10/14/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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' can put the arborvitae all the way around. Mr. Yager said they need to shield the structure better. Mr. Satarawala said they will use a shadow box fence around the entire building, which will be 7 feet high. Mr. Rymarczyk pointed out it is not required by code but it is something the Architectural Review Board asked for regarding the tower site at Clague and Brookpark. Audience Questions and Comments Mr. Arnold Paulot expressed concern about the location of the tower relative to his home and to the street. He mentioned there are no sidewalks there now and it would be difficult to put sidewalks in later. He asked if this is a microwave tower because he understands they are dangerous. He expressed serious concern about the wattage of the antenna. He asked the board to consider what is going on over there and put this somewhere else. He said there is an ordinance to limit these towers. Mr. Jim Carter stepped forward and said he backs up to the CEI right of way. He believes it would be a mistake to approve this location. There is already a tower just east of Stearns and one at Barton and Cook Roads. He suggested going to the north side where there are fewer homes. He said they fear the City most because it is using the area as a dump. They are very concerned about the zoning on the west end of town and want to be protected. Mr. Myron Young addressed the board and said he backs up to the easement and concurs with his neighbors. He has towers on both sides of him. CEI will be making money but their property values are getting lower. Board Meanber Questions and Comments Mr. Koeth asked Mr. Kovitch about coverage. NIr. Kovitch indicated the ideal location was at Stearns and I-480 but that was not approved. He said this current location is where they were directed to go. They will spend more money in terms of equipment and trying to improve the coverage. He added their frequency is in the 1900 range, well below microwave range. Mr. Yager mentioned possible renovations to the road and the installation of sidewalks in the future. Mr. Durbin, the City Engineer, said the sidewalks would be within the right of way. Mr. Yager commented he is not a fan of any towers but there is an existing CEI tower and this would be the least obtrusive solution. It is a good idea in an area with visual challenges. Mr. Lasko asked for input regarding the resident's concern about what is being dumped in the right of way. Mr. Rymarczyk said they will need to check with the Service Director. Mr. Durbin agreed that the Service Director will be handling that issue. Mrs. Hoff-Smith mentioned there will be maintenance inspections to go along with the proposed antenna. Mr. Arnold Paulot again inquired about wattage since there is another tower there. Mr. Yager referred to an emissions summary the board received and he asked about safety. He said he wants to be sure someone will safeguard our residents. He wants to hear on record there are no emissions that will get to the residents. Mr. Kovitch indicated they comply with the regulations and they monitor sites. He said that rooftop sites are controlled as well. Mr. Yager read from the Figure 2 Synopsis in the report, which indicates this would be 100% safe for the general public. Mr. Kovitch confirmed that. Mr. Rymarczyk asked about the type of security light to be used and its location. Mr. Satarawala replied it will be adjacent to the door and will be shielded. He then explained further their reasoning for going with the proposed site. He said CEI requires one insert per lattice tower for safety reasons. He said he can understand the resident's concerns but they are the farthest away from residents that they can really be. Mr. Allan indicated he is on the side of the residents. He does not understand why it has to go on this tower. He brought up rooftop sites. Mr. Kovitch explained they are already on the apartment building by the mall. Mr. Lasko asked for the coverage radius of the proposed tower. Mr. Kovitch said it is about a half-mile to a mile. In rural areas, they can get three to five miles of coverage. Mr. Koeth explained there is a lack of coverage out there. He said they need the coverage at that end of the city. Mr. Paulot asked why they cannot move north of Lorain Road. Mr. Satarawala indicated if they moved farther west, it would create interference with existing sites. He added that the FCC requires cellular providers to maintain good, high quality coverage. The public continues to buy wireless phones and Cingular is a popular provider in northeast Ohio. 2