MINUTES
ORO VALLEY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
May 3, 2011
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE
 
CALL TO ORDER AT OR AFTER 6:00 P.M.

Vice Chair Cox called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Don Cox, Vice Chair
Alan Caine, Commissioner
Robert La Master, Commissioner
John Buette, Commissioner
Mark Napier, Commissioner
Robin Large, Commissioner

EXCUSED: Robert Swope, Chair
 
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Vice Chair Cox led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

CALL TO THE AUDIENCE (Non Agenda Items Only)

Open and closed without comment.

COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS

Joe Hornat, Council Member, presented the following:

- Thanked the people who attended the Community Academy training.
- Achknowledge Bill Adler for starting neighborhood meetings process in Oro Valley.

1.

Public Hearing: AT&T Mobility, requests approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a major communications facility located at the west end of Matterhorn Way within the Highlands Mobile home park, represented by AT&T Mobility, OV811-001. For questions and additional information, please contact David Ronquillo, Senior Planner, at (520) 229-4817 or dronquillo@orovalleyaz.gov.


Staff Report

Site Plan - Attachment 1

Photo Renderings - Attachment 2

Resident Letters & Petition - Attachment 3

Exhibit A - Conditions of Approval - Attachment 4

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.

MOTION carried, 6-0.
 
2.

Discussion and possible action regarding amendments to the Planning & Zoning Commission Rules and Operating Procedures.  For questions and additional information, please contact Matt Michels, Senior Planner, at (520) 229-4822 or mmichels@orovalleyaz.gov


Staff Report

Parliamentary Rules & Procedures & Rules of Conduct - Attachment 1

Article 3-6 - Attachment 2

Ordinacne (O) - Attachment 3

Robert’s Rules of Order Summary - Attachment 4

Exhibit A - Attachment 5

P&ZC Minutes - Attachment 6

Existing P&ZC Rules & Operating Procedures - Attachment 7

Matt Michels, Senior Planner, presented the following:

- Reasons for Revised Planning and Zoning Commission Rules & Procedures
- Revised Rules and Procedures (Exhibit "A", Att. 5)
- Additional Sections Suggested to Retain
- Recommendation

Discussion ensued amongst the Commission and staff regarding the proposed amendments.

Commissioner Caine commented that he did not see a need for special Planning and Zoning Commission rules.   

Commissioner Large commented that she agreed with Commissioner Caine.

Commissioner Napier suggested adding some language regarding ex parte communication.

Commissioner La Master suggested using the language "three unexcused absences" in Section 1.1.H of the rules.  Mr. Michels responded that Section 1.1.G and 1.1.I would be both stricken. 


MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner La Master and seconded by Commissioner Napier to Approve the Revised Planning and Zoning Commission (P&ZC) Rules and Operating Procedures and Rules of Conduct, and include the four mentioned slides Section 1.H, Section 2.5, and Section 2.1.3 with Site Tours and ex parte contact.

MOTION carried, 5-1 with Commissioner Buette opposed.
 
3.

Planning Division Manager Update


David Williams, Planning Division Manager, presented the following: 

- Staff has two items on the May 4th Town Council agenda; St. Mark Church rezoning and Planning and Zoning Administrator’s Interpretation Publishing Code.
- The neighborhood meeting for Casa De La Luz will be on May 9th and Taco Bell at Rooney Ranch on May 26th.
- Interview have been completed for the Conceptual Design Review Board, recommendations will be received by Town Council on May 18th. 
- The impediment Zoning Code to Energy and Water Conservation project is underway.
- The solar project is nearing the end, next step is the installation of the solar ramada.
- On May 18th the Council will be discussing A-Frame signs.
- The Community Academy for Planning and Zoning Commission will be May 5th.

4.

Future Agenda Items


Mr. Williams, Planning Division Manager, presented the following:

- Zoning Code amendment to expand the window for Major General Plan Amendment submittals and a Zoning Code amendment regarding Outdoor Displays in commercial districts.   

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Buette and seconded by Commissioner La Master to Adjourn the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 7:49 p.m.

MOTION carried, 6-0.