HomeMy WebLinkAboutWRITTEN RESPONSE - SBA Towers, Inc - Approx 4th E & 12th S - CUP for 195' tower & telecommunications facilityAirlink Inc. 4030 E. Iona Rd, Idaho Falls, ID 83401, 208-523-1597
January 26, 2001
Dear Sir or Madam:
I would like to take this opportunity to comment upon
the proposed cellular tower to be located at 4th East and
12th South, Rexburg, Madison County, Idaho.
May I suggest that any conditional use permit granted
for this and any subsequent towers be required to have
adequate lighting installed so as to be visible to any
aircraft in the area as well as a height restriction based
on existing obstructions in the surrounding area.
Airlink, Inc. is the aviation vendor for Eastern Idaho
Regional Medical Centers Air Idaho Rescue helicopter
program. As we frequently perform patient flights to
Madison Memorial Hospital it is in our interest to be able
to see and avoid any airspace obstructions.
That particular area, which contains our approach and
departure paths to and from the hospital, already contains
the city water tower as well as several lit and unlit
towers. We are not opposed to having a new tower in that
area, but, as mentioned above, would like to see some sort
of stipulation on the owners to comply with height and
lighting requirements.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
L'-. 4"�
Erik C. Gullikson
President/Pilot
'41'2orvti'1'A'I'lUN DEPARTMENT
AERONAUTICS • P.O. BOX 7729 • BOISE, lD • 83 70 7-1128 .
(208) 334-8775
February 1, 2001
Rexburg Planning and Zoning Commission
Attn: Marilyn Hansen
P.O. Box 280
Rexburg, ID 83440
Re: Proposed cellular tower at approximately 4'h East and 12'h South
Dear Commissioners:
The proposed tower at the subject location will constitute a hazard to navigation under
Idaho Code Sections 21-513 through 21-520 and Idaho Transportation Department Rule
No. 39.04.02. The 200' tower will penetrate FAR Part 77 imaginary surfaces for the
Rexburg — Madison County Airport. The State of Idaho will require marking and
lighting as per FAA Advisory Circular 70/6470-1,. Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 12.
Should an FAA evaluation determine that this installation would impact the instrument
approach minimums for the airport, we would object to this structure.
Sincerely,
Wayne D. Pickerill, PE
Airport Planning and Development Engineer
Cc: John Millar, Public Facilities Director
An Equal Opportunity Employer -
RICHARD F. SMITH
February 3, 2001
Rexburg City Council
P O Box 280
Rexburg, Idaho 83440
637 Millhollow
POBox 8
Rexburg, Idaho 83440
Telephone (208) 356-4912
Fax (208) 356-5959
Re: Public Hearing regarding proposed cellular tower— February 7, 2001
Dear council members,
I regret not being able to attend the hearing scheduled for February 7, 2001 regarding the
building of a proposed tower in the Rexburg impact zone. I present the following information
and suggestions with the hope that it will assist in the decision which is before you.
The proposed tower lies approximately 1/4 mile east of the Rexburg water tower and is
adjacent to land which I own. The proposed sight is located in the impact zone of the City of
Rexburg and it is my understanding that approval of the tower will be subject to a conditional use
permit in the existing zone. At the current sight is a tower that does not exceed the height of the
water tower and is unlighted.
The construction of towers in this particular area is always a concern for safe aircraft
operations. The area (indeed most of the city of Rexburg) lies within the protected area of the
instrument approach to the Rexburg airport. As tower construction increases in this highly
elevated area, the greater chance the instrument approach into the airport may be altered; thereby
lowering the approach minimums and compromising the effectiveness of the instrument
approach.
The proposed location is also an area where life flight helicopter operations and my own
personal helicopter operations have been conducted for the past 20 years. Numerous night
operations occur over the exact area where the tower is proposed. When the current unlit tower
was constructed all of us believed that the FAA would require that the tower be lighted.
Apparently FAA regulations did not require that the tower be lighted. The current unlit tower in
the area and any future ones are and will be a hazard to the safe operation of medial helicopter
flight operations and other flight operations that have regularly used the area for the past 20
years.
During the past five years, I have attended and expressed concern regarding the
proliferation of towers in the area and their impact on the safe operation of aircraft in the area as
well as the impact they have on future residential and commercial development. As a result of
input from myself and many of the residents of the area, the planning and zoning commission or
the city council have always imposed restrictions that the height of the towers do not exceed the
height of other existing structures in the area. But the question as to whether a tower is an
appropriate use in various areas seems to go unaddressed.
I believe the council must address just how many towers will be allowed throughout
Rexburg and in what areas they should or should not be allowed. Over and over again, requests
are made to locate towers in areas that will ultimately be residential or commercial. Within a
short time after the towers are constructed, many wonder just how compatible the tower is with
the surrounding uses. Currently, 80 acres of my property lies within the city limits. Although
there has not been a preliminary plat filed for the property, a proposed plat does exist. Future
plans for the property are for residential use. Towers should not and cannot continue to be
authorized pursuant to conditional use permits in these and other areas without due consideration
of their impact on surrounding areas The city must determine how such a particular use impacts
all zones and adopt specific zoning regulations assuring that the location of towers is compatible
with surrounding development.
I have felt so strongly about this issue that two existing towers located on property
which I own —1 mile to the north and east of the proposed location -- have been converted to
very short term leases. The owners of the towers have been informed that at such time as future
uses in the surrounding lands becomes incompatible with the towers, the leases will not renew
and the towers will be removed.
For the above reasons, I respectfully request that this tower not be allowed to be erected
in the area until such time as the council takes the time to determine the long range effect of these
structures in the area. In the event it is authorized, I request that it be allowed pursuant to the
following conditions:
1. The tower not exceed the height of the Rexburg water tower or the unlighted tower
which is located in close proximity to the proposed site.
2. The tower meet specific lighting requirements imposed by the city that are in addition
to those required by the FAA and satisfy the concerns of existing users of the airspace.
I The conditional use authorizing the tower be for a finite period. At such time as the
tower is incompatible with future uses, it will no longer be authorized and it will be removed.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter and for your many efforts in behalf of
our community.
Sincerely,
Richard F. Smith