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Memo to Planning Commission/ZC 99-5&CU 99-26 <br /> June 16, 1999 <br /> Page 2 <br /> • equipment for the antenna. The antenna was upgraded in 1977. The antenna holds <br /> four types of equipment, including: microwave, Vhf radio, Uhf radio, and emergency <br /> services. With three antennas on top of the tower for Sherburne County Sherrif's <br /> services, the tower height is 320'. With the exception of the emergency services <br /> equipment, all other equipment is for the private use by UPA to communicate with its <br /> other locations in the region. <br /> Analysis <br /> Zone Change: Antenna Overlay District <br /> In 1997, the City adopted the Antenna Overlay District which established standards for <br /> siting towers, setbacks, height, and rezoning request evaluation. The subject site was <br /> not rezoned at that time to the new district. <br /> The ordinance requires that the following criteria must be evaluated prior to a rezoning <br /> to Antenna Overlay District: <br /> i. The compatibility of the rezoning request with <br /> surrounding land uses <br /> ii. That the proposed rezoning is necessary in order to <br /> provide effective wireless telecommunication coverage for <br /> • <br /> the City <br /> iii. The rezoning is in accordance with the Comprehensive <br /> Plan for the City. <br /> Compatibility with Surrounding Land Uses <br /> The land uses currently surrounding the site are gravel mining activities. The zoning, <br /> however, would allow single family residential development (south), medium industrial <br /> development (east/north), and agriculture (west and north). The rezoning would be <br /> compatible with the current land uses, but may pose more issues as the gravel mining <br /> activities are phased out (3-15 years) and the land reclaimed for other uses. The <br /> reclamation plan may include changes in transportation corridors and land uses. <br /> Necessity of Rezoning to Provide Telecommunication Coverage <br /> Currently, the tower is primarily used for the private use of UPA. There is, however, <br /> emergency service equipment located on the tower. It can be argued that the location <br /> of the tower is critical to insure adequate emergency service coverage for the County. <br /> UPA would also have the option of leasing this tower to other telecommunications <br /> providers. The rezoning is also necessary to eliminate a non conforming use. It should <br /> be noted that the site will remain nonconforming in regards to the dimensional <br /> 0 <br />