6.1. & 6.2. SR 10-21-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Wireless Communication Elk River, Minnesota Page 4 Antenna Site Each cell can only handle a finite number of calls at any one time. As the number of customers increases, the grid must be changed to handle the increasing number of calls. This usually means that more cells need to be created within the same geographical area, resulting in a new grid pattern of smaller cells. This need for more cellular calling capacity originally brought this antenna site to this location. Accompanying this letter is information that more thoroughly explains the cellular system. While the area in which cellular coverage is needed largely defines the required antenna height, topography also plays a role in arriving at the appropriate height for the tower. This is true because cellular telephone signals cannot travel through large structures or through the earth. One of the keys to cellular engineering is to take care to design each cell to be the proper size. If a cell is too large, it will interfere with the operation of neighboring cells, and callers will hear other conversations or "cross-talk." If a cell is too small, some areas between cells will be left without any service and callers will not be able to use their phones. If a caller is in a valley or if a hill lies between the caller and the cell's antenna, the area acts as if there is no antenna at all. When topography comes into play, cellular telephone service can be both difficult to provide and frustrating to use. Cellular engineers now employ the use of directional antennas in an effort to accommodate the topography. By increasing the elevation of the antennas and tilting the antennas downward, the cellular signal is projected over the top of hills and down into valleys without increasing the cell's overall size. Indeed, this technology will be employed at this particular site. The Conditional Use Permit. The City of Elk River, in it's Conditional Use Permit Application and zoning ordinances set forth the following standards by which the City Council shall approve, amend, or deny a conditional use permit: 1. Will not endanger, injure or detrimentally affect the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity or the public health, safety, nwrals, comfort, convenience or general welfare of the neighborhood or the City. The property surrounding the proposed site is zoned C-3 Commercial. The communications facility that is being proposed is designed to serve this types of use, as well as the general public. Providing improved cellular telephone capacity and coverage to the surrounding area will have a positive impact for the present and future businesses in the area. 2. Will be consistent with the comprehensh,e plan. One of the purposes and intents of the Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan is to provide essential services to the public, including communication services. For the reasons set forth in greater detail above, cell site in this general location is necessary to provide adequate cellular telephone service to this area of the City and surrounding areas. Allowing the cell site to be located here, subject to reasonable conditions, is consistent with the purpose and intent of the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan. The