After several jumps around South Peabody finding the perfect location for a tower, Verizon thinks it may have it—however there still are those who disagree on the Coolidge Avenue spot.
This all began on August. 28, 2014, when the Peabody City Council denied Verizon’s special permit needed to install the 60-foot tower on Lynn Street, behind Michael’s Limousine. Verizon sued, and during that lawsuit, the city also denied Verizon access to “locate attachments on city utility poles,” according the Salem News.
After evaluating the city for the best spot to help with cell coverage and spotty service, Verizon and Peabody proposed grounds of the city water treatment plant at the end of Coolidge Avenue. That area, however, is surrounded by residences, the Cedar Grove Cemetery and Fountain Pond. While Verizon said that assisting with coverage gaps in homes will increase property values, members of the town council are asking to see more evidence. Some told the newspaper they would never vote for a tower near a residential area because they are “an eyesore.”
The Salem News reports that city laws limit cell tower heights to 50 feet, but Verizon’s filing said that elevation “cannot address the gap in coverage,” making that limit “unenforceable.” There are federal laws that can allow for larger height in the case of telecommunications efforts. However, when The Salem News went to two different nearby residences to ask about the installation, neither resident knew about the proposed tower. One reportedly didn’t have any problems with cell coverage.
The proposed tower at the Coolidge Avenue spot would be in a 50-by-50-foot area, surrounded by a chain fence. Co-location would be allowed for up to four carriers. The council will look at the issue again in the upcoming weeks.
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