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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-2005 Æ CITY OF ~. .. -" WASHINGTON HEARING EXAMINER MINUTES FEBRUARY 23. 2005 The regular meeting of the Auburn Hearing Examiner was held on February 23, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Auburn City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows: Hearing Examiner: Sharon Rice, Driscoll-Hunter Staff: Steve Pilcher, Jeff Dixon, Dan Scamporlina, Costa Philip ides and Patricia Zook Sharon Rice called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. explaining the order of procedures and swore in staff and those in the audience intending on testifying. Public Hearina: 1. Application No. CUP04-0007 The request of Washington State Parks Development Service Center on behalf of Cingular and Sprint for a conditional use permit to locate a wireless communications facility (WCF) on an athletic field light in a P1 (Public Use) zoning district. The proposal is to increase the height of the existing structure by 30 percent within the Auburn Game Farm Park located at 3030 R Street SE. Auburn City Code (ACC) section 18.04.912 defines such a proposal as a Type 1-D wireless communications facility. Hearing Examiner opened the public hearing and reviewed the list of exhibits. Senior Planner Dixon presented the staff report and announced that only the applicant is present in addition to City staff. The request is to replace the existing 80-foot high athletic field light standard with a 104-foot high steel light standard to support two antenna arrays. Associated radio equipment is proposed within a new 720 square foot equipment building located adjacent to the base of the light pole. He briefly reviewed the fourteen findings of fact and five conclusions. Hearing Examiner confirmed that the Comprehensive Plan recommends wireless communication facilities placement on existing facilities. Senior Planner Dixon stated the applicant submitted detailed analysis and will receive building and construction permits for the project. The proposal is less visually intrusive than erecting a new pole. The City does encourage co location of wireless communication facilities. Justin Abbott, representative for Cingular and Sprint Wireless, said the replaced light structure will be steel and painted light grey to blend in with the predominant colors of the northwest sky. Like their other facilities in the City, they will allow future colocation. The equipment housing cabinet area will allow the placement of another carrier's equipment. He provided details on the size of the antenna which is 8 inches wide, 60 inches long, 2 % inches deep, panel antenna, which is the least obtrusive design possible. The panel antenna technology is improving rapidly and is the design now favored by engineers. He reviewed the conditions and has no objections. In response to Hearing Examiner inquiries, JA said that warning sign placards are required by the FCC and are placed outside the equipment enclosure. Sprint and Cingular will each have a notice. Any emissions actually come from the antenna not the equipment so park patrons are completely safe. The light standards are registered with the FAA and a metal tag attesting to this is placed on the pole. The equipment cabinets will have fans which operate intermittently to regulate the temperature inside the cabinets so that the equipment operates effectively. Senior Planner Dixon affirmed that a third carrier would also be required to obtain a conditional use permit. HEARING EXAMINER MINUTES DATE Dan Scamporlina, Parks Development Manager, reiterated their support of the applicant's request. Hearing Examiner closed the public hearing and will issue the written decision within 10 days. Adiournment: With no further items to come before the Hearing Examiner, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. HEIAGNDlMIN 02-2005 PAGE 2