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Planning commission tables review of proposed 185-foot cell tower at Shady Drive
Summary
The North Ridgeville Planning Commission on May 12 tabled consideration of Tower Co.'s proposal for a 185-foot monopole and equipment compound at the Shady Drive park because the applicant was not present. Staff noted safety and screening tradeoffs including a generator/fire-safety fencing request.
The North Ridgeville Planning Commission on May 12 postponed consideration of Tower Co.'s application to install a 185-foot monopole telecommunications tower and associated equipment compound at the city-owned Shady Drive recreation complex after the applicant failed to appear for the item.
Planning and Development Director Lieber told the commission the proposal is permitted under Chapter 1462 of the city codified ordinances and would include a 185-foot monopole with a 4-foot lightning arrester, underground utilities, an equipment compound enclosed by an 8-foot privacy fence and visual simulations submitted for review. "The tower is designed and will operate in compliance with all applicable FCC standards governing radio frequency emissions and will not exceed established federal exposure limits," Lieber said.
Lieber also said the applicant requested to substitute chain-link fencing on two sides of the compound citing fire-safety concerns tied to the generator placement. Assistant Law Director Morgan urged the commission to "seriously consider" chain-link on the sides least visible to the park because of those safety factors.
A member of the public, Richard Shartman, asked how the tower location relates to earlier presentations about a potential nearby housing development and expressed concern about future road alignment and the prospect of eminent domain. Staff and commissioners replied there is no subdivision application pending and that the tower site is located within the park off the main parking lot and "doesn't rely on any private property for access and won't impede any other future connectivity," Lieber said.
Because the applicant was not present to answer outstanding questions about fencing and site details, the chair entertained a motion to table the application. The motion to table carried unanimously on a recorded roll call: Commissioners Ali, Toth, Schuman, Winkl and Smolick all voted yes.
The item will remain tabled pending the applicant's presence or additional submittals; staff said they would accept questions and follow up with the applicant and bring the matter back to the commission when the applicant is ready to present.
