04-17-2012 PCMMINUTES
HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Hutchinson City Council Chambers
1. CALL TO ORDER 5:30 P.M.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman John Lofdahl at 5:30 p.m. with the following members
present: Raymond Norton, Christie Hantge, Dean Kirchoff, Dave Johnston and Chairman Lofdahl.
Absent: Jim Fahey and Bill Arndt Also present: Dan Jochum, Planning Director, Kent Exner, City
Engineer, Marc Sebora, City Attorney and Bonnie Baumetz, Planning Coordinator
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. CONSENT AGENDA
a) Consideration of Minutes dated March 20, 2012
Ms. Hantge moved to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Kirchoff.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a) CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW INSTALLATION OF A 6
FOOT DIAMETER SATELLITE DISH ON THE WATER TOWER LOCATED AT 2A CENTURY
AVENUE S.E.
Chairman Lofdahl opened the hearing at 5:32 p.m. with the reading of publication #7925 as
published in the Hutchinson Leader on April 4, 2012.
Mr. Jochum explained Verizon proposes to add three LTE panel antennas and two microwave
dishes (one is three feet in diameter and one is six feet in diameter). Verizon's current
installation consists of two Omni antennas and three panel antennas. The two Omni antennas
will be removed, the current panel antennas will remain, three additional panel antennas of a
similar size to the existing antennas will be installed, and two microwave dishes will be installed.
He stated only the 6 foot diameter satellite dish requires a Conditional Use Permit.
Mr. Jochum stated this is a straight forward request. He explained satellite dishes that are over
1 meter in diameter require a conditional use permit. In the past, they were all ground dishes
and required a fence but this dish is on the water tower and will not need a fence. There are no
conditions to the application and the request meets the requirement of the technical ordinance.
Discussion followed on covering the face of the dish to deflect wind. Steve fester, Selective Site
Consultants the agent for Verizon Wireless, explained this is a scoop type dish without a cover.
The inside is exposed. The structural analysis revealed the dish is structurally sound.
Mr. Norton made a motion to close the hearing. Seconded by Ms. Hantge, the hearing closed at
5:37 p.m.
Mr. Jochum stated screening is not required on the tower. He explained only ground dishes
would require screening.
Minutes
Planning Commission —April 17, 2012
Page 2
Mr. Kirchoff made a motion to recommend approval of the request with staff recommendations
noting screening is not necessary. Seconded by Mr. Johnston, the motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Lofdahl stated this item will be placed on the City Council consent agenda at their
meeting held April 24, 2012, in the Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.
5. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Jochum explained that Hutchinson Area Health Care is requesting an interim use permit to
allow them to bring in a temporary training trailer for several months. The interim use permit
requires a public hearing and staff proposes the commissioners set a special meeting for Tuesday,
May 1, 2012, at 5:30. He explained we will need a quorum. He reported he does not anticipate
problems with the request and explained an interim use permit sunsets when the use ends. The
Commissioners in attendance indicated they will be able to attend a May 1, 2012, special meeting.
6. OLD BUSINESS
7. COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
Mr. Jochum commented on the Government Training class in Brainerd on May 4th, regarding
shoreland variances. He reported Mayor Cook, John Lofdahl and himself will attend the class.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m.