HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated October 22, 1996 ITEM#:
DATE: 10/22/96
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: MOTION TO REFER TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION A
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE REGARDING SPECIAL
EXCEPTION PERMITS FOR CELLULAR TOWERS (SECTION 29.68).
ACTION FORM SUMMARY: The City Attorney has prepared an amendment to the
zoning ordinance that will consolidate zoning requirements for cellular towers. This
amendment must be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
It is recommended that his amendment be referred to the Planning and Zoning
Commission for their review and recommendation.
BACKGROUND:
In the fall of 1995, the City Council directed that staff research needed changes to the
existing zoning regulations regarding communications towers (wireless communication
towers). Staff conducted early investigation on this issue, but spent most of the
assigned staff time on updating billboard regulations.
Recently, the Council again requested an update on this issue in response to a new
tower that is being permitted along Lincoln Way. Staff has recently researched the
existing zoning regulations and has found that there are two separate sections of the
ordinance that contain regulations regarding towers and other public utility facilities.
These are found in Section 29.45 and 29.68.
Having two sections of the same ordinance contain regulations regarding generally the
same use of property creates confusion and uncertainty relative to which section of the
ordinance is applicable. As an initial step to improve the zoning regulation regarding
cellular towers, staff is recommending that the zoning regulations consolidate the
requirements for tower placement into one section of the ordinance.
The City Attorney has prepared an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance that
consolidates the requirements of the ordinance into Section 29.45, which is the Special
Use Permit regulations of the ordinance. This amendment also makes explicit
reference to wireless communication towers as a potential special use.
The City Council is being requested to refer this amendment to the Planning and
Zoning Commission for their review and recommendation.
ALTERNATIVES:
1 . The City Council can refer this ordinance amendment to the Planning and Zoning
Commission for their review and recommendation
2. The City Council can decide not to refer this amendment to the Planning and
Zoning Commission for their review and recommendation. This will indicate that
the City Council is not prepared to amend the ordinance for cellular towers.
3. Action on this request can be postponed and referred back to City staff and/or the
applicant for additional information.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt alternative #1 .
This will refer the proposed amendment to the Planning and Zoning Commission for the
review and recommendation.
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