The Addison Township Planning Commission held a public hearing on Sept. 14 concerning a request from Com Unwired LLC for a special use permit to construct an internet communications tower on W. Leonard Rd. ? and several residents attended to voice their concerns on the proposal.
Com Unwired LLC CEO Greg Hency has asked for the special use permit in order to construct an internet communications tower, between 100 and 150 feet, on the 10-acre agriculturally zoned property of Arlene Capton. In his application, Hency states that he hopes to serve around 200 customers with the tower.
During the planning commission meeting, Hency gave a small presentation explaining how his equipment works and why he chose the proposed site for his tower. Hency stated that he is using 900 MHz public-band point-to-multipoint Ethernet distribution equipment positioned at the top of a small tower with no more than a five foot base.
The example equipment he displayed was a white box just over a foot square and several inches thick. The devise did not project any antennas or wires and was visually self-contained.
‘You’re going to see it if you live there,? he stated, ‘but it’s not like a cell tower. You can see the same sort of tower behind B&B Construction in Leonard.?
Which is exactly why several residents were unhappy with the prospect of another such tower in the township.
Paul Wells, who owns property near the proposed tower site, was concerned about the appearance of the structure: ‘Just for visual effects, I would not like to see a 200 foot, 250 foot, tower on the horizon,? he told commissioners. ‘We want to just enjoy the country and not see it.?
Mr. Well’s sentiments were echoed by Rex Halfpenny. The Leonard resident stated that his property is a few 100 feet from the proposed site, which causes him to have several concerns such as the effects of radiation and possible decreases in property values due to the tower’s visibility.
A desktop publisher who works full-time at home, Halfpenny told commissioners that he understands the need for high-speed, reliable internet service – he explained that his own livelihood depends on it. However, Helfpenny stated that he would not benefit from the tower with the proposed location.
‘I’m on the other side of where the tower serves,? he stated. ‘I get all of the problems and all of the eyesore and absolutely no benefit.?
More than one property owners questioned why the internet provider could not locate on an existing tower. After several speakers, the same concern though continued to surface: the visibility and ‘eyesore? of the tower.
‘I think this tower is going to be unsightly,? stated Joe Beattie, ‘and unless they want to pay everybody who can see it visually and decrease their taxes, I don’t see any reason for it myself.?
‘I sure didn’t move into the country to see a tower out my backyard,? agreed Frank Falzetta.
Phil Stackpoole, chair of the Addison Township Fire Board, brought forth a unique concern. Based on the possible height and proposed ‘ladder like? construction of the tower, he worried about children climbing the structure.
‘I’m concerned that we don’t have ladders that go up that high,? he stated. ‘If something were to happen… we would have to depend on North Oakland to assist, and that would be at a cost of between $10,000 and $20,000.?
The final concerns brought before the commission by the public were possible legal actions pending against the property and property owner; and the fact there is already a tower on the site, though not erected.
Discussion among the planning commissioners was brief, with more questions posed concerning the application than answers presented.
Commission Chair Lawrence Smith asked for the proper sidwell number and actually size of the property. He also stated that there is not much the commission can do until the applicant attempts to erect the tower.
Commissioner Christine Sypitkowski stated that in all the paperwork she has seen on the proposal, the property size is 10-acres. She asked for confirmation that the Wireless Communications Ordinance, of Zoning Ordinance 200, states that in order for a special use permit to be approved for the tower, the site must be 20-acres. She also voiced concerns about a temporary tower already being on the site.
During his presentation after the public hearing, Greg Hency attempted to answer a few of the residents concerns. He stated that the safe zone around the tower is two meters and the FCC regulates the amount of radiation allowed. Also, the tower will have a ‘no climb area? around it.
‘I’m trying to make this as visually minimal as possible,? he explained.
He also stated that when he began this process, he was in a hurry because he had a ‘drop dead date? at which everything had to be completed. Hency explained that he needed to have the tower up and operational before the leaves were gone in order to guarantee his signal. Setting up a tower during the winter does not provide the foliage necessary for testing signal penetration.
‘You have a customer who has service all winter and then the spring comes and their signals gone,? he said. Hency added that his ‘drop dead date? has already passed.
‘I looked into possibly joining existing towers, but none have been available, ? Hency stated. ‘We don’t like to build towers because that costs a lot of money.?
As for the location, Hency stated that he was informed there would be technical difficulties if he attempted to co-located on the Oakland County tower on Noble Rd. Also, using the Lakeville tower would not reach the coverage zone he is attempting to serve. Hency explained that he selected Capton’s property since it was already zoned agricultural, and almost all the surrounding property was suburban farm.
‘Looking in that area, almost everything is zoned suburban farm,? he stated. ‘If I were to continue going outside that to find the 20-acre, I would be out of the area I’m trying to cover.?
The planning commission did not take any action after the public hearing. The commissioners did ask for more information, including whether or not there were any lawsuits pending concerning the Capton property and for confirmation on the zoning ordinance. To date, the commission is waiting for additional information from applicant Greg Hency.
The Addison Township Planning Commission meets on the second Tuesday of every month. Anyone interested in upcoming agenda items can contact the township offices at 248-628-3317.