2002-39 GRANTING SPECIAL PERMIT COMMUNICATION TOWER - SPECTRASITE COMMUNICATIONS

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� Page 2 of 3 SpectraSite Communications, Inc. Apri14, 2002 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3. The petitioner proposes the construction of a 180 foot monopole for Cingular Wireless to improve in-building coverage as well as overall coverage for the heavy commercial traffic in the area. The proposed tower will be in an area covering 1,500 square feet (30 x 50 feet). According to the petitioner, the proposed monopole is designed to accommodate a minimum of four carriers. STAFF ANALYSIS 4. The site proposed for the construction of the monopole overlaps a parking area in the I amended Fairview Plaza PUD approved by City Plan Commission and by City Council in December 2000. Although the required number of parking spaces for this type of development is 1,224, staff had approved the proposal allowing 759 parking stalls in the previously amended PUD, i.e. 465 spaces less than the Zoning Ordinance requirements. The proposed tower installation would eliminate an additional five spaces, thus further reducing the amount of parking to serve this large shopping center. 5. The fall zone for the proposed monopole encroaches on an existing canopy attached to the Fairview Plaza building, as well as the premises for Illinois Power/Dynergy substation and the railroad right of way for Norfolk Southern. The fall zone refers to a "setback area measured from the base of a cellular structure that is created to prevent damage from ice or other falling debris from the antenna platform at the top of a tower or monopole." (Abrams, S.- 1998)*. Studies show that such falling debris is generally contained in a radius of 50% of the height of the tower, i.e. a radius of 90 feet in this situation. The two entities mentioned above will have to authorize and approve that a fall zone for a cellular structure coincides with their respective properties. To date, City staff has not received any documentation from these entities noting that they do not object to being within the fall zone of the proposed structure. Please note that there has been an incident in 1999 whereby falling ice from a cellulaz structure crashed through the windshield of a parked caz on Route 36. 6. In addition, staff has requested that the petitioner provide more detailed justification to demonstrate their inability to co-locate at the existing towers in the vicinity of the subject site. To date, staff has not received any further communication from the petitioner with the requested information. STAFF RECOMMENDATION 7. Staff recognizes the need of Cingular Wireless for a monopole to enhance their in-building service and overall coverage. However, it must be noted that the location proposed by the petitioner would compromise the parking agreement at Fairview Park Plaza which was part of an amended PUD. Currently, the amended PUD does not comply with the parking regulations required by the Decatur Zoning Ordinance and approving this petition would further decrease the number of approved parking stalls.