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GREATER
AVENUES COMMUNITY COUNCIL Minutes
September 6, 2000 ~ Page 2
POWERLINES:
John Sittner: I want to bring up a topic concerning the
power lines, utility easement, and the number of wires we see
hanging on the utility poles. We have a number of requests from
AT&T, 11 of them so far, for utility boxes for Internet supply.
We have lots of changing technology. More and more players are
asking for construction and infrastructure permits with a shorter
life span of utility. It is my suggestion that we urge the City
and Planning Commission to consider where we are headed so that
we don't have electronic things hanging all around without some
plan. It would be a good idea to ask the City to look at the
impact of all this, and how we can do the best job. There are
several conditional use permits pending for cell towers, satellite
dishes, microwave antennas etc. And we need to see that they
are located where they will not disturb the esthetics. I have
a proposed motion. (Handed-out) COMMENT: There are too
many signs on B Street. Can we address that too? QUESTION:
How much flexibility do utility companies have? RESPONSE:
from Jackie Gaspatric, City Planning: We have asked for them
to put them in the back yards and alleys, and to be less obtrusive.
We would have to force them to it, however, if we were to make
that law. QUESTION: Cell Phone Towers: Are you addressing
or considering the safety issue on Cell Phone Towers? RESPONSE:
We have not, but we could. SUGGESTION-Phil Carroll: I
recommend #6 that they have graffiti-proof coatings so that
they won't become an eyesore. And #7 - The Company provide for
or Bond for obsolete technology to be removed. QUESTION:
What is your suggestion on Funding for such a proposal to be
implemented? RESPONSE: Underground is the only one that
is very costly. Scottish Power owns the Power Poles. They collect
a fee from those who hang their power lines on their poles.
(This fee is not shared with the Community.) I think that it
is not going to be a huge cost to the City. If we have forethought
and have underground stuff put in at the same time there is
street resurfacing, it cost about 50% less. QUESTION:
How do they get permission to put in a utility box? RESPONSE:
They have to contact the neighbors who live in a 300 feet radius,
and petition the City for permission. QUESTION: The pole
that obstructs your view, aren't there any other things that
annoy you? What is your suggestion to handle all the different
things that are visually annoying? RESPONSE: We are going
to focus on one issue at a time. WE are keeping a master plan
on these. We have asked the utilities to put in underground
utilities whenever we can. RICHARD: We have had a suggestion
to add different things to this proposition so we postpone this
until next month, to give people time to come and cast their
vote. RALPH: The plan needs to say that as streets are
resurfaced, we make them mandatory to add underground utilities.
DISCUSSION: There were comments concerning Safety issues
associated with technology. Graffiti proof the boxes; put them
underground. Remove obsolete and unused equipment. Esthetics
should also be considered. Take into consideration any information
that suggests adverse health effects of the technology. TOM
Rogan: Are you making this at no expense to the taxpayer. We
have to address how it is going to be paid for. Otherwise, it
is not responsible to add it in. RICHARD: We are just
asking that the City be thinking about a plan. TOM: I
am thinking about it and it involves raising your property taxes.
There is always a cost, whether a utility bills or whether taxes.
VOTE is taken on making a Motion to the City, and we
will come next month with modifications: In Favor: 27. Opposed:
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