HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-15 Business Meeting MinutesDeschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Bend, OR 97701-1960
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MINUTES OF BUSINESS MEETING
DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2010
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Commissioners' Hearing Room - Administration Building - 1300 NW Wall St., Bend
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Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke, Alan Unger and Tammy Baney; also
present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Laurie Craghead, County
Counsel; Nick Lelack and Kevin Harrison, Community Development; and three
other citizens.
Chair Luke opened the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
1. Before the Board was Citizen Input.
None was offered.
2. Before the Board was Consideration of Second Reading and Adoption of
Ordinance No. 2010-011, Amending Code regarding Siting of Wireless
Telecommunications Facilities.
Laurie Craghead explained that there were some minor changes made to the
Ordinance, and asked that the second reading be delayed to the Wednesday,
March 17, 2010 Board business meeting. The Board agreed.
3. Before the Board was a Public Hearing on an Appeal of the Hearings
Officer’s Denial of a Wireless Telecommunications Facility in the Surface
Mining Zone.
Chair Luke opened the public hearing and read the opening statement (a copy of
which is attached for reference).
Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Business Meeting Monday, March 15, 2010
Page 1 of 3 Pages
In regard to bias, prejudgment or personal interest, none were disclosed. There
was a work session held to discuss this previously.
Kevin Harrison gave an overview of the item. (A copy of the staff report is
attached.)
Commissioner Luke said he is having a hard time understanding where cellular
towers are allowed. It appears that they can’t be on EFU or surface mining land
if there is an alternative of using private land that is not within that zoning.
Mr. Harrison stated they are allowed to some degree in all zones. However, an
alternative outside a resource zone has to be considered first.
Commissioner Luke said that land is either F-1 or F-2, EFU, surfacing mining
or RR-10 and MUA-10. The rest is resource land. Mr. Harrison stated that this
mirrors State law. An alternative has to be used if it is available and helps meet
service objectives. The alternative site analysis has to happen first.
Commission Unger stated that he’d like to see a map where new towers can be
located, preferably where others already exist. There are few residents in some
areas.
Ms. Craghead stated that it is not just service to residents that has to be
considered, but for people passing through. When talking about service areas,
an explanation is necessary if the provider feels there are gaps and why a
specific tower is necessary.
Kevin Martin, representing the applicant, asked for a continuance of the
hearing, as they have not been able to get the final RF plots. Two potential
locations on non-resource land were investigated, but he is waiting for the plots
from Verizon and AT&T. Those will show what is needed and what will
provide coverage. He then waived the 120-day time limit and the Board
indicated April 19, 2010 would be the best date for a continuance.
He said that there are only two general areas that might work, but he will not
have all the information until later in the month. He said in general they are
required to have adequate vegetative coverage, but most of the trees in the area
are junipers that are not very tall.
Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Business Meeting Monday, March 15, 2010
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