The Mount Pleasant City Commission voted unanimously to postpone a decision on the rezoning to construct a cell tower in Chipp-A-Waters Park, 1403 W. High St.
The commission will re-evaluate the rezoning at their next meeting on July 13 and asked for more information before a decision is made.
More than eight residents from Mount Pleasant came to the meeting to speak out against the proposed rezoning, which includes land the Girl Scouts use for camping and group activities.
If approved, a tower will be built by Metro PCS, a cell phone company, and given to the city. It will generate revenue by renting space out to companies. Metro PCS would then enter a six year rental-free agreement and will begin to pay rent, starting at $18,000 a year, in its sixth year.
A second tower would be simultaneously constructed on the roof of Riverwood Apartments, 1 W. Mosher St.
Jody Sherwood, a Mount Pleasant resident, said she came to the city more than 25 years ago and stayed because of the city’s park system.
“We (my family and I) came because of the parks,” she said.
Sherwood, who is also involved in the Girl Scouts, said a cell phone tower is not an acceptable use of the park.
“We should pass on something better to our children,” she said.
Chairman of the Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation Department Bob Roberts said park aesthetics and a need to be stewards of the land were two reasons he is against the rezoning.
“We do know (the cell phone tower) is not going to enhance (Chipp-A-Waters Park,)” he said. “Are we setting a precedence using (our) park as a private enterprise?”
A petition with 12 additional signatures was collected by a Mount Pleasant resident and was passed on to the city commission as well.
Commissioner Jon Joslin spoke of mixed emotions and a need for more information before he could reach a decision. He also wished to dispel rumors of the city selling the parcel.
“We’re not selling anything,” he said. “By charter, we can’t sell property.”
Commissioner Sharon Tilmann said she had negative feelings about the tower, which would generate revenue for the city but would also have negative impact on the park.
“It’s a delicate balancing act, but I think we have to take the whole systematic view,” she said. “I don’t think (the tower) is justified.”
However, not are all opposed because the deal is a potential source of revenue for the city.
Duane Ellis, Public Works Department director, said the towers should bring in a lot of money for the city.
“We have a lucrative market with the university (here),” he said.
The city planning commission voted 4-3 on May 7 to recommend the city commission deny the request.
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Residents opposed to cell tower
Source: cm-life.com
Date: 06/24/2009
