Prince of Peace Cell Tower Options Reviewed Tonight

The disputed 100-ft. Verizon cell tower at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Center Ridge Road will be up for discussion tonight after being referred back to Planning Commission for additional discussion.

Planning Commission approved the tower last October, which if built will sit as close as 300 - 500 feet to residential homes. Most recently, City Council referred the item back to planning commission on Feb. 7 without taking a vote.

Homeowner Laurie Frankito of nearby Stonegate Circle said on March 28 she would be in attendance and again speak against the tower. She and her husband James have been vocal opponents of the tower, which could be built 500 feet from her home, if approved.

She said other viable options including property near the library, were available.

Frankito also noted two homes nearby have put their homes up for sale and if the cell tower proposal is approved at Planning Commission she will also be putting her home up for sale next week.

The Verizon tower was first proposed in September of 2012, and planning commission voted to recommend plans to build a 100-foot tower on the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church property in early December.

Council’s vote was first delayed during its Jan. 3 meeting. It was again postponed during the meeting on Jan. 17. The city’s Planning Director, Robert Parry, said at the time that council wanted to give the applicant time to report on alternate sites for the tower. 

Alternate locations have been suggested. The post office and the Westlake Porter Public Library were both suggested at the Jan. 3 meeting.

The item, an ordinance considering an application for a conditional use permit for a wireless telecommunications facility at 28579 Center Ridge Road, is on tonight’s agenda.

Discussion of agenda items and fact finding is from 7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Planning commission begins at 7:30 p.m.