TOWN OF PRESQUE ISLE

ZONING COMMITTEE & PLAN COMMISSION

Public Hearing Minutes Monday, July 2, 2012, 9:00AM

Chapter 910, Towers & Antennas

Members Present: Dick Hemming; Peggy Johnson Wiessner; Marshall Reckard; George Nelson; Linda Novak. Public Present: Alan Drum; Bruce Nelson; Eli Eschenbauch; Katie Eschenbauch; Bill Newel; Ann Milne; Patricia Barofsky; Laura McGucken; Margo Perkinss; William Perkins; Shirley Harrison; Jack Harrison; Robert Olson; John DeRocher; Mike Beno; Carol Beno; Jim Phelps; Jane Phelps; Tom Hoover; Luci Hoover; Merrill Horswill; Bob Horswill; Roger Martin; Judy Terrile; Raymond Trottier; Charles Terrile; Norman Peterson; John Kuhl; Lorine Walters; Jackie Kashmere; Rogert Krehn; Virginia May; Tim Eagan; Carl Watras; Sharon Bloodgood; John Bloodgood; Bob Ford; Charles Reed; Anne Delabarre; Ed Delabarre; Richard C. Cerull; James R. Rennhack; S. D. Geints; Al Eschenbauch.

The hearing was called to order at 9:00 am at the Presque Isle Community Building by Chairperson, Dick Hemming. Mr. Hemming explained that the town attorney was in the process of negotiating a contract with the company that erects communication towers and that, should the town board approve a final contract, section 910 of the Presque Isle Zoning Ordinance would be repealed and a new tower & antenna ordinance would later be proposed as part of the town’s general ordinances.

Lorine Walters: Town Clerk noted that 65 residents of Natural Lake has e-mailed her supporting the building of a tower in Natural Lake. Natural Lakes has 108 homes and 316 members in the Natural Lake Homeowners Association.

Al Eschenbauch: Supports the communication towers but notes that the one proposed for the dump must be lighted. He wants the tower lowered by 51 feet and not lighted. He states that ATT would support the lower tower and that the Natural Lakes tower would not have a light.

Bob Ford: Stated there is lots of support for the tower in Natural Lakes. Thereis no cell coverage and therefore no real fire protection.

Darla Berdan: Cannot get her Kindle to download.

Charles Reed MD: Essential to be able to call 911 from a cell phone.

Elaine Kuehnl: The prison lights are all we can take; additional lights are not needed.

Carl Watras: If Presque Isle repeals Sec. 910 of the zoning law how would such appeals for a tower be handled in the future? First the town would be presented with a contract that would then be negotiated. A new tower ordinance is needed.

Ward Fuller: Has a view shed analysis been done? That would tell the citizens what can be seen from where. Another idea is to send a balloon up to test the sight patterns. The ordinance should require the building company to take the tower down at their expense. He noted a 240 ft. tower could have 4 users, as could a 195 ft. tower.

Bob Krien: No light on the Natural lakes tower which must meet all Vilas County Zoning Ordinances. Vilas requires a minimum of 3 carriers or each tower. Notes that even EMT’s can’t get cell coverage.

Merrill Horswill: Notes that Century Tel would not sign a long-term contract for users of their cell tower. That tower is over 200 feet & does have a light.

If the town accepts the contract there would be no need for a Conditional Use permit hearing.

Jorja Burke: Does the town have a contract with Century Tel? No…its an old tower put up in the late l970’s. FCC rules require action by the town board within 150 days after a request is made for a tower or its automatically approved. The time limit has not yet started with these towers.

Carl Watras Notes 3 principals involved here: the tower owners, the tower contractor and the phone providers. Frequently their interests are adverse.

Bob Horswill: We are a “Bird City.” He is concerned about bird kill…wants the balloon test to determine visual problems.

Elaine Kuehnl: “Just keep the lights off!”

Bob Ford: What are the next steps? Dick Hemming said the town attorney’s approval of the contract was next and then the Town Board approval of the contract.

Diane Egan: Safety issues should be our first concern.

Roger Martin: Is each tower a separate issue? Yes…one is not dependent on the other.

Marshall Reckard: The towers have back-up generators in case of power failure.

Ann Milne: wants to invite the tower contractor to a public meeting to answer the public’s questions “up front.”

Ward Fuller: Who makes the decision to have a balloon test? Maybe we should have a committee formed?

Bob Horswill: Believes we have a consensus to limit the tower to under 200 feet so it need not be lighted. Thinks this should be conveyed to the Town attorney.

Virginia May: We all love the birds but people should come first.

Chairman Hemming noted there would be a Class 2 notice posted setting a Public Hearing to address possible repeal of Sec. 910 of the Zoning Ordinance and the tower issue would be an August Zoning agenda item.

Public Hearing to be set for August 6th as a part of the next regular Zoning Committee meeting.

This hearing adjourned at 9:52am.

Respectfully submitted:

Margaret V. Johnson Wiessner

Zoning Committee Secretary

Next meeting of the Presque Isle Zoning Committee & Plan Commission set for 8:30 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012.

Motion to adjourn by Marshall Reckard, second by Peggy Johnson Wiessner, Adjourned at 10:40 am.

Respectfully submitted: Peggy Johnson Wiessner, Secretary