Planning Commission Approves 195’ Cell Tower for Roman Park

The city of Westlake moved ahead with a new 195’ cell tower in Roman Park on Ranney Parkway, after planning commission approved the tower at the lower height.

“We received and reviewed the revised plan today,” Planning Coordinator Bob Parry said at the March 4 Planning Commission meeting. “It’s now under 200 feet (in height); it doesn’t require lighting.”

Previous plans for the monopole, which is being sought by the city of Cleveland for emergency services, requested approval of a 235’ high monopole.

The pole was to expand an 800 MHZ frequency Cleveland safety network in Cuyahoga county. The tower would be used for communications with other city safety forces, airport back up, water department readings and pollution control.

Council still needs to approve the $2 million tower, which will also require a public hearing.

In March 2012, Larry Jones and Brad Handke from the city of Cleveland told planning commission neither a location on the Crown Filtration plant at Clague Road nor a co-location on the state tower at Columbia Road met the coverage needs for the Cleveland network to function properly in western Cuyahoga county. He stressed the need for the tower to be in Westlake and further northwest to provide the coverage needed for the Cleveland system.

“There are towers all over Cuyahoga in the northwest corner,” Parry said, but noted reception in the northwest corner of the county was lacking.

If approved, the monopole would be to the east of the parking lot of Roman Park. It would require a sizeable foundation.

“There’s a little spot of land that is not a landfill,” Parry said, noting most of the park is on a landfill.

The 13-acre park at 28000 Ranney Parkway has three softball fields, a playground, concession stand and bathrooms. It is adjacent to a landfill.

Cleveland has already received an EPA permit for the area.

Prior to approval, the city is requesting the city of Cleveland sign a lease with Westlake.