Church Leasing Land to Verizon, Residents Unhappy

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For two years, The Chapel decision makers in Mundelien, IL, have prayed about leasing land to Verizon Wireless. And now, the answer seems to be yes. Verizon has requested a special use permit to build a cell tower on church property. While the tower is designed to mimic an 80-foot tall flagpole with an aerial light that would not flash, nearby residents are not thrilled with the decision.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the tower would be built near Hawley Street and Route 60/83, on The Chapel grounds, pending a “special use” permit. Residents have begun an online petition to stop the tower from being erected with 265 signatures to date, and there are more signatures on a paper petition. Concerns include negative impacts of the tower, including decreased property values and sound coming from a proposed flag that would go on top of the tower. The homeowners are tasked with finding where these items were a hindrance in similar communities. Residents say they can provide the evidence at the next public hearing, which has not yet been scheduled. They also propose other commercial locations that are “better suited for a cell tower.”
Pastor Thomas McArthur told the Tribune that the church has “struggled with the decision” to lease the land since Verizon approached the church two years ago. Verizon’s claim is that this church’s property is “ideal from a scientific perspective.” McArthur said that the church could use the money to expand outreach and social services, including homelessness and hunger outreach. He also would like to create new programs with the money, but he does not know the exact dollar figure the church will get from the lease.