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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-12-02 - PB Ulysses Planning Board, December 2, 1997 �( D 3 Page 1 `� Ulysses Planning Board Regular Meeting December 2 , 1997 Present: Chair Dave Tyler, Members Rick Geiger, Greg Hoffmire, Peter Demjanec, and Krys Cail, Town Counsel Bruce Wilson, Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun, Town Supervisor Doug Austic . Recording minutes : Debra Austic Also present : Bob Burgdorf, Barbara Fisher, Catherine Stover, Caroline Duddleston, and Don Sola. Dave called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 p . m . The minutes from the November 18 , 1997 were reviewed. Rick made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Greg and passed unanimously . Copies of the final application were distributed to Board members. Krys suggested members give consideration to the background or expertise that might be desired for filling the open space on the Board. Krys suggested that landscape architecture background would be helpful . Krys made a motion for the Board to adjourn to executive session to discuss the pending litigation with Frontier, seconded by Rick and passed unanimously . The Board went to executive session at 7 : 35 p. m . The Board returned from executive session at 8 : 30 p.m. Peter made a motion to go back on the record, seconded by Krys and passed unanimously . The Board reviewed the 11 /25/97 application and engineered drawings . The Board discussed the drawing of site 15 ; the location of homes and trees . Burgdorf confirmed there was an option to buy for site 15 , for about 70 acres. Burgdorf explained the nearest house on Mekeel Rd. to site 15 was 'A mile and the tree screening for most of the houses on Swamp College and Halseyville would be pretty good. Krys questioned the drive test procedure for Mekeel Rd. in which the an observer noted the crane was lower than 195 ft. Barbara Fisher explained that the difference in elevation between the road and the actual site was factored in to determine the crane height. Fisher explained that at Jacksonville Park the crane was able to test at the same elevation as the actual site . The Board reviewed the drawing of site 6 . Dave questioned the applicant about the kind of lighting that would be used. Burgdorf and Fisher explained it would be a slow pulsing red light at night and white during the day. The Board reviewed the amended site 2 drawing and discussed the location in relation to the neighboring homes and screening . Krys asked Don Sola for input regarding the tree screening in backyard areas . Dave asked for confirmation that the homes on Halseyville Rd. were surrounded by woods . The Board compared the drawings of sites 2 and 15 . Dave questioned Burgdorf on the elevation of the site 15 tower. Burgdorf confirmed base of the tower at site 15 would be at 1105 ft elevation. Barbara Fisher stated the tower would have a 30 inch face . Burgdorf explained the tower height would be 195 ft but the antennas would go up to 199 ft. The Board reviewed the application in accordance to the checklist proved by the consultant Tom Aiston to identify additional information the applicant may need to provide . Krys confirmed with Burgdorf that contrary to Tom Aiston ' s checklist (item H), the FCC does not grant site-specific licenses, but Frontier has a blanket B band license to build in the area 0562 , which includes Tompkins County . Alex Rachun also pointed out that the FAA filing location was Ithaca, not Trumansburg as Tom Aiston noted on his checklist. The next item was C 1 a — site plan coordinates . Burgdorf explained the site plan coordinates are on the engineered drawings . Site 15 drawing was certified because the engineers performed a full survey . The original site 2 drawing was also, but the modified site 2 and site 6 are not certified but can be done if either is chosen . A question was raised about the location of guy anchors . . Under the guidelines of analysis for need, Krys requested some specific information of the boundaries of the cell, including distances into Covert and Lansing . Burgdorf stated that information was available in the original application, but he would put something in writing . Ulysses Planning Board, December 2, 1997 J Page 2 The next item was actual height shown. Rick suggested this had been just discussed and Barbara Fisher explained the antenna could be hung so as not to pierce 200 ft. The type and intensity of lighting was discussed. No lighting would be required for sites 2 and 15 . For site 6 , Burgdorf stated that it would be was the FAA required, the applicant believed that would be a pulsing red beacon at night and flashing white during the day . Landowner consent was brought up. Krys stated that landowner consent was provided, but the Board wanted permission to take down the tower in case of abandonment. Bruce Wilson suggested a condition of bond would guarantee removal . There was a discussion of access to property for purpose of removal . Krys suggested adding a statement in the lease allowing access for removal . Burgdorf suggested that if the permit were conditioned upon Frontier operating the tower, the tower would be illegal if Frontier left and the town could have it removed. Item El — site plan was not signed by professional engineer in the original application . Professional engineers signed the new site plans so that item was fine. Alex noted that the adjacent property to site 15was labeled incorrectly . The parcel 24-2-3 should read 24 -3 -3 with the owners being Mekeel . The next item was related to EMF levels, Burgdorf stated that the 8/ 14/97 letter confirmed the EMF would remain within certified levels . Bruce suggested this could also be a condition of approval . Certificate of need was the next item; Burgdorf explained the PFC no longer issues certificate of need . Bruce requested to have a supporting source supplied to the Board. Item M — shared use- Krys stated the Board had a copy of the corporate policy, but would like a signed letter. Barbara signed the copy of the policy in the original application, as an authorized agent of Frontier. F8 — support for the need of a tower over 100 ft. Propagation studies and drive tests were reviewed . Krys requested a map delineation of the cell boundaries . E5 — evidence of existing facilities — Rick stated the ordinance requires identification of all towers within 10 mi . radius . The Board discussed the Bostwick and Seneca Rd towers and possible propagations . Burgdorf suggested that the towers were way beyond the boundaries of the cell and would not work. Rick suggested that at minimum an inventory of the FCC database of tower sites should be completed within a 10 mile radius . Barbara Fisher stated that an FAA/FCC search could be performed but not all towers would be registered and in that database . Fisher also stated that propagation studies would be performed if the Seneca and Bostwick Rd towers were in the database. Fisher also stated that Frontier could not go on an AM radio antenna. NF — better copy of the plan and additional information at lower heights . The Board decided this item was satisfactory . For aesthetics (H) , the Board stated that not enough information had been provided and they would be requesting additional information on this item once a site was determined. H2 , lighting pattern was only an issue for site 6 ; final confirmation would not be available until site finally chosen. Barbara Fisher referred to the ASAC report as providing a reasonable estimation. H3 , the material for the tower, Burgdorf explained that galvanized steel was currently being used, and suggested it would be on the site plans . Alex said the site plan stated the material was galvanized steel . Rick referred to a letter in the application stating no signs. would be at the site . Certificate of structural safety (I4) , the Board determined the signature of the professional engineer was adequate . Item J, carrying capacity of the tower for co-location. Burgdorf stated the tower was routinely built for 3 carriers including Frontier. The Board requested a letter confirming that information . Item NK, property values, was determined to be adequate through information collected at the public hearings and from the applicant. Doug Austic suggested it might be a good idea for a small identification sign on the gate in case of an emergency . Burgdorf suggested a small sign stating tower owned by and contact number could be a condition of the permit. Bruce Wilson stated that he had told Susan Brock the meeting would not go into public session. CL5 Ulysses Planning Board, December 2, 1997 Page 3 Don Sola asked whether the ownership of property by Frontier would change the zoning for the parcel . Bruce stated the zoning would not change but a special permit would be issued for the tower. The Board reviewed the drive tests from Mekeel Rd and Jacksonville Park. Rick asked Barbara Fisher to explain the problems with the Jacksonville Park. Fisher suggested Rich Jacobson would provide a better explanation but that one of the big problems was in the Village of Trumansburg . Krys questioned Fisher about the re-rad, but Fisher stated they were not qualified to address that issue and Jacobson would be available on 12/ 11 /97 . Rick asked why no drive test was done along Route 89 . Burgdorf suggested that the engineers knew from the topography that they would not get a signal . Krys questioned how soon the Telephone Company would build a tower in Lansing to cover Route 89 if coverage was already good in that area. Burgdorf stated that a tower in the Cayuga Heights/Lansing area would be initiated in the near future . Dave brought up using a re-rad in the Village and Burgdorf referred to the "donut effect" and suggested asking Jacobson on 12/ 11 /97 . Dave reviewed the upcoming meetings . Rick will be out of town for the public hearing on 12/ 11 /97 . December 16 and 18 were scheduled for regular meetings . Krys made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Rick, and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9 : 40 p. m .