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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-09-20 - PB Sac TOWN OF ULYSSES SPECIAL PLANNING BOARD MEETING 09/20/2001 Present: Planning Board Chairman George Kennedy, Planning Board members Richard Geiger, Mark Ochs, Paula Horrigan, David Tyler, Rose Hilbert , Lorren Hammond, Planning Clerk Eva Gabriel, Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun. Also Present: Bruce Wilson, Town Attorney, Anthony Marshall, Attorney for Independent Wireless One Corp, Jimmie Stober, Site Development Consultant, Jacob Warner, Engineer, Bill Sitzman, Engineer and consultant obtained by the Planning Board, Douglas Austic, Town of Ulysses Supervisor, Geri Keil, neighbor to proposed tower site . Chairman George Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7 : 37 pm The first order of business before the Planning Board was to hear a presentation from Bill Sitzman, a consultant, communications engineer obtained by the Planning Board for consultation and propagation studies concerning the proposal before the board of the construction of a communications tower by Independent Wireless One Corp . Mr. Kennedy introduced Mr. Bill Sitzman to the Planning Board and to the Representatives of Independent Wireless One Corp. and asked Mr. Sitzman to give a brief description of his background and the results he acquired from the tests he performed for the Planning Board. Mr. Sitzman gave a description of his history. Mr. Sitzman noted that he has been a consultant communications engineer in excess of 35 years. Mr. Sitzman has operated a consulting firm for 29 years. He holds federal license PG20 63 98 . Mr. Sitzman reported the fmdings from the propagation studies for two sites for the PCS (Personal Communications System) . He provided maps that showed the study of both sites . He also provided maps of terrain shadowing. Mr. Sitzman noted if used in full his findings revealed coverage to be 100 percent along Route 96. Mr. Kennedy asked Mr. Sitzman if his studies were done using the frequencies proposed to be used by Independent Wireless One Corp . Mr. Sitzman revealed the frequency used in his study to be 1950 to 1965 MHz. He noted this to be the spectrum used to operate the PCS system. Mr. Sitzman noted the frequency to receive to be between 1870 to 1885 MHz. Mr. Sitzman noted he had only two copies of the maps from his study. Mr. Sitzman noted he would provide the Planning Board with additional copies. Mr. Geiger asked Mr. Sitzman to reveal the locations used for his propagation studies. Mr. Sitzman noted his studies to include the Village Water Tank and the Ulysses Water Tank on Perry City Road. Mr. Geiger noted Mr. Sideman' s maps to be propagation studies from each location. Mr. Sitzman confirmed Mr. Geiger' s observation. Mr. Sitzman noted he had a composite map of both locations. The Planning Board and Mr. Sitzman viewed the maps presented and discussed coverage . Mr. Hammond asked if white spots on the maps meant there was no coverage in that area. Mr. Sitzman noted that his studies were done assuming elevation of 100 feet at the Village Water Tank and 120 feet at the Ulysses Water Tank on Perry City Road. Mr. Sitzman noted the modeling done by Independent Wireless One Corp . was also assuming the elevation of 120 feet at the Ulysses Water Tank on Perry City Road . 36 Planning Board 09/20/2001 Mr. Geiger asked Mr. Sitzman about the software used and how it differs from the software used by Sprint . Mr. Sitzman noted the software he uses to be Longley-Rice. The U. S . Bureau of Standards I I recognizes the software. Mr. Sitzman explained that Independent Wireless One Corp. takes a minimum acceptable signal and made a boundary with able to other companies. He also noted that he could not completely duplicate what was presented to the Planning Board by Independent Wireless One Corp. but the United States Government and most communications engineers recognize the software he used. Mr. Sitzman noted that the software he uses is good for frequencies ten times what Independent Wireless One Corp. intends to employ. It is; an acceptable method for predicting coverage. Mr. Sitzman concluded that based on the terrain shadowing and the predictions of coverage from both sites that using both sites would not require another tower to be built. Mr. Kennedy asked that the clerk be given a copy of the maps for record. The maps submitted to the clerk by Mr. Sitzman were identified and numbered. It was noted that the maps be numbered and identified in the record. The Ulysses Water Tank Propagation — 120 feet —Perry City Road The shadow study from The Ulysses Water Tank The Village Water Tank Propagation — 100 feet - The shadowing from The Village Water Tank The composite study Mr. Kennedy asked if there were any questions from the Planning Board members. Mr. Tyler asked Mr. Sitzman the significance of the coloring on the maps submitted. Mr. Sitzman noted the colors to be based on field strength. Mr. Tyler asked Mr. Sitzman to describe the strength of signal that would be useable. Mr. Sitzman noted that according to Independent Wireless One Corp. ' s modeling that minus - 90.dbf was barely useable and anything below that was unacceptable. He noted that is what he set his program for. Mr. Tyler asked Mr. Sitzman if a signal in the -75 ranges would be useable. Mr. Sitzman noted that the -75 ranges would be quite useable. Mr. Geiger asked Mr. Sitzman what the difference was between his findings and Independent Wireless One Corp. 's findings. Mr. Sitzman noted it to probably be something in Independent Wheless One Corp. ' s proprietary software. Mr. Geiger asked the Planning Board if Independent Wireless One Corp. had done propagation studies and then shown a composite of the Ulysses Water Tank and the Village Water Tank. Mr. Sitzman noted that he did not recall Independent Wireless One Corp. doing a study from the Trumansburg Village Water Tower. Mr. Geiger asked the Independent Wireless One Corp. representatives why they never did a composite of the two towers together. Mr. Warner noted that a map of that study had been submitted to the Planning Board previously. Mr. Warner noted the map to be map # 3 . Mr. Geiger noted that there seems to be a software issue and coverage issues. 2 r III !1 _ '{ .i I k f i �I . , _..■ Planning Board 09/20/2001 • Mr. Sitzman noted that there were actual tests made and some reporting of people in shadowed areas that were still getting a very good signal. Mr. Geiger asked Mr. Sitzman if he had looked at the actual test. Mr. Sitzman answered that yes he had looked at the actual test and that there is a minor area along Route 96 where coverage would be marginal based on the propagation model. He also noted if done through actual field tests it would be found to be acceptable. Mr. Kennedy noted that in looking at map # 3 showed the Ulysses Water Tank on Perry City Road and the Fair Grounds composite. He noted the correct map to be # 4 not # 3 as indicated by Mr. Warner. He asked what modeling software Independent Wireless One Corp. used. Mr. Warner answered the software used by Independent Wireless One Corp. to be DB Planner by Northwood Technologies. Mr. Marshall noted that a memo dated June 26, 2001 , that was sent to the Planning Board gives a description of the software used. Mr. Marshall noted the results from the Presbyterian Church; Methodist church was looked at as an alternative site. The Methodist church site closed coverage holes. Independent Wireless One Corp. has some discussion with the Methodist Church. He noted the changes necessary to the Church for use, but was not confident that it would be a viable location. Mr. Geiger asked if Independent Wireless One Corp. would confer with the Planning Board' s expert, Mr. Sitzman, to perform a drive test on what would happen if there were a facility at the Trumansburg Village Water Tank and the Ulysses Water Tank on Perry City Road. Mr. Warner agreed that IWO would confer with Mr. Sitzman. Mr. Kennedy asked Mr. Warner to describe what all is involved in a drive test . Mr. Warner explained the steps necessary to accomplish the drive test, determine a signal, gather field data, and send a signal. Mr. Geiger asked if IWO would be transmitting from the existing facility at the Perry City Water Tower at the same time. Mr. Hammond noted the combination of the two sites to be critical. Mr. Warner noted that they were two separate signals but he could put together a drive test to be performed using both sites. Ms. Horrigan asked the height of the proposed tower. Mr. Warner noted he did not know the measurements exactly as he did not have that information with him. Mr. Hammond noted that IWO submitted a propagation study with it at 100 feet. Mr. Tyler asked why two sites would have to be tested separately, are these separate frequencies or separate transmitters Mr. Warner noted that the signal for testing is a different frequency. Mr. Hammond noted if the signals are significantly different, how could IWO determine that drive test results will be comparable with the actual signal that would be used in broadcasting to phones. Mr. Warner noted that IWO is not trying to determine what the signal will represent; they are trying to determine what the signal will do . 3 e05 Planning Board 09/20/2001 Mr. Hammond asked Mr. Sitzman if doing drive tests at a different frequency than what the fmal signal will be broadcast at is standard practice . Mr. Sitzman noted that the signals were still in the same spectrum, that the signal is just a carrier. Mr. Hammolnd noted that the line of sight characteristics or needs would not be different . Mr. Sitzman noted that no they would not be different . Ms. Hilbert asked Mr. Sitzman why not turn on the two antennas and test them and see what happens and ;would this be possible. Mr. Sitzman noted that the only way to test them is the actual operation. Mr. Hammond asked if there would be any benefits to doing this test. Mr. Tyler noted that when the Water Tower Antenna on Perry City Road was turned on many customers in the village of Trumansburg noticed that their reception was much better. Mr. Tyler asked if testing could be done on the Village Tower as well as the Water Tower Antenna on Perry City Road. Mr. Tyler suggested to Independent Wireless One to turn on both towers and test them together. Mr. Warner noted that the Planning Board is essentially proposing; the construction of a full facility first . Ms. Horrigan asked the Planning Board Chair if the proposal is for one tower. If we were to be evaluating the other option it would be another proposal and then IWO would take tests pertaining to that proposal. Why ask IWO to do tests on a proposal that they have not submitted. Ms. Horrigan asked if; this was a valid discussion. Mr. Kennedy noted that IWO has submitted an application for one tower at the Trumansburg Fair Grounds andthe Planning Board has asked Independent Wireless One Corp. to present information pertaining to their alternative sites. Mr. Kennedy noted that we would have to have a substantial reason to deny the application. Mr. Hammond noted that the tower ordinance requires that Independent Wireless One Corp. show a need for that particular site. If other sites will work then IWO has not demonstrated a need for the site that they are proposing . Mr. Kennedy noted that the ordinance asks that IWO consider co-location. Mr. Kennedy noted that the Planning Board is suggesting co-location. Mr. Wilson noted that the Planning Board was within their right to ask for additional sites. The alternative sites are technically feasible and the requests are reasonable. Ms. Horrigan noted that it seemed as though the Planning Board ' s opinion on the matter is that two towers were better than one. Mr. Kennedy noted that Independent Wireless One Corp. would be using two towers regardless. Mr. Kennedy noted that IWO would be using the proposed tower at the Trumansburg Fair Grounds andjthe use of the Perry City Road Water Tower together. Mr. Kennedy noted that Independent Wireless One Corp. stated the drive test would be done by the end of next week (September 28 , 2001 ) . Mr. Kennedy asked Mr. Warner if the Planning Board could have arepresentative join him during the drive test. Mr. Warner noted that yes a representative could accompany him on the drive test next week. Mr. Kennedy confirmed with Mr. Sitzman to specify the discrepancy between the maps submitted by IWO and the maps submitted by Mr. Sitzman. 4 3O (e Planning Board 09/20/2001 Mr. Sitzman stated the signal would be accurately predicted . Mr. Sitzman noted that the drive test would probably rectify the discrepancy between the maps. Mr. Hammond asked Mr. Sitzman if the software he used predicts the worst case. Mr. Sitzman noted that the software he uses does produce worst case but he does not know how Independent Wireless One Corp. ' s software is designed. Mr. Hammond noted that he has compared the maps (IWO ' s composite and Mr. Sideman's composite). The holes from IWO ' s software aren't even close to places where Mr. Sitzman maps show the signal to be a bit softer. The maps do not even coincide. Mr. Hammond asked if the drive test would reconcile this. Mr. Sitzman noted that the drive test would supercede anything else. Mr. Kennedy asked if there were any more questions from the Planning Board. None were heard. Mr. Kennedy noted that some Town Board members were present and asked if they had any questions. None were heard. Mr. Kennedy noted that a few concerned citizens were present and asked if they had any questions. Ms. Geri Keil asked if the propagation studies done by Mr. Sitzman and the drive tests show weakness would this open other options for alternative sites. Ms. Keil suggested if a gap is found then a smaller antenna should be considered to cover that gap in coverage. Mr. Richard Coogan asked if any of the citizens on Rabbit Run Road have been contacted. Mr. Kennedy noted that citizens have been notified and a Public Hearing was held. Mr. Kennedy noted that the Planning Board should wait for the results from the drive test. Mr. Warner and Mr. Marshall discussed the necessities for a drive test. The Planning Board discussed the next date for a meeting. It was decided to hold the meeting on Tuesday October 2, 2001 . Mr. Kennedy noted that Mr. Geiger would be acting as Chairman. Mr. Tyler noted he would like to move to an executive session before the meeting is adjourned in order to consult with council. Mr. Wilson advised on an executive session. Mr. Tyler moved, seconded by Mr. Hammond to meet for an executive session. Mr. Tyler aye Mr. Hammond aye Ms. Hilbert aye Mr. Ochs aye Mr. Kennedy aye Ms. Horrigan aye Mr. Geiger abstained The meeting moved to executive session at 8 :21 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9 : 02 p.m. 5 go '7 Planning Board 09/20/2001 Mr. Hammond noted that Mr. Marshall has approached him in his professional capacity as a furniture maker to look at a project for him. He noted he is not involved in any business with Mr. Marshall and has Ino intention of doing so and this does not affect kris operation with the Planning Board. Mr. Tyler asked Mr. Hammond if he intended to have any professional connections with Mr. Marshall during the pending of this proceeding. Mr. Hammond skated that he would not be having any professional connections with Mr. Marshall. ' I With no further business, Ms. Hilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Geiger to adjourn the meeting until Tuesday October 2, 2001 . Mr. Hammond aye Mr. Ochs aye Mr. Kennedy aye Mr. Tyler aye Ms. Horrigan aye The meeting adjourned at 9 : 05 p .m. Eva M. Gabriel Planning Clerk EMG: eg 6