The Edmond Planning Commission wrestled this week with whether the city and its residents can tolerate another 150-foot cell phone tower. There currently are 23 towers inside the city limits.
After a short debate Tuesday night, the commission decided by a vote of 1-4 that it’s not ready to accept T-Mobile’s proposal.
“We have coverage needs in this area,” said Greg Wyrick, a T-Mobile representative.
In a second attempt to build a new monopole tower in Edmond, T-Mobile has a lease agreement with the YMCA on Rankin Street for just enough property next to the building for a tower and its fenced enclosure.
He submitted a petition signed by T-Mobile customers stating they desire better cell phone coverage in Edmond.
However, under the city’s revised Title 22 ordinance, all cell phone towers must be on property zoned for the highest commercial usage available. The land currently is zoned for single family usage, said Bob Schiermeyer, city planner.
The Planning Commission was asked to consider a masterplan amendment and the rezoning of the 1,546.11 square feet needed by T-Mobile.
Two residents opposed the rezoning effort in person, and other nearby property owners sent a letter seeking a continuance because they could not be present due to working as precinct volunteers during Tuesday’s presidential primary election.
Jamie Yeager, a nearby homeowner, objected to the plan for many reasons. Two of his top concerns were surrounding property values and any health concerns possible from side effects of living near the tower’s equipment. Some international studies have cited increased risk of cancer after varying levels of exposure, he said.
“Even if I’m not able to prove the health link beyond a shadow of a doubt, I don’t have to if there’s even a hint of concern,” Yeager said.
In addition to the YMCA, which serves as a health and day care facility, Central Middle School also is nearby.
“Who doesn’t want a few extra bars on their cell phone?” Yeager asked, but noted that the city’s priority should be for the health and safety of its residents. “I desperately want to believe we are better than this.”
He urged the commission to force T-Mobile to co-locate an antenna upon an existing cell tower.
Pam Hibbs asked the commission members to consider whether they would want a 150-foot cell phone tower within sight of their home.
Commissioner Barry Moore said he believes T-Mobile should have granted the continuance request of the absent neighbors and questioned whether the customer survey had significant meaning when many of the signees were not immediate neighbors of the site.
Commissioner LeRoy Cartwright was the only member to vote in favor of the two applications, while Moore, Bill Moyer, Suzy Thrash and Ingrid Young voted against the proposal.
The Edmond City Council will consider T-Mobile’s requests at its Feb. 25 meeting.
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Commission downs cell tower plan
Source: Edmondsun
Date: 02/07/2008
