Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

Meeting Agenda

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Meeting Minutes

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF BALLWIN – 300 PARK DRIVE

June 7, 2010

The meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman Michael Wind at 7:00 p.m.  Members in attendance were:
 
PRESENT                      ABSENT
Chairman Michael Wind Commissioner Chris Wright
Secretary Frank Karr Commissioner Sue Theodore
Commissioner Mike Utt Commissioner John Schwent
Commissioner Pat Apel 
Commissioner Mark Weaver 
Alderman Frank Fleming 
Mayor Tim Pogue 
Assistant City Administrator Thomas Aiken 
City Engineer Gary Kramer 
City Attorney Robert Jones

Swearing In of Commission Members

Mr. Pat Apel, 419 Norman Gate Dr (Ward 3), was sworn in by Assistant City Administrator Thomas Ai-ken.  Mr. Apel was reappointed to the Commission by the Board of Aldermen.  

Election of Officers

Secretary Karr nominated Michael Wind to serve as chairman for the Planning & Zoning Commission.  Commissioner Apel seconded the nomination.  No other nominations were received and the Commission members present voted unanimously to retain Michael Wind as chairman.  

Chairman Wind nominated Frank Karr to serve as secretary for the Planning & Zoning Commission.  Commissioner Apel seconded the nomination.  No other nominations were received and the Commission members present voted unanimously to retain Frank Karr as secretary.  

Approval of Minutes

Secretary Karr asked that the minutes of the May 3, 2010 meeting be amended to show that Commission-er Apel voted nay on the recommendation of approval of Petition SUE 10-04, and that Mr. Karr voted in favor of the recommendation.  A motion was made by Mayor Pogue and seconded by Secretary Karr to approve the minutes of the May 3, 2010 meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission as amended.  The motion received unanimous approval from the Commission members present. 

SUE 10-03 – Special Use Exception
  Golf Clubhouse Cell Tower SUE, 333 Holloway Rd, Ballwin MO  63021
  Petitioner:  Ms. Tabitha Riggle, SSC for Tower Co., 701 Emerson Rd #333, Creve Coeur MO 63141

Chairman Wind stated that a letter dated May 12, 2010 was received from the petitioner requesting the withdrawal of Petition SUE 10-03.  Chairman Wind closed the public hearing for the petition.

SUE 10-02 – Special Use Exception Plan Amendment
  Czechin Tower SUE Amendment, 870/876 Reinke Road, Ballwin MO  63021
  Petitioner:  Mr. Steve Ward, Clearwire Communications for T-Mobile, Swansea IL 62226

Mr. Steve Ward addressed the Commission on behalf of Clearwire Communications.  He said that the petitioner had previously requested approval to mount additional antennas on the exterior of the tower at 870/876 Reinke Rd.  As this was not in keeping with the original intent of the tower to be a disguised support structure, the petitioner was asked to pursue other options for adding the antennas.

Mr. Ward referenced the photos distributed to the Commission, saying the options are to add another ca-nister, use a shroud to hide the antennas, and to use a shroud along with fins for a less abrupt change.  He said the option of completely replacing the tower was rejected by Crown Castle, the owner of the pole, as cost prohibitive. 

Chairman Wind asked if the diameter of an additional canister would be the same as the rest of the tower.  Mr. Ward said it would be the same.  He said the shroud would be an extension of approximately 14” out from the tower.  Chairman Wind said the options are to extend the height of the tower by 6 feet, or expand the diameter of the tower for approximately 18’ (plus 24’ of tapering).  Mayor Pogue asked if the shroud would impede other carriers from adding antennas to the tower.  Mr. Ward said it would.  He said the tower is not designed for more than three carriers.

Chairman Wind opened the public hearing and asked if there were any proponents to speak in favor of the petition.  There were none.  Chairman Wind asked if there were any opponents wishing to speak in oppo-sition to the petition.  There were none, and Chairman Wind declared the public hearing closed.

Chairman Wind said he feels that adding six feet to the height of the tower is aesthetically preferable to expanding the width, especially if it the color is same.  He asked how long it would take to make the mod-ifications, and whether it would be disruptive to the neighborhood.  Mr. Ward said that it would be a total of maybe two to three weeks, and disruption would be minimal.  Chairman Wind asked about the range of the broadcast.  Mr. Ward said from half a mile to two miles.

Chairman Wind made a motion to recommend approval of Petition SUE 10-02 to Board of Aldermen, with the provision that the petitioner use the option of extending the tower with a 6’ canister of the same color.  Commissioner Utt seconded the motion, which received unanimous approval from the Commission members present.

Other Business

City Planner Aiken said that since the regular meeting date of the July meeting falls on the 5th.  The City offices are closed that day in observance of the Independence Day holiday.  Mr. Aiken said he has re-served the Board Room for Tuesday, July 6.  Chairman Wind asked Mr. Aiken to send an email to all the Commission members regarding the date change for July.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Commissioner Weaver and seconded by Secretary Karr to adjourn the meeting.  The motion received unanimous approval, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Michael Wind, Chairman
Planning & Zoning Commission