PC Min - 05/10/2011CITY OF CAMPBELL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
7:30 P.M.
MAY 10, 2011
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
TUESDAY
The Planning Commission meeting of May 10, 2011, was called to order at 7:30 p.m.,
in the Council Chambers, 70 North First Street, Campbell, California by Chair
Roseberry and the following proceedings were had, to wit:
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present
Commissioners Absent
Staff Present:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair:
Vice Chair:
Commissioner:
Commissioner:
Commissioner:
Commissioner:
Commissioner:
Bob Roseberry
Theresa Alster
Brian Brennan
Mark Ebner
Elizabeth Gibbons
Paul Resnikoff
Philip C. Reynolds, Jr.
None
Community Development
Director:
Planning Manager:
Assistant Planner:
City Engineer:
City Attorney:
Recording Secretary:
Kirk Heinrichs
Paul Kermoyan
Daniel Fama
Michelle Quinney
William Seligmann
Corinne Shinn
Motion: Upon motion by Commissioner Brennan, seconded by
Commissioner Alster, the Planning Commission minutes of the
meeting of April 26, 2011, were approved. (6-0-0-1; Commissioner
Reynolds abstained)
Campbell Planning Commission Minutes for May 10, 2011 Page 2
COMMUNICATIONS
There were no communications items.
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS OR POSTPONEMENTS
There were no agenda modifications or postponements.
ORAL REQUESTS
There were no oral requests.
***
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Chair Roseberry read Agenda Item No. 1 into the record as follows:
1. CIP2012-2016 Public Hearing to consider the City of Campbell's 2012-2016
Staff Capital Improvement Plan for citywide projects for consistency
with the City's General Plan. Tentative City Council Meeting
Date: June 7, 2011. Project Planner: Paul Kermoyan,
Planning Manager
Mr. Paul Kermoyan, Planning Manager, presented the staff report as follows:
• Explained that part of the budget process is to set aside money for capital
improvement projects for public improvements. Included are existing projects and
new ones.
• Added that the Government Code requires consistency of capital improvement
projects with the General Plan.
• Said that the Planning Commission forwards a recommendation to Council on the
finding for consistency of the CIP with the General Plan.
• Pointed out that a matrix has been provided that includes new projects and existing
carryover projects from one to five years out as well as the goals and policies from
the General Plan that justify why they are included.
• Recommended that the Planning Commission find the CIP to be consistent with the
General Plan and forward that recommendation on to Council.
Commissioner Brennan asked for clarification on the finding for consistency. Is the
Commission able to put forward alternatives or is it simply a yes or no recommendation
of consistency.
Planning Manager Paul Kermoyan explained that there are goals and policies offered
for each project in the CIP that demonstrate the relationship between the project and
GP policy.
Campbell Planning Commission Minutes for May 10, 2011 Page 3
Commissioner Brennan said he was actually wondering if this was a binary judgment
on the Commission's part.
Planning Manager Paul Kermoyan replied yes.
Commissioner Ebner asked if the park system improvements amount of $1.8 million
includes the Campbell Community Center, including the athletic fields, tracks, etc.
Planning Manager Paul Kermoyan advised that the City Engineer, Michelle Quinney, is
present and would best answer to specifics of the projects.
Ms. Michelle Quinney, City Engineer, said that the Community Center is included in
that project.
Commissioner Gibbons pointed out that the CEQA process for the CIP is being
handled differently.
Chair Roseberry opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 1.
Chair Roseberry closed the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 1.
Motion: Upon motion of Commissioner Reynolds, seconded by
Commissioner Resnikoff, the Planning Commission took minute
action to find the City of Campbell's 2012-2016 Capital
Improvement Plan for citywide projects to be consistent with the
City's General Plan and recommended to Council that the CIP be
found Categorically Exempt under CEQA as a policy document
rather than as a project. (7-0)
Chair Roseberry advised that this item would be considered by the City Council for
final action at its meeting on June 7, 2011.
***
Commissioner Reynolds advised that he must recuse from the next item due to a
professional conflict. He left the dais and chambers for the hearing.
Chair Roseberry read Agenda Item No. 2 into the record as follows:
Campbell Planning Commission Minutes for May 10, 2011 Page 4
2. PLN2010-301 Public Hearing to consider the application of AT&T for a
AT&T Conditional Use Permit (PLN2010-301) to allow the installation
of new telecommunications antennas and supporting equipment
on an existing PG&E tower on property located at 1469 S.
Bascom Avenue in a P-F/O-S (Public Facilities/Open Space)
Zoning District. Staff is recommending that this project be
deemed Categorically Exempt under CEQA. Planning
Commission action final unless appealed in writing to the City
Clerk within 10 calendar days. Project Planner: Daniel Fama,
Assistant Planner
Mr. Daniel Fama, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report as follows:
• Advised that the project site is on South Bascom near the VTA station and the Los
Gatos Creek Trail.
• Explained that the site contains a PG&E tower as well as two equipment sheds that
serve two wireless carriers. The zoning is P-F/O-S (Public Facilities/Open Space).
A Conditional Use Permit is required for wireless facilities.
• Reported that the proposed project would modify an existing AT&T installation that
was originally installed in 2000 and renewed in 2006. The applicant will install
three LTE antennas which serve AT&T's 4th generation wireless technology. These
antennas will be located above future T-Mobile antennas that were approved
recently but have not yet been installed.
• Said that the applicant has provided a coverage map that depicts the planned
coverage within the City of Campbell. There is a new site on McCoy that is
pending and the balance are in place and operational.
• Recommended approval of a Conditional Use Permit and find this application to be
consistent with the Telecommunications Ordinance, zoning and General Plan.
• Clarified that on page 3 of the report the length of permit term currently reads 2007
and should read 2017. With approval of this application the expiration date would
extend out to 2021.
Commissioner Alster presented the Site and Architectural Review Committee report as
follows:
• Reported that SARC reviewed this application on January 25, 2011.
• Said that SARC was supportive of this request but requested the provision of
additional information regarding coverage provided.
• Added that the request coverage maps were provided.
Chair Roseberry opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 2.
Commissioner Gibbons said she had a question for the applicant. She said that since
T-Mobile is being purchased by AT&T how overlapping will be dealt with.
Mr. Christian Hill, Representative for AT&T:
• Said that it was too early to tell.
Campbell Planning Commission Minutes for May 10, 2011 Page 5
• Added that the technologies will work parallel.
• Stated that some duplicate sites could be deactivated, as necessary, in the future.
Commissioner Gibbons explained that this Commission is cautious to ensure that
coverage provided by cell sites in Campbell benefits Campbell residents directly. This
site is near the border of the City but appears to provide coverage to Campbell
residents.
Mr. Christian Hill said that the coverage map shows existing sites and one proposed
site. Other sites are under operation without LTD updated equipment. He reiterated
that, the short answer for now is they don't know the impacts of the T-Mobile purchase
on equipment decisions.
Commissioner Ebner asked if the approved equipment for T-Mobile for placement on
this site would still be installed.
Mr. Christian Hill said that the equipment approved for T-Mobile on this site would be
installed.
Chair Roseberry closed the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 2.
Commissioner Ebner said that with two previous approvals he questions whether this
PG&E tower is being loaded up more than necessary that is creating something
visually unattractive.
Chair Roseberry said that there is some difference in technology. In the short run,
both will be operating. He said that as Commissioner Gibbons brought up, this site is
located at the edge of Campbell.
Commissioner Brennan pointed out that if AT&T and T-Mobile are willing to make this
investment in equipment placement, they've done the math to substantiate it.
Commissioner Ebner reiterated the need to evaluate how such installations will appear
in this community and whether they make sense.
Planning Manager Paul Kermoyan agreed. He added that staff has discussed to what
extent this site may become over-saturated with antennas. In staff's opinion and
evaluation, this approval will probably be enough for this site.
Chair Roseberry:
• Said that cell sites are a necessary evil just like phone poles.
• Added that the PG&E tower itself is not a work of art.
• Agreed that the City needs to be vigilant as to where sites are located.
Commissioner Ebner:
• Suggested that Campbell may be carrying more of a burden, with respect to
number of cell sites, than surrounding communities.
Campbell Planning Commission Minutes for May 10, 2011 Page 6
• Stated that perhaps it is easier to get approvals from Campbell.
• Said that it seems Campbell has more of a load of appliances (cell sites) and their
ugliness.
• Concluded that he wants to be sure Campbell does not assume more burden for
these sites then its neighboring communities.
Commissioner Resnikoff:
• Reported that it was discussed at SARC that this applicant must ensure that this
new installation will improve coverage for Campbell than can be provided without it.
• Added that it's not so bad to place this equipment on a PG&E pole rather than a
stand alone pole elsewhere.
Commissioner Gibbons:
• Pointed out that there have been lots of cell sites in the last couple of years.
• Said that the question to ask is, "does it serve Campbell?"
• Suggested that with future applications, applicants be asked to verify their nearest
sites outside of Campbell to any proposed for inside Campbell limits.
• Recounted that similarly, in the past an over-saturation of storage facilities was a
problem in Campbell. Campbell had the largest per capita provision of storage
facilities.
Chair Roseberry said that telephone poles are ugly but there are so many of them they
tend to "go away" as far as being noticed.
Director Kirk Heinrichs said these types of concerns are one reason the Wireless
Telecommunications Ordinance will be reviewed in the coming year as part of the
Planning Department's Work Plan.
Motion: Upon motion of Commissioner Brennan, seconded by
Commissioner Resnikoff, the Planning Commission adopted
Resolution No. 4024 approving a Conditional Use Permit
(PLN2010-301) to allow the installation of new
telecommunications antennas and supporting equipment on an
existing PG&E tower on property located at 1469 S. Bascom
Avenue, subject to the conditions of approval, by the following
roll call vote:
AYES: Alster, Brennan, Ebner, Gibbons, Resnikoff and
Roseberry
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Reynolds
Chair Roseberry advised that this action is final unless appealed in writing to the City
Clerk within 10 calendar days.
Campbell Planning Commission Minutes for May 10, 2011
Page 7
Commissioner Reynolds returned to the chambers and dais following the conclusion of
Agenda Item 2.
***
REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Director Kirk Heinrichs reported that Council has asked to review the Downtown
Alcohol Policy. He said he would keep the Planning Commission informed.
ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Commission meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m. immediately to a Study
Session and subsequently to the next Regular Planning Commission Meeting of
May 24, 2011.
SUBMITTED BY:
Corinn inn, Recording Secretary
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APPROVED BY: ` ~' ` `~ ~u- L'--~ ~Z -"
Bob Roseberry, Chair ,
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Kirk ' ~rich ,Secretary