1996-09-04 - Plan Commission - Minutes REGULAR MEETING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
September 4, 1996
AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., Special Use in the B-3 Planned
Business Center District for an antenna and equipment shelter,
Village Well Site 4 & 5, north of Dundee Road,west of the
Plaza at Buffalo Grove and east of the Arbors Condominiums
Workshop#1
Chairman Goldspiel called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers,
Buffalo Grove Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
Commissioners present: Chairman Goldspiel
Mr. Krug
Mr. Samuels
Mr. Berman
Mr. Lundine
Mr. Trilling
Commissioners absent: Ms. Howard
Mr. Rosenston
Mr. Ottenheimer
Also present: Mr. Anthony Lello, Richard Connor Riley& Associates
Mr. Brad Brieman, AT&T Wireless Services
Mr. David Chicoine, Fluor Daniel, Inc.
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None
COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS -None
AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES. INC., SPECIAL USE IN THE B-3 PLANNED BUSINESS
CENTER DISTRICT FOR AN ANTENNA AND EQUIPMENT SHELTER, VILLAGE WELL
SITE 4 & 5.NORTH OF DUNDEE ROAD, WEST OF THE PLAZA AT BUFFALO GROVE
AND EAST OF THE ARBORS CONDOMINIUMS --WORKSHOP#1
Mr. Anthony Lello of Richard Connor Riley& Associates stated AT&T Wireless last year won a
license from the FCC to provide a PCS system to cover the Chicago major trading area or MTA.
The MTA consists of an area ranging from Kenosha, west of Fox Valley, south to central Illinois
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 4, 1996-Page 1
and east to northwest Indiana. PCS stands for personal communication services and is a new
form of digital technology similar to cellular services. PCS will use a digital technology as
opposed to analog technology. The digital technology will provide a cleaner signal and enable
them to take advantage of wireless communications of a voice nature and data communications of
many sorts.
Mr. Lello stated that even before PCS comes on line,there are currently 34,000 new subscribers
daily. Wireless communication has become a crucial link for emergency services in the country.
L./ He said that AT&T has been constructing a network of antennas across the MTA. The proposed
site is one of those antennas and is one of over 350 sites in the entire area. Antennas are located
relatively equal distant from one another. As a person travels from place to place,the signals are
picked up from one antenna to another. In order to provide this service the antennas need to be
placed in critical areas. The design engineers established a grid of search rings which represent
areas within which an antenna facility must be located. The first step is to try to locate an antenna
array on an existing tall structure within each search ring. This could be a tall building, existing
tower or anything that will allow them to get high enough to get a good signal. If a site at an
existing structure cannot be found, then an unobtrusive area is located within the search ring for
development.
Mr. Lello stated the proposed site is an abandoned well site owned by the Village. He stated they
welcome any input from the Village in proceeding further with this plan. He noted that they are
aware that wherever possible it is good to minimize the number of antenna structures being
erected on the ground which is why AT&T will always try to locate with other providers when
possible. He noted they will always provide the same courtesy to the Village and any other
private providers in the future.
Mr. Lello stated they are seeking a Special Use permit with a setback variance for this site for
construction of a 92 foot monopole antenna structure.
Commissioner Samuels asked what prevents any attempt to locate the antenna at the Buffalo
Grove Municipal Campus which appears to be within the search ring.
Mr. Brad Brieman of AT&T Wireless Services stated the objective of the proposed site is to
cover the suburban area along Dundee Road and Lake Cook Road. A certain amount of height is
needed in order to cover the area engineered by the modeling tool. That height and power level is
based upon the amount of subscribers they anticipate being in the area. The proposed site is
appropriately located within the search ring.
Mr. Brieman stated the Village Campus might be feasible for an antenna, however, then g P $ ground
elevation is lower and it may therefore need a taller structure.
Mr. Lello stated they had discussed the possibility of placing a monopole on the Village Campus
with Mr. Hruby and there was a problem involved. However, they would discuss this once again
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 4, 1996-Page 2
with Mr. Hruby.
Mr. David Chicoine of Fluor Daniel stated there would be a 20 x 40 fenced enclosure service yard
with two structures consisting of the shelter and the tower. The shelter is a 10 x 20 foot precast
concrete exposed aggregate about 10 feet tall which holds of the electrical equipment. The
monopole is 80 feet tall and is 82 feet 6 inches with the antenna. The pole is mounted on a
caisson which varies in depth from 25 feet to 35 feet. There will be a 200 amp service for a very
simple facility with three telephones, two radio frequency cabinets and some alarms. A service
man would be on site about once a month. He further noted there will be a gravel access road.
Chairman Goldspiel asked if the proposed site would be fenced.
Mr. Chicoine stated the entire service yard is fenced by a 6 foot chain link fence with barbed wire
on top.
Mr. Lello stated that the proposed site is a pro forma site which can be modified in any way to
conform to the needs and desires of the Village.
Commissioner Trilling asked if there are any competitors which are preparing a similar request of
the Village to locate a tower.
Mr. Lello stated he does not know what the competitors design looks like, although they are
looking at more height and may therefore need less sites. However, if the Village has not yet been
approached, it will be very soon that they will be or the competitor does not require a site within
the Buffalo Grove area.
Commissioner Trilling asked for some information on competitor's plans for the next meeting.
Mr. Lello noted they do co-locate with competitors whenever possible.
Chairman Goldspiel asked if search ring#1243, which is located in Buffalo Grove, would need to
come before the Commission for any kind of approval.
Mr. Lello stated no as ring#1243 is to be located in an unincorporated Lake County industrial
area.
Commissioner Trilling noted the search ring containing the proposed site appears to be a further
distance from any other search ring on the map.
Mr. Lello stated this is due to variations in topography and population densities.
Commissioner Trilling asked if there would be any kind of lights at the top of the pole.
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 4, 1996-Page 3
Mr. Lello stated no.
Commissioner Trilling asked if there will be any kind of steps or accessibility for climbing the
proposed pole.
Mr. Chicoine noted there are pegs on the pole but these pegs start at about 25-30 feet up the pole
which AT&T would need to access by ladder.
Commissioner Samuels asked if the antenna or any of the structure emit any radiation, microwave
or electromagnetic pulse.
Mr. Lello stated these are extremely low powered radio waves which always operate at less than
100 watts and usually less than 50 watts. These are non-ionizing form of radio waves with very
low strength. In fact, the typical baby monitor in a nursery is giving off a more significant impact
of radio waves than will be produced here.
Mr. Brieman stated there is no interference with any other types of signals.
Commissioner Trilling asked for a band frequency comparison for the next meeting as well as the
relative outputs for these types of frequencies.
Chairman Goldspiel asked what the diameter of the tower would be.
Mr. Chicoine stated the pole would be 2 '/2 feet at the base and about 12-14 inches at the top.
Chairman Goldspiel asked if this pole would attract lightning.
Mr. Brieman stated it is heavily lightning protected. Towers get hit with lightning frequently but
because of lightning arresters it has no effect on the equipment. The grounding system dissipates
the lightning into the earth.
Chairman Goldspiel asked what would happen if the pole were to fall.
Mr. Chicoine stated the poles are designed to fold onto themselves instead of falling over.
John Vaselaney, 5 Oak Creek Drive, asked how a cell site such as this can emit less energy than a
baby monitor.
Chairman Goldspiel noted he had asked the same question and the answer is that the baby monitor
is right on topwhereas thepole is a distance apart. The monitor is much closer than theant
enna
p ante a
on the pole and therefore it reduces the amount of energy near a person.
Mr. Brieman further noted that those frequencies do not penetrate walls well.
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 4, 1996-Page 4
Susan Schroeder, 8 Oak Creek Drive, stated she is concerned about the long range health effects
this project may have.
Mr. Brieman stated he does not have all the information regarding health matters. However, most
of the information is contained in the booklet passed out.
Chairman Goldspiel noted the distance issue is very apropos as to whether the ordinance
requirement should be varied.
Commissioner Berman requested the Village Attorney prepare a report on the effects of the 1996
Telecommunications Reform Act and how it inter-relates with the Village standards for variances
which requires the petitioner to prove that there is no harmful or injurious effect. He also asked if
the proposed facility will comply with all FCC regulations.
Mr. Lello stated the FCC standards will be slightly modified. However,these facilities are so far
within those regulations as they stand,that even tightened up, they will still be within the power
limits that are being set as safety standards.
Joyce Shannon of building#1 of Arbor Creek noted that property values may suffer as a result of
this structure and noted there are 330 families living in the Arbors. In addition, the Oak Creek
Condominiums are adjacent to the Arbors.
Charles Greenberg, 5 Oak Creek Drive, asked what is the stackable rate of incoming waves.
Mr. Brieman stated each mobile phone will be putting out a power of six tenths of a watt
maximum.
Mr. Lello stated these waves go out in all directions and this is .06 of a watt which is
tremendously diffused as soon as it leaves.
Chairman Goldspiel asked if this tower attracts any additional radiation that would not ordinarily
be in the atmosphere at the corner of Buffalo Grove and Dundee Roads.
Mr. Lello stated it is not any type of magnet that attracts radio waves to itself. Regardless of
whether the tower is there or a mile away, if everyone was making a phone call within a mile
radius, it would be the same thing.
Mr. Greenberg noted that there has recently been a link between cell phones and brain tumors and
feels that the health issue needs to be discussed further.
Fred Sostrin, 3 Oak Creek Drive, stated there should be some way to make people happy and not
put up such a large structure in such a densely populated area. He stated finding a different area
for such a structure should be encouraged.
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 4, 1996-Page 5
Chairman Goldspiel noted the need for this area is due to the previously discussed search ring
grid. He further noted the petitioner has been asked to look for other locations for this structure.
Abraham Zawadzk, 7 Oak Creek Drive, noted his concern with lightning attraction by this tower.
Ron Adamczyk, 12 Oak Creek Drive, asked if AT&T had looked at the least obtrusive sites
within Buffalo Grove. He also asked if ten years from now other companies would be able to
attach to this tower making this property unbearable.
Leonard Gruhlke, 10 Oak Creek Drive, stated the Arbors are already facing a great deal of litter
and clutter and this structure would add to that clutter.
Chairman Goldspiel stated the area could benefit from some sprucing up and noted that some
landscaping and screening would be beneficial for this plan at the next meeting.
Marc Schwartz, Marc Schwartz& Associates, stated he represents the Arbors Homeowner's
Association who were just notified about a week ago of this meeting and noted that many more
homeowners will be available for future meetings. He noted there are a few points he would like
to raise.
Mr. Schwartz noted that within the search ring there is the fire station with a tower which is in a
less congested area than the Arbors,the Municipal Campus with a multitude of open areas as well
as towers and large structures, and the Park District facility on the opposite side of Lake Cook
Road with towers also. Therefore, a further exploration of a good location is necessary. He
further noted that additional planning issues that need to be addressed are the type of variation
being requested and whether this Commission or the Village Board has the authority to grant a
variation of this request based upon the form of the variation request being made.
Mr. Schwartz noted that if there is a financial gain to the Village, is it equivalent to other financial
gains the Village could have acquired in other like locations with less obtrusive or less unusual
variation requests that were not granted. He stated there have been many variation requests that
were denied that would have generated great financial gain to the Village which were denied.
Therefore, why is a variation request of this magnitude even being entertained.
Mr. Schwartz further stated that this site is dealing with 330 homes in the Arbors development
only. Oak Creek has approximately 280-300 units and there are a lot of single family homes in
the area. The impact in this particular location is much more significant than it would be in a less
densely populated location. He urged the petitioner and the Commission to give serious thought
to some other location within the search ring that has a lesser impact upon the Village.
� I
Mr. Schwartz stated this is a Special Use request and as such there are specific requirements to
meet a special use request and that testimony and those concerns must be addressed very
carefully.
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 4, 1996-Page 6
Commissioner Trilling asked the petitioners to identify where site number 1243 will be located
within the Village.
Mr. Lello stated they have never had one of their plans go to litigation or a situation where they
could not find a site with the community's participation. To have community input at this stage is
very important and these comments will be heard by AT&T. He stated they will continue to
explore alternatives and find something that will be good for everyone.
Mr. Pfeil noted there is a basic requirement of a 50 foot setback for structures adjacent to a
residential zone. To this 50 foot minimum, the B-3 zoning standard requires that an additional
two feet of setback be added for every one-foot that a structure exceeds 45 feet in height. For the
proposed 82.5-foot antenna,the required setback is 125 feet based on the interpretation of this
standard by the Village's Director of Building and Zoning. This is a very large setback, and when
the ordinance was originally drafted it may have been intended to apply to buildings more so than
structures such as antennas. Standards typically use the height of the structure as the basis for
calculating the horizontal setback required from a residential property line.
Mr. Lello noted he has discussed with the Village Manager the need for a temporary structure to
provide signal capabilities prior to the basic structure going up. This would be a flatbed truck
with an antenna that telescopes up so that there can be signal in a particular area. This would
allow them to have a signal in the search ring while they continue to explore a permanent site.
Chairman Goldspiel noted that sounds like an idea with more problems than what has been
presented so far.
Commissioner Berman asked what the time frame is for this project.
Mr. Lello stated AT& T intends to be on line with the entire system in all search rings by early
1997. In terms of turning the system on for testing, they would like to do that within the next 60-
90 days.
Commissioner Berman asked if either a temporary of permanent structure is needed in the Village
in the next 60 days.
Mr. Lello stated yes.
Commissioner Berman asked how long it would take to build a permanent antenna facility.
Mr. Lello stated 30 days. He further stated this is a difficult search ring because it is in such a
residential area.
Commissioner Samuels stated that a temporary facility would be within the discretion of the
Village Manager and the Director of Building and Zoning.
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 4, 1996-Page 7
Mr. Pfeil stated he asked the Director of Building and Zoning about a temporary permit concept
and was told there is no such thing. No matter what site it is selected, the basic of issue of zoning
approval would need to be resolved. Mr. 1Lello would have to take the matter up with the
Director of Building and Zoning.
Chairman Goldspiel noted in summary the following items to be discussed at the next meeting:
1. AT&T to look at alternate sites in he area which would meet the requirements and be less
intrusive on residential areas
2. Aesthetic improvements to the site
3. Village to get legal opinion on municipal authority to assess health issues
4. Information on Village's authority Concerning the requested zoning variation
Mr. Pfeil noted that the Village is reviewing a draft telecommunications ordinance concerning use
of public rights-of-way for communications lines and equipment. The Village Attorney has
recommended that the Village also consider revisions to the Zoning Ordinance in terms of how
cellular antenna structures are regulated to ensure that the ordinance is responsive to current
conditions in the telecommunications area.
PLAT OF DEDICATION- ABBOTT COI.JRT
Moved by Commissioner Trilling, seconded by Commissioner Berman to recommend approval of
the Abbott Court Plat of Dedication dated August 7, 1996.
Mr. Pfeil stated the Village Engineer has reviewed the plat and has recommended approval. He
further noted this is part of the loop road that is in the Abbott Business Center which will connect
directly to the loop road which will be built by the Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion. Previously this area
was an easement and now it is being publicly dedicated.
Chairman Goldspiel called for a vote on the motion and the vote was as follows:
AYES: Krug, Berman, Lundine, Trilling, Goldspiel
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Samuels
ABSENT: Howard, Rosenston, Ottenhoimer
`-/ The motion passed 5 to 0.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT -None
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 4, 1996-Page 8
FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE
Mr. Pfeil stated the next regular meeting Will be held on September 18, 1996.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS -None
STAFF REPORT -None
NEW BUSINESS -None
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Krug, seconded Irby Commissioner Berman and carried unanimously to
adjourn. Chairman Goldspiel adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitt ,
Fay ubin, ec rding Secretary
APPROVED BY:
c
GOLDSPIEL, Ch an
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 4, 1996-Page 9