After several debates over a proposed 150-foot Verizon monopole to be built at historic Shively Park, the Astoria, OR, city council has voted no by a 3-2 margin. The council met Monday and while Verizon was late to the game in requesting that its new plans go back to the planning commission, the city council still voted that the communications tower should not be in the park.
Some council members, according to the Daily Astorian, thought allowing a redesign to go back to the commission that had already turned down the project was “unorthodox.” Councilor Zetty Nemlowill said, “I feel uncomfortable even having this conversation after the public hearing has closed.”
Ron Zilli, a local forester who lives near the historic park, has been instrumental in arguing against the pole’s planned spot. He said in past meetings that the pole would be “more visible than Verizon and the city initially described.” In Monday’s meeting, he said that “it was inappropriate … to make the late request for the company after a majority of councilors indicated in January they would grant his appeals,” according to the Daily Astorian.
While the city agrees that wireless coverage is needed on the South Slope and surrounding areas, now Verizon is tasked with either coming back with a brand new application or challenging the council’s decision with the Land Use Board of Appeals.
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