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Cell tower has option to fire station
(by Mike Klimko - October 29, 2008)
Cell tower has option to fire station
By MIKE KLIMKO
A lease of municipal land in Solon could be the deciding factor in choosing the site of a 140-foot-high communications tower proposed at the Harper Road Fire Station.
Three potential sites for the monopole planned in the area by T-Mobile was to be discussed this week by the city's planning commission. Two of the sites are on the grounds of the fire station and would require a lease.
T-Mobile could turn to a third site, which is within the infield of the Route 422 freeway interchange at Harper Road, Solon Planning Director Robert S. Frankland said in a report to the commission. The cellular-telephone service could opt for the alternate location if the commission and city officials decide against permitting the tower at the fire station, he said.
"Should this occur, the community will obviously still incur the visible impacts of the tower without receiving compensation through a lease agreement," he said.
The preferred site at the fire station is in a wooded area directly south of the building, as reported to the commission in September by the public works department. The other site is within in the lawn northwest of the building.
Counter to the finding of city officials, the lawn location would be the better site, according to Westminster Drive homeowners, who said they would like the tower located further from their neighborhood.
"It is suggested that, if this prominent location is selected, that the city consider accepting T-Mobile's offer to outfit the monopole as a flagpole with the American flag," Mr. Frankland said. "It should be noted, however, that the adjacent property owners have indicated opposition to placing a flag on the tower, as it must be lit at night."
A draft of the lease agreement with T-Mobile was reviewed and received preliminary approval by Law Director David J. Matty and City Council's safety and public properties committee.
Approval of the lease is contingent on a recommendation from Mr. Matty, review and approval of structural and electrical analyses of the tower and an agreement with the city on the collocation of antennae, Mr. Frankland said.
Plans call for antennae that would be used by T-Mobile and two other carriers. The base of the tower would be an enclosure of 1,800 square feet.
The enclosure would house equipment and would be surrounded by 6-foot-high chain-link fencing. Screening and lighting of the enclosure were approved in July 2007 by the city's architectural board of review.
No zoning variances are required, Mr. Frankland said. Although towers are not permitted by code in residential areas outside of high-tension corridors, he said, the code exempts communication towers on city property.
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