HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-5-97 BA MinutesBOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
June 5, 1997
City Council Chambers
A meeting of the Board of Adjustment was held on June 5, 1997 with the following members present:
Board Member Bob Harris
Board Member Chuck Mason
Board Member Lamar Roach
Board Member Mary Jowers
Board Member Glenn Bodwin
Board Member Alvin Cook
Board Member Joe Ashy
Board Members Absent: Board Member Dohn LaBiche
Also present: Stephen Richardson, Planning Director; Murray Duren, Senior
Planner; Tyrone Cooper, First Assistant City Attorney; Maria Trapp,
Planning Technician and Jill Cole, Recording Secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Board Member Mason made a motion to approve the minutes of the May I , 1997 Board of
Adjustment Public Hearing. Board Member Roach seconded the motion. Motion to approve
carried 6:0.
SWEARING IN OF WITNESSES
PUBLIC HEARING
1) File 400-BA: A request for a variance from the 20' interior side yard building setback
regulations for a proposed wireless telephone tower and support facilities on a tract of land
zoned GC -MD.
Location: Next to and south of 1115 Wescalder Road
Applicant: Meretel Communications, L.P. for Mercury Cellular and Paging
W Richardson told the Board that the request was to reduce the 20 foot side yard setback to
6.6 feet for a cellular tower and support facility. The subject property is zoned GC -MD.
Cellular towers are a permitted use in that zoning classification,
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
June 5,1997
The Zoning Ordinance requires a 20 foot side yard setback when a GC -MD District is adjacent
to a residential district. Otherwise a 5 foot setback is required.
The subject tract of land measures 50'x 460'. A 22'wide drainage ditch runs along the north
side of the tract. This leaves a 28' wide buildable area. Requiring a 20' building setback
narrows the total buildable area to 8'.
(Board Member Jowers arrived.)
To the north of the subject property is a waste materials collection business. The property to
the south is vacant. The nearest single family house is 200 feet to the south.
Eleven notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet of the subject property. Two
responses in favor and one in opposition were returned.
Board Member Harris, acting as Chairman, opened the public hearing and asked for the
applicant's comments.
Bruce Pearson of Meretel Communications, the applicant, addressed the Board. Mr. Pearson
answered questions from the Board. He explained that the tower would be 150' tall, constructed
out of galvanized steel, and will be surrounded by a 6' tall commercial grade fence.
Board Member Cook asked about the drainage ditch and the enclosure of that ditch. Mr.
Pearson replied that they were planning to leave the ditch as is - it is a DD#6 ditch. Discussion
of ditch followed.
Board Member Harris asked how this 150'tower compares with the light towers on IH-10. Mr.
Pearson responded that the lights are over 200' tall.
Mr. Vinnie Tartamella of Meretel Communications, L.P. distributed pictures of the area
surrounding the site.
Board Member Ashy asked about the proposed new DD#6 ditch south of the site. Discussion
followed.
Board Member Mason asked what the diameter of the base was.
In response to Board Member Mason, Mr. Pearson said that the base of the tower is T- 8' in
diameter, the pole base is the same diameter and it tapers up to 18" at the top.
Board Member Harris asked for comments in favor or in opposition.
George LeJunc, who owns the property to the south of the subject property, addressed the
Board. Mr. Lejune expressed opposition to the tower being located that close to his property.
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BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
June 5, 1997
Board Member Ashy asked Mr. LeJune if he had plans to build a house on his property.
Mr. LeJune replied that he did at one time, but no longer.
Board Member Mason asked Mr. LeJune if he could foresee any problems that might occur due
the tower.
Discussion of frequencies emitting from the tower followed.
In response to Board Member Roach, Mr. LeJune said that he will probably try to sell his
property.
In response to Board Member Bodwin, Mr. LeJune said he felt that the tower would decrease
his property value.
Board Member Harris closed the public hearing.
Discussion between Board and Mr. Pearson regarding how many jobs this project would create.
Board Member Ashy asked if could he sell the RM-H property for commercial purposes, Mr.
Richardson replied that he would first have to get a zone change.
Board Member Mason made a motion to approve the variance as requested in File 400-BA.
Board Member Sowers seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0.
OTHER BUSINESS
Discussion of the workshop that was on the agenda. The Board members decided to postpone
the workshop until a later date.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED.
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