Following a three-hour public hearing, Illinois’ Geneva Planning and Zoning Commission declined to grant a special use permit to Verizon (NYSE: VZ). According to the Daily Herald, Doug Dolan of Dolan Realty Advisors argued on behalf of the 85-foot cell tower, saying that Verizon had met all conditions to meet the criteria for the permit. Dolan stated that the “modest” tower would not impact property values or draw undue attention to itself with its concealed equipment and light gray paint. Most important, he added, would be the closing of a coverage gap in the area.
Residents in the Eagle Brook development countered with a video presentation challenging Dolan’s claims. Their material demonstrated that property values would potentially be lower if the cell tower were approved. Residents, led by homeowner Emily McCafferty, also decried the appearance of the tower, stating, “This tower belongs in an industrial or commercial area that is not closely surrounded by residential homes.”
Fellow resident Dale Rathunde attacked from another angle, saying that a cell tower at the proposed location was not necessary, according to the Daily Herald. Rathunde shared his opinion that Verizon wanted to build a cell tower not because demands on the current system required it, but because it aimed to get people to switch from cable to Verizon’s home internet product.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Commission voted 6-0 against the Verizon cell tower. Should he choose to keep pursuing the project, Dolan was advised to take the application to city council, along with a signed lease for Verizon, structural design plans, and a review from the National Environmental Protection Agency. It was also suggested that he include information documenting that the current system is at capacity to explain why a new cell tower is needed.
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