PC Mins 06-05-2007
PLANNING COMMISSION
Meeting of June 5, 2007
The Blair Planning Commission was called to order by acting chairman Brad Andersen at
7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken, with commissioners Andersen and Young present and Boettcher,
Cook, Hansen, Krogh, Nicholson, Rhoades, and Tichota absent. Acting chairman Andersen
declared the lack of a quorum and rescheduled the meeting and public hearings to Monday, June
11, 2007 beginning at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Young moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded
by Andersen. All present voted aye and the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Chairman Rhoades reopened the Blair Planning Commission on Monday, June 11, 2007 at
7:00 P.M. Members present were Cook, Andersen, Tichota, Rhoades and Boettcher. Members
absent: Hansen, Krogh, Young and Nicholson. Others present were Assistant City Administrator
Green, City Administrator Storm and City Attorney Hall.
Agenda Item #2 – Motion by Tichota, second by Boettcher to approve the minutes of the April
3, 2007 meeting as presented. All members present voted Aye. Chairman Rhoades declared the
motion carried.
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Agenda Item #3Chairman Rhoades opened a public hearing to consider a Conditional Use
Permit application submitted by USCOC Nebraska/Kansas, LLC 10343 Military Road, Omaha,
NE 68134 to erect a wireless communications tower on Tax Lots 178 and Tax Lot 179 in Section
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12, Township 18N, Range 11 of the 6 P.M. (217 N. 10 Street), Blair, Washington County,
Nebraska for (30) years. Assistant Administrator Green stated USCOC would like to construct a
140’ wireless communication tower. USCOC has obtained a (30) year lease from Washco Feed,
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217 N. 10 Street for placement of this tower and are requesting a (30) year permit but staff
would recommend a (15) year permit which would be consistent with other wireless
communication tower permits that have been granted previously. Green reviewed the location of
the proposed site and showed several photos of what the proposed tower would look like from
different property views. The tower meets setbacks of 140’ from all property lines. This is
required in the event the tower would come down and not fall on any of the surrounding property.
The tower is designed according to relevant codes and a stamped copy of the design will be
provided with the building permit application. The property is zoned for this type of use. Jenny
Millsap, 18013 Lillian Street, Omaha, NE 68136 representing USCOC was present along with
Paul Reinhart of Integrated Wireless, Patrick Armstrong, RF Engineer for US Cellular and Steve
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Probst, 217 N. 10 Street, Blair to answer questions regarding their request for the new tower.
They currently have an antenna located on the Tyson Elevator across the street from Washco.
However, the current structure will not support the modifications required to update the site from
800MHz to 1900MHz. USCOC must update to this new system in order to improve
communication to eliminate the amount of dropped calls, ineffective attempts to call and missed
calls for customers. Mr. Reinhart stated the tower will be constructed for the wind speed and ice
load required for this county. He reiterated the construction of this new tower is needed to make
changes to customers served in the Blair area. The existing antenna on Tyson’s Elevator will be
removed. He also noted there would be no strobe lights or guide wires placed on the tower and is
designed to support three (3) additional carriers. If approved, they would move forward with this
project as soon as possible. Commission member Cook questioned if they had considered co-
locating on the existing Washington County Communications Tower. Mr. Reinhart stated
USCOC did thoroughly consider other options to co-locate on existing towers currently in Blair.
He noted the County Tower would not be tall enough to provide the type coverage at the
frequency they are licensed for and numerous attempts had been made to the County inquiring
about their tower but to date, they had not returned any of their phone calls. There were no
comments from the floor or in writing. Chairman Rhoades closed the public hearing. Motion by
Boettcher, second by Tichota to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit application
submitted by USCOC Nebraska/Kansas, LLC 10343 Military Road, Omaha, NE 68134 to erect a
wireless communications tower on Tax Lots 178 and Tax Lot 179 in Section 12, Township 18N,
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Range 11 of the 6 P.M. (217 N. 10 Street), Blair, Washington County, Nebraska for (15) years.
All members present voted Aye. Chairman Rhoades declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #4 – Donna Henton, 13092 US Highway 30, Blair appeared before the
Commission to discuss with them their role in approving annexations or developments that affect
adjoining property owners in regards to financial responsibility. She wanted to bring their
attention that financial obligations are placed on others by the decisions they make and this fact
should be taken into consideration when making their decisions on these types of issues. Mrs.
Henton stated that due to the recent development and annexation of Southern Ridge a financial
burden has been placed on several adjacent property owners in the form of assessments. No action
was taken on this issue.
Agenda Item #5 – Assistant Administrator Green reviewed the proposed Ordinance
amending Section 1101 Visibility at Intersections of the City of Blair Zoning Regulations
incorporating changes to the site triangle easement and alignment requirements in all zoning
districts. Green stated the distance on Collector Streets will be raised from 45 to 60 and Arterial
Street from 60 to 75. This will provide for increased public safety at these types of intersections.
Collector Streets have higher speeds and more traffic and Arterial Streets are designated
Highways in Blair. The following wording has also been added to aid in public safety: “The two
and one-half (2 ½) foot height restriction shall be measured from the center of the street with the
lowest elevation within the boundary of the sight triangle. The ten (10) foot height restriction
shall be measured from the center of the street with the highest elevation within the boundary of
the sight triangle. For irregular street intersections which are not perpendicular for two hundred
(200) feet, the following dimensions shall be doubled.” Motion by Cook, second by Anderson to
recommend approval of the proposed Ordinance as presented. All members present voted Aye.
Chairman Rhoades declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item#6 – Administrator Green reviewed the proposed Ordinance amending
Section 1111.04 schedule of minimum off street parking and loading requirements of the Zoning
Regulations by adding offices and office buildings to the schedule. Several discussions have led to
the need to add this type of use to the schedule of off street parking. There would be no change
for loading requirements added under this type of use. Motion by Cook, second by Tichota to
recommend approval of the proposed Ordinance as presented. All members present voted Aye.
Chairman Rhoades declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #7 – Assistant Administrator Green reviewed the proposed Ordinance
amending Section 1114 of the Zoning Regulations of the City of Blair, Nebraska in reference to
the type of signs allowed or not allowed within the zoning jurisdiction of Blair. Green stated
zoning currently states animated and moving signs are not allowed. If you track the evolution of
signs, LED signs are the future. Historically mobile and moving signs in Blair have been
interpreted to be those portable signs on wheels with flashing lights. The LED electronic signs
have not been considered animated signs and have been allowed wherever illuminated signs are
allowed. However, the zoning is not particularly clear on this issue. Therefore, this change
would clarify which signs are not allowed by changing animated or moving signs to read mobile
signs and sign boards on mobile bases are not permitted within the zoning jurisdiction of the City
of Blair. Any existing signs that would be affected by this change would be grandfathered.
Motion by Andersen, second by Boettcher to recommend approval of the proposed Ordinance as
presented. All members present voted Aye. Chairman Rhoades declared the motion carried.
There were no communications from the floor. Assistant Administrator Green reviewed the
action of the City Council taken on items recommended by the Planning Commission at their regular
meeting in April, 2007. Assistant Administrator Green also reminded the Commission that due to the
July 4th holiday, the regular scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission for July 3 would be held
on Monday, July 2, 2007.
Motion by Tichota, second by Cook to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 P.M. All members
present voted Aye. Chairman Rhoades declared the meeting adjourned.
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Brenda Wheeler, City Clerk