David Ronquillo, Senior Planner presented the following:
- Request
- Staff Analysis
- Communications Facility Proposal
- Pole Design
- Location Map
- Highlands Storage Area
- Photo of Area - Looking West
- Photo of Area - Looking Southwest
- Pole Design
- General Plan - Applicable Policies
- Adjacent Homes- Neighborhood Input
- Summary
Commissioner Caine asked if the existing T-Mobile pole is similar in diameter. Mr. Ronquillo responded yes, approximately thirty inches in diameter.
Commissioner Caine asked what was the status of the T-Mobile pole. David Williams, Planning Division Manager, said staffs first preference would be to have one visually challenging pole verses two. Staff has not received a clear answer on the possibility of co-location.
Jaret Barr of FM Group, on behalf of AT&T, stated that regardless of separation thresholds, a new wireless canister facility could not be constructed on top of the existing one. Mr. Barr went on and presented the following:
- Site Selection Policy
- Current Condition Map of Oro Valley
- Search Area
- Co-Location Policy
- Mitigation/Reduction of Visual Impact Policy
- Selected Site
- (The diameter of the T-Mobile is 26 inches)
- Description of Proposed Facility
Commissioner Cox asked if other sites were looked at. Mr. Barr said that nine other sites were looked at, all of them had different flaws for what was needed by AT&T.
Discussion followed on co-locating on the existing pole.
Vice Chair Cox opened the public hearing.
Oro Valley resident Mary Gravelle commented she is opposed to the proposed facility. The proposed cell tower will be 42% higher and 90% wider than the existing T-Mobile facility in the Highlands Mobile Home Park. Ms. Gravelle said if the Town should consider a location on Town property.
Oro Valley resident Pete Goebel stated that the pole will negatively affect property values.
Oro Valley resident Hugh Mosher stated the view from the Highland’s Mobile Home Park faces the mountains and therefore they don’t see the pole and it is a financial gain for them. He recommends the board look at other locations.
Oro Valley resident Eileen Finnegan stated she is opposed to the AT&T facility because it will impair her view.
Oro Valley resident Narciso Holguin is opposed to the AT&T facility. The focus should be on more on the Town’s image than monetary gain.
Oro Valley resident Bob Horn agreed with the other speakers and asked whether there is really was a need for an additional pole in the area.
Oro Valley resident Warren Bailey agreed with all the other speakers and stated that the views should be maintained. He suggested locating the facility on a light pole in CDO Riverfront Park.
Oro Valley resident Dale Weirick stated the proposed pole will be in direct view of the Catalina’s from his back yard. He agrees with what was said by the other speakers that are opposing the AT&T facility and supports the idea of placing the facility at the park on a light pole.
Oro Valley resident Richard Osier stated he supports his neighbor’s opposition to increasing the height of the existing pole or adding another pole.
Oro Valley resident, Daniel Vucurevich stated that it boils down to the people’s interest vs. the corporate interest. The residents should take precedence over any corporate group, unless it is absolutely necessary.
Vice Chair Cox closed the public hearing.
Discussion followed on relocating the facility on a light pole at the baseball field at the park.
Vice Chair Cox asked Mr. Barr if he was able to provide an answer to the Commission by August or whether the existing T-Mobile/Tucson Electric Power pole could be replaced with a structurally stronger and taller pole. Mr. Barr responded he would get an answer as soon as he could.
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner
La Master
and seconded by Commissioner
Buette
continue the item to the August Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Caine asked if there would be another public hearing on the proposed facility.
Mr. Williams commented that the specific date of the August Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is August 2, 2011.