HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-13 YPC MinutesJq)J:J 'I'll 17
City of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) City Hall Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes of August 7, 2013
Call to Order
Chairman Ben Shoval called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present: Chairman Ben Shoval, Co -Chair Dave Fonfara, Ron
Anderson, Al Rose, Paul Stelzer, Bill Cook
YPC Members Absent: Scott Clark (unexcused), Paul Stelzer (unexcused)
Staff Present: Jeff Peters, Associate Planner; Steve Osguthorpe,
Community Development Director
Others: Mark Kunkler, Bill Duerr, H.D. McDonald, V.H. McDonald,
Artice Riehl, Mike Davison, Dana Dwinell, Ken Lyons, Paul
Nagle -McNaughton, Susan La Riviere
Staff Announcements
No staff announcements
Audience Participation
No audience participation noted.
Staff CommentaKy
Mark Kunkler gave an update on the process of the cell tower ordinance/ moratorium
and provisions of the ordinance. A draft of the ordinance was presented along with
definitions.
Jeff Peters showed a map with areas that a cell tower could be built without going
through the proposed regulations.
Public Hearin
Chairman Ben Shoval opened the public hearing at 2:27 p.m.
Mike Davison explained how the group he is in, Neighbors Saving Neighborhoods, sent
postcards to residents in the Barge Chestnut area to get a public opinion on a cell tower
coming in to the historic area. He reported that 83% of the people in that area said they
do not want a cell tower going in that area. He believes that cell towers that go up
should be camouflaged according to the scenery in that community.
Ken Lyons, representing AT&T, believes that there is still work to be done looking at
locations for these cell towers and defining stealth vs. camouflage amongst other
changes. The company originally rejected the moratorium but is willing to work with
the City to come up with an ordinance that satisfies AT&T customers and the residents
of Yakima. They believe more time is needed to make all the necessary changes.
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Paul Nagle -McNaughton, communications committee chairman and vice president of
the Barge Chestnut Neighborhood Association, expressed that they are not opposed to
having cell towers in residential areas as long as they are camouflaged in a way that fits
in with its surroundings and meets other regulations. Paul also wants public property
boundaries to be clarified.
Susan La Riviere, a resident of the historic district, made a few comments. She
mentioned that there is no description or size for the base station that goes around the
perimeter of the towers. Also, she pointed out that there is electronic equipment in the
base that needs to be checked on regularly. Susan also wants the method of camouflage
to be described in the ordinance. In addition, she does not think towers should be in
residential neighborhoods since there are enough other locations available. Another
point she made was that these towers do not belong in parks. She also mentioned the
possibility of radiation which would point to these towers being better in commercial
areas rather than residential areas.
Dana Dwinell also spoke and expressed her concerns about cell towers in residential
areas. She agrees with Susan La Riviere that these towers belong in commercial areas.
At 3:53 Ben Shoval called for a recess until 4:05.
Chairman Ben Shoval closed the public hearing at 4:07 p.m.
The planning commission continued discussing the cell towers issue.
Al Rose made a motion to make a request extend the moratorium by one more month;
Ron Anderson seconded this motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Other Business
No other business noted.
Adjourn
A motion to adjourn to August 14, 2013 was passed with unanimous vote. This meeting
adjourned at 4:47 p.m.
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Lisa Maxey, Department Assistant 3.
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