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Home My WebLink About2016 06 07 RS City of Springfield Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD PLANNING COMMISSION HELD Tuesday, June 7, 2016 The City of Springfield Planning Commission met in a regular session in the City Council Chambers, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., with Commissioner Nelson presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Chair Vohs, Vice Chair Nelson, Commissioners James, Moe, Dunn, Koivula and Vohs. Also present were, Current Development Manager Greg Mott, Senior Planner Andy Limbird, City Attorney Kristina Kraaz and Management Specialist Brenda Jones and members of the staff. ABSENT • None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Chair Denise Bean • Springfield Chair Nelson opened the Regular Session DECLARATION OF CONFLICT- By Kristina Krazz, City Attorney’s Office Criteria of Approval: Greg Mott, Current Development Manager Greg Mott QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING – 1. HIGH VISIBILITY CELLULAR TOWER APPLICATION – Centerline Solutions on Behalf of Verizon Wireless LLC, Cases TYP316-00002 and TYP216-00021- STAFF REPORT Andy Limbird Senior Planner presented the Discretionary Use and Site Plan Review for the new wireless telecommunication tower facility within an existing plywood manufacturing facility at 419 South 28th Street, its property that The proposed monopole tower facility is located at the southern end of an industrial property that runs along the east side of South 28th Street just south of Main Street. The subject property contains an existing wood products manufacturing business operating as Pacific States Plywood, which will remain. The subject site is zoned and designated Heavy Industrial (HI) in accordance with the Springfield Zoning Map and the adopted Metro Plan diagram. Properties in the vicinity are zoned for industrial, commercial and recreational development. High Visibility cellular tower facilities are allowable in the Heavy Industrial district subject to Discretionary Use approval. The proposed cellular tower is just west of the Willamalane Regional Sports Center site located at 250 South 32nd Street, and across South 28th Street from Rosboro Lumber. There are no existing residential dwellings in the immediate vicinity of the subject site. The nearest residentially-zoned property is the northern end of the Agnes Stewart Middle School site about 920 feet southeast of the proposed tower. The nearest residential dwelling is City of Springfield and Lane County Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 7, 2016 Page 2 located on South 31st Place, about one-quarter mile (~1,350 feet) southeast of the proposed tower site. Centerline Solutions, on behalf of Verizon Wireless, has provided evidence of a substantial capacity and coverage gap in the mid-Springfield area (Attachment 3), particularly with modern data streaming demands. Additionally, the cellular facility currently providing coverage for this area of Springfield is located at the International Paper plant about two miles northeast of the subject site. The antenna array at International Paper is planned to be removed to accommodate changes at the facility and is not being replaced. Therefore, the proposed cellular tower facility would constitute both a relocation of an existing facility to maintain coverage and an improvement to the service capacity in the area. The property is zoned and designated Heavy Industrial (HI) in accordance with the Springfield Zoning Map and the adopted Metro Plan diagram (Figure 1). High visibility wireless telecommunication systems facilities are allowable in the Heavy Industrial District subject to Discretionary Use approval in accordance with SDC 4.3-145.F.5, Table 4.3-1, and 4.3-145.H. The facility has frontage on South 28th Street along the west boundary, and access to the site will be derived from an existing gravel driveway approach at the south end of the property. The applicant is proposing to use the existing driveway as the primary means of access to the site. Utility connections will be extended from connection points along the property frontage to serve the proposed tower and equipment shelter. The applicant has submitted a Site Plan Review application under separate cover (Case TYP216-00021) for the proposed wireless telecommunications system facility and compound. The site plan staff has recommended several conditions of approval, which will need to be met prior to approval to the Site Plan. Permits are needed from the Fire and Life Department in order for the type of diesel generator prior to use of the facility. The application does comply with the rules and regulations of the Springfield Development Code No telephone calls or written comments were received in response to the mailed notice of the Public Hearing for Discretionary Use and Site Plan Review applications. Commissioner James asked about the size and location of the wireless facility. Andy answered that the new facility will be the tallest in Springfield. Commissioner Koivula asked what type of foundation would be required for this size of tower. Andy answered that we have a couple of towers in Coburg are anywhere from 150’ to 200’ for various service providers. TESTIMONY FROM THE APPLICANT • Robin Smith with Centerline Solutions on behalf of Verizon Wireless; 6623 NE 78th Court, #B-1, Portland, Oregon 97218. Ms. Smith explained why another wireless tower is needed for this area. The process for looking for an additional site started around October 2015. LISTEN TO RECORDING- BAD FEEDBACK FROM MIC… TESTIMONY FROM THOSE IN SUPPORT • None TESTIMONY OF THOSE OPPOSED • None City of Springfield and Lane County Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 7, 2016 Page 3 TESTIMONY OF THOSE NUETRAL None SUMMATION FROM STAFF • Andy Limbird added that the last monopole had the ability to install a mono-pine pole, the proposed facility is not a mono-pine pole but rather a traditional mono-pole sign. REBUTTAL FROM THE APPLICANT • None CLOSE OF THE HEARING • Hearing was closed by Commissioner James seconded by Commission Dunn. 7:0:0 • Motion to close the public hearing and a second by Commissioner Dunn. 7:0:0 PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION • Commissioner James applauded Centerline for finding this site in Springfield, he knows how difficult it is to find a site like this in Springfield. He agrees that a mono-pine pole would not fit in the proposed location. Commissioner James agrees with staffs recommendation. • Commissioner Koivula also agrees that this is a good site for this type of pole, but wants to make sure that while building this facility that the construction needs to be monitored closely so that no Discretionary Use for Verizon Wireless High Visibility WTS, TYP316-00002 • Commissioner Dunn move to approve TYP316-00002, Verizon Wireless’s application for a high visibility wireless telecommunications system facility at 419 S. 28th Street; Map 17-02-31-00, Tax Lot 3400; because the application meets the applicable criteria in the Springfield Development Code; with the conditions of approval contained in the Staff Report and Findings. Seconded by Commission Moe, 7:0:0 Site Plan Review TYP216-00021 • Commissioner Dunn Move to approve TYP216-00021 Verizon Wireless’s Site Plan Approval at 419 S. 28th Street; Map 17- 02-31-00, Tax Lot 3400; with the conditions of approval contained in the Staff Report and Findings, Amended by Commissioner Koivula and seconded by Commissioner Landed 7:0:0 Commissioners report of Council Action by Commissioner Vohs. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Minutes Recorder – Brenda Jones ______________________ Nick Nelson Planning Commission Chair Attest: ____________________ Brenda Jones Planning Secretary