MEMBERS: Mike Ready, Chair; Jonathan Eady,
Vice-Chair; Shawn Gaither, Secretary; Penny England; and Ron Manson. Vivian Harris was absent.
STAFF:
Bob Schwartz, city manager and zoning administrator.
GUESTS:
Charles Rossignol, Margaret Dugan, and Kendra Mayfield, Oxford College;
and Wayne Bruce with Verizon Wireless.
OPENING:
Mr. Ready called the meeting to order and welcomed the guests.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Manson, seconded
by Mr. Eady, the minutes for the meeting of March 11 were approved.
Oxford College-dining Hall exit
stairs: Oxford
College has submitted a development permit application for modifications to the
rear exit stairs at the dining hall. Charles Rossignol was present to discuss
this with the Planning Commission. He noted that the bridge to the Branham and
East dormitory is the exit to the dining hall. When Branham and East is
demolished they will remove the stairs and then there will be no landing for
the exit. The plans are to rebuild the exit adding guardrails and a sufficient
landing. The changes have been approved by the state fire marshal’s office. The
Planning Commission members reviewed the plans and discussed the project with
Mr. Rossignol.
Upon motion of Mr. Eady seconded by
Ms. Gaither, the development permit was approved.
Oxford College-modular building: Oxford College submitted an
application for a development permit for the location of a third modular
building at 801 Asbury. Margaret Dugan discussed this third modular building
with the Planning Commission. Mr. Eady asked when the three modular buildings
would be removed from the site. Ms. Dugan stated that the goal is that once the
science building is complete, the need for the modular buildings will go away,
and therefore the modular buildings will be removed. This is likely to happen
by the spring of 2016. The Planning Commission asked about landscaping plans.
It will be possible to locate the building without removing any trees. There
will be some minimal landscaping around the new building. It will be set on
temporary piers. Mr. Eady asked about the electrical service. Mr. Schwartz
noted that Jody Reid, the city superintendent, has already been in touch with
the college about supplying sufficient electricity for the new building. This
will not present a problem to the city electric department. After further
discussion it was determined that a good deadline for removing the buildings
would be June 30, 2016.
Upon motion of Mr. Eady, seconded by
Mr. Manson, the development permit was approved with the condition that the
modular building will be removed by June 30, 2016 and that all utilities will
be approved through the Newton County Building Inspection Department.
Verizon cell phone tower: Verizon Wireless submitted an
application for a development permit approval for construction of an antenna
and an accessory building at the city’s water tower. Wayne Bruce was present
representing Verizon Wireless. He discussed the construction plans with the
Planning Commission. He noted that they would build a 12 foot by 26 foot
concrete pad on the back of the property and would locate a prefabricated
concrete shelter of 11.5’ x 25.5’ on the pad. Mr. Eady asked whether or not
this was going to result in exclusive use of this tower by Verizon Wireless.
Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Bruce reported that the contract between the city and
Verizon Wireless was “nonexclusive”. Mr. Eady cautioned that the easements
should be reviewed before being approved so that any additional wireless provider
would have physical access to the property.
Mr. Manson
noted that he used to be in the telephone business some time before cell phones
had become so popular. He had read recently that AT&T was experimenting
with two small cities to convert them completely from land lines to cell
phones. Therefore, it was to the city’s advantage to locate multiple carriers
on the water tower.
Upon motion of Mr. Eady, seconded by
Ms. Gaither, the development permit was approved with a caveat to the city
manager to be aware of the easements when they are negotiated so that access
for additional providers would be preserved.
ADJOURNMENT: After a motion by Mr. Manson,
seconded by Mr. Eady, Mr. Ready adjourned the meeting at 7:50 PM.
Submitted
by:
Bob Schwartz, Zoning Administrator