An antenna that was approved in 2013 was recently placed atop the bell tower at Adriatica Village in McKinney and many residents are not pleased, reported the McKinney Courier-Gazette. One resident commented that the modification to the bell tower in the Croatian-style village—designed to blend into the existing structure—is “the most hideous addition I’ve ever seen.”
Per Bary Shelton, city development services director, “The tower…was permitted by right and did not require city council approval,” due to the bell tower being zoned in a commercial district.
City ordinance allows cell antennas and support structures to be attached to existing structures if they are camouflaged. All commercial antennas must comply with several criteria related to the antennas and the existing building’s height and proximity to residential areas. Additionally, an antenna cannot extend more than 10 feet above the structure it’s placed on.
In the case of the bell tower, nearby residents don’t feel the new antenna blends in as required, reported the Courier-Gazette. “In my opinion, it is a huge blow to the soul of this community,” one resident remarked in an email to the city council. This same resident also expressed concerns regarding the antenna emitting, “large amounts of radiation into the air.”
Mayor Brian Loughmiller said that the permit for the antenna is allowed under the original ordinance for Planned Development districts. Comments? Email us.
December 4, 2018
