HomeMy Public PortalAbout2001-036 Resolution Opposing Application for Conditional Use Permit and Variance by Ulteig Engineers for Monopole Antenna Tower at 19020 Hamel Road, Plymouth, MinnesotaMember Carolyn Smith introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
CITY OF MEDINA
RESOLUTION NO.01-36
RESOLUTION OPPOSING APPLICATION FOR
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND VARIANCE BY
ULTEIG ENGINEERS FOR MONOPOLE ANTENNA
TOWER AT 19020 HAMEL ROAD, PLYMOUTH,
MINNESOTA
WHEREAS, Ulteig Engineers, Inc. (the "Applicant") has applied for a conditional use
permit and a variance on behalf of AT&T Wireless to allow construction of a 125 foot high
monopole antenna tower and related equipment shelter at the Hamel VFW Post at 19020 Hamel
Road (the "Property"); and
WHEREAS, the application will be considered by the Plymouth planning commission at
its meeting on June 20, 2001; and
WHEREAS, the Property is immediately adjacent to the Medina/Plymouth municipal
boundary and will have a substantial impact on residences and businesses in Medina; and
WHEREAS, the city of Medina ("Medina") received a copy of the application and
reviewed the matter at its city council meeting of June 19, 2001.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the city council of the city of Medina,
Minnesota, that Medina is opposed to the granting of the conditional use permit and variance to the
Applicant for the following reasons:
1. Medina has recently implemented its comprehensive plan and official controls for
development of the Uptown Hamel area immediately adjacent to the Property. This area is
planned to be Medina's redeveloped downtown. Medina does not allow cellular towers
within the Uptown Hamel area. The proposed tower will be clearly visible from and have an
adverse impact on development in the Uptown Hamel area of Medina.
2. The Applicant has failed to comply with the requirement of the Plymouth ordinance that it
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demonstrate that the antenna is required to meet the spacing needs of the wireless system
and provide adequate coverage and capacity. The coverage map provided by the Applicant
did not distinguish among in -building, in -car and ground coverage;
3. The Applicant has failed to demonstrate that a variance from the height limitations is
justified in this instance. The Applicant has failed to demonstrate compliance with items 1,
2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of the criteria required by section 21030 of the Plymouth zoning ordinance,
all of which must be met to grant a variance. There is nothing unique about the Property
which would justify granting a variance to exceed the maximum height by 66.67%. If a
variance is required in order to make the tower functional on the site, the Property is simply
not an appropriate location for the tower;
4. The Property contains a non -conforming use. Construction of the proposed tower will
constitute the intensification of a non -conforming use;
5. The majority of the area intended to be served by the tower will be located within Medina
but the Medina ordinances will not apply; and
6. There are alternative sites available for co -location of wireless antennas, including a facility
within one mile of the Property on T.H. 55.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the Plymouth
planning commission and that Medina staff be directed to take all actions to discourage the granting
of the conditional use permit and variance.
Dated: June 19, 2001.
Paul Robinson, Administrator -Clerk -Treasurer
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Bruce
Workman and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:
Ferris, Lane, Smith, Workman, and Zietlow
and the following voted against same: None
Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
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June 19, 2001