|
Bel Aire cell tower is voted down By David Dinell Last Updated: September 17, 2015 There won't be a cell phone tower built in Bel Aire — at least not for awhile. A proposal to construct a 170-foot cell phone tower west of Sunrise Christian Academy, at 5450 E. 45th North, was voted down by a 3-2 vote Sept. 15 by the Bel Aire City Council. Members Ramona Becker, Guy MacDonald and Betty Martine voted against the proposal and Peggy O'Donnell and Mayor David Austin voted for it. Ken Lee is no longer on the council, having resigned. The mayor was allowed to vote as it dealt with a special use permit. However, after the vote, representatives of the tower developer said they will appeal the decision to the Federal Communications Commission and, if needed, take the issue to district court. The council members who voted no said that they realize that their decision may ultimately be overturned by a higher governing body, but they felt it was important to take a stand and that they were representing the will of residents. Tower project manager Reagon Hicks said the Bel Aire vote was highly unusual. "We've rarely been turned down by other cities," he said. Becker continued to question the need to place the tower where it was planned, which she said is too close to a residential area. For his part, Hicks said that was the one area identified that would have maximum effectiveness for cell phone and data customers. Helen Duncan, who has lived in the area since 1965, spoke at the meeting, saying the structure would devalue her home. "I do not want that tower in my backyard. If you put the tower in there, what's next for that land?" she asked. MacDonald said he was told through an informal survey he took that most people don't want the tower. O'Donnell remained the lone council member backing the tower, saying she doesn't understand the opposition to it, especially after the developers went through the proper steps and got the planning commission's approval. Before the meeting, Austin had said the tower would improve cell phone coverage and data transmission, which would help the city grow and attract new residents and businesses. After the vote, he was disappointed but not surprised. "They (the developers) did what they were supposed to do," he said. "It is what it is." The subject came before the council at its Sept. 1 meeting, but members said they didn't have enough time to study the issue. They also had concerns about the location, along with possible effects on property values. To cover those concerns, a special one-hour workshop on the matter was held before the regularly scheduled Sept. 15 meeting. The tower had been approved by the Bel Aire Planning Commission by a 4-2 margin, and recommendations by that body usually move with little fanfare through the council. While council members wanted more time, there were limits on how long it could take, as it was under a 30-day timeframe to get the matter settled. The next meeting would be Oct. 6, thus it needed to be settled at its Sept. 15 meeting. The tower, to be built by Natchez, Miss.-based Stout & Co. LLC, is on property owned by Sunrise superintendent Robert Lindsted and not the school. However, the school would stand to benefit with improved data transmission, he said. After completion, Stout & Co. would lease rights to cell phone companies. Although the tower would be the same height as the city's water towers, it wouldn't have the same visual impact, as it would be a narrow, thin structure and only have antennas on it and not microwaves, supporters said. The company had to get approval from the Federal Aviation Administration because of the tower's height. Company officials say they have received FAA clearance and would place warning devices for aircraft on the structure. In other business, the council: •Approved an appropriations ordinance of $308,041. •Received a check for $1,643 from the Bel Aire Lions Club for a defibrillator to be placed at the city pool. "I hope it never has to be used, but if it does, it could save someone's life," said Richard Caldwell, club president. City Manager Ty Lasher accepted the funds on behalf of the city. Other club members present were Gary O'Neal, Grace Kneil and Pat MacDonald. The club raised the money from service projects and fireworks sales. •Authorized a $8,850 change order for Rock Spring for retention pond grading and seeding. The change was requested by the developer. •Approved a change order with Kansas Paving for up to $8,850. •Held a public hearing, as required by state law, on a proposed $7.5 million industrial revenue bond for Buzzi Unicem. No one from the public spoke during the hearing. •Appointed Ken Lee to the Chisholm Creek Utility Authority board. Lee is a professional engineer and has an interest in the CCUA and its undertakings as the water supplier for Bel Aire. •Approved two agreements with Park City. One dealt with a waste water agreement regarding treatment costs by CCUA, the other concerned a financing agreement for an energy conservation project between Bel Aire, Park City and the CCUA. •Authorized the sale of general obligation bonds. They are: Series 2015D; taxable general obligation bonds, Series 2015E; and general obligation temporary notes, Series 2015F. All five council members and the mayor were present. There was one five-minute executive session with no binding action. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at City Hall. |
|
||
Contact Ark Valley News | Archives |
||||