2001-15 GRANTING SPECIAL PERMIT CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS TOWER - 2320 NORTH OAKLAND AVENUE

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Page 2 of 2 ' 2320 North Oakland Avenue March O1, 2001 4. A fall zone of 95 feet (a radius equal to one-half of the tower's height)is required for this tower. Staff prefers that this zone be accommodated entirely within the property on which the leasehold interest lies. The proposed location of the tower creates a fall zone encroachment on four lots adjacent to the site(see attached). 5. Adjacent property owners including Hazelrigg Chrysler-Plymouth and Canadian National/ Illinois Central Railroad have stated that they do not desire a fall zone encroachment on their property. STAFF ANALYSIS 6. Staff recognizes the need for a communications tower of this type in the northeast quadrant of the City. Staff also prefers the use of this type of tower and its ability to house six carriers in one location. 7. Staff finds the proposed fall zone provisions made by the petitioner to be unacceptable in protecting adjacent property owners and the public from falling ice and debris from the top of the tower. Staff cites the "Atmospheric Icing and Tower Collapse in the United States" report, presented at the 7th International Workshop on Atmospheric Icing of Structures, 6/96, where the author,N.D. Mulherin,presents findings that the majority of tower and debris fall occurs within 50% of the tower's height. These findings are based on a 45-year survey of tower collapse and icing from across the U.S., and has been compiled by the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Library. STAFF RECOMMENDATION 8. Based on the inability to meet the fall zone provisions, staff recommends denial of the petition as proposed. If the petitioner is willing to relocate the proposed tower and fall zone to within the subject property, or to come to agreement with abutting property owners to allow a fall zone enroachment, staff would be willing to recommend approval of the petition. Staff will be available to discuss alternatives for the proposed tower. The above report constitutes the testimony and recommendation of the Planning Division, Economic and Urban Development Department, City of Decatur. Dane C. Bragg, Planner ATTACHMENTS 1. Location Map 2. Petition 3. Site Plan 4. Fall Zone Encroachment Map 5. "Atmospheric Icing and Tower Collapse in the United States"