Laserfiche WebLink
Metadata
Document management portal powered by Laserfiche WebLink 9 © 1998-2015 Laserfiche. All rights reserved.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1998 <br />A special and duly-called meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, with Mayor George B. <br /> <br />Adams, Jr. presiding, was held Thursday, June 4, 1998, in the Lower Level Conference Room, City Hall, <br />beginning at 11:00 A.M. The purpose of the meeting was a Work Session on two items: (1.) A report from <br />staff members of the City' s Community Development Department on a proposed Ordinance for the regulation <br />of placement oftelecommunications towers and related equipment within the Martinsville community; and (2.) <br />A presentation on a plan for replacement and enhancement of trees and landscaping in the Uptown <br />Martinsville area. The following members of Council were present: George B. Adams, Jr., Mayor; Dr. Mark <br />A. Crabtree, Vice-Mayor; and M. Gene Teague. Council Member Bruce H. T. Dallas was absent due to <br />illness and Council Member Elizabeth H. Haskell was absent due to travel outside the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Wayne Knox, Planning, Zoning and Housing Manager, and Mr. Chris Whitlow, Associate Planner, made <br />the presentation on the proposed teleeommunieations ordinance. Mr. Whitlow provided a brief review of <br />Federal law related to regulation oftelecommunications towers and equipment, and covered topics which <br />included land use effects, esthetics, safety land use issues, service demands, increasing growth of the cellular <br />telephone industry, changes in technology, and recent examples and applications. Mr. Whitlow stated that the <br />best way to begin to guide and regulate such towers and equipment was to put into place a comprehensive <br />and workable policy and ordinance today, to avoid future decision making challenges. He stated that the <br />intent of the proposed ordinance was to provide adequate service capability with the minimum number of <br />sites, address design issues that would preserve the esthetics of the viewshed, and address necessary safety <br />concerns. Mr. Whitlow characterized the location strategy as that of seeking to use existing locations, co- <br />location, and use of industrial~zoned land. He described the design strategy as one which would establish <br />preferred designs, provide accommodation for the service provider and blend into the natural environment as <br />much as possible. Safety strategies included compliance with Federal Communications Commission and <br />Federal Aviation Association rules and regulations and the provision of ninety-day cessation periods. Mr. <br />Whitlow then stated that policy implementation would be accomplished by amending the Zoning Ordinance, <br /> <br /> <br />