HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-2005
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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
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