Long Grove Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals (PCZBA)

Meeting Minutes – November 3, 2009

 

Commissioners Present: Fred Phillips, Chairman, Commissioners Jeff Kazmer, Mike Dvorak, Joe DiIorio, Charles Cohn, and Shelly Rubin

 

Absent: Commissioners Tobin Fraley & Wendy Parr, Secretary Terri Taylor.

Also present: Village Planner James Hogue; Paula Kirlin, Village Attorney and members of the public.

 

 

1.      Call to Order: Chairman Phillips called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.

 

 

2.      Public Hearing: Consideration of a request for a Special Use Permit and/or additional relief necessary and/or appropriate under the zoning code to allow the co-location of wireless communication antennas and related equipment facilities on property known as 9019 Oakwood Road (a.k.a. the Gridley Ball Field) and zoned under the OS-R zoning district classification and within a flood hazard area submitted by Tony Phillips on behalf of SAC Wireless.  (Discussion by full PCZBA).

 

Village Planner Hogue read the request. He then provided a summary of the petitioner’s request for an additional platform, antennas and equipment as outlined in the staff report provided to the PCZBA. The location is remote, but is in a flood hazard area. He said that would be the biggest area for any concern in his opinion. The request is otherwise very simple and straight forward.

 

He noted two conditions; 1) The height of the proposed antenna platform be limited to 100 feet as identified in the submitted engineering plans. 2) All work in the floodplain area be completed to the satisfaction of the Village Engineer and in conformance with the Village Stormwater Management

Regulations. 

 

Chairman Phillips then swore in all witnesses giving testimony.

 

Mr. Gary Shane was present from SAC Wireless. He reiterated what Planner Hogue had stated and was available to answer questions.   

 

Commissioner Rubin asked if anyone had raised concerns over the petition. Planner Hogue indicated he had received some phone calls with regard to the re-publication of the legal notice but there were no concerns raised by anyone.

 

Lee Bassett, President, Long Grove Park District stated that they were happy with the current arrangement and structure and saw no issue with the petitioner’s request.

 

Village Attorney Kirlin noted that due to apparent lack of an original approval ordinance the PCZBA should “ratify” the existence of the existing tower in any motion for approval.

 

Commissioner Di Iorio noted that the structural analysis submitted on the existing tower was signed and sealed by a civil engineer and not a structural engineer. He believed statutorily a structural engineers signature and seal was required on this report.   

Commissioner Di Iorio made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rubin to accept the proposal as submitted and recognize and ratify the existing cell tower and equipment facilities on property at 9109 Oakwood Road subject to the following conditions;

 

1). The height of the proposed platform and additional antennas shall not exceed 100 feet and the proposal shall be in substantial conformance with the submitted plans.

 

2). Petitioner shall comply with the Village Stormwater Management Regulations as they relate to these proposed improvements.

 

3). The structural analysis shall be reviewed, stamped and certified by a structural engineer.

 

On a voice vote; all aye and no nays. The motion was approved.

 

3.      PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a request for an amendment to a previously approved special use permit and/or additional relief necessary and/or appropriate under the zoning code to allow co-location of additional antennas on an existing monopole telecommunications tower at 5105 Arlington Heights Road and zoned under the R-2 zoning district classification as submitted by Clearwire US. (Discussion by full PCZBA).

 

Chairman Phillips read the request into the record. He then swore in all witnesses to giving testimony.

 

Planner Hogue explained the history of the cell tower at this location. The special use permit allowing the tower and related equipment facilities was last modified in 2008 (Ord. 2008-O-18 ;) which allowed for an additional antenna array and equipment shelter.  This request seeks to modify those plans by allowing two (2) additional antennas to be place on an existing antenna platform. Associated equipment would be placed in the existing equipment building. No new antenna platform is requested or will be constructed in association with this request.

 

He further noted that per the approval in 2008 five (5) antenna platforms could be constructed on this tower. Only four (4) exist presently. It was noted a final inspection had been performed for the “Cricket Communications” request in 2008. It appears that a carrier may have “dropped off” this tower and one antenna platform possibly was removed. Planner Hogue recalled from the 2008 testimony that five (5) antenna platforms was the maximum which this tower could support.

 

Mike Healy representative of Clearwire US, reiterated that two (2) 24” round dish type antennas (similar to a household TV Dish antenna) connected to a half inch co-axial cable were are proposed to be placed on the tower. The related equipment would be housed in the existing equipment building. He was aware of the structural limitations of the tower and noted that the structural analysis with regard to this proposal had not yet been completed.

 

No other members of the public were present.            

 

      A motion was made by Commissioner Rubin, seconded by Commissioner Kazmer to recommend approval of the request as submitted subject to a structural engineers report, indicating the existing tower can support the weight of the additional antennas, be received prior to the issuance of any building permits in relation to this proposal; on a voice vote; all aye and no nays.  The motion was approved.                       

 

4.      Approval of Minutes; October 6, 2009

 

Commissioner Rubin made a motion to approve the October 6, 2009 meeting minutes as corrected (typo’s); Commissioner Kazmer seconded the motion; on a voice vote, all aye and no nays.

 

5.      Other Business

 

      2010 Meeting Schedule; Planner Hogue presented the 2010 Meeting calendar to the PCZBA. He noted with the exception of the 7:00 PM start time the PCZBA calendar is consistent with previous years. Regular meetings would occur on the 1st Tuesday of the month; Special Meeting would be held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month as needed.  A motion was made by Commissioner Kazmer, seconded by Commissioner Dvorak, to approve the 2010 Meeting Calendar as submitted; on a voice vote; all aye and no nays.

 

6.      Adjournment

 

Commissioner Rubin made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Dvorak, on a voice vote; all ayes; no nays. Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

 

7.      Next Regular meeting December 1, 2009, 7 p.m.        

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

James M. Hogue

 

Village Planner/PCZBA Secretary Pro-Tem