ESTACADA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

CITY HALL

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2001 - 7:00 PM

 

1.     CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

 

2.     ROLL CALL

 

Present:  Cm. McGregor, Cm. Durham, Cm. Sager, Cm. Erickson, Chrm. Cameron, acting CP Mark Greenheight, DCR Hovda.

 

Absent:  Cm. Coyle, Cm. Crosby.

 

3.     APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 30, 2001 MINUTES

 

Cm. Sager moved to approve the minutes.  Cm. McGregor seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

4.     PUBLIC HEARING

 

A.    Conditional Use Application #2001-02.  The applicant, Cascade Utilities, Inc., is requesting a conditional use according to Section 16.28.030(K) of the Estacada Municipal Code, to erect a 50 foot tower for the purpose of security and fire alarm systems monitoring on property described as 34E, 29AA, tax lot 6100 - 303 SW Zobrist Street.  This conditional use is subject to section 16.88 of the Estacada Municipal Code.  

 

Chrm. Cameron closed the Planning Commission meeting and opened the public hearing.  He asked for abstentions or ex-parte contact.  Cr. Sager stated that he talked to the applicant prior to the meeting and visited the site.

 

Chrm. Cameron read a statement regarding evidence. 

 

Acting CP Greenheight reviewed the staff report, which recommends approval. 

 

Bob Milliken, Chief Engineer for Cascade Cable, 24355 SE Hwy 224, Boring, stated that they are proposing to construct a 50' tower to monitor alarms next to the building where monitoring personnel are located.  He explained that the tower cannot be more than 150' from the monitoring location.  He discussed the type of material to be used and stated that the tower could withstand 110 mph winds. 

 

Cm. Durham asked if the tower could be adapted to a cellular tower.  Mr. Milliken stated that it could not be used for any other purpose.

 

Cm. Cameron asked if the tower would transmit and send.  Mr. Milliken stated it would only receive data; the transmission is done via phone lines.

 

Mr. Milliken also explained that there wouldn't be any electrical connections and the tower would not need lighting.  He stated this tower is for the continued monitoring as well as future expansion of customers.

 

Suzie Funk, PO Box 177, Eagle Creek, stated that she has lived here since she was 9 and with all of the technology available she can't believe that the City would spend all this money to put in a tower that is not multi-functioning - she feels that it is a waste of money. 

 

Cm. Cameron explained that the City isn't constructing or funding the tower.  Cascade Cable is building it.  He suggested that if she has concerns over the cost of the tower that she go to the Cascade Cable office and discuss it with them. 

 

Suzie Funk stated that the City needs to build a jail to house all of the drug dealers and murderers that are on the streets.  Cm. Cameron told Ms. Funk that this did not relate to the application before them and that she is out of order and needs to leave the building.  Ms. Funk made a few derogatory comments on her way out of the meeting. 

 

Cm. Cameron closed the public hearing and reopened the Planning Commission meeting. 

 

Cm.  Sager moved to approve Conditional Use Application #2001-02 with the conditions in the staff report.  Cr. Erickson seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote:  Cm. McGregor - yes, Cm. Sager - yes, Cm. Erickson - yes, Cm. Durham - yes, Chrm. Cameron - yes.  Motion passed 5-0. 

 

DCR Hovda explained that staff would like to schedule a workshop for the Commission to discuss a few topics.  CM Ealy stated that LCDC is having a meeting to discuss our periodic review.  CM would like to establish a workgroup of citizens within the city limits as well as within the urban growth boundary.  There are a number of zoning issues that need to be discussed.  He also stated that all of the calls that he has gotten lately are regarding the Hwy 224 property.  That is where all of our current pressure is, regardless of what goes in there. 

 

Cm. McGregor feels that the biggest concern of the Planning Commission is to get something going and have the Commission involved in it. 

 

The Commission agreed to hold a workshop on Thursday, November 8th at 7:00 pm. 

 

5.     ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.