Draft  PUBLIC HEARING & JOINT TOWN BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION  MEETING

February 17, 2011

 

The Town of Rutland Planning Commission and Board held a Public Hearing on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rutland Town Hall, 785 Center Rd., Stoughton, 53589 to consider Petition 10275/CUP 2157 for the proposed rezoning and CUP for a proposed 488 feet FM radio tower in the A-2(8) zoning district.

Parcel #’s 0510-341-9590-0, 0510-341-8150-0, 0510-341-9000-9

 

Proposed Tower Location:  South of 3768 Old Stage Rd. on property owned by Stoughton Farms, Inc.

 

Chairman Dale Beske convened the public hearing at 6:30 p.m.  All Board members and all Planning Commission members were present.  An attendance list containing 54 persons other than the Board is on file.

 

Dick Rogers, agent for Stoughton Farms, Inc., Dave Lysek, consulting engineer for Magnum Communications, and Dave Magnum, owner of Magnum Communications gave a brief overview of the proposed tower and reasons for seeking the installation of the tower in this location.

 

The following individuals spoke in opposition to the proposed tower and reside in the Town of Rutland unless noted differently:

Dave Deegan

Charles Burch

Leslie Burch

David Hunt (in favor of radio tower for Stoughton) (non-resident)

Walt Zeltner

Kevin Shea

Margaret Shea

Bill Eichelberg

Peter Vandeveer

Rhonda Wethal (not for or against)

Richard Zentner

Mike McCloskey

John Onsrud

Linda Van Brocklin

Gary Kershaw

Bernie Peterson

Jodie Igl

Don Marsh

Kathy Ziemba

Andrew Laundrie

Kathy Royer

Bob Postel

Tom Umhoefer

Allison Townsend

Jessica Polakowski

Darrel Ridgely

Gail Simpson

Mary Celley

Sue Williams

Owen Fankhauser

Jim Lutes, US Fish & Wildlife (information only regarding wildlife and tower siting guidelines)

Nancy Frost, WDNR – urged the Town to consider Fish and Wildlife recommendations.

Angela Rey

John Stier

John Onsrud

Luis Rey

Ari Georgiades

 

The Town also received emails from:

Bob Bryan

Francisco Pelegri

Marcel Thoma (support)

 

Charles Burch presented a petition containing 73 names of Town residents opposed to the tower.

 

Comments and concerns expressed by those speaking included the following:

Concern about the aesthetics and decreased property values. Any study done on the impact on real estate values?

Rutland  Communication Tower Ordinance 12.5  guidelines not met.

Proposal does not meet stated Goals of Town’s Comprehensive Plan.

Proposal in violation of Dane Co. ordinance.

Proposal close to three sensitive wildlife areas.

Tower would not enhance the health and safety of people and animals and birds. Studies referenced showing the numbers of bird kill from towers.

Questioned Evans (Radio Frequency Engineer) report.  Several felt there were deficiencies in report.

Tower would add nothing to the Town and Dane Co. economy.

Question whether this would affect existing FM radio stations (Developers responded it would not)

Effect of tower lights on skyline.  Size of proposed lights?

Town officials advised that this tower is not FCC mandated and that it is a local and county decision.

Felt the Evans report opinions were a violation of professional ethics.

Suggestion that tower be located along with others in Town of Dunn on Tower Drive.

What benefit to Town of Rutland?

Effect on existing Med Flight routes.

Questioned need for tower of that height.  Would it be possible to have one less than 200 feet negating need for lighted tower?

Outdated technology.  Satellite radio the future.

Would the tower offer anything specific to emergency notifications that are not already covered.

Dane County Interoperable Radio system would still be set up without the tower.

Board advised that typically in zoning matters there is no referendum.

Location questioned; why in Rutland?

 

It was noted that there is a great deal of information available on this matter that is posted on the Town’s website.

 

Following the individual speakers, the Planning Commission and Board members advised that the matter will be discussed at the February 28^th Planning Commission meeting to come up with a list of questions that are needed to provide more information before voting on the matter.  It was noted that the Dane Co. Public Hearing on the matter was held open until March 8^th ZLR meeting.  The date is already noted on the Town website and the time and location will be sought so that the information can be posted as well.

 

Some items questioned by town officials included: 

Out-dated letters of support for radio station from Stoughton businesses (dated 2004).

Co-location on Mandt tower north of Oregon an option?

Answer to question 4 on application (What other sites considered?) missing.

Clarification that the distance to the nearest residence listed in application is correct.

Clarification that the proposed height of tower is needed?

Clarification about the color of proposed tower as opposed to what is specified in Town ordinance to help visibility factor.

Location of other towers similar in height?

 

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn George, Clerk