The East Baton Rouge Planning Commission on Monday denied T-Mobile’s request for a new 85-foot tower disguised as a flagpole to be located at Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School. This came after residents voiced concerns about health and decreased home values. Later in the meeting, the Commission did approve a different T-Mobile tower, slated for development at Glen Oaks High School, when no opposition was voiced, reported The Advocate.
T-Mobile representative Heidi Nelson tried to calm the concerns of the Sherwood Forest residents by citing studies regarding property values. Nelson noted that towers themselves don’t affect property values; if anything, the improved cell coverage would raise them, she said. Nelson also cited FCC studies that found exposure to radiation from the towers is far less than dangerous amounts.
Nelson did mention something that raised additional concerns with residents, possibly adding 35-feet to the proposed tower height of 85-feet to co-locate with other carriers. This seemed like a “bait and switch” to residents, reported The Advocate. Commissioner Todd Sterling suggested tabling the issue for a future meeting and residents asked Nelson to consider other sites that are not on school grounds. With that, the commission unanimously denied the tower rezoning application. However, they then approved a 120-foot tower application from T-Mobile for placement on the Glen Oaks High property.
November 15, 2017
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