The Monroe County (IL) Planning Commission Land Use Committee issued a unanimous denial to AT&T’s request for setback variances. As the Republic-Times reports, there is still a final vote to be cast at the group’s March meeting. If the vote does not change, AT&T will be forced to withdraw and seek an alternate location for a cell tower in the Columbia area.
A cell tower currently stands within 500 feet of the proposed site, but Parallel Towers LLC spokesman, Nathan Davenport, said the tower is already operating at 104 percent of capacity. AT&T would like Parallel Towers to construct a new tower on a neighboring site. However, the narrow lot size would require zoning variances of 64, 70 and 75 feet on three of the four borders. Davenport noted that the higher elevation of the site would mean lower towers could be placed there.
Some in attendance argued that county setback rules requiring space of at least 80 percent of a tower’s height was a protection that should not be waived. Land Use chairman, Dan Davis, agreed that acceding to AT&T would set a “bad precedent” and would lead to a “huge moment of regret.”
Davenport was also challenged on the desirability and appeal of better cell service in the region. Attorney Keegan Shea said an alternate study contradicted Davenport’s statement that the current cell tower was over capacity. Shea also said since the current tower’s agreement is good until 2025, building a second tower would not be a financial benefit.
Jane Kolmer added that in her capacity as a successful realtor® in the region, she can attest that homebuyers will not embrace a great connection if it means a cell tower next door. She said that Davenport was incorrect in saying potential homeowners weighed a good connection as a selling point.
According to the Republic-Times, Davis closed the meeting saying that AT&T and Parallel Towers should pick another site because they had not proven that the requested site was undeniably the best choice. He said that AT&T should expand their search radius and look elsewhere. For now, the unanimous “No” vote from the Monroe County Planning Commission Land Use Committee has put AT&T’s plans on hold.
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