Planning Commission Minutes 2010 11 18

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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2010 Page 3 of 10 Based on the alternative analysis staff is recommending the Potential Location Option #3 as the appropriate location for the emergency siren tower structure. Russ continued with a discussion of the Special Review Use criteria for the revised site location. He concluded the discussion with a summary, stating all the criteria had been met with the exception of #5 which is not applicable to this project. Russ stated staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 25, Series 2010 with one condition: 1) The City shall relocate the existing North Emergency Siren approximately 180-feet north, northeast of the existing site in the physical location currently marked on the project site. Russ introduced Mike Weber with Artek Electronics, a communication/sound specialist. Weber stated sound is not an exact science because of environmental factors. Lipton asked how it travels down to the Police Building. Weber stated sound does go downhill, but the sound will be blocked by homes/buildings. He stated sound travels through the air and over ground. Lipton asked about locating the siren at the Police Building. Weber stated the only way it would work is for the tower to be extremely high in the air (80’ to 100’) to provide coverage for the people residing on the mesa. Members of the Public: Scott Reese, 795 W. Birch Ct. stated he is a member of the board of directors for the Mesa Village HOA. He thanked City Manager Fleming and staff for their working with the HOA. He stated the HOA approves the alterative location, which is 180’ north/northeast of the originally installed site location. Shari Lancton, 781 W. Birch Ct asked if the height of the siren needed to be as tall. Weber stated the height is at the minimum recommended height to keep the sound level below the 123 dB. If the tower was lower than the sound would be louder and out of compliance with the federal regulations. Lipton clarified with Weber; if the tower were less visual, lower in height, then the side effect would be more sound impact on the neighbors. Weber stated he was correct. Scott Soelberg, 748 W. Birch Ct. stated his confusion with sound travel. He asked Weber; if from the top of the mesa would sound drop down and weaken. Weber stated yes, due to the additional structures and other environmental factors. He stated if the tower was placed at the Police Building the tower would be much taller and the volume would be louder. Questions of Staff: All the Commissioners stated they had no questions of staff.