Minutes 02-01-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� end: "...may not require a special use permit. However, for towers 150 feet in height or less, being included on the MTP Map means that the towers are approved administratively rather than requiring a Class B Special Use Permit." Commissioner Gordon pointed out that she wanted the public to be aware of how to apply for telecommunication towers. She also thought it was important that people knew that if the site was on the map, if it was a County-owned site, then it could be approved administratively rather than requiring a Class B Special Use Permit. She also pointed out that when this public hearing agenda was approved, there were 14 sites and now there are 10 sites. Planning Director Craig Benedict went over the agenda items for the QPH. He made reference to the question about the map and whether the property owners of sites on the map had any special rights. Any land that the County owns, even if it is not on the MTP map, does not have to go through a special use permit. The map is posted on the website and if property owners call the Planning Department, then they can find out how to get on the Master Telecommunication Plan map in the future. There were 14 sites originally, and there was discussion about the sites and the staff decided to pick three sectors — Little River Township, Cedar Grove Township, and Bingham Township. Commissioner Gordon asked how many of these sites were public. Craig Benedict said that the fire stations —White Cross, Eno, Caldwell, and Cedar Grove — are public sites. OWASA is considered a public site also. The Future Northeast Park, Walnut Grove Solid Waste Center, Cedar Grove Park, and the County soccer fields are County-owned sites. Occoneechee Mountain is also County-owned. There is a private site in the southeast corner of the County that serves an important public safety purpose because there is a void in that area. Commissioner Jacobs thanked the staff for switching the bulls eye from Little River Park to the fire department. This site would serve the County equally as well. He said that the wording is less preemptive than what it was previously, and he appreciates this. He is still not sure it communicates adequately what is going on, but he will wait until the public hearing to address this. He said that he spoke with Craig Benedict today about this regarding the County being subject to the same standards as the private developers. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to ask staff to bring to the public hearing criteria which the County would apply to its own sites regarding things like the balloon test, public notice to adjacent property owners, siting limitations, etc., so that it can be part of a record that people see at the public hearing. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Frank Clifton said that this is fine. Commissioner Gordon asked if the ordinance says that the public sites have to go through the balloon test and Craig Benedict said no. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon that any of the sites on this list have to go through the same public hearing, balloon test, and other criteria.