Carefree Truth
Issue #620, January 29, 2018
Planning Director Stacey Bridge-Denzak explained that there were 3 Conditional Use Permit (CUP) cases to be considered by the Council. The first was requested by Maricopa County (MC) in association with Motorola Systems. The second was requested by Rural/Metro (R/M) Fire Department tactical radio communications. The third was requested by Sonoran Networks LLC (SN), a small wireless Internet service provider. They are separate actions but are interrelated because the ground on which they all wish to locate is owned by the Carefree Water Company Community Facilities District (CFWC). While they are bundled, each can stand on it's own, based on its merits.
The MC request was to construct and maintain a Public Safety Communications System as part of its Countywide Project P25 Upgrade. R/M's goal was to improve its tactical radio communications within the Town of Carefree and the immediate region. SN wished to provide broadband Internet service to residents in the northern part of Carefree. The CFWC site is a key location for completing MC's network. R/M provides fire service. Clear communications between their staff benefits Carefree and the region. SN currently provides Internet service to some Carefree residents.
The site, which is located on 2 lots, borders Carefree and Scottsdale. It sits on a ridge line, providing height that is important for communications systems. It is surrounded by R-170 zoning, containing both developed and undeveloped lots. Currently existing on the site are two 150 gallon water tanks, a shade structure, a generator, an equipment shelter, a transformer, a tower and an antenna. Carefree's Emergency Communications System is located there.
MC proposed to install a faux saguaro to hide its antenna, a new prefab shelter to replace the existing shelter, a new backup generator which would be moved to the other side of the site, and a new LP tank that would be placed behind a screening wall, making the generator and the LP tank less visible. R/M wished to replace its existing tower and antenna with a shorter one. SN wished to install a short mast and co-locate 2 antennas with the R/M lattice tower. The faux saguaro meets the Town's standards and would be similar to the existing faux saguaros seen in the Town's rights of way. It is considered a stealth application and fits into the surrounding environment.
Benefits to the community include improved communications for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and R/M, which provide police and fire protection to Carefree. The Town would gain free use of the County's state-of the art communications system, which would replace the Town's existing emergency communications network and eliminate the Town's maintenance cost. 8 new emergency radios would replace the Town's existing radios. Black Mountain impedes communication, and this would open up that corridor.
CUP requirements have been followed, including public notices, and stealth applications would be utilized. MC plans to hide its antenna in a faux saguaro. SN would utilize the R/M tower, not exceeding the height and painting it to match. R/M is replacing their antenna with a lower one, reducing the impact. The current use of the site is public facilities/utilities, not single-family residential. There would be no rooftop equipment or antennae mounted to buildings, and ground mounted equipment would be screened by retaining walls. There would be no emittance of odor, dust, gas, smoke, heat or glare. It would pose no detriment to public health, safety and welfare.
Neighborhood meetings were not required due to the low controversial nature of the request. Carefree's Planning Department sent out courtesy notifications of each public meeting to property owners within a 500' radius of the site. No formal opposition was received by the Town. There were 4 responses in support of the SN request, some of whom were already on the SN network but desired improved service. The others wanted to subscribe. The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) unanimously recommended approval.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted all the seeming upsides such as better safety, site appearance improvement, and the Town's money savings. He asked if there were any downsides. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak said no. If approved, it would provide an upgraded facility and high speed Internet for that part of Carefree. With the MC proposed increase of paving on the access road and driveway, it would also provide safer access to the CFWC site. Mayor Les Peterson asked how soon it would be operational. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak replied that it would take about a month for the Town to review the permits, after which construction could begin.
Scott Boal, representing his mother, said his family members are 40 year residents of Carefree. When the Town incorporated, there was no legal ingress/egress to the water tank, so his mother gifted it to the Town.
He could understand the emergency services applying at the same time, but opposed SN piggybacking on those applications. He believed that SN was primarily advantageous to those living in Desert Mountain and felt SN should put their antenna on Desert Mountain property. He said that most people want high speed Internet because they are not in close proximity to the towers, and if there were not several undeveloped lots in the area, there would have been more opposition. He insisted the radiation generated would be "huge", and said there are higher elevations to the north.
He liked the existing R/M tower because the owls and ravens perch on it, stating that lowering it 4' would be disadvantageous for the raptors. He also said if it were lower, it would be wider. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak assured him that the tower would be similar in width. He said a shorter tower would deliver worse service. He had not attended the P&Z meeting but admitted, upon questioning, that he had spoken with CFWC head Greg Crossman, who had addressed his concerns.
He again brought up his concerns about the radiation that would be emitted, said the requests provided a monetary incentive for the Town and repeated that SN was not necessary, servicing primarily Desert Mountain residents. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak reiterated that it would actually service a number of Carefree residents.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked about cost savings to the Town because of MC covering all future maintenance costs, software, hardware, etc. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak said the Carefree emergency network would be on the MC system, which would assume all costs. Gary Neiss said replacement batteries cost approximately $500 a year, plus maintenance due to wear and tear, and that radios should be upgraded just like cell phones.
All 3 of the CUP applications were unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/250739483
(Lyn's note: I am a P&Z Commissioner. The issue of radiation was part of our packet. It read, "Federal Standards:
Wireless communication facilities are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which establishes standards for radio frequencies (RF). As part of the Federal Telecommunications Act, the safety federal standards for RF waves are enforceable, and communities are not permitted to deny applications based on safety for sites that meet federal standards. This communications facility is in accordance with the FCC standards and well below RF emission allowances.)
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #620, January 29, 2018
Planning Director Stacey Bridge-Denzak explained that there were 3 Conditional Use Permit (CUP) cases to be considered by the Council. The first was requested by Maricopa County (MC) in association with Motorola Systems. The second was requested by Rural/Metro (R/M) Fire Department tactical radio communications. The third was requested by Sonoran Networks LLC (SN), a small wireless Internet service provider. They are separate actions but are interrelated because the ground on which they all wish to locate is owned by the Carefree Water Company Community Facilities District (CFWC). While they are bundled, each can stand on it's own, based on its merits.
The MC request was to construct and maintain a Public Safety Communications System as part of its Countywide Project P25 Upgrade. R/M's goal was to improve its tactical radio communications within the Town of Carefree and the immediate region. SN wished to provide broadband Internet service to residents in the northern part of Carefree. The CFWC site is a key location for completing MC's network. R/M provides fire service. Clear communications between their staff benefits Carefree and the region. SN currently provides Internet service to some Carefree residents.
The site, which is located on 2 lots, borders Carefree and Scottsdale. It sits on a ridge line, providing height that is important for communications systems. It is surrounded by R-170 zoning, containing both developed and undeveloped lots. Currently existing on the site are two 150 gallon water tanks, a shade structure, a generator, an equipment shelter, a transformer, a tower and an antenna. Carefree's Emergency Communications System is located there.
MC proposed to install a faux saguaro to hide its antenna, a new prefab shelter to replace the existing shelter, a new backup generator which would be moved to the other side of the site, and a new LP tank that would be placed behind a screening wall, making the generator and the LP tank less visible. R/M wished to replace its existing tower and antenna with a shorter one. SN wished to install a short mast and co-locate 2 antennas with the R/M lattice tower. The faux saguaro meets the Town's standards and would be similar to the existing faux saguaros seen in the Town's rights of way. It is considered a stealth application and fits into the surrounding environment.
Benefits to the community include improved communications for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and R/M, which provide police and fire protection to Carefree. The Town would gain free use of the County's state-of the art communications system, which would replace the Town's existing emergency communications network and eliminate the Town's maintenance cost. 8 new emergency radios would replace the Town's existing radios. Black Mountain impedes communication, and this would open up that corridor.
CUP requirements have been followed, including public notices, and stealth applications would be utilized. MC plans to hide its antenna in a faux saguaro. SN would utilize the R/M tower, not exceeding the height and painting it to match. R/M is replacing their antenna with a lower one, reducing the impact. The current use of the site is public facilities/utilities, not single-family residential. There would be no rooftop equipment or antennae mounted to buildings, and ground mounted equipment would be screened by retaining walls. There would be no emittance of odor, dust, gas, smoke, heat or glare. It would pose no detriment to public health, safety and welfare.
Neighborhood meetings were not required due to the low controversial nature of the request. Carefree's Planning Department sent out courtesy notifications of each public meeting to property owners within a 500' radius of the site. No formal opposition was received by the Town. There were 4 responses in support of the SN request, some of whom were already on the SN network but desired improved service. The others wanted to subscribe. The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) unanimously recommended approval.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted all the seeming upsides such as better safety, site appearance improvement, and the Town's money savings. He asked if there were any downsides. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak said no. If approved, it would provide an upgraded facility and high speed Internet for that part of Carefree. With the MC proposed increase of paving on the access road and driveway, it would also provide safer access to the CFWC site. Mayor Les Peterson asked how soon it would be operational. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak replied that it would take about a month for the Town to review the permits, after which construction could begin.
Scott Boal, representing his mother, said his family members are 40 year residents of Carefree. When the Town incorporated, there was no legal ingress/egress to the water tank, so his mother gifted it to the Town.
He could understand the emergency services applying at the same time, but opposed SN piggybacking on those applications. He believed that SN was primarily advantageous to those living in Desert Mountain and felt SN should put their antenna on Desert Mountain property. He said that most people want high speed Internet because they are not in close proximity to the towers, and if there were not several undeveloped lots in the area, there would have been more opposition. He insisted the radiation generated would be "huge", and said there are higher elevations to the north.
He liked the existing R/M tower because the owls and ravens perch on it, stating that lowering it 4' would be disadvantageous for the raptors. He also said if it were lower, it would be wider. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak assured him that the tower would be similar in width. He said a shorter tower would deliver worse service. He had not attended the P&Z meeting but admitted, upon questioning, that he had spoken with CFWC head Greg Crossman, who had addressed his concerns.
He again brought up his concerns about the radiation that would be emitted, said the requests provided a monetary incentive for the Town and repeated that SN was not necessary, servicing primarily Desert Mountain residents. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak reiterated that it would actually service a number of Carefree residents.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked about cost savings to the Town because of MC covering all future maintenance costs, software, hardware, etc. Mrs. Bridge-Denzak said the Carefree emergency network would be on the MC system, which would assume all costs. Gary Neiss said replacement batteries cost approximately $500 a year, plus maintenance due to wear and tear, and that radios should be upgraded just like cell phones.
All 3 of the CUP applications were unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/250739483
(Lyn's note: I am a P&Z Commissioner. The issue of radiation was part of our packet. It read, "Federal Standards:
Wireless communication facilities are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which establishes standards for radio frequencies (RF). As part of the Federal Telecommunications Act, the safety federal standards for RF waves are enforceable, and communities are not permitted to deny applications based on safety for sites that meet federal standards. This communications facility is in accordance with the FCC standards and well below RF emission allowances.)
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.