An Astoria, OR, forester is appealing the decisions of Astoria’s Historic Landmarks Commission, as well as the planning commission, to erect a new 150-foot Verizon tower at Shively Park. The tower, which will be constructed under an agreement the city made with Verizon to remove an old communications tower from Coxcomb Hill, will be constructed as a gray monopole to blend with the sky.
Ron Zilli, the forester, is appealing the decisions made by the city, and will be heard before the Astoria City Council on Monday, November 16. His appeal is based on his belief that the monopole will not be harmonious with the overall nature of the historic park and leave a much larger footprint than Verizon has claimed. Zilli also claims the city council was biased in favor of the agreement because of previous agreement made with local organizations.
“A 150-foot-tall metal tower at the end of a knoll, to me, just seemed inherently in conflict with the natural setting there,” the Daily Astorian quoted Zilli in its news report.” At one point, Zilli demonstrated to Angela Cosby, the director of the Astoria’s Parks and Recreation Department, how he believes the tower will stand above the tree line. In turn, she requested more clarification from Verizon.
The old lattice tower waiting for removal is not capable of handling the extra capacity needed to improve local emergency communications and Verizon’s wireless service in nearby neighborhoods. Under the city’s agreement, equipment for improved city emergency communications will be installed at a new lattice tower that will be shared with Verizon. Verizon would use the new tower in addition to the monopole in Shively Park for improving its wireless network.
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