner Rod Rue, City Engineer Julie Krull, Recording Secretary I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL Chair Stoltz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Kirk was absent. Rocheford arrived at 7:15 p.m. II. SWEARING IN OF NEW MEMBERS A. Jerry Pitzrick B. Alexander Martin C. Jacob Lee D. Travis Wuttke Kipp performed the swearing in of the new Planning Commission Members. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Lechelt, seconded by Schultz, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0. IV. MINUTES A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 23, 2009 MOTION by Schultz, seconded by Lechelt, to approve the minutes. Motion carried 5-0. Lee, Martin, and Wuttke abstained. V. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 27, 2009 Page 2 VI. PUBLIC MEETINGS VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. T-Mobile Cellular Tower at Eden Prairie Hi!h School Location: 17185 Valley View Road • Site Plan Review on 67.33 acres Steve Carlson, T-Mobile representative,presented the proposal. Carlson stated they are proposing to replace the 100-foot light pole on the northeast side of the Eden Prairie High School football field with a 120-foot cellular tower. Carlson utilized the overhead projector to illustrate the proposal. The reason for the change would be to improve network coverage, enhance 911 service, and for improved in-building coverage. He stated they are proposing this site based on need in the area. The high school area was picked because they are trying to replicate what is already there and to blend into the area. There are utility poles already running east and west through the property. The tower would be fenced in and stationed on a concrete slab. Stoltz asked Kipp to review the staff report. Kipp said the purpose of the site plan review is because the tower is greater than 80 feet. He stated Staff recommends approval based on page 2 and 3 of the staff report. Stoltz opened the meeting up for public input. There was no input. Schultz asked Kipp if the City had received any complaints from the residents on Hillcrest Court. Kipp said notices were sent out to all residents within 500 feet of the tower with no responses. Schultz asked if there was a chain link fence on top of the cabinets. Carlson said the cabinets are locked with no chain link fence on top of them. Pitzrick asked Kipp why this proposal is different from the Lake Riley proposal. Kipp said it is different because the tower associated with the Lake Riley proposal was under 80 feet and the site plan review was only on the building that housed the equipment. The request tonight was because the tower is over 80 feet. Pitzrick asked if this tower could be used by another cell phone carrier and would this create more equipment in the area. Carlson said this tower could handle other carriers who in turn would have their own equipment. Currently, T-Mobile has an arrangement with the Eden Prairie High School to house their equipment on the property; therefore any other carrier would have to also make arrangements with the school. Rocheford arrived at this point in the meeting. EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 27, 2009 Page 3 Lechelt asked Carlson if the Eden Prairie School Board was open to this proposal or was there a long discussion regarding this. Carlson said they dealt with the school staff and the school staff in turn dealt with the school board, and school staff was very open to this proposal. Lechelt asked if the City or the Eden Prairie High School would make any lease money from this arrangement. Kipp stated the City would not make money but rather the school would because the tower is on their property. Stoltz asked what the lease agreement stated in regards to tearing down the tower; what specifically happens to the site. Carlson said it would be restored to the original property appearance. MOTION by Schultz, seconded by Pitzrick, to close the public hearing. Motion carried 8-0. MOTION by Schultz, seconded by Pitzrick to recommend approval of the Site Plan Review on 67.3 acres, based on plans stamped dated April 17, 2009 and the staff report dated April 24, 2009. Motion carried 8-0. VIII. PLANNERS' REPORT Kipp stated there will be a discussion on the light rail system in the near future. IX. MEMBERS' REPORT Each of the new members introduced themselves. X. CONTINUING BUSINESS XI. NEW BUSINESS XII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Pitzrick, seconded by Lechelt, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 8-0. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.