HomeMy WebLinkAbout970481.tiffSUMMARY OF THE WELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, January 21, 1997
A regular meeting of the Weld County Planning Commission was held January 21,1997,:1n I ie County
Commissioners' Hearing Room (Room #101), Weld County Centennial Building, 915 10thiStreet, 'Greeley,
Colorado. The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Arlan Marrs.
Tape 518
Glenn Vaad
Rusty Tucker
Fred Walker
Cristie Nicklas
Jack Epple
Marie Koolstra
Ann Garrison
Arlan Marrs
Shirley Camenisch
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Absent
Also Present: Monica Daniels -Mika, Director, Shani L. Eastin, Current Planner, Chris Goranson, Current
Planner, Gloria Dunn, Current Planner, Department of Planning Services; Bruce Barker, Weld County Attorney;
Sharyn Frazer, Secretary and Tammie Pope, Secretary.
The summary of the last regular meeting of the Weld County Planning Commission held on December 17,
1996, was approved as read.
On November 5, 1996, Kaire International requested an extension for submittal of an application for a MUD
map revision. Kaire International requested an additional six weeks in order to submit the necessary materials.
No further action has occurred to date. The Department of Planning Services' staff recommends this extension
be withdrawn.
Ann Garrison moved to withdraw the granted extension for Kaire International. Rusty Tucker seconded the
motion. Motion granted.
CASE NUMBER: USR-1138 (Continued from January 7, 1997, regular scheduled meeting)
PLANNER: Shani L. Eastin
APPLICANT: Western Wireless c/o Don Sizemore
REQUEST: A Site Specific Development Plan and a Special Review Permit for a major facility of a public
utility/wireless communication facility in the 1-3 (Industrial) zone district
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Located in the N2 of the SE4 of Section 6, T4N, R65W of the 6th P.M., Weld County,
Colorado
LOCATION: West of Highway 85; approximately 1/4 north of Weld County Road 48. For a more precise
location, see legal.
Shani Eastin explained that the applicant sent a fax (attached to the Planning Commission members packets)
requesting a withdrawal of the application. The applicant had received two other site approvals which makes
this request redundant. Discussion followed between Glen Vaad and Bruce Barker regarding the Planning
Commission's responsibility when an applicant chooses to withdraw an application.
The Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak for or against this application.
No one wished to speak.
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970481
SUMMARY OF THE WELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING
January 21, 1997
Page 2
The Chairman asked the secretary to poll the members of the Planning Commission for their decision. Glenn
Vaad-yes; Rusty Tucker -yes; Fred Walker -yes; Cristie Nicklas -yes; Jack Epple-yes; Marie Koolstra-yes; Ann
Garrison -yes; Arlan Marrs -yes. Motion carried unanimously.
CASE NUMBER: USR-1139
PLANNER: Gloria Dunn
APPLICANT: SBA of Denver, Inc., for Sprint Spectrum L.P.
REQUEST: Site Specific Development Plan and Special Review permit for a Major Facility of a
Public Utility (Cellular Antenna) in the A (Agricultural) zone district
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Part of the SW4 of Section 30, T2N, R68W of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado
LOCATION: East and adjacent to Weld County Road 1 and south of Weld County Road 16. For
a more precise location, see legal.
Gloria Dunn explained that SBA of Denver, Inc., for Sprint Spectrum L.P., would like to locate a cellular antenna
on approximately 5.7 acres in the agricultural zone district. The antenna would stand 102 feet high, and the
Special Review site would be approximately 2500 square feet. This antenna would allow for different providers
and future expansion. The site would be screened with trees, wood and barb wire fencing with one access
from Weld County Road 1, using the existing driveway. Each provider (three at this time) would require access
into the site once a month. The Weld County Health and Public Works Departments comments were
incorporated into the Department of Planning Services recommendation. There have been two surrounding
property owners who have expressed opposition to this request and the letters were incorporated into the
Planning Commission members packets. Additional screening on the south side of the site is recommended
to mitigate neighbors concerns. Ms. Dunn stated that the Department of Planning Services' staff recommends
approval of this request.
Nathan Foster, representative, SBA of Denver, Inc., for Sprint Spectrum L.P., stated that this request is similar
to other applications for communication facilities throughout Weld County. However, the advantages for the
applicant included in this request would be topography, maximum coverage with minimal sites, leasing
considerations, likelihood of zoning approval, and the availability of electricity and road access. The
advantages to the community would be that only one tower is required opposed to three.
Mr. Foster explained that he is aware of neighbors concerns and he made contact in July, 1996, personally
and over the telephone and tried to address concerns and questions regarding radio frequencies, property
values, and screening and landscaping to help with visual concerns. In order for the three -carrier operation
to work, this site is mandatory.
This Chairman asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak for or against this application.
Virginia Brown, surrounding property owner, had concerns about living in the shadow of the tower, decreasing
property values, and how the proposed trees would screen a 100+ foot tower. Mr. Foster said they would plant
Austrian Pines, which are the fastest growing and fullest evergreens for this area.
Ann Garrison asked about electromagnetic interference with household appliances. Mr. Foster stated that if
interference were to occur, the Federal Communications Commission mandates it be corrected or they could
lose their license.
SUMMARY OF THE WELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING
January 21, 1997
Page 3
The Chairman asked the applicant if they agreed with the Department of Planning Services° staff
recommendation, conditions of approval and development standards. Mr. Foster said yes. Gloria Dunn
reiterated that if the Special Review permit is approved, the landscape plans will need to be approved by the
Department of Planning Services.
Fred Walker moved Case Number USR-1139, SBA of Denver, Inc., for Sprint Spectrum L.P., be approved.
Ann Garrison seconded the motion.
The Chairman asked the secretary to poll the members of the Planning Commission for their decision.
The Chairman asked the secretary to poll the members of the Planning Commission for their decision. Glenn
Vaad-yes; Rusty Tucker -yes; Fred Walker -yes; Cristie Nicklas -yes; Jack Epple-yes; Marie Koolstra-yes; Ann
Garrison -yes; Arlan Marrs -yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Amendment to the Weld County Comprehensive Plan 147-J
PLANNER: Gloria Dunn
Gloria Dunn presented a brief summary of the proposal and entered a favorable recommendation from the
Department of Planning Services into the record as written. Ms. Dunn explained that the Important Wildlife
Habitat Areas Map 5, dated approximately 1987, does not have a lot of detail. For example, it does not give
an orientation of the location of the wildlife habitat areas in relation to concentrations of population or county
roads. The proposed map, Potential for Impact to Wildlife Habitat, found on page one of Colorado Division
of Wildlife. House Bill 1041, Significant Wildlife Habitat Maos._Weld County. Colorado. July 1996 is up to date
and graphic.
The second page of the map book illustrates Weld County land use, and the remainder of the book gives
specific data on selected species sampled or observed in Weld County. Ms. Dunn explained that this
document, along with Colorado's Little Fish Book, are to be used as reference or backup material when
interpreting the Potential for Impact to Wildlife Habitat map.
The Department of Planning Services' staff recommends approval of this amendment to replace the existing
Important Wildlife Habitat Areas Map 5 with the map title Potential for Impact to Wildlife Habitat. The staff is
also requesting that the remainder of the documents be accepted into the record for reference purposes in
interpreting the new map.
Ann Garrison questioned the location of the swift fox habitat on the map. It was determined there was a color
reproduction problem on the books distributed to the members.
Cristie Nicklas stated the map incorrectly identified the gravel road north of Briggsdale as State Highway 392.
This is actually County Road 390.
Marie Koolstra stated the map shows State Highway 66 as running north and south rather than east and west.
Gloria agreed that it is misleading because the highway is identified vertically instead of horizontally.
Gloria asked the members of the Planning Commission if they wanted the Department of Planning Services
to bring back the maps for further review. Ann Garrison stated she didn't want to see the map again, she just
SUMMARY OF THE WELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING
January 21, 1997
Page 4
wanted to make sure the corrections are made. Bruce Barker suggested that if the amendment is approved,
the corrections should be noted.
Arlan Marrs asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak for or against this proposal. No
one wished to speak.
Ann Garrison moved that the amendment to the Weld County Comprehensive Plan 147-J be approved with
the stipulation that the corrections to State Highway 66, State Highway 392, and County Road 390 be made,
and that the swift fox habitat area be properly colored. Glenn Vaad seconded the motion.
The Chairman asked the secretary to poll the members of the Planning Commission for their decision. Glenn
Vaad-yes; Gristle Nicklas-yes; Fred Walker -yes; Marie Koolstra-yes; Jack Epple-yes; Rusty Tucker -yes; Ann
Garrison -yes; Arlan Marrs -yes. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
L
Tammie Pope
Secretary
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