1997-04-19 Joint Council Planning Comm Workshop1 1 1=:1 !:
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JOINT 1 ' 1, ' MINUTES 1
APRIUL 19A997
The Joint Workshop of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission and the Mendota
Heights City Council was held on Saturday, April 19, 1997, in the Large Conference
Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 8:15 AM.
The following Commissioners were present: Betlej, Duggan, Friel, Tilsen, and
Lorberbaum. The following Councilmembers were present: Smith, Koch, Krebsbach, and
Mayor Mertensotto. Commissioners Dwyer and Koll and Councilmember Huber were
excused from the meeting. Also present were City Administrator Kevin Batchelder and
Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister.
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Mr. Batchelder welcomed everyone to the Workshop and introduced the participants.
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Mr. Hollister said that the PCS /Cellular Moratorium expires December 3, 1997, and that
the purpose of the Workshop was to discuss the creation of a Cellular/PCS Tower and
Antennae Ordinance. Mr. Hollister provided a brief history of Cellular/PCS antennae and
towers in the City of Mendota Heights and showed a map of where current Cellular/PCS
Antennae are within the City. Mr. Hollister then summarized the impact of the 1996
Telecommunications Act on Mendota Heights. Mr. Hollister also said that ISD 197 was
willing to accommodate more antennae at Sibley High School.
The Workshop participants discussed the goals of a Cellular/PCS Ordinance:
To protect the aesthetic qualities of the community by requiring tower and
antennae equipment to be screened from properties within viewing distance
of the site and to be designed in a manner to blend in with the
surroundings and compliment existing structures.
To maximize the use of existing and approved free- standing antennae towers
and buildings for new wireless telecommunication antennas to minimize the
number of free - standing antennae towers needed to serve the community,
through co- location.
3. To avoid potential damage to adjacent properties and personal injury from
tower collapse through structural standards and setback requirements.
4. To comply with federal mandates by accommodating the communication needs of
residents and businesses while protecting the public health, safety and general
welfare of the community.
The Workshop Participants discussed the following sections of the model ordinance:
Purpose Section
Definitions
Building - Mounted Antennae
Free - Standing Antennae
Aesthetics
Safety
Accessory Structures
Other
The Council then directed Staff to amend the draft ordinance based upon their comments
and include the new draft in the next Friday packet for review by the Council and the
Planning Commission. The Council also planned to hold a public hearing on the final draft
of the Ordinance at a Council meeting in May of 1997.
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The Council directed Mr. Batchelder to write a draft response to the letter from the FCC
for the Mayor's consideration.
The Council agreed that the Ham Radio antennae were a distinct issue from Cellular/PCS
antennae and should be addressed in a separate section of the Zoning Ordinance, to be
written and enacted after adoption of the Cellular/PCS Ordinance.
Motion to adjourn made by Krebsbach and seconded by Smith.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 0
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 AM. Respect, fully Submitted, Patrick C. Hollister
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